PARISH NEWS

covering SHILLINGTON, & HIGHAM GOBION www.shillington.org.uk

SHILLINGTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY ANNUAL FLOWER & VEGETABLE SHOW

Saturday, 16th September 2017 SHILLINGTON VILLAGE HALL

Doors open at 2.30pm  Entrance £1.00

Schedules and entry forms now available from the Secretary - Helen Copeland [email protected]  01462-713144

Issue 131 - August 2017 Deadline for October edition – Friday, 29 September 2017 PARISH COUNCIL

CENTRAL COUNCIL – LOCAL PLAN

CBC have now produced their draft local plan for further public consultation and we would urge you to visit their website or write to them providing feedback on the various options they are proposing. This consultation is open until 29th August 2017.

This plan sets out how will develop over the next 20 years and will control how this development happens in the right places, fits in with the character of Bedfordshire and has the appropriate infrastructure to support it – i.e. schools, services, retail, leisure and community facilities.

The plan has been developed with input from residents at the various community planning events held earlier in the year, as well as considering existing, potential and new transport infrastructure. These events highlighted the importance of keeping the character of Central Bedfordshire, limit the impact on our countryside, plan for affordable homes as well as for the older generation, make sure our roads can cope, plan for local jobs and services and build near existing roads and infrastructure and use brownfield sites.

Of the 20 sites put forward for Shillington during the ‘Call for Sites’, 7 have come through the first round following preliminary assessments, these being:

• ALP026 - land at Apsley End Road • ALP166 – land at the north of New Walk • ALP167 – land to the south and east of High Road • ALP275 – land off New Walk • ALP402 – land at New Walk • NLP188 – land North of Dawes Garage • NLP243 – The Gables, Land at New Walk

Further public comments are invited on these sites for the next round of considerations by CBC before the pre-submission plan is again open for public comment in Spring 2018. There will be further community planning events later 2017 to early 2018.

THOMAS’ MEADOW – NEW APPLICATION - CB/17/02991

Another application has now appeared, albeit with less dwellings than submitted in the earlier application last November. The same very relevant and valid reasons still exist as to why this development should not be supported and village residents are again making their views known to the planning officer. Parish Council will be discussing this application at a planning meeting on 1st August (sorry again not given sufficient notice to publish here in time). We were very pleased to hear that as part of CBC’s Community Plan consultation they have made the decision to now identify Thomas’ Meadow as ‘open space’.

For all Parish Council issues please currently contact: Mrs. K. Cousins, Clerk to the Parish Council 20A Vicarage Close, Shillington, Hitchin, Herts, SG5 3LS.  01462 713567 email: [email protected] website: www.shillington.bedsparishes.gov.uk VACANCY FOR CLERK TO PARISH COUNCIL

Shillington Parish Council has a vacancy for Clerk to Council, following the resignation of Mrs. Karen Cousins after 22 years of service.

The Parish Council has 10 elected members and we have formal monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of the month (apart from August). There are occasional extra meetings associated with planning applications and budget setting.

The position is part time, working from home, with hours of approximately 42.5 per month. Hours are flexible, but it is important to be available to attend monthly Parish Council meetings.

Salary is in accordance with Scale LC1 and conditions are in accordance with NALC (National Association of Local Councils) standard employment contracts for part-time Clerks, which will depend on experience and qualifications. Previous local government experience/CiLCA qualification would be desirable, but full training will be provided. Additional payments are made for hours worked over the norm.

Allowances are paid for use of a room, storage of equipment and documents, heating and lighting and internet access. Telephone line rental and calls on behalf of the Council are also paid, as is a travel allowance when using own car on Council business.

Summary of job description:

• ensure that the council conducts its business lawfully • administer all the council’s paperwork • ensure that meeting papers are properly prepared and the public is aware of meeting times • implement the council’s decisions • oversee the implementation of projects • keep legal documents • keep up to date by training/qualification • maintain a basic parish council website and Facebook page

The Clerk is also the Responsible Financial Officer and duties include:

• managing budgets and all aspects of any business transaction • completing VAT returns • producing annual returns for assessment by external auditors • accounting responsibilities (cash flow, etc)

Candidates wishing to apply for this important role should send their CV detailing previous experience to the Parish Council Chair: Mrs. Sally Stapleton – [email protected]

Closing date for applications is Friday, 18th August 2017. ANNOUNCEMENTS / ITEMS / NEWS IN BRIEF

A big THANK YOU to family and friends for the lovely gifts, cards and good wishes on the occasion of our Diamond Wedding anniversary on 29th June. John & Ann Clark

Afternoon teas will be served by the Flower Team in All Saints Church on Monday, 28th August (bank holiday) from 1-5 pm. Local ‘makers’ will also be exhibiting their wares so please do pay us a visit…..

CHURCH HILL ALLOTMENTS

The rents are now due for payment at the end September. Anyone wishing to cancel or make payment please contact David Simkins Rosehill Farm.  711209.

Liz & Dick Brewer would like to thank all who contributed to “The Garden Lunch” held on 2nd July, either by preparing food, donating raffle prizes, or lending chairs and tables, etc. It was a great success.

May I take this opportunity to say a big THANK YOU to Shillington Care Volunteers who have taken me to numerous hospital appointments over the past months and continue to do so, particularly Liz Brewer.

They also collect my prescriptions from the surgery. What would I have done without them?

Thanks again…… Sylvia Ansell

Dog Fouling

Will the irresponsible dog owner(s) who walk their pets down the pathway between Church Street and Vicarage Close (beside the Congregational Church) please carry a bag so you can clear up the deposited mess.

Last week (18 July) the excrement was along the path, and particularly around the steps at the side entrance to the Church. Please be considerate to the people who use the pathway as a short cut into Church Street. Thank you in anticipation!

Letter from the Vicar

Richard Winslade The Vicarage, Shillington  01462-713311 [email protected]

Dear Friends

On Thursday the 6th July I celebrated the 20th anniversary of my ordination as a Priest and on the 10th July my 21st anniversary of ordination as a Deacon. It took me a long time to accept my calling to ordained ministry and it was not a decision I entered into without serious thought. Ordination is a life changer for all who enter into it but it is also a life changer for the person’s family and friends.

Before each ordination service those to be ordained go on retreat together. Here they are led by a senior clergy person to reflect on the great privilege and responsibility of ordained ministry. There are staff on hand to deal with the invertible moments of panic.

I clearly remember my panic moment before being ordained as Deacon. The thought of such a life changing decision and whether I was able to serve God in the way he wanted me to became over whelming. I decided to go for a wander around the grounds of the retreat house desperately sending up prayers as I went. As I paused by the boundary wall deep in prayer and wondering how I would cope with such responsibility so the sound of a familiar hymn floated over the wall from the school assembly next door. The hymn was ‘One more step along the world I go’. Reflecting on the words which reassures us of God’s presence with us as we journey through our lives brought hope and comfort to a panicking ordinand. I still love that hymn and its simple reassurance of God walking with us through the highs and lows of life and his promise to strengthen us in our times of challenge and new adventures.

There will be many of you facing challenges in life at the moment whether it be big decision or illness or other life changing situations such as changing schools. Remember that God walks with you too.

Richard 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 Humphries : 01462-711557 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected].

Church Services:

• 9.30am – Sung Eucharist - every 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sunday.

• On 5th Sunday some services are held jointly with the Congregational Church at alternate venues.

• 1st Sunday of the month: 9.30 am - Family Service / 6.00 pm - Choral Evensong

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.

Sunday Club:

Unfortunately, at present, we are not able to run a Sunday Club. We welcome children to all our services and have a play area available.

Special Services:

10th September - 6pm - Sung Evensong at St. Mary's Gravenhurst with Bishop Richard

1st October – 9.30am - Harvest Festival

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 will be taking annual leave on 4th September - 9th September, however is please to accept non-urgent messages via voice mail. Alternatively, either of the church wardens can be contacted in his absence.

200 Club winners June 2017 July 2017 1st £50 129 Christine Ashwell 1st £50 082 Kevin Lee 2nd £25 154 John Maddox 2nd £25 018 David Walsh 3rd £10 074 Liz Brewer 3rd £10 185 Kelly Brown

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

In loving memory of Trevor Jones who Maureen Jones passed away 2nd July 2015. A loving Sunday Saturday husband, father and grandfather. We all 2 July 8 July miss him more as time goes by.

Paul & Ros On the occasion of our granddaughter Sunday 13 Saturday Taylor Emma's second birthday August 19 August

In loving memory of Margaret Mullen, a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and The Mullen Sunday Saturday great grandmother, who passed away on Family 27 August 2 September 28th August 2012. We will always love and miss you.

In loving memory of my dear husband, the late Ron Blaxill, on the occasion of our Golden Wedding Anniversary on 9th Sunday Saturday Mary Blaxill September. 3 September 9 September Also his 75th birthday on 16th September. Miss you every day

Eric 'Jim' West's birthday on the 19th Sunday Pamela and Saturday September. Always remembered and in 17 Daren Bakewell 23 September our thoughts. September

Denise, Claire, Birthday memories of our dear friend Sunday Saturday Jane, Liz and Tracey Kindley - always in our hearts 9 October 15 October Julia

David & Fiona Donald MacKinnon - remembering your Sunday Saturday Howarth birthday on 31st October 25 October 31 October

SHILLINGTON SHORT MAT BOWLS

Our AGM was held at the end of June and attracted a strong attendance. Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Competition Secretary and Club Captain were re-elected unopposed.

Business of the evening concerned changes to the annual subscription, up £5 to £10, and to session times; It was decided that we close for the whole of July and August and resume on the first Monday in September which this year is the 4th. Further discussion on session times was that Monday times would change to 2pm to 5pm, Friday times remaining at 7pm till 10pm, these continuing through the whole year.

On the subject of competitions it was agreed that a change of Club affiliation from Northamptonshire to Hertfordshire would usefully expand opportunities for both County and Friendly matches for members who wished to improve their competitive game.

The meeting concluded with the presentation of trophies for the annual club competitions by Chair of the Parish Council Sally Stapleton.

Our summer social will be a BBQ at the Musgrave Arms with entertainment by ‘The Last of the Summer Ukes’ a lively Ukelele band from who play for charity.

For further information:  Jeff Rix 01462 711298

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Well – in spite of a rather lovely warm, dry and sunny summer so far, we managed to pick two particularly wet days for our Strawberry Tea and our Summer Buffet!! However, this didn’t stop us having a really good time – we know how to enjoy ourselves whatever the weather! We had a great afternoon indoors at Julia Bruce’s house for the Strawberry Tea – with delicious home baked scones and juicy strawberries and were very lucky to be able to have our Summer Buffet in one of Jeff Redman’s Barns. Thank you very much to those who made this possible.

Our June Speaker – John Stirling – was very entertaining when he talked about his life as an Actor and then a Producer – having worked on many popular TV programmes and with a lot of “Stars”. He also talked about his current work with his wife – saving donkeys throughout the world!

The long awaited talk by Amanda Shipman on Japanese Gardens took us on a tour of Japan with all its amazing gardens and the philosophy behind them. A very serene journey!

We now have a Summer break but with a Family picnic and trip to Wimpole Hall Farm planned over the Summer – hopefully with better weather!

We return on Thursday, 7th September to a talk on Aromatherapy which we are all looking forward to. We also have a theatre trip to “The Stables” in September.

BOOK NOW FOR OUR “VILLAGE MARKET” – COMING IN NOVEMBER!!!

If you, or anyone you know, would be interested in booking a table at our Village Market on Saturday, November 18th, please ring Jill on 01462 711533 or Jo on 01462 711051 to book. Tables will be £6 or £10 for a double. We welcome Crafts, food items or Pre-loved items or please call to discuss anything else that you may wish to sell!

• Book Club – currently reading “This Boy” – Alan Johnson • Lunch Club – recently met at “The Raven” in Hexton • Walking Club – to resume in September • Craft Club – will also resume in September

For details, please call either of the numbers below. Do come and give us a try. We meet on the first Thursday of each month at the Congregational Church at 8.00 p.m. and welcome Visitors at a price of only £3!

For more information call: Liz Brewer – President on 711594 or Jill Russell – Secretary on 711533

1ST SHILLINGTON SCOUT TROOP

On the 20th – 21st May members of 1st Shillington Scout Troop, enjoyed a weekend of Mountain Biking in Thetford Forest. Over the two days the Scouts covered a distance of 40km on their cycles, following forest tracks and trails.

In September the Scouts are planning another Mountain Biking weekend at Cannock Chase in Staffordshire.

The Scouts enjoyed a warm weekend in July at Phasel’s Wood Scout Activity Centre, near Hemel Hempstead. Saturday was spent Paintballing followed by a camp fire, in the evening Scouts were allowed to sleep “under the stars” with the option to use their tents if they wished.

WIVES GROUP

A good programme of speakers has now been book for our next session which commences on September 14th when we hope to welcome back old and new members.

We are an independent relaxed group of ‘young at heart’ ladies so why not join us on September 14th 2017 at the Congregational Church at 7.45 p.m.

If you want more information contact Pauline (711711) or Janet (711402).

Meetings for Classic Cars & Sports Cars

New venue: The Musgrave Arms Apsley End Road, Shillington

We start gathering at around 6pm, feel free to turn up at anytime during the evening.

Future dates Monday 21 August Monday 18 September

For those of you who are new to this event. This is a gathering of enthusiasts and it costs nothing to attend. Simply bring along your interesting vehicle or just come to look at the cars and have a chat.

Dave Malins - Organiser [email protected]

SHILLINGTON MEN’S CLUB (Now in its 12th Year)

The Men’s Club continues to be very active and here you will see a review of past events and a list of future events.

May, June and July Events

Bletchley Park: Six members made the visit for a guided tour of the Bletchley Park Computer Museum. It was amazing to see all those old computers, some of which are still operational. Our guide was very knowledgeable and informative which made the visit even more interesting. Thanks to Michael Bradley for organising this event.

Raven at Hexton: Another good turn out of 23 members to enjoy ham, eggs, beans and chips followed by a very tasty fruit crumble. Great food and excellent service. Thanks to Paul Bruce for organising this meal.

Leighton Buzzard Railway: The Preservation Society is now 50 years old and some of the steam locomotives are 100 years old. The railway is a non- profit charitable organisation run by an army of volunteers. It is one of ’s finest and longest narrow gauge steam railways and has a length of some 3 miles. It was originally built in 1919 to transport sand from the various quarries and to be exported all over the World. We had a reserved coach pulled by a steam locomotive for the three mile trip. Eleven members attended this visit on a very warm summer’s day. Thanks to Michael for organising this event.

White Horse in Southill: For a change members had a choice of menu, Moohog pie (beef and pork) or chicken in a leek sauce, this was followed by a choice of Pavlova or Cheesecake for a sweet. Great meal attended by 22 members. Thanks to Paul for organising this meal.

Royal Gunpowder Mills in Waltham Abbey: Fifteen members made this private fully guided visit. The site has some three hundred years of history in the development and manufacture of gunpowder and cordite. We first visited the rocket and guided missile museum and then on the land train to tour this enormous site, which occupies some several hundred acres. Finally, we visited the museum which explains in detail the manufacture of gunpowder and cordite and then to the Armoury, which has a magnificent display of guns, mortars and other interesting armaments. Thanks to Michael for organising this event.

Future Events:

• 9th August Annual BBQ at the Musgrave arms. • 16th August Visit to the Henry Moore Foundation. Members and partners. • 6th September Visit to Letchworth Model Railway Society.

• 13th September Meal at the Star and Garter at . • 27th September Visit to Chilford Hall Vineyard. • 11th October Meal at the Red Lion in Offley. • 26th October Visit to Peacock’s Auction Rooms. Insight with wine and cheese.

We have a Committee of six elected members who meet every twelve weeks to review past events, organise future events and to review our finances.

We now have 38 members. Why not come along to one of our events for a sampler, you will be made most welcome and there is no obligation to join. Membership is only £5 to join with an annual membership fee of £10.

For further information please contact the Events Co-ordinator:

Michael Bradley  01462 711162 - email [email protected]

or Chairman: Graham Williams  01462 713468 - email [email protected]

VILLAGE HALL

The AGM of the Village Hall Management Committee was held on 26th July. The following trustees were elected to the committee – Sue Chalmers continues as Chair, with Sally Stapleton as Vice-Chair and Katie Brettall as Secretary.

Naomi Saul, who has been holding dual positions of both Booking Secretary over the last 18 years and latterly Treasurer following the sad passing of Eric, had indicate her intention to stand down from these positions at the AGM. She was thanked for all of her hard work and efforts over this period and was presented with a basket of flowers on her retirement. She has very kindly offered to support new encumbents as they get to grips with the challenges ahead.

Denise Randall has kindly stepped forward as Treasurer and Margaret Johnson as Booking Secretary. Both ladies have been trustees on the committee over several years. A new mobile phone number is now available to make bookings or enquiries (07376-682935) and a new e-mail address will be available shortly.

The Hall continues to hold its own in terms of bookings, although we are entering the quiet period during the summer holidays. We have now committed to some internal decoration to keep the Hall in a good condition to attract bookers. We had thought the new Community Building would be underway by now and hope the newly submitted planning application will receive support and approval.

Other committee members are: David Simkins, John Clark and Karen Radford

ECO AWARENESS AT SHILLINGTON LOWER

More and more of us are realising that our future depends on protecting the health and wellbeing of our children and the planet. To do so we must educate new generations of citizens with the skills to solve the global environmental problems we face. At Shillington Lower we are doing just that!

Shillington Lower has a very active eco-council made up of ten children, led by Mrs. Mossop and supported by our eco-governor, Carol Summerfield. Through our endeavours to make our school community eco-aware we have already been awarded the bronze and silver eco-awards and on Thursday, 22nd June 2017 we reached our final goal gaining the prestigious Green Flag award.

Our eco-council have led many initiatives in school such as saving water, saving electricity, ’Walk to school week’ and reduce/recycle/reuse. We have also been involved in many eco-days including empty classroom day, and ‘Clean for the Queen’.

To help deliver our eco messages and share eco ideas we have welcomed many visitors including Pete Hughes (Central Bedfordshire Schools Energy Officer) who shared a bicycle to power a printer and Michelle Marley (Waste Education Officer) who taught us how to recycle and make paper. The school has also had an energy audit to identify any further ways we can be saving energy – we have had new hall windows fitted that should insulate our hall much better and we have explored the possibility of having solar panels on the school roof so that we can generate our own electricity.

This year we are promoting our gardening focus. We have become members of the RHS Campaign for School Gardening and have recently been awarded our level 1 & 2 certificates. We are very lucky to have a beautiful, big garden with four large vegetable plots and wildflower beds to attract the wildlife. We also have a pond and wildlife area which we have been busy tidying up. We have sown courgettes, which we hope to enter into the Shillington Vegetable Show the second Saturday in September.

We have also sown tomato plants which the children will take home in July and look after over the summer break. In September we will invite the children to bring back the tomatoes they have harvested to use in a cookery lesson to make tasty tomato sauce to be included in our lunch menu.

If you are interested in our eco-initiatives or can support our eco journey in any way we would love to hear from you; please contact Sarah or Jenny in the school office.

We are working to protect our future …. are you? Shillington Lower  01462 7122637 c STANDARDS By Revd. Angus McCormick  01462- 712096 Minister of Shillington Congregationalist Church

Hearing about whether or not men should wear ties to work made me think how important school uniform has been for many schools. It was zero tolerance at my school. I read about some boys wearing skirts recently as part of a protest at school. Mind you, it’s like men wearing shorts now – it was the Hong Kong police in Empire days or some African militias who wore shorts.

There is a thin line between acceptable fashion and standards of dress; though where does one start and the other finish? Clergy garb or dress is a good example. It was a sign of vocation and poverty, though some clergy were rich absentee landlords and set heavy fines on miscreants. Other clergy remained poor and their widows were often homeless. It was setting a clear standard against worldly gain and selfishness.

Standards come at a cost. Rather than dig deep into our own pockets and keep to our standards, we get ‘sponsors’ or seek others to share the cost.

In the Bible, the story we know as the Good Samaritan tells of a man of means who was prepared to help all he could financially a stranded and wounded stranger. He had a sense of giving that was a standard hard to follow.

Jesus also tells of a poor widow who gave all she had to help another, and a rich, righteous man is told sell all his belongings if he is serious about keeping the standards of his faith.

No wonder keeping standards is controversial, or really more for the realms of fantasy and the few practising religions than for everyday folks.

Mind you, democracy can play havoc with standards. The conflict between integrity, conscience and a majority can be simply that no-one wins and the other loses. We need no reminder of Hitler’s antics in the Reichstag.

To thine own self be true, or maybe it’s more comfortable to go with the flow and keep friendships.

As holidays, or, holy days, come upon us, maybe we can reflect and decide again to choose what our own real standards are. If our commitment to our standards is half- hearted and inconsistent, then they are not really worth worrying about.

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 on a Sunday morning. Details of who is leading the service each week can be found in the village calendar.

Socials:

After the summer break the forthcoming dates of the Saturday Socials are as follows:

23 September - Christian Choir 14 October - Merv - Guitar and Vocals November - No social 9 December - Christmas Meal – Woburn Trefoil Guild - Handbells playing Christmas tunes and carols

All the socials start at 7.00pm so don’t be late! Each social starts with a meal and if you wish to know the menu or book a seat please contact Angela on 01462 850266.

Christmas Tree Festival

We are holding the Christmas Tree Festival once again which will be over the period Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd December 2017. The chosen charity for this year is Pancreatic Cancer Research. Please put the dates in your diary. Further details will be available in the autumn.

Food Bank Collection Point

Recently some youngsters in the village approached Angus, and asked how they could help children and families who were less fortunate than themselves. After discussion with the youngsters it was decided to organise a food bank.

The church is now a collection point for the Bedford food bank and any tinned items would be welcome. The aim is that all donations will be taken to the food bank after our Harvest Festival, which is to held on Sunday, 3rd September 2017. Visitors welcome.

The specific items that have been requested at the moment are: tinned tomatoes; rice pudding; pasta hoops; tuna; custard; jars of jam; UHT milk and/or UHT fruit juice; packets of cup-a- soup. Donations may be taken to the church whenever it is open. It is planned that we will continue to collect items from September up until Christmas. All support would be appreciated to help those in need.

Craft Club

The next meeting dates are as follows: 1 & 22 August  5 & 19 September  17 & 31 October - between 2pm and 4pm

Visitors welcome. For further details please contact Janet Worley  01582 881824

CBC WARD MEMBER’S REPORT for Shillington, Higham Gobion and Pegsdon

[email protected]  01462 713543

As ever, local news first. A new application for a reduced number of houses, but essentially the same format as before, has been submitted to CBC, for Thomas's Meadow. I have spoken to the officer dealing with this one, and as I write, he is minded to reject it. I have however, called it in to committee just to be on the safe side. I see the village is reacting as strongly as it did before.

I have been assured by our area technician that Shillington is now at the top of the list for refreshing our white lines. Apsley End is particularly dangerous. I know this is not what its residents wanted to hear, but he says that after an inspection, Church View Avenue is not deemed to be so fundamentally bad as to need resurfacing.

Lastly, and importantly, the CBC Local Plan, a draft of which is now available for public consultation on the CBC website. This consultation will last for eight weeks instead of the statutory six, because it runs across the summer holidays. It is a twenty year plan, to create between 20,000 and 30,000 houses and 30,000 jobs. The critical criterion is that an appropriate infrastructure is in place, alongside these developments. This will include an east-west railway, improved road systems for better connectivity as well as new schools and medical facilities.

Currently the high level options include a new market town, four new large villages, expansion south of the and north of Houghton Regis. Not all of these will be confirmed however. In terms of the effect on us, the rural villages, in total about 2,000 new houses will be added to the total number of CBC villages. This will mean a 'modest' number of houses in each village, and only where this 'can be supported by existing services or where development will enhance these, and there is good accessibility'. In many areas the new concept of a health clinic is also to be incorporated; this, as you know, I am campaigning for in this ward.

From the original call for sites, which produced 850 land offers, planning officers have retained only 200. This was decided by assessing them against initial criteria, such as, is the land on a flood plain? These 200 will now have to be considered against all CBC's newly re invigorated policies. So it is very unlikely that the 19 sites around this village will be built! Finally, CBC recently called high level police officers to a meeting to explain why was the only force in England to be rated inadequate. As we know, the reason is underfunding for a rural force which has to deal with Luton and its airport. However, I spoke for the villages, to explain exactly why teams with fine sounding names were fine on paper, but were not able to make any difference to us, on the ground. Watch the CBC webcast!

I hope we can all have a truly relaxing summer, at home or elsewhere. I shall be away for a few days, so if I don't get back to your calls immediately, my apologies. I shall, as soon as I get back.

Best wishes, Alison Graham.

RAMBLING ON Derek Turner – 01462-712462. [email protected]

The vibrant greens of spring have faded and now we’ve reached high summer in the countryside, many of the wildflowers have gone to seed and the harvest has begun, threatening to fill the air with dust. So unless you’re escaping to the coast or the hills, this can be a good time of year to take a closer look at England’s many historic buildings. Stately piles like Woburn Abbey and Wrest Park are close at hand and if you’re frugal, you can admire their impressive frontages for free as both are passed by public footpaths. But why go there when plenty of architectural gems grace our towns and villages, and where better to start than in Shillington?

Our village has 37 buildings (comprising 46 homes) that are considered to be worthy of conserving for future generations to enjoy by Historic England. All these ‘listed’ buildings were built before Queen Victoria ascended to the throne in 1837 and the oldest of the lot, All Saints Church, gets the highest rating and level of protection - grade 1.

The other 36 are all listed grade 2 and comprise of the oldest houses in Church Street and others scattered around the ‘Ends’. There are 3 more grade 2 houses in Pegsdon and 4 in Higham Gobion. Also listed are the gates of Shillington Manor and those at the end of Hexton Manor’s grounds in Pegsdon. In Higham, St Margaret’s church gets a 2 star listing. Nestling close to Shillington’s boundary, Pirton Grange and three sets of its outbuildings have a similar rating, as does Westhey Manor which is just in Barton parish.

Listing can be a pain for owners who want to make repairs or add on extensions as they have to jump through extra hoops to get planning permission and pay through the nose for high quality materials and skilled craftsmen to install them. Fortunately, most owners are proud of their unique buildings, accept that living in them comes with cons as well as pros and keep them well-maintained. For all or us, they help to give the village its special character and provide distinctive landmarks.

The listing system was introduced after the war during which many mansions and grand public buildings had been damaged or destroyed by bombing. Humble dwellings weren’t considered to be of great importance then but Historic England have become more flexible in recent decades and added a wide range of homes for working people and structures from different eras including bridges, factories, milestones and telephone boxes.

Sadly, Shillington’s youngest and most modest listed building, a rare example of a pair of workers’ cottages from about 1820 at 19 Bury Road, was badly damaged by fire on 18 April. Since then, the owner, who had left the building unoccupied for the best part of two decades, has done nothing to protect the remaining structure from deterioration and we wait to see whether it will be reconstructed.

This building dates from a time when every area had a distinct suite of architectural styles that had evolved in response to the availability of local materials, the whims of those commissioning the work and the skills of the local builders.

Just a few decades later, houses had become mass-produced, as the rows of mid to late Victorian terraced cottages in Shillington demonstrate.

At a time when developers are circling like vultures to devour Shillington’s fields and throw up as many homes as quickly and as cheaply as possible, the chance that any of these new buildings will one day achieve listed status looks very remote indeed.

Heritage Open Days

For those who appreciate the built environment, September is always an important month as Heritage Open Days take place when many special places fling open their doors to the public for a day or two. As I write, this year’s participants include Queen Anne’s summerhouse in the woods of the Shuttleworth Estate, the Tudor stone-built Willington dovecote with its remarkable stepped gables and the walled garden at Luton Hoo which is being restored after years of neglect. This year’s Heritage Open Days take place between 7 & 10 September.

If you are going away then, there are buildings all over England that are worth visiting. Look them up at https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk

The London version, Open House London, takes place on the following weekend, 16 & 17 September, and I find it astonishing just how diverse are the 750 plus entries. Flagship buildings like the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the Midland Hotel above St Pancras station, the Royal Albert Hall and the Shard attract huge crowds and have to be booked in advance.

Less popular but with shorter queues and no less interesting are the diverse range of buildings that make a great city function - town halls, churches, public baths, sewage pumping stations, health centres, clubs and crematoria to name but a few. There are also homes of many periods, including many ‘Grand Designs’, and even blocks of flats which might not normally catch the eye but have fascinating stories behind them.

Find out about this year’s selection at http://www.openhouselondon.org.uk

Also taking place in September between the 9th & 17th is the Bedfordshire Walking Festival featuring a wide range of walks lasting from 1 hour to all day. See https://www.bedswalkfest.co.uk

Come and Explore Our Surprising Little County PLOUGHING ON……….A Farmer’s Perspective ! by Whizz – T. C. Shaw & Sons www.shawfarming.com www.mrsmiddleton.co.uk

Here we are again, flat out in the middle of harvest, cursing the rain and wishing the sun would shine just a little bit more. It doesn’t seem very long ago that we were sowing the seeds in the Autumn, with cold blustery days and dark evenings. Now it’s late July and I can hear the grain dryer rumbling away in the barn outside my window and I can see the gentle trickle of golden wheat coming out of the overhead conveyor and filling the shed. This is destined for Warburton’s and it will hopefully meet the necessary specifications.

Harvest started earlier than usual this year, at the start of July. By 25th we had cut all the winter barley and oilseed rape and are now into the wheat. Sometimes harvest hasn’t even begun by now so it seems that the season is ahead of itself. The weather is keeping us on our toes – localised heavy downpours have meant we’ve jumped from one farm to another, working out where the driest grain is and where it will be possible to continue combining.

We’ve had some good results so far – the winter barley yields were average but the oilseed rape has been better than we expected. One field had the highest yield we’ve achieved for years, which was very rewarding considering all the efforts by the slugs, pigeons, flea beetle and motorbikes to ruin our fun. We have saved a lorry load (around 29 tonnes) of the best quality seed for our rapeseed oil, so it is kept separately and after harvest it will go off for processing.

Some of our winter barley straw, right up on top of the Barton Hills, was baled this year by a neighbouring farmer. The field looked so picturesque – rolling hills of neatly cut stubble with rows of perfectly formed bales, lined up ready for collection by the bale carter, with the backdrop of amazing views over Bedfordshire and in particular Barton-le-Clay and Shillington. Unfortunately, before all the bales were cleared, some people tried to move one of them and we found it wedged precariously on the farm track, on the brow of a steep slope. If it had rolled down the hill it would have been incredibly dangerous and could easily have hit walkers or horse-riders on the bridlepaths.

I’ve got a meeting next week which is to find out more about new software that is available to farmers. At the moment, we have all sorts of maps for each field, for example soil type, water management, pH, combine yields and seed rates for drilling. We also have a programme where we record each cultivation and application done to every field. What we are lacking, however, is a method of linking all this together to make the most of the information available. The software we are looking at does just this and the aim is to make our farming practice even more efficient. The process is already a lot better than it was even just a year ago, with the use of iPads and online data transfer, but there is scope to do a lot more.

We finally heard back from Natural England about our Countryside Stewardship scheme. The deadline for applying was the end of September, last year, ready for a start date of 1st January 2017. There was radio silence from NE regarding the progress of our application, despite me emailing many times to find out what was going on, until we received a letter in early May. It contained a huge bundle of paperwork, all of which had to be checked and posted back to them within 5 working days – mission impossible considering it had the same deadline as our other annual submissions (and also rather cheeky considering it had taken them 8 months to respond and they were already 5 months past the start date!).

We declined their offer of an official scheme and set up our own voluntary version. We have 6 metre margins which are bursting with wildflowers and a good source of food and shelter for the song birds and English partridge. The hedges are cut every other year and are covered in blackberries, cobnuts and my favourite to snack on during a dog walk – the small, old-fashioned fruit which is a cross between a plum and a cherry. Delicious!

At Mrs. Middleton HQ we are very busy with our new products. Last week we launched our brand new salad dressings, which have been made in collaboration with Phil Fanning of award-winning restaurant Paris House in Woburn. We are delighted with the final products and at Fun Day the Asian Dressing was the best-seller! It’s been a fascinating process, from the idea forming a couple of years ago to finally being able to sell it to the public. Millie and I have been to the kitchen at Paris House several times, teaspoons in hand, to try the different versions and then decide on our favourite. We are now having fun at home using the dressings to create different flavour combinations with salads, meat and vegetables. My current favourite is finely ribboned raw courgette, pea shoots, feta and croutons (made with Jo’s Loaves sour dough bread and our oil, of course!) with a large glug of Classic Vinaigrette. The perfect accompaniment to a BBQ.

The children have been helping us raid the vegetable patch most days. We have the usual glut of courgettes (hence the recipe!) plus some spectacular potatoes and heaps of climbing French beans. The blackcurrants were the best they’ve ever been and as a result we’ve got a cellar full of blackcurrant gin ready for winter. We also had an amazing strawberry harvest and the children were often seen kneeling on the ground rummaging under the leaves, picking all the best fruit from out of the straw and eating them while they were at their best.

Unfortunately the dogs also discovered that they were quite tasty and there were often two wagging tails poking out of the fruit bushes and then two very guilty- looking Labradors skulking back to the house!

Holding on ……... to our precious church on the hill…..continued….

All Saints’ Church was founded by Bishop Aetheric, who died in 1034. He developed it under the rule of Ramsey Abbey, Cambridgeshire and it became the largest and most influential church in the area.

The original Saxon church was replaced during the 13th century by a large Norman church. This soon became unstable and needed extensive rebuilding. The present structure was started in the 1290s and after some further difficulties (including delays caused by the Black Death), was finished in about 1400 under the leadership of Sir Matthew Assheton whose 'Rebus' (a pun on his name) can be seen at the top of the west wall - an ass and a tun - one of the many curious and interesting features to be seen and enjoyed in and around the church. All Saints remained in Ramsey’s possession until 1536, passing then to Trinity College Cambridge. It finally passed to St Albans in 1927.

The church is open every day with tea and cakes served to visitors on Sunday afternoons from May to September. There are display boards and leaflets that tell you about some of the things to see:

• Sir Matthew Assheton is buried in the church; you can see the brass rubbing of his memorial. • The painted roof of the knave, an unusual feature, with many different ideas of its purpose and history. • The Crypt - possibly the oldest part of the building. • The Graffiti, including an intriguing hobby-horse. • The Stained glass window showing how bell ringers ‘read’ the sequence of the bells in one of the many possible change ringing patterns.

All Saints’ has changed little in over 600 years. One obvious difference is the tower. The original structure was blown down in 1701 by a great storm. The quotation for rebuilding it was £2,087 13s (£333,000 in today’s terms). The parishioners worked at raising the funds for the next 50 years, eventually taking their appeal countrywide and the tower was rebuilt in 1750. Perhaps a foreshadowing of the work of today’s ‘Friends of All Saints’, with our local fundraising and applications for restoration grants from regional and national charities – currently focussed on drying out and restoring the crumbling foot of the tower and west wall at the back of the church.

Do join us for Sunday tea 3-5pm (accompanied by music from The Verne Trio on Sunday 20 August); for Flying Teddies Sunday 24 September; or at one of our fundraising events, the next of which will be a Race Night in the Village Hall on Saturday 11 November. You can also support the ‘Friends’ by making a donation using the form overleaf or drop me a line if you’d like to find out more. We will keep you informed about our activities and progress on the church; and your support will help increase our success in grant applications by demonstrating the number of people who care about the building, whether or not they are churchgoers.

With best wishes Peter Lambert , Chairman, Friends of All Saints Shillington 125 High Road, Shillington SG5 3LU. email: [email protected]

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 2017

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/we 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, Herts. SG5 3LN, All Saints Church

Some information about the churchyard

• It is the place of rest for more than 9000 parishioners. The church burials database goes back to 1543 and can be accessed by contacting John Whitehall on 01462–711084 or [email protected]

• It is a public space open at all times for everyone to enjoy.

• It is maintained entirely through volunteer labour and mainly with church funding.

• It is a designated County Wildlife Site and is managed according to the “Living Churchyard scheme”. This means that some areas are left to grow wild through the spring and summer months to encourage flowers, grasses and insects largely absent from other areas. A copy of the churchyard management plan can be found on the noticeboard in the church porch and on the church website www.allsaintsshillington.org.

Because of this, we ask anyone using the churchyard to:

• Respect the fact that it is a place of rest and not leave litter or allow dogs to foul the grass or footpaths.

• Please take care when in the churchyard and not allow children to play there unsupervised. Headstones can become unstable and grave kerbs a trip hazard. The deceased’s family, not the church, is responsible for maintaining headstones. Any which is found to be unstable will be laid flat to prevent accidents unless we are able to locate family willing and able to have it made safe. Churchyard maintenance team members check the stability of headstones but if you suspect that one is unstable, please immediately contact Liz Allan on 01462–711084 or [email protected]

• Please never use weed killer when tending graves. If you have difficulty looking after a grave, particularly in the conservation areas of the churchyard, please contact Liz Allan who will ask the maintenance team member responsible for that part of the churchyard to clear round it.

New volunteers to join the Churchyard maintenance team are always warmly welcome. There are many jobs to suit all abilities and any time you can contribute will be valued. Please contact Liz Allan (contact details above) if you feel you could help and would like to know more.

THE MUSGRAVE ARMS BEER FEST; LIVE MUSIC & FAMILY FUN FOR ALL

Saturday 26th AUGUST from 2PM

4 AMAZING BANDS

JOIN THE FUN ✓ Apple Bobbing ✓ Tug of War ✓ Bouncy Castle ✓ The Bar Fly THE JONITI TRIO ✓ Giant Connect 4 ASH ✓ Giant Jenga LEE ✓ Giant Chess Game ✓ Basketball Stand ✓ Giant Cards ✓ BBQ; Chips & Treats ✓ 6 REAL ALES & 5 CIDERS ✓ & MUCH MORE THE DESERT CORRUPTI PENGUINS ON

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, which normally starts the term after the child’s 3rd birthday.

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 Katie Brettell Deb Pateman 01462 713638 01462 713054 01462 338304 [email protected] katie@[email protected] [email protected]

Jo Wright Carli Mauger 01462 713999 01462 339260 [email protected] [email protected]

DRONING ON Ron Bradstreet  01462-711486 E-mail: [email protected]

Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, are becoming firmly embedded into our everyday lives. Buying a drone is relatively easy these days, it is only necessary to take a quick look at the internet to see that. As technology produces more and more “miracles” we need to seriously consider the effect upon our everyday lives these changes will make, both good and bad. That is not always easy.

Drones are normally operated by a ground based controller and a system of communication between the two. In fact they can operate with a degree of autonomy. Compared with manned aircraft they were originally used for “dull, dirty or dangerous missions” and originated mostly for military operation. But their use has expanded to commercial, scientific, recreational, agricultural and other applications. These include policing, surveillance, product delivery, aerial photography and television. In some cases a drone can replace a helicopter, with the associated reduction in cost. I read recently of a hospital in Africa being supplied with urgent medical items using a drone. The alternatives were a long slow road journey or an expensive delivery by aircraft.

However, there is another side to drone activity that has to be taken very seriously indeed and that is the danger they can present to aircraft movements if they are allowed to be operated in the vicinity of airports. The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) has for some time expressed concern about the risk caused by uncontrolled drone operation near airports. Reports of near misses between public transport aircraft and drones increased substantially between 2015 and 2016 and will no doubt increase again in 2017. It is recognised that there will be a big increase in drone operation both commercially and recreationally, but this must be controlled to stop the danger to aircraft.

There is also concern about drone operation in densely populated areas where there is a risk to persons and property. Organisations concerned about unlimited drone operation want to see measures put in place that will allow the police to identify and locate anyone who flies a drone in an irresponsible way. These include geofencing, which is a process by which drones can be limited from entering a specific geographic position or area using the Global Positioning System. The drone would transmit enough data for the police to locate the operator when it is flown in a dangerous manner or enters a forbidden area.

Buying a drone is relatively easy these days. However, investigation has shown that, when requested, the information concerning the allowed field of operation of the drone given by the store leaves a lot to be desired. The government has recently introduced sweeping changes to drone legislation. Let us hope this achieves the degree of public protection urgently required.

Take part in Virtual Run to help young boy raise money for The Firefighters Charity

Message sent by Laura Deane (Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Communications and Engagement Adviser, Bedfordshire)

One of our Fire Safety Officers (Lorraine Moore) is proud to inform you that her Grandson, Cameron Moore (Age 12) is in his fourth year of raising money for The Firefighters Charity.

This year he has organised a Virtual Run, a Virtual Run is where you pick the distance that you would like to run during the month of August (you can run, jog, walk or use a treadmill). The distances are 5km, 10km or 20km. You complete this at your own pace during the month so you can either do it in one hit or you can do lots of short runs over the month.

Once you have achieved the distance you signed up for, you send evidence via email to Cameron. This can be screenshots of the treadmill, Strava App, Nike running App, fitness watch, map my run or similar to prove that you have completed your target. Once Cameron receives this he will send you out your medal.

The entrance fee is £10 for adults and £8 for children under the age of 14 (as of 31st August) and all profit goes to the Firefighters Charity.

You can scan the QR code on the attached poster which will take you straight to the application form or you can visit Cameron’s Facebook page. Once you have filled the application form in, Cameron will send you a PayPal request within 48 hours.

If you don’t have a PayPal account or you would prefer to fill out a paper application form please email either myself or Stacey [email protected]

Attached files File name File size FFC In Aid of Virtual run 3,372.7 KB

public poster.docx

USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS

Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Monks Walk, , 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) Police SNT & .…………………………………. 01234-842613

Bus Information ………………….………..……0870-608-2608 or 01234-228337

Parish Councillors – contact details: John Clark Tracey Forsyth Alison Graham Tony Howells Ben Jepps 01462 711446 via the Clerk 01462 713543 01582 881611 01462 711430 Angus McCormick David Mott David Simkins Sally Stapleton Derek Turner 01462- 712096 01462 711222 01462 711209 07711 504489 01462 712462

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

DECISIONS from CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL:

CB/16/05712/FULL. Mr & Mrs Lewis, Chibley Farm, Road Conversion of existing timber barns into 2 No. dwellings, construction of cycle stores and hardstanding car parking for five vehicles. APPROVED 20.06.17

CB/TRE/17/00142. Mrs Anne Simkins, Land north of New Walk & rear of 60 Hillfoot Road Works to trees subject to a Tree Preservation Order: Beech - prune lower branches overhanging garden of 60 Hillfoot Road due to excessive shading of property. Tree protected by TPO reference MB/TPO/76/00009 G2. APPROVED 24.05.17

CB/17/02201/FULL/CB/17/02202/LB Mr & Mrs Thwaite, The Old Rectory, Higham Gobion Demolition of attached single storey garage & utility room; two storey front & side extensions (over part existing footprint at side); single storey rear extension; second floor alterations and construction of glass house in hidden valley; new garden wall and gates; residential oil tank boiler room behind garden wall. Addition of single storey side porch to eastern gable. Revision of approved applications CB/16/01441/FULL & CB/16/01442/LB APPROVED 06.07.17

CB/17/02311/FULL. Mrs L Baker, 19A Church Street Erection of two storey side extension, basement and garage conversion. APPROVED 28.06.17

NEW/REVISED APPLICATIONS:

(Next CBC Development Management Committee meeting at Chicksands will be held on 16 August 2017)

CB/17/02941/FULL. North Herts Homes, Shillington Memorial Playing Field and Shillington Village Hall, Land to the East of High Road Demolition of existing village hall; construction of 27 no. residential units, together with adequate off-road parking, private amenity garden space and landscaping; and erection of double garage for No. 37 High Road.

CB/17/02990/FULL. North Herts Homes, Shillington Memorial Playing Field and Shillington Village Hall, Shillington Memorial Playing Field, Greenfields Demolition of existing club house and construction of a purpose-built community facility with gym, together with associated car parking. Relocation of existing storage container.

CB/17/02991/FULL. Canton Limited, Land at Hillfoot Road (Thomas Meadow) Erection of 35 dwellings and provision of open space along with the associated access, garaging, landscaping and ancillary work. Re-organisation of existing parking arrangements along Hillfoot Road to create 15 additional unallocated car parking spaces for wider community use.

CB/17/03199/FULL. Mr & Mrs J Hillyard, Land rear of Mulberry Cottage, Apsley End Road, Erection of One Dwelling - Self-build Lifetime Ecohome

CB/17/03238/FULL. Mr Forth, 68 Bury Road Two storey side extension with single storey rear and front extension. First floor rear extension

CB/17/03300/FULL. Mr A Wilshere, Shillingoak, Marquis Hill Construction of dormer window to existing detached garage

CB/17/03524/FULL. Miss H Dolby, 19 Church Street Rebuild of barn to form office and store

CB/TCA/17/00264. Mr David Holland, 4 Windmill Lodge, Hillfoot Road Notification of works to trees in a Conservation Area: Cherry - rear garden - reduce by 30% to each tree

 USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS  ENERGY/WATER COMPANIES

CBC’s trading standards department has provided the following numbers, which will assist residents to identify doorstep cold callers, who purport to be from energy or water companies, and enable checks with the relevant organisation, where there is any reason for concern.

British Gas General Enquiries 0800 048 0202 British Gas Energy efficiency advice helpline 0800 072 8629 British Gas Support to vulnerable customers 0800 072 8625 British Gas Complaints Team 0800 072 8632 E-ON Energy efficiency advice 0333 202 4650 E-ON Complaints Team 0333 202 4606 EDF Energy Customer services 0800 096 9000 EDF Energy Complaints Resolution Team 0800 051 1643 EDF Energy Energy efficiency helpline 0800 096 9966 EDF Energy Priority Services helpline 0800 269 450 National Gas Emergency Service Helpline 0800-111-999 npower General Enquiries (landline) 0800 073 3000 General Enquiries (mobile) 0330 100 3000 npower Electricity and gas complaints (landline) 0800 316 9328 Electricity and gas complaints (mobile) 0330 100 8628 Boiler and heating complaints (landline) 0845 155 0060 npower Energy efficiency (landline) 0800 022 220 Energy efficiency (mobile) 0330 100 8620 ScottishPower General Customer Service (landline) 0800 027 0072 General Customer Service (mobile) 0345 270 0700 ScottishPower Electricity and gas complaints 0800 040 7005 ScottishPower Priority Services Register (Carefree) 0800 027 1122 SSE General Enquiries 0800 980 8831 SSE Complaints helpline 0800 975 0485 SSE Priority Services: Careline (info on services 0800 622 838 for elderly, disabled or chronically sick) Energyline (info and advice on using energy) 0800 072 7201 Anglian Water 0800 145 145 UK Power To report or get info on power cuts National number Networks Text POWER and your postcode to 80876 105 VILLAGE FACILITIES

SHILLINGTON SOCIAL CLUB Greenfields, Shillington  01462-711795

(FREE WiFi to Club Members)

Usual Opening Hours: Monday – 7.30pm Friday – 7.30pm Saturday – arranged evenings : 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. ✓ Regular Artistes and Fund Raising Events and a great Pool Table ✓ Fresh filter coffee while you are passing, or for a warm up after a football match. ✓ The Club is a village amenity - why not pop in for a drink or even better - become a MEMBER.

SHILLINGTON VILLAGE HALL

All enquiries please contact the BOOKING CLERK on  07376-682935 (answerphone facility available) e-mailing facility available shortly !

Large Hall - Stage - Small Committee Room Kitchen and Bar Facilities Disabled access & toilet.

 Children’s Parties  Discos/Dances  Meetings   Table Top Sales  Exhibitions  Keep Fit 

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

VILLAGE CALENDAR

AUGUST

6 Congregational Church Service – Mr. Roger Eaves – 10.30am 9 Men’s Club – Annual BBQ at The Musgrave Arms 13 Congregational Church Service – Dr. Christopher Hill – 10.30am 16 Men’s Club – Visit to The Henry Moore Foundation 20 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Angus McCormick – 10.30am 20 All Saints’ Church – Live Music with Tea & Cakes – 3.00-5.00pm 21 Classic Car Meet at The Musgrave Arms from 6.00pm 21 Playing Fields Management Committee Meeting – Social Club – 8.00pm 26 Musgrave Arms – Beer Fest, Live Music, BBQ, Fun for all Family from 2.00pm 27 Congregational Church Service – Mrs. Christine Warren – 10.30am 28 All Saints’ Flower Team – Afternoon Teas at The Church – 1.00-5.00pm

SEPTEMBER

3 Congregational Harvest Festival Service – Revd. Angus McCormick – 10.30am 5 Parish Council Meeting – Congregational Church – 7.45pm 6 Men’s Club – Visit to Letchworth Model Railway Society 6 Musgrave Arms – Quiz Night – from 8.00pm 7 WI Monthly Meeting – “What’s that Smell?” – Congregational Church – 8.00pm 8 Shillington Clay Club – Charity Summer Shoot – Rosehill Farm – 9.00am 10 Congregational Church Service – Mrs. Brenda Ballantine – 10.30am 10 All Saints’ Church – Sung Evensong – St. Mary’s Gravenhurst – 6.00pm 13 Men’s Club - Meal at The Star & Garter, Silsoe 14 Wives Group – Congregational Church – 7.45pm 16 Horticultural Society – Annual Fruit & Vegetable Show – Village Hall – 2.30pm 17 Congregational Church Service – Dr. Martin Pulbrook – 10.30am 18 Classic Car Meet at The Musgrave from 6.00pm 24 NO CONGREGATIONAL SERVICE AT SHILLINGTON. Joint Service with Pirton Methodist Church – 10.30am 23 Congregational Church Social – Stotfold Christian Choir – 7.00pm 27 Men’s Club – Visit to Chilford Hall Vineyard 27 Village Hall Management Committee Meeting – Jubilee Room – 8.00pm 30 Musgrave Arms – Fine Dining A La Carte – smart dress, glamour and excitement

OCTOBER

1 All Saints’ Church – Harvest Festival – 9.30am 1 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Angus McCormick – 10.30am 3 Parish Council Meeting – Congregational Church – 7.45pm 4 Musgrave Arms – Quiz Night - from 8.00pm 8 Congregational Church Service – To be arranged - 10.30am 11 Men’s Club – Meal at The Red Lion, Offley 14 Congregational Church Social – Merv on Guitar & Vocals – 7.00pm 15 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Lionel Albon – 10.30am 26 Men’s Club – Visit to Peacock’s Auction Rooms 28 Musgrave Arms – Halloween Karaoke Fright Night from 8.00pm.