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Top Ten reasons to Love Bedford

BEDFORD BOROUGH EDITION

1 LOVE BEDFORD is the marketing brand of the Bedford Business Improvement District, voted for and run by town centre businesses.

2 BedfordBID is a legal entity, formed under Labour Government legislation which Bedford helped to set in motion by being one of the 12 pilots in the UK in 2005 when Patrick Hall was MP and the late Frank Branson was Mayor of Bedford. Now there are more than 300 BIDs in the UK and they are seen by the current Government as the best way for businesses large and small to pool their resources in town centres.

3 The BIGGEST pay the most by far and the smallest pay nothing and enjoy the benefits of the “all for one” pot of money which is managed by a voluntary Board of BID businesses. It does not pay for the ‘statutory obligations’ of our local council.

4 New rules for what will be the 4th term of BedfordBID (re-elected every five years) means that fewer start-up and small businesses have to pay the levy. Those who

OCTOBER 2019

were released of the burden of Business with the town centre. In some cases joint Rates under Government changes (eg projects attract joint funding. For instance businesses in receipt of small business rate the High Street Heritage project which relief, based on a rateable value of less than boosted the town centre included a £12,001) will not have to pay the BID levy contribution of £100k by BedfordBID. either under BID4 – a great result for 8 Love Bedford is well established POSITIVE independents who have welcomed the news. brand in print and across all on-line platforms with promotions, events and 5 That pot of money is collected by the council activities funded from the levy pot for the on behalf of the BID but it is all passed to the benefit of all businesses. Details of all these BID to be spent according to a Business Plan activities can be found on being voted upon by businesses affected in www.lovebedford.co.uk October 2019.

6 The process for the vote is already underway 9 A BID is valuable part of the jigsaw bringing in circa £400,000 a year which will be lost with Ballot Papers being sent to those completely if businesses vote not to pay. businesses which will have to pay the BID 4 (Business Rates go to Central Government levy. This is NOT a public vote. Nor is it a not to the local council directly). vote for personalities but for the entity itself, If the vote is NO, then there will be no BID in 10 A vote for BedfordBID is a Vote of Bedford after April 2020.

Confidence in the town centre by business owners and operators. Ultimately a vibrant 7 BedfordBID does NOT work in isolation. It is town centre is more appealing to visitors, vital link between small businesses, shoppers, future investors and the wider multinational retailers, private landlords, the community. council, police and other agencies concerned

CONSERVATIVES ASK SHOPPERS TO BACK TOWN’S MAYOR ‘DAVE’ TRADERS BACKS BID – see page 13

A progrAmme of road works across Bedford has come at a terrible time for the town’s businesses, according to Cllr roger rigby.

Network Rail’s rebuild of the Bromham Road railway bridge began in June, enabling the upgrade to the Midland Main Line, closed the road to vehicles until the spring of 2020. At the same time, Bedford Borough Council is undertaking its ‘Transporting Bedford 2020’ project, investing £15.5m of Government funds to alleviate congestion at ‘pinch points’ in the town, including Manton Lane and Britannia Road.

Cllr Rigby is now asking residents to dodge the road works and back Bedford town centre’s businesses rather than shopping elsewhere. He said:

‘Town centre footfall reduced by 4.8% in 2018 compared with 2017, while the latest figures for January – May 2019 showed a 4.3% fall compared with the same period last year. This, cou-

pled with the closure of our premier department store Marks & Spencer in May, demonstrates a serious need for new thinking and significant investment in the town centre.

“People are telling me with all the road works it is easier to go to other, nearby shopping destinations 20-30 minute journeys away where the parking is cheap or free, but the experience is better in Bedford with The Higgins museum, the Embankment and our fantastic independent shops.

“The Conservative Group urges people to support Bedford town centre by using our shops, cafes, restaurants and cinema. It is worth a few minutes spent in traffic to enjoy all the excellent things Bedford has to offer.”

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OCTOBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

Parking machine break-ins Bedford dad takes on ‘gladiator’ challenge in Two parking machines on Beverley Crescent, Bedford were broken into over one weekend, with attempts made on two more machines in the area.

Nearly £100 was taken from these two machines, making a total of around £2,600 stolen from parking machines in the Borough in 2019 alone.

Repeated instances of criminal damage to the Council’s parking machines is costing increasing

levels of taxpayers’ moneyapproximately £7000 since the start of 2019 alone.

Cllr Charles Royden, Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport said “It is outrageous that this criminal behaviour continues, and this crime goes beyond the money stolen from the machines. “on many occasions, it has cost the Council more in repairs to get the machines back up and running.”

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honour of local girl and much-missed colleague

GLAdIAToRS ready! Lucky and his gym friends are taking on a Rough Runner challenge A Bedford dad is gearing up for a gladiator-style challenge in honour of a little girl and a muchmissed colleague.

Revenue Control officer Lucky Ladher, 39, who works for Govia Thameslink railway, is raising money with his gym buddies for ‘Lulu’s Fight’ and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Lulu is a six-year-old Bedford girl who was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma at the age of four. She immediately had

chemotherapy and has also had immunotherapy. Thanks to donations, she is taking part in a clinical trial in New York, which will hopefully reduce the chances of her cancer returning.

Lucky said: “I have three girls – twins that are eight and an older one who is 10. I want to help as much as I can. In the area, everyone is doing something for Lulu.

It could have happened to anyone’s daughter.”

Lulu’s dad Rob de Vries, 51, said: “we are, as a family, astounded with the way the people of Bedford have reacted to

Lulu and her story. So many people have set up events to support us in raising what seemed like a huge amount of money. The community have been simply amazing. People like Lucky are investing their time and energy in Lulu and that’s very touching.”

Lucky and his friends are also raising money in memory of Lucky’s former colleague, a dis-

patcher at King’s Cross, who sadly died from bowel cancer last year. Lucky said: “He had been there for a number of years. we used to sit down and have a laugh and a joke.

“If you have been working with someone for so long, you class them as your family. He also had two young kids – two young boys.”

Call for QC’s findings to be made public lead a lengthy independent investigation into my complaint; Mr Tom Kark (the former lead counsel to the Mid Staffordshire Inquiry, who has practised as a barrister for approximately 37 years). Yet instead of publishing Mr Kark QC’s independent report, Sir Tom has chosen instead to publish his own findings.

Bedfordshire Police’s former Chief Constable, Mr Jon Boutcher, also raised a formal complaint with HMICFRS concerning HMI Billingham and we are now calling on Sir Tom winsor to publish the executive findings of Mr Kark QC’s

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independent report concerning both of our complaints. we do not accept that sending HMI Billingham – a senior public official required by her Terms of Engagement to observe the Nolan Principles at all times – on a management course, is an appropriate sanction by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector in response to our complaints.

Jon Boutcher and I will now be inviting the Home Affairs Select Committee to review this matter and to consider Sir Tom’s handling of our complaints in the light of all of the evidence, together with the worrying lack of a transparent Complaints process at HMICFRS.”

Stephanie Hughes, Tiffany Sibbald and Lucky Ladher.

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Teaching excellence in fashion

CoMING up with creative designs which beat universities from across the UK in corporate clothing design is more than just a passing fashion at Bedford College.

In 2017, 2018, and 2019 the HNd Fashion & Textiles team took the top prizes at the national Professional Clothing International Awards (PCIA) spotlight.

International fashion icon Vivienne westwood is a regular judge, who offers a chance of work experience at her fashion house alongside prize money of £1,000, - demonstrating that this is a seriously competitive platform.

To add to the celebrations, for the first time this year (2019), students took part in the University of Northamptonshire’s Fashion Show - exhibiting work, which according to one outside examiner equalled the university standard.

The Programme and Pathway Leader behind this success is Elisa Bratton who has worked at the college for five years and has experience at other colleges and industry. It was her inspiration and hard work that has ensured her students at Bedford College won “The Best University” plaque in 2017 at the PCIA. Elisa commented: “These awards are a testimony to the continuous hard work and dedication of our students, they inspire me with their creativity and application.”

Students benefit from university level training that is closer to home which combines creativity with practicality - as witnessed by the college’s success in the

PCA where protective clothing has to combine ‘industrial strength’ with wear-ability.

Head of department for Art & design, Alan Parsons added: “The success of our students is rooted in the passion and dedication of our lecturers. It underlines the value of our approach to vocational education where skills and craftspersonship are valued equally alongside the notions of creativity and academic achievement that are often the prime focus for universities.

“At Bedford College, our curriculum model is a contemporary embodiment of the workshops in the Technical Institutes, where students’ creativity and knowledge is underpinned with a selfsufficiency borne through practical skills and the result, as you can see, is a designer who can most effectively meet a client’s brief with a creative solution for future design problems.

“This year, the work of our BA students has been outstanding. An external examiner judging our work was singing our students praises. we are putting Bedford on the map now in the fashion world and our students have portfolios which are ‘employer ready’ which means when they come to find work they are ahead of the game.”

Students who took part in the show at the University of Northamptonshire were: Megan wallis, Poppie Robertson, Sophia Phillips and Holly Varney-Lonsdale.

Some of their work was exhibited at the Harpur Centre, Bedford over the summer.

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2019

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OCTOBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

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Amy’s on her ‘A’ Game TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

THIS year Bedford-based Select Travel Holidays, home of Cruise Select, were selected as finalists for the Best Small Cruise Agency Award for the fourth time. on top of this one of their team has been singled as a finalist at the Cruise Star Awards 2019.

Amy wright has been shortlisted for both the Travel Agent Marketing Star and the Travel Agent Rising Star Awards. The awards shine a spotlight on the brightest and best talent in the cruise holiday sector – the ‘ones to watch’ in the industry. Now in their fourth year, the awards are organised by Cruise Trade News and the judging panel is made up of specialists and industry experts, together with the magazine’s editors.

Earlier this year, Amy was also a finalist at the 2019 Travel Agent Achievement Awards in recognition of her passion for touring and adventure holidays, but she says: “Cruising will always be an important part of who we are, and as Bedfordshire’s only accredited CLIA Cruise Master, cruising is another passion of mine, and it’s been an honour to be recognised for my work in cruising too.”

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The lady with the hat opens shop #5 The Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Mrs Helen Nellis performed the official opening of Bedford Daycare Hospice’s fifth shop. On Tuesday, September 10, 2019, the shop in Castle Road was officially opened. In attendance were members of the management team, volunteers and members of staff.

The charity that helps people throughout Bedfordshire has shops in: Biggleswade, Bedford and Kempston.

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New Vice Principal of Bedford College Group, Karen Campbell KAREN will be responsible for Apprenticeships, land-based learning, construction and STEM (science technology engineering and maths). This follows Karen’s experience as director of Social Studies at the Group since 2018.

Karen has worked at Bedford College for more than 10 years having started as Additional Learning Support Manager and then Head of Care Childcare and Counselling. She then went on to oversee Health & Social Care, Child Care, Counselling, Teacher Training and Access to HE, Prince’s Trust, Learning Centres, pre-Employment Training and was lead for Adult Education.

She joins Emma Lowe and Georgina Ager as the three Vice Principals of The Group.

Retiring as Vice Principal this year is Mike Johnston, longstanding and respected leader of Shuttleworth College which merged with Bedford College in 2009 and is now one of the most successful land-based learning establishments in the country supporting the farming, rural and outdoor activity sectors.

The Bedford College Group was formed in August 2017 as a result of the merger of Bedford College, including Shuttleworth College and The Bedford Sixth Form, with Tresham College and its sites at Kettering, wellingborough and Corby.

The Group CEo is Ian Pryce CBE long-serving Principal of Bedford College.

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2019

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OCTOBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

Bedfordshire Festival of Music, Speech & Drama presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service VoLUNTEERS from The Bedfordshire Festival of Music, Speech & drama were presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) at a ceremony held at the Swan Hotel on 4th September 2019.

The Lord-Lieutenant, Helen Nellis, presented The Festival with the QAVS in recognition of the volunteers’ dedication and commitment. It was a special occasion attended by many of the Festival’s volunteers, Sponsors and Friends.

The Festival has supported the performing arts in Bedfordshire for many years by staging an

annual week-long event at the Corn Exchange Complex allowing singers, musicians and dramatists of all disciplines and ages to perform in public whilst receiving feedback from professional adjudicators who are specialists in their fields.

The Festival, which is a Charity and is entirely self-funded, is run by a committee of volunteers and a part-time secretary. during Festival week in March, the Committee and a further group of over 50 dedicated volunteer stewards take over the Bedford Corn Exchange to manage the huge numbers of performers, teachers,

parents and local audience members. Last year there were nearly 2000 people taking part in over 150 classes covering different areas of the performing arts!

Entrants vary from school singing and drama groups, to community choirs, world music groups and those just wanting an opportunity to be able to perform in public. It is also an ideal platform for those taking exams in the performing arts to be able to practice performing their piece of work in front of an audience in a wonderfully supportive environment.

The award ceremony included several performances from musi-

cians and dramatists who performed in last year’s Festival and included: Rebecca woolley (singing), Eva Berman (speech & drama), Aidan & Alex Cham (cello) and Jonathan Hosking (speech & drama) The Festival’s Chairman, Julia Smith(pictred below) said: This award is testimony to the hard work, dedication and commitment of all our volunteers, without whom the Festival simply would not be able to take place each year. we are extremely proud that we are the first Festival to ever receive such an accolade.

The Festival is about to enter its 99th year! So the award also recognises how the Festival, one of the largest and longest-standing in the Country thanks to the amazing input of their volunteers over the years, has had the ability to evolve and change over time since its inception in 1921, and remains relevant to the needs of the Bedfordshire Community today.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of the Whilstand stocks last Queen’s coronation is equivalent to an MBE for volunteer groups.

The Festival is always looking for more volunteers, so if it sounds like something you would like to be involved with, please contact the Festival Secretary, Alix Smith – festival@bedford-

shirefestival.org.uk However, just as importantly, Chairman Julia added:- “ we really hope that this award will help to raise awareness of this fantastic annual event in Bedfordshire’s cultural calendar, encouraging even more entries so that as we approach our Centenary we achieve record numbers of participants taking part to begin our next 100 years”.

Indeed, the planning for this year’s Festival week, which will take place from 7th – 14th March 2020, is well underway.

The Syllabus showing the

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classes available and how to enter is already available to download from their website: www.bedfordshirefestival.org. uk. The Festival can accept entries not just from schools or teachers but from individuals and groups.

All the detail is their syllabus.

Hard copies can also be picked up from a number of local stockists including the Corn Exchange Box office, The Music Centre Tavistock Street, The Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s, The works and waterstones in Bedford amongst others. Entries open soon, keep an eye on their website for updates.

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2019

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Newly-weds move into brand new retirement home

L-R Village Manager Louise Cottingham, Resident David Hope, Mayor Dave Hodgson, ExtraCare CEO Mick Laverty.

80-year-old david Hope and his wife June, 83, are among those already feeling the benefits of a 230-home retirement village near Bedford, which was officially opened on Tuesday, September 10, 2019.

The couple, who met in November last year and married in April, were both keen to ensure their health ‘did not become a burden’ to their families, so moved into a rental apartment in July. developed by retirement charity The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, the village has homes for over 300 local residents and features an on-site shop, library, café bar, village hall, hairdressing and beauty salon, craft room, fitness suite and games room amongst 18 health and leisure facilities. Care is available for those who need support to remain independent in later life. david and June will join Bedford Borough’s Mayor, dave Hodgson, to cut the opening ribbon; david will speak about his and June’s recent move to the village.

“we came to the village and after being shown around I fell in love with the place immediately,” said david, who has fibrosis on his lungs, an incurable illness which means he will gradually lose his breath over time.

“Having care and well-being services available to us at the village is absolutely vital. If my wife’s health deteriorates it’s essential for us to know that there will be care on offer, as this will take a lot of pressure off our children as my fibrosis gets progressively worse.”

Since moving to the village, david has set up a bingo club, which got a successful uptake of 39 players. “we also both join in with the quiz nights, and I enjoy playing a game of snooker, which I think is a fantastic facility that we have here,” added david.

A recent study, with Aston University and Lancaster University, found that residents living in ExtraCare’s retirement villages showed a reduction in their dependence on GP and hospital

services, which means a 38% reduction in NHS costs per year.

Exercise in residents increased by 75%, with anxiety levels dropping by 23% and 86.5% were never or hardly ever lonely.

ExtraCare Charitable Trust Chief Executive, Mick Laverty, said: “our charity’s mission is creating sustainable communities that provide homes older people want, lifestyles they can enjoy and care if it’s needed. This means our residents can enjoy opportunities on their door step, whether it’s socialising in the bistro, volunteering in the village shop, taking part in a fitness session or singing in a choir. Facilities at this village will also be open to the wider community, enabling the village to become social hub for families, friends and volunteers representing all age groups.”

The village has been developed thanks to a partnership between ExtraCare Charitable Trust and Bedford Borough Council, with Homes England making a £1.288 million contribution.

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OCTOBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

SEVA Trust UK raised £1000 for Flood Victims in Punjab, India

SoCIAL Education Voluntary Association (SEVA) Trust UK, based based charity organised a meeting at Guru Gobind Singh

Gurdwara (Sikh Temple), Kempston on Sunday, September 1. It was attended by the SEVA Trustees, Temple Management

committee members and Bharpur Gill, Aid Coordinator for Khalsa Aid International who gave up update on the continuing rescue

and recovery operations being led by the UK based international charity Khalsa Aid in Punjab, India.

HM Lord-Lieutenant’s Honours Ceremony held at RAF Henlow

A cheque of £1000 was presented to Bharpur Gill by SEVA Trust. Thanking the attendees, Bharpur said: “The whole region has been left devastated by the recent severe floods, with over 300 villages being directly affected and are now in need of emergency aid. Khalsa Aid International has established a team of rescue specialists in the region to provide emergency aid and assistance to the victims of the disaster.

Photography: Keith Mayhew, The People’s Press Photography

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“It’s a great effort by Bedford communities to support Khalsa Aid who have been instrumental in leading humanitarian efforts globally with huge support by all communities.”

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Nick Kier BEM DL receives his British Empire Medal from HM LordLieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis on behalf of HM The Queen

AT A special ceremony held in The Canaletto Suite at The woburn Hotel, by kind permission of Her Grace The duchess of Bedford, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis, brought together the Bedfordshire recipients who received their Honour in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours List to celebrate their success, and to learn about the work behind their achievements. At the

same ceremony, the Lord-Lieutenant also presented a British Empire Medal to one Bedfordshire recipient on behalf of HM The Queen. dignitaries present included the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Meryl dolling, the Chairman of Central Bedfordshire Council Cllr Brian Saunders, the deputy Speaker of Bedford Borough Council Cllr Jane walker, Town Council Mayors of Biggleswade, & Sandy, Chief Superintendent david Boyle, deputy Chief Fire officer Andrew Hopkinson, Police & Crime Commissioner Chief of Staff Clare Kelly and the President of St John’s Ambulance Anthony duggan oBE. They were joined by recipients’ family members and friends to hear details about their achievements which were read out by the LordLieutenant’s Cadets.

The recipients honoured in the Queen’s Birthday List 2019 were: Dr Julie mills oBe (Bedford) For services to Promoting Business and Education Links professor michael James Norton oBe Freng (Bedford) For services to Engineering and the digital Economy mrs eve Alexandra BUrT mBe (Bedford) For public and political service mrs elizabeth Jane Bewick JACKSoN mBe (Biggleswade, Central Bedfordshire) For services to the Northern Ireland Economy and Innovation in Law The British Empire Medallist honoured in the Queen’s Birthday List 2019 was: Nicholas Hector KIer Bem DL (Bedford) For services to the Community in Bedfordshire

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis said after the ceremony: “It was a real pleasure to recognise those Bedfordians who received national Honours from HM The Queen this year in the beautiful setting of The woburn Hotel. The various contributions that each of the Honours’ recipients have made to our county and to our nation is outstanding. In going the extra mile, they have all made a lasting impact for good on our community.”

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2019

Wootton Upper School wins silver award for ‘vibrant and committed’ history department AwARd-wINNING wootton Upper School has won praise for the opportunities and teaching standards it provides pupils studying history in a national assessment programme.

The Bedford-based school has achieved the coveted ‘silver’ History Quality Mark - the second highest ranking available - following a rigorous inspection of its history faculties earlier this year.

The award is presented by the History Association and is recognised as a national seal of approval in education, offering parents, pupils and staff reassurance that standards of history teaching are of an exceptionally high standard at the school.

It follows last year’s success in which wootton became one of only nine schools in the UK to receive the coveted Secondary Geography Quality Mark (SGQM) in recognition of “excellence in teaching and learning in geography” in the 2018 awards scheme.

Michael Gleeson, Executive Principal, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled for the school to receive this accolade which cements our reputation as a high-achieving academic institution. Much praise and thanks is owed to our head of history, Kristina Johns, whose vision and leadership has been instrumental in achieving this award.

“The assessors had some high praise indeed for the school, describing the department as “vibrant and committed” and recognising our ambition to become a centre for excellence for history education.

“one of our key strengths at wootton is never to rest on our laurels and this award gives us further room to push the boundaries of our success even further. I have every faith that we will continue to improve the department and believe that a future gold award is within our expert capabilities as a team.”

In its final report, the History Association assessors concluded that the school had the building blocks to make history a “powerhouse” within the academy.

Lessons were “good” and sometimes “outstanding”, it added, and work “mercifully free” from GCSE explicit formats, with students responding with “authentic historical thinking”.

“The enthusiasm and learning of the energetic and dedicated teaching staff is matched by thoughtful engagement of many of the school’s students in historical thinking and study,” it said.

“The school has clearly invested strongly in securing an experienced, energetic and ambitious team of history specialists who will be able to move forward together to achieve and maintain excellence in the subject.”

The school was also praised for its “enrichment” provision, giving pupils the chance to take part in a range of suitable activities including historical field visits to battlefields, war museums, trips to Berlin and Hampton Court Palace, The silver Quality Mark will remain in place for the next three years at the end of which the school can be reassessed for a potential gold award.

A group of current Year 10 Students who are studying history with teacher Emily Griffin.

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OCTOBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

Connolly Foundation supporting the young

A proJeCT in Luton that supports and helps disaffected young people from all backgrounds and faiths in Luton has just expanded to cover more of the county thanks to a donation from the Connolly Foundation.

Connolly has donated £100,000 to fund the charity’s work with young people both in Luton and across Bedfordshire.

Youthscape is based in Bute mills, a former flour mill, in the centre of Luton and supports and helps young people dealing with social and emotional challenges like self-harm, loneliness and difficulties fitting into school.

Founded in 1993 it is now a growing national youth work organisation providing training right across the UK. Ceo, Chris Curtis, said: “We have been offering train-

ing to Luton schools for many years. one of the challenges that the Connolly Foundation gave us a year ago was to extend

this to schools across Bedfordshire and we have worked hard to do this. “over the last twelve months

we have trained 230 teachers in Bedfordshire schools (not including Luton) in the following topics like anxiety and depression, young people and sexting and emotional wellbeing and resilience.”

The organisation now has 27 paid staff and more than 80 volunteers.

Chris Curtis added: “The Connolly Foundation helped us achieve the largest step forward in our twenty-three year history with the purchase of Bute mills – our national training centre and base for our expanding work with Bedfordshire teenagers.

“Not only were they one our most substantial funders – their support and belief in the work we are doing with young people encouraged others to get behind the project.”

WorldSkills stage in November

THE Bedford College Group will be centre stage at the worldSkills UK Live event at the NEC Birmingham in November.

Featured will be apprentice turned college IT support department staff member Phillippe Beall who will competing in the Network Systems Administrator competition, having achieved the highest score across the county in the regional heats (photos).

In addition the computing education team with 25 students (including those photographed with Phill) will be running two stands at the event - encouraging young people to sign up for courses at FE colleges.

“This is great showcase for us,” said Head of Computing Paula Hobday, “To have one of our own taking part in the finals at the event acknowledges the national standards which our students can achieve. To have our team and students running stands show that we are a beacon of encouragement for school children to take STEM subjects which can lead to a huge range of careers.

“The first stand is an Interpretation Space focused on hardware where students will work with visitors demonstrating how to upgrade a PC, and helping them to understand the components on the inside of a PC and the different parts that make a computer and a network work.

“The second stand is a Have A Go stand, with a number of different activities available such as 3d printing and robotics. The students will work with members of the public while they ‘have a go’

at the activities.”

Such is the high standard of equipment available to students at Bedford College, that it each year hosts regional worldSkills competitions leading to the UK Live event in Birmingham. This year the categories were: IT Support Technician Network Infrastructure Technician Network Systems Administrator – BC students came first (phill) and second IT Software Solutions for Business – BC students came first and second Cyber Security – BC students came second and third Bedford College has competed in various areas across worldSkills competitions for a decade.

It is consistently among the best in its field with students each year competing in the national finals, and several award winners, including a gold medal winner who qualified for the international worldSkills finals. Students work closely with major companies in the field of IT and are welcomed eagerly by employers seeking staff who have a “real work” understanding of the industry.

In fact, Mark downing (photographed on with Phill) who is Training Co-ordinator for computing is looking for young people who want to embark on apprenticeships. They will have the backing of the world-class IT training at the college and access to some exciting job prospects. want to know more about fulltime or apprenticeships in IT and Computing then go to www.bedford.ac.uk

Officer jailed for 20 months

AN oFFICER who admitted to stealing more than £9,000 from a force exhibits store has been jailed for 20 months. detective Sergeant david Sharpe, 40, who was based within the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit at Hertfordshire Constabulary HQ, was handed a 20-month prison sentence at Cambridge Crown Court on August 28, after being convicted of two counts of theft by employee. on March 18, it was discovered that a sum of money amounting to £9,080, was missing from

exhibits storage in the Major Crime Unit.

He was voluntarily interviewed by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Professional Standards department and said that he had made a snap decision to take the money, and that he was planning to pay it back before anyone had noticed it was missing.

He was suspended from his post while an investigation was launched. As well as his sentence, he also received a confiscation order to pay back £8,961.09 of the stolen money.

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2019

— 11

We have groups all over Bedford and the surrounding villages to suit – to find your closest go to www.Slimmingworld.co.uk and search with your postcode 0344 897 8000

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Maria is now rocking in jeans after baby weight loss and will be helping others to do the same me, it’s perfect.”

Losing 5 stones means that Maria is just feeling so much happier and healthier “ I am so much more confident, I am wearing nice jeans, I feel fitter and healthier and can keep up with my young family.”

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maria opened her group last month at the St John the Baptist Church Hall, High Street, Flitton mK45 5eL her group time will be 7:30pm.

You can call maria on 07739 518231 if you wish to speak to her before joining.

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crafted hand trowel when she got there. “I was nervous, but once I walked through the door, there was such a warm welcome, I felt at ease straight away, no one judged me and it was just a lovely community to be part of. The group helped me so much on my journey, not just on the first night, but right the way through with empathy and encouragement whenever I needed it”.

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Maria who gained five stones with her second pregnancy was really unhappy with her weight, she wanted to lose her baby weight, plus a bit of interest she found along the way “I was tired, I felt really low, I didn’t want to go out socialising and I felt too unfit to exercise. I hated that I was in much bigger clothes sizes as well, and I couldn’t even contemplate wearing jeans, I hid in oversized comfortable dresses.”

Maria felt nervous about getting help, but she joined a local group in Ampthill and then Silsoe to get the support she knew she needed. “I felt really nervous, even though I have done this before after my first child, it is always scary walking through the doors on your first night’ however she was pleasantly surprised

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SEPTEMBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

BEDFORD BOROUGH EDITION

TEL: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com

In Focus with

View from the Rt Revd

In Focus with

Dave

Richard Atkinson

Yasin

by Dave Hodgson Mayor of Bedford

£2M TOWARDS HIGH STREET REGENERATION

with town centres across the UK in crisis, we will fight for any funding or other support available for our town. So we were delighted to win £2 million Heritage England’s Historic High Street Fund for a regeneration project centred on Bedford’s historic High Street.

This is a great achievement by Executive Member for Town Centres Cllr Henry Vann and all the team involved in the bid. The project will deliver real physical improvements in and around the High Street, which we are also transforming into a much more pedestrian friendly environment featuring wider pavements and just a single lane of traffic.

The benefits this project will deliver are crucial for the town centre at large. It seems as though every day brings another national news story of shop closures and declining footfall across the country’s high streets. we have obviously bucked the trend in many respects, with our introduction of a range of free parking deals and a lower empty shop rate than many nearby towns.

There’s a lot more to do, however, on what is an ongoing task.

Indeed, I appointed Henry to the new town centres cabinet portfolio this year to give even more impetus to our ongoing efforts to support local shoppers and businesses.

Having conducted a major public consultation to gather peoples’ views and ideas, Henry and the team are working on a new town centre plan. we are very grateful to all those who took part, and we will be using the tremendous amount of feedback received to flesh out our clear vision for a prosperous and vibrant Bedford town centre.

That feedback is another reminder of how much people care about their town locally. That stands Bedford in very good stead, as we continue to face down those challenges and work together to make our town centre even more enjoyable and attractive for all.

The Bishop of Bedford

MP for Bedford and Kempston

DOWN BUT NOT OUT

NO DEAL BREXIT WILL PUSH NHS TO THE BRINK

I recall vividly Theophilus Rolle’s pride as he showed me their renewed and re-ordered church before the Easter Sunday Service last year. You could smell the fresh paint. Not surprising since he had been up until early morning to complete the task. I recall the joy of the Easter Service and the wonderful parish lunch that followed.

St Anne’s church is not in Bedfordshire but in the Bahamas. I was there as part of my extended study leave. St Anne’s is one of the five churches in which I led Holy week and Easter Services.

I haven’t yet seen a picture of St Anne’s today, or the other churches, but I know that they like the communities they serve will have been severely damaged, if not destroyed, by Hurricane dorian that lingered over Great Abaco and neighbouring islands. what is certain is that most of the buildings, infrastructure and crops of those islands have been destroyed. A rising number of people have lost their lives. 76,000 people across the islands have been made homeless. My friend, the Bishop of the Bahamas, Laish Boyd has written this: dorian is a monster storm, unprecedented and extensive… the devastation has been catastrophic, such as has never been seen or imagined in these parts.

I am well aware that this is not the first or only place to have suffered catastrophic damage in this way. But for my wife and I there is something different about this. Having enjoyed their generous hospitality, the pain at what those we met and others have experienced is immense. we want to help, but we feel so powerless.

Like others we have given money to support immediate relief https://www.uspg.org.uk/donate_form.php?giveto=rapid%20 response%20Fund%20Bahamas wherever possible I include the islands in my prayers. It is good to know that Anglican and other churches around the world are responding to their need.

Yet as so often it is those in the midst of crisis who show the way.

Bishop Laish has written: Make no mistake: the situation is dire, the stories are heart-breaking, the suffering is great…However, we have to take every opportunity to look on the bright side, to count our blessings, to celebrate what did not go wrong, and to encourage others to do so. Let us trust God even as we press on. Remember, please the people of the Bahamas. They are down but not out.

Citizens Advice Bedford launches a volunteer portal

The operation Yellowhammer documents confirmed that leaving the EU without any arrangements in place risks intensifying the NHS staffing crisis. Shortages and price rises for vital supplies are expected whilst the need to care for returning emigrants would create huge funding shortfalls at a time when health and care need it most.

There are currently around 100,00 vacancies across the board including 40,000 vacancies in substantive nursing posts.

Years of austerity, cuts, staffing shortages and ministerial mismanagement mean patients are being failed in record levels.

According to NHS England, there could be as many as 4.5 million patients on the waiting list in England. And Britain now sits at the bottom of a major league table for cancer survival in high-income countries.

Set against this background, with no give whatsoever in the system, nurses and doctors have warned that abruptly ending freedom of movement in a no deal Brexit could lead to serious disruption and safety concerns for patients.

Since the Brexit vote, there has been a 90 per cent fall in nurses signing up since 2016. The Health Secretary has said that he wants to fill the staffing gaps with “a new windrush Generation” of overseas nurses but a new immigration policy on this scale could take years to bed in.

EU nationals make a significant proportion of the social care workforce which has 110,000 vacancies. Even if even a small number of the EU nationals working in the sector leave, the stress on the NHS will go from critical to life support.

The Yellowhammer document confirmed the adult social care system is expected to be tipped over the edge by a no-deal exit, with providers starting to go bust as early as the new year.

Plans for some form of Brexit war chest to support social care providers and a cut in the salary threshold are the least the government be planning in preparation for what is going to be a catastrophic winter if the UK crashes out without a deal on 31 october.

THIS year, Citizens Advice celebrates 80 years of providing free, confidential advice to people in difficulty. Since its inception, the organisation has relied on the help of volunteers to support in the delivery of its services; and over the years, CAB has been able to continuously expand their offerings thanks to those individuals who freely give

up their time to help others in need.

In the year 2018-2019, Citizens Advice Bedford managed debt worth £5.6M, generated benefit income for clients worth £2.7M and contributed over £1.7M savings to the government through the reduction in health service demand, local authority homeless services and out-of-work benefits. during this time, the organisation has also undergone many changes and developments to ensure that we will continue striving towards increasing the number of clients that we are able to assist within Bedford Borough. we re-structured our organisation to ensure the structure is resilient and able to meet the challenges within the sector for the next 5 years. Part of this meant looking at how we recruited volunteers and the resources needed to do so effectively which means we have streamlined the volunteering opportunities that we offer as well as our volunteer recruitment process.

As part of the re-structure, we created a digital space, where people can learn more about volunteering at Citizens Advice Bedford; a volunteer portal, containing detailed explanations of the various roles that we offer, a video showcasing our existing volunteer experiences, an online application form and lots of other information to answer any questions that you may have about what it means to volunteer for CAB. we believe that our volunteer portal captures imagination and ambition whilst setting out clear expectations; it makes the application process informative, simple and efficient.

If you’re interested in finding out more about volunteering, visit: www.cabvolunteering.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: @BedfordCA

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mAYor Dave Hodgson’s Cabinet is backing a further fiveyear term for the Bedford Business Improvement District (BID), in another demonstration of its commitment to the town centre.

The BId is funded by businesses themselves, and delivers projects or services to improve the trading environment. Each BId term lasts for five years, and with the current term expiring in March 2020 a ballot of BId Levy payers is taking place this autumn to determine whether it will continue.

The Council has 27 votes in the ballot on the basis of its eligible non-domestic properties in the town centre BId area, and at its meeting on wednesday night the Council’s Executive resolved to cast those votes in favour of the proposal for a 2020 – 2025 BId. Should the proposal be approved by a majority in the ballot, the Council will contribute £48,071 annually via its BId levy for activities to boost trade in the town centre.

Commenting, Bedford Borough Council Executive Member for Town Centres Cllr Henry Vann said: “our town centre is backed by traders, independent businesses and larger shops and businesses with creativity and passion as their bedrock. It is only right that we should back them by maintaining the BId which will in turn mean continued investment in measures to make the town more enjoyable and prosperous for all.”

“Town centres across the country are facing a crisis, and in Bedford we need to continue to stay ahead of the huge challenges for all UK high streets. That means working together to generate an even more attractive offer is presented to current and potential town centre visitors.

“I’m particularly encouraged by the commitment to collaboration with partners and to fostering community spirit in support of the town. Bedford is lucky to have a huge number of people and groups who care about their town and want to see it succeed, and we need to work together in that cause.”

The proposal for BId 4 sets out a wide range of improvements and initiatives, including: n physical measures and cultural initiatives under the High Street Heritage Action Zone project n the extension of BID schemes to adjoining areas such as midland road, n education and training for businesses The new BId period would also see more smaller businesses exempt from the BId Levy, with the threshold at which firms are liable to pay rising by nearly 50%, from a rateable value of at least £8,100 to £12,000.

A postal ballot of business ratepayers within the defined area of the BId is underway, with the votes required to be received by 5pm on 17 october 2019. In order for the renewal to be agreed the majority of the votes received must be in favour of the proposal and the sum or the rateable values for the properties in respect of which a vote in favour is received must exceed the sum of those properties for which a vote against is received.

If the renewal is agreed, all eligible properties will be required to pay 2% of their rateable value, equating to c. £425,000 pa

BEDFORD BOROUGH EDITION

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN SEPTEMBER 2019

— 13

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OCTOBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

World Mental Health Day

woRLd Mental Health day takes place on Thursday 10 october every year and is an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health issues, tackle the stigma surrounding mental health and promote open and positive conversations.

A free healthy mind and healthy body hub featuring a host of interactive activities is being held in Bedford’s Harpur Square to mark world Mental Health day.

Visitors will be able to try table tennis, ride a smoothie bike, learn about the wide range of exercise opportunities in Bedford and talk to health professionals about how to maintain their personal mental health and wellbeing.

The event is organised by Bedford Borough Council’s Sports development Team in partnership with East London NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health services across Bedfordshire. Many other fantastic local organisations will be also be present to offer mental health support and advice and promote positive conversations around mental health, including our See The Signs Public Health campaign.

Cllr doug McMurdo, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture said “This free event is a great opportunity to raise awareness of mental health, to come along to find out more and try out one of our taster sessions.”

Cllr Louise Jackson, Portfolio Holder for Health and wellbeing said “This annual event on world Mental Health day is a brilliant way to raise awareness and encourage positive conversations about mental health. Come down and see what we have to offer in Bedford Borough.”

All visitors are welcome at the free event between 11am-3pm on Thursday 10 october 2018 in Harpur Square.

To find out more about our Sports development and all our other activities visit www.bedford.gov.uk/sport

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

Nikki’s new line in wearable art

NIKKI WHeATLeY is a truly original talent, so much so her clothing designs are a ‘little eccentric’.

They are sold to those who want original pieces of “wearable art” across Beds and Northants.

Her work was on show at the eagle gallery, 101 Castle road, Bedford as part of a special exhibition last month.

She always loved art, then went in to a career in nursing and raising three children.

Taking up art and crafts she discovered ‘wet-felting’ and a new fashion line was born.

This includes hats, coats and wraps.

Here are descriptions of few of those very special items which were on display.

Coat: Winter wears. made with a pure silk lining, two layers of Superfine merino Wool Fibres and then a patchwork of silk fabrics on top. All

wet-felted as a whole with no sewing. pockets and a multi way collar. made to measure.

Top: Autumn colours: margilan silk and Superfine merino cut into leaves at the pre-felt stage. Can be worn either way around It has some floating silk creating a waterfall effect. red Wrap: Indian silk torn into sections and then felted onto two layers of Superfine merino Wool Fibres. poncho in yellow and blue: made with Superfine merino wool Fibres and silk fabric.

Wensleydale locks added. All wet-felted together.

Steampunk poppy shawl: made with a variety of different types of silk fabrics and Superfine merino wool. Wetfelted together. multi-layered.

Workshops are held by Nikki, and in addition to clothing her range includes pictures and cards. littleeccentric.co.uk

Bedfordshire Police Fun Day BEdFoRdSHIRE Police successfully held its fifth annual family fun day last month.

The sun was shining as the force welcomed almost 15,000 people to this year’s event which was held at Bedfordshire Police Headquarters in Kempston. The event was opened by PC dave wardell and retired police dog Finn.

People had the chance to see displays from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire dog Unit, and a visit from the police helicopter from colleagues at the National Police Air Service (NPAS).

There were plenty of interactive activities for all to try their hand at, including a Bikeability ‘unrideable bike’ challenge, a ‘crime scene’ to investigate and a chance to meet officers from 24 Hours in Police Custody.

There were also opportunities to meet and greet Chase from Paw Patrol and a dance off between community dance group, UFM vs officers and staff.

A range of fundraising events were held during the day and a huge amount was raised for Embrace

CVoC, a charity which supports children who are victims of crime.

Chief Constable Garry Forsyth said: “The Family Fun day was an amazing day and I want to express a huge thank you to everybody who contributed and everyone who came to support the event. It was great to see so many people enjoying themselves. “we were very fortunate to have the day opened

by Britain’s Got Talent finalists PC dave wardell and Finn, the police dog that saved his life, and there were so many stalls showcasing what policing is all about and getting people involved in the important work that we do, including impressive displays from the dog unit and exciting landing from the police helicopter by our colleagues from NPAS. To top it off we raised a huge amount of money for our force charity Embrace CVoC supporting child victims of crime.

“These events are so important for the force to build relationships with our local communities, we loved meeting you all and we hope to see you at next year’s event.”

Bedford BID (Love Bedford) teamed up with Select Travel on Mill Street this summer to hold a Free prize draw. The prize, courtesy of Select Travel, was a two night break in the historic city of Warwick for two adults and two children with a day ticket entry to Warwick Castle.

Entries came from online and also onsite at the successful Medieval Festival held on Castle Mound.

With nearly 1800 entries we were delighted with the response and interest we gained for Love Bedford and our partner.

The prize was won by local resident, David Lowe

who said: I entered the competition as it was the perfect prize for my wife, two daughters and I. Where possible we try and support local business.

We have good friends who run the Foresters Arms and the Foundry and are huge advocates of places like The Store and other independents. We also have a food blog on Instagram (Bedfooduk) which is a bit of fun but supports and celebrates all things food and all things Bedford”.

For more events and news on Bedford please visit www.lovebedford.co.uk and www.facebook.com/lovebedford

…and the winner is

Horty show

SCoRCHING hot weather and unpredictable growing conditions made life difficult for gardeners throughout the summer. But that didn’t stop the annual Milton Ernest Garden Centre Horticultural Show from being a red hot success.

Entries were slightly down in flower and vegetable classes but quality was high and enthusiasts still found ways to impress the judges with the size of their runner beans and the weight of their onions. one new class called for an arrangement in an imaginative up-cycled container; and marigolds grown in ‘marigold’ gloves created by Barbara Smart of oakley certainly fitted the bill. Barbara, centre is pictured with Claire Wilkes and Maureen Catlin from the organisers.

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2019

— 15

Bridge in Mental Health Hillersden Hall bringing new life to historic Elstow

by Daisy Smith

They say that as you get older you can’t learn new tricks - but Bedfordshire’s No Fear Bridge group aims to prove the old saying wrong.

It believes everybody, not least those at risk of developing dementia, can benefit from playing the classic card game. Research shows the interaction with others not only builds new friendships, it helps to combat loneliness and maintains good mental health.

Currently 850,000 people in the U.K are living with dementia and, with numbers set to rise to over 1 million by 2025, it is as important as ever to help those with dementia stimulate their mental activity.

The University of Stirling, working alongside the charity English Bridge Education and development, discovered that playing bridge has a statistically significant positive effect on wellbeing. dementia UK recommends that people should ‘stay physically active and mentally stimulated with different activities so that you use different parts of the brain’ thus reducing the risks of getting dementia.

The No Fear Bridge community, which began in Bedford 10 years ago, consists of five Bridge clubs of approximately 200 active members, with several in their

90s. Their main focus is to help people transition from learning the game, to playing duplicate Bridge. Together with the Bedford Bridge Club, they can offer duplicate Bridge on most days of the week at various locations within Bedford. An initiative by both clubs to source a permanent Centre for both clubs to share has seen a charity, The Bedford Bridge Centre (Charity Number 1178914), being formed and they have approached the Bedford Borough Council to help seek a dedicated centre for all Bridge clubs to share.

President of No Fear Bridge, Sue Ford, believes that ‘social isolation and loneliness is a real and growing problem amongst older people and playing bridge is a wonderful way to make new friendships and enrich your retirement years’. Sue Ford has started a class for beginners at wixams Retirement Village, encouraging all people to play whilst enjoying the many benefits that Bridge brings.

No Fear has also begun entering schools in the Bedford area to introduce Mini-Bridge to children, in order to enhance their maths and communication skills and to safeguard the future of this multifaceted game.

Interested in joining No Fear Bridge can contact dale Squire, Chair of No Fear Bridge via email dale_squire@hotmail.com

A £750,000 appeal to build a community hall from the ruins of Hillersden Hall next to the historic Elstow Abbey Church is being launched on September 21/22.

Already over £230,000 has been donated and spent on the renovations of the scheduled monument ruins in preparation for the new build. The rest is being raised as the hall is built, to the exacting standards of English Heritage.

“This is a site which dates back over a 1,000 years to before Judith niece of william the Conqueror, which means that work will be expensive, but this is really history in the making,” said Priest in Charge Father Paul Messam.

Hillersden Hall was built in approximately 1620 in what was left of the 14th Century cloisters of the Abbey which were destroyed in the Reformation when King Henry VIII took over many wealthy Catholic places of worship for what we now know as the Church of England.

In later centuries the manor house fell into ruins. The first part of renovation of the site into a community hall took place in the 21st Century thanks to a generous bequest.

Now the project moves forward when VIPS and the local community are invited to visit the site over the weekend of Saturday

and Sunday 21 and 22 of September. “we will have large L-shaped marquee covering the site of what will be the restored hall and inside there we will have an exhibition of history of the site and a pop-up cafe in the church - as well as the hugely popular tea garden next door,” added Father Paul, “There will be a Just Giving Page and fund-raising leading up to building work actually starting in the Autumn of 2020.

“In addition we will be seeking grants and hoping that the local community will get behind this appeal for what will be a valuable community asset.

Already we are working with The Bedford College Group and the charity Groundwork Luton & Bedfordshire to involve people in activities in and around the

see the village of John Bunyan author of what was the world’s best selling book for centuries (behind the Bible):

The story of pilgrim Christian has inspired worshippers across the centuries and 1,000s have visited Elstow from the USA, South Korea and across Europe.

More details: bunyansbedford.weebly.com Visitors to the church can now make high-tech donations through a card “tap” machine inside the historic doors.

“Churches have to move with times to raise funds and to welcome people not just on Sundays but seven days a week. we need help with funding in the same way that benefactors throughout the centuries have supported their local church,” said Father Paul.

The Pilgrim’s Progress

location.”

Tourism is vital to the funding of Elstow Abbey and the new Hillersden Hall will serve, in part, as a visitor centre for those who travel from around the globe to

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OCTOBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

10 Fire Risk Assessment mistakes – “you could be making them right now” 5

Never before has fire safety been so highly scrutinized since The Fire Safety Order 2005 was introduced and of course, the tragic events of The Grenfell Fire last year.

Lessons will and must be learnt and implemented to ensure that in modern day Britain this sort of thing never happens again. The Hackitt report is now in progress to make the necessary changes.

Experiences of over 20 years up visiting all types of premises is that the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ are miles apart to say the least!

In some instances, business owners, responsible person/s for the work place or those appointed in charge of fire safety often ‘care’ but are ‘unaware’ of what’s involved to make them compliant.

GUIDANCE: Often overlooked is working to the right legislation, supporting documents and British Standards.

Tell your employees and 6 SHARE: pass on significant findings of the assessment.

IT CURRENT: Is your report 7 KEEP current; a true reflection of the premises?

AND 8 PROCEDURES ARRANGEMENTS: It is essential that all occupants know what to do in the event of a fire and deploy the evacuation strategy effectively.

Have you acted on the 9 IGNORE: findings or just filed the report away until next time?

There is no physical 1 DESKTOP: inspection of the building.

YES/ NO: In most instances 2 answering like this will not be deemed suitable and sufficient.

The person 10 COMPETENCE: completing the assessment can be prosecuted.

PLAN: Must conclude in an 3 ACTION action plan with ranking and suitable timescales.

4

Call us on 01832 735874 or drop us HIGH RISK / TECHNICAL: If you are an email mark@hasaw.co.uk to find out more and steer you in the right not trained and competent, the direction. chances are you’ll be avoiding the main risks and could be prosecuted! More information at www.hasaw.co.uk

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Raising the roof in construction training SETTING the standards for training in the modern construction industry is now a key role for one of The Bedford College Group’s directors, david wilkins. director of Construction & Building Services dave, has stepped up from Vice Chair to Chair of the British Association of Construction Heads (BACH).

The body represents 80 colleges nationwide which offer training for the construction industry. It liaises closely with employers and with Government agencies to determine how to meet the changing demands of the industry.

“It is a privilege to be in a position where here in Bedford we are central to guiding training in the construction industry,” said dave, “we link with the department of Education, ofqual and the Institute for Apprenticeships to help shape national policy and with oFSTEd to ensure member colleges are at the forefront of excellent Learning, Teaching and Assessment. Most crucially we work closely with employers, CITB and Industry federations to ensure that the latest technology within the industry is embedded in the curriculum.

BACH benefits the whole of the UK of course, but closer to home it means our staff and students are in the front seat seeing fast-moving strategies come into force. our students are right up to date with training and progres-

sions opportunities and staff are kept up to date through Continuing Professional development.”

Like most of the tutors in the The Bedford College Group, dave comes from a successful career in the industry where he now leads on training for. He started work as an apprentice carpenter scoring the highest in the country in the Institute of Carpenters Membership Award at the end of his apprenticeship. He worked as a site carpenter at a Bedfordshire firm before becoming a lecturer in 2002.

Now The Bedford College Group engages at the highest level with major construction companies. More recently it has been pioneering an employability project with global giants ISG

(See full story News www.bedford.ac.uk ) Locally the Group has opened the Advanced Engineering and Construction Centre which uses the latest technology to help those starting on site to progress through HNC and HNd courses to degree level qualifications.

“People may no longer have a job for life, but they have access to lifelong learning which means if they start ‘on the tools’ they can progress up the promotion ladder by keeping in touch with their local college,” added dave.

Bedford College has top quality bricklayer apprentices including two who reached the national finals of the Guild of Bricklayers Awards. (See full story News www.bedford.ac.uk )

Sounds of the underground?

!

SIR david Attenborough has introduced us to the idea that plants have senses which can respond to their environment.

Now a 22-year-old at Shuttleworth College is trying to find out if they react to sound.

Peter Lickorish has won a

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Milton Keynes Parks Trust bursary of £500 to conduct experiments in the potting shed of the land-based campus near Biggleswade.

He is placing propagation stage Euphorbia plants in sound boxes to see whether they grow

best in silence, with the sound of trickles of water or mixed noises such as students talking around them.

Peter is completing the study as his dissertation for his Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Masters and said: “There is a practical application for this especially with the modern designs of plant walls in and outside of offices. Setting aside atmospheric influences, do plants respond to the sound of a busy office or traffic noise, or does that stunt their growth compared to gentle sounds like running water?”

Peter works part-time at Shuttleworth College supporting those on the RHS courses which range from Level 1 diploma up to degree-level and has his own business - Peter Lickorish’s Plant Paradise based in his home of Shenley Church End, Milton Keynes.

Explaining about the support for his project, Peter added: “The bursary is called the Fred Roche Foundation Study Award and is named after the man who was the General Manager Milton Keynes development Corporation and thus green space developer of the new city. only now can his vision for the greenness of Milton Keynes be really appreciated.

Like others from Milton Keynes who are interested in plants and gardens, I came to study at Shuttleworth College as it is has a long-standing reputation in the field of horticulture and agriculture.”

For more information about horticulture courses and research programmes at Shuttleworth College visit www.shuttleworth.ac.uk

TEL: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952 ADS: advertising@rosettapublishing.com

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN MAY 2019

gardening You can plant a rainbow from cold winds which could damage the young foliage in the early spring. It is a wonderful plant to grow in a container. The Ed and Yellow and Pink leaves are a delicate pale green in and Green orange and spring turning bright green in Purple and Blue these are summer and vibrant red in the colours of a Rainbow which autumn before leaf fall. can also be found in your garden in Cercis Canadensis, The Judas the autumn. As the days get shorter Tree, is a large shrub/small tree and the light levels and temperawhich grows easily in peaty soils. tures drop deciduous plants will Its bare branches in spring are stop producing chlorophyll which covered with bright magenta pink consumes a lot of energy and is pea flowers followed by large their source of nutrition. heart shaped purple green leaves Chlorophyll produces the green which turn gleaming yellow in leaves we see in spring and october before dropping to form summer when plants are actively a golden carpet beneath. growing.

Sorbus Aucuparia Eastern In autumn the chlorophyll Promise is a variety of Mountain breaks down and the leaves loose Ash that has is a small tree with the green pigment and reveal an upright habit. It has white other colours in the foliage. flowers in spring followed by Carotenoids are the yellow and green pinnate leaves which turn orange pigments and absorb the red yellow orange and purple in energy needed to produce Chloro- autumn. The deep rose pink phyll while Anthocyanins are red berries appear in late august and pink and purple and protect the are a spectacular contrast to the leaves from sun scorch. autumn leaf colours. The berries The colours of theRoad leaves(just of off the Radwell holdA6) on the tree until taken by the some species Milton can be absolutely Ernest MK44 birds 1SH in early winter. stunning. That’s the science so as The native Ilex, Holly Bush, the lyrics of the song depict let’s must be the most iconic green look at plants that will give as an autumn and winter shrub. It is Autumn Garden Rainbow. evergreen and so does not shred Japanese Acer osakazuki is a its leaves in autumn. It can be medium sized shrub grown for its grown as a large shrub or clipped stunning leaf display. It thrives in as a small standard tree to grow in acidic soil so plant in ericaceous a container. The foliage is shiny at compost somewhere sheltered all times with white flowers in

by Maureen Catlin Milton Ernest Garden Centre

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crafted hand trowel Spend £10 ON AUTUMN BULBS GET PLANTING TROWEL FREE www.miltonernestgardencentre.co.uk spring and, if you choose the right variety, red berries in winter which we bring into the house for good luck at Christmas. A good berry producing variety is Ilex Aquifolium J C Van Tol. Euonymus Alatus Compactus is a small shrub with curiously flattened corky stems. The green flowers in spring become red purple berries in autumn which split to reveal a bright orange seed that the birds love. The green foliage is magnificent in autumn when it turns brilliant scarlet giving the plant the common name of The Burning Bush.

Pyracantha orange Glow is an evergreen wall shrub that has scented white flowers in spring which are an abundant source of early nectar for bees followed by bright orange berries in autumn.

An excellent winter feed for wild birds. The plant is also very dense and provides great nesting and winter shelter for birds and squirrels.

Callicarpa Bodinieri Profusion Giraldi is a small shrub that is easy to grow in most soils. It has purple bronze young leaves in spring followed by dark green foliage in summer and purple and yellow autumn leaf colour. The flowers are small and pink in

Tel: 01234 823033

summer followed by brilliant shiny purple bead like berries in autumn.

Prunus Spinosa Blackthorn or Sloe is a prickly shrub which is widely found in the deciduous hedgerows in our countryside. It is covered in white flowers in early spring before the leaves appear.

In autumn it produces berries that look like blue berries but have a tart flavour and should be cooked before eating. It is also used to make the scrummy liqueur Sloe Gin. The wood is used to make walking sticks and in Ireland the Shillelagh.

The Rainbow in the sky and song is transitory but if we plant one in our garden it’s there every Autumn.

Pyracantha orange Glow is an evergreen wall shrub that has scented white flowers in spring which are abundant source of Whilstfollowed stocks last by early nectar for bees bright orange berries in autumn.

An excellent winter feed for wild birds.

The plant is also very dense and provides great nesting and winter shelter for birds and squirrels. Some evergreens can also change leaf colour as the light intensity reduces.

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The Lawn Doctor Given recent temperatures, you might be forgiven for thinking that it is still summer but it is officially autumn, and that means, amongst other things, less light. Indeed, from the start of this season for the next few weeks, it means in total, 30 minutes of less light per day and this has a dramatic impact on many plants.

As previously stated in these pages, some plants respond to temperature, some to light levels. However, it is still remarkably dry so a regular watering regime remains a priority.

Along with the heat, remember also that the wind can be very drying and we are currently experiencing both so, if you care about your plants, there is still plenty to do before you can put your feet up!

Trees and large shrubs have had a very tough couple of years and despite what the vociferous sun lovers will tell you, many of these magisterial plants are not in the rudest of health. So many are beginning to show the signs of last year’s drought and punishing heat and with the aquifer levels in this country recently described by TalkSport’s fishing expert, Nigel Botherway, as ‘perilous’, a regular drench will help them no end.

For many, Lavender has, by this time, done its job for the year, for both us and more importantly, the insects. If the flowers are faded, it is time to give it a trim. I like to wait until the flowers are pitted so as to give the beleaguered insects the best possible opportunity to feed from them and then I attack them with secateurs. Some of you will prefer shears but this means then having to pick up the debris afterwards. Using secateurs, I am able to cut with one hand and collect with the other but each to their own. If adopting my O method, take very great care not to stab yourself as I did a number of years ago, a point at least one regular reader, (that’s you Harry M!), will remember. Either way, simply Wh stalk and do not remove the flower cut into wood. over time, lavender

£

often gets leggy, that is, its flowers get further from the rest of the plant, and can look unattractive. In this scenario, the best course of action is to replace with fresh plants or take cuttings from extant plants which is simple and rewarding. Please contact me for a guide if you want to try.

Among my correspondence this past month has been a number of horror stories involving what many refer to as ‘cowboy/cowgirl gardeners/tree workers/landscapers’. In one case, a lawn has been absolutely ‘scalped’ by mowing way too close as well as very old roses being ‘hacked down’ and probably killed.

My advice, as always, is to check qualifications and references with everyone you employ. The two together create a picture which though not infallible might just prevent an avoidable and expensive catastrophe. After all, would you be happy to employ an untrained electrician, vet or GP? Last month’s just for fun question, inspired by a sighting, asked, what is the difference between a dragon fly and a damsel fly? despite looking similar, eyes, body shape, wing shape and position of wings at rest are all distinctly different. Simply, dragon flies have chunkier bodies than the svelte damsel and at rest, the wings remain in the same position as when in flight.

This month’s question is in two parts and relates to the plant commonly known as ‘the butterfly bush’. what is its correct botanical name?

And why is called this? As always, there is no prize but assume a self satisfied, smug demeanour if you know the answer!

Thank you all very much for your fascinating correspondence, mystery plants, horror stories, strange sightings etc. – please keep them coming.

And do please contact me with any with any gardening tasks or queries you may have, lawndocgardens@aol.com or tel: 01767 627 581 or 07796 328 855.

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OCTOBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

Happy Birthday Respite at Home Volunteers THIS summer Respite at Home Volunteers west Mid Beds and Ivel Valley celebrated 20 years of working in the local community, at a special event with afternoon tea and cake at Jordan’s Mill our guests included our volunteers present and past, our professional partners, some of the families we help on a regular basis and a great turn out from our local Mayors and Councillors. It was a fabulous afternoon bringing people together to celebrate our achievement. our charity helps people with life limiting illnesses and gives support to their families by giving them some respite and much needed time off from caring for their loved ones. our volunteers are an amasing group of people who give up their free time to help families in their own homes who are affected by serious illness. Caring for someone you

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You can follow us this year on our Facebook page and see how our challenge 20-20-20, 20 years, 20 events, 20K is going!

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2019

out & about Castle Comedy Biggleswade

Castle Comedy Biggleswade celebrates its 5th Birthday on monday october 7. The show will be a Birthday celebration and feature typically brilliant comedians.

Headlining the show is Dominc Holland. He has countless television and radio credits, including multiple appearances on Have I Got News For You And The Royal Variety Performance, as well as The News Quiz.

A Perrier Best Newcomer Award winner, dominic has performed seven solo shows at the Edinburgh Festival, most recently in 2018 and he continues to tour the UK and beyond with his unique take on life. despite dominic’s best efforts and his considerable achievements in show business, the cruel

reality is that he has been severely out-starred by his eldest son, Tom Holland… that’s right dom is Spider-Man’s dad!

“The UK’s master of observational comedy” The Sunday Times opening the show is Ian Smith. He has developed a reputation as an exciting, creative comic. Mixing conversational, energetic storytelling and observations with unique set pieces and an exceptional skill for improvisation – Ian is a regular at the biggest comedy clubs in the UK. Ian has appeared on BBC Three at the Fringe, BBC3 panel show Sweat the Small Stuff and the BBC Two sitcom Popatron.

“Catch him now before his inevitable jump to the big time” The Telegraph The middle act is Adam Vincent. He is an Australian who has made Bedfordshire his home! His career in the UK has gone from strength to strength and he is part of the writing team for the hugely successful Last Leg on Channel 4.

“Makes me laugh louder and more inappropriately than most people I know” Adam Hills Plus Biggleswade favourite Paul Revill will host the show.

The shows sell out quickly, so be sure to book early to avoid disappointment! doors open 6.30pm, Shows start at 8.00pm and tickets are £8.

To book visit: www.castlecomedy.co.uk

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OCTOBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2019

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and a talk, briefly explaining the masquerade on 25th october at parkside Hall at 7.30pm.

Tickets available from No.14 Bedford Street & Ampthill Town Council or at the door. £5 each Masquerade 40 celebrates the anniversary of Kit williams’ eclectic book ‘Masquerade’ which sparked a national treasure hunt. on the 7th August 1979 Kit williams and Bamber Gascoigne buried the Golden Hare Jewel in Ampthill Great Park.

The spot chosen is where Kit knew that the shadow of Katherine’s Cross fell on the Spring and Autumn Equinox. The puzzle solver would need to be in the correct place, on the right day, at the requisite time to unearth the golden hare treasure. The book Masquerade was published at the end of August 1979 and the puzzle solved some 2years later Come to “A Night of Masquerade” which is the last Event of Masquerade 40. we hope as many people as possible can attend Parkside Hall at 7.30pm on Friday 25th october to celebrate this Event which has had an lasting impact on Ampthill.

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OCTOBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

–––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– STeADY ACoUSTIC BEdS & NoRTHANTS MS THERAPY BEdFoRd FoLK dANCE CLUB Friday 4th october 2019 wILSTEAd PLAYERS PRESENT BEDFORD COFFEE MORNING CENTRE BeDForD ArT SoCIeTY FOLK SESSION COUNTRY AND FOLK Sunday 13th october 10am-12 noon HARRIERS HALF meeting, 7.15 for 7.30 start, at THE L ADY MONTHLY SALE elisabeth Curtis Centre- riding for 7.30 Last Tuesday of the month at putnoe Heights Church DANCE CLUB MARATHON VANISHES the Disabled The Burnaby Arms, Stanley Street, Third Saturday of every month Thursday evenings 8pm – 10pm Bedford, mK418eB Following a short

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Entry is free for members, £5 for visitors.

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

–––––––––––––––––––– MUSIC FOR THE MEMORY IN SANDY Music for the Memory is a not-for-profit organisation providing musical activity sessions on a Tuesday afternoon for those with any kind of memory problem (dementia, Alzheimer’s and similar conditions) together with their carers.

Music for the Memory is a social activity, in an informal and friendly setting, and you don’t have to be able to ‘sing’, and no musical knowledge is required!

Enquiries are warmly welcomed by Kathy Mainstone on: 07740 656589 www.musicforthememory.org.uk

CHUrCH BArN, CHUrCH eND BIDDeNHAm mK40 4rS Its good fun for only £2.50 including refreshments No partner required.

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–––––––––––––––––––– POTTON MUSIC 4 MEMORY every Wednesday afternoon from 2.30pm-4.00pm at potton Community Centre, Brook end , potton.

The group is facilitated by a qualified and experienced music therapist and supported by a friendly welcoming and supportive team. If you are living with memory problems, dementia or are a family carer this could be the group for you. we meet together to sing songs old and new, dance, recite poetry in a relaxed space. we always start with tea, coffee and cakes and a chance to chat and catch up with friends or speak to our dementia specialist. when the music starts we are all encouraged to share as fully as we feel able as a valued member of the group.

No musical experience required, just come along, relax and enjoy.

Please contact us for more information on 01234 210993 or email contact@tibbsdementia.co.uk or just turn up and give it a go.

Potton Music 4 Memory is one of the services provided by Tibbs Dementia Foundation a local charity support people to live as fully as possible with dementia.

–––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– BUGGY FIT CLASSES THE SANDY Thursday 1pm-2pm UKULELE GROUP The Weatherly Centre orchard Close Biggleswade Sg18 0Ne Email: robyn1.sg@gmail.com or 0300 300 5125.

Tuesday 12-2pm Saxon pool and Leisure Centre, Biggleswade £2 per session

WALKING FOOTBALL

Tuesday 2pm-3pm @ Saxon pool & Leisure Centre, Biggleswade £1.50 per session Please note: all classes are subject to change, physical.activity@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

meet every Friday at the Baptist Chapel Hall, Bedford road, Sandy.

7pm till 9pm.

BEdFoRd NATIoNAL TRUST ASSoCIATIoN. November meeting Tuesday 19th November 2019 Addison Centre, Kempston, mK42 8pN 2.30 start Everyone welcome. No need to book just come.

Small admission charge Speaker: Richard Galley on

––––––––––––––––––––

‘BEDFORD HIGHL ANDERS’

Richard has been researching the story of the Highland division’s friendly ‘invasion’ of Bedford during the first nine months of ww1.

For further information contact Betty Thomas on 01480 860 421

–––––––––––––––––––– THE IVEL BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT CENTRE ––––––––––––––––––––

HAS A LoVEd oNE dIEd? Perhaps we can help you at our drop-in centre at: The Community Rooms, Baptist church, 24 London Road, Biggleswade SG18 8EB Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon Telephone: Carole or Jill on 07704 734225 for more information.

• A place of friendship, compassion and understanding.

• Fully trained bereavement support volunteers are always on hand to listen while you talk through your grief.

• Somewhere to meet others coping with bereavement issues.

• Come and make new friends

–––––––––––––––––––– SANDY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY Founded in 2014 by residents of Sandy and surrounding areas, we are a group of keen astronomers of all abilities. we meet on the first Thursday of every month at Mamas Coffee Shop (High Street, Sandy) and have regular viewing sessions on the grounds of Sandye Place Academy.

You don’t need to own a telescope to join in. Club members are always willing to share their equipment and expertise, and if you become a member our club telescopes are available for hire for a small fee. wrap up warm and we’ll see you there!

–––––––––––––––––––– MAYFLOWER 50+ SOCIAL CLUB we meet 2-4 pm on wednesdays at the Labour Hall, Crab Lane, and 2-4pm Fridays at St Andrews Church - both have disabled access. we also run a lighthearted bingo 2-4pm at the Labour Hall on the 2nd & 4th Monday of the month. we play games, cards etc. or just socialise. we have occasional speakers and outings.

Entrance £1.50 (plus £1 if bingo) and door-to-door minibus transport is available at £1.50 return.

Please contact Iris on 01767 318434 or call or text Brian on mobile 07988 822678 or landline 01767 448954 BIggLeSWADe WeeKLY LUNCH CLUB we meet every wednesday 12-1.45 in the Labour Hall, Crab Lane to enjoy a hot 2 course meal and good company. Food is supplied by a local school. door to door transport is available at £1.50 and the meal costs £5. Mainly for over 50s.

For more details contact Shirley Legate on 01767 448954 or 07988 822678.

BEdFoRd TREFoIL GUILd

GUIDING FOR ADULTS

we offers members (women and men 18+) personal and social opportunities, both daytime and evenings, whilst supporting Guiding and Scouting.

For more details contact secretary kategroves67@gmail.com or 01234 301575

–––––––––––––––––––– SANDY CONSERVATIVE BOWLING CLUB our well-established and friendly club with one of the best greens in the county is situated behind the Conservative Club in Bedford Road. we are always happy to welcome new members, whether experienced or new bowlers who will be offered coaching.

For further details phone 01767 680697

–––––––––––––––––––– ST ANDREWS BOWLING CLUB At Biggleswade Conservative club over one hundred years of friendly bowls on our own green Experienced, or new bowlers who will be offered coaching ,will be most welcome to come and join us.

For information call 01767 221243 SANdY HISToRICAL RESEARCH GRoUP exHIBITIoN

–––––––––––––––––––– Saturday 12th october, 10am to 1pm Sandy Town Council Chamber, Cambridge road.

Bring your Sandy memories, photos, etc.

Entrance only £2 (Members free) Refreshments available

SANDY AT WAR

–––––––––––––––––––– WHIST DRIVE 2nd and 4th Thursday in the month BIDDeNHAm VILLAge HALL 7.30pm

Based on the classic 1938 Alfred Hitchcock film which itself was based on the book ‘The wheel Spins’ by Ethel Lina white, this stage adaptation by derek webb captures the feel of the original 1930s novel.

Wilstead Village Hall at 7.30pm on Friday the 18th and Saturday 19th of october.

Tickets priced at £10 will be available from the Box office from 9th october on Bedford 740782.

Further information available from Colin west. Colinjohnwest4@gmail.com

–––––––––––––––––––– AddISoN CENTRE KEMPSToN FUNd RAISING

TEA DANCE

moNDAY 14th oCToBer 2019 2.00-4.30pm £3.00 (INCL CUPPA) Tel: 01234 851877 or 01234 340997

–––––––––––––––––––– BEdFoRd FLoRAL ART SoCIETY Tuesday october 1st at the Addison Centre, Kempston at 7.30pm

Floral demonstration

by Yvonne Tan entitled

‘HOLIDAY IN THE SUN’ Visitors welcome £7 www.bedfordfloralartsociety.co.uk

–––––––––––––––––––– WHAT’S ON AT THE COWPER & NEWTON MUSEUM

‘FABrIC’ by Charlotte Prior october 1, 10:30am - october 31, 4:30pm Inspired by the use of colour, Charlotte has been drawn to the work of Mark Rothko and Expressionism. Textiles become both the palette and the canvas, creating slabs of colour as her work demonstrates. Admission to the Gallery is free. (Usual adult admission fee applies to see the museum and gardens). georgIAN CHrISTmAS CrAFTS oCToBer HALF Term HoLIDAY FAmILY FUN october 29, 10:30 am - November 2, 4:30pm Getting ready for a ‘Georgian Christmas’ we need your help to create our own sumptuous ‘Georgian Christmas’ for visitors in december. It’s going to be gorgeous.

Children’s trail and crafts. £1 per child.

Usual adult admission fee applies.

–––––––––––––––––––– BIGGLESWADE WALK 4 HEALTH REGULAR wEEKLY wALKS Walks for beginners and those looking to improve Two regular weekly walks of 40 – 90 minutes Wednesdays at 10.00am walking with John and his team dan Albone Car Park, Shortmead Street SG18 0BQ Thursdays at 10.00am walking with Rosario and his team from Stratton School, Eagle Farm Road SG18 8JB For THoSe LooKINg To Do A SerIoUS WALK oF 5 mILeS pLUS: Tuesday Afternoon at 2pm Booking essential (This walk is not part of Walk 4 health and walkers walk at their own risk) walking with Janette: approx. 90 mins.

Start points vary – phone or email Janette for details Janette Sibley Tel: 07771 540117 email: janette@sibley.me.uk mike Fayers Bedfordshire Health walks Manager, Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity Tel: 01234 832619 email: mikef@bedsrcc.org.uk The old School, Cardington.

MK44 3SX ST ANdREw’S CHURCH, AMPTHILL

ART EXHIBITION AND SALE

Saturday 19th october 10am-5pm Sunday 20th october 11am -4pm Enquiries 01525 404625 Email a_bhodges@btinternet.com

every monday 8.30pm at Saxon pool Sg18 8SU 12 and older, both sexes come along and join the fun

–––––––––––––––––––– SANDY TOWN BOWLING CLUB Play bowls at this friendly local club adjacent to Sandy Village Hall. Excellent green. Experienced and new bowlers welcome. Coaching available.

More details: Secretary: Kevin Hurry 01767 692567 sandytownbowlingclub.org.uk

BEdFoRdSHIRE FAMILY HISToRY SoCIETY Friday 4th october 2019 Interested in Family History?

Then come along to our talk on

THE SPANISH FLU PANDEMIC IN BEDFORD & BEYOND

By Maurice Nicholson 7.15 p.m. drama Hall, Mark Rutherford School wentworth drive, Bedford MK41 8PX Members free, visitors £1. www.bfhs.org.uk

Sunday 1st December 2019 from Wootton Upper School.

Entries can be made via Bedford Harriers website.

KEMPSToN MUSICAL SoCIETY present

–––––––––––––––––––– SONGS FROM THE MUSICALS

Transfiguration Church Hall Bedford road, Kempston Saturday 26th october 2019 at 7.30pm Tickets will cost £7.50 to include light refreshments

we meet every Monday at 9.00 a.m. by the letter box at the junction of The Crescent and The Green. The walk is a first level gentle walk so we do about 30 – 40 minutes in the flat fields beyond Beeston Green.

I will walk as slowly as the slowest person needs. It’s a ‘just turn up’ walk.

Gillian wilkes 07890 232685 grewilkes@gmail.com

––––––––––––––––––––

TENNIS FOR

BEGINNERS CHILDREN – ADULTS SENIORS EXPERIENCED PL AYERS jack@bremed.co.uk Jack: 01767 692242

ALL WELCOME www.biggleswadetennis.co.uk

–––––––––––––––––––– BLACK CRICKET KIDS CLUB Great for aspiring animal keepers, entomologists and herpetologists.

First Wednesday of every month in Shortstown Village Hall, Southcote, Shortstown, Bedford, mK42 0QL. Fun, educational and entertaining sessions for children aged 5 - 13 who love animals, pets and wildlife.

Children with SENd are warmly welcomed and sessions are differentiated to meet individual needs.

Sessions are £5 per child (siblings £3). Registration is required. www.blackcricket.co.uk/kids-club www.facebook.com/blackcricketkidsclub Email: kidsclub@blackcricket.co.uk

–––––––––––––––––––– KEMPSTON GARDENS ASSOCIATION

If you are interested gardening why not come along to our meetings. we meet the second wednesday of most months of the year in All Saints Church Hall, Cemetery Road Kempston. we have speakers and demonstrations covering every aspect of gardening For further information contact Trevor on

01234 856040 or Marian on 01234 855288

MoGGERHANGER KEEP FIT GRoUP

–––––––––––––––––––– At the Village Hall, Fridays 9.30-10.30.

Tina or Josh take us through a lighthearted sequence with a warm-up, exercises designed to improve muscular fitness, brain co-ordination, balance and general well-being, then a cool-down.

It’s not over-strenuous, we have fun, feel good – and pay only £5 a session.

So why not come and join us?

For more information call Tony or Judith on 640124.

GET FIT KEEP FIT

Wednesdays 8pm to 10 pm £2 per session – first evening free No partner required. Beginners welcome.

The reading room, 1, Barkers Lane, Bedford.

Ring Tim 01234 317847 for more details

–––––––––––––––––––– we meet on the first wednesday of every month (except August) at 7.30pm in Sandy Conservative Club. we are a very friendly group and visitors (£4) will receive a very warm welcome and enjoy a varied programme and refreshments. our next meeting on 2nd october is a Beetle drive come along and try us out for fun.

For more information please look at our website www.sandynightowlswi.com or email sandynightowlswi@gmail.com

Avenue, mK42 0NT Contact Hannah Mason for more information on hmason1990@msn.com Check out ‘London Road Methodist Church’ on FACEBooK for more details.

FAMILY FILM AFTERNOON SHOWCASING ‘CHRISTOPHER ROBIN’

Saturday 19th october 3.30pm until 6.00pm we shall be watching the latest Christopher Robin film on large screen.

Suggested donation £1 per person. This includes colouring and masks before the film starts at roughly 4pm.

Refreshments available to purchase including popcorn, candy floss, drinks etc.

All funds raised will go to an urgent building project within the church.

–––––––––––––––––––– ST MARY’S, CARLToN

CHRISTMAS BAZA AR

Carlton Village Hall Saturday 23rd November 1.30-4.00 Christmas starts here.

Visit our fantastic collection of stalls for all your Christmas shopping needs under one roof.

Entry £1 for adults, children free.

Grand draw at 3.30.

–––––––––––––––––––– BIddENHAM GARdENERS ASSoCIATIoN Tuesday 15th october 2019 at 7.30 Biddenham Village Hall

“Alpines and Bulbs”

By Rob Potterton Visitors very welcome Admission £5 per meeting – includes Raffle & Refreshments

Do YoUr BINS go oUT more THAN YoU? THeN LADIeS CIrCLe IS For YoU! Ladies Circle is a membership club for women aged 18 to 45 who want to make new friends, have lots of fun, do things t whether you’re new to the Biggleswade area, or are just looking to broaden your social life. The group is a perfect way of getting more out of life.

Members include single and married women, those with children and those without, working and not working,everyone’s welcome to come along and just be themselves!

Email: biggleswadecircle@gmail.com Twitter: @BwadeCircle.

Facebook: Biggleswade Ladies Circle

––––––––––––––––––––

–––––––––––––––––––– SANDY WALKS 4 HEALTH Sandy walks 4 Health meet every wednesday.

These are free short walks ofabout an hour, with a trained walk leader.

No need to book; just turn up. walks start at 10am, meeting in SandyLibrary in the Town centre.

For more information contact: Cathy Bailey 01767 692182, or Jane Janaway 01767 691455, or Mike Fayers (Health walks manager) 01234 832619

–––––––––––––––––––– we invite all stroke survivors & their carers to join our

meetings are held at Stonecroft, St Swithins Way, Sandy on the third monday of each month 7.30pm.

Transport can be arranged.

Speakers, outings & entertainment througout the year.

Please contact 01767 680503 for further imformation.

IVEL STROKE CLUB

Chestnut Ave, Bromham mK43 8Hp. Come and meet our horses. Raffle, Refreshments and More.....

MId BEdS FLowER CLUB Thursday 10th october at 7.45pm Flitwick Village Hall Jane Ellis is demonstrating her title is

––––––––––––––––––––

Visitors welcome £6.00 more details contact Marion Tucker Tel: 01234 742396

“AUTUMN GLORY” SANdY HISToRICAL SoCIETY

––––––––––––––––––––

–––––––––––––––––––– BURGOYNE FAMILY & SUTTON BELLS AND PARK WHISTLES A JoINT CoNCERT BY Biddenham Handbell ringers and peregrine recorder orchestra Saturday 9th November at 7:30pm putnoe Heights Church Bedford mK41 8eB Tickets £7.50 accompanied children free INCLUdES light refreshments In aid of ‘Traidcraft’

–––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– BEESTON WALK LoNDoN roAD meTHoDIST CHRIST THE KING PARISH HALL CHUrCH FOR HEALTH Harrowden Road, Bedford MK42 0SP Corner of London road/Barford

SANDY NIGHT OWLS –––––––––––––––––––– WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Meets Wednesday 10am-12noon Friday 10am-4.00pm CENTENARY HALL, behind Kempston Town Hall, Bedford Road For further information telephone: 01234 347306

10am - 12.00 noon Entrance 50p Adults FREE PARKING Clothing, Bric a Brac, Books, Linen, Toys and Games Refreshments available 155 Barkers Lane, Bedford. MK41 9RX Tel: 01234 325781 www.mscentrebedsandnorthants.com

–––––––––––––––––––– BIGGLESWADE –––––––––––––––––––– WATERPOLO

–––––––––––––––––––– IRISH CEILI AND SET DANCING ––––––––––––––––––––

–––––––––––––––––––– KEMPSTON SENIOR POTTON LADIES’ CITIZENS’ CLUB CLUB dANCING, wHIST, BINGo potton Ladies Club meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm at mill Lane pavilion, mill Lane potton. Sg19 2pg we have a range of speakers, a lunch club & numerous day trips.

Visitors are always welcome for £5, to include light refreshments.

BeDForD mK41 7rU. All abilities Beginners very welcome.

Info from Mike 01234 308449 Facebook: Burnaby steady session see also Bedfordshire beginners melodeon playgroup

9am to noon Saturday 12th october Entry 50p Refreshments available, Tables £5 - must be prebooked.

For information call on 01234 965497

TABLE TOP SALE 2-4pm Friday 25th october

AFTERNOON VINTAGE TEA

Admission £4 - Tea, home-made cake and friendship For Information call 01234 326291

–––––––––––––––––––– 3T’S TODDLER GROUP We are a (non-profit making) Toddler group who meet at Centenary Hall, 104 Bedford road, Kempston on Tuesday from 1.00 pm to 2.30 pm (term time only) Contact: debbie on 07975 –772-058 or Suzanne on 01234-857467.

–––––––––––––––––––– ST ANDREWS BOWLING CLUB AT BIGGLESwAdE CoNSERVATIVE CLUB over one hundred years of friendly bowls on our own green Experienced, or new bowlers who will be offered coaching, will be most welcome to come and join us.

For information please call 01767 221243

–––––––––––––––––––– TIDDLYWINKS TODDLER PL AYGROUP

meeting at Kempston Hammers Sports & Social Club every Thursday 9.30 till 11.00am school term time only All children welcome from new born to preschool age. Large range of toys,activities and a craft table. Refreshments supplied for both children and carers.

Non profit making playgroup If your require further information just come along or ring Ruth on 01234 854657

by Chris walker Friday october 25th, 7.30pm Stonecroft Hall, St Swithins way, Sandy, SG191BB Admission £2.50 including refreshments Members & students free For further details contact 01767 680171.

–––––––––––––––––––– STEWARTBY AMATEUR OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY

meet Thursdays 7.30 at Stewartby United Church Hall, park Crescent.

If you are interested in performing (singing acting or dancing),or helping back stage, come along and give us a try.

All newcomers welcome!

For further information,visit our website: www.saods.org.uk.

–––––––––––––––––––– BIGGLESWADE TRINITY METHODIST CHURCH

Thursday 3rd october a short service at 11.30a.m. in church followed at 12 noon by the monthly lunch Sunday oct 6th 09.30a.m Communion Service led by Rev. dalwyn Attwell 10.30a.m Launch of the Shoe Box appeal (we will be supporting Rotary International Shoebox Appeal) 6.30 p.m (Note later time) Space for God Led by Rev. dalwyn Attwell.

Sunday 13th oct. 10.30a.m Rev. dalwyn Attwell this will include communion.

Sunday 20th oct. 10.30 a.m Michael Forsyth (All we Can) our weekly coffee mornings project.

6.00pm. Informal service to be led by Rev. Lorna Valentine hopefully band will accompany.

Sunday 27th oct. 10.30a.m Mrs Sue Plant will lead service.

Sunday 3rd Nov. 10.30 a.m Led by Rev. dalwyn Attwell and will include communion.

4p.m (please note earlier time than usual) Rev. dalwyn Attwell will lead a memorial service.

Thursday 7th Nov 11.30 short service in church followed at 12 noon by monthly lunch (Tickets for the dec lunch will be on sale during this event as it is a Ticket only event.)

Sunday 10th Nov. 09.30 communion service led by Rev. dalwyn Attwell There will NoT be a service at 10.30 but Rev dalwyn Attwell will attend the memorial Service in the Market Square.

Sunday 17th November the service will be led by Hazel Hitch and this will be Shoebox Collection day.

6p.m. Informal service to be led by Rev dalwyn Attwell Hopefully band will accompany Sunday 24th November this is the church anniversary and will be led by Mr. Ceasar.

–––––––––––––––––––– BIGGLESWADE –––––––––––––––––––– LADIES CIRCLE SANDY WOMEN’S Biggleswade Ladies Circle is a membership club for women aged between 18 -45 INSTITUTE who want to make new friends have fun and put something back to the community. we have now been established for over 59 years. our Members are from all walks of life and are supported by various Honorary Members. we are really keen to expand our membership to include lots more lovely local ladies! we all come from very different backgrounds and have different things going on in our lives and vary in age. we meet twice a month, usually on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month in or around Biggleswade There are also many weekend events throughout the circling year. Most of our meetings are social meetings where we try out new things or just meet for a chat. we also have meetings where we discuss current things going on with circle such as upcoming fundraisers or any other business that needs to be discussed.

Some examples of past social meetings include knit and natter, car care at Kwikfit, a dVd evening, hearing dogs for the deaf talk, cocktail evenings, bingo, trips to the theater, Christmas crafts, chocolate parties and much more!

Tel: Anne 07791 330391S

Sandy wI was formed in March 2017 and is still going strong. we welcome new members from all age groups and backgrounds. we meet on the third Tuesday of each month (except August) at 10.00am in Sandy Conservative Club. we have a full programme of speakers and activities and you are very welcome to join us. If you want to give us a try before committing to full membership you can attend as a visitor, cost £4.

Contact our President, Val Haygarth, for further information on 01767 691711 valeriehaygarth@btinternet.com..

–––––––––––––––––––– WORLD SHIP SOCIETY Kempston Constitution Club 196A Bedford Road, Kempston

BEDFORD BRANCH 3rd THURSdAY in the month Telephone: 01234 352014

–––––––––––––––––––– BEDFORD EARLY –––––––––––––––––––– DANCE AND MUSIC KEMPSTON AND DISTRICT MODEL RAILWAY SOCIETY

Wednesdays from 7.30pm-10.00pm at Kempston east methodist Church New members welcome For further details contact Brian woodcock on 07795251988 or brianwoodcock@btinternet.com

Come and enjoy country dances, quadrilles and reels from the Regency Period and the world of Jane Austen.Highly Experienced Tuition!

Suitable for all enthusiastic dancers.

Newcomers welcome!

Brickhill Community Centre, Upper Hall, Avon Drive, Bedford mK41 7AF oct 23rd, Nov 1st. Feb 7th march 2020 2-6pm.

–––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––

TEL: 07894 935952 ADS: advertising@rosettapublishing.com

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2019

SAT 2ND NOVEMBER 2019

SANTA POD RACEWAY

ONLY £25 PER CAR IN ADVANCE (Plus fees) Exclu des Vans & buses. Max 5 people

SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY MASSIVE BONFIRE FAMILY FUN MONSTER TRUCK RIDES JET CAR FUN FAIR PLUS LIVE STUNTS AND THE PODZILLA MONSTER TRUCK

call 01234 782828 or book online at: PRE-BOOKED TICKETS ONLY

WWW.SANTAPOD.COM

*Booking fees apply, advance prices available until 5pm Friday 25th October. Standard price of £30 thereafter. Tickets subject to availability.

See website for T&C’s. No pets, glass bottles or unlicensed vehicles on site. FREE parking with admission.

Santa Pod Raceway, Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough, Northants, NN29 7XA. Signposted from J14/15 M1

BEDFORD ORGAN & KEYBOARD CLUB THE ADDISON CENTRE –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

CONCERT BY

ELIZABETH HARRISON WEDNESDAY 30th OCTOBER 7.30 – 10.00pm TEA, COFFEE/BAR/RAFFLE –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

£5 PAY AT Members Non-Members £6 DOOR ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Contact: 01234 344423 www/Organfax/clubs/Bedford

––––––––––––––––––––––– THE GREENSANd TRUST october Half Term at The working woodlands Centre in Maulden wood and Rushmere Country Park in Heath and Reach.

MAGICAL AUTUMN L ANTERN WALK

Thursday 24 october 5.30pm – 7.30pm

HALLOWEEN DISCO Thursday 24 october 6.30pm – 9pm

FEED THE BIRDS

SUNDAY 27 oCToBer 11Am – 3pm don’t forget your binoculars!

For further information including ticket purchase visit www.greensandtrust.org/whats-on

–––––––––––––––––––––––

please send your advertisements to: advertising@rosettapublishing.com or call 07894 935952

— 23

24 — SEPTEMBER 2019

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

BEDFORD BOROUGH EDITION

TEL: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com

back

the

Double England Hockey Pathway for Bedford boys

Two Bedford School boys have recently been selected to train in the England Hockey player development programme.

Two Bedford School boys have recently been selected to train in the England Hockey player development programme.

Joshua Addo (below left) in Y9 and Joshua Stewart (below right) in Y10 both demonstrated outstanding talent on the hockey pitch when they attended trials for the England Hockey Performance Centre back in June.

Aged just 14 years old, Joshua Stewart was delighted to be selected for the U17 squad - beating off competition from boys playing in two age groups above his own group. Joshua Addo, aged 13, will play for the U15s.

The boys are the latest in a long line of Bedford School boys who have been selected for this prestigious England Hockey programme, which will see them train alongside elite players from around the country.

The offer came shortly after the boys attended pre-trials at Northwood earlier this summer and they start the programme this month, training at Merchant Taylors’ School on Monday evenings and Sundays.

The programme culminates with potential selection for the Futures Cup – the pinnacle of the England player pathway programme. director of Hockey at Bedford School, Mr Sam Mee, told us, “The boys are both very talented players and they know that hard work and commitment is what will give them the edge over the other players. Joshua Addo joined us this academic year and has settled in well. Joshua Stewart has been with us since the Prep School and has really put the hours in to his training over the years – particular so this last year. The fact that he will be competing against boys in Y11 and Y12 is testament to all his hard work.”

Joshua Stewart has had the fortune of playing with some superb players at Bedford School, which have no doubt inspired him along his journey. His older brother Tom also followed a similar path and last year Upper Sixth Former Charlie Axford captained the winning side at the Futures Cup. Joshua said, “I started playing hockey when I started at Bedford School in Y3. The coaches really pushed me on and my passion for the game grew. Even now the extra training sessions and the opportunities have given my game a massive boost.”

Happy 40th anniversary Biddenham Upper AT THE beginning of the month Biddenham Upper School celebrated its 40th Anniversary. originally known as John Howard Upper School, it opened its doors to the first intake of students in September 1979 with 179 new students.

To celebrate more than 50 exstudents from the class of ‘79 were invited to the school. They enjoyed speeches and drinks in the main hall and a guest appearance of one of the original teachers and well-loved local rugby player, Gareth davies. The principal, david Bailey welcomed everyone and reminisced with them about those early days of the school and the students and teachers.

The celebrations then continued with a party at the Southfields Community Centre. david Bailey said, “The students had a fantastic time talking and renewing old friendships. Everyone felt the occasion was like going back to school, reminding each other of

the many old funny stories and situations they all experienced during those days.”

The celebration was organised by one of the original pupils of 1979, Ram dhariwal.

The class of 1979 celebrating.

Hockey player off to Performance Centre

YEAR 9 student, Sophia warren, has recently been selected for the U15 Girls England Hockey Performance Centre. Sophia attended trials at Merchant Taylors’ School earlier this summer and was selected from a pool of players from across the seven counties of the East Anglia region.

Sophia has been an active hockey player throughout her time at BMS, and also plays for Leighton Buzzard Hockey Club, the last two years at Cambridge City Hockey Club and has represented Bedfordshire County for the last three seasons. She worked hard throughout the sum-

mer at various camps and during the stages of selection.

Sophia’s parents commented: “we are extremely proud of Sophia’s achievement. we are very aware that the journey will,

The Bulletin is an independent publication, part of Rosetta Publishing Ltd. Published by ©2019 Rosetta Publishing Limited, 30 Radwell Road, Milton Ernest Bedford MK44 1SH. Tel: 07894 935952 Editorial: editorial@rosettapublishing.com Advertising: advertising@rosetta publishing.com Printed by: Reach Printing Services, Kimpton Road, Luton, Bedfordshire LU2 0SX.

no doubt, have some bumps on the way but Sophia has worked extremely hard over the years and now has her rewards for that.”

Head of Girls’ Sport at BMS, Miss woodgate, added: “It is very exciting to hear of Sophia’s recent success in gaining a place at one of the prestigious England Hockey Performance Centres.

She is a passionate and dedicated hockey player who is fully deserving of this opportunity.

Sophia always attends training with enthusiasm and a hunger to learn and develop. we look forward to supporting Sophia as she continues on her journey.”