Little Staughton Village Newsletter On-Line

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Little Staughton News

July 2010

There is a lot of information in this month’s newsletter so let’s get straight into the detail. Firstly let’s follow up on last month’s tale end bits, regarding the Mayor’s visit. I also mentioned the walk that Dale Williamson is planning for next year, see the details below.

Mean while this summer on Tuesday 27^th July to be exact the Mayor of Bedford – Dave Hodgson is coming to the Crown Inn, on his “Pints in the Parishes” tour of rural villages.  Thanks should got to Maria and Kevin for agreeing to host the event. The Parish council has been asked by the Mayor’s office to help publish the event, so this is probably one of the best ways of doing so.

I have mentioned this too many people in the village already and there appears to be great number of topics for discussion. These include:

·         the schools system and future developments;

·         highways and the provision of salt bins for the winter;

·         freight strategy and heavy goods vehicles;

·         value for money from Council tax

·         local policing

·         planning issues including the current state of the Allocations and Designations  issues

These are just a few, and I am sure that there will be many more that will arise before the meeting. I do hope as many people who wish to attend can be accommodated. If the weather is good the crowd large then maybe we can use the car park!

I look forward to a good turnout, and an interesting debate.

Thanks to Judy Llewellyn for arranging for a further supply of tulips for the village, they do add to the flowers that we have around the village in Spring Time.

On the 29^th June a Public Meeting was held in the village to discuss the subject of the current proposals for the Allocations and Designations in the new planning system. This meeting was well attended and included interesting debate and discussion on the subject of the Rural Policy Area, Settlement Policy Area developments, and Village Open Spaces. Tom’s Tales (below) gives an update on the current situation regarding the Gipsy and Traveller sites. Whilst we are not directly affected it does appear that some of our neighbouring villages are making a stand against these proposals.

We do have some questions to answer as a result of the discussions and we will circulate these via e-mail. If you have not had an e-mail about this subject but would like to be included in future distributions, then please do let me know your e-mail address.

On a lighter note you may be interested in the exploits of Charles Edwards during the past month. You may have seen him running UP Spring Hill at a speed that most would run down the hill. Or cycling around the village, at speeds most of us dream of!

All these efforts were for the "UK Ironman 70.3" - this is a race over 70.3 miles (1.2 miles swim, 56 miles bike, 13.2 miles run) which is half of a full ironman distance.  It used to be called a "half ironman" but they decided that sounds a bit soft hence the catchy 70.3 title!  

Charles finished in a very creditable 6hrs 10 mins 9 secs: he came 412th out of 1178. When I asked him for further details this is what he replied!

The details are:

swim - 40'47 (739th)

transition 1 - 9'23 (984th – nature delay!)

bike - 3'27 (449th)

transition 2 - 2'50 (684th)

run - 1'49'45 (246th)

Charles continued: “Surprised to see that the run was my strongest event, it didn't feel that way.  Really happy with the position - practically top third, especially if you count those that dropped out.  I was aiming for 6hrs but it's my first triathlon for 8 years and was tough course, so I am happy, but most importantly, really felt like I enjoyed the day.  Such an experience!

WOW! 

The following email appeared in my in box during the month, which I think is useful for those who ride bikes!

You are invited to get your riding assessed for FREE with a Bedfordshire Police Advanced Motorcyclist to get expert and impartial feedback on what you do well and where you may be able to could improve your skills.

This is part of the Bedfordshire and Luton Casualty Reduction Partnership’s ‘Motorcycle Training Matters’ initiative to reduce the casualty toll amongst motorcyclist. One in four serious injury road traffic collisions involves a motorcyclist. Some are due to rider error, and some are due to other road users’ errors. In either case, we believe that better, defensive riding skills will help reduce motorcyclists’ risk of being involved in a collision.

Find out more or book a place call Alison in Roads Policing on 07787 704716 or visit www.MotorcyclingMatters.org/RideSafe/.  

Usually when I write this column I cover a number of subjects taking in the weather, the cattle and the state of farming in general.  I then usually go on and make mention of the doings or undoing of our 'masters' at Borough Hall in Bedford. This time it is all so very different - there is one issue and only one, that being the proposed Gipsy and Traveller sites - one in this ward, one close to Roxton village and a number over the border in Great Barford, Cople and two in Willington.

This issue has recently dominated my time and has certainly dwarfed all other problems that I deal with as a Councillor.  So many people have emailed, written or called me about this. It is amazing how many people have taken the trouble to find my number when there's a problem!  But that's what I am elected for and I'm pleased to say that there has been a very positive effect as it has brought a great many of us all together and I feel a real sense of community now from everyone in those villages closest to the possible sites. I am absolutely sure that if we all work together we can see off this threat. All the Parish Councils are now working as one - something that I have never seen happening before.  They are even helping by sharing costs and bills to fight this cause.  I salute and praise them for their hard work and determination.

This remains a fast moving issue, so hopefully by the time you read this there will probably be more developments. The new Government has scrapped many of the previous Government's targets and also much of the regional guidance, so we should really be in with a fighting chance of success. This new action has really helped.  Previously, the former Labour government’s way of proceeding was to impose a number, inform the regional government and then it was for this body to tell the various counties and their councils how many new Gipsy and Traveller pitches were needed.  Now this system has been abolished and we are being told that individual Councils will soon be able to set their own targets for new pitches.

In Bedford Borough’s case this means the former regionally imposed target of 46 new pitches has gone and we are now back to our original forecast which is that the travelling community in our part of Bedfordshire will probably need only twelve or thirteen new pitches.  As you can see this is indeed a huge difference.  The former target gave council planners many headaches as their officers were desperate to find new sites, whereas now these extra pitches could easily be added to existing sites without a need for any new one.  However, this does leave the Mayor and his planners in a mess as they have now spent a large amount of time and money going out to consultation on these original ideas, only to find a change of Government has well and truly pulled the rug from under their feet!  I can only add that they were warned and only started this whole exercise at the start of the election campaign.  What they do now remains to be seen, but it does give hope to a great number of rural villages who have been living with this threat for many months.

As ever, I am always about if you want a chat, so please do call on 07771 575227 

Has anyone lost a cat? A male tabby cat  has taken up residence at the bottom of Spring Hill (call Frank on 376661). Also, a black/white cat was found dead at the top of Spring Hill on Sunday 13 June.

As usual the Parish Council have been given tulip bulbs used in the Bedford Embankment display. If you would like to set some in the grass verge then please contact Judy Llewellyn on 376534.

·      1^st  Mr & Mrs Solomom

·      2^nd  B Hopperton

·      3^rd  Mrs Foster

·      4^th  Mr & Mrs Williams

·      5^th  M Whiteside

I’m sure many you know me in the village. I am writing to you all because I’m doing a charity walk in aid of Cancer Research. This came to my mind as I heard about the passing Ginny Lumley, a local wife and mother. This sad event has brought me to the conclusion that I can do something to help the charity because cancer is such a horrible disease.

I am planning to walk from John O’Groats at the very north of Scotland to Lands End in Cornwall. A distance of around 850 miles. The walk will take place sometime next summer (2011) and it will take a lot of organising and sponsorship. I would like to involve the village in my fund raising. I widest audience in the village is through the newsletter and am grateful for their assistance with this appeal. I have already contacted the charity and received sponsor forms. I have also made an online page about my charity walk and fundraising. The details can be found at http://www.justgiving.com/Dale-Williamson 

I do hope you take a look and will consider sponsoring me for the walk.

 

Angela Arch wants to say a huge 'thank you' to everyone in the village who sponsored her in any way- whether as individuals, attending the Pub Quiz or members of the Village afternoon Tea club who gave their profits!

After a false start on 16th April due to the Icelandic volcanoAngela  finally made it to China on 6th May ( and back with an unscheduled  night in Hong Kong on 16th).  It was an experience Angela will never forget. Fifty-six strangers, from every walk of life imaginable, brought together with one aim - raising money for 'Have a Heart' charity. As a group we raised almost £148,000.  Angela’s  biggest fear was, that as the second oldest in the group, she’d  be at the back and holding others up, but thankfully that didn't happen. A little training went a long way.

If there is anyone who would still like to donate the site may still be open.

www.doitforcharity.com/www.doitforcharity.com/angelaa

 Eleven people have now volunteered to join Mike Sargeant on the First Responders Scheme. If anyone else would like to join in you are still very welcome (call Mike on 376458).

All Saints' Church - United Services for Little Staughton &  Bolnhurst, commencing 10.00am

·        4 July, Little Staughton, Rev Derek Draper

·        11 July, Bolnhurst, Rev Derek Draper

·        18 July, Little Staughton

·        25 July, Bolnhurst

·        1 August, Little Staughton, Rev Derek Draper

Church Lighting

Thanks and congratulations to Ollie and Kate Jordan for lighting the church to mark their Wedding anniversary in June. Why don’t you be a sponsor and mark a special event or occasion in this way, for a minimum donation of £10, please contact Gill Shaw on 376530.

Bookings

The Village Hall is available for hire on a one off, or regular basis. To discuss your requirements please contact Sonny Woodhams on 376581.

Afternoon Tea 

Friday July 16th  2.30 -3.30pm. 

Tea, coffee, cake and biscuits

Everyone welcome to drop in regularly or occassionally for a chat or to try your hand at our puzzles.

Admission £1.00

It is good to report that in the last 3 months there have been no reported crimes or incidents in Little Staughton. However, we must not be complacent, as there are sightings of suspicious vehicles in the area, especially flat-bed trucks and lorries. This may well be linked to the rise in rural thefts in general in our area. Please be vigilant and if you are suspicious phone 01234 841212 immediately or if it is a crime in action 999.

Top End residents recently sponsored Cherry Protheroe and  Jessie her 4-legged friend, on a walk to raise funds for Bedfordshire NHW. Thanks to the generosity of nearly all the residents in Top End, approx £150 was raised.

As the holiday season is upon us, remember to take all possible precautions if you are going away: ensure the house and any outbuildings are secure and ask a good neighbour to keep an eye on your property whilst you are away.

There have been concerns recently about young people driving cars in a dangerous manner in and around the village. The police are aware of this, but if you know of any young person who might be involved in such activity please remind them that their vehicle is a potentially lethal weapon! We would not want any serious injuries or fatalities in the village.

Police surgeries

The next surgery dates are: 

Tuesday 13th July and Tuesday 10th August. This is a walkabout surgery with Colmworth, if you would like us to pay a specific visit to you, please just contact us before hand.  

Current issues

We have experienced a recent spate in burglaries in garages/sheds in surrounding villages. This has now become a priority for the area at the latest Joint Action Group meeting. Please be vigilant and aware of suspicious vehicles and persons. We will welcome any intelligence related to this. Several number plate thefts have occurred also. You can have your number plates secured at an Operation Caps event or by contacting us and we can visit your home address.   

Paul Jones PCSO 4760  & 
Kerry Jones PC 5324 

Riseley Police Station, 37 High Street, Riseley, MK44 1DX 

T: 01234 842864, F: 01234 842867

E: snt.gtbarford&roxton@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk

The exhibits from the year 2000 exhibition were archived and will be on display again this year on the 23/24^th October.

Do you have any photos of Little Staughton pre 2000 which were not copied for the last exhibition? 

If you do, we would be very pleased to see them.  Could you contact Marilyn Clark on 01234 376038

The Pre School Learning Alliance has been commissioned to run the Riversmeet Children’s Centre to support families with under 5s. The aim is to improve the life chances of children under five and their families, by providing advice, support & information.

There is a small office in Great Barford Lower School and if you would like to know more about Riversmeet Events please contact Jo Maule on 01234 742 833.

July  16^th Friday - Afternoon Tea in the Village Hall, 2.30 to 3.30

July  16^th Friday - Cricket Match - The Chapel v Litle Staughton Village Cricket Club. 6.30pm on the Playing Field. All welcome

July  18^th Sunday – Kimbolton Country Fayre 2010, Kimbolton Castle, Kimbolton, Cambs. – gates open 11.00 AM. The Fayre is jointly organised by The Rotary Club of Kimbolton Castle and The Sporting Bears Motor Club. All profits are donated to charity. Admission : £6 adult;  £16 family; £3 children/concessions.

July  20^th Tuesday - Parish Council Meeting, Village Hall, 7.30 pm, all welcome.

July  27^th Tuesday – The Crown Inn, visit of Mayor Dave Hodgson for Pints in the Parishes, 7.00 pm, all welcome.

August 17^thTuesday - Parish Council Meeting, Village Hall, 7.30 pm, all welcome.

September 4^th Saturday  - Little Staughton  Golf  Society Annual Golf  Day. For details please contact Paul Fenely (376309) or  Tony Moss (376970).

September 12^th Sunday – Little Staughton Ashes: Village v Church at the Playing Field 

September 26^th Sunday – Harvest Lunch at the Village Hall 12:30 for 1:00 pm

September 21^st Tuesday - Parish Council Meeting, Village Hall, 7.30 pm, all welcome.

October 19^th Tuesday - Parish Council Meeting, Village Hall, 7.30 pm, all welcome.

October 23/24th Sat/Sun  - History Exhibition. More details to follow.

October 19^th Tuesday – Race Night Village Hall, 7.30 pm, all 

October 31^st Sunday  - Bulky Waste Collection, 3.30-5.30pm at Gray's Grove.

December 4^th Saturday – Christmas Dance at the Village Hall, details to follow, but book the date!

All copy for the August 2010 issue to Jeanette Atkinson by post (Claydon, Spring Hill) or email (jeanette@pjatkinson.plus.com)
by Friday 30^th July

http://www.littlestaughtonvillage.co.uk for more village information