Beds Bulletin ePAPER May 12, 2020

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COUNTY-WIDE EDITION

MAY 12, 2020

WE’LL BE BACK IN PRINT FOR THE JUNE EDITION

ARMED police were scrambled to Luton bus station after a Bedford woman received gun threats from her jealous exboyfriend.

Daniel Greenshields, 25, had sent the woman a WhatsApp message in which he brandished a gun and said he was going to “blow her kneecaps off.”

Two days later, on September 9, last year, he said was “beyond mad” and was coming to see her in Bedford.

Prosecutor Daniel Wright told Luton crown court: “He sent two messages that gave her the impression he was going to carry out the threats. She called the police and the defendant was intercepted by armed police.”

Inside his bag was an imitation Glock 17 pistol and a lock-knife.

The court heard the Bedford woman had been in an 11 month relationship with Greenshields, but they had split up in May last year because he was controlling and obsessive. He believed she was seeing other men and was angry when she had ignored his calls.

Greenshields, of no fixed address, appeared for sentence on a video link from Bedford prison. He had been convicted by a jury of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear and had admitted possessing a lock-knife. He had five convictions for

by Jane Bird

seven previous offences.

Defending, Adam Butler said: “The firearm was never brandished. He had sent her a photograph of himself with it in his possession. It was an imitation gun and could not be used.”

He said Greenshields had spent eight months on remand and had made good use of his time in custody. He had attended courses for mental health, alcohol and drug abuse.

On his release, his intention is to work as a chef and live with his mother in Norfolk.

Judge Lynn Tayton QC told him his victim had been scared and was “in fear of her life.”

She had suffered anxiety, isolation and depression.

The judge jailed him for 18 months and made a restraining order banning him from contacting the victim or going within 100 metres of her.

Lorry driver pleads guilty to killing

A POLISH lorry driver today/Monday pleaded guilty to killing a 19-year-old car passenger by dangerous driving on the M1 in Bedfordshire.

HGV driver Wojciech Bukowski , 64, admitted killing teenager Zahid Ahmed in a crash that happened on Sunday 1st December at 3.15 in the afternoon on the southbound carriageway near Junction 11A. Mr Bukowski of Travertine Close, Houghton Conquest, Beds appeared at Luton crown court via a video link from Wormwood Scrubs jail.

He also pleaded guilty to four charges of

causing serious injury by dangerous driving in the same crash.

Prosecutor Peter Shaw said that a basis of plea put forward by the defence was not going to be contested.

Mr Bukowski’s barrister Anita Grundzinska asked for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Judge Mark Bishop agreed but said: “Custody is inevitable. The report will go into the length of the sentence.”

He remanded the defendant in custody for a sentencing hearing on June 1st.

Lord-Lieutenant’s VE Day Service of Thanksgiving

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Helen Nellis (left) and Kevin Conant, president 306th Bomb Group Historical Association, with his wife Debbie (right).

EACH year in May, hundreds of people from across Bedfordshire join HM Lord-Lieutenant Helen Nellis to celebrate the work of the voluntary organisations in the county.

The service this year was held on Sunday, May 10, at St Paul’s Church, Bedford and as well as giving thanks to all the volunteers of Bedfordshire, the theme for the service was to be the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. The service, in its traditional form, cannot go ahead this year due to the COVID19 pandemic, therefore the Lord-Lieutenant will be broadcasting an online service which will is available now. https://youtu.be/TDmi8XFowi8 This virtual service will be an opportunity to remember all those who gave so much in WW2 to secure peace as well as those today who have joined together to support others through the emergency.

The virtual service, will be addressed by the Lord Bishop of St Albans with a blessing from the Bishop of Bedford and will include previously unseen video footage of the 306th Bomber Command Group based at Thurleigh, 1942-45 and the enduring friendships forged between the USA pilots and local people.

Speaking about the forthcoming service the Lord-Lieutenant, Helen Nellis said: “Each year I am delighted to hold a Service of Thanksgiving to honour the thousands of people who volunteer and who play such a significant role in building kind and cohesive communities. https://rosettapublishing.com/bulletin/2020/05/06/lord-lieutenant-of-bedfordshiresservice-of-thanksgiving/

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MAY 12, 2020 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

Esquires’ support funding appeal smashes the £43,000 barrier

As the nation adjusts to the new reality of life under selfquarantine in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, a number of artists and musical institutions are taking the show online to share some musical joy during these trying times.

With venues and bars on lock down across the country, there are plenty of things you can watch from the safety of your couch, thanks to everyone from Miley Cyrus to the New York Metropolitan Opera and the fine folks at Disney.

Across the UK, we also have local talent who have taken to the screens broadcasting hours of their music live through social media, DJs have also joined in the entertainment many of whom have set up rigs in their house and some have gone that step further and have set up shop in their front and rear gardens, this is certainly one way of keeping music alive through the lock down and has received a lot of local support.

In 2019, the number of small pubs and bars in the UK increased for the first time in 15 years, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Staffed by around 457,000 which is certainly a chilling figure to digest, the pandemic will certainly claim a few victims here, however you can help save your local pub, bar or club by crowd funding events.

The otherside of the close down many of these venues will be faced with huge rent arrears demanded by greedy landlords, out-of-date beers and customers too frightened to come back.

Bedford Esquires one of the UK’s best loved independent music venues set out to raise £20,000 during Covid-19 but reached an astonishing £43,051 from 990 supporters!

The venue has been offering the people of Bedford and beyond live music since 1984, they realised that as a result of Lock Down they calculated that their finances would not take them past late June, so reluctantly they entered a crowd funding initiative looking for what they thought was a very optimistic figure of £20,000 to help balance the books and keep the venue alive.

Within just six hours this figure was achieved and kept rising till time out at £43,051.

Gareth Barber took over the venue in 2016 and was looking forward to Esquires’ 30th anniversary this year, he has been overwhelmed with the support the venue has been given and would like to say a big thank you to all the 990 supporters for helping the venue through this crisis

by Tony Hendrix

A man has been charged after another man suffered serious injuries in Luton.

A man in his 50s remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital following the incident in Wellington Street on Wednesday, 29 April 29.

Ion Bujor, 40, of Guildford Street, Luton, has been charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent in connection to the incident.

He has been released on conditional bail and is next due to appear in court on Monday, June 1.

Man charged over assault

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TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

NHSBT reassures Luton blood and platelet donors

Luton’s Vauxhall Movano gets voted best van of the year

NHS Blood and Transplant is reassuring blood and platelet donors in Luton that they should not be concerned if their appointment is cancelled over the next few weeks.

NHS Blood and Transplant is beginning to collect convalescent plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19 to support a national clinical trial. To free up appointments in donor centres, some blood and platelet donation appointments in Luton are being cancelled and rescheduled.

Donors can be assured that blood and platelet stocks are good and there will be no impact on supplies. The fantastic response of our donors during the coronavirus pandemic means blood and platelet stocks are currently above average.

Freeing up appointments will enable more donations that could save the lives of critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Since the outbreak, we have seen drop in demand for blood and platelet as hospitals cancel non-urgent surgery such as hip operations. This means there is enough capacity to change blood and platelet donation appointments into plasma donation appointments.

An NHS Blood and Transplant spokesperson said: “We are still collecting blood and platelet in Luton so please keep making appointments to donate. Donation saves lives.

“This new trial is part of the national research effort against the coronavirus and we hope people understand if we make any changes to your appointment. If your appointment is cancelled until another day it means we have good blood and platelet stocks, and the appointment time can be used for someone to donate plasma to a seriously ill COVID-19 patient.”

The plasma trial will investigate whether transfusions of antibody rich plasma from people who have recovered could help people who are still unwell. Plasma will be mainly collected in selected cities with blood donor centres.

We would encourage any blood and platelet donors who have had their appointment cancelled to re-book an appointment for a future date at by calling 0300 123 23 23, visiting blood.co.uk or using the NHSGiveBlood app.

The Luton-built Vauxhall Movano has been awarded ‘Best Large Van’ and the overall ‘Van of the Year 2020’ by Trade Van Driver. Vauxhall also wins the ‘best Conversion range’ accolade.

Trade Van Driver, the UK’s top van magazine for small business users, has announced the winners of the 2020 Trade Van Driver Awards.

Trade Van Driver is the only magazine which caters for the owner-driver and small fleet operator and as such its awards are different from others as they are judged not only by the expert panel of journalists at the magazine but also by a panel of readers who use light commercial vehicles as part of their businesses.

Trade Van Driver Magazine Editor Matthew Eisenegger commented on the van accolade: “The Vauxhall Movano has been the unsung hero of the heavy van market for years now, plugging away faithfully on Britain’s motorways but rarely winning the major awards it deserves.

“Now with a brand new model on offer featuring a host of improvements, it’s time for this van to emerge from the shadows and take not one award but two trophies, including the top award of all.”

On the conversion award, Matthew Eisenegger said: “The needs and wants of Britain’s traders are many and varied – and so are their requirements for vehicles.

“None have the time to buy vans and then get them converted for their special purposes, so conversions are hugely important to them.

“Vauxhall’s range of off-the-shelf conversions fit the bill admirably in the eyes of the judges and therefore takes the prize this year.”

Stephen Norman, managing director of Vauxhall Motors, said: “We are immensely proud to receive these awards for our Vauxhall Movano van and our conversion range. Our LCVs are crucial to carrying British business and we are delighted to have been recognised today. Our van market share continues to grow year-on-year increasing from 8.1% to 9.8%”

Thanks to Bedford Borough Foster Carer Stars Every day 55,000 foster families across the UK are giving 65,000 fostered children and young people a loving, secure and stable home, and this commitment from foster families is ongoing during the coronavirus outbreak.

The UK’s leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network, is using this year’s Foster Care Fortnight to raise awareness of the extraordinary dedication and work of foster carers at this time, while calling for more people to come forward to foster.

To celebrate Foster Care Fortnight, the Bedford Borough Council is releasing a short film thanking Foster Carers

for their incredible work, recognising them as Stars. Children’s Services staff have described Foster Carers as the ‘guiding light’, for young people, describing how the points on a star might represent the, ‘stability, security, nurture, safety and love’ that they offer.

Cllr James Valentine, portfolio holder for Children’s Services and Education said: “We are very proud of all our foster carers in Bedford Borough and each and every one deserves a massive thank you.

“Foster carers need a delicate blend of skills and attributes such as being a good listener, having patience and

warmth all complimented by a good understanding of what it means to be a parent or carer.

Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network, said: “Foster care transforms the lives of children and young people as well as those of the foster carers and their families. This has never been more important. Foster carers help children and young people flourish and fulfil their potential, as well as provide a vital service to our society.

Because this happens mainly in the privacy of their own homes – especially at the moment – their contributions too often go unnoticed.

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Bedfordshire Police exceeds recruitment targets

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN MAY 12, 2020

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Financial impact of Covid-19 could be disastrous for Luton Council

Luton Council is facing a devastating projected shortfall of £49m in its finances this year as a result of the Covid-19 emergency.

Bedfordshire Police has exceeded police officer recruitment targets set by the PCC and the national uplift funding from the Home Office for 19/20, as the number of people applying to join the force almost doubles.

Latest figures show that the force’s recruitment drive has seen officer numbers rise to the highest levels in Bedfordshire in the last 10 years. The figures reflect the tremendous commitment from the force to populate the frontline and the number of people wanting to be part of making a difference to the county is welcomed. In the first three months of the year 350 people applied to join Bedfordshire Police as an officer, which is an increase of 91% compared to the same period in 2019.

In 2019/20 Bedfordshire Police had a target of recruiting an additional 78 officers, on top of their annual target of 100. The funding for the extra officers was allocated from council tax precept, by the PCC, and national uplift subsidy. Last week, national figures showed that the nationwide recruitment drive for officers is on track with over 3,000 new recruits coming through in the past seven months.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Kathryn Holloway said, “The proof of my commitment to recruiting more officers in this county is that, last year, I presided over more recruitment in a single year at Bedfordshire Police than for over a decade, even before the Government promised more officers to the service as a whole.

“Last year I promised to recruit 160 officers – 100 to replace leavers and 60 brand new posts. The Government gave us funding for 18 more as part of the first phase of the national uplift but we went further, with 82 more officers – up from 1,197 at March 2019 to 1,279 at the same point this year.

“For the next financial year, starting in April 2020, we will recruit 36 officers from the national uplift and I intend to add 20 more. The people of Bedfordshire can rest assured that if I can afford to put a single extra officer onto the front line, where necessary, I absolutely will do so.

Detective Chief Superintendent Karena Thomas, head of people and workforce development, said: “It’s great news that we have exceeded our recruitment targets and have more officers working to help people in need and taking criminals off the streets of Bedfordshire. We have also seen a huge increase in applications so far this year, helping us to reach our 20/21 targets.

“We are still processing applications both for the constable and detective pathways utilising technology to comply with the current government guidance by conducting interviews over the phone or through video chats. The College of Policing has created an online SEARCH assessment centre to ensure forces can still assess and employ officers and we hope to process successful applicants through as soon as possible.

“If you are interested in the role of a police officer, a detective or as a PCSO, please apply today or get in touch with our recruitment team who will be on hand to help you through each step of the way. Or join one of our Instagram Q&A events so we can talk you through all that a policing career has to offer.” www.bedfordshire.police.uk/careers to find out more.

Plans are underway to prepare an emergency budget in the summer where councillors will be forced to agree to extremely difficult cuts to key services unless the council’s desperate plea to the government for immediate cash is successful.

With passenger numbers decimated, the council’s airport company, London Luton Airport Ltd, is no longer receiving air passenger income which makes it impossible to pass on dividends to the council which it relies so heavily on to fund many vital frontline services.

Leader of the council, Councillor Hazel Simmons MBE, said “The council uses money from the airport to fund crucial services to everyone, particularly the most needy in the town.

“With this key source of income obliterated, the council is compelled to consider painful solutions which will drastically affect services and have a profound, long-lasting and bleak impact on the lives of many in the town.

“Luton faced huge challenges throughout the period of government austerity and the council sought to encourage growth of the airport as a key driver in balancing the books and stimulating the wider economy.

“Since 2010 the authority has had to make savings of £138m due to reduction government funding and the administration has fought tirelessly and successfully to ensure essential services are maintained.

“While all councils are suffering at this moment in time, Luton has had to rely heavily on the aviation industry due to the reductions in our grants from government, which has left it uniquely impacted and without emergency funding from the government – the town and its residents will suffer much more so than in other areas. ” A recent study by the Centre for Cities identified Luton as one of the country’s most financially vulnerable regions to the Covid-19 crisis, with 40 per cent of jobs hugely dependent on revenue from the aviation and motor industry.

“Income from commercial sources is the second highest of any council in the country. Based on preliminary figures, the overall impact of Covid-19 on the council is expected to be £49m in 2020-21 after taking into account the support from central government.

“This forecast includes a £10.7m drop in council tax and business rates and a £37m drop in income from the airport in 2020/21 and increases in costs. The current crisis has led to huge increases in demand for council assistance and a significant drop in fees and charges and other income, and given the fluidly of the situation, it could end being even worse than the current preliminary figures predict.”

Cllr Simmons added: “I am not overstating this when I say Luton is currently staring at a nightmare scenario. I joined politics to make a difference to people’s lives but these huge financial losses will impact countless individuals whose lives are already being disastrously affected by this dreadful situation.

“I want to make another plea to Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and colleagues across Whitehall to please take a look at what has happened to Luton above and beyond other areas and please think about the thousands of local people who must not suffer any more than they already are.

“Cllr Andy Malcolm, the council’s portfolio holder for finance, added: “Our response to crippling years of austerity was to create innovative income streams to decrease our reliance on government funding.

“It is because of this that the local economy has blossomed, jobs have been created and the town had begun to enjoy the fruits of regeneration. This enterprising approach has not only

kept the town afloat during these years, but has been praised many times by the government.

“We should not be punished as a result. “The town and the council are facing a real cliff-edge moment in our history, and if we don’t get urgent support to avoid the devastating consequences of this crisis, we will be forced to make decisions in the summer which would have been unimaginable just a few weeks ago.”

Robin Porter, Chief Executive of the council, added: “I have sent out many messages over the last seven weeks thanking and praising the way people have responded to the crisis by going out of their way to help others.

“I’ve seen so much of this this first-hand and I have never felt so proud to lead an organisation in this wonderful town.

“However it’s also been the hardest seven weeks of my life seeing what this disease has done to people across the town and the further misery it could cause once the dust is settled and the financial impact is felt.

“The government assistance to date has been appreciated, but it is only a drop in the ocean of what is required to get the town through this. We’ve already spent much more than our allocation on vital things such as support for the vulnerable, emergency housing, financial and business support and providing a temporary mortuary for those who have sadly succumbed to the virus.

“We cannot escape that the council, by law, must set a balanced budget so we are now facing the unenviable task of having to look very closely at everything we spend and are staring at some very hard decisions that will affect the level of services we will be able to provide in the future.”

Over the next few weeks council officers will be putting forward a number of ideas for in-year savings in order to fill the massive multi-million pound hole caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

An emergency budget will be scheduled for July in which members will be forced to agree to a reduction in services unless further and significant emergency funding is made available to the council. Cllr Simmons has committed to continuing regular dialogue with the public over the next few weeks, including getting views on some of the ideas for savings once they are worked up.

Later this week she will be joined by Cllr Andy Malcom and Robin Porter in a webinar to provide more details of the financial situation and the grim choices facing the town, which will include a Question and Answer session.

Please send your questions and any ideas you have should we not receive emergency funding from the government to emergencybudget@luton.gov.uk

Member of Parliament for North East Bedfordshire

ADVICE SURGERIES Richard holds regular surgeries across North East Bedfordshire.

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

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MAY 12, 2020 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

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Four arrested and weapons seized LUTON’S community policing team has arrested four people as well as seizing a number of bladed weapons and a CS spray during two separate incidents.

In one incident two men in a car were found in possession of knives, while in another incident community officers recovered swords and a knife from teenagers attempting to board a train.

PC Thomas Phelan, from the Luton community policing team, said: “We’re committed to keeping Bedfordshire safe and our proactive policing is continuing during lockdown.

The vehicle and occupants were searched and two lock knives and CS spray were found.

Two men in their 30s from Luton were

arrested on suspicion of possession of bladed articles and a section 5 firearm.

One of the men was also arrested for driving without licence or insurance, while the other man was also arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs.

They have been released under investigation pending further police enquiries. In an unrelated incident on Monday, April 27, police were called at around 2.30pm to Luton railway station, following a report of suspicious behaviour by four teenage boys.

The boys were attempting to board a train to Bedford and when stopped and searched, one 15-year-old was found to be in possession of a knife, and another 15-year-old had two Samurai-style swords.

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Trust says there is no need for anyone to go hungry FOLLOWING reports of international students starving in Bedford, the Harpur Trust charity today issued reassurance that there is no need for anyone in the Borough to go hungry.

Throughout the crisis, the Harpur Trust has been working in partnership with the Bedford and Luton Community Foundation and other funders, to support many of the local groups and charities serving meals, delivering food and helping the most vulnerable.

Lucy Bardner (pictured), who is Director of Community Programmes for the Trust said: “There may well be people who are not yet aware of the support that is available to them but we’d like to encourage anyone who is struggling to reach out for help.

“Alongside an amazing network of new mutual aid groups like Bedford Kindness, we are very fortunate in Bedford to have an established network of grass-roots organisations working within our community and they have all been quick to adapt and respond to the situation. We have been supporting and funding these organisations over many years and have maintained regular contact throughout this crisis.”

Queens Park Community Orchard is one of the groups which has received funding to provide food packages via the partnership’s Bedfordshire Coronavirus Emergency Fund (BCEF). They have been working closely with the University of Bedfordshire, Seedbeds, local schools, the Polish Integration Centre, Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity and Bedfordshire Refugee & Asylum

Seeker Support, in order to reach those in need.

Bedford Foodbank, YMCA, Miracle Church and ACCMUK have also received funding from the BCEF to enable them to provide food to people in need including many who are experiencing real hardship for the first time as a result of the pandemic.

Thanks to the work of members of Bedford Homeless Partnership, a collaboration between homeless charities and Bedford Borough Council supported by the Harpur Trust, Bedford’s rough sleepers have also been provided with safe accommodation throughout the crisis and are receiving food as well as support and advice from experts who will help them get back on their feet.

If you are struggling, please visit the Bedford Community Hub, which can provide food parcels and put you in contact with people who can help.

https://www.bedford.gov.uk/social-care-health-and-community/public-health/coronavirus/ coronavirus-community-hub/

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Bedford man put on sex offenders register TEL: 07894 935952 ADS: advertising@rosettapublishing.com

A FORMER Bedford scout leader was caught with child sex abuse and extreme pornographic images.

Alan Sewell, who had been involved with the Scouts and Cubs for 30 years, was arrested after he had uploaded a picture to the internet.

Police raided the married 65-year-old’s home on September 14, 2017 and seized a Dell laptop and other computer devices, Luton Crown Court heard on Thursday, May 7 2020.

Prosecutor Fern Russell said investiga-

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tors found a total of 55 images. nine movies and five stills were at Category A, the most serious level.

There were one movie and eight stills at Category B and 26 Category C stills. In addition, there were six images of extreme pornography.

Ms Russell said most of the images were of male and female children aged between 10 and 12. The extreme pornographic images were of women having sex with animals.

When interviewed last year Sewell told

the police he had been involved in the Scouts for over 30 years and had been a leader of a Cub group. He said he had not looked at child abuse images since the 2017 raid.

Sewell appeared for sentencing via Skype having pleaded guilty to making (downloading) Category A, B and C images of children and possessing extreme pornography.

Defending, Chantelle Stocks said the offences went back to 2017 and he was of previous good character.

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN MAY 12, 2020

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Judge Rebecca Herbert said he had “developed an unhealthy attraction to children.”

She said: “You are 65 and for many years had volunteered to work with the Scouts, latterly as a leader.”

The judge passed an 18 month community order with a condition that he attends 30 rehabilitation activity days and pays a £500 fine. He must register as a sex offender and abide by the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

SEMLEP invests £15.5m in Bedford road improvements WORK will restart on Britannia Road next week, which is part of the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) backed ‘Transporting Bedford’ project.

This project is delivering major improvements to this well-known congestion hotspot, which links two major roads (Ampthill Road and Kempston Road) by the South Wing of Bedford Hospital.

To date, a host of underground utilities have been moved, and widening works on the eastern side of the road have been completed.

When the project had to be paused due to the coronavirus outbreak, works were ongoing to create a new lane going north towards Kempston Road and to make improvements to the road junctions. These works are now set to be restarted.

With the introduction of social distancing guidelines to slow the spread of coronavirus

the decision was made by the contractor, with the Council’s agreement, to pause works until they could safely be restarted.

Since then, options have been explored and a new way of working has been agreed which will allow the crews to get back on-site while staying safe.

This will mean that some of the works that would have be done at the same time, will have to be separated to keep the crews safe so the project will take slightly longer to complete than previously estimated. This, in addition to the pause in works, means that the contractor is now expecting this project to be complete and the road re-opened this summer.

The ‘Transporting Bedford’ project is an £18million investment to ease congestion and make roads safer for all users. £15.5 million of which came from SEMLEP through the Local Growth Fund and £2.5million from Bedford Borough Council.

Ezra Tamiem, 39, of Great North Road, Wyboston, has been charged in connection with the incident in Wyboston on Friday, May 1, 2020.

The victim remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

Tamiem appeared on Monday, May 4, 2020, at Luton Magistrates’ Court and was remanded into custody.He is next due to appear at court on Monday, June 1.

Man on attempted murder charge

Branching out into new careers after lock-down THE blossoming in gardening activities among those who have been ‘locked-down’ has led to a massive interest in the work of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Its website has been inundated with people looking for advice on how to make their gardens grow.

Alongside this has flowered an interest in careers in the great outdoors.

Shuttleworth College in the rural parkland of Old Warden, Bedfordshire is an RHS approved study centre where people can take courses to fit around existing jobs or family commitments.

Once qualified there are a range of jobs which can be pursued from gardener to garden centre employee, groundsmen and even tree surgeons.

Or you can simply become better a looking after an allotment or growing your own vegetables in the garden.

The advanced science aspects can lead to degree courses and work of international importance. Shuttleworth College has alumni

all around the world working in horticulture and agriculture.

Paul Labous, RHS lecturer, has been at the forefront of traditional grafting techniques, being taught as advanced propagation methods, which have been used to extend the life of the Warden Pear, mentioned by Shakespeare, and the Cubbington Pear, threatened by the HS2 rail line.

Both stories have attracted national interest.

“We are expecting a boost in people applying for horticultural and other land-based study programmes after people’s experience of the lock down.

“They either want to know more about looking after their gardens, or realise the satisfaction of such employment or simply want to get outdoors!” said Paul.

Other courses on this beautiful campus are floristry, countryside management and fisheries.

Apprenticeships are also on offer in key fields.Visit www.shuttleworth.ac.uk for more information.

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MAY 12, 2020 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

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Four arrested and cash Team secure a number of seized in Luton drugs raids successful burglary charges

FOUR people have been arrested and more than £2,000 in cash seized after an operation targeting a suspected Luton drugs gang.

Warrants were carried out by Bedfordshire Police at two addresses in the Biscot area of Luton on Monday, May 4.

One man in his 20s and three teenage men have subsequently been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug.

As well as more than £2,000 in cash, officers also recovered more than 20 bags of suspected cannabis as well as a number of other items associated with drug dealing.

Detective Chief Inspector Louisa Glynn, from the force’s Central Intelligence Bureau, said: “This operation continues our disruption of suspected drugs gangs we believe are operating in this area.

“Drugs gangs blight our communities with violence and anti-social behaviour, exploiting vulnerable people in order to line their own pockets.

“Bedfordshire Police as well as our colleagues in the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit have made significant strides recently in our bid to combat organised crime.

“Operations such as these will continue to happen as we relentlessly disrupt those we suspect of being involved.”

Anyone with any information about drugs or gangs can contact police on 101 or via bedfordshire.police.uk/report

All this information is fed into police intelligence systems and can help officers build up a picture of organised crime.

Anyone looking for help or support to leave a gang can contact the Bedfordshire Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit via bedsveru.org

BEDFORDSHIRE Police have secured a number of successful burglary charges, as the force works hard to combat this type of crime.

The forces dedicated burglary team, Operation Maze, along with support from response officers and scene of crime unit,

Six arrests made in connection with Easter Sunday violent disorder DETECTIVES have now arrested six people in connection with a violent disorder that took place in Luton on Easter Sunday, April 12.

Police were alerted at around 4.40pm, that a number of armed men were fighting in the Sheridan Road and Argyll Avenue areas of the town.

Mobile phone footage been circulated online by an unknown person which captures the incident unfolding.

Six men from Luton, all in their late teens or early 20s, have been arrested and bailed in connection to the disorder, pending further enquiries.

A/Detective Sergeant Ben Stone, from the Crime Investigation Team, said: “Although

our investigation is progressing well and we have made a number of arrests so far, we are still urging anyone who witnessed this brawl or who has any video footage to come forward and let us know, as this will help us piece together how this came about.

“This type of violence won’t be tolerated and we will do all we can to investigate this incident thoroughly and see that these culprits are dealt with accordingly.”

Anyone with any information about the incident on Easter Sunday is asked to contact us on 101 or visit bedfordshire.police.uk/report quoting Operation Abate.

Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via Crimestoppers-uk.org

successfully charged four men for burglary offences that occurred on April 30.

Nico Harrington Brown, 18, of Solway Road, Luton, was charged with one count of burglary.

Michael Anderson, 20, of no fixed abode, was charged with one count of burglary.

Leroy Cariata, 26, of Polstead Way, Clacton-on-Sea, was charged with one count of burglary.

Kenny Caprani, 22, of no fixed abode, was charged with one count of burglary and possession of Class B drugs.

On Wednesday, April 29, Carlos Gittens, 33, of no fixed abode, was charged with two counts of burglary and eight counts of fraud, in connection with offences that happened between April 13 and 14.

Gittens has been remanded by the court, pending a future court appearance.

As well as this there were also three other successful charges, relating to separate offences.

Marvin Warmington, 44, of Waller Avenue, has been charged with one count of burglary relating to an incident in Cutenhoe Road on Tuesday, 14 April 14. He has been remanded in custody, pending a future court appearance.

Tycion Dawidowski, 37, of no fixed abode, has been charged with one count of burglary in relation to offences that happened on March 3. He has been remanded in custody, pending a future court appearance.

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN MAY 12, 2020

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New dates for Bedford’s MEG – a move for Bedford Kite and Motoring Festival College Group into HE BEDFORD Kite and Motoring Festival will return to Russell Park and the Embankment on Saturday and Sunday, June 12 and 13, 2021.

The 2020 Kite and Motoring Festival was postponed earlier this year due to the coronavirus outbreak, and the Council and its partners had initially hoped to bring the Festival back later this year.

With ongoing guidance against mass gatherings for public safety, together with partners in this event such as the kite flyers, car enthusiasts, and other entertainments at the Festival, and to provide certainty for the public it has been decided that the next Kite and Motoring Festival will be in June 2021.

Mayor Dave Hodgson said: “It is disappointing that we aren’t able to deliver this event this year but we feel this is the right decision in these unprecedented circumstances.

“Hopefully, the country will be in a position for the Kite and Motoring Festival to happen next June. Thank you to everyone for their work so far on the event and along with the Bedford River Festival, we are hoping to

bring all of our planned activities, displays and events back to Russell Park and the Embankment next year.

“I am pleased that we have set a date for next year’s Kite and Motoring Festival, June 12 and 13, 2021, bringing this fantastic, free, local community event back to our town.”

Three arrested after man stabbed in Biggleswade THREE men have been arrested after a man was stabbed in what police believe to be a targeted attack Biggleswade on Saturday, May 9.

Officers were called to reports that a man had suffered serious injuries in an area off Eagle Farm Road shortly before 7pm.

The victim was taken to hospital with serious, but not life-threatening, injuries.

Police stopped a vehicle nearby and the

occupants, two men aged 19 and 22, were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

A third man, aged 21, was arrested this morning.

All three remain in custody.

Anyone with any information about the incident should call 101 quoting incident 497 of 9 May, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Luton’s Eaton Green Road tidy tip to open

FOLLOWING updated government guidance that household waste and recycling centres can be open to dispose of waste that is presenting a hazard and cannot be legally and responsibly disposed of in other ways, the council is pleased to announce it’s working with partner FCC, to reopen Eaton Green Road site next Monday, May 11.

People are being urged to follow the rules and only to make essential visits to the household waste and recycling centre and carefully consider whether they really need to go.

Capacity will be limited, fewer people will be able to enter the site at any one time, no vans or cars with trailers are allowed and social distancing measures will be in place to protect the health of residents as well as staff.

For those who do decide a trip to the tip is necessary they will be required to follow measures such as; keeping windows shut while queuing and once inside the site, keeping at least a two metre distance from staff and other residents, wearing gloves and masks if possible.

A maximum of five cars will be allowed onto the site at any one time, with a strict one in one out policy.

People are also being urged to respect the staff at the site who are doing an important

job in difficult times and anyone who abuses this will be asked to leave the site immediately.

From Monday, May 11, the Eaton Green Road tidy tip will be open between 9am to 5pm, seven days a week.

Measures have been put in place to provide traffic management on the highway and on the site, however it is anticipated that any trip to the site will be subject to long delays as social distancing measures will reduce traffic throughput at the tidy tip.

The situation will be reviewed regularly before a decision is made to open the tidy tip on Progress Way. All the details on opening hours, social distancing and safety rules and how to dispose of extra waste here Info on how to dispose of extra waste here Always dispose of any waste responsibly; do not be tempted to dump any items or to use a waste carrier that is not licensed. Store any additional items until normal services resume.

Giving waste to illegal carriers is a breach of the household duty of care.

Residents can find further information can be found at the link below; https://environment.data.gov.uk/publicregister/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers

THE Bedford College Group is raising its game in the provision of Higher Education (HE), or degree level learning, by joining a national organisation dedicated to increasing HE in FE (Further Education).

The Mixed Economies Group (MEG) serves as a network for senior practitioners of HE in FE, enabling them to discuss policy and practice informally between regular termly meetings.

MEG carries out research on a regular basis and is regarded as a source of informed opinion by a range of Government, academic and employer organisations.

“It’s a powerful platform for The Bedford College Group to be a part of and sits perfectly with our local, regional and national aspirations to evolve ever widening participation in degree level learning,” says Alex Mortby, Director of Higher Education.

Bedford College has a long historical association with what is now generally called Higher Education or degree level learning.

Originally it was the part of the Bedford College of Higher and Further Education and known as Mander College.

The Polhill and Landsdowne campuses delivering sports and teacher training degrees, became part of De Montfort University in the last century.

Those elements later joined with the University of Luton to become the University of Bedfordshire.

Meanwhile, what was Mander was rebranded as Bedford College, and under the leadership of Ian Pryce CBE, has gone on to become one of the most successful colleges in the UK offering 16 to 60-year-olds the chance to gain a degree though a variety of routes.

Recognised as the leading regional provider of education and training for the 21st

Century, where more modern ways of studying are made possible by using technology, The Bedford College Group is helping people to be ready for the fast changing world of work.

Already, The Bedford College Groups offers degrees in across its campuses in Bedfordshire and Northants: • BA Fashion • Fashion (Textiles for Fashion) • Photography • Graphic Communication • Media Production • Music Technology • Psychology and Criminal Behaviour • Child & Adolescent Studies • BScEngineering • Agriculture • Animal Science Foundation degrees and other forms of Higher Education studies are also on offer as well employer-recognised HNC/HND qualifications which can be studied full-time or part-time across range of subjects.

“These all add towards degree qualifications which are more closely aligned with what the work-place requires compared to three years of some university courses,” added Alex,“Our emphasis is on making sure the student is in tune with the very latest changes and requirements in the sectors in which they want to work.

“Whilst employers increasing want skilled and educated candidates, they value evidence of proven understanding of the industry they represent. Such engagement is embedded in all courses for all ages. ”Funding for our HE courses can be supported via Student Loans, in the same way as a “university loan”.

Garden waste – new arrangements at Bedford’s Barkers Lane Tip BEDFORD Borough Council will be reopening the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) on Barkers Lane on Monday 11 May. Bookings must be made in advance from Monday 11 May, to help with any remaining backlog of garden waste, the Council is opening a new site in the Oasis Swimming Pool car park off Cardington Road.

This site is for Bedford Borough residents only, and proof of address (such as a utility bill or Council Tax bill) will be required.

Residents will be able to bring their garden waste, without appointment, to the Oasis site and empty any bags or containers of garden waste into large bins.

This facility will be open from 9am-5pm, from Monday, May 11, for one week initially, then it will be reviewed. Only cars, 4x4s, and small vans up to 1500kg payload will be able to use this service.

The Oasis site is purely for garden waste, no other waste will be accepted.

The same types of green waste will be accepted as can currently go in the green lidded bin e.g. grass cutting, plants and weeds, flowers, prunings, hedge clippings, leaves and bark.

To give people an option to dispose of their waste, if it cannot be safely stored at home or disposed of through the normal kerbside collection, the Government has announced that councils can open their local tips.

The Council has been working with its contractors operating the HWRC and is now able to open the site in a safe way, in line with

Government guidance during the coronavirus outbreak.

Access to the tip will be via a one way system on Barkers Lane accessed only from Newnham Avenue.

To ensure the site is not overwhelmed and so that everyone can follow social distancing guidelines, anyone planning to visit must book a slot.

There will be 15 minute slots available which must be booked at least a day before you plan to visit, and will be available to book up to 14 days in advance.

You will be asked to show your booking to a member of staff, it does not need to be printed; on a phone screen will be accepted.

Anyone coming to the HWRC without a booking will be turned away.

If you visit the HWRC you will see that there is a new layout. This is to make sure that people do not have to walk past each other to get to the different bays, so they can keep social distancing.

Initially, only cars, 4x4s and small vans, up to 1500kg payload, will be allowed into the tip.

This new layout also means that containers cannot be emptied or the site cleaned effectively during opening hours so the HWRC will be open from 9am-5pm, seven days a week, to give staff time to do these tasks at the beginning and end of the day.

To book a slot to visit the HWRC, please call 01234 718013.

To book a bulky waste collection, please call 01234 718060. www.bedford.gov.uk/bins

8 —

MAY 12, 2020 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

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gardening with Milton Ernest Garden Centre

A

Achieving another dimension in your garden VERY important thing to consider is the structure in our gardens. We build our house define the boundaries lay the patio and buy a shed.

To blend these all together we need plants. However plants themselves provide structure.

Trees provide an interesting skyline and screen the neighbours. Larger trees like Acer Kelly’s Gold and Sorbus Hupehensis have wide canopies and lovely coloured foliage but lose their leaves in winter time.

The conifers like Chaemacyparis Lawsoniana are evergreen with green blue or golden leaves give all year interest and provide nesting cover for birds.

Narrow upright trees like Betula Snow Queen with gorgeous white bark, Prunus Amanagawa and Malus Red Sentinal both flower in spring and are suitable trees where space is a premium.

Hedges can be planted to mark the boundary of your property and are more interesting than fences providing nesting places for birds and squirrels and a safe haven for a plethora of insects and butterflies.

Leylandii gives a quick screen but must be maintained regularly to stop it becoming unmanageable and a bone of contention with the neighbours. Thuya Plicata is slower growing but a lovely colour green with aromatic foliage. Photinia Red Robin, Taxus Baccata (Yew) and Viburnum Tinus are all good evergreen alternatives to Conifer hedges. If you need an immediate taller screen approximately 3 to 4 metres plant Carpinus (Hornbeam) or Tilia (Lime) trained as espaliers with yew planted below. It is expensive but is a stunning structure in any garden.

Large shrubs can be planted in borders in front of fences and walls to give interest and need little maintenance. Photinia Red Robin with bright red young leaves, Viburnum Tinus and Mahonia Charity (winter flowering) and Ceanothus and Choisya Tenata

(spring flowering) are all evergreen while Forsythia, Cotinus, Philadelphus, Berberis, Sambucus Ivory Tower and Viburnum Opulus lose their leaves in winter but are quick growing and provide extra seasonal interest.

Feature plants used successfully provide points of interest in borders. Taxus Baccata Fastigiata Aurea, Juniperus Virginiana Blue Spire, Berberis Helmann’s Pillar, Miscanthus Karl Forster or Miscanthus Zebrinus, Phormiums or Buxus trained as pyramids are all excellent feature plants giving focal points and structure in mixed borders.

Small top grafted trees which only grow to about 1.5metres do the same.

Some examples are Cotoneaster Juliette, Salix Nisiki Variegata, Holly and Euonymus. These can also all be grown in tubs on the patio and can be moved around to change the scene.

Standard roses can also be planted in rose beds for height and definition. Something special is Wisteria and Canary Bird Rose trained as standards. Both are breath taking when in flower but interesting shapes for the rest of the year.

Bamboo is another superb structure plant. It is evergreen and can be used to accent or screen.

Paths and walkways look more inviting when planted with low hedges. Lavender and Buxus are ideal plants for this but Thyme, Catmint and Heucheras are also recommended.

Low walls and rockeries are garden structures that need decorating with plants. The alpines are brilliant plants for these situations because they grow tumbling over rocks in the natural environment.

Aubretia, Alyssum Saxatile, Saxifrage, Thyme, Saponaria, Alpine Phlox, Helianthemum and

Campanula Carpatica between them give displays throughout the year.

We can also introduce permanent features to give interest. Archways, Pergolas, Sitting Nooks, Rope Walks and Obelisks however ornate need plants.

Arches that cover paths and Sitting Nooks need plants with soft stems and perfume that will train easily. You don’t want to be grabbed by rose thorns when you attempt to walk to the garage or sit sipping your Chardonnay! Plant these structures with different varieties of Honeysuckle to make a feature all year.

Lonicera Belgica (early flowering), Lonicera Serotina (late), Lonicera Princess Kate (highly scented), Lonicera Hall’s Prolific and Mint Crisp (evergreen) make the arch a year round interesting feature.

Pergolas being larger will accommodate Wisteria, Clematis Montana, Jasmines and Climbing Roses.

Rope Walks are good for Rambling Roses because the rampant growth quickly drapes the posts and ropes.

The new varieties like Rose Albright (pink) and Malvern Hills (yellow) are exciting because they repeat flowering throughout the summer. Obelisks, the Victorians and Tudors loved them and painted them bright colours.

I like to use them to decorate herbaceous borders and to give height in tubs. Planted with perennial sweet peas, hybrid clematis and as in the cottage gardens with runner beans you can achieve another dimension in garden structure.

Finally some structures like the shed can be an eyesore. Cover them up with plants like Polygonum Baldschuanicum, Clematis Montana, Virginia Creeper and Variegated Ivy. The best structure of all of course is the lawn. It sets off the rest of the garden and keeps the Man in the House amused for hours each week.-

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