Campton & Parish Council Newsletter August/September 2020

Welcome to the Campton & Chicksands Newsletter published by the Parish Council www.camptonandchicksands-pc.gov.uk

-2- Campton Village Hall WE ARE CLOSELY MONITORING THE GUIDELINES ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND ACRE, BUT THE VILLAGE HALL REMAINS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. NO ADMITTANCE IS ALLOWED WITHOUT PRIOR CONSENT FROM THE VILLAGE HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED AS AND WHEN THE SITUATION CHANGES. The Management Committee is assessing what measures need to be put in place to enable the doors to be opened again to the public in the coming months ahead. As you can imagine, there is a lot of information to work through and work to be done to get the hall ready for business again.

We are always looking for extra volunteers to join the committee, so if you would like to get involved in helping to run the Village Hall for your local community, then please contact the Management Committee to find out more; additional help would be greatly appreciated.

For more information please call 07950 458940 / email: [email protected]

100 Club Draw Update THE NEW SUBSCRIPTION YEAR IS DUE TO BEGIN AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER, HOWEVER AT THE CURRENT TIME IT IS DEEMED UNADVISABLE FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO CALL DOOR TO DOOR COLLECTING SUBSCRIPTIONS, THEREFORE REGRETTABLY THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE HAVE DECIDED TO POSTPONE THIS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, POSSIBLY JANUARY 2021. Due to the fact that monetary prizes are issued as cheque payments, if anyone needs to have a cheque reissued due to it becoming out of date, then please contact the Village Hall Management Committee and we will be happy to reissue your prize money cheque, on receipt of the original one. “THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OVER THE PAST YEAR AND WE HOPE TO WELCOME YOU BACK SOON ”

JULY WINNERS: 1st (£35) No. 101 V. Brand 2nd (£20) No. 96 J. Harrison 3rd (£15) No. 76 A. Partington AUGUST WINNERS: 1st (£35) No. 45 C. Greet 2nd (£20) No. 91 D. Addison 3rd (£15) No. 65 J. Westgarth BONUS PRIZE: (£50) No. 150 M. Freeman

-3- News from the Tower Following a long break – the last ringing at Campton was on Sunday March 22 – we hope that once you read this, we will have resumed ringing at All Saints for Sunday morning services, from 10.45 to 11am service.

We are following Church of rules and Central Council of Church Bell Ringers guidelines regarding bellringing, particularly with regard to social distancing – our bell ropes are close together so initially we will be ringing only 3 or 4 of Campton’s peal of 8 bells and only for 15 mins, not the usual 30 mins on Sunday mornings. Once things ease a little – of course we don’t know yet how the ‘new normal’ will look like – this will hopefully change. For now, there will be no Tuesday evening practices.

LEARNING TO RING Every band of bell ringers needs to recruit new people or else it stagnates. Once things improve we will be running a recruiting campaign, so please come forward if you’d like to learn an ancient craft which can provide great mental and physical stimulation combined with the best fellowship you will find anywhere, and you even make a contribution to our wonderful 13th century church community. Best to come forward, or be talked to!

Don’t forget, bellringing is something done by PEOPLE LIKE YOU, not something done by OTHER PEOPLE!

(John Loveless 07803 206161)

News from the Pews We are delighted to say that All Saint’s Church is now open once more for Services, these will be at the usual time of 11am on Sunday mornings and on Thursday’s from 10.30am until 1pm the church is open for private prayer, reflection or simply for a short time of silence.

Of course, all the guidance for Covid 19 has been taken into consideration and we have made the Church as safe as possible. We started on Sunday July 12th and it was great to be back together despite the no hymn singing. The Bells were also rung for the first time in four months to call people to worship and we are grateful to the Francis family who have three ringers and they were able to be socially distanced in the Bell Tower.

We will advise everyone when we can start Coffee and Chat etc.

Audrey Brand - Reader and Churchwarden

-4- Campton & Chicksands Neighbourhood Plan Report

I’m sure many of you reading this newsletter report will be asking…… Just what has happened to our Neighbourhood Plan?

At the end of last year, the write up of the draft Neighbourhood Plan (NP) together with several important supporting documents was completed based upon the early stages of consultation and survey. Following a thorough review of the draft plan by the Parish Council, the NP Steering Group was planning to launch the next and important statutory stage of consultation (Regulation 14) this spring. Unfortunately, as with so many other things, the recent and ongoing COVID-19 health emergency put a stop to progression of the plan in mid-March.

Since the end of May the Steering Group have resumed meetings using an online platform and have keenly followed the developing advice to NP Groups from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) along with that issued by Central Council (CBC) with a view to progressing to Regulation 14 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

In mid-July CBC issued updated guidance to NP Groups that may provide a viable way forward with consultations whilst the COVID-19 emergency continues, and the Steering Group will meet by the end of July to review this guidance. Should the Steering Group consider that this new and detailed advice provides a suitable framework for an inclusive, fair and above all safe consultation process, it is my real hope that we may be able to proceed with consultation on the draft plan in the near future.

Please regularly visit the Neighbourhood Plan page on the Parish Council website to see the latest updates on the progression of our plan. https://camptonandchicksands-pc.gov.uk/neighbourhood-plan/

Dave Baker - On behalf of the NP Steering Group -5-

Campton & Chicksands Parish Council Firstly, the Parish Council are pleased to be able to deliver printed copies of the Newsletter once again! The last printed issue was the April edition that went out for distribution just a day or so before the coronavirus lockdown. For the last three months, and following guidelines, the Parish Council have decided to publish the Newsletter primarily online with each edition being publicised on noticeboards, street side posters and via the website and local social media. From the outset we realised that some residents not using the internet may not be able to access the Newsletter and offered a postal service via the Parish Clerk but have struggled to get this information to all residents. For those that have not been able to access the Newsletter during this period we apologise. All recent copies of the Newsletter remain online, or copies may be requested via the Clerk.

https://camptonandchicksands-pc.gov.uk/campton-chicksands-parish-council-newsletter/

If you are not able to access the internet and wish to ensure provision of a paper copy of this Newsletter in the future please contact me with your name and address, as I plan to compile a list of residents that require, or would prefer, a paper copy should we once again be in a position of not being able to distribute door to door. Thank you. ****************************************** The Parish Council held their most recent meeting via Zoom on 1st July 2020. Once again use of this online platform was successful. Ward Councillors Tony Brown and Mark Liddiard attended and were able to provide additional updates from Council (CBC). Much of CBC’s current focus is on supporting local communities and businesses through the issues arising from the coronavirus pandemic. Whilst we all see restrictions easing and important local services resuming, CBC are also planning for how best to control local outbreaks in Central Bedfordshire should such an event occur.

We would all like to see the safe re-opening of play areas like those at our Recreation Ground. Central Government have indicated that play areas can start to be reopened from the 4th July. However, following the late publication of new guidance, and additional safety measures that will need to be put in place, CBC play areas initially remain closed. In line with CBC the Campton Recreation Ground play area did not reopen on the 4th July and updated signage was posted on site. We have since been closely following CBC and understand that all CBC Play Areas reopened on Saturday 18th July. The Parish Council are now looking to complete the necessary COVID-19 risk assessment and install necessary signage with a view to reopening the Recreation Ground Play Area as soon as possible. Please see the Parish Council website for updates. We know you are all keen to be able to use the equipment and we will endeavour to have it available for you as soon as it is safe to

-6- do so. Please note that the Parish Council has also approached the Football Club regarding the resumption of fixtures at the Recreation Ground this Autumn.

The Local Government Boundary Commission recommendations recently published for consultation were not in line with the CBC proposals. Many may see this outcome to be to the benefit of the parish. The Commission’s recommendation is that Campton, Chicksands and Shefford form a Local Council Ward; with being partnered with Shillington going forward. The consultation will run until 7th September 2020 and can be accessed via the CBC website. Under the Commission’s recommendations two Ward Councillors will be required based on the information that some 290 further homes have been planned and agreed for Shefford.

The Ward Councillor Community Grant Scheme has been extended and applications may be made to Ward Councillors. These grants are available to all groups within the community, please contact me for further information.

The initial resurfacing works to Campton Road have now been completed. Several sections of Greenway have been resurfaced recently in preparation for the complete surface dressing, which is currently scheduled to start 13th August 2020, the road markings will be completed 4-5 weeks after.

Cllr Brown has requested a dog mess bin to be placed at the end of Mill Lane as there is currently no bin in the area.

I am currently in the process of completing the end of year audit for the Parish Council. The accounts will be available to view in the coming weeks once they have been audited by the internal auditor. A meeting of the Parish Council will be arranged for August solely to agree the audit prior to it being sent to the external auditor.

Lastly the Parish Council would like to thank Angela, the outgoing editor, for her dedication to this voluntary role over many years. The Parish Council really appreciate her significant time and effort that has ensured the timely publication and distribution of the Parish Council Newsletter, always full of local news, views, and events. Thank you Angela.

Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable Summer, the Parish Council will convene again in the Autumn.

The next meeting via Zoom is to be held at 7pm on 2nd September 2020, the agenda will be posted on the website and noticeboards three days in advance. Any resident wishing to join the meeting will need to email me and I will issue a passcode on the day of the meeting enabling them to gain access.

Clerk to the Parish Council - Tammy Medley Email: [email protected] Tel: 01908 505558 / 07955 521174

-7- ‘TRUGS & TROWELS’ Gardening Club A few Gardening Factoids for you; DID YOU KNOW?

❖ Bamboo is the fastest-growing woody plant in the world; it can grow 35 inches in a single day. ❖ During the 1600s, tulips were so valuable in Holland that their bulbs were worth more than gold. The craze was called tulip mania, or tulipomania, and caused the crash of the Dutch economy. Tulips can continue to grow as much as an inch per day after being cut. ❖ Small pockets of air inside cranberries cause them to bounce and float in water. ❖ Iris means "rainbow" in Greek, and Iris was goddess of the rainbow in Greek mythology. ❖ The first potatoes were cultivated in Peru about 7,000 years ago. ❖ The average strawberry has 200 seeds. It is the only fruit that bears its seeds on the outside.

Once it is deemed safe to do so, details of forthcoming meetings will be published. Until then, make the most of your garden this summer, whether you are growing vegetables or flowers, weeding or pruning, or just relaxing with a cup of tea - Enjoy!

For more information, please contact… Maryika 01462 851729

Helping our residents to socially distance safely Help keep our pathways clear You can help by: • removing bins from outside your property as soon as possible after they have been emptied • cutting back any bushes or hedges on your property growing over public pathways • parking your vehicle considerately Please check for any active birds’ nests

before undertaking any bush or hedge trimming.

-8- Note from the Editor My last newsletter, so this is farewell……. It’s been over eleven years since I took over editing this newsletter! My thanks go to everyone who has contributed over the years, the organisations and individuals who have submitted items each month, Charles for proof-reading, Maggie for organising the photocopying, Dave for helping me with stapling/folding, and to all the volunteers who go out in the rain and shine to deliver the copies. “THANK YOU” It’s been fun and I’ve enjoyed keeping you all up to date with what is going on in our Parish and I hope you have looked forward to reading it each month too. Over the past eleven years and especially the last few months, which have certainly been difficult and anxious ones for many people; if this newsletter has gone a little way towards keeping us all connected to each other so that we do not feel alone, then I am happy on a job well done. I sincerely hope that someone will come forward to keep this newsletter going. Best wishes to everyone, Angela

A POTTED HISTORY OF CAMPTON & CHICKSANDS

1086: The Domesday Book records Campton and Chicksands. 1150: Chicksands Priory, a monastic house was built. 13thc.: Foundation of All Saints Church. The tower dates from the 15thc. 1349: Campton loses two priests to the Black Death. 1591: Campton Manor House built by John Ventris. 1786: The White Hart public house established; it became a Flowers House in 1954 and Whitbread in 1961. 1823: Robert Bloomfield the poet dies at Shefford, buried in Campton churchyard. 1853: The Wheatsheaf public house established; the pub closed in 1956. 1876: Campton School opened in Rectory Road. 1921: Twenty-six houses built along the Greenway. 1924-1936: Brookside Estate built in two phases. 1928: Campton first receives electricity. 1937: Campton Mill closes. A mill had existed in Campton since Anglo Saxon times and was mentioned in the Domesday Book. 1950-1995: RAF Chicksands was used by the United States Air Force. 1983: The New Inn at Campton Turn closes. It was built in 1803 by Mr James Bunyan. 1987: Campton Post Office closes.

2006: Priory House Council Offices open, now home to CBC.

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Notification from CBC – Highways

Please note that there will be a road closure for surface dressing on Greenway, Campton between 13th – 17th August from 0800-1800hrs

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CABIN FEVER? IN NEED OF A NEW PROJECT?

“We need your help please”

Campton Churchyard is being overrun by ivy, brambles, and other invasive weeds.

If you are able to help tidy the churchyard, we would number each area that needs work; each of these areas would be allocated specifically, enabling social distancing to be maintained and ensuring no cross contamination via contact points. Areas will also be allocated on the size of project; some projects would just take an hour, others much longer; for example myself and my daughter have been working on the variegated holly tree that is being strangled by brambles - it is a big and slow project. We go and work on the tree for an hour, as and when we can fit it in. The idea would be that once you have been allocated a project, you would come at your own convenience, also bringing your own gardening tools. The projects would range from removing ivy from a gravestone through to removal of low branches off trees.

If you can help please contact me, stating what size of project you would be able to undertake.

“Thank you very much”

Maggie Marsh, on behalf of All Saints – Tel: 07989 082743 Email: [email protected]

CAMPTON & CHICKSANDS COMMUNITY SUPPORT HELPLINE

As the Covid-19 restrictions are being eased it remains possible that local residents may still need some assistance over the coming months. If you need help and do not have the support of someone you know, please phone either: -

07488 543946 OR 07782 809633

Your need will be passed to the group, which will work out the best way of helping you. You should never hand over money, credit or debit cards or bank details. We should be extra vigilant at this time of those who wish to take advantage of the vulnerable, and if you suspect someone is trying to do so you should immediately phone the police. The Parish Council