PARISH NEWS

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

Issue 139 – December 2018 Deadline for February edition - Friday, 25th January 2019 PARISH COUNCIL

CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA

In October the Parish Council received a report from our professional play area inspector, highlighting several areas of concern at the Greenfields site. These included the state of the fencing, the rot in the wooden poles and steps, the surfacing under the play equipment and cracks in the ground. Councillors were concerned about the safety of children using the play area and discussed getting the necessary repairs carried out. However, after taking into account the likely cost of repairs, the lower use of the equipment during the winter months and the intention to construct a new play area next year, Council took the decision to close the existing facilities at the November meeting.

We appreciate how disappointing this has been for some families and a group of Councillors were able to meet the inspector on site on 29th November to discuss the problems in detail. Most of the gaps around the safety surfaces and gaps in the ground have diminished since the drought ended. However, dealing with other issues could still be costly. The inspector advised that the play area does not have to be fenced, but as the area is adjacent to car parking areas, he needed his manager’s confirmation for its removal. Councillors will consider at the December meeting whether to repair the fencing, or if adjacent vehicle movements are considered acceptable and safe, to remove it completely. Either option could enable the play area to remain open until the new play area is completed in spring 2019.

Some people have asked whether the existing equipment will be re-used, however the inspector advised that costs to remove could be prohibitive and that while the equipment complied with safety standards when it was installed, it will not comply with current standards applicable in the new location.

We are currently meeting with play area equipment providers/designers and obtaining quotations for new play equipment as well as quotes for new fencing and resurfacing of the court area to enable this to be used again. We hope to be able to provide equipment for older children/teens as well and once designs are available, we will invite users along to tell us what they think.

ASSETS OF COMMUNITY VALUE

We’ve been working on these for a while and are now very pleased to confirm that both The Musgrave Arms and The Crown have been listed by Central Council. This does not mean that they are safe from development, but it goes some way to keep us informed of any changes in their situation. The official wording is as below:

“The information provided in the nominations confirmed that both pubs met the definition of an asset of community value as defined by the Localism Act 2011 Section 88 in that: a) an actual current use of the building or other land that is not an ancillary use furthers the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community, and b) it is realistic to think that there can continue to be non-ancillary use of the building or other land which will further (whether or not in the same way) the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community.

Once an asset is listed, nothing further will happen unless the owner decides to dispose of it. Where an Asset is included in the List of Assets of Community Value, the owner is required to notify the council in writing of their intention to dispose of the Asset”.

For all Parish Council issues please contact: Mrs. Helen Smith, Clerk to the Parish Council 11 Hillside Close, Shillington, Hitchin, Herts, SG5 3NN.  01462-713224 email: [email protected] website: www.shillington.bedsparishes.gov.uk

ANNOUNCEMENTS / ITEMS / NEWS IN BRIEF

Michael Anthony Fiore

We would like to thank everyone for the cards, flowers and generous donations for the Primrose Appeal, since losing a great husband and loving dad.

The support we have received from family, wonderful neighbours of Woodmer Close and many friends of the village, has been a great comfort and we thank you all for this.

We continue to take each day as it comes, Michael will be missed by so many.

Love Val & Lisa xx

The Royal British Legion Collection 2018 in Shillington, Gravenhurst and Pegsdon.

The collection this year has been particularly well supported, resulting in a total of £2,489.69 to date.

Thanks to everyone who supported the appeal; the willing band of collectors, Peter & Janet for refreshments and photographs in the Village Hall and Shillington Post Office for accepting the bags of cash to transfer to Aylesford Headquarters.

Also, to everyone who contributed to the service and general atmosphere in the village on 11th November.

Shirley McGrath Local Poppy Appeal Organiser.

A huge THANK YOU and festive greetings to contributors, advertisers, sponsors and distributors of this magazine. Your kind support ensures the continuity of the Parish News. I hope those who do read it enjoy it dropping onto their doormat every two months. Best wishes to all readers and their families for a very happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas and New Year. Sally S.

Editor’s note: This issue has been produced in colour. It is of course more expensive to print in this way and not all future editions will be coloured. Hope you like it… let me have your comments…… Sally S.

Letter from the Vicar

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

Dear Friends

Firstly thank you to all of you who have welcomed me back and enquired about my extended study leave. I had an amazing time away and enjoyed my study of Celtic Christian Spirituality, dabbling with paint and having some days of rest and reflection.

I am now back into ministry and what a busy time it is at the moment. Across the benefice we have held three service to remember those who have gone before us, Remembrance Sunday and on the 18th November at our 9:30am service we commemorated the anniversary of the end of World War One.

A couple of friends on facebook have already started the count down to Christmas and the parish can look forward to the regular run of Sunday services, village carol services and hosting school performances. Full details of our Christmas services can be found in this magazine. New for this year will be carol singing around the Christmas Tree at The Crown on the 19th December at 6:30pm. Added to all of the Benefice activities there is also the excitement of family preparations for Christmas. I am sure your own lives will be just as busy this November and December.

I love the busy period leading up to Christmas but part of me is sad that the period of Advent so often gets over looked. Advent allows us to prepare Spiritually for the celebration of Christmas. It was traditionally a time of reflection and contemplation. I am pleased to say that the church has responded to the busy preparations for Christmas. You can find various online links to Advent reflection that are either emailed to your computer or texted to your phone. Perhaps you might consider signing up to one of these this year.

I look forward to seeing you at our services over the next few weeks.

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 Humphreys text: 07754-760073 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected].

Church Services:

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

• On some fifth Sundays services are held jointly with the Congregational Church at alternate venues.

• First Sunday of the month: 9.30am - Family Service 6.00pm - Choral Evensong.

• All other Sundays: 9.30am – Holy Communion

For details of all our services and for PCC members’ contact details, please see our website www.allsaintsshillington.org.uk, our Facebook page (Shillington Church) or the church notice board.

All Saints Church Rector, The Reverend Richard Winslade and the Church Wardens welcome your prayer requests throughout the year.

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SERVICES AND EVENTS AT ALL SAINTS

9th December 1st December 2nd December Holy Communion – 9.30am Christmas Bazaar Family Service – 9.30am Messy Christingle – 3.00pm Village Hall – 2.00pm Evensong – 6.00pm Christingle – 4.00pm 16th December 19th December 21st to 23rd December Holy Communion – 9.30am Carols Around the Tree at Santa’s Float around the Village Parish Carol Service – 6.00pm The Crown pub – 6.30pm 23rd December 24th December 25th December Holy Communion – 9.30am Midnight Mass – 11.30pm Family Service – 9.30am

200 Club Winners OCTOBER NOVEMBER

1st £50 No.50 Kjell Torriset 1st £50 No.152 Derek Wilson 2nd £25 No.58 Christina Fulton 2nd £25 No.192 Allen Jenkins 3rd £10 No.184 Rob East 3rd £10 No.64 Henry Dryden

SHORT MAT BOWLS

Bowling for our 2018/2019 season commenced in September with a flurry of activity from our members involved in charity and county games as well as our regular club meetings.

During the summer months some of our members took part in a series of county selection programmes and several of our club members have been selected to play for Hertfordshire. Congratulations to Toni and Bill Gearing, Carol Still, Julia Bruce, Ros Lewison and Jeanette Waller.

Friendly games were held in September and November with Greenwood - a short mat bowls club from St. Albans. Both games at Shillington and St. Albans were very competitive with honours even, both clubs winning on home ground. We visit Harpenden for a friendly game early December and further friendly games are planned for the New Year.

During October our club commenced competition with two teams in the Beds and Herts League at Wilstead and two teams in the Barnet League at Hatfield. Initial results are encouraging. At the same time we started our own In House League Competition and this is once again proving to be very competitive with some surprising results.

Recently several members have been celebrating birthdays but none more so than our own Nellie Michell, who not only cannot stop hitting the jack but has also achieved her 90th birthday. Club Members arranged a surprise birthday party, flower arrangement and cake to celebrate the occasion.

We are also very pleased to welcome another new member, Michelle Conlon, to the club and wish her every success as she develops her bowling skills.

Club meetings for December will be Monday 10th & 17th and Friday 7th, 14th & 21st. Bowling will resume following Christmas and the New Year on Monday, 7th January 2019 and continue as previously i.e. Monday Afternoons - 2 to 5pm and Friday Evenings - 7 to 10pm.

For further information contact: John Clark ( 01462-711446) or Toni Gearing ( 01462-711871)

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Hi everyone!

Hope you had a chance to meet up with some of our Members at the Fireworks or the Village Market.

A big thank you to everyone who helped and supported our Village Market with 30 tables run by local people. There were some lovely things to buy and lots of lovely things to eat! Thank you to everyone who donated to our Tombola and to everyone who had a go! We had nothing left at the end inspite of taking up 3 tables! The afternoon went off extremely well and there was a lovely atmosphere. We enjoyed meeting up with some new and old friends who supported the event.

Our next meeting takes place on Thursday 13th December at 8.00 p.m. This is a week later than we usually meet because of the Christmas Tree Festival. We will be making Floral Christmas Table Arrangements led by Sandra Hare.

CLUB NEWS:

Lunch Club – enjoyed a lovely trip out on a sunny day to Loch Fyne in Woburn

Book Club- have been reading “The Novel in the Viola” by Natasha Solomons

Monthly Walk – keeping going in the Autumn/Winter months

Relaxation Class – growing in popularity – we are becoming a very “chilled” group!

Craft – last month we had a craft afternoon at one of our member’s houses making felt Christmas tree decorations.

We are looking forward to our Christmas Lunch which, this year, is planned at The Barns in Bedford.

Our AGM will take place at the January Meeting – please call the Secretary if you wish to attend and are not yet a member.

We always welcome new Visitors/Members so do come along and give us a try. We meet on the first Thursday of each month at the Congregational Church at 8.00 p.m.

Any questions please call Jill Russell (Secretary) on 01462 711533

SHILLINGTON MEN’S CLUB (Inaugurated in 2004)

The Club has had a very successful and entertaining 2018 with ten evening meals and ten outside events organised by the Committee. Club Membership continues to grow and we now have a total of forty members.

October / November Events:

On the 24th of October we visited the Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory near Cambridge. Twenty two Members enjoyed a guided tour of this massive site. The observatory is part of the Cambridge University and home to a number of large aperture synthesis radio telescopes, including the One- Mile Telescope, 5-km Ryle Telescope, and the Arcminute Microkelvin Imager. Radio interferometry started in the mid-1940s on the outskirts of Cambridge, but a few years after the construction of the MRAO it was transferred to the current site at Lord's Bridge.

Henlow Greyhound Racing Stadium was our next visit on the 27th November. The meal was excellent as usual and members also had the opportunity to place bets on the ten races. Although not everyone was “in pocket” it was a very enjoyable evening.

Twenty seven members enjoyed a return visit to The Red Lion in Great Offley on the 10th of October. The Cumberland sausage ring with bubble and squeak or the gammon, eggs and chips was excellent as usual.

Our next meal was at The Crown in Shillington on 13th November, we enjoyed locally produced sausage with mash followed by sticky toffee pudding. This was our first visit under the new ownership, the food was very tasty and they looked after us very well.

Thanks to Michael Bradley and Paul Bruce for their time and effort in organising the above events and meals.

Coming Up:

Our annual Christmas Party will be held on December 12th at The Mount Pleasant Golf Club. Rumour has it that Santa Claus will also be attending!

In January we have a planned visit to the Bedford School Observatory, this will be the third time we have visited this very interesting and informative venue. Let’s hope for a clear sky!

And finally our AGM will be held in the Congregational Church on the 30th of January. This will be followed by a talk by an Army Officer from and his experiences in Afghanistan.

About the Club:

The Club now has a membership of forty. There are six elected Committee Members who meet every twelve weeks to review and evaluate past events, plan future events and review the Club’s Finances.

Why not come along to one of our future events for a sampler, you will be made most welcome and there will be no obligation to join. The Club offers an opportunity to make new friends, stimulating conversation with other members who have a vast array of hobbies and interests to talk about over a good pub meal and of course some good ale. It also offers a monthly visit to a place of Culture, Interest or History.

Membership is just £5 to join with an annual Membership fee of £10.

How to contact us: For further information please contact the following:

Events Co-ordinator - Michael Bradley (01462 711162). Email [email protected] Or Chairman - Graham Williams (01462 713468) Email [email protected]

WIVES GROUP

The Wives Group have enjoyed the first half of their 2018/2019 session. We commenced in September with a Buffet & Social evening to welcome back existing and any new members. We are pleased to say 3 new members have joined us this year.

Our second meeting in September was a talk by Mark Davis on ‘The Story of Grasse Perfume’. We were really indebted to Mark for travelling all the way from Maidstone and honouring the booking made last year. The talk was most interesting.

In October we had a talk by ‘Roger Webb on ‘Cromer Windmill’. This is the only remaining windmill in Hertfordshire and although we live fairly close many of us didn’t know of it and that it is open on various days from May to September.

Another meeting in October was our ‘Cheese & Wine Party’ & social evening which all our members enjoyed. Unfortunately our speaker at the beginning of November had to cancel while she was on route to us due to car problems. We turned this into an evening where we chatted to one another over tea and biscuits.

Our last meeting this session was on November 22nd when we were pleased to welcome back Kirsty McGilley from ‘The Flower Mill’ at Southill who showed us how to create a traditional Christmas Door Wreath. She used easily obtainable moss, greenery and dried materials plus a few artificial items. The end result was excellent and was donated to our raffle with one lucky recipient taking it home.

We do not meet again at the Congregational Church until January 24th when we will have our New Year’s Party, but we are looking forward to our Christmas outing in December to the Chesfield Downs Golf Club for ‘A Hollywood Themed Party Night’.

UGLY DUCKLING By Revd. Angus McCormick  01462- 712096 Minister of Shillington Congregationalist Church

I used to visit a lovely family regularly and we had an enjoyable time together. I noticed that their neighbours were well protected with security gates and large notices warning any intended visitor to keep out. Then one day, I heard the news that these security-conscious neighbours had been arrested for human trafficking. So all that security was as much about carrying out illegal acts without hindrance as keeping themselves protected from any outside unwelcome intrusions.

I used to live for years in a community where people were equally imprisoned by vigilantes and forces of intimidation; where torture and murder were not uncommon. The difference between the house with the well secured gate and the apparently open community was that there was not always an obvious outward sign of the imprisonment that people were held under. Human trafficking is alive and well in many forms, sadly: people are threatened and abused for all kinds of reasons, not least the exploitation of young girls and refugees. Such oppression is found both at home and world-wide. It is both hidden and sometimes quite open and bold.

I have frequently found it difficult to enable appropriate engagement with families where such abuse occurs, not least because of our long-held views on individual freedom and rights - but with little concern for responsibilities.

So my appeal is to keep this issue as a live concern for us all and to engage in any preventative way we can to ensure every person, regardless of age, creed, etc, etc has the respect and liberty they deserve.

Remember the ‘ugly duckling’? Maybe it is a reminder that people can be alone, isolated, abused, and only after a long struggle if they are fortunate, eventually share in the joyous freedom most of us enjoy.

At this time of rejoicing, we can only rejoice if all rejoice, but equally, we suffer if others are suffering. For a truly enriching Christmas celebration, it must be as inclusive as we can make it.

Every blessing Angus

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH NEWS 47 Church Street, Shillington www.shillingtoncong-church.org.uk

Sunday Worship:

Our Church is open every Sunday for worship at 10.30am. A warm welcome is extended to everyone who wishes to join us.

Details of who is leading the service each week can be found in the village calendar. Visitors always welcome.

Food Bank:

Donations for the food bank would be appreciated with the next delivery being taken to mid-December.

Remembrance Sunday Service:

The Village Remembrance Day Service was held on Sunday 11 November in the Congregational Church, culminating at the War Memorial for the two minutes silence. Following the Act of Remembrance a display of WW1 photographs and memorabilia was available to view in the village hall, plus refreshments, all provided by courtesy of Mr. & Mrs. P. Watts. The collection taken during the service at the Congregational Church amounted to £493-33 for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Christmas Tree Festival:

Come to view the variety of trees on display over the weekend of Friday 7th to Sunday 9th December. Opening times as poster on page 26.

Refreshments will be available throughout the festival. All proceeds from the weekend will be donated to our chosen charity - Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Craft Club:

The meeting dates for the New Year are as follows:

• 15th January • 5th & 19th February

between 2pm and 4pm

For further details please contact Janet Worley.  01582 881824

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

[email protected]  01462 713543

It has been a quiet time for the villages since I last wrote. Quiet, apart from a splendid firework display and an unaccountable surge of small devils and witches early one evening. Otherwise, the Hanscombe End development comes on apace, some sections of our roadways have been improved and floods continue to emerge and then disappear.

This brings me to CBC’s latest acquisition – the Super Vac. It goes with the famous Velocity Patcher. (Makes CBC sound very domesticated?) The Velocity Patcher, as you will recall, mends potholes rapidly by forcing hot tar mixture into the hole and then tamping it down hard. Not a substitute for resurfacing, but better than nothing, and it’s done without having to close the road at all. Now the new Super Vac will unblock around 11,000 drains this winter. Its powerful jet pressure can remove any blockages, including tree roots, in minutes. This will, it is predicted, improve our rural road conditions when blocked drains cause flooding and, potentially, ice.

The Crown pub has just been accepted by CBC as an asset of community value in the village. This means that if it is to be sold, the village community now has the right to try to buy, over a six month period. It does not, however, mean that the owner has to sell to the village. Fortunately I can assure readers, from personal experience, that the Crown is doing very well!

Those with long memories may remember that CBC’s Local Plan includes distributing a total of 2,000 new houses across all the villages in . Shillington’s quota is just over 40 houses on the hillside above Marquis Hill. The planning inspector’s hearing of the Plan itself is now delayed until autumn instead of spring, because he has questions regarding landscape and environmental issues in Central Bedfordshire. These are addressed to organisations such as Natural , and not to CBC itself. Since the answers are slow in coming, the hearing is being delayed.

Early this year China stated that it would no longer accept our western rubbish. The result has been that some local councils have spent over half a million pounds on recycling. The fees for processing materials for recycling have risen from £15 to £22 per tonne. As the recycling market shrinks, the Local Government Association is urging the government to put pressure on manufacturers to reduce packaging. Germany had this problem years ago, and passed a law enabling customers to dump the excess packaging in metal bins at supermarket entrances. Amazing how soon it worked! But this explains CBC’s decision no longer to collect garden waste over winter, to save money. Every little helps!

Lastly, the Remembrance Sunday service was the most moving occasion I can remember. And the photo exhibition, after. The names we hear, every year, but we did not see their faces; so young, so proud. That was something completely humbling, for me. And our school can be proud of its beautiful Commemoration collage, which was exhibited in Central Bedfordshire’s art gallery in Priory House.

So, to the end of the last report before Christmas. May I wish us all a truly relaxed and convivial family time together. But if you have anything I can help you with, please don’t hesitate to contact me either by phone or e-mail. Best wishes, Alison Graham

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

David & Fiona John Howarth - remembering your birthday on 22nd Sunday Saturday Howarth December 18 December 24 December

All Saints Church Wishing everybody a joyful Christmas and peaceful Sunday Saturday Shillington new year 25 December 6 January

WREST PARK VOLUNTEER OPEN DAY - JANUARY 2019

This will be held at Wrest Park in the Ante-Library of the Mansion House on Saturday 19th January from 12 -2pm.

Would you like to be a part of an outstanding team?

Would you like to spend time in one of England's most prestigious and fascinating Gardens with a story that spans over 600 years?

Would you like to share your enthusiasm and love of history?

Would you like to meet like-minded people and try something new?

Then why not come and volunteer for English Heritage at Wrest Park.

Whether it is welcoming and chatting to visitors or telling the stories of our unique house and garden, there are plenty of ways to get involved here at Wrest Park. Come along to our open day and find out more about what's involved and how you can help our visitors ‘Step into England's Story’. COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER Sally Stapleton – [email protected] -  07711-504489

What an amazing November it’s been with several exciting events bringing the village together, in true community spirit with local businesses and organisations working to make each one a success.

FIREWORKS:

It all started off with the Fireworks Spectacular on 3rd November – a bit worrying in the week leading up to it with all the predictions of bad weather. However, on the day, the rain stayed away and the forecast strong winds did not materialize.

Excellent advertising by Richard Brettell and daughter Charlotte (even though initial banners mysteriously disappeared!) with kind sponsorship from The Crown.

The stalls were in the main to do with food…. what better way to celebrate a November evening. Huge thank yous to the Scout Group for their very tasty burgers and hot dogs; the WI for their brownies, flapjacks, coffee, tea and hot chocolate: Lordship Farm for the super sausage rolls, waffles and warming soup as well as sweeties for the children; “All Things Sweet” with Emma – very tasty cakes, which we all thoroughly enjoyed. The Glow Sticks were quickly snapped up (thank you Harry B!) and raffle tickets sold well (thank you Paul B).

During the early part of the evening we laid on a children’s entertainer “Cheeky Dog”. It was a joy to see the children’s little smiling faces – obviously a bit hit. The Social Club was open and sales of mulled wine went down well. The musical entertainment after the fireworks was well supported and rounded off a great evening. The only downside was the PA system – we will do better next year (!!).

A huge thank you to Sue & Kevin, The Brettell family, Members of the Social Club (particularly John x 3, Gavin, Lance), Toni G for handling on line ticket sales and facebook page and High Road Stores and Bowles Garage for selling paper tickets. Also to the junior football managers (particularly Russell Owen and Ben S) for sorting out security and marshalling on the evening and helping clear up the following day.

We ‘clicked’ through 689 heads on the gate and you will be pleased to know we made enough to cover our outgoings this year (Shockwaves Fireworks cost £3,967 including VAT) with the main income from ticket sales, raffle and donations from stall holders.

Are we doing it next year ? Well hold the date for now…… Saturday, 2nd November 2019.

JOY TO THE WORLD CONCERTS:

Another triumph orchestrated by our very own Joy Robertson – two magical evenings of music across 100 years in our magnificent church – great setting and fantastic turnout in support. The village photos screened above the main action were a joy to behold (courtesy of Maurice Haynes with his cine camera in the 1960s). Well done to Phil, Ian and John W for pulling the pictures together with photos of village events

A surprising mix in the choir with some great solos…. as well as a more professional touch by Sarah Hooper and Nicky Clark. ‘Mine Host’ was Tim A – his Spike Milligan renditions caused much mirth as well as his childhood memories with his dad playing the church organ.

Another highlight of the evening was 14 year old Harry L, whose cello playing was fantastic – what a lovely young man.

All in all a fantastic evening or two ably supported by ‘The Friends’… thank you all for making this a thoroughly enjoyable event.

REMEMBRANCE SERVICE & WW1 DISPLAY:

What a great community turn out to commemorate this special anniversary. The Congregational Church was packed and it was lovely to share the service with so many younger members of the community.

This year Mr. John Catton reminded us of why we will remember them. His moving words have been reproduced in this magazine for all to share and think about the sacrifice by those young men.

We also had a excellent village turnout at the Memorial – good to see a police officer or two - special thanks to our voluntary traffic controllers – Andy S and the Clements team.

To make this year’s service a bit more special the Rainbows and Brownies made poppies for the 26 young men listed on the memorial from WW1 and planted these during the service as I read out their names. Thanks to Mary B for the lovely floral arrangement – much appreciated - and to James Marshall Gardening Services for nice planting in the memorial garden and keeping it tidy. It was good to see village businesses also taking part this year with a wreath from The Crown.

We had a different buglar this year – Sue Michaels very kindly came forward (thank you Kathy C) and did a splendid rendition of the ‘Last Post’ and ‘Rouse’ (for some years I’d had this down as ‘Reveille’ so appreciate the correction Sue!). I was very pleased that we got the timing right at 11am for this special year.

Hope you all enjoyed the bi-plane flyover as we all proceeded down Church Street and into High Road. Although I took the credit, big thanks to John F in his de Havilland Queen Bee.

Janet & Peter Watts organized a wonderful display of WW1 memorabilia and photos in the Village Hall after the service, which proved very interesting to those who popped in. Thanks to both for pulling this together and also to those who helped with the teas.

WI MARKET:

What a lovely afternoon of browsing around the many stalls of local homemade, hand crafted items on display on 17th November. Many congratulations to the WI for arranging this splendid event and to the stall holders for getting Xmas shopping off to an flying start….

OLD PICTURE SHOW

And finally – it was nice to see so many ‘old faces’ returning to enjoy the ‘village collection’ in our 18th year on 25th November. This year made more special by a visit from Vick (Shanny) White, who came all the way from Grimsby! Hadn’t seen his school pals and Apsley Enders for over 50 years – a great reunion!

We have over 500 photos in the collection and are always on the look out for more to record our village history, so if you have any lying around in the loft don’t forget to let us have them. Thanks to Peter & Janet Watts for managing the collection on our behalf.

“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”

At the special memorial service on 11th November, Mr. John Catton reminded us of why we will remember them… his words were very poignant and thought provoking and several people have asked me to reproduce in the Parish News. Thank you John ….. Sally S.

So, who were these young men? Well, it was at a time when reports on Anglo-Zulu wars were still on everyone’s lips, with romantic sounding names such as ‘The Defence of Rorke’s Drift’ and ‘Keynsham Light Horse Enthusiasts’ and when 11 Victoria Crosses had been awarded to men of the Welsh Fusiliers for outstanding acts of bravery. Back home there will have been County Yeomanry displays, glamorous events with Military Bands playing stirring marching tunes, and children stepping it out with exaggerated strides endeavouring to keep in step with the beat of the drums. Such was the imagined glamour of a military life.

It is not surprising then that young men answered the ‘Call to Arms’ in great numbers and even lied about their age to in order to enlist in what was perceived as an adventure, excitement and travel. But their early days of basic training in bleak garrisons may have come as a shock: Square Bashing under battle- hardened Drill Sergeants, weapon training, bayonet practice, lectures, and always the constant ‘Spit and Polish’ to their turnout.

The course will have been very tough, almost brutal, but from being raw recruits, they could be justly proud to have made the grade as trained soldiers, ready to “Pass off the Parade Square” and be granted a well earned leave to return home for a few days, back with mother’s cooking. We will never know just how many mothers burst into tears with a mixture of pride and foreboding at the first sight of their precious son as he strode towards her in his new uniform. He was now transformed into a proud, confident and smart serviceman. He would have been quietly delighted at the envious looks from his younger siblings, and could not have failed to notice the renewed interested glances from the young lady who lived next door.

But all too soon he would have received his Movement Order and learnt of his departure for the Front Line. He would travel with weapon, bedding, hard rations, and an ’Active Service Edition’ of the Bible containing a message from the King: “To all serving in my Forces by land or sea in defence of the Realm, I commend the reading of this book which for centuries has been a wholesome and strengthening influence in our national life, and it behoves us in these momentous days to turn with renewed faith to this Devine source of comfort and inspiration.”

There are no atheists among troops moving into battle areas. But from that moment on life changed dramatically ...

Those who found themselves in a trench warfare endured both boredom and a previously unimagined fear set in a quagmire of rain and mud. Every morning, at an hour before first-light, and every evening at an hour before dusk, all would be at ‘Stand To’. Silently waiting, ready to repulse an attack that might be launched at them.

On other days, orders would have been given for an attack at the enemy, again silently waiting with apprehension and fear, while the ominous sound of ‘covering fire’ deafened their ears, they remained, waiting for the signal to go over ‘Over the Top’ to deal with an enemy who would take away our nation’s freedom, well aware that it could be their own final moments - each man silently harbouring a dread that his mounting fear might show and be seen by his comrades - true comradeship had become an all fulfilling reality - and for those who survived the horrors of war, this comradeship would last a lifetime.

A Sergeant recorded later in his diary: “Men fell silent, or spoke casually, or made surly jests, according to their nature. No one spoke of the task before us. Occasionally we stirred to brush the dirt from our necks and to empty our pockets of dust. Shells roared and moaned incessantly across the floor of heaven. Dry heavy clods of earth flew on the air.” As we know today, so many did not survive, and families at home suffered the constant anguish of the knock on the door delivering a feared telegram from the War Office bringing them the worst possible news.

They also serve who only stand and wait.

Burials in the field became a common practice, leaving mounds with wooden crosses as a reminder to those brave men who still remained defending our honour.

A Private from the 2nd/6th Lancashire Fusiliers wrote: “I staggered up the hill and then dropped over a slope into a sort of gully. It was here that I froze and became very frightened because a big shell had just burst and blown a group of our lads to bits; a terrible sight. I just stood there.”

A Field Ambulance report read: ….

We put the stretcher-case in a depression in the ground. He was very frightened; he said, “Am I going to die, mate?” I said, “You’re going to be alright, son, as soon as Heinie stops his shelling we’ll have you out of here and they’ll fix you up OK.” The shelling eased off and we picked him up and set off again. He died before we got to the dressing station. We lost ten of our stretcher bearers that day.

It was at times like these when Royal Army Chaplains – Padres - men of many pastoral roles in peacetime, who became the fearless men of God in the battlefield. Unarmed and abandoning all thoughts of their own safety, they moved freely amongst the wounded and dying, bringing the Holy Sacrament, and sharing with each one what, for many, would be their final moments in this world. Many Army Chaplains received bravery awards for outstanding acts of courage under fire, many made posthumously.

Like an ever-rolling stream, bears all its sons away;

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission was established at that time, today it operates in 23,000 locations in more than 150 countries and commemorates 1.5 million servicemen and women who died in the two world wars, including sailors of the Royal and Merchant Navy. Anyone who has visited a Military War Cemetery will know how impeccably they are all maintained, in almost every case by dedicated volunteers.

If I should die, think only this of me: that there’s some corner of a foreign field that’s forever England.

A few years ago my own family, including grandchildren, travelled to Northern France to the London Cemetery near Arras, where my uncle, my father’s elder brother is buried, with an inscribed grave-stone. He was just twenty-two. It was said at the time that there was scarcely a family in the land who did not mourn the loss of a beloved son, father or husband.

Last year I visited, with a colleague, the Headquarters of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in south London, which allowed me to see at first hand the amazing work and deep commitment that everyone has. I was involved in two projects that specifically dealt with memorials and military cemeteries in East Africa, where my own military service took me. There is a programme of conservation and building of new Visitor Information Centres in time for the anniversary of the formal surrender of German Forces in German East Africa. The first acknowledgement of a cease fire agreement came on a hand-written piece of paper dated 14th November, with the actual surrender taking place on the 25th November, that’s two weeks after the Armistice Day in Europe. Out in the wilds of Africa sending and receiving secure signals at that time was rudimentary.

African Regiments and others from around the Empire made a considerable contribution to His Majesty’s Forces in both World Wars - particularly in the Burma Campaign, but don’t get me started on that one!!

In 1922 King George V made a pilgrimage to the battle sites to honour all those who had died in the war. He stood before a pillbox that had become a first-aid post to treat the wounded and where those who could not be saved had been buried by their brothers in arms in makeshift graves.

After the end of the war, almost 12,000 graves of the British and Commonwealth soldiers were brought from surrounding battlefields. A further 34,000 men who could not be identified or whose bodies were never found, have their names inscribed on separate memorials. Thinking of these men, the King remarked: “I have many times asked myself whether there can be no more potent advocate of peace upon earth through the years to come, than this massed multitude of silent witnesses to the desolation of war.”

In Flanders’ Fields the poppies blow between the crosses, row on row, that mark our place: and in the sky the larks, still bravely singing, fly scarce heard amid the guns below.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

The below picture was created by pupils from Shillington Lower School to mark the centenary of the end of WW1 and has been on display in the Central Bedfordshire Council offices at Chicksands – what a super picture – well done to all involved.

SHILLINGTON HISTORY SOCIETY NEWS with DEREK TURNER  01462-712462 [email protected]

It may be cold outside but if it’s dry, it’s a wonderful time of year to go out walking. When the leaves have dropped from the trees and the vegetation has died back, you can appreciate the bare bones of the countryside, including earthworks in some fields that indicate some kind of human activity in days of old. Many ancient secrets, though, lie underground and during last spring and summer, Shillington History Society’s enthusiastic archaeological team completed test pit excavations at five more locations. They made more excellent finds including evidence of dietary habits from pieces of animal bone and oyster shell as well as pieces of clay tobacco pipe, buttons and fragments of dateable pottery.

Work began in wintry conditions at the end of April, the site of the windmill that is mentioned in 1652 at the top of the hill towards . We were rewarded with 7 pieces of Late Medievalware pottery suggesting that the site was in use up to a century earlier. Shillington also had a watermill - one was recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086. The last one was probably built on the same site but became obsolete due to the rise of coal and steam power around 1900. We had permission to dig in the grounds of a nearby property but this turned out to be unrewarding as the land had been terraced and we discovered that most of the soil had been removed together with any evidence of past human activity.

We were back on track though with the other three test pits. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to dig in new areas at either end of Hanscombe End Road. At the northern end towards the Hillfoot and Bury Rd junctions, we encountered a very fragile piece of Iron Age pottery (600BC to 0) - the first from that era that we’ve found in the 54 test pits excavated so far. Near the southern end near Apsley arch, after dodging drainage pipes, we found plenty of early Medieval pottery (1150 - 1400). At that time, there would have been no bridge here over the brook, just a ford through it, but it was an important place with four roads converging from different directions, and not surprising that people should be living nearby. Hanscombe End continues to be an area that merits further investigation and I shall be looking for more sites there next year.

Our final test pit at Redhouse Farm in Upton End Road revealed a piece of one thousand year old pottery from the late Saxon period when England was ruled by Kings called Ed - Edmund, Edwey, Edgar and Edmund again. This confirmed evidence from other nearby test pits that this part of the village has a long history. There was also a bumper haul of attractive Lyveden ‘A’ ware - red pottery containing white speckles and blackened on the outside, probably all from one large cooking pot manufactured in Northants in the late 1100s.

This year wasn’t all about archaeology though for in October, I met a visitor to Shillington who had arrived from Fairbanks, Alaska. Like others who live elsewhere but have tracked part of their ancestry back here, Dick Hanscom had contacted Shillington History Society in January to say that he hoped to visit this year. His surname certainly suggests a link with the many other Shillington Hanscoms (with various spellings) that have been recorded for eight centuries. It is no coincidence that part of our village is called Hanscombe End and it probably takes its name from one of the first Hanscoms to arrive in these parts.

The first we know of are Matilda and her husband Gilbert from whom she inherited 6 acres of land in 1222 and others occur in 1288 and 1537. Since the church records began in 1554, 125 burials of Hanscoms (or similar) have been listed. In fact, the oldest surviving grave in the churchyard is the unique flat-topped, brick-built chamber north of the church of Mary, wife of William Hanscombe, who died in 1692.

While there must have been previous buildings on the site, the earliest documentary evidence that I have seen for the farmhouse at Hanscombe End Farm is from 1729 and I can find no mention of any Hanscombes having lived there since. In 1817, the Enclosure Map of Shillington shows James Hanscombe owning farmland elsewhere in the village and a later William Hanscombe lived at Shillington Bury. He built Pirton Grange just outside Shillington parish in 1880 for £5,000 and a year later, he purchased 22 acres of land at Northley Farm.

I was able to meet Dick and his wife Jan at the church, during a brief break from a conference they were attending in Northampton. They had already spotted some graves of likely relatives and I was able to point out Hanscombe End and its eponymous farm to them. From there, we walked down Church Street to the War Memorial and village hall (originally, the Hanscombe Memorial Hall) which were constructed after the first world war on land that William Hanscombe had donated to the village. They couldn’t stop for long and soon had to go, passing Pirton Grange and Hanscombe End as they left. It was a privilege to meet visitors who had travelled so far to see where a distant ancestor had lived.

Shillington History Society website can be found at http://www.shillington-history.org.uk

HISTORY WALK AFTER CHRISTMAS

This year’s walk will be on Wednesday, 26 December - Boxing Day between 10.30am and 12.30pm. We’ll meet at the village hall and finish at The Crown. This year, we’ll cross some fields, so bring your walking boots. I hope to see you then.

FLORAL DEMONSTRATION and CHEESE & WINE EVENING 25 SEPTEMBER

We had an amazing response and evening for my Floral Demonstration and Cheese & Wine evening. Well over 100 attended on the 25th September.

My floral designs were raffled, an auction of donated goods took place, with Richard as MC and everyone enjoyed a brilliant atmosphere, cheese and wine.

All my family and friends provided the support to host this event in memory of Ernie and all those living with Cancer.

I’m delighted to say that I’ve been able to send the total amount raised £1,567.50 to Cancer Research UK and The Primrose Unit Bedford Hospital, split equally between them.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE INVOLVED! x Sandra Hare

PLOUGHING ON……A Farmer’s Perspective ! by Whizz – T. C. Shaw & Sons www.shawfarming.com www.mrsmiddleton.co.uk

As I type there is a lovely, warm smell of baking wafting through to my office from my kitchen. This is evidence of my latest obsession – making sourdough! I went on a course during half term, with a super lady near Milton Keynes, to learn the art of baking sourdough and it was fascinating. My previous breadmaking attempts had been somewhat disastrous, but since my lesson things have vastly improved!

Based on ancient methods, sourdough is made using a “starter”, which is a mixture of flour and water that has been left to ferment. This is then refreshed or fed with water and flour each time a loaf is required and a small amount of it is then used to start the dough. The rest is stored back in the fridge, almost like a living creature, until it is needed again. My teacher said she always names hers, so the children have come up with “Martha the Starter” for ours!

The last loaf I made was using a combination of spelt flour, supermarket branded strong white flour and our own white flour, milled locally at Watermill. It was delicious and particularly satisfying knowing some of the flour had come from the fields around the house. The current loaf has more of our own flour to replace the spelt. I love experimenting, so it will be interesting to see how the taste and appearance differ.

The farm is a bit sticky and wet at the moment, although not too bad for this time of year. We are just beginning to think about pigeon patrol, so it won’t be long before one of the main jobs is checking every field of oilseed rape each day, to make sure the pigeons aren’t eating it all. This is time consuming but essential. Pigeons can cause havoc if left alone for too long. The only day off they have is Christmas Day when we let them have a festive leaf or two in peace!

We have been loading wheat onto lorries for Weetabix and Warburtons this week, as well as oilseed rape heading to Erith for processing. This time of year is often busy with grain heading off the farm. Fieldwork is petering out now that all the winter crops are in the ground so we have more time to load lorries. The JCB is kept busy between the different grainstores as we can have several lorries coming on the same day (12 is my record i.e. nearly 300 tonnes of grain!) Each load put on the lorry has a passport (a document of information specific to that lorry and its contents) and we keep a sample of the grain, so there is a significant amount of paperwork to do before we load it. We also have to check inside the lorry trailer before we put anything in it and when possible, weigh it before and after loading so that we can keep a record to compare with the weighbridge at the end of its journey. All very time consuming but crucial to our farm audit and for traceability.

Last year we launched our new salad dressings, made in conjunction with Phil Fanning of Paris House in Woburn. They have gone down really well with customers and in October we were awarded the highest accolade at the Bedfordshire CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) Living Countryside Awards. We entered the Local Food and Drink Category and were given a CPRE Mark which we were thrilled about. Phil and I met with the judges in the summer and explained how and why we did them as well as letting them taste both flavours. We had samples of both on the patio table, with lovely fresh bread and crudités. While we were talking we noticed that they children had gone unusually quiet…only to find they had crept over to the table and were gobbling up the samples! At least it was evidence that they go down well with all the family!

£5,000 Donation to the Wanderbus Community Bus Service

Where to Madam and Sir?

Stephanie Kirby (right) and Clive Lester (left), on behalf of Whitbread Wanderbus Ltd, were delighted to receive a cheque for £5,000 from Bedfordshire Freemasons towards the cost of a replacement second Community Bus.

Clive, one of the 22 volunteers, who run the Community Wanderbus, told us, “We would like to thank Bedfordshire Freemasons for their generous donation towards the purchase of this bus, which serves the residents of some 12 villages in Central Bedfordshire and helps fill the gaps left by traditional bus operators. The Community Wanderbus provides a much- needed link to local towns and villages for young and old residents, who do not have they own transport. He went on to explain that the Wanderbus services also provides residents, who are elderly and alone, with the opportunity to meet other residents and helps foster a Community Spirit”.

Tony Henderson (centre) the leader of Bedfordshire Freemasons told us, “Sadly many people in later life find themselves alone. As Clive noted, the service provided by the Wanderbus, helps them to get out and stops them feeling alone and isolated. The Masonic Charitable Foundation - a Charity, which is funded solely by Freemasons - has recently donated £1M to Age UK to fund a three year programme to help older people feel less lonely and get the most out of life”.

HOLDING ON ...... TO OUR PRECIOUS CHURCH

WOW!! 2019 in about 4 weeks – what happened to 2018? Time flies when you are busy and The Friends have been very busy!

We have hosted 5 amazing events this year and served home-made cakes and tea every Sunday during the summer. Lots of funds raised and lots of church restored! Just like “The 4th Road Bridge”, work never finishes in order to maintain our beautiful church.

Look out for next years’ events, the first one being our Skittles Evening (see page 30) or become a Friend (form below).

In the meantime ...... a huge THANK YOU to everyone who had a part in producing the two ‘Joy to the World’ concerts in November: choir, musicians and production team members for the time, energy, and expertise they contributed to make the Concerts such a great success. Also thank you to everyone who came along to enjoy the evenings and supported our fundraising. Over 170 people attended, raising £1,767 towards the restoration and maintenance of All Saints Church.

Have a Happy Christmas & a Joyous New Year!

Peter Lambert Chairman of The Friends

FRIENDS of ALL SAINTS CHURCH, SHILLINGTON Registered Charity Number 1060329

I/we enclose a donation of £……..…… to Friends of All Saints, Shillington for the year 2018

Name (s) ………………………………………

Address …………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...………………………………………………………..

Tel ………………………………….…

Email ……………………………………………………………………………………….……….….

Gift Aid Declaration: (If you are a UK Income Tax payer the Friends can reclaim 25p for every £1 you give at no extra cost to you.)

I am a UK income tax payer would like Friends of All Saints to be able to reclaim tax on my donation: (Yes / No ) (Delete as appropriate)

Signed ………………………………………………… Date ……………….

Please make cheques payable to ‘The Friends of All Saints Church’ and return this form, signed as necessary, together with your donation, to

P. M. Carroll, Hon Treasurer Friends of All Saints, 1 New Walk, Shillington, Hitchin, SG5 3LN

ARE YOU REALLY AN EMERGENCY? Ron Bradstreet  01462-711486 E-mail: [email protected]

There has been a great deal said of late about the way Emergency & Accident departments of hospitals have experienced unprecedented patient demand and clinicians and staff are being asked to deliver ever more with fewer real terms resources. Several reports have been published about those going to A&E unnecessarily. One report said about 15% could be treated in the community, others say more. Unnecessary attendees generally are those who could have been treated in general practice.

There are many factors contributing to the problem of unnecessary attendance at hospital. A single solution that targets one part of the health and social care system is unlikely to be effective at managing overall levels of demand. For example, the data shows that unnecessary attendance is relatively more common amongst children and young adults. It also varies considerably across different hospitals. It is hard to determine if going to an alternative point of care, such as general practice, would have been “necessary” in clinical terms, but we can reasonably assume the cost to the HNS overall would be significantly lower. However, assumptions about A&E departments stopping unnecessary attendees by intervention must take account of the current lack of capacity within general practice. We know that consultations in general practice are becoming longer and more frequent while the struggle to recruit the GPs of tomorrow continues with few signs of the numbers increasing.

For both adults and children unnecessary attendances are more likely to occur in the out-of-hours periods, with the weekend after 6pm the highest of all periods. During the week attendances peaked in the very late night/very early morning out-of-hours period. This is difficult to understand. The latest GP Patient Survey reported that one third of patients who had contacted an NHS service when their practice was closed went to A&E. However, the Survey does not show whether the decision to attend A&E was the result of advice or just a preference to use A&E especially.

There may be other ways of dealing with minor but urgent needs, such as walk-in centres and minor injury units. Whether patients are aware of these alternatives to using A&E, or wish to use them, is a paramount issue. Research reveals that awareness of GP out of hours care, NHS111 and walk-in centres has increased since last surveyed, but patients were generally no more likely to consider them as alternatives to A&E.

The reason patients attend A&E can be categorised as “strong”, “medium” or “weak” according to whether they considered their condition to be an emergency or a lower rated condition. This seriously affected their likely-hood to change to some alternative NHS service in the future. Overall the proportion of patients giving “strong” reasons for using emergency care has decreased since earlier surveys, suggesting that patients attend A&E to reduce confusion in their choice.

Shillington Congregational Church

Christmas Tree Festival

Friday 7th December 3.30 – 5.30

Saturday 8th December 12.30 – 6.00

Sunday 9th December 12.00 – 5.00

All proceeds in aid of

Alzheimer’s Research UK

Admission Free

SHILLINGTON CHILDMINDERS

Childminders provide safe, friendly home environments for children to play and have fun whilst gently learning through their play. We take children on outings to farms, play centres, splash parks, museums and libraries as well as teach them life skills such as helping to do shopping, gardening and cooking.

We are registered with Ofsted, have public liability insurance, follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, undertake regular training including Safeguarding and First Aid and receive regular newsletters and bulletins from professional organisations.

Here in Shillington, we meet up at least once a week to provide children with the opportunity to learn social skills and experience different play resources. The children get to know all the childminders and children which enables us to offer the ability to cover holidays and other absences for each other.

Some of us are able to provide up to 15 hours of free childcare a week for eligible 2 year olds, as soon as care starts, in the same way that nurseries and pre-schools can. We are also able to provide the free sessions for all 3 and 4 year olds; at least 15 hours per week up to 30 hours per week (for 38 weeks of the year) depending on parental eligibility and the childminder's policy. The free sessions normally start the term after the child's 3rd birthday. There may be additional charges to cover e.g. food and outings.

We each have differing childcare availability such as before and after school care, daytime childcare, overnight childcare, ad-hoc care or flexible care e.g. for shift workers.

To find out more about each childminder and their availability, please contact us:

Laura Forgham Katie Brettell Deb Pateman 01462 713638 01462 713054 01462 338304 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

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

COULD YOU BE THE VOICE OF YOUR COMMUNITY?

If you’ve ever thought that you would like to represent the interests of your local community and help shape decisions on the services where you live or work, then becoming a Central Bedfordshire Councillor is a great way to make a difference.

Perhaps you think that ‘you’re not councillor material’ as you don’t belong to a political party or you don’t see yourself as a ‘stereotypical’ Councillor. Central Bedfordshire Council wants its residents to be well represented and believes that it is important that Councillors reflect the communities they serve and bring a broad range of skills and life experience.

You can find out more at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/be-a-councillor

To help people to decide if entering the political arena is for them, a new booklet has been produced which, amongst other things, explains in detail who is eligible to stand, the role of a Councillor and what are the steps needed to become a candidate. This is available either as a pdf document or you can request a hard copy by emailing [email protected]

Attend our event for prospective candidates on 14 January 2019

We have arranged an informal event as we recognise there’s value in talking to Councillors face-to-face to find out what’s actually involved, in terms of the time and level of commitment that it takes to be an effective Councillor.

Potential candidates can come along to Priory House at 6pm on 14 January to hear first-hand from Councillors, to ask questions and seek advice, which should help them to decide if they want to represent their community.

Potential candidates can register their interest in attending the event or receiving further information at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/be-a-councillor

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Next Development Management Committee meeting at CBC Chicksands - 5 December 2018

DECISIONS from CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL:

CB/18/02935/FULL. Mr A Boyle, 1 Greenfields Proposed new 2 bed chalet bungalow to rear garden of existing dwelling. REFUSED 18/10/18

CB/18/03234/VOC. Mr D Gill, Chiltern View Poultry Farm, Higham Road, Higham Gobion. Variation of condition 2 & 3 to planning permission CB/17/01170/FULL (new garage) replace drawing number 2013-746-102 and materials schedule with drawing number 2013-746-102A and garage materials schedule Rev A. APPROVED 18/10/18

CB/18/03235/VOC. Mr D Gill, Chiltern View Poultry Farm, Higham Road, Higham Gobion. Variation of condition: Replace drawing number 2013-746-101D and materials schedule with drawing number 2013-746-101E and Stable Block Materials schedule Rev A. APPROVED 18/10/18

CB/TCA/18/00345. Mr Nicholson, 10 Hanscombe End Road Works to trees within a Conservation Area: Prune T1 – Sycamore, Prune T2 – Ash. NO OBJECTION 10/10/18

CB/18/02958/FULL Mr & Mrs G Jepps, 95 Apsley End Road. Demolition of existing bungalow & construction of a new 4 bed dwelling with integral garage. WITHDRAWN 22/10/18

CB/18/02983/FULL. Miss J Nightingale, Davies Veterinary Specialists, Unit 7, Manor Farm Business Park, Higham Road, Higham Gobion. Installation of 4 windows side and back of unit 7. Installation of a joining corridor with flat roof and window between unit 6 and 7. Installation of 1 door to side of unit 7. Remove rolling shutter door to fascia of unit 7 and install glass doors and window in place. Remove corrugated front fascia and install timber cladding and brickwork to match other buildings on site. WITHDRAWN - 23/10/18

CB/18/03411/FULL Mr & Mrs Hartley, 33 Hanscombe End Road Single storey rear extension, First floor side extension and erection of open front porch. APPROVED 26/10/18

CB/ TCA/18/00375. Mrs Cullen, Apsley House, 2A Apsley End Road Works to trees within a Conservation Area: Removal of Yew tree growing in the front driveway, removal of Douglas Fir growing behind the garage and removal of Silver Birch growing next to the conservatory. NO OBJECTION 31/10/18

NEW/REVISED APPLICATIONS:

CB/18/04033/FULL. Davies Veterinary Specialists Ltd, Unit 7, Manor Farm Business Park, Higham Road, Higham Gobion. Change of Use - Installation of 4 windows side and back of unit 7. Installation of a joining corridor with flat roof and window between unit 6 and 7. Installation of 1 door to side of unit 7. Remove rolling shutter door to fascia of unit 7 and install glass doors and window in place. Remove corrugated front fascia and install timber cladding and brickwork to match other buildings on site. Change of use of Unit 7 from Industrial to Veterinary Specialist under Class D1.

CB/18/04149/FULL. Mr & Mrs Lewis, Chibley Farm, Road Conversion of the existing small barn into a single dwelling and associated works

CB/18/04150/FULL & CB/18/04151/LB Mr & Mrs Hanlon, Willow Thatch, 129 High Road Single storey side extension and demolition of existing flat roof garage block and construction of new garage with office

 USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS 

CBC’s trading standards department has provided the following numbers, to assist residents in identifying doorstep cold callers, purporting to be from energy or water companies, and enable checks with these organization if any reason for concern.

British Gas General Enquiries 0800 048 0202 EDF Energy Customer services 0800 096 9000 National Gas Emergency Service Helpline 0800-111-999 npower General Enquiries (landline) 0800 073 3000 General Enquiries (mobile) 0330 100 3000 ScottishPower General Customer Service (landline) 0800 027 0072 General Customer Service (mobile) 0345 270 0700 SSE General Enquiries 0800 980 8831 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

Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ. (www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk) General enquiries ...... 0300 300 8000 ([email protected])

Highways ……………………………………………………….…0300-300-8049

Dog Fouling/animal welfare ………………………………..……..0300-300-8302

Flooding ……………………………………….…………………… 0300-300-8049 Planning ...... 0300-300-8307

Recycling/Flytipping .…………………………………………….. 0300-300-8302 Police (Emergency) ……………………………….……………… 999 ……………………………………..….…….. 101 (non emergency calls, but to report incidents)

Bus Information ………………….………..…. 0870-608-2608 or 01234-228337 Shillington Services (Martin Brogan) for washing machine repairs, etc. 07975-944394

Parish Councillors – contact details: John Clark 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

VILLAGE FACILITIES

Looking for an evening venue for your organisation ?

SHILLINGTON SCHOOL

has a large hall available for hire on weekday evenings.

For further information and an opportunity to view the facility, telephone the School on 01462-711637

SHILLINGTON SOCIAL CLUB Greenfields, Shillington  01462-711795

(FREE WiFi to Club Members)

Usual Opening Hours: Monday, Thursday and Friday from 7.30pm to closing time. Saturday - 3.00pm to 7.30pm unless special evening function / Sunday - 12 til 4 pm find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/shillingtonsocialclub

✓ Licensed bar with variety of beers at social club prices – £1 a pint less than most pubs. ✓ Domino and darts teams. ✓ Regular Artistes and Fund Raising Events and a great Pool Table ✓ Fresh filter coffee. ✓ The Club is a village amenity - why not pop in for a drink or, even better, become a MEMBER.

SHILLINGTON VILLAGE HALL

All enquiries please contact the BOOKING CLERK on  07376-682935 (answerphone facility available) e-mail: [email protected]

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

 Children’s Parties  Discos/Dances  Meetings   Table Top Sales  Exhibitions  Zumba  Pilates 

Occasional Separate Use of Car Park by Prior Arrangement only

VILLAGE CALENDAR

DECEMBER

7 Annual Christmas Tree Festival – Congregational Church – 3.30 to 5.30pm 7 Shillington Lower School – Christmas Fayre – 3.45 to 6.00pm 8 Annual Christmas Tree Festival – Congregational Church – 12.30 to 6.00pm 8 Musgrave Arms – Xmas Party from 6.00pm 9 All Saints Church Service – Sung Holy Communion – 9.30am 9 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Angus McCormick – 10.30am 9 Annual Xmas Tree Festival– 12 noon to 5.00pm - followed by Carol Service at 5pm. 9 All Saints Church – Messy Christingle – 3.00pm 9 All Saints Church – Christingle Service – 4.00pm 12 The Crown – Charity Quiz from 7.30pm 13 Wives Group – Xmas Outing 14 Baby & Toddler Group – Xmas Party !! – Village Hall from 9.30am. 15 Lordship Farm – Xmas Event – afternoon Kids party/evening carol singing & magic 16 All Saints Church Service – Sung Holy Communion – 9.30am 16 Congregational Church Service – Mrs. Sandra Hare – 10.30am 16 All Saints Church – Parish Carol Service – 6.00pm 17 Playing Fields Management Committee Meeting – Social Club – 8.00pm 19 All Saints Church – Carols around the Tree at The Crown – 6.30pm 21-23 Santa Float around the Village (see front cover for more details) 23 All Saints Church Service – Sung Holy Communion – 9.30am 23 All Saints Church – Church Decoration – 12 noon 23 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Angus McCormick – 10.30am 24 St. Mary’s Church, Gravenhurst – Carol Service – 5.00pm 24 All Saints Church – Midnight Mass – 11.30pm 25 All Saints Church – Family Communion Service – 9.30am 25 Congregational Christmas Day Service – Revd. Angus McCormick – 10.30am 26 History Walk with Derek – meet at Village Hall – 10.30am 30 United Service at the Congregational Church with All Saints & Churches in Stondon/ Gravenhurst - 10.30am 30 The Crown – New Year Party

JANUARY 2019

6 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Angus McCormick - with handover of cheque with proceeds from Xmas Tree Festival – 10.30am 8 Parish Council Meeting – Congregational Church – 7.45pm 13 Congregational Church Service – Mrs. Brenda Ballentine – 10.30am 14 Be a CBC Councillor – Priory House, Chicksands – 6.00pm to 7.30pm 19 All Saints Church – Grand Quiz & Supper – Village Hall – 7.30pm 20 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Dr. Christopher Hill – 10.30am 24 Wives Group – New Year Buffet & Social Evening – Congreg. Church – 7.45pm 27 Congregational Church Service – leader TBA – 10.30am 30 Village Hall Management Meeting – Jubilee Room – 8.00pm

FEBRUARY

3 Congregational Church Service – Mrs. Sandra Galton – 10.30am