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TRANSCRIPT
PARISH NEWS
covering
SHILLINGTON, PEGSDON & HIGHAM GOBION wwwwww..sshhiilllliinnggttoonn..oorrgg..uukk
Issue 138 – October 2018 Deadline for December edition - Friday, 30th November 2018
PARISH COUNCIL
NEW COMMUNITY BUILDING/PLAYING FIELD IMPROVEMENTS
Our solicitors have now produced a draft constitution for “Shillington Community Centre”,
a new charity to replace the two existing ones for the Village Hall and Playing Fields. The
old ones will remain in place until the new building is ready for occupation and the new one
will be in name only at the moment.
In September Cllrs. Stapleton and Clark had a site meeting with Central Bedfordshire
Officers regarding the use of historic S106 monies, which the Parish Council has had
earmarked for improvements to existing Playing Field facilities. Most monies have now
been confirmed for our usage and one of these ‘pots’ of money has to be spent by
December 2019. This is for a new play area, which will be located down towards to the
current tennis court with new fencing and equipment. The current play area will need to
make way for the large car park that will occupy all of that space.
At this meeting we also discussed a new MUGA (Multi User Games Area) to replace the
current tennis/netball court, which has not been in use since the surface cracked up and was
unsafe. The new MUGA will need to be moved away from the existing hedgerow, which
has contributed to its failing surface and will have new fencing. We are now in debate
about size requirements as MUGAs are made to fit the sporting activities being played on
them, so we are assuming tennis, netball and football, whichever needs the largest size.
We will have discussions with our local village children to see what equipment they would
like to see in the new play area and also the teenagers to see what other sports they might
like on the MUGA. The Playing Field Committee have had to remove the old football
stand due to recent bad weather and high winds, which made it unsafe. This was a shelter
for the young people in the evenings so we will be engaging with them and youth workers
to see what we can sort out for them.
Another allocated ‘pot’ of money is for ‘green facilities’ – a countryside project - so we are
currently looking at possibilities.
PARISH COUNCIL GRANTS – VILLAGE ORGANISATIONS
In May Council awarded a grant to the PTFA under their ‘Power of Competence’ for re-
surfacing the outdoor children’s play area and in September we awarded a grant to
Shillington Rainbows to cover new requirements for record books and badge/hand books
for current members.
This grant scheme is for village organisations in need of financial assistance. Please contact
the Clerk if you would like an application form to be considered.
For all Parish Council issues please contact:
Mrs. Helen Smith, Clerk to the Parish Council 11 Hillside Close, Shillington, Hitchin, Herts, SG5 3NN. 01462-713224
email: [email protected] website: www.shillington.bedsparishes.gov.uk
ANNOUNCEMENTS / ITEMS / NEWS IN BRIEF
Kenneth Arthur Hare ‘Ken’
25th March 1933 – 18th May 2018
Maisie, Carole & family would like to thank everyone who attended Ken’s funeral
on 7th June.
Many thanks for all the cards, messages of condolence, floral tributes and the generous
donations received for British Heart Foundation.
Ken will be sadly missed.
Contact with Joyce Sprinks
Joyce has now moved and would like her friends in the village to be able to contact her.
Her new number is: 07873-416027
ANNUAL SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY, 11TH NOVEMBER
Congregational Church, War Memorial & Village Hall
10.00 – Church Service 10.45 – Procession from Church to War Memorial for Wreath Laying Ceremony 11.10 – Congregation invited to visit the Village Hall for light refreshments and to view a display
of WW1 photos and memorabilia courtesy of Peter & Janet Watts
In the interests of community safety, residents in motor vehicles travelling through the village at this time (10.45-11.15) are kindly requested to avoid Hillfoot Road/Church Street/High Road junctions as large groups of people will be walking to/from the Church to the Memorial and roads will be closed
off.
ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF OLD PHOTOGRAPHS
The annual exhibition of old photographs of Shillington, along with the launch of the
2018 village calendar will be held
in Shillington Village Hall on Sunday, 25th November.
Doors open at 2.00pm and close at 5.00pm
Entrance fee is £2.00, which includes refreshments
Currently there are over 500 photos in the collection, from early 1900s to 2000s,
covering many aspects of life in Shillington.
If you have any old parish photos that you would like to add to the ‘village
collection’ please contact:
Jan & Peter Watts on 01462-712080.
ALL SAINTS NEWS www.allsaintsshillington.org.uk or follow us on Facebook
Parish Priest: Rev’d Richard Winslade ( 01462-713311)
[email protected] (Day off on Fridays)
Churchwardens
Liz Brewer : 01462-711594 Patricia Humphreys text: 07754-760073 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected].
Church Services:
• 9.30am - Sung Eucharist - every 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sunday.
• On some fifth Sundays services are held jointly with the Congregational Church at alternate venues.
• First Sunday of the month: 9.30am - Family Service 6.00pm - Choral Evensong.
• All other Sundays: 9.30am – Holy Communion
For details of all our services and for PCC members’ contact details, please see our website www.allsaintsshillington.org.uk or the church notice board.
All Saints Church Rector, The Reverend Richard Winslade and the Church Wardens welcome your prayer requests.
200 Club Winners August September
1st £50 162 Paul Bithrey 1st £50 195 Emma Stevenson
2nd £25 127 Geraldine Michell 2nd £25 173 Sandra Spavin
3rd £10 107 Maureen Karslake 3rd £10 161 Bob Hogarth
VILLAGE FIREWORK SPECTACULAR
Adult ticket £7, child ticket £4, family ticket £18 (2 adults, 2 children).
Available from village shops shortly
or online through “Shillington Fireworks Facebook” page
Children’s entertainment from 5.00pm - “Cheeky Dog” plus face painter.
Great raffle prizes with tickets for sale on the day.
Prize draw to start the fireworks !
BBQ by the Scout Group, hot drinks and snacks with the WI
leading up to the firework extravaganza at 7.00pm.
Round off the evening with live music in the Social Club.
If you would like to book a stall to promote your wares or organisation for the early
evening (4.00-7.00pm) or wish to sponsor the event
- please contact Sally on 07711-504489
A huge THANK YOU to THE CROWN for kindly sponsoring our advertising
this year and to the Social Club for their donation from the fun day ☺
In aid of our new Community Building
WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
The Group started up again on the 6th September after the Summer Break - during which,
some of the Members met up at Ascot House for an enjoyable picnic and visit.
A Group of us enjoyed entering the Shillington Scarecrow competition and
our two scarecrows illustrated a 100 years of WI and what has been achieved Nationally
during that period.
Our first Speaker was "Painting demonstration with Humour" by Michael
Peachey. An enjoyable evening was had by all.
Our next meeting is on October 4th and we welcome author Simon Michael
who will talk about "My Life in Crime".
On Thursday November 1st at 8.00 p.m. we will be having a “Ladies Night out” with bring
& buy and cheese & wine.
Following the success of our visit to Henlow Grange, another visit is planned
in October.
✓ Lunch Club - met at the Five Bells
✓ Book Club - reading "The Taxidermist's daughter" Kate Mosse
✓ Monthly Walk - took place on 12th September
✓ Relaxation Class was on the 11th and is gaining in popularity
✓ Plans to start a Knit and Stitch group later on in October are underway
The WI will be doing the refreshments at the Village Firework Display in
November.
And finally…………. The return of:
"Village Market" at the Village Hall
takes place on Saturday 17th November from
1.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.
DO COME ALONG AND GIVE THIS POPULAR EVENT YOUR SUPPORT. THERE WILL BE SOMETHING FOR ALL THE FAMILY AND A CHANCE TO START
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!! - AND ENJOY REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED BY US. WE HAVE 32 TABLES BOOKED WITH A WIDE RANGE OF EXCITING CRAFTS AND
PRODUCTS - ALL FROM LOCAL PEOPLE.
Our meetings take place on the first Thursday of each month at the Congregational
Church at 8.00 p.m. Do come along and give us a try – you will be most welcome.
Contact Jill Russell on 01462 711533 for more information.
SHILLINGTON MEN’S CLUB (Inaugurated in 2004)
(Now in its 13th year)
Past Events:
16 members attended a visit to the Cambridge Biological Gardens on the 8th August, a good
time was had by all.
On the 15th August 22 members enjoyed a meal of Steak & Ale Pie or Cottage Pie with
potatoes and vegetables, followed by Spotted Dick Pudding or Fruit Crumble at the Greyhound
in Haynes, this meal was well received by members.
On the 12th September 21 members enjoyed a meal of Steak & Ale Pie and Fruit Crumble with
cream or ice cream at the Star and Garter at Silsoe, again this was well received by the
members.
Recently 15 members made the journey to the Royal Air Force Museum at
Hendon on the 26th September in the RAF’s Centenary year. Members had
great day out finding out about how the RAF inaugurated from the Royal
Flying Corp in 1918 after the first World War. Exhibits in the museum demonstrated how the
RAF and indeed Aviation progressed from that day right up to the present day, it was a great
day enjoyed by all.
Thank you to Paul Bruce and Michael Bradley who organised these events.
Future Events:
• 10th October a meal at the Red Lion at Offley.
• 24th October a visit to the Mullard Astronomy Observatory Cambridge.
• 13th November a meal at The Crown, Shillington.
• 27th November a visit and Fish and Chip Supper at the Henlow Greyhound Racing Stadium.
This year the Men’s Club entered our first ever entry in the Village Scarecrow
Contest. Great fun was had in making our entry and a big thank you to all members
who turned up to assemble our entry and dismantle our entry and the enthusiasm they
displayed in doing so - it was a great effort by all. Also a big thank you to Paul &
Julia Bruce for the use of their front garden to make the entry.
Presently the Club has a membership of 40. There are 6 elected Committee Members who meet
every 12 weeks to review and evaluate past events, plan future events and review the Club’s
Financial position.
Why not come along to one of our future events for a sampler, you will be made most welcome
and there will be no obligation to join. The Club offers an opportunity to make new friends,
friendly and stimulating conversation with other members who have a vast array of hobbies
and interests to talk about over a good pub meal and good Ale.
It also offers a monthly visit to a place of Culture, Interest or History. Membership is just £5 to
join with an annual Membership fee of £10.
Contacts:
For further information please contact the following:
Events Co-ordinator - Michael Bradley (01462 711162).
Email [email protected]
Or
Chairman - Graham Williams (01462 713468)
Email [email protected]
ALL SAINTS’ ILLUMINATED
To celebrate or commemorate your special occasion please
contact: 01462-711850 (Catherine)
It only costs £25 to sponsor a whole week’s illumination – a perfect way to commemorate a special family
occasion or loved one’s anniversary.
The ideal gift for the person who has everything.
Sponsor Message From To
The Bird Family
In loving memory of Lorraine Bird who died on Saturday 13th September 2014.
We will love you always and you will never be forgotten. We miss you so very much.
Tony, Rachel, Paul, Karl, Isabel, Daisy and Bradley
Sunday 9 Sept
Saturday 15 Sept
Denise, Claire, Jane, Liz and Julia
Birthday memories of our dear friend Tracey Kindley. Always in our hearts.
Sunday 7 October
Saturday 13 October
David & Fiona Howarth
Donald MacKinnon - remembering your birthday on 31st October
Sunday 21 October
Saturday 27 October
The Randall Family
Celebrating the marriage of our daughter Daniella Randall to Conor Stratton on the 17th
November. Love and best wishes Mum, Dad and Luke
Sunday 11 Nov
Saturday 17 Nov
Shillington Parish Council
Remembering those from the parish who died in the service of their country
Sunday 11 Nov
Saturday 17 Nov
HOWEVER…. 100 NOT OUT! By Revd. Angus McCormick 01462- 712096
Minister of Shillington Congregationalist Church
‘Awesome’ is one of the ‘in words’ I have picked up recently. It used to be ‘wicked’. I’m sure we can all go back and recall various words and expressions that were part of our growing up.
I had a friend who has gone to a higher service who would say before any real conversation, “as a matter of fact”. It meant nothing, just like my own muttering “to be sure”. However, these expressions do link to our journey through life and its culture. Some of the expressions do last and may continue to have the meaning they were intended to convey.
It is important to know how literally or meaningfully we want our words to be received by others. As an Ulster Scot, I’ve continually found that there are misunderstandings in conversation with those of other cultures. However, I read that the experts in cultural research realise that there is no absolute definition of Celtic, English or even Welsh. Apparently ‘welsh’ meant ‘foreigner’! I’m sure I read somewhere that ‘scot’ meant ‘robber’! So as we prepare for 100 years of the ending of the Great War, what does it mean, and what does ‘peace’ mean to us? ‘For King and Country’ is not a rally call that most respond to now. ‘For faith and freedom’ is again not a clear call to many. Rights and responsibilities, equal opportunities and justice are words with much currency in our time. However much we use these words, or any others, we need to remember that so many meant what they said and gave their lives for our freedom to search for that genuine call to unity of purpose, whatever we decide that is. Today our conflict is often more in communications, cyber warfare and technology; but then, was it not always a case of trying to win ‘hearts and minds’? Faith matters still as much today as it did 100 years ago.
Every blessing Angus
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH NEWS 47 Church Street, Shillington
www.shillingtoncong-church.org.uk
Sunday Worship:
Our Church is open every Sunday for worship at 10.30am. A warm
welcome is extended to everyone who wishes to join us.
Details of who is leading the service each week can be found in the village
calendar. Visitors always welcome.
Food Bank:
The items from the food bank were delivered to Christ Church, West Street, Dunstable a few
days following our Harvest Festival. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this
bumper collection. We will continue to collect non-perishable items until early December,
when the next delivery will take place.
Outing:
Some of the members went on a trip to Oakham recently where we had a walk around the
market town and visited the Norman castle, which is known for the many horse-shoes which
hang on the walls (over 200 in number).
The large ornate ceremonial horseshoes have been donated by Peers of the
Realm, such as Dukes, Earls, Bishops and Royalty, when they have visited the
town. The oldest surviving horseshoe was donated Edward IV in 1470. The
exact origin of this custom is lost in the mists of time.
We enjoyed lunch at the local Congregational Church where a weekly ‘Drop-In’ is held
that is run by a group of volunteers who made us very welcome. In the afternoon we made
a visit to the nearby Barnsdale Gardens, made famous by the TV programme ‘Gardeners
World’. There were some large onions and pumpkins plus other vegetables in the allotment
area. The keen gardeners amongst us were very envious of the crops !
CRAFT CLUB:
The next meeting dates are as follows:
• 16 October
• 6 & 20 November
between 2pm and 4pm
For further details please contact Janet Worley. 01582 881824
Shillington Congregational Church
Christmas Tree Festival 2018
We will be holding our festival again this year on:
Friday, 7th December - 3.30pm – 5.30pm
Saturday, 8th December - 12.30 – 6.00pm
Sunday, 9th December - 12noon – 5pm
This year our chosen charity is
Alzheimer’s Research UK We are inviting local organisations, clubs, societies and individuals to participate by entering a decorated tree which can be free-standing or displayed on a table. Your tree can be themed as you wish, and it is an opportunity for participants to promote what they do. There is no charge to participate, and we do not make a charge for visitors. Our fund raising is achieved purely from sale of refreshments, raffle tickets and children’s tombola and from collection boxes placed around the church. We are always more than grateful to receive raffle prizes. Refreshments will be available throughout the festival. If you would like to help in any way, or would like more details, please contact Nola
McCormick on 01462 712096.
Thank you.
CBC WARD MEMBER’S REPORT for Shillington, Higham Gobion and Pegsdon
[email protected] 01462 713543
Since I last wrote, things have moved fast with regard to Thomas’s Meadow.
First of all, an appeal has been made by the developers, which will result in a
public hearing, but not until April next year. The probable reason for such a long wait is that
there are only so many planning inspectors, but an increasing number of hopeful developers
appealing against local government refusals.
Thomas’s Meadow is now a more complicated issue. The first application was for over 40 houses,
which the village robustly opposed and which at committee, councillors equally clearly refused. A
second application, for fewer houses, was also refused, this time by the planning officers, on the
same grounds as before. One house on this historic Bedfordshire ends village central meadow is
one house too many. It is CBC’s refusal of this second application which is now being appealed.
However, just to complicate things, a third and even smaller application has just been submitted,
for a mere 19 houses on the same meadow. Having spoken to the officer dealing with it, I think
the logical outcome will be another refusal, but I shall call it into committee for determination by
councillors, just in case. You may be wondering how another application can go in, for the same
land. This is a belt and braces move; if the appeal is lost, to have the smaller success; if the
appeal is won, the developer will forget the smaller application. We shall have to wait and see,
but I sense the village is gearing up for a valiant defence of its meadow, once again.
The Hanscombe End Road development is coming along fast, and the developer’s financial
contribution to the village, the so called S106 money, is being used to create a raised table more
or less opposite Chalkley Bush close, to slow down the speed of traffic on this stretch of the road,
which residents have previously found to be relentlessly excessive.
Lastly on village matters, at residents’ request I chased up the resurfacing of Church View Avenue.
It seems that the officer responsible for making decisions had left and the matter had been
dropped. I have been assured that micro-asphalting of the road is scheduled for next year.
Moving to the grand scheme of things, CBC is consulting on a high level new parking policy. I am
on the Overview and Scrutiny committee which oversees these matters, and I was relieved to be
told that a one size fits all will NOT be introduced. The eternal problem of parking on verges or
pavements came out top of the consultants’ responses so far, but there is no obvious solution
and I suspect that the situation, where in order for the traffic to flow, two wheels of parked cars
have to be on a verge or pavement, will simply have to continue in our villages. Another
possibility being mooted was charging for a space, but I fear annual increases – and fighting over
potential misuse! The public consultation is still open if you wish to put your views forward.
The CBC Local Plan is now in the planning inspector’s hands and his initial questions have been answered by CBC. Remember, the 1600 houses a year in this plan is preferable to central government’s 2500! The hearing will take place after Christmas.
Talking of which, we can now look forward to Guy Faulkes’ Bonfire night. And witches and goblins. And Santa on his Tractor…What a prospect! Meantime, if I can help you with anything, please do ring me, leaving me your phone number, or email me and I shall get back to you
Best wishes, Alison Graham
VILLAGE HALL
We continue to have parking problems with local parking blocking our
frontage. Not only does this make it difficult for hall users, who have paid
for the facility to be able to access the car park, but very dangerous and
annoying for them and our neighbours when trying to exit, as they have to
pull out onto the highway, into the path of oncoming traffic to be able to see if the road is
clear.
When the new development is underway behind the village hall, such parking will not be
possible and even more so when the new cottages are built on the site of the hall.
We would respectfully request, where residents feel they have to park in this location at the
moment, that they do so considerately for both hall users and our neighbours. There is a
booking sheet on display on the notice board, showing when the hall is in use, which should
hopefully assist in less congestion round the entrance at that time.
PLAYING FIELD
The recent long hot, dry spell has caused large cracks on the Playing Field and below in
Hornes Pasture making it very unsafe to play football or any other games. The football
season hasn’t been able to start on our pitches and players are having to use new locations
with safe surfaces to kick off their initial matches.
The parents and management of AFC Shillington have been working hard transporting soil
around the area in an attempt to fill in the many cracks that have appeared. Unfortunately
this hasn’t helped as well as expected and we need some decent rain in the next few weeks
to try and bring the surfaces back to a usable condition.
A meeting has been called for next week with the Beds FA, management of AFC, Parish
Council and Playing Field Committee, as well as our grounds maintenance contractor to
discuss what measures can be taken to bring the ground back into a playable condition.
WELCOME PACK
For residents new to the village, there is a Welcome Pack available on our website,
listing all local services, organisations and other useful information for your interest.
www.shillington.org.uk
LOOKING AHEAD TO ROAD SAFETY
The following is intended to be neither a catalyst for nor an invitation to a debate on who has priority on the roads around the village. Let it be said that all users, whether they be vehicular, pedestrian or on horseback are equally entitled to use this shared public space.
What this letter does wish to highlight are the common protocols that, when wisely and diligently applied, serve to make these shared spaces, the public roads in our village as safe as is possible.
As the clocks turn back and autumn sets in, the evenings are now shorter with each and every day. Frequently I observe runners/joggers training in the evening on our local roads. I repeat that I have no problem with sharing the roads with such enthusiasts, however it has not gone unnoticed that many of them seem to be oblivious to the most basic principle of road running when a pavement is not present. That is, when running on a paved highway where there is no pavement available and where that highway is shared with motor vehicles the runner should (at all times except when negotiating a blind bend or blind hill crest) run on the side of the road where they face oncoming traffic. Apart from being a recognised rule, this is also common sense.
As a person on foot, a runner is by definition a pedestrian and as such The Highway Code rules for pedestrians apply. Rule 2 of The Highway Code states:
“If there is no pavement, keep to the right-hand side of the road so that you can see oncoming traffic. You should take extra care and
• be prepared to walk in single file, especially on narrow roads or in poor light
• keep close to the side of the road. It may be safer to cross the road well before a sharp right-hand bend so that oncoming traffic has a better chance of seeing you. Cross back after the bend.”
Yet often I see runners jogging in the road with their back to the traffic, totally oblivious to all vehicles approaching from behind. Furthermore with headphones firmly pushed into ears there is absolutely no way that the jogger will hear the approach of a vehicle. It should also be noted that not all vehicles can be heard as is the case with the electric or hybrid models.
This is a dangerous position for both the oblivious jogger AND for the driver, forced to circumnavigate the runner often on unlit, narrow and winding roads. This danger is significantly reduced if the runner observes the rules of the road, just as they expect vehicular drivers to adhere to the same mutually respected practices.
My research has revealed that nowhere is it written that a runner should jog “with” the traffic in the same lane/on the same side of the road. However it is widely documented that joggers should run against the traffic in order to see clearly and be clearly seen. It’s just pure common sense. Furthermore, the road runners whom I have polled universally agree that it is safer to run against the flow of traffic (with the aforementioned exceptions only).
Ignorance of and failure to observe this most logical and simple rule is an accident waiting to happen.
Again, I emphasise that this is absolutely not a discussion of who has more rights on the road. No. It’s not a debate about WHO is right. It is an affirmation of WHAT is right and in that regard the final word will always be SAFETY. Nothing else is more important. Runners, please reflect on this next time you head out on the road: face the traffic. See and be clearly seen. For your own safety, you know it makes sense.
NAME & ADDRESS WITHHELD ON REQUEST
RAMBLING ON with DEREK TURNER 01462-712462 [email protected]
You need a good clear out now and again. When you have the capacity, it’s easy to accumulate things that you think you might need in the future. The Turners’ garage was becoming uncomfortably full and we reached a point in the summer where something had to be done. Despite the lure of other more exciting activities outside during the fine weather, we vowed to spend time each week in the dark, cool confines of the garage sorting through it. As a result, our bins have been filled to the brim on recent Wednesdays and car loads have gone to Biggleswade, either to PREEN, the reuse charity, or to the tip in Biggleswade. But what could I do with a chest full of old tools, most of which are sadly worth little these days?
Many of them had been donated by well-meaning relatives. My father-in-law was a mechanic and we had acquired all sorts of his spanners, sockets and screwdrivers. My grandfather was a carpenter and some of his stuff included an assortment of saws, planes, chisels, hammers, augers and other items. There were gardening tools too, far more than
we and younger members of the family would ever need and in any case, it seems that most young people prefer to buy new, if possible, and preferably, equipment that’s powered by an electric motor.
Many of the tools had wooden handles. As an old resident of Charlton who’d spent his whole life farming on the Hitchin Priory estate had warned me long ago, “Don’t have anything to do with tools with wooden handles, boy. They mean hard work.” I’d ignored him though and vowed to clean, mend, sharpen and lubricate these tools and use them myself. Life though, is full of far too many other distractions and with a handful of exceptions, I had never got around to it.
An internet search revealed that there are some charities that take these things and I contacted Workaid who offered to find them a good home. With the prospect of a walk in the heart of the Chilterns while I was in the area, I bundled them in the car and took them to the premises in Chesham. There, volunteers refurbish whatever they can and sell the items in their shop or donate them to developing countries where people can put them to good use again.
Some of the tools I no longer possess had clearly been made by skilled men who had taken a great deal of pride and care to ensure that the parts, made variously of beech or ash wood, brass and steel, fitted together perfectly. They were the products of craftsmen and made to be used by craftsmen. A village like Shillington would once have had many
such men or women. The blacksmiths, the thatchers, the wheelrights, the well-diggers and the carpenters, for example. Many of the farm workers were just as skilful, tending their animals with care or ploughing an arrow-straight furrow.
Of course, not everyone was valued even then and the agricultural slumps of the 1880s and 1930s hit the less-skilled labourers badly. There was no unemployment pay in those days and only Friendly Societies and kindly neighbours to alleviate a kind of hardship that is unimaginable to us. By comparison, we’re lucky to live in modern Shillington.
The village and countryside that we see today are far from natural - they’re the sum total of all the effort put in by those who worked there.
It’s not just about who was Lord of the Manor at the time or the church which for much of our history
exerted a powerful influence on everything and everyone that lived here.
Similarly, when we visit a stately home like Wrest Park, we hear about the generations of the de Grey family who owned it, extending and then rebuilding the house and about the role played by designers like Capability Brown in creating the lovely grounds and vistas. What is rarely acknowledged are the builders and gardeners whose diligence and toil using tools like mine had made it all a reality.
Nowadays, everything seems to be made by machines or robots guided by computers. To many businesses it seems, a human worker is considered to be a liability - a necessity perhaps but an expense that should be pared back as much as possible with the lowest wages you can get away with, short-term or zero hours contracts and the threat that someone else will soon take you job if you don’t want it. It’s no wonder that a large part of the population gets little job satisfaction.
There is little room in the workforce of today for those who want to take the time to do a good job. Skilled workers are no longer an asset. The skills that made or used the tools that I once had are still there but used by far fewer people. I’m sure that the satisfaction that they get from their work is far greater than for other workers.
Answer our online surveys a imed at re side nts, busine sses a nd schools
Digital Survey now open
Our lives are more connected every day, with so many more gadgets and appliances reliant on
the internet, even kettles! Alongside that, broadband is now essential for all sizes of workplace,
and schools are acknowledging the role that technology plays in how teachers teach, and
students learn.
Superfast broadband roll-out was launched in Central Bedfordshire in 2014 to meet the high
demand for faster fibre connections for homes and businesses in the region. We’ve now
connected more than 25,000 premises in hard-to-reach places that would not be able to get
good broadband otherwise.
But we want to increase coverage of superfast and ultrafast broadband still further: our aim is for
97.4% coverage by March 2019, and greater levels beyond that.
We’ve now seeking feedback to gauge perceptions of the current levels
of broadband speed and coverage in the area. This survey will help us
assess what our community wants and needs and is open until 30
November 2018. You can have your say by answering our online
market research questionnaires for residents; businesses and schools,
or picking up a paper copy from your local library or leisure centre.
HOLDING ON ............TO OUR PRECIOUS CHURCH
Whizz Shaw ploughs ON, Derek Turner rambles ON and, for about a year now, we are holding ON – to our precious church. All a play on words and stolen from the original - Derek, who commented as much to me recently (we’re still friends!!). I work behind the bar of The Musgrave Arms and the ‘ON’ has had several suggestions from the public bar - most of them very amusing and none of them printable in such a gentle publication as this!!
All Saints church, a wonderful example of 14th century architecture, stands watch over us 24/7 and has done for 100’s of years. It has seen Christenings, Weddings, Burials, numerous sermons (good and bad) and more recently concerts - anything from rock & pop to classical. We have laughed and cried in its warm (and frozen) body - it has had cuddly toys hurled from its tower, donkeys led up and down its aisles and felt the joy and laughter of children at Christmas time. What ‘EVER’ would we do without it?
“With a little help from (my) The Friends” (see what I did there?), it still stands, majestic as ever and will continue to do so for many more generations to enjoy....... however, it can’t do it on its own. “The Friends” spend tireless hours raising money*** to preserve this monument, whilst getting their brain cells around the very complex building regulations.
If you are already a Friend – we thank you and you can turn to the next page!! - if you are not a Friend and would like to help us, help this remarkable building live for centuries to come – fill out the form below, make a donation and pop it in the post OR just turn up to one of the many events and have a great time.
Greetings, Joy Robertson
***Joy to the World live concert – see front cover
FRIENDS of ALL SAINTS CHURCH, SHILLINGTON Registered Charity Number 1060329
I/we enclose a donation of £……..…… to Friends of All Saints, Shillington for the year 2018 Name (s) ……………………………………… Address …………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………….. Tel ………………………………….… Email ……………………………………………………………………………………….……….…. Gift Aid Declaration: (If you are a UK Income Tax payer the Friends can reclaim 25p for every £1 you give at no extra cost to you.)
I am a UK income tax payer would like Friends of All Saints to be able to reclaim tax on my donation: (Yes / No ) (Delete as appropriate) Signed ………………………………………………… Date ………………. Please make cheques payable to ‘The Friends of All Saints Church’ and return this form, signed as necessary, together with your donation, to P. M. Carroll,
Hon Treasurer Friends of All Saints,
1 New Walk, Shillington, Hitchin, SG5 3LN
DRONING ON Ron Bradstreet 01462-711486
E-mail: [email protected]
We hear a lot these days about drones, robots and other appliances changing our way of life. Drones are useful for all sorts of security, sport and delivery applications, often replacing the much more expensive helicopter, but in the wrong hands they can be lethal. However, we also
have to consider bigger examples of drones, vehicles of small bus or van size where the issue of manned or unmanned control comes to the fore.
Anyone familiar with modern airliners will know that they have become very automatic in their operation. Automatic approach has been with us for some time, automatic landing is common and the idea of heroic pilots wrestling with the manual controls of an aircraft in maximum crosswinds has, in most cases, gone. But there have been cases in accidents of in built automation potentially hindering the pilots instead of assisting them to deal with the problem. A number of airline companies have reviewed their training because of this. However, the overall argument is leading us towards the main consideration of whether human control of commercial drones is necessary and are we to expect unmanned drones to be flying over our homes in the future? Let us look at the arguments more closely.
The main purpose of automatics in an aeroplane is to reduce the load on the pilot and aid decision support. Autopilots have been part of an aircraft for ages but the sophistication has changed. A modern airliner is very capable of locking on to a ground based radio aid located at an
airport and performing an automatic landing, in most conditions, with little difficulty. The technology to do this has been about for some time, but the idea that this can just replace the human pilot is a very different matter. The drone industry would appear to be partly serious in the view that this is the case and there is continuous research in progress to attempt to achieve this. But whether a drone is flying over a sports stadium for TV purposes or passing over a built up area to deliver an item, a system failure on the drone could cause injury to persons and/or damage to property unless it is able to handle system failures as competently as a trained human pilot; that is the main problem.
The drone industry is discovering that the subtle difference between decision support and decision making is often lost on those whose attitudes were not shaped by training or working in the traditional aviation industry. One of the main points of unmanned flight is that it is supposed to involve costs that are a fraction of manned flight. This could prove to be totally false. The indications at present are that the failure rate of current unmanned commercial aircraft systems (drones) simply isn’t yet good enough to mount a safe reliable service for which folk could be expected to pay. To make it so could be very expensive. To find out if it ever will we must just wait and see.
A NEW COMMUNITY TRANSPORT OFFERING FOR THE MID-BEDS & GREENSAND AREA
end to end journey possibilities
Ampthill – Arlesey – Biggleswade - Blunham – Flitwick – Potton Sandy - Shefford – Shillington – Southill – Stotfold - Tempsford
Wrestlingworth - all villages between and into Bedford
STARTING 15th OCTOBER 2018
01234 834933 for a Membership Form and details of how we can help
you
Travel around the area to shops, health services, visit friends and relatives, or just enjoy a day out.
Access Bedford for a greater range of destinations. All our high quality vehicles are accessible for
those with impaired mobility.
All staff are friendly, caring, fully trained, DBS checked & MiDAS assessed.
ALL VEHICLES ACCESSIBLE FOR THOSE WITH REDUCED
MOBILITY
When can I use it? We start on Monday 15th October 2018. We will be operating Mondays to
Fridays (but not bank holidays or evenings), but trips can be booked a week in advance. You can
sign up now, so that everything is ready for you when you want to travel.
Am I eligible? Our service is available to those over state pension age or anyone with a disability
that means they have limited mobility. We have a simple application process, which is designed
to ensure we can understand your particular needs, provide the best level of care and have
relevant information should we need to contact yourself or any carers.
How much does it cost? We have a simple two-tier fare structure, with charges per customer per
single journey of £2.25 or £3.75 depending on distance travelled. There is also an annual
membership fee of £20.
Special introductory offers apply for the first few months!
SHILLINGTON CHILDMINDERS
Childminders provide safe, friendly home environments for children to play and have fun whilst gently learning through their play. We take children on outings to farms, play centres, splash parks, museums and libraries as well as teach them life skills such as helping to do shopping,
gardening and cooking.
We are registered with Ofsted, have public liability insurance, follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, undertake regular training including Safeguarding and First Aid
and receive regular newsletters and bulletins from professional organisations.
Here in Shillington, we meet up at least once a week to provide children with the opportunity to learn social skills and experience different play resources. The children get to know all the childminders and children which enables us to offer the ability to cover holidays and other
absences for each other.
Some of us are able to provide up to 15 hours of free childcare a week for eligible 2 year olds, as soon as care starts, in the same way that nurseries and pre-schools can. We are also able to provide the free sessions for all 3 and 4 year olds; at least 15 hours per week up to 30 hours
per week (for 38 weeks of the year) depending on parental eligibility and the childminder's policy. The free sessions normally start the term after the child's 3rd birthday. There may be
additional charges to cover e.g. food and outings.
We each have differing childcare availability such as before and after school care, daytime childcare, overnight childcare, ad-hoc care or flexible care e.g. for shift workers.
To find out more about each childminder and their availability, please contact us:
Laura Forgham 01462 713638
Katie Brettell 01462 713054
Deb Pateman 01462 338304
Jo Wright 01462 713999
Carli Mauger 01462 339260
Tips To Keep Your Vehicle Safe
Message Sent By Jon Vale (Police, Communications Officer)
We will do all we can to help prevent vehicle crime, and the tips below can help deter potential offenders and keep your vehicle secure. Ensure all doors, windows and sunroofs are closed and locked when leaving your vehicle unattended. Don’t simply rely on your key fob, as some thieves use ‘jammers’ to intercept the signal between the fob and the car, leaving the vehicle unlocked and vulnerable to theft.
• Don’t leave your keys lying around or visible on a windowsill at home or near a front door, where they could be hooked through the letterbox
• Never leave valuables in your vehicle and keep any other possessions out of sight. Remove your sat nav and its holder and wipe away any window suction marks as these could indicate a sat nav is stored in your vehicle.
• If you use a vehicle for maintenance purposes, it is advisable not to leave tools or other working materials in a vehicle unoccupied or overnight, as works vehicles such as vans are commonly targeted by criminals
• Never leave vehicle documents in your car, as this would make it easy for a thief to sell your car or provide a cover story if stopped by the police
• Consider having anti-theft screws fitted to your number plates to prevent them from being stolen and used on another vehicle
• If advertising your vehicle for sale via an auction style website, ensure its number plates are blocked out in any images you share to avoid others cloning its identity.
• Fit a dual band tracking device that works on both VHF or UHF frequencies and GPS signals to ensure that one tracking system will still function if criminals use GPS blocking techniques to avoid detection. Vehicles with a tracking device are often promptly recovered.
• When using a sat nav, protect your home by not using your actual home postcode in your sat nav or storing your postcode as 'home', to avoid thieves knowing your home address if your vehicle and sat nav are ever stolen
• There is an increasing risk of motorists having their car stolen using a ‘relay attack’. One criminal uses a device to receive the key signal from inside the home, transferring the signal to a second box, which is placed alongside the car. In effect, this tricks the car into ‘thinking’ the key is there, allowing the thieves to unlock the vehicle and drive away. Although the signal can pass through doors, walls and windows, it cannot penetrate metal, so placing the keys inside a metal box, signal blocking wallet or safe will protect your vehicle from a ‘relay attack’.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The next Development Management Committee meeting at CBC, Chicksands will be held on 10 October 2018
DECISIONS from CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL:
CB/02343/FULL: Mrs J Brown, Two Ways, Pegsdon Way, Pegsdon. First floor side extension over existing single storey pitched roof utility space. K-Render finish to property and timber weatherboarding to upper section of dwelling. APPROVED 30/08/18
CB/18/01919/VOC: GCK Developments Ltd, Land Adjacent to 129 Bury Road Variation of condition to planning permission CB/17/00276/FULL to alter the drawing number L-01 to L01 Vari, which indicates a revised plot 2 position on the site, set further back into the site from the highway boundary. WITHDRAWN 19/09/18
CB/18/01965/FULL & CB/18/01966/LB: Mr & Mrs Thwaite, The Old Rectory, Higham Road, Higham Gobion. Demolition of attached single storey garage; two storey front &side extensions (over part existing footprint at side); single storey rear front, side & rear extensions; first & second floor alterations; new garden wall and gates; & residential oil tank and boiler store behind garden wall.
APPROVED 05/09/18
NEW/REVISED APPLICATIONS:
CB/18/02935/FULL. Mr A Boyle, 1 Greenfields Proposed new 2 bed chalet bungalow to rear garden of existing dwelling.
CB/18/03234/VOC. Mr D Gill, Chiltern View Poultry Farm, Higham Road, Higham Gobion. Variation of condition 2 & 3 to planning permission CB/17/01170/FULL (new garage) replace drawing number 2013-746-102 and materials schedule with drawing number 2013-746-102A and garage materials schedule Rev A.
CB/18/03235/VOC. Mr D Gill, Chiltern View Poultry Farm, Higham Road, Higham Gobion. Variation of condition: Replace drawing number 2013-746-101D and materials schedule with drawing number 2013-746-101E and Stable Block Materials schedule Rev A.
CB/18/03287/FULL. Canton Ltd, Land at Hillfoot Road Erection of 19 dwellings, provision of public open space, new accesses off Hillfoot Road, landscaping, re-arrangement of parking provision on Hillfoot Road and all associated ancillary works.
APPEALS:
The Council discussed the appeal by Canton Ltd reference application CB/17/02991/FULL at Hillfoot Road, Shillington (Thomas’ Meadow). Cllr Graham advised she is awaiting a response from Andrew Davey regarding the deadline for lodging an appeal.
Parish Council agreed there are now additional reasons for rejecting this application because:
• Thomas Meadow has now been designated as a special open space
• Draft CBC Local Plan already includes an appropriate allocation for the village (43 houses on the High Road at Marquis Hill) so there is no longer a need for these houses.
• Draft CBC Local Plan designated important green spaces to prevent coalescence and there is one of these to the North of Thomas Meadow.
And will be responding to the Planning Inspectorate accordingly.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
CBC’s trading standards department has provided the following numbers, to assist
residents in identifying doorstep cold callers, purporting to be from energy or water
companies, and enable checks with these organization if any reason for concern.
British Gas General Enquiries 0800 048 0202
EDF Energy Customer services 0800 096 9000
National Gas Emergency Service Helpline 0800-111-999
npower General Enquiries (landline)
General Enquiries (mobile)
0800 073 3000
0330 100 3000
ScottishPower General Customer Service (landline)
General Customer Service (mobile)
0800 027 0072
0345 270 0700
SSE General Enquiries 0800 980 8831
Anglian Water 0800 145 145
UK Power
Networks
To report or get info on power cuts
Text POWER and your postcode to 80876
National number
105
Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ. (www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk) General enquiries .....................................................................0300 300 8000 ([email protected])
Highways ……………………………………………………….…0300-300-8049
Dog Fouling/animal welfare ………………………………..……..0300-300-8302
Flooding ……………………………………….…………………… 0300-300-8049 Planning ................................................................................... 0300-300-8307
Recycling/Flytipping .…………………………………………….. 0300-300-8302 Police (Emergency) ……………………………….……………… 999 Bedfordshire Police ……………………………………..….…….. 101 (non emergency calls, but to report incidents)
Bus Information ………………….………..…. 0870-608-2608 or 01234-228337 Shillington Services (Martin Brogan) for washing machine repairs, etc. 07975-944394
Parish Councillors – contact details:
John Clark 01462 711446
Tracey Forsyth via the Clerk
Alison Graham 01462 713543
Tony Howells 01582 881611
Ben Jepps 01462 711430
Angus McCormick 01462- 712096
David Mott 01462 711222
David Simkins 01462 711209
Sally Stapleton 07711 504489
Derek Turner 01462 712462
VILLAGE FACILITIES
SSHHIILLLLIINNGGTTOONN VVIILLLLAAGGEE HHAALLLL
All enquiries please contact the BOOKING CLERK on
07376-682935 (answerphone facility available) ee--mmaaiill:: [email protected]
Large Hall - Stage - Small Committee Room
Kitchen and Bar Facilities
Disabled access & toilet.
Children’s Parties Discos/Dances Meetings Table Top Sales Exhibitions Zumba Pilates
Occasional Separate Use of Car Park by Prior Arrangement only
Looking for an evening venue for your organisation ?
SHILLINGTON SCHOOL
has a large hall available for hire on weekday evenings.
For further information and an opportunity to view the facility, telephone the School on 01462-711637
SHILLINGTON SOCIAL CLUB Greenfields, Shillington
01462-711795
(FREE WiFi to Club Members)
Usual Opening Hours: Monday, Thursday and Friday from 7.30pm to closing time.
Saturday - 3.00pm to 7.30pm unless special evening function / Sunday - 12 til 4 pm
find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/shillingtonsocialclub
✓ Licensed bar with variety of beers at social club prices – £1 a pint less than
most pubs.
✓ Domino and darts teams.
✓ Regular Artistes and Fund Raising Events and a great Pool Table
✓ Fresh filter coffee.
✓ The Club is a village amenity - why not pop in for a drink or, even better, become a
MEMBER.
VILLAGE CALENDAR
OCTOBER
7 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Angus McCormick – 10.30am
10 Men’s Club – Meal at The Red Lion, Offley
11 Wives Group – “Talk on Cromer Windmill” – Congregational Church – 7.45pm
13 All Saints Church – Grand Quiz & Supper – Village Hall – 7.30pm
14 Congregational Church Service – Dr. Martin Pulbrook – 10.30am
16 Craft Club – Congregational Church – 2.00 to 4.00pm
21 Congregational Church Service – Mrs. Hazel Beadle – 10.30am
24 Men’s Club – Visit to Mullard Astronomy Observatory, Cambridge
25 Wives Group – Cheese & Wine Party – Congregational Church – 7.45pm
28 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Dr. Christopher Hill – 10.30am
29 Playing Field Management Committee Meeting – Social Club – 8.00pm
30 Shillington Lower School – Open Morning – guided tours 10am and 11am
NOVEMBER
1 WI monthly meeting – “Ladies Night Out” – Cheese & Wine and Bring & Buy Social
– Congregational Church – 8.00pm
3 Village Firework Spectacular – Playing Fields – 7.00pm. Stalls open from 4.00pm
4 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Angus McCormick – 10.30am
6 Craft Club – Congregational Church – 2.00 to 4.00pm
6 Parish Council Meeting – Congregational Church – 7.45pm
8 Wives Group – “History of Ladies’ Underwear” – Congregational Church – 7.45pm
9-10 Friends of All Saints – ‘Joy to the World’ Concert – All Saints Church – 7.30pm
11 Village Remembrance Day Service – Congregational Church at 10.00am
13 Men’s Club – Meal at The Crown, Shillington
17 WI – Village Market – Village Hall from 1.00pm to 4.00pm
18 All Saints Church – Remembrance Service for all names on the War Memorial – 9.30am
18 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Dr. Christopher Hill – 10.30am
20 Craft Club – Congregational Church – 2.00 to 4.00pm
22 Wives Group – Xmas Door Garland Demo – Congregational Church – 7.45pm
25 Congregational Church Service – Mr. Andrew Little – 10.30am
25 Old Picture Show – Village Hall – 2.00pm
27 Men’s Club – Henlow Greyhound Racing with Fish & Chip Supper
28 Village Hall Management Committee Meeting – Jubilee Room – 8.00pm
DECEMBER
2 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Angus McCormick – 10.30am
4 Parish Council Meeting – Congregational Church – 7.45pm
7-9 Annual Xmas Tree Festival Weekend – Revd. Angus McCormick - 10.30am & 5.00pm
16 Congregational Church Service – Mrs. Sandra Hare – 10.30am
23 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Angus McCormick – 10.30am
25 Congregational Christmas Day Service – Revd. Angus McCormick – 10.30am
30 Congregational Church United Service with All Saints & Churches in Stondon/ Gravenhurst
– Revd. Angus McCormick – 10.30am