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Queen visits Whipsnade’s new elephant facility 12 pages of What’s On Local news from your town
MAY 2017
LOCAL NEWS magazine
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SIXTY YEARS OF CHRISTIAN AID
Sixty Years ago the first Christian Aid Week was launched. This year, May 14th – 20th, thousands of volunteers will again be calling door to door to collect those distinctive red and white envelopes. The donations are a vital contribution to Christian Aid’s response to the needs of the poor in our world. Originating in the commitment of British and Irish Churches to help refugees at the end of the Second World War – it was initially called ‘Christian Reconstruction in Europe’ – it morphed into Christian Aid with its global focus. Currently the charity works with over 650 partners across approximately 50 countries, using its resources to respond to humanitarian need including today’s refugees and those who suffer from famine. However, Christian Aid’s vision is bigger than just meeting immediate needs. The driving vision is to combat, and bring to an end, poverty
DOING WHAT IS RIGHT AND PROPER
Those of us living in the more remote Bedfordshire villages and smaller towns, unlike the residents of central Bedford and Luton, can often be unaware of the extent to which our county is one of the most diverse in the entire country. I met last month with Menter, the East of England voice for the Black Minority Ethnic (BME) Community to emphasise this point and will do so quarterly as it is my duty to be a Commissioner for all our communities, without exception. When speaking recently at Tilsworth, for example, the audience was clearly surprised to learn that only twenty minutes' drive away Bedford primary schools teach pupils
View from the Rt Revd
Richard Atkinson
The Bishop of Bedford
in our world; that poverty which robs people of dignity, freedom and hope, of power over their own lives. I am reminded of some words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, “There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.” Christian Aid do exactly that, when in addition to their relief work, they campaign against the causes of poverty such as inequality and tax injus-
Update from the
Police & Crime Commissioner by Kathryn Holloway speaking well in excess of 40 different languages. That is why increasing diversity in our police force is so critical; Robert Peel said that "the police are the public and the public are the police" and it is both morally correct and a practical necessity for Bedfordshire Police to reflect the public that it serves in terms of appearance and the languages spoken.
tice, challenge gender inequality, or respond to the devastating effects of Malaria and HIV Aids. Michael is just one of the millions uprooted by conflict and famine in South Sudan. When military forces descended on 80-year-old Michael’s village in Unity State, South Sudan, they showed no mercy. Looting homes and killing indiscriminately, their violent actions destroyed an entire community. Terrified, Michael, who is nearly blind, and his family fled to nearby swamps where they hid for two and a half months. When finally they returned home almost everything was lost – people had died, homes had been looted and livestock stolen. Christian Aid was there for Michael and his family, providing them with fishing hooks and nets to replace those stolen from them. A skilled fisherman, Michael was soon able to feed his family regular nutritious meals by catching fish. When the Christian Aid volunteers calls for that envelope, please give generously to help the millions in our world like Michael.
Recent recruitment has drawn on posters situated in areas of high diversity, recruitment evenings aimed at young people and their extended families have been introduced to better explain the benefits of policing as a career, as has a ‘buddy’ scheme to provide a friendly source of support to our BME candidates who, unlike others, may not have family members or existing friends in the Force. It is a source of enormous pride to me, and the Chief Constable, that recent recruitment has included 34% diversity, as I saw for myself at the passing out parade, which is, sadly, unprecedented in current policing in the UK. This can only build wider confidence in Bedfordshire Police, This is not tokenism; it is doing what is right and proper and long overdue."
Recently awarded Ofsted Outstanding, Toddington Childcare is a registered charity which offers excellent quality care and learning experiences to children aged one to nine-years-old. As well as our outstanding pre school from the age of two, we can offer full time care for one-year-olds in our Panda Room, alongside complete wrap around care through breakfast, lunch and after school clubs. We are open Monday to Friday 7.30am to 6pm and 8am to 6pm in school holidays. Two, three and four-year-old funding available where applicable. Childcare Vouchers accepted. C/o Toddington St George C of E School Manor Road, Toddington, LU5 6BD Tel: 01525 875400 admin@toddingtonchildcare.org.uk www.toddingtonchildcare.org.uk Ofsted Registration number 511695. Registered Charity Number 1092562
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Competition to mark 30th anniversary
THIS year local countryside charity, CPRE Bedfordshire, celebrates 30 years of standing up for Bedfordshire’s countryside and greenspaces. To mark this, the charity is running a photography competition open to all, to build a picture of Bedfordshire’s much-valued countryside and greenspaces, and glimpse how these are changing. The theme is: Bedfordshire – A Changing Landscape Bedfordshire is a beautiful county, with landscapes and green spaces that are enormously valued by the people who live here, yet our landscapes change, both throughout the year and over time. Entrants are encouraged to consider the ways that Bedfordshire’s landscape, countryside and greenspaces can be seen to change, through natural or human factors. The competition is open to CPRE members and non-members, so keep a camera to hand when you’re out and about. First prize £100, second prize £50 M&S vouchers. The deadline for entries is 16th October 2017. A spokesperson for CPRE Bedfordshire said: “On our 30th anniversary, it felt fitting to focus on how Bedfordshire’s landscapes change over time – a chance to consider the past, present and future of our beautiful county. “We hope people are inspired by the theme and we look forward to receiving some great entries from across Bedfordshire.” For full details about how to enter our photo competition, please go to www.cprebeds.org.uk or contact info@cprebeds.org.uk
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AUTISM Bedfordshire is an independent charity setup in 1991 providing support for individuals with autism, parents/carers, families and associated professionals. Within Children’s Services we offer several different services across the county these include: LOAF (Loads of Autistic Fun), a Saturday morning family activity group which the whole family can attend providing an inclusive environment where all children up to age 12 (those with autism and their siblings) and their parents/carers are supported by trained staff and volunteers. LOAF allows children with autism to relax, have fun and ‘be themselves’ with people who understand their complex needs. Wanted Fun are our youth groups which provide social opportunities for young people aged 10-17 years with Asperger’s Syndrome or highfunctioning Autism. The groups provide different activities both at the base and within the community.
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The group is also a great opportunity for young people to make new friends and to develop their social skills and self-confidence in a relaxed, positive environment. Our Summer Activity Schemes run in Bedford and Luton providing social, educational and play experiences for children with Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC) aged 3-17 years. Alongside these core services we also offer additional opportunities such as trampoline course, soft play sessions and swim sessions subject to additional funding being secured. Parent training has also been hugely successful over recent years and we work alongside the CAMHS team to deliver this across the county. Opportunities: We are pleased to announce that we have both paid and voluntary roles available. For further information: 01234 214871, email recruitment@ autismbeds.org or visit our website www.autismbedfordshire.net
WINDOWS, DOORS & CONSERVATORIES
New High Sheriff of Bedfordshire 2017-2018
Mr Vinod Tailor FCIB DL was officially appointed to the Office of the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire for 20172018 at a ceremony held at Hindu Temple on 1 April 2017.
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The Office of the High Sheriff is an annual appointment by HM The Queen which goes back to Saxon times and Vinod takes over the role from Charles Whitbread. Bedfordshire has been home to the Tailor family since around 1972 having moved from Uganda. Vinod and his wife, Jaimani, live in Luton with his mother and their son.
As well as working in the Banking and Financial sector for 40 years, Vinod is involved in several organisations in Bedfordshire, London, India and Africa. His interests include reading, charitable works and classical music.
Photography by June Essex
Autism Bedfordshire – Children’s Services
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The Blue Orchid is a multi-award winning Thai Restaurant. An exciting addition to the Verve Hotel which already boasts the Jax Bar & Restaurant and the Impression Event Venue.
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EXPLORE THE VERVE A warm welcome to the Verve Hotel (formerly Shakespeare Hotel), a luxury boutique hotel in Bedford, part of Verve group of Hotels. Being only a few minutes away to the Town centre, our stylish hotel offers a perfect retreat for both business and leisure. With our bespoke colour scheme, vibrant art, crisp linens and modern furniture, we strive to offer our guests an impeccable service and comfort to make their stay with us memorable.
The 23 stunning En-suite bedrooms showcase trendy fabrics, sleek contours and designer wallpapers to compliment the hotel’s luxury boutique surroundings.
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Priory View receives Royal seal of approval
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Her Majesty was accompanied by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at the scheme in Dunstable in April. HM The Queen and His Royal Highness visited the home of Pauline Stainsby – one of the 83 state-of-the-art apartments at Priory View – during a tour of the building and also had the chance to speak with residents taking part in some of the numerous activities on offer and enjoying the many different facilities available at the Church Street development. Following lunch with residents and invited guests, Her Majesty officially opened the building before she and The Duke of Edinburgh were presented with a posy and a gift by Priory View’s oldest residents George Baker, 93, a former Royal navy serviceman, and Angela Greene. Councillor David Bowater, Chairman of Central Bedfordshire Council, was among those presented to the royal party on their arrival at Priory View. He said: “It has been a terrific honour for Priory View to be chosen for a royal visit and everyone who lives and works here has been
Photography by June Essex
CEnTRAL Bedfordshire Council’s award-winning independent living scheme Priory View has been officially opened by HM The Queen.
delighted and excited to be part of the day. “With a visit to Whipsnade Zoo too, HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh have been able to see some of the brilliant things which Central Bedfordshire has to offer residents of all ages.” Ruhelly Begum, scheme manager for Priory View, said: “Her Majesty and His Royal Highness made it very clear in advance of their visit that they were particularly interested in meeting residents of this fantastic scheme. “Some of them have been living at Priory View for up to a year and it is that they are still just as enthusiastic about their home and every-
late november but unfortunately he wasn’t well enough and we lost him on 1 January. “I like it here – people are absolutely lovely. You can just go and sit with them and chat with them if you are feeling lonely – or not. Once I got over the shock of losing my husband I enjoy going and mixing with other people.” ––––––––––––––––
£197,500 grant
thing it has to offer as the day they moved in. “The close-knit community which has formed here in such a short time is amazing, and I think that was evident to HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh as they went around the building.” Pauline Stainsby was honoured to meet Her Majesty for the first time. She said: “It was wonderful. She was so gracious – almost ordinary in a way, isn’t she? She was just lovely to talk to. “I got to speak with the Duke of Edinburgh too.” She added: “I have been living at Priory View since the end of October. My husband joined me in
BEDFORD Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council have won further funding as part of the One Public Estate programme. Over half a million pounds was awarded last year to enable a programme of initiatives aimed at improving the management of public sector assets; and this month a further £197,500 was granted as part of the second phase of the national project. The One Public Estate (OPE) programme is a pioneering initiative aimed at improving the management of public sector land and property that is currently underused or has the potential for improvement and development. OPE are working with almost three quarters of councils in England with the aim of creating 44,000 new jobs, developing 25,500 new homes and reducing public sector running costs by £98 million.
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Harlington Upper win Battle of the Bands
PROPERTY MARKET UPDATE
Right place, right time BEDFORDSHIRE has been cited as one of the UK’s property hot spots earmarked for anticipated price growth in numerous reports and with huge amounts being invested into in more homes, education, roads, rail and air it comes as little surprise that a location so well connected to the capital and internationally via air is finally getting the attention it deserves.
The warm weather puts a spring in your step! As the nights are getting noticeably lighter and the mornings too we welcome waking to the chirps of the birds and the sun through the window, it feels like summer is on its way! It’s a popular time of year and traditionally an active time for those entering the housing market.
Get Prepared and Reap the Rewards The garden can once again become the focal point for any home entering the market for sale or let at this time of year as the lush green lawn and array of colours create a real sense of home for any visitor taking a view. Warmer weather allows us to open windows and doors to bring the fresh spring air into the home and sets the scene perfectly for al fresco
by Stuart Scott
dining so get those dining sets out and dusted down! When presenting your property for sale start at the front, is the entrance tidy? A smart clean front door speaks volumes. We all still have to live but it is worth tidying away the unnecessary items and getting on top of all the small jobs you have been meaning to do. It is also a good tip to make the driveway or parking as easy as possible for potential buyers to arrive and depart. Our network of 10 branches across Beds & Bucks is independently owned by true local experts who know your immediate market place intimately and can advise on all aspects of selling or renting your property professionally.
HARLInGTOn Upper School r eclaimed th eir title in th e Bedfordshire Schools Battle of the Bands when one of their groups, Genie and the Lamps seized the crown as champions, representing a second win in a row for the school. Two of Harlington Upper School’s student bands had got through to the finals in this hard fought competition across Bedfordshire, Genie and the Lamps and Quadaria. Both groups enjoyed the amazing experience of being able to perform on the world famous stage at The Stables in Wavendon, which alone was a prize in itself. The atmosphere was electric and the musical standard of each band was extremely high. Students from ten schools participated in the Battle and although it’s a competition, all of the competing bands were supportive of each other. Such a positive atmosphere has been fostered over the seven years that the competition has been running and is integral to the success of the night. ‘Genie and the Lamps’ were crowned worthy winners of the competition. The beautifully haunting electro acoustic solo from Bethan, the funky bass of Tom, the confident keys from neha, the stunning vocal harmonies from Milly, the vibrant and virtuosic guitar improvisations from Luke, the electric energy of Seyi on the drums and the rich, bold and simply stunning lead vocals of Genie made for a winning team. They performed three songs, What the Water Gave Me- Florence and
the Machine; Come Alive- Janelle Monae and Take me Out- Franz Ferdinand. As if singing at this venue wasn’t enough, the band won a piano for the school and a day’s recording at the Sound Garage, a professional studio- which will be another incredibly unique experience for them. ‘Quadaria’ performed Counting Stars – One Republic and Borrow my Heart- nashville Cast. Both were performed with such professionalism and total enjoyment; Octavia and Luke- lead vocalists (guitar and tambourine players too) were totally in sync with their harmonies and looked utterly at home on stage; Seyi, with his technical prowess on the drums took everything in his stride, helped by the fact that he was part of the 2015 winning band. Anson added a wonderfully alternative timbre with the ukulele and Faye provided a beautiful accompaniment on the keys. Shawn Fell, Headteacher of Harlington Upper Schools says: “We are so proud that one of our top two bands won the prestigious Battle of the Bands competition at The Stables, which represents the second year for Harlington Upper School. Music and the Arts are extremely important and successful subjects at the school and we encourage our s tu d en ts to b e cr eativ e and expressive. Both the winners, Genie and the Lamps, and Quadaria are two groups of incredibly talented young people and we are just delighted that they have achieved public recognition”
STAFF at Toddington Childcare worked hard over Easter to develop their pre school facilities to incorporate a new Forest School. Their very own Sarah Davies has been trained to Level 1 and is working towards Level 3 to become a qualified Forest School Leader. Forest School is an inspirational process, that offers our children regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experi-
ences in a natural environment. It fosters a relationship with nature through regular personal experiences in order to develop longterm, environmentally sustainable attitudes and practices in staff, children and the wider community, using natural resources for inspiration, and encouraging children to develop their own ideas and motivation. Sarah Davies and Jemma Gadsden below are busy building the bug hotel.
Preparations underway for Toddington’s own Forest School
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Easter Monday thrills and spills
Motocross right on your doorstep Old Park Farm, Toddington hosted the Easter Motorcross South Midland Championship on Monday April 17th. Organised by the Luton & District Motorcycle Club
there was a huge field of competitors. The programme of 20 races covered Schoolboys (and girls) and to 60+. The weather remained favourable enabling the riders to display their skills to best effect.
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Could you be a Foster Carer? Foster Care Fortnight 8th-21st May 2017 is here again and the purpose of this regular event is to raise awareness around the need for fostering families around the country. All agencies contribute and support Foster Care Fortnight along with the Fostering Network who ‘figurehead’ the campaign. The number of families coming forward to foster has dropped significantly and the number of young people needing foster care is only increasing!
Could you make that difference to a Child’s life? Children First Fostering agency are an independent fostering agency – we are continually recruiting fostering families. If you have ever thought about becoming a foster carer, or would like to find out more information, please take a look at the website, www.cffa.co.uk or call Kim on 01268 567330. We also have a Facebook page
which gives lots of information about the agency and all aspect of fostering. Our aim is to provide quality care and achieve the best outcomes for the children and young people entrusted to us. We do so by working in consultation and partnership with our foster carers, local authorities, our experienced and professional social workers, and of course the children and young people we look after. We have a very experienced and professional group of support staff with venues for support groups and training across our area. A member of that team will always be on hand to support and offer advice, out of hour’s staff also available. A wide variety of people can become foster carers. At Children First our carers
come from wide ranging cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. They might be home owners or tenants, each foster child however, will need to have his or her own bedroom. Children and young people need space around them for their own possessions and to allow them to study, play and relax. The most important thing is that your home is welcoming and safe. The carers have regular support groups which are well attended and carers are given the opportunity to feedback and share ideas with each other and the agency. We also have a ‘word of mouth’ referral scheme for existing carers to make suggestions from friends and family who might like to be considered as foster carers. As a foster carer you will need to have the time and energy to invest in a child or young person. You must also be flexible, patient and understanding. Carers receive a weekly allowance and have the support of our professional team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is guidance given to allocation of the allowance in respect of the young people placed and is paid fortnightly directly to carers, carers are selfemployed. Children First Fostering Agency have their own Mascot, Rover. He supports the carers and young people and accompanies both staff and young people on activities and days out as well as training and recruitment events. Children First also ‘host’ events for our carers and young people throughout the year, including Easter, summer, and Christmas themed events.
For more information please go to www.cffa.co.uk or call Kim on 01268 567330
New Nursing Associate Trainees begin course
TEL: 07724 905406 ADS: advertising@rosettapublishing.com A nEW course which will train over 40 nursing Associates to support healthcare in Bedfordshire has been officially launched. The nursing Associate Trainees is a new member of the nursing family and part of the plan to expand and diversify the nHS workforce. The trainees will be highly trained and work alongside Clinical Support Workers (CSW) under the supervision of a registered nurse to deliver hands-on patient care. Bedford Hospital nHS Trust will lead the
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partnership with a number of organisations such as: University of Bedfordshire, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, East London Foundation Trust and Cambridge Community Services nHS Trust to deliver this two year groundbreaking training programme. The trainees gathered at the University of Bedfordshire’s Luton Campus this week for a special launch event to mark the beginning of their training. Tracey Brigstock, Acting Director of
nursing and Patient Services for Bedford Hospital said: “We are delighted and privileged to be a lead partner to deliver this training as this a great opportunity to shape the future of nursing and assist in addressing some of the recruitment challenges we currently face. I know the students will gain valuable practical experience as part of this training programme, which will include placements in both acute and community settings.” nursing Associate Trainees, Hannah and Eloise who are CSWs at Luton and Dunstable Hospital said: “We are very excited to start this amazing opportunity to study at university and pursue our career ambitions at the same time.”
Clare Alden-Salter, a CSW from Bedford Hospital said: “This training programme is a dream come true for me. I’m really looking forward to learning and maintaining my passion in delivering high quality care to patients at their bedside.” Tony Fontenelle – Learning Disability Liaison Support Worker at Bedford Hospital also said: “After 17 years of working for the nHS in a variety of roles it feels fantastic to finally be pursuing my dream of become a nurse. I never thought that this opportunity would arise and I cannot wait to start learning and developing new skills to enhance the care I provide to my patients.”
DREAM COME TRUE
Stage and screen star visits Harlington Upper School
THE STUDEnTS and staff of Harlington Upper School were in great excitement when the renowned stage and screen star Sir Ian McKellen paid them a visit on behalf of the organisation Stonewall, which supports the LGBT community Sir Ian’s visit began with him meeting with the school's LBGT club and having a discussion about LBGT issues and the positive way that Harlington Upper School has embraced them. He answered lots of the students’ questions and was very supportive of the club and its members. It was then the opportunity for a big school assembly of over 900 students from Years 9, 10 and 11 who wholeheartedly welcomed their honoured and world famous guest.
r o S U E V LO US! LOSE
He addressed them, speaking about his life as a gay man, how he became involved with Stonewall, the ways in which the lives of gay people in the UK have changed during his lifetime and how they have not changed in other parts of the world. To add to the students’ delight, he finished by giving them a very special performance of “The Refugee Speech” – a short excerpt from Shakespeare’s play 'Sir Thomas More', which was enthusiastically received.. The students sat enraptured for an hour on the floor, listening attentively to everything Sir Ian had to say on this important topic and they had the opportunity
afterwards to ask questions about both LBGT issues and Sir Ian’s stellar career as an actor. He then moved on to a more informal question and answer session with the sixth formers in the school’s theatre. A number of the students had submitted questions beforehand, a mixture of LGBT issues and acting, with more of an emphasis on acting as many of the questions had come from Drama students. Again, Sir Ian finished off with a short masterclass performance of Shakespeare which delighted everyone Shawn Fell, Harlington Upper School’s Headteacher said: “Sir Ian McKellen was a fantastic guest and he totally engaged with the school’s
students. They were so excited to have such a famous visitor and he generously stayed much longer than we anticipated. Before he left us he very kindly autographed a copy of The Lord Of The Rings, which will be raffled by the LBGT club to raise money for charity.” “We are very grateful to Sir Ian and Stonewall for offering us this opportunity. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the visit as well as learning a lot more about the history of the LBGT community and how they are and how they should be treated in the school, in local communities and the rest of the world. It is a day that will remain long in our memories and judging by the fact that the school’s Facebook article got over 30,000 ‘likes’ it suggests that many others felt the same way.”
FLITWICK VILLAGE HALL, 11 DUNSTABLE ROAD, MK45 1HP Many lovely stalls from fishmongers to bakers man and the fudge man and egg lad! For more information or to book a stall, please call TESSA JORDAN on 07541 172013
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Flitwick Scout Group are preparing for summer
BEAVERS (boys and girls aged six to eight) from Flitwick Scout Group have recently been working towards their Disability Awareness badge where they have used numerous aids. They have learnt for themselves how people with sight problems have difficulty navigating their way to the shops. One of the highlights of getting the badge was trying out sports wheelchairs. Charlie Oliver said, “Trying out the different aids made me aware of the difficulties people with a disability have to do everyday things we take for granted.” The Cubs (boys and girls aged 8 to 10 ½) are planning archery, backwoods cooking, fire-lighting, bike riding and learning sports skills over the next couple of months. The Scouts (boys and girls aged 10 ½ to 14) have been learning martial arts, emergency aid, pancake making and how to work as a team. An Explorer Unit (boys and girls aged 14 to 18) has recently started up in Flitwick and they have been plan-
ning their programme. Two of the early activities they have undertaken have been pancake making and climbing. Adult volunteer Jonathan Smith said: “There are great opportunities in Flitwick for young people to get involved in Scouting. We provide activities a range of activities includ-
ing abseiling, cooking, being creative and playing with friends.” A large amount of the activities over the next three months will be outdoors and will involve preparation for the three camps they have planned. The first is a weekend away for Cubs towards the end of May where the activities they will be
undertaking include raft building, pedal karts and cooking over an open fire. There is then a Group camp in June where the children will be able to go caving, on the high ropes, go on the cresta run and climbing the ice wall. The Scouts will also use the weekend to practice erecting and dismantling hike tents they will be using for the joint Cub and Scout camp in August. The Cub and Scout camp will be taking place at Walesby Forest in nottinghamshire where some of the activities will include cooking on an open fire, tomahawk throwing, kayaking, swimming and bivouacking. It has recently been confirmed the Group remain the biggest in the County with 197 Beavers, Cubs and Scouts involved. Their HQ is used every weekday evening with two sections, e.g. Beavers and Cubs often meeting on the same evening. For further information about Flitwick Scout Group, please visit www.flitwickscoutgroup.org.uk
swimming began at 7pm. Between them, the swimmers swam 38,950 metres which is an astonishing achievement for this young group. next up at 8pm where swimmers from a B and C squad. Another amazing achievement with a collective swim of 37,200 metres. At 9 o'clock in the evening it was then the turn of the A squad (within this squad includes the club's Sprint squad and members of CBSS squad, these are the clubs senior swimmers ) along with the Masters squad who are the clubs adult swimmers.
Collectively in the hour between 9pm and 10pm this group swam an amazing total of over 115,000 metres!! not to be out done by their swimmers, the parents were there for the duration between 7pm and 9pm in the evening swimming their own lengths and amassed an incredible 40,150 metres of swimming. The combined total of all the squads and parents meterage in the pool equated to in excess of 230,000 metres. That figure equates to approximately 144 miles which is actually just under seven times across the English Channel, or there and back just under three times!! Flitwick Dolphins Swimming Club are very proud of all of the swimmers who took part in the club's sponsored swim event. If you would like more information on the challenge that some of the club swimmers will be embarking upon in July, or if you would like to donate towards the very worthy causes that the swimmers are supporting, please visit the clubs website www.flitwickdolphins.org.uk . Click on the tab marked "Swimming" and go to "Channel Relay Swim 2017".
Dolphins’ swimmers set themselves a challenge!
In July of this year some of the clubs swimmers will be taking part in an English channel relay swim endeavour. not only will the swimmers be doing it for the sheer challenge of getting across the channel but they are raising sums for some very worthwhile charities . Charities that they are supporting are Great Ormond Street Hospital, Save The Children, Mind, Worldvision and Vascultis. In support of the swimmers taking part in the Channel swim challenge, the club organised a sponsored swim event to include all the club's swimmers and that took place within the usual training schedule on a Wednesday at the Flitwick leisure centre. The challenge that was set was for each of the squads to swim the distance of the channel but within the swimming pool. The English Channel is 21 miles
across which equates to 33,797 metres or put another way is 1352 lengths of a 25 metre swimming pool. First to embark upon the challenge were the club's youngest squad consisting of the Flippers and the Fins. With the senior swimmers volunteering to lap count them, the
EASTER came early for a Luton dementia café where the seasonal hats, eggs and cards helped to rekindle memories of the past. The Young@Heart café takes place every Wednesday afternoon, at St John's Parish Centre, off Sundon Park Road, and last week’s was exceptionally well attended. Maria Collins, of Home Instead Luton and Central Bedfordshire, who leads a group of volunteers, said: “The memories of big occasions like Easter are remembered deep within the minds of people even with quite advanced dementia. “By helping people with dementia to reconnect with the past, we can recover, at least temporarily, some parts of what they have lost. It can be a source of great happiness, not only for people with dementia but can
give some respite to their carers, too.” The café also provides an opportunity for anyone living alone to enjoy conversation, music and song. Young@Heart is a partnership between Holy Family & St John’s Parish, in Luton, a town-based music therapy organisation called Music 24 and care company Home Instead Luton and Central Bedfordshire. The Young@Heart dementia café and is free to access for anyone who would like the companionship it provides. To volunteer for Young@Heart, please phone Maria Collins on 01582 742275 or 01525 213179. www.homeinstead.co.uk/lutonand-central-bedfordshire/7008.do/ youngheart-dementia-cafe-islaunched
Rekindling memories
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Regeneration plans move a step closer
CEnTRAL Bedfordshire Council’s Executive has chosen a preferred option for progressing plans towards the regeneration of a major brownfield site in Flitwick town centre. The site, which is adjacent to the railway station, was purchased by the Council with the specific objective of enabling a regeneration scheme to proceed. Council officers have been working on proposals for the site, and on the adjacent station forecourt owned by network Rail, that would have a major impact on the town centre. new retail facilities and homes would be provided alongside major improvements to transport infrastructure through the creation of a public transport interchange centred on the railway station and improvements to car parking facilities. The scheme would create between 100 and 200 jobs and provide much more of a focal point for the town centre, which is currently divided into different areas by the railway line.
The proposal for an interchange seeks to better integrate bus services with the rail timetable in order to provide station users with an alternative to traveling to the station by car. Major improvements to the public realm in and around the station, including access improvements for pedestrians and cyclists would also be required and delivered as part of the scheme. The Council has been working with a broad range of parties including network Rail and the train operating company Govia Thameslink Railway in order to enable a regeneration scheme in this location. As part of this ongoing work the Council has also secured interest from a major national retailer as a potential anchor tenant. Council Members approved a programme of further work to develop a scheme ahead of engagement with residents, tenants, wider town centre businesses and property owners, development partners and investors during this coming summer.
BEDFORDSHIRE Police’s Special Constabulary is recruiting, and is keen to meet members of the public who want to make a difference in their community. Members of the Special Constabulary will host an information evening at Police Headquarters in Woburn Road, Kempston, on Monday 8 May from 7.30pm. The evening is a chance for members of the public interested in volunteering with the force to hear more about the Special Constabulary from serving Specials, as well as more about the application process. The Special Constabulary is the UK’s volunteer police force. Specials work closely with full time Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) both to patrol Bedfordshire’s rural and urban communities, and volunteer in specialist units like Roads Policing. After completing their initial training and once they have taken their oaths, Specials continue to be mentored and supported by experienced colleagues before they become independent. Wayne Humberstone, Special Constabulary Chief Officer, said: “I
have volunteered for the Special Constabulary for two decades alongside my full time job, and I am proud to have reached the rank of Chief Officer. In that time, the Special Constabulary has grown and we now have Specials volunteering in various departments across the force supporting their full time colleagues, as well as running and resourcing their own operations. “Volunteering with the Special Constabulary is an opportunity like no other, and our Specials are amongst the most dedicated people I have met, each volunteering hours which fit in with their other life roles. I would encourage anyone who is thinking about volunteering this year, or who wants to do something really worthwhile in their community, to come along and find out more at our next information evening.” Special Constables must be over 18 and be able to commit a minimum of 16 hours a month to the role. To register, visit the ‘Volunteer With Us’ section of www.bedford shire.police.uk. Alternatively call: 07590 465 193 or email: BeSpecial@bedfordshire.pnn. police.uk
Can you make a difference?
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TEL: 07724 905406 EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
Biker Down! Flitwick Town Council community award courses
BEDFORDSHIRE Fire and Rescue Service are running free ‘Biker Down’ courses throughout the year to give motorcyclists and other road users the skills they need to help bikers who may have been involved in an accident. Each course lasts four hours and is split into four modules. dates are: June 17, July 22, August 27, September 24, October 22, November 26. Please check the course is running and book at place, please don’t just turn up. Module 1 – First on scene – this module includes an introduction into the course followed by detailed input on risk assessment, prioritisation of activities, calling the emergency services & giving accurate details, parking safely on arrival, scene safety, hazards that can be encountered at an incident and how to deal with each, managing adrenaline & generally staying calm & safe. Module 2 – First Aid – this module covers basic live saving first aid techniques that can be applied when arriving first on scene. We cover managing the airway, breathing and circulation of casualties whilst reiterating being mindful of the hazards detailed in module 1. We also perform a ‘Motorcycle Helmet’ removal demonstration and allow participants to practise the correct technique for this. Module 3 – Avoiding the accident – this module enlightens attendees with current statistics with regards to motorcycle accidents, the most common causes of motorcycle accidents including both motion camouflage and the looming effect. The module concludes with a discussion on some advanced riding techniques that can be used to reduce the chance of becoming involved in an accident. Module 4 – The Law – this module covers various aspects of the law and how it can affect persons involved in an RTC (such as modifications to vehicles invalidating your insurance). It also covers the information the Police will require after a serious collision, what to expect from the Police after a collision, the court process including what to expect if you are required to give evidence and finally a ‘frequently asked questions’ session covering several other interesting topics. ‘Biker Down!’ courses run throughout the year at Shefford Community Fire Station. The next one is on June 17th from 10am to 2pm and then at least once a month during the rest of the year. Anyone who would like more information, or to book a place, should contact: Bikerdown_team@bedsfire.com .
FLITWICK Dolphins Swimming Club has been at the heart of the local community for over 25 years offering an environment for all ages to train and compete in the wonderful sports discipline of swimming. The club has a wide range of squads that suit all abilities and ages with swimmers from the age of seven right up to adult Masters Swimmers as well as catering for disability and para swimmers. The club conducts its training both at indoor swimming pools and also offers Open Water training with a squad of mixed ages and open water distance capability. The ethos behind the way that the club operates is to strive to be able to open up opportunities for anyone who wants to swim and compete and for each member to be provided with the right training environment so that they are able to reach their full potential. The club has an outreach programme which extends into local schools in the Flitwick and surrounding areas and a vibrant, regularly updated
website full of information allowing access for enquiries to be made about joining the club. The key to the club's success and well running and the ability for the club to open up opportunities for the wider community is its amazing army of volunteers. The volunteers are made up of parents and swimmers too. There are extended family members including grandparents volunteering, carrying out such roles as assisting with fundraising and events. Parents and swimmers who are ASA registered carry out roles such as assisting coaches, officiating and helping at swimming competitions as well as conducting important , behind the scenes work , all on a voluntary basis for the club, its members and swimmers. This would not be possible without the brilliant volunteers who work tirelessly at the club and who deserve this community award for everything they do and the time they give up to create such a caring and supportive environment for all its members.
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MID BEDS BULLETIN MAY 2017 — 17
Hundreds plant trees in the Marston Vale Forest
THE Forest of Marston Vale has been awarded funding from Defra, to help deliver Defra’s public commitment to plant one million trees with primary schools by 2020. Community Forests across the country will be planting 164,600 of these trees – connecting children from over 1000 schools in and around Community Forests with nature and the environment. The Forest of Marston Vale spans the 61 square mile area between Bedford and Milton Keynes, in Bedfordshire. This year, schools from Cranfield, Flitwick, Marston
Moretaine and Houghton Conquest came along to Waypost Wood in Cranfield, and planted over 1000 trees. The aim of the project is to engage children with planning, planting and aftercare of new trees and woodlands, which will connect them with nature whilst improving their school grounds and communities. Community Engagement Officer Jo Roberts said: “It’s so important for children to understand trees and their natural environment in general, and it’s been brilliant to see so many children having a great time.”
Red kite found shot in Bedfordshire
BEDFORDSHIRE police and the RSPB are appealing for information after a dead red kite was found near Toddington, Bedfordshire, containing as many as ten pieces of shot. The bird was discovered by a member of the public at Daintry Wood and sent for post-mortem examination. Radiography using X-rays, carried out by Zoological Society of London (ZSL) revealed 10 pieces of lead shot lodged in the body. Inspector Mark Farrant, who leads the Operation Sentinel Rural Team which has responsibility for all Bedfordshire wildlife crime matters, says: “This is a particularly worrying incident against a bird that is fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. I would ask anyone with information relating to this or similar incidents to call Bedfordshire Police.” Jenny Shelton, Investigations Liaison Officer at the RSPB, says: “It is appalling to find yet another shot red kite, and one containing so many pieces of shot. This was clearly no accident, and the bird will most likely have been shot at close range to incur this level of damage. “This incident is especially sad considering the lengths that have been taken to re-introduce these splendid birds. Red kites feed mainly on carrion, so pose no threat to people, pets or game, so there is no logical reason for these birds to be targeted. To most of us they are a treat to see, and can be identified by their forked tail and red-and-white colouring.” If you have any information relating to this case, call Bedfordshire police on 101.
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TEL: 07724 905406 EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
First birthday celebrations The winner is…
THE staff and customers at Poplars had a fantastic time celebrating the first birthday of the Restaurant@Poplars. In fact, they had such a great time that the celebrations continued across the entire weekend! There were cupcakes, banners and balloons plus some fantastic face painting by Hannah, who runs Café Craft in the restaurant on Saturday mornings. There was also a chance to sample some of the delicious dishes from the new menu, which has proved extremely popular indeed since it was launched in March. The whole weekend was magic - literally, with a visit from Adam Heppenstall, an outstanding magi-
cian who came along and wowed everyone with his amazing tricks. The atmosphere in the restaurant was brilliant and it spilled out throughout the entire garden centre, putting everyone in a party mood! It’s been an amazing first year for the Restauratnt@Poplars. Winning Best Destination Garden Centre Restaurant within just months of opening was a real confidence boost and since then, they have gone from strength to strength. Their catering team work extremely hard to make sure they serve up the best food and service around and give their customers an enjoyable and memorable experience.
FLITWICK Dolphins swimming club held a sponsored swim event at The Flitwick Leisure Centre on the 22nd March in aid of a number of charities. As well as the sponsored swim there was a number of stalls raising funds, a raffle as well as a "name the Bunny" competition grid. There were many names to choose from and the lucky winner of this super Bunny and Easter egg was Sadie, seen here with the bunny whose name is Peanut. Many thanks to all the club members and also all those not in the club who supported the event on the day by purchasing raffle tickets, having a go at the "name the Bunny" competition and also for sponsoring the club swimmers Thanks must also go to the management and staff of the Flitwick Leisure Centre for their assistance and support for the club's event.
For more information on the charities that the funds were raised for, visit www.flitwickdolphins.co.org and click on the English Channel Relay swim tab.
Winner Sadie who guessed the name of Peanut the bunny.
CeNTrAL Bedfordshire Council’s executive has approved plans to invest in a new CCTV system. The decision means that a new multi-functional CCTV control room will be created, replacing the existing control room in Dunstable. The council will also procure new HD cameras and use wireless technology to improve the quality of images and reduce transmission costs. Councillors considered three options: moving the control room to Priory House or another location and upgrading the system; leaving the control room at Watling House and decommissioning the whole system. The final option would incur a one-off cost of around £230,000 and then lead to savings of around £250,000 per year. However, the report to the meeting said that not only would the cost to do so be “significant and once removed would be prohibitive to restore”, but also the fact that “the service commands wide public support and withdrawal of it would be detrimental to our communities’ sense of safety and security”.
MAY IN THE GARDEN – by Maureen Catlin
Summer tubs and hanging baskets
T’S May so time to get those patio pots and hanging baskets planted to enjoy all summer and it is very exciting. The plant breeders have been busy and so I am able to tell you about some amazing new varieties to delight you. With the fungus problem that occurred four years ago in Busy Lizzies we have been encouraged to plant Begonias instead. They perform very well in tubs and hanging baskets especially on a sunny or partly shaded patio and will sustain periods of drought. A really good new variety is Funky Pink which will give an outstanding display in hanging baskets. It is covered in masses of double pink flowers all season. For pots and shallow planters Begonia nonstop Joy Yellow is a lovely compact variety with beautiful foliage. It is compact and grows to form a neat brightly coloured mound like a ray of sunshine in a pot on the patio. Petunias are well known for the continuous flowering display they give for the whole summer and into the autumn until the frosts come in november. We are familiar with the trailing Surfinia Petunias which if kept watered and fed with a liquid plant
I
food will trail down by one metre from the basket. There are now many vibrant colours to choose from but another group are the Fanfare Petunias. This group is more compact forming amazing cushions in tubs or hug the hanging basket giving a ball effect with a mass of flower. Petunia Amore Queen of Hearts is a stunning variety with yellow and red flowers with five striking rosy red hearts on each flower. It flowers its heart out from late spring until late autumn and cascades perfectly from a hanging basket. Another outstanding new variety is Petunia night Sky. The flowers are deep purple blue with white speckles creating a clear night sky effect. Each flower is unique in patterning making an eye catching display. Osteospermums are tender perennial plants that are grown in the UK as summer bedding plants like geraniums and fuchsias. If you can protect them over winter you can propagate the following spring from cuttings. Osteospermum Rioja Red is compact and smothered in deep red daisy flowers from late spring to the first frosts in the autumn. Keep removing fading flowers to ensure continuous flowering.
These are impressive plants for the front of a border and patio pots. It also looks good in sunny herbaceous borders. Osteospermum Sunset, yellow and orange and O. Blue Sunrise yellow and pearly pink are two more single daisy varieties whereas O. Berry White and O. White Lemon have double flowers. nemesia Plums and Custard is a stunning strong compact plant for tubs on a sunny patio or front of the border.
Plant in good compost and this nemesia will flower all summer into the autumn. The flowers are bi colour deep violet and luscious buttery yellow and very sweetly scented. With the recent selective breeding of nemesias there are now many lovely varieties. n. Amelia pale pink, n. Wisley Vanilla white, n. Easter Bonnet white and pale mauve and n. Mirabelle which is pale lilac in the paler shades and n. Bordeaux deep rose, n. Fleurie Blue purple blue and white and n. Raspberries and Cream white and deep rosy red the stronger colours. If you haven’t yet grown these bedding plants I recommend you give them a try. Cosmas Casanova is a new group of Cosmos. They are short compact much branching plants which work better in bedding schemes than earlier varieties. The foliage is very attractive fern like and bright green. The flowers are perfect single daisies in white, pink, red and violet all summer. Remove the flowers as they fade to keep the fresh flowers coming by cutting back to the first leaf. I am really looking forward to trying some of these exciting new varieties this summer and I hope you will too.
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MID BEDS BULLETIN MAY 2017 — 19
HM The Queen opens Centre for Elephant Care
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo’s brand new Centre for Elephant Care was given the royal seal of approval in April when HM The Queen, accompanied by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, officially unveiled the elephants’ £2m home.
Set amidst 30 acres of rolling paddocks, the custom-designed Centre for Elephant Care is the new home for the Zoo’s herd of nine Asian elephants. Highlighting ZSL Whipsnade Zoo’s elephant-expertise, the Centre provides more than 700m² of indoor space, and is fitted out with a host of elephant-friendly features, including one metre-deep soft sand flooring to provide maximum comfort and dimming lights to mimic night-time. Interactive displays will allow zoo visitors to try their hand at a jumbo pedicure, as they practise on a life-size model elephant foot, highlighting just some of the extraordinary one-on-one care given to the animals at Whipsnade. The latest addition to the herd is ten-monthold calf Elizabeth, who was named by zookeepers in honour of Her Majesty, as she was born the day before The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations in 2016. The Queen, who is Patron of international conservation charity ZSL (Zoological Society of London), which runs ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, enjoyed a private tour of the Centre where they met Assistant Curator of Elephants, Lee Sambrook and watched the elephants receive a pedicure. HM The Queen, accompanied by The Duke– former president of ZSL – then unveiled a commemorative plaque commemorating the event, during a special ceremony where Her Majesty and His Royal Highness each fed Donna the elephant a banana. Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) are classified as endangered on the IUCn Red List of Threatened Species, and due to habitat loss, human conflict and poaching their wild populations are in decline. The species are also listed on ZSL’s EDGE (Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered) list, meaning there is a particularly urgent need for conservation action. ZSL is working in Thailand – a major stronghold for Asian elephants – to reduce human-wildlife conflict and ensure the peaceful coexistence of elephants and humans.
NEW ADDITION
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TEL: 07724 905406 EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
out & about comedy p Castle Comedy Biggleswade
George’s Hall Bar & Grill, Biggleswade Monday June 5th
Tom Allen is riding the crest of the wave with his razor sharp fashion sense and wit. He has recently starred on Live At the Apollo and Channel 4’s Comedy Gala in front of 15,000 people at the O2. He started as a stand up at the age of 22 and went on to win both ‘So You Think You’re Funny’ in Edinburgh and the BBC new Comedy Awards in the same year. Since then he has honed his unique style of sharp, acerbic wit and camp, riotous storytelling by performing to audiences all over the UK and around the world. He is a regular on television screens making several appearances on ‘8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown’, ‘The Great British Bake Off’s Extra Slice’ as well as ‘The John Bishop Show’ and ‘Virtually Famous’. On radio he has made several
appearances on ‘Just a Minute’ including the 50th episode alongside Prince Charles. Last year he supported Sarah Millican on her sold out tour of Australia, new Zealand and the UK. He responds well to deadlines and strong women! ‘Riotous stuff, perfectly delivered’ – HHHH THe SCOTSMAN ‘Well-crafted, Saturday-night light entertainment’ – HHHH THe LIST ‘Wit as sharp as his fashion sense’ – HHHH eD FeST MAg The show will feature full support from three top UK comedians. The shows sell out quickly, with the Dinner and Show tickets being particularly popular, so be sure to book early to avoid disappointment! Doors open 7.30pm. Shows start at 8.00pm and tickets are £8 (£6 nUS) or if you fancy a treat, you can buy £18 tickets, which include a pre, show meal and glass of wine from the fabulous George’s Hall Bar & Grill. To book: www.castlecomedy.co.uk
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MID BEDS BULLETIN MAY 2017 — 21
the grove theatre There are Elvis tributes..... and then there’s Lee Memphis King
Sincerely yours: The Vera Lynn Story
Lee Memphis King, Europe’s most successful Elvis Presley tribute artist, recreates the essence of the King with consummate ease and an almost unbelievable combination of stunningly accurate vocals and incredible passion in every performance. Lee Memphis King is the producer and director of the most authentic tribute production to the greatest entertainer of the last century, Elvis Presley. Over the last ten years as Lee has toured his ‘One night of Elvis’ he has picked up numerous accolades and has headlined and sold out some of the most prestigious venues across the UK and beyond. In August 2016 he completed a sell out concert tour of Israel, performing to over 8000 fans. In this latest production, Lee Memphis King portrays Elvis Presley at his peak celebrating the iconic ‘Vegas Years’ from 1969-1977. Resplendent in the most authentic costumes from Elvis’s performance
This show will take you on a journey through the career of Vera Lynn: the most famous lady of WW2, the ‘Forces’ Sweetheart’, who captured the hearts of a nation in the 1940s. The young Vera Lynn started her career as a dance band singer and went on to travel the world, entertaining ‘her boys’ on the front line. Featuring many of the songs she would have sung in the dance halls whilst performing with the likes of Joe Loss and his orchestra through to the blockbuster hits, which propelled her to international stardom, including of course White Cliffs of Dover, A nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square and the timeless classic, We’ll Meet Again, as well as the song from her popular radio show, Yours. The role of Vera Lynn will be performed by Lorrie Brown who is a highly respected artiste and has worked with many top names including two years with Danny La Rue OBE, Vince Hill, Jimmy Cricket and The Bachelors. In 2013 Lorrie was voted UK no.1 Vera Lynn tribute by the Agents Association of GB. Lorrie has reached a landmark
2.30pm Wednesday May 10
Grove Theatre, Dunstable Friday May 5th 2017
and an orchestra backing this incredible performer prepare to be taken back in time to see Elvis in the way it was. This brand new production is dedicated entirely to the ‘Vegas Years’ when Elvis would perform in Las Vegas and tour throughout the US and Canada - the definitive record of these performances are contained in the films ‘Elvis- That’s the Way It Is’, ‘Elvis On Tour’ and the ‘Aloha from Hawaii’ concert.
25 years with her show and has toured all around the world as well as singing to 33,000 at West Ham FC on Remembrance Sunday 2009. Lorrie will be backed by a live dance band to recreate the sound and style of Vera Lynn’s early years. Also in support will be tributes to other 1940s legends including George Formby, Max Miller and a special tribute to acts from the Great War, Harry Lauder and Marie Lloyd. The show is held together by its very own air raid warden/compère, Mr Braithwaite.
Hysteria 7.30pmTuesday May 16 & 2.30pm Wednesday May 17
Winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy in 1994, Hysteria remains as entertaining a charade of drama as ever, embarking on a UK tour spanning the breadth and width of the country this spring. 1938, Hampstead, London. Sigmund Freud has fled nazioccupied Austria and settled in leafy Swiss Cottage. The ageing Freud intends to spend his last days in peaceful contemplation but, when Salvador Dali pays a visit and discovers a naked woman in the closet, eye-popping mayhem ensues. Box Office on 01582 602080 or visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk.
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TEL: 07724 905406 EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
A Great Music Festival For Lovers of Everything Vintage nce... Following last year’s amazing sell-out success, we are excited to annou
TWINWOOD FESTIVAL • BEDFORDSHIRE • 25, 26, 27, 28 AUGUST 2017
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TEL: 07724 905406 EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
music a
Space+Howlin Owls Bedford Esquires 8pm Saturday May 20
Space are returning to Esquires, the band released the much anticipated new studio album “Give me your Future” in late 2016 and embark on a new tour of the same name in April - June across the UK and Ireland. The new album is being recorded and produced by Grammy and Brit award winning producer Steve Levine who has worked with The Clash, Culture Cub, Beach Boys, Deniece Williams and Gary Moore to name a few. 2015 was a good year for the band with Female of the Species making the top of the album charts with the “TFI Album” – (number 1 in June 2015) Followed by the release of the “Strange World” single and the sold out 30 date UK tour. The bands last album release was 'Attack Of The Mutant 50ft Kebab'- their first new album for nine years. Lead singer Tommy Scott’s influence for the new songs stemmed from his infamous fascination with science and horror films, and he likens the album to a 'Fifties B-Movie' for the ears. Proud to note how Space have always stood out from the 'normal,' Tommy concedes that their last album has the usual signature Space quirkiness, with some extra ingredients added to the mix - he describes the songs as a mish-mash of SKA, Punk and the classic Space sound. "When we tour, we love playing the old stuff, but I always knew I wanted to record some new material. We know the fans like to hear the old classics from our multimillion selling albums 'Spiders' and 'Tin Planet', but we wanted to give them something extra." "The title track on the album is my favourite song from the record and is the story of how a
fifty-foot kebab from a side street takeaway shop wreaks its revenge on the ailing high street. It's a message about survival in a tongue-in-cheek way. The first single from the album is a track called 'Fortune Teller' - keeping up with the mystic vibe!" Space have sold over two million albums worldwide with titles including “Spiders, “Tin Planet” “Suburban Rock and Roll” and “Attack of the Mutant 50ft Kebab” and also released 10 top 40
MID BEDS ART SOCIETY
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Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 May Flitwick Village Hall, Dunstable road, Flitwick, Beds MK45 1HP Open Saturday 12:00 to 17:00; Sunday 10:00 to 17:00 Paintings by local artists, painting demonstrations, free entry and parking, disabled access, refreshments available and a tombola For more details of artists and venues go to www.midbedsart.co.uk.
Interested in Family History? Come along to our next monthly talk
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SPRING 2017 EXHIBITION & SALE
MID BEDS ART SOCIETY
–––––––––––––––––––––––– Want to be inspired? Join us at our demonstration evenings. Feeling creative? Try our Saturday
PAINTING WORKSHOPS
in Barton-le-Clay. Visitors are always very welcome. Wed 17 May, 7.15-9.30 pm “Pastels Landscape” demonstration by Sandra Orme Sat 20 May, 10 am-4 pm “Bring in the sunshine” acrylic/oils workshop with Amanda Jackson For Saturday workshops, please call 01525 712735 or email vivianne.callow@hotmail.co.uk. Places are subject to availability, so early booking is advised. A list of materials needed for workshops will be provided to attendees. For more general information, call 01525 715376 or look on www.midbedsart.co.uk where you can see the annual programme, find links to artists’ websites and check venue location maps. Visitor Fees: Evening meetings £4 on the door; Workshops £30 by cheque in advance
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BEDFORDSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 7.15pm Friday 5th May
“The History & Beliefs of the Panacea Society” by Gemma Papineau
The Drama Hall Mark Rutherford School, Wentworth Drive, Bedford MK41 8PX Members free, visitors £1. www.bfhs.org.uk
–––––––––––––––––––––––– BEDFORD RSPB LOCAL GROUP May meeting and walks. Thursday 11th May
Evening Walk Paxton Pits meet at 7pm in the car park Sunday 14th May
Dawn Chorus
Priory Park meet 5am in Priory Car Park
AGM
Thursday 18 May at 7.30pm
Meet at ARA club Manton Lane Bedford MK41 7PF. Chris Collins presents
‘Birds and Wildlife of Guyana’
Tonight we visit many of the habitats that make Guyana such a unique destination.
Entrance fee, group members £1 Guest £2 annual group membership £5
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singles and host of other single releases to-date with titles including “neighborhood” “Female of the Species”, “Me and You Vs. The World” “Avenging Angels” “Dark Clouds”, and “Begin Again”. Support comes from Howlin Owls Tickets from seetickets, and in person from Planet Boutique, Esquires Bar and Mario’s Hair Design in Kempston.
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Esquires 27th Birthday weekend closing party Kuenta i Tambu + Guests Bank Holiday Sunday May 28
The finest party band in the World are returning back to their second home, as we bring Kuenta iTambu back for the Esquires 27th birthday weekend closing event! now on their 4th visit to Bedford, Kuenta i Tambu are the only band we could imagine getting down with on a bank holiday Sunday. Last seen on these shores on a nationwide support with Dub Pistols, the Amsterdam based five-piece were our
A full weekend of events POP WILL EAT ITSELF Thurs 25th May (sold out) RONI SIZE Friday 26th May FOODDRUNK Street food and cider festival Saturday 27th May Culminating in party band Kuenta i Tambu on Sunday May 28 main support on the stage we curated at Bedford River Festival back in July, absolutely slaying a 20,000 strong crowd. Inspired by traditional Afro Caribbean music from Curacao and European dance, Kuenta i
Tambu (also known as KiT) has created a brand new sound! They cleverly found a balance between electronic sound samples, singing and chanting and the infectious rhythms played by ritual tambu drums. Some call it Global Bass, others prefer labeling it Tambutronic but one thing is... for sure: it's a wild and colorful explosion of energy, and always seems to set off some serious movements on the dancefloor! Kuenta i Tambu translates to 'Stories and Drums' from Papiamentu, which is the language spoken on the islands of Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire (Dutch Antilles). The group is based in Amsterdam and was formed in 2005 after a series of educational projects at schools and theaters to introduce the music and culture of Curacao to children in the netherlands. During this period the
first songs were written, establishing the sound and identity of the group which nowadays is known for its high energy shows, with a great deal of humoristic highlights, hypnotizing beats and dazzling percussive interplay between band members. Live, Kuenta i Tambu are a non-stop Carnival, a riot of beats and rhythms that take the audience deep into the Caribbean. Above all, though, it’s obvious that the musicians enjoy playing the music and the live percussion thunders through the air. “We have fun,” says Calister, “and that’s the key.” Tambutronic: where Curaçao’s past dances with its future and takes on the world. Tickets are on sale right now – £7 advance from seetickets and locally from Boutique Planet, Mario's Hair Design and Esquires bar.
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‘The Boss UK’ – Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band Bedford Corn Exchange Saturday May 27
“This band is awesome -– mighty, moving and unstoppable…” Amanda Price, The Times) Bruce Springsteen is touring the world – tickets for his stadium shows sold out in minutes – but don’t feel left out! The Boss UK brings all of Bruce’s best-loved hits in a sweatdrenched, ninety-minute show with all the passion, intensity and realism of true Boss. Some say, not just the best tribute to Springsteen, but the best tribute band, full stop.
From the blistering opening of ‘Born to Run’ this production becomes one huge sing along so get ready to become part of the show! Bruce has sold over 120 million albums worldwide and is ahead of Queen, Abba, Michael Jackson and David Bowie in an all time list of acts with UK no1 albums! 49 nominations and 20 Grammys with Born to Run, Thunder Road, Dancing in the Dark, I’m on Fire, Born In The USA, and the Oscar winning Streets of Philadelphia among with many stellar songs brought to the stage in The Boss UK’s show. LPH Concerts are delighted to bring the band to Bedford Corn Exchange on Saturday May 27. Tickets £20 are on sale now and can be purchased online from The Corn Exchange, also in person from La Piazza, St Pauls Square, Bedford.
TEL: 07724 905406 EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
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Bedford Sausage and Cider Festival Bedford Blues, Goldington Road, Bedford A taste of the West Country will be coming to Bedford in May with the launch of the town’s very own sausage and cider festival. The event takes place at Bedford Blues and celebrates real cider made by artisan producers around the country and the art of sausage making. Gareth Aldred, operations manager at the Blues, said: “We are looking forward to hosting Bedford’s first Sausage and Cider Festival this May. The festival will take place on
Sat & Sun May 13 & 14
Gillian Flack at the Eagle Gallery
One woman show
“Landscape Journeys”
10am – 5.30pm Saturday May 6 – Saturday May 13 Meet the Artist between 10am-1pm FREE ENTRY 101 Castle Road, Bedford MK40 3QP Tel: 01234 346995 EAGLE GALLERY IS A NOT FOR PROFIT ARTISTS CO-OPERATIVE
our training pitch and the aim is to make the festival an annual event for the town. Sausages and cider are to rugby what strawberries and cream are to tennis.” The festival will be organised by The Original Sausage and Cider Festival Co., run by veteran festival organiser Crispin Slee. It will be a home-coming for Mr Slee, who grew up in Bedford and played his first game of rugby as a mini for the Blues. There will be live music throughout the event and a free family circus - for kids big and small! Tickets are on sale via Eventbrite. Adult tickets are £7 in advance. For up-to-date information visit: http://www.facebook.com/Bedford SausageAndCiderFestival
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TEL: 07724 905406 EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
DINING OUT AROUND BEDFORDSHIRE
The Barn’s sharing platter – nothing to ‘crumble’ about! by Martin Howard
T
HE Barns Hotel on Cardington Road, Bedford might not readily come to mind when looking for a restaurant for a traditional Sunday lunch. This charming hotel formerly a family home in the 1950s, is set just out of the built-up area of Bedford. The river Ouse flows gently passed a decked area adjacent to one of the hotel’s two bars at the rear. Apparently the John Bunyan Community Boat is a regular visitor and other boats moor up for afternoon teas. With an eye on the expanding diningout market, the hotel has launched an unusual twist on the traditional Sunday lunch – sharing boards. It has put clear air between itself and every other Sunday carvery in the area – the Barns sharing boards are set to become renowned locally. Our party of four adults and two children were greeted by a smartly dressed member of the staff. It was a pleasant surprise to be greeted by one of the team who happened to be nearest at the time and not have to wait for a maître d’ to seat us. Once we had settled, a drinks order was taken and the running order of the meal explained. With an extensive wine list – with over 40 on offer – the ladies were spoilt for choice, IPA for the men. First off were the starters, which you help yourself to – buffet style. A good selection was available, all presented in a very tempting manner.
Some discipline is required here, as it would be all to easy to fill up with this course; smoked salmon, prawn cocktail, pâté, a wide selection of cold meats, salads and breads. Enough time was allowed for the first course to be digested before the main course arrived. The children had decided that the chicken was what they wanted and theirs arrived already plated. This didn’t stop them having some beef off the sharing board though! There was plenty. The boards consist of a choice of two roast meats, along with roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings. Complementing the very generous portions of meat were a selection of some beautifully cooked
fresh vegetables. Two large men couldn’t quite finish all of the meal, just a very little left – sorry! The waiting staff busied themselves clearing our table in a most efficient way without interrupting the adults’ conversation. The sweet table, again in buffet style, offered a tempting array of sweets. The only criticism I could level that there wasn’t any custard for the apple and berry crumble – I had to settle for cream! The restaurant was very busy, yet calm and tranquil, the food was excellent and the staff were great. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that this was the best Sunday lunch I have had in many years.
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Kaiser Chiefs headline
Proms ‘Goes to the Movies’
Bedford Park Saturday August 5
Bedford Park Sunday August 6
Kaiser Chiefs are one of the century’s most popular indie-pop outfits. The band formed in 2002 and have enjoyed enormous global success since. They consist of lead vocalist Ricky Wilson, who has achieved added fame from his stint as a judge on the UK talent show The Voice, guitarist Andrew "Whitey" White, bassist Simon Rix, keyboardist nick "Peanut" Baines and drummer Vijay Mistry, who replaced founding drummer nick Hodgson in late 2012. The band’s big break came along when they performed at the nME Awards tour in 2005, as the opening act. This opportunity allowed the band to start making a name for themselves in the UK. Their first album debuted the same year, entitled ‘Employment’, and reached the number two spot on the UK album chart and was subsequently certified five times platinum. The album was even shortlisted for a Mercury prize, but narrowly missed out on the prestigious award. Since this encouraging start, the band has fast become one of the most successful UK indie rock bands today. Their most notable hits include ‘I Predict a Riot’, ‘Every day I love you Less and Less’ (both from their debut album) and smash hit ‘Ruby’ from their second album, amongst many others. Their second album, ‘Yours Truly, Angry Mob’ topped the success of their first, reaching the number one spot on the UK albums
chart and the album’s lead single ‘Ruby’ became their first ever UK number one single. In terms of music style, the band can best be described as indie rock with elements of new-wave and postpunk revival. Other similar artists include Coldplay and Franz Ferdinand. With over one million singles sold worldwide, Kaiser Chiefs are arguably the biggest band to have emerged from Leeds, having won many prestigious awards including Brits and nME awards. Bedford Park Concerts are delighted to be able to bring Kaiser Chiefs to Bedford, supporting their aim to bring some of the biggest names in music and entertainment to play in Bedford Park. Supporting the Kaiser Chiefs will be indie / rock giants Feeder, whose hits include the iconic ‘Buck Rogers’, ‘Feeling A Moment’ and ‘Just The Way I’m Feeling’. We can’t wait to welcome these Welsh rockers to Bedford Park. Tickets are on sale now! www.bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk
Looking for a great evening of entertainment the whole family can enjoy? Then Bedford Park Proms should be high on your list of things to go to this summer. The concert will feature guest soloists Australian Tenor and West End Musical Star Daniel Koek. Daniel played the iconic role of Jean ValJean in Les Miserables and wowed the Bedford Proms audience in 2015. Joining Daniel will be Soprano Joanna Forest, whose debut album ‘Stars Are Rising’ was released in March. Joanna is one of the most exciting new British sopranos in the UK right now. The renowned London Gala Orchestra and the Bedford Choral Society will be performing popular classics and film scores. Local school choirs and a special musical theatre drama group as well as
some other special guests will be warming the crowd up before the concert. Adults and children alike will love the film theme this year, as along with the favourite classical scores, there will be some exquisite renditions of popular film soundtracks. As always we guarantee an electric atmosphere, laser show as well as the spectacular firework finale. It’s a great opportunity to get the whole family together, you can bring your own picnics and drinks into this concert and set up chairs, picnic tables and gazebo’s if you wish or just lay out the picnic rug. Tickets at www.bedford parkconcerts.co.uk For further information please call Louise Harris on 07980 996318 or email louise@louiseharrispr.co.uk
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1,100 Years of Ashwell History
The picturesque village of Ashwell welcomes visitors to its popular annual event ‘Ashwell at Home’, where visitors can enjoy a wide range of things to see and do, with entertainment for all the family. This year marks the 1,100th Anniversary of the founding of the village and there is something to see or do to mark each century of the village’s history. Stunning gardens both large and small will be open for you to view the many horticultural treasures,
11am-5pm Sunday May 14
Community boat’s season launch
The John Bunyan is Bedford’s Community Boat run by volunteers, and provides cruises both public and private hire on Bedford’s River Great Ouse. Last year it carried over 7,000 passengers and in total has carried over 22,000 passengers since it was launched in July 2013. This year’s public cruises launch on Easter Saturday with an evening Fish and Chip Supper Cruise, followed on Sunday afternoon by an Afternoon Tea Cruise, Bank Holiday Monday also has a special Afternoon Cruise. Thereafter there are public cruises every Thursday and Sunday
including the pretty village cottage garden; you can visit the village lockup (no longer in use!) and help dig an archaeological test pit to try and discover more Ashwell treasures! Children can enjoy free workshops including storytelling, drama and crafts. They can take part in a treasure hunt, fish for treasure and pan for gold! Join in the fun at craft workshops in the school and make May Day crowns, garlands and have their faces painted! There will be a ‘Pirates centre’ at the Village Hall with lots of fun activities going on. And, new for 2016, there will be a May Procession at the end of the day, bringing everyone together. www.ashwellathome.org.uk
with Fish & Chip Supper Cruises on various Friday and Saturday evenings. The boat which carries 50 passengers also has monthly Lunch Cruises to The Anchor in Great Barford and Afternoon Tea Cruises to The Barns Hotel, plus a monthly Jazz Cruise featuring top national and regional jazz trios. The boat is fully licensed for drinks, has a five-Star Food Certificate, and is available for private functions and parties of all descriptions including wedding cruises. Due to being run by volunteers prices are very reasonable and cruises can be booked online at www.johnbunyanboat.org, or by phoning 01908 690301.
TEL: 07724 905406 EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
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Landscape Journeys Eagle Gallery, Bedford Saturday May 6–13
Bedford’s Eagle Gallery the not for profit artist co-operative will host a one woman show by renowned landscape artist Gillian Flack. Gillian is inspired by her surroundings in East Bedfordshire and beyond. She describes herself as an oil painting addict preferring to paint outdoors even when the weather is unkind. Gillian has exhibited at The Royal Institute of oil painters, The Society of Women Artists, the Summer
Exhibition at the Royal Academy and numerous local and regional galleries. Her frequent travels have taken her and her brushes across Europe, to America, India, Cuba and Morocco where she has adjusted her pallet to the contrasting environment. Gillian uses the full richness of the oil paints resonance to create superbly constructed works. The exhibition runs Saturday 6 May to 13 May from 10am to 5.30pm and you can meet the artist daily from 10.am to 1pm. The entry is free at the Eagle Gallery in Castle Road, Bedford and this is an exhibition not to be missed.
FLOOTES Free flowing Prosecco Performance —— T W O H O U R R U N N I N G T I M E —— THE MAIN ACT Brut Prosecco The star performer on stage throughout, with characteristic creamy lemon citrus, nuance of nashi pear, intense brightness and some pepper and spice THE OVERTURE Arancini Rice Ball Salmon Gravlax/Dill Mayo Tomato and Parma Ham Bruschetta our own Lincolnshire Sausage Roll Beef & Horseradish creme fraiche Roll Bang Bang Chicken THE INTERMISSION Limoncello Sorbet THE FINALE Mini white chocolate muffms Admission £37.50 per person Pre-booked ticketing a must. Performances 12 to 8 daily Call now (01525) 290042 or email info@flootes.com 18 Market Place, Woburn MK17 9PZ
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TEL: 07724 905406 EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
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