Parish Council VILLAGE NEWSLETTER February 2021

PARISH COUNCIL – CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

Budget and Precept 2021/2022 The Council at its January meeting agreed a budget and precept for 2021/2022 which will mean a 0% increase for Band D households. In this way we have been both fiscally prudent and mindful of current economic conditions.

Our new Parish Councillor - Jeanette Little The Council is very happy to welcome on board our new Parish Councillor - Jeanette Little. Jeanette is fizzing with fresh ideas about how the Council can be more proactive in crime prevention and engaging with young people which is long overdue and especially relevant today where Covid restrictions close of the opportunities for young people to enjoy life to the full.

Noticeboards Two new noticeboards have been ordered for the village as we are aware that the present ones need replacing as it has become difficult to read the information. Sadly, we had hoped they would be delivered this month but due to difficulties the delivery has been put back to the end of February.

Cemetery Plans are now in place to enhance the cemetery and provide a new sign, another seat within a contemplation garden, hedge planting to show the different areas and some new flower beds. Some outside funding has been secured from Central Council to help with this and it is hoped to start fairly soon. A timetable will be formulated for the various items although, of course, the planting will be done in the spring.

Marston in Bloom The Parish Council has decided to revitalise the Marston in Bloom scheme and a Working Party has just been set up. It will meet soon to consider the outcome of a recent review of the planters around the village, some of which need replacement or repair and consider other initiatives that would improve the appearance of the village. It’s very important to emphasize this is a community wide project and those with green fingers are welcome to get involved and that hopefully with renewed sponsorship this will be a largely self-financing project.

Covid-19 It is very important that we all follow the HM Government & NHS advice and do not help the spread of the virus. The published advice is that "1 in 3 people have no Covid-19 symptoms and are spreading it without knowing. It is now highly likely that someone near you has it. So, Stay Home,

1 only go out if it is essential. Do not meet anyone outside your household or support bubble, except for exercise. Find out more at gov.uk/coronavirus." We should look forward to our vaccinations but recognize that even then Covid restrictions must be followed and are likely to be a feature of our everyday lives for a long time to come. A full update on the Covid-19 situation from Council is contained elsewhere in the newsletter.

War Memorial Centenary The War Memorial was originally unveiled on Sunday, March 13th, 1921 and we had hoped to mark the centenary to the day this year. However, Covid restrictions make it impossible to plan any public gathering. Quite rightly public safety is paramount, and we are liaising with the local Royal British Legion, religious leaders, and the school to see how we can do this safely hopefully later in the year.

Community Building Hopefully, we will take receipt of the new Community Hall later this year and are in discussions with Barratts about ensuring the building is satisfactory for our purposes. We will also need to make sure it can be Covid proofed to ensure the safety of the public and that it is adequately staffed and maintained and central to its success will be launching our social media platform.

Bus Shelter The Council has agreed to the relocation of the Bus Shelter that was on Station Road by the junction of Browns Close and was originally donated to the Parish in memory of Allan Peter Howe. The Shelter is now on Road with the plaque in memory of Alan still in place and hopefully improve the residents bus travel experience.

Rookery South and Bin Lorries Residents will have noticed that both Central Beds and Bedford Borough Councils have entered into contracts for the collection of household waste by Veolia who will then take it to the Energy Recovery Facility at Rookery South. The Council are monitoring this very carefully to ensure that the route to and from the Facility by bin lorries is not via our village and the agreed transport route to Green Lanes is adhered to.

Captain Sir Tom Moore The Parish Council was saddened to hear the news of Captain Sir Tom Moore’s passing on Monday 2nd February, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.

Snow The recent snowfall was a welcome diversion from the ongoing problems and provided many residents and their families with an opportunity to build snowmen - opposite is one example.

Take care and continue to keep safe.

Cllr Hugh Roberts Chairman, Marston Moreteyne Parish Council Photo kindly supplied by Karen Mulheron

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Parish Council Meetings. The Council and Committee Meetings continue to be held by Zoom and members of the public can join the meeting by requesting joining information from the Parish Clerk at [email protected]. Agendas are available to view on the council’s website: www.marstonmoreteyne-pc.gov.uk The following are the dates of upcoming meetings:

Tuesday 16th Feb 7.00pm Planning & Environment Committee 7.30pm Full Council Tuesday 2nd March 7.00pm Planning & Environment Committee 8.00pm Finance & General Purposes Committee

Weekly figures The number of new COVID-19 cases in Central Bedfordshire (in the week ending 24 January) fell to 964. This is a decrease of 250 cases from the previous week. The number of weekly positive cases per 100,000 population is now 334. Whilst the number of new cases continues to fall, pressure on our health service remains significant. Very sadly, the report shows that 40 residents have died. To continue the reduction in new cases we must carry on following lockdown guidance and remember the simple advice to wash our hands regularly, wear face covering appropriately and continue social distancing. These simple measures will help us all to protect the NHS and save lives. Here is the latest data from our neighbours.

• – 1,115 new cases (413 cases per 100,000) and 39 deaths • Luton – 1,233 new cases (578 cases per 100,000) and 34 deaths • Bedford – 840 new cases (484 cases per 100,000) and 46 deaths

Click here for weekly local coronavirus figures for Central Bedfordshire:

Weekly reports

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Information from Central Bedfordshire Council Are you struggling to cope?

Advice and support are available, so please ask for help. The Coronavirus pandemic is tough on all of us. It can be especially hard for people living on their own and people who cannot get out and about as much as others.

Help with getting food. You can also locate other volunteer schemes that cover your area at www.cvsbeds.org.uk The easiest way to get food without visiting or contact Advice Central (see contact a shop is to order online for delivery. details opposite). Perhaps you can ask family and friends to help you to do this if you are unsure. Help if you are self-isolating. If you already have a priority delivery slot, Making sure those who have COVID-19 (and that will continue; you don't need to do those who have been in close contact with anything further. them) can self-isolate is one of our most If someone else is going to the shops for powerful tools for controlling the spread of you, most major supermarkets have ways coronavirus. you can pay for your shopping, such as e- Self-isolating, where friends and family or vouchers or gift cards. You can buy these delivery services bring supplies to your door, online and the person shopping for you can helps prevent your family, friends, and use them in store. To find out about community from catching the virus, as well payment options, visit your supermarket’s as helping to protect the NHS. website. The government has introduced a new grant If you don’t have anyone who can help you to support people in work on low incomes to with your shopping, contact your local Good self-isolate. You may be able to claim a £500 Neighbour Scheme or local volunteer lump sum payment if you cannot work from scheme for help (see below). home and are required to self-isolate. Help with medicine. For more information visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/self- In the first instance, ask a friend, family isolationpayments member, carer to collect your medicines for you. If no-one else is available to collect your Financial advice and support medicines, contact your local Good Department for Work and Pensions - Neighbour Scheme for help (see below). www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/e Good Neighbour and local mployment-and-benefits-support/#east volunteer schemes Advice Central – We have a network of volunteer-led groups www.advicecentral.org.uk and local Good Neighbour Schemes, who or call 0300 303 6666 might be able to assist you with shopping, Citizens Advice () - collecting medication and checking that you www.dunstablecab.org.uk are OK. or call 01582 670003 or 07367 457 834 You can contact them directly at Citizens Advice (Mid Bedfordshire) - [email protected] or call 01234 838771. www.midbedscab.org.uk or call 01525 4

402742, 01525 841217 and 01767 601368 Focus on the present – try not to worry. Citizens Advice (Leighton ) - about what might happen in the future, www.leightonlinsladecab.org.uk focusing on the present can help manage or call 01525 373878 your feelings Bedford Credit Union - Help others – helping someone else can www.bedfordcreditunion.org.uk help you as well as them, it can give you or call 01234 346352 focus and purpose. Money Matters Credit Union (Luton) - www.mmcu.co.uk or call 01582 666877 Need help right now? Food banks There is always someone you can talk to. The following websites and helplines may be

Biggleswade Baptist Church – helpful to you: www.bbchurch.org.uk or call 01767 312667 NHS – call 111 Preen () - Samaritans – www.samaritans.org or call www.facebook.com/PreenCIC or call 01767 116 123 600332 MIND – www.mind-blmk.org.uk or call Dunstable Foodbank – 0300 330 0648 www.dunstable.foodbank.org.uk or call 07874 200056 Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service - Leighton Linslade Community Foodbank - https://bedfordshirewellbeingservice.nhs.uk or call 01234 880400 www.llhsblackhorse.org.uk or call 01525 381129 Shout Crisis (text line) – text Shout to Looking after yourself 85258 The pandemic is a worrying time, and it is Silverline (older people helpline) – call natural to feel overwhelmed. You may feel 0800 470 8090 lonely, low, worried, anxious, or be Child and Adolescent Mental Health concerned about your health or that of Support those close to you. These are all common (CSMHS) – https://camhs.elft.nhs.uk or call reactions to the difficult situation we face. 01234 310800 (north) or 01234 893300 / The NHS website Every Mind Matters has 01234 893301 (South) lots of advice, tips, and guides on how to deal with stress and anxiety. CHUMS (children and young people) – www.nhs.uk/oneyou/everymind- http://chums.uk.com or call 01525 863924 matters Kooth - www.kooth.com Tips for looking after your mental National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 health 2000 247. If you suspect domestic abuse and Stay connected – keep in touch with your don't want to reveal your identity, call friends and family by phone and video call if CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or complete you cannot meet them an online form at https://crimestoppersuk. org/domesticabuse Be active – physical health can have a big impact on how you feel. Simply going for a Information and support for carers is walk can help lift your mood. available from Carers in Beds https://carersinbeds.org.uk/ or call 0300 111 Get your sleep – good quality sleep makes 1919 a big difference to how you feel mentally and physically. 5

Birthday Bells and Community Support Despite all our current restrictions, we are happy to tell you that St Mary’s remains open every day 10.00 till 3.00. This is your church, and we invite you to use it as a peaceful place to think and to pray whenever you wish.

On a noisier note, we are delighted to say that at 10.30 on the last Friday of the month our bells will be ringing out. This is a special gift to the children of our parish. Our wonderful village schools normally have a monthly assembly at which they celebrate all the children’s birthdays. With many children currently learning from home, St Mary’s bells will be joyfully wishing them a happy birthday. Do listen out.

Throughout the pandemic St Mary’s has also been supporting a number of families in the village who are struggling with food shopping under the current economic pressures. If you would like to donate to this special fund we would be hugely grateful.

Bank transfers can be made to: Account Name - St Mary the Virgin PCC Current Account Sort Code - 09 01 55 Account No - 87855185 Reference: St Mary’s Family Support

For up-to-date information about all our services, in church and on-line, sign up to our digital newsletter via: linktr.ee/stmarysmarston

If you would like to speak to someone or for more information please contact Revd Kate McFarlane: 07816 790447 or email [email protected]

Revd. Kate McFarlane ______

the Baptist Church that will we trust, one day meet again at the Marston Moreteyne VC School - Forest End site Dear Village, During this time of national-wide lockdown, we thought to send you a prayer that you might like to use for the education of our children and young people: “Father God, thank you that You have promised to be our strength and that you will comfort us, hold us and surround us with Your love. Lord God, we pray for all those working in education, from staff in early years and nurseries, to those in further and higher education institution and for parents who are having to home school. We ask you to give them grace and strength whilst under pressure, and compassion and inspiration when working with their pupils/children. We pray too for the children and young people; Lord 6

we ask You for perseverance and patience for them during this lockdown period. (take a moment to name some children and young people known to you personally). We pray for the individual circumstances that each one might be facing right now - whether fear, anxiety, difficult home situations or anything else. Please help them to receive strength, comfort, kindness, and peace. We pray Lord that You would surround them with Your wrap-around presence and that they may know that someone cares and will listen to them”. Amen. (Adapted from Prayer for Schools resources) The leadership of Vale Community Church have talked together – by zoom – as to when we might be able to meet up as ‘church’ again. Realistically, we cannot expect this to be before Easter and maybe not before the summer! However, our Sunday Services continue on YouTube and midweek meetings by zoom – details are on our website. Our Minister Steve Gaunt, the leadership team and resources are available to you at any time – Website: www.valecc.org.uk for all you need to know about Vale Community Church YouTube channel: valecommunitychurch For online services – Sundays 10.30am – but these can be accessed at any time. Facebook: valecommunitychurch Here at Vale CC. our morning devotional is available for anyone from our Facebook page: valecommunitychurch. The devotional contains a reflection, a prayer, and a blessing. We also pray in rotation for a road in the village and a church family. A night-time daily prayer is also sent out – by Steve. Please join in as you feel able. Meanwhile, stay well, stay safe and may you know the love of God upon you and your families.

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Marston Vale Line News

Marston Vale Line Services limited stop rail replacement bus service is At time of writing, Marston Vale Line services covering all of the train services. are currently suspended until further notice due to a shortage of train crew. In addition to staff The timetable can be downloaded from the absence due to COVID-19, London Marston Vale CRP website - Northwestern Railway has also experienced https://www.marstonvalecommunityrail.org.uk/ significant disruption to driver training 2021/01/07/train-services-have-been- programmes due to it not being possible to suspended. Alternatively please contact maintain social distance in a train cab. This Stephen Sleight on the number below and he has had a direct impact on the number of will send a copy to you. available train drivers with the necessary route and traction knowledge. An all stations and Please buy train tickets from the Ticket Vending Machines at stations (card only), any staffed rail station or online before travel. The 7

Rail Replacement Bus drivers are unable to Sundays. Booking recommended - please call issue train tickets. 01525 287120.

Please follow Government guidance for travel Friends of Millbrook Station – Can You – see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national- Help? lockdown-stay-at-home#travel for full details. The Friends do a fantastic job in making Millbrook station a welcoming & attractive Symbol Spot Launched! environment through maintenance of floral A new Marston Vale Line Symbol Spot Trail displays & community notice boards. New has been launched by Marston Vale CRP in members are welcome! Please contact conjunction with Mini Map Makers, the first of Stephen for further information. The Friends its kind in the country. are one of a growing network of groups across the country – please see Symbol Spot Packs will be available when https://communityrail.org.uk/community- purchasing child train tickets at Bedford & rail/station-adoption for details. Bletchley stations or when visiting Station Heritage Centre with a valid train ticket Captain Sir Tom Moore Bench during normal opening hours. A free booklet A commemorative bench is currently being with a map and stickers guides families along designed for installation at Millbrook Station. the Line, with facts, figures and lots for children The bench is the second stage of Marston Vale aged 5 and over to see and look for. The aim is CRP’s celebration of Captain Tom at Millbrook to spot a host of symbols along the line, Station following the unveiling of a special including letters, numbers, shapes, map poem in 2020. symbols, signs and rail safety items. The bench is intended to both recognise Adults can learn too! A ‘Strip Map’ of the Line Captain Tom’s achievement in raising over £32 has been produced depicting it as a semi- million for NHS Charities Together and the geographic line – including questions or sacrifice of all those who lost their lives fighting lookouts for them to prompt children during the in the First & Second World Wars and journey. subsequent conflicts. Marston Vale CRP would like to thank Marston Moreteyne Parish There are also Symbol Spot Discs for children Council for its grant towards the bench. to find, one located at each station and a whole set at Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre. East West Rail Rubbings can be taken of each disc in the The East West Railway Company has set up a booklet. Completed booklets can be taken to Community Hub. Visit Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre. Children https://communityhub.eastwestrail.co.uk to who have found all the Symbol Spot Discs register. It's a great place to share your receive a special Completion Coin! thoughts and learn more about East West Rail. All project materials have been sourced from A non-statutory public consultation is due to local businesses. Symbol Spot is plastic free take place in the Spring. and 100% sustainable. Marston Vale Line 175th Anniversary Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre The Marston Vale Line celebrates its 175th The Heritage Centre & Tea Room are currently anniversary in November 2021. Marston Vale closed due to the national restrictions. It is CRP is exploring ways to mark the occasion. hoped to re-open in the Spring. Opening hours All ideas welcome! Many of the stations were are Wednesday to Saturday 10:00 – 4:00. The opened at the same time as the Line so there Tea Room is also open 10:00 – 4:00 on is scope for local events too!

For further information on any aspect of Marston Vale CRP or the Marston Vale Line please contact Stephen Sleight, MVCRP Officer, on 01234 832645, e-mail [email protected].

Visit our new website - www.marstonvalecommunityrail.org.uk

Find us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/marstonvalecrp

Follow us on Twitter! @marstonvalecrp

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