SLIP END PARISH COUNCIL.
Legal action against Bedfordshire County
Council - update.
The situation as of early April is this: in January the
Parish Council voted to launch legal action against
Bedfordshire County Council with a view to closing the
Timberlands Site. To date we have found a solicitor who has
experience with our situation and we are hoping to have a
meeting in April. At our Parish Council meeting on Monday 7
April we have instructed our clerk, Mr David Haste, to
contact the Returning Officer for South Beds. Mr John Ruddick
so that a small election can be held in Slip End later in the
year to find out how many residents would be prepared to
accept a one off £10.00. per household increase on the
Parish Rate next year to supplement the £20,000.00. We are
prepared to pay out from Parish Funds to finance the legal
action. The information about this legal action is very
confusing, not made any better by speculation and rumour
fomented by some parts of the local media. All I can say is,
if you want to know exactly what's going and when, please do
not hesitate to contact any of your local Parish Councillors,
their telephone numbers can be found at the front of the
Parish News. They will be only too happy to keep you up to
date with whatever information they have.
Crime figures for March 2003.
The following are crimes reported for the above period.
Theft of Mail 1. Criminal Damage 1.Interference of Motor
Vehicle 1.Burglary (non dwelling.) 1. Theft of motor vehicle
1.Theft from motor vehicle 5. Theft (other) 1.Assault on
Constable 1. Common assault or battery 1. Please remember to
report all crimes no matter how trivial they may seem to you,
it helps our crime figures.
Beds County Council Community Fund.
Applications are invited from charities and community groups
in Bedford for the annual funding. Closing date is 16 May
2003 and application forms maybe obtained by ringing 01234
228 964.
Beds County Council Hotline.
Do you have a pothole outside your house? Is the street light
two doors down on the blink? Now you can ring just one number
to report anything. BCC Hotline number is 01234 228661. When
you ring and state your problem you will be given a reference
number. If the problem has not been dealt with within a
reasonable time you can ring and give the reference number
and BCC will have to explain what, where, why or how. I know
this sounds yet another ploy for us to do the councils job
for them, but it does simplify matters inasmuch as now
everything is dealt with by ringing one number. Lets see how
well it goes.
That's about all for now, I hope you enjoy your Easter and
certainly hope that the weather stays nice.
Christine Benson.
Chairman, Slip End Parish Council.
SLIP END TENNIS CLUB
The recent heatwave made a pleasant change after lots of rain
and snow(?) throughout January and February. The intrepid (few)
members of the Club who try to play throughout the winter
enjoyed several Sundays that were more like Wimbledon
fortnight than early Spring.
In the Winter months we restrict our competitive tennis to
the Indoor League played at Vauxhall on Sunday evenings. The
opposition is usually very strong but we enjoy the exercise.
However, our Mixed team opened the Summer fixtures on
Thursday 10th April with a victory over Toddington by 16
points to 6 points. As this was the first fixture of the
season we were therefore league leaders. We must now wait
until May for the next fixture.
The courts are still looking good after the refurbishment
that happened last year. If you were a paid-up member last
year you should have received your renewal slip already. If
you were not a member either give Steve a ring on 01582
414162 or come down to the courts on Sunday morning for a
taster. Club Nights will be
on Mondays (family) and Wednesdays (adults) from 5th May.
We will be running the annual Quiz Night on Saturday 10th May
in the Peter Edwards Hall. Tickets are £5 each which
includes fish and chips or chicken and chips. The first round
will start promptly at 8 p.m. and we should finish at 10:30 p.m.
As everyone brings their own liquid refreshment, it makes an
inexpensive night out. We aim for teams of about 6 but we can
make up teams for you. Again ring Steve to book your place
and place your food orders on
01582 414162.
In this year's draw for Wimbledon tickets we only had four
members who had not previously received tickets through the
Club and two of them should receive them this year. If you
join this year you can then go in the draw for next years
Wimbledon tickets at the AGM in March.
Sally has started coaching sessions on Fridays for both
adults and juniors. Give her a ring on 01582 413501 for
further details.
Peter Smith
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Once again, subscriptions are now due!
For the first time for several years we are increasing the
subscription by 50p to £3.50 for the whole year . We hope
you'll agree that this is still excellent value, with more
colour covers on the way!
Please help our valiant distributors by having the correct
money ready when they call.
Many thanks from the
Parish News Committee.
We had a very interesting meeting at the Café # 7 in April
to sort out several issues. The Café makes an excellent
venue for committee meetings so bear it in mind for a
friendly meeting place - with food and drink available to
help you.
In case there are readers who do not know who's who on the
committee - here are some photos taken at the meeting.
David Kingston - Chairman
and Sue Horton, Treasurer
Sue Cowell, Editor
and Brian Church, Distribution
For anyone who hasn't visited the Café yet, there is a
lovely wall full of children's pictures/paintings. It's worth
a visit just to see them and unfortunately the photo below
doesn't do it justice. Crayons and paper available there for
any future artists.
Café #7 in Manor Way, Caddington
MURIEL'S COLUMN
Hello to all of the village people. I am
sorry that I have not been writing over the past few months
but quite frankly there has not been a thing to write about.
However I keep getting asked to think of something so I will
give it a try this month.
The village still looks the same and the good folks who live
here although I myself don't see a lot of them as I love to
get out and about whilst my age and health allows me to.
There was a village hall meeting last night, 14th March but I
have not a lot to report on, except that the committee is
planning to install a new camera to give a wider berth over
the area, which may improve things so we must wait and see.
I must add that the car park really looks nice and gives the
hall a sophisticated look. I also said that I would ask a
question to the public as to whether anyone out there will
voluntary give a hand to help spring clean the hall as
although the caretaker does keep it looking lovely we do need
a strong young chap or two to clean the paintwork around the
window frames as it is an arduous job for a woman and also it
would be nice to become part of the community by volunteering
but of course it is entirely up to you (let me know).
Well, the old village still looks the same and now we have
the brighter weather it looks even more dismal (my opinion
only). The same one corner shop that thankfully sells
everything especially for the people who cant get to town. I
was going to suggest that we pressed for a speed camera along
the Markyate Road as I am sure the sign means nothing but the
orange box may deter the long-standing speeding along the
tempting stretch of road from the cross roads to Markyate but
not being a council member myself I don't know how to start
going about it, Any advice on that please? Well, we are now
having lovely weather and the gardens are beginning to come
into bloom so at least the wonders of nature will cheer one
up around the village (even for me).
I noticed that the magazine last month was not very full with
very little to read, so that is perhaps another reason why I
felt like writing, because some bits may interest you - and
some may not. I haven't seen many young people roaming around
the place whilst the Easter holidays are on and I miss saying
hello to them (where are you all hiding?).
Getting away from the village and moving into Caddington for
a moment, I would like to say how wonderful the new café is
- so clean, courteous staff and a lovely meeting place for
the shoppers living there. Lets hop it continues as so many
people enjoy that chat over a cup of tea. Also the lovely
bread that one can now buy at the paper shop in Caddington,
that comes from the Markyate bakery.
I am not intending to advertise by writing these things but
it is nice to know that these things are on sale to the
public by going a shorter distance to buy exactly what the
public need. I know the village shop in Slip End sell the
same thing, also very nice but if the Caddington public know
about the bread they can buy in their own village it may save
a lot of running around to get it. My sons told me about it
or I would never have known myself.
As I sit here trying to think what can I write to give
interesting reading and by the the time you all read what I
have written it will be the month of May I can honestly say
that there is nothing to write about this village unless I
walk around with my note book and pen like a freelance
reporter then I could come up with notes of interest to you
all but one has to be careful these days, what one writes or
be in trouble, so if this months report on nothing is
uninteresting, I apologise but some you readers will know
what I mean. That is all for now and I promise that I will
try to do better next time.
Muriel
Editor - Yes, Muriel, I noticed the PN was a bit thin on the
ground last month but if I don't get the news - I can't print
it! Thanks for your bits of news and glad to hear someone
giving the café a good name. Sarah and Chris McGaughey have
worked hard to get it going.
LAUGHTER
A talented photographer was invited to dinner
with friends, and took along a few pictures to show the
hostess. She looked at the photographs and commented: "These
are very good! You must have a good camera." The
photographer was rather annoyed at this, but didn't make any
comment - until he was leaving to go home. He said to the
hostess: "That was a really delicious meal" You
must have some very good pots."
A husband and wife sat in their lounge when suddenly the man
said: I'm going down to the pub for a bit, so put your coat
on." His wife, taken aback, replied "Darling, are
you taking me with you?" The man replied: "No, I'm
turning the heat off."
A boy is about to go on his first date and wonders what to
talk about. He asks his father for advice. The father replies:
"Son, there are three subjects that always work. These
are food, family and philosophy." So the boy and his
date go to a burger bar, and sit staring at each other for a
long time. He remembers his father's advice, and chooses the
first topic. He asks the girl: "Do you like spinach?"
She says "No" and the silence returns. Then the boy
turns to the second item on the list, and asks: "Do you
have a brother?" Again the girl says "No" and
there is silence once again. The boy then plays his last card.
He thinks of his father's advice and asks the girl the
following question: "If you had a brother, would he like
spinach?"
It was mealtime on a small airline, and the flight attendant
asked a passenger if he would like dinner. "What are the
choices?" he asked. "Yes or no," replied the
attendant.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
The year seems to be flashing by very quickly and before long
we will be thinking towards Christmas and of course starting
organising, collecting and making up the show-boxes for the
very needy children that love receiving them. We are already
collecting little items and making hats, gloves and scarves
to go in the boxes. We have been given some wool, so if there
is anyone around, or you know anyone who likes to knit please
contact Teresa Willson on 01582 482681.
There is also going to be a knitting club which will meet at
the Family Room in St Andrews so if you would like to go and
join others and try your hand at some simple knitting please
do go along - you will receive a warm welcome.
Tony and Teresa Willson, Brenda McMichael and myself went
along to the Operation Christmas Child seminar which took
place in Reading recently. We met lots of volunteers and were
given lots of information and help with regards to setting up
a warehouse to help with the shoe-boxes that are lovingly
donated for this area and also the Milton Keynes area which
will be joining us this year. Teresa will be looking for
volunteers for helping in the warehouse and for drivers to
collect the boxes in late October, November and December. Do
bear it in mind if you want to help this very worthwhile
cause. I will be printing more information at a later date.
Sue Cowell
Small child with her 'love-in-a-box'
Tony, Teresa and Brenda after the seminar
Some of the posters on display
Sue and Tony after a rewarding day.
KNITTING CLUB
'Learn to Knit' or just meet up with other
willing volunteers to enjoy an evening amongst friends whilst
knitting for the shoe-boxes. Hats, gloves and scarves are all
essential items as a lot of the shoe-boxes go to countries
that are very cold. The organizers have some knitting
patterns but are always on the look-out for more so if you
have any patterns or wool or needles they would be most
appreciated. Don't worry if you don't have anything, as you
will be provided with the necessary equipment! What they need
are lots of people just to turn up and help. Refreshments
will be available and if enough people are interested it
could become a permanent fixture. The first meeting is on
June 17th at 7.30pm in the Family Room at St Andrews Church.
For any more information please contact Mary Barker on 01582
738435.
Just some of the exciting accessories to knit.
Driving through Woodside recently I noticed that at least
there were some people
celebrating that it had been St George's Day on April 23rd -
Well done the Plough.
A special mention also to William Shakespeare who was born on
April 23rd and a copy of his Sonnet 30.
Is This Me?
Who am I? What am I?
What makes me what I am?
The you see, is it really me?
Or is it the you want to be?
Is it as I am now?
Was yesterday's a different me
From the me I'll be tomorrow?
When you look at me, can you see
Everything that has happened to me?
Events, exchanges and emotions
That fill every moment of every day,
Are added to me,
And make me the me that I am now.
But tomorrow's me will be different.
Sue Hudspith
and with May fast approaching we say goodbye to April with a poem about Shakespeare by Patience Strong.
Shakespeare
From the corners of the globe all
creeds and colours meet
In the humble cottage of a little
Stratford street,
And pilgrims walk the meadows
where the Avon winds its way
The fields where Shakespeare must
have dreamed on many an April day.
Sacred are the trees that cast their shade about his head.
Hallowed are the cobblestones
that echoed to his tread,
The boy who won a poet's crown
of immortality
And carved a matchless name upon
the scroll of history.
But that was yesterday-
The outlook was a gloomy one
And I had lost my way.
I saw no hope, no sign, no sun,
But that was yesterday.
and finally a poem for May Day - what's happened to the children dancing round the maypole? I remember some lovely days watching my children dancing at the school and celebrating the arrival of May.
May Day
May Day conjures up the picture
of a merry scene.
Children dancing round the maypole
on the village green.
May Day was a day for play and
long awaited joys,
For dairy maids and shepherd lads
and laughing girls and boys….
May Day takes us back to that great
age in history -
When poets sang with silver tongues
and Drake was on the sea.
For when we see our lovely land bedecked in May's gay dress -
We think of Merrie England and the days of good Queen Bess.
Sue Cowell, Editor
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