PARISH NEWS

covering SHILLINGTON, & www.shillington.org.uk

After extensive work and refurbishment The Crown is now under the new ownership of Philip & Victoria Kelly, serving quality food and drink within a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere for all. Pop in to try our fantastic menu or just to enjoy a pint, glass of wine or cup of coffee. Family friendly, dog friendly, community friendly!

To book a table or for further information please contact us on our temporary telephone number: 07757 249457 or email: [email protected] or book online: www.crownshillington.com

OPENING HOURS: Mon-Thu: midday-11pm / Fri-Sat: midday-midnight / Sun: midday-11pm FOOD SERVED: Mon-Fri: midday-3pm & 6pm-10pm / Sat: midday-10pm / Sun: midday-9pm

Issue 135 – April 2018 Deadline for June edition - Friday, 25th May 2018 PARISH COUNCIL

VILLAGE SIGN:

After much debate and several meetings with our designer Diane Butler, who has put a lot of hard work into the design, plus further meetings with “Signs of the Times” at , Parish Council have agreed the new sign for the Village Green on High Road. We had considered a ‘pub’ style sign like many of those across the country, but felt that due to the amount of trees planted on The Green, it would be hidden in the foliage and missed by many.

The background would be red with white writing and some of you will recognize the photo reproduced by kind permission of John Whitehall. So we are just awaiting permission from CBC Highways/Street furniture folk to see if it would be acceptable and can be located in place of the current plain “SHILLINGTON” sign currently on display.

WW1 CENTENARY – COMMEMORATION:

We have been looking at ideas to commemorate the centenary of the end of WW1 and hope to be able to do something in conjunction with the School. One idea is to involve the pupils in the planting of two native trees on Horns Pasture (lower field on the Playing Field), coupled with the installation of a sturdy bench with suitably inscribed plaque.

We will hopefully have more details in the next edition if members of the community would like to join in the event.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY – 11th NOVEMBER – BUGLAR REQUIRED !

As this is a special year with the 11th November falling on the Sunday, unfortunately our regular ‘Buglar’ is unable to be present at our service this year due to other commitments. We would therefore be very pleased to hear from anyone in the community who could do a live rendition of “The Last Post” and “Reveille” at the War Memorial on this date, or knows a person who could.

If you can help with this request, please could you kindly contact the Chair or Clerk. Your help would be much appreciated.

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

Joan Ivy Dewick 1 May 1926 – 13 February 2018

The family of Mrs. Joan Dewick would like to sincerely thank friends and neighbours for their lovely cards, flowers and kind messages of condolence following her sad passing on 13th February at the Lister Hospital aged 91 years.

Several people had wished to attend her funeral, but her last wish was just a simple cremation with no religious funeral service, no mourners, no flowers and her ashes buried with her dogs in the back garden.

The family will be having a small event once the weather improves for the interment of her ashes.

Any donations in her memory are in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support www.memorygiving.com/joanivydewick – a charity which she had supported over the 20 years when we had village open gardens.

Ken, Sally & Andy, Shaun & Thomas

Dawn Allen 7 May 1933 – 6 March 2018

Dawn was a real village character and, to those who knew her, she was kind and considerate and you always knew where you stood with her, she always said what she thought.

She had so many stories to tell of her life in Shillington from when her mum was caretaker at the Old School at the top of Church Street to the many adventures of the village kids at that time. She recalled wearing new red wellies and ending up being swept away down Bury Road brook as she was told by Denis Day that they were “special boots” and she would be able to walk on water…luckily the village midwife managed to grab her and pull her out.

War time recollections included standing on the Church steps watching London burning; seeing German bombers flying over to bomb London and watching a dog fight between a Spitfire and Messerschmitt up Bury Road. Camp was the base for a Spitfire Squadron.

Fortunately many of her stories have been captured in an interview and will hopefully be published along with others later in the year.

Her funeral service was conducted by Revd. Richard on 29th March with refreshments served at the Social Club afterwards. Thanks to the Metcalfe family for these arrangements and for looking after her so well, Dawn would have been very pleased. RIP Dawn we will miss you.

Letter from the Vicar

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

Dear Friends

As I write this the church is half way through Holy Week. This is the week when Christians around the world do their final preparations for Easter. In this parish we have been preparing ourselves spiritual for the Easter celebrations.

Our services in Holy week include Compline (the final monastic service of the day), The way of the Cross (a reflection on the sufferings of Christ), Maundy Thursday Eucharist and watch (remembering the last supper) and on Good Friday Prayers at the foot of the cross (a reflection on the last hour of Christ’s life here on earth). Then Easter technically begins after our Easter Vigil service on Saturday. But why so much preparation you may ask.

Easter is the most important date of the church year. We celebrate the most important event ever to have happened in the world. An event that changed the world, changed the disciples and followers of Jesus and an event that still changes the lives of people today. In the death and resurrection of Jesus we see the wonderful and overwhelming love of God for his creation. In the resurrection we find the promise of eternal life. In the resurrection we find hope and strength in our daily lives.

Our Lent course this year has looked at the impact of the resurrection and has challenged us to be a risen church full of the joy, hope and love of Easter throughout the year. It has also challenged us to look at the world around us and accept the challenge to tell others the wonderful news of the resurrection.

Alleluia, Christ is risen.

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 : 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 some 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 or the church notice board.

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

Burials – Rest In Peace

9th February 2018 - Mary Marie Bullard 15th February 2018 - Sheila Agnes Skeggs 14th March 2018 - Evelyn May Cain

200 Club Winners February 2018 March 2018 1st £50 10 Susan English 1st £50 87 Dennis Swindon 2nd £25 182 Liz Carboni 2nd £25 115 Peter Farmer 3rd £10 48 Nell Hanks 3rd £10 39 Maggie Lambert

ALL SAINTS’ ILLUMINATED

To celebrate or commemorate your special occasion please contact:  01462-711850 (Catherine)

It only costs £25 to sponsor a whole week’s illumination – a perfect way to commemorate a special family occasion or loved one’s anniversary. The ideal gift for the person who has everything.

Sponsor Message From To In loving memory of Richard Whiteley, formerly Saturday The Whiteley Sunday of Gravenhurst, who died on 14th February 2018. 17 Family 11 February Sorely missed by friends and family. February The Edwards In memory of Carl. With love from Mum, Dad, Sunday Saturday Family Debbie, Chris, Rebecca & Ethan 4 March 10 March In memory of Bryan Bowles on the occasion of Sunday Saturday Bowles Family his birthday on 17th March. 11 March 17 March Love from all the family Remembering Ben Simkins, who would have Anne, Christine, celebrated his 90th birthday on 19th April. You Sunday Saturday Clare & are always in our thoughts and we have missed 15 April 21 April Benjamin you so much over the past 25 years. David & Fiona Kathleen MacKinnon – remembering your Sunday Saturday Howarth birthday on 30th April. 29 April 5 May In loving memory of Joan Ivy Dewick who died on Ken Dewick & 13th February 2018. 1st May would have been Sunday Saturday family her 92nd birthday. 29 April 5 May Also happy birthday to Shaun Dewick on 4th May. Iain & Diane In loving memory of Stewart & Annie Dunbar, Sunday Saturday McDonald loved and remembered every day 20 May 26 May

ODE TO ALFIE

From puppyhood to eight years old your character soon began to unfold. You loved your walks along the wood with scents and smells you understood. Your happiest time was your new friend, when OSCAR came to set the trend. You were together every day, walking, sleeping, never to stray. You loved to be ahead of the game, when walking with OSCAR doing the same. Snowdrops will flower where you passed away, and we will remember you every day. Gone from our sight but never our memories, gone from our reach but never our hearts.

Margaret Johnson, Apsley End SHILLINGTON SHORT MAT BOWLS

Excellent news from our members competing in the Hertfordshire County Barnet League; in their first year they have managed to achieve 3rd place in Division 2. This team is pleased to be representing Hertfordshire in the National triples matches at Melton Mowbray in April.

Concluded at the end of March, our ‘In house’ Triples league competition has been extremely competitive this year with results being posted as this goes to press.

The Club’s ‘Knock-out’ Trophy matches are currently taking place over four Saturday afternoons and finish in May. Winners receive their trophies at our AGM in June.

Our teams, the Scarecrows and the Wickers, entered in the Beds and Herts Winter competition at Wilstead, were revamped this year in order to accommodate more members who expressed a desire to be given the opportunity to represent the club. Unfortunately the new format has not worked well and therefore next year our original arrangement will be reinstated. After all our aim has always been for one or the other of our teams to win this competition and, having been runners up for the past few years, we need to once again be in a strong position to accomplish this.

At the end of March two teams took part in an all day Charity match at March in Cambridge with varied success. Very tiring but good fun with over £200 being raised for Leukaemia Research. Another Charity Day we will be supporting is on April 8th when we will have two teams at Elstow Bowls Club, always worth joining.

We also have a friendly match booked with the Bromham club early in April.

For further information:  Jeff Rix 01462 711298

SHEFFORD SUMMER FETE – 3rd JUNE – 12 noon to 5.00pm

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

In February we had a very enjoyable evening with Elspeth Jackson who came to teach us two different methods of Rag Rugging. We all got the opportunity to try these techniques and she helped us every step of the way so that we had something to take home at the end of the session. It was particularly nice to welcome 4 new visitors to the group, who came to join in the activity and find out more about us.

The harsh weather conditions in March made us decide to cancel our meeting. We thought that for everyone’s safety and comfort that it would be best - not least our visiting Speaker who was coming from Harpenden to talk to us about “Accessorizing”. Fortunately, we have managed to rebook her for our November meeting.

Our trip to Anglesey Abbey went ahead as planned on the 14th February and was much enjoyed by the participants who managed to dodge any bad weather on the day. Visits to Henlow Grange have also been thoroughly enjoyed and may well be repeated at a later date, now that those involved have had a chance to see what is on offer. A chance for a bit of relaxation and pampering!

Our next meeting takes place on Thursday, 5th April at 8.00 p.m. at the Congregational Church and will be a greatly anticipated visit from Frances Benton and her talk on “A passion for Pearls”. We will be welcoming some visitors from Pirton Ladies Group who are coming to join us especially for this talk.

Our monthly outing will be a trip to Cambridge on the 10th April and we are looking forward to a day enjoying all that Cambridge has to offer.

Book Club have been reading “The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper” by Phaedra Patrick Craft Club have been making cards and also knitted hats for premature babies in hospital Lunch Club went to The Bamboo Tree in in March and will be going to The Crown in Shillington this coming month – exciting to see it now that it has re-opened! Walking Group have managed to continue through the Winter with the next walk planned for April - to be arranged.

We will be having our Annual Cake and Plant stall on the morning of Saturday, 2nd June outside Ansell’s Village Store – Don’t miss out! This is a popular event – so do come along and visit our tables!!

SAVE THE DATE!!! Village Market back after last year’s success – Saturday, November 17th from 1.00p.m. to 4.00 p.m. More details to come. Tables £6.

Our group is gaining in strength from “new blood” always essential for the maintenance of a good Group so if you haven’t visited before, please come along and visit us and see for yourselves – there is a great variety of things on offer both locally, in the County and Nationally – something for everyone!

If you have any questions or would like more information please contact Liz Brewer – our President on 711594 or Jill Russell – our Secretary on 711533

SHILLINGTON MEN’S CLUB (Now in its 13th Year)

AGM:

On the 24th of January we held our AGM in the Congregational Hall. The year was reviewed and the same Committee Members were re-elected.

Our Treasurer Rob East reported that our finances were in good order, Michael Bradley our Events Co-ordinator, reported that we had attended twelve outside events with a total of 170 Members attending. Two of these events included partners. Paul Bruce our Meals Co-ordinator, reported that we had attended twelve meals with an average of 24 Members attending each venue. All meals and events are now planned for the whole of 2018.

At each of our meals we conduct a raffle with 50% going to the winner and 50% going into the Charity Fund. The charity selected by members for 2017 was the Shillington Beavers and a cheque for £182.50 will be presented to them.

Our speaker following the AGM was Gerry Lawrence who gave us a very interesting and fascinating talk on his life as a mountaineer. Gerry has climbed with a number of world famous names in the mountaineering world.

Past Events:

Twenty two Members had a return visit to the Dog & Badger at on the 7th February for a very tasty Steak & Ale Pie with trimmings. Thanks to Paul for organising this.

On the 22nd of February 47 Members and Partners visited the auctioneers W H Peacock for an Auction Insight Evening. They gave us an insight into how auctions are conducted and the wide range of items that are put up for auction. We had a tour of their new premises and all of the auction rooms. There was quiz to put a value on selected items and a prize was awarded to the person who forecast the most accurate expected values. This was followed by Cheese and Wine. Many thanks to Michael for coordinating this event.

On the 7th of March twenty seven Members had another excellent meal at the Cross Keys in . Again thanks Paul for organising this.

Our outside visit on the 28th March was to the McGrath Italian Motors Collection in Kimpton. We were able to see a number of Maseratis in the process of being renovated and restored. Some of these vehicles were worth over £1 million. There was also a vintage Rolls Royce Silver Ghost having its interior renovated.

This was followed by a Pub Lunch in Preston. A very interesting day out was had by the thirteen Members attending. Thanks to Michael for arranging this event.

Future Events:

• 11th April - Mount Pleasant Golf Club for their superb Beef Bourguignon. • 25th April - Battle of Britain Bunker in Uxbridge. • 9th May – The Raven in Hexton for Ham Egg and Chips. • 23rd May - The Horse Racing Heritage Centre in Newmarket. • 21st June - Tour and Beer tasting with supper at the Tring Brewery.

We have a Membership of thirty nine. There are six elected Committee Members who meet every twelve weeks to review past events, organise future events and review our finances.

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

Contacts:

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]

PLAYING FIELDS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Playing Fields Committee were delighted to hear from the Big Lottery Fund this week (27th March) that we have been successful in our application for funding to purchase a community defibrillator for the Playing Fields at the top of Greenfields.

This will be located on the external wall of the Social Club building (exact location to be decided) but once installed will be available for community use 24/7. With the amount of footballing currently taking place on the Playing Field and all the supporters, as well as community activities in the Social Club, this will be a huge benefit to the area.

Training in its usage will be arranged shortly and anyone wishing to take advantage of this is welcome to attend. Please let Sally Stapleton know if you would be interested in participating.

In writing, just a mention of a local ‘hero’ in Ben Simkins. During the snowy weather some local individual thought it would be great fun to drive onto the playing field in the snow and make doughnuts on the junior pitch in front of the Social Club. We noted the vehicle and know the owner and wonder why he thought this was so clever. However, in the pouring rain on 29th March, Ben was out there barrowing top soil onto the damaged area to restore it to good condition. THANK YOU BEN – very much appreciated.

c WHY THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH ? By Revd. Angus McCormick  01462- 712096 Minister of Shillington Congregationalist Church

Someone asked me why I joined the Congregational Church ?

Over 17 years ago my wife and I moved to the village from Northern Ireland because of my work which was in London. We wanted to worship locally. The Congregational Church was warm and welcoming even though there were only a few people meeting in the small room at the back of the church building. There was no minister and there were visiting and local preachers. It was a traditional service of worship with hymns and Bible readings.

I knew about the Congregationalists only from meeting some students in Manchester University as well as professors there. I knew about their history - people like David Livingstone and John Bunyan, Oliver Cromwell, several MPs and business people like Colman’s the mustard manufacturers, as well as Mansfield College Oxford next door to where I was a governor at Manchester College, Oxford.

The Congregationalists were enterprising and progressive and some of the congregations had united with the Presbyterians to form the United Reformed Church in 1972. The Congregationalists have a world-wide fellowship and global missionary links, women are treated equally to men and have long been in the ministry. The Congregationalists have welcomed preachers from many different traditions to preach in their pulpits and they invite anyone to share in their holy communion services. Membership is open to all without any financial criteria.

As far as I was concerned the Congregationalists believed that the Church was the People and not a building, though there are outstanding examples of Congregational churches such as in Islington and the old thatched building at Roxton. Worship can be traditional or more flexible and often innovative involving everyone. There are Congregational churches that share their building with other Christians like the Quakers or Society of Friends who meet in Guilden Morden Congregational church. Some Congregational churches do not have ministers but lay- leaders.

After joining the Congregational Church in Shillington the people invited me to be their minister having found out that I was a fully ordained and trained Presbyterian minister and I was prepared to give what service I could voluntarily while still working full-time in London.

The openness, the warm welcome, the freedom to hold your own ideas, the focus on people trying to do what Jesus said and did; there is no hierarchy; decisions are made by all members; some ministers serve in the military and have done with distinction, others are pacifists; people are free to share their doubts and questions.

So we enjoy the Congregational way.

At Easter maybe even if we reject Jesus, as many people have done over the years, just as many have decided to follow what they see as his call to service, so maybe we will realise that Jesus has never rejected us and He will always be there for us - to give us new life, forgiveness, love.

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.

Christian Aid Week - 13 to 20 May 2018

Did you know that British churches founded Christian Aid in 1945 to support refugees who had lost their homes and possessions in the Second World War?

Twelve years later the organisation launched ‘Christian Aid Week’ to help fund this ongoing work.

A coffee morning will be held at the Congregational Church on Tuesday, 15 May between 10.30am to 12 noon to raise funds for Christian Aid.

Please come and support this event - call in for a cup of tea or coffee, toast, plus home made cakes.

CRAFT CLUB:

The next meeting dates are as follows:

• 3 & 17 April • 1 & 15 May • 5 & 19 June

between 2pm and 4pm

For further details please contact - Janet Worley. Tel: 01582 881824

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

[email protected]  01462 713543

Potholes: I expect they are on every one's mind, after the atrocious weather earlier. With regard to Shillington, that eternally over patched piece of tarmac porridge at the Marquis Hill junction has just been completely resurfaced properly, and slightly extended. The long running (literally) flooding problem at the old Red Signpost house on Upton End Road has been assessed, a blockage found and cleared, and as I write, the road is clearing normally. I had got fed up with Highways officers passing us by and demanded a walk round the ward with the relevant officers, to see for themselves the problems we have, and that is what we did; I learned a lot about gullies.

However, the problem of the ever increasing number of serious potholes across cannot be so readily fixed. In the year 2000 there were 101 cars to the mile; now there are 125. Central Government spends £1.1 million per mile on its state maintained motorways, but local government can spend a mere £21,000 per mile on over 90% of the remaining roads. The Local Government Association claims that it would need £12 billion, over the next ten years, to restore England's roads to an acceptable condition. Therefore it is requesting from Central Government a two pence on the litre fuel tax, to cover the shortfall. What would you think about this?

Sadly I have to report that the grain store, to be positioned on the Higham Gobion road, has been approved for construction, despite local residents' valid opposition and my support for them, at the Development & Management Committee Meeting. It will become an outstandingly inappropriate modern block, in a peaceful rural setting. However, it did not contravene any planning boundaries.

Since I last wrote Central Government has extended the deadline for the submission of local plans by six months. CBC is using this time to consolidate its plan, but will still submit it before the new deadline. On another topic, you will have seen the consultation on a new contract for waste services. The 14 year old Biffa contract is coming to an end and CBC is asking our views on six possible versions to update the way in which we have our rubbish collected and, if possible, reduce costs. This is a genuine consultation - CBC has not decided anything, but expects a huge response - because we all love our bins. All six options would contain glass collection, which is an improvement? So please Do respond either on line or on the form which you can get from CBC at .

Lastly; in a previous report I wrote about the so called 'hostile applications' - 19 of which surrounded the village at that time. I included the Hanscome End Road site as one of these. I must sincerely apologise to Mr. Saunders, whose site this is. He is certainly not a hostile applicant, but a long standing Shillington resident whose application was submitted long before the advent of the call for sites. So I am sorry if my mistake led to any misunderstanding about this.

Spring isn't quite here yet. But the Crown is. It's good to see a spruced up, welcoming family pub back again in the middle of our village. Long may it continue to open its doors to us. And with that, here's to a wamer dryer spring - after all this rain Anglian Water says we could be let off water restrictions this summer! May I wish us all a refreshing and relaxing Easter time. As you know by now, please do contact me with any problems contact details as above and I'll get back to you.

Best wishes, Alison Graham

Shillington ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

Tuesday, 15 May 2018 from 7.45pm at the Congregational Church, Church Street.

Guest speaker to be confirmed

This is not a Parish Council meeting. It is an opportunity to:

• Hear a guest speaker on an interesting subject • Come and meet your Parish Councillors and representatives of other village organisations • Make connections with other people in your community • Find out what’s happening in the parish • Ask questions about the issues that concern you

ALL WELCOME

Further information available from Helen Smith, Clerk to Parish Council  01462-713224 / email: [email protected]

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]

RAMBLING ON Derek Turner  01462-712462 [email protected]

As I sit down to write this, I notice a flash of white as a bird lands in the meadow opposite. It’s a Little Egret and a closer look reveals that there are two of them. These birds are now regularly sighted near the brook and they represent a great comeback for a species which became extinct in England some 600 years ago. Little Egrets were a victim of overhunting (their fine feathers were used to decorate hats) or deteriorating climate (the ‘Little Ice Age’) or both. They became increasingly scarce in Europe too but conservation measures and a warming climate have allowed their range to expand northwards again. The first recent breeding record in England was in Dorset in 1996 but I’ve only noticed them locally for about 10 years.

It’s not just naturally occurring species whose fortunes have changed with time. In gardens and allotments across the land and certainly here in Shillington, people once grew most of the vegetables and fruit they needed. Hundreds of different varieties were developed to suit local soils and climate. Now, we buy most food from supermarkets, we are restricted to whatever they make available. In the case of dessert apples, this usually means Golden Delicious, Cox, Discovery, Granny Smith or a handful of others. For cooking apples, it’s usually Bramleys. But we don’t know much about what other types remain. Overlooked in gardens and orchards, their fruit often going to waste, are varieties with evocative names like Beauty of Bath, Tidicombe Late Orange, Pitmaston Pineapple, Red Devil and Rosemary Russet. Locally, it’s likely that many trees came from the Laxton nursery in Bedford, (which closed down in 1957) whose varieties included Superb and Lord Lambourne.

Thousands of orchards used to exist and at one time, the trees would have been standards with the branches supporting the fruit growing high above the ground and well out of reach of sheep that usually grazed beneath them. We don’t know how many of these old trees remain. Over 2,000 orchards show up on 1890 maps of and as many as 40 may have existed in Shillington. Most farms had one and so did many large gardens. Even small gardens might have a tree or two.

Orchards are not just repositories for apples with funny names. They may have pears, cherries, plums or even quince or medlars, and nut trees too- walnut, cobs and almonds. They can make excellent habitats for other species - nesting sites for birds, bats, bees and other insects or homes for lichens, mistletoe and fungi. Harvesting fruit or nuts would have been an important milestone during the year and many members of the community would have taken part in the past.

If you see me or a colleague staring at your garden, we aren’t Peeping Toms. We’re just checking for any fruit trees for a survey for Orchards East, a 3 year exercise to record as many as possible across the eastern counties, coordinated by the University of East Anglia. If you have any particularly old trees, we’d like to speak to you about them. You can contact either Graham Bellamy ([email protected]) or myself if you think yours are special. Whether old fruit varieties that became extinct like the egrets can be brought back is doubtful but knowing what has survived is a useful starting point. Finally, for those who would like to bring an old orchard back to life, Orchards East can offer help and support including workshops about pruning and grafting. Take a look at their website- https://www.uea.ac.uk/orchards- east/home

Correction Last time, I mentioned that “Charles II was put on trial for treason and the country became a republic in 1649.” This should be Charles I, who was executed subsequently. Charles II became king when the monarchy returned in 1660. Thanks to John Catton for pointing out my error.

NHS staff are worth every penny - and more

As many of you will know by now, I had an operation in January as a result of developing prostate cancer. It came as a surprise as I have been fortunate to have benefitted from excellent health before that. Since then, my wife has also needed treatment to pin a fractured femur. We’re glad that the NHS was there to help us when we needed it and we received excellent care from the team at the Lister Hospital in my case and the L & D for Maggie. However, it was clear that all the nurses and doctors were working under pressure and it was rare to see anyone at night. It is unfortunate that the kind, caring, skilled and dedicated staff seem to have been taken for granted for several years as pressure on NHS funding has caused cuts in staffing levels and suppressed their pay. The recent pay offer is most welcome but unlikely to mean much after allowing for inflation. Nothing is as important as your health and we’d both be willing to pay more tax if it meant that more staff could be taken on, rewarded better and be able to work under less stressful conditions.

Local bricks

Do you have a pile of old bricks that are no longer needed? I’m looking for some originating from local brickworks in either Gravenhurst, , Campton or Stondon that are used in many of Shillington’s older houses. The Bedfordshire Geology Group need up to 50 for an educational panel that will be incorporated in a wall that is being reconstructed in the graveyard at Old Church. The bricks will represent the Gault Clay, from which they are made, which lies beneath the lower ground in this area. Please contact me if you can help, even if you have just a few.

More local history and a walk

Shillington History Society supporters are continuing to investigate the village’s origins by digging more archaeological test pits this year. These 1 metre square excavations are principally for finding pottery which can be dated to specific periods. With 49 test pits completed to date, we have good data from some areas, but others need further investigation including Hanscombe End and the upper part of Bury Road.

I hope to try some new locations further afield this year as we attempt to find out where people lived in the Dark Ages between 450 and 950 AD for which we have no evidence so far. Please contact me if you can offer a small area where we could dig.

If you’d like to know more about the village’s fascinating past, I will be leading a free history walk exploring Church Street and nearby - an area that includes many centuries-old buildings with stories to tell - on Sunday, 15 April between 2 and 4pm. We’ll meet at the Village Hall. I hope that you can join me then.

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

“Mummy, do you think we’ll get lots of snow this winter?” said an excited Millie and George back in November. “No,” I said, “I very much doubt it. We never get any decent snow these days”. Whoops. It seems I may have jinxed things.

Normally by now we have drilled the spring crops and are sometimes even enjoying a lovely warm Spring. Not this year; the ground is saturated, we are still having frosts overnight and the tractors are poised, ready, inside the sheds, desperately hoping for some dry weather so that they can go out to work. We’re ignoring the forecast and keeping our fingers crossed that that’s going to be imminent…

The office is a hive of activity, with financial, cropping and general farm and rapeseed oil paperwork. We had a visit from Weetabix last week in order to carry out a very thorough audit following the progress of the wheat. Starting from the lorry delivering our wheat to their factory, they worked backwards through the chain. It started with the lorry that carried the wheat, then onto our telehandler that loaded the lorry, the grainstore where the wheat was kept for 6 months, the combine, sprayer, tractors and operators that were involved with growing it and finally where we purchased the seed from.

The auditor wanted to see every relevant piece of paper; certificates and qualifications, health and safety folders, equipment cleaning diaries, weighbridge and temperature records, fieldwork software and purchase invoices. We were delighted to pass and although it took a lot longer than we were expecting, we found the whole process both interesting and useful. We have tweaked our record keeping to ensure that we have a few extra things written down for the future and it has certainly made us more aware of how important traceability is to Weetabix.

The Autumn sown crops have survived the winter well and although they too are rather soggy they haven’t been affected by the cold. The wheat and barley are taking up any Nitrogen that has been applied and they will soon start to thicken and look green and lush. Unfortunately, the blackgrass will also start to grow and as one of our major issues in farming at the moment it is something we will have to deal with to reduce its impact on the crops.

The oilseed rape shrinks back in the cold months but it is now starting to grow and make the most of the longer daylight hours. I’ve just picked some of the buds to have with our supper – they are a delicious alternative to purple sprouting broccoli!

Whenever the dogs and I walk through one particular field of rape (the one destined for our rapeseed oil) we always bump into the same beautiful brown hare. A magnificent specimen, he always leaps up from around the same area and makes us jump, then dashes off only to hide again just as quickly. There are also two English Partridge, who do the same. They fly out of the crop and dart over the horizon, no doubt to creep back again once we’ve gone. It’s lovely to see and amazes me how they are always there.

We have enjoyed a busy start to the year with regards to our rapeseed oil. With people’s New Year’s Resolutions to be healthy and the general rise in interest in all things local and sustainable, our oil often has another boost in sales after the festive period. There are some fantastic new places popping up too and delivering oil has meant I’ve been able to have a peak behind the scenes. One of our favourites is The Little Deli in Hitchin and my cheese intake has significantly increased since we’ve been taking stock in there! It’s impossible not to buy “just a little bit” of some of the amazing cheeses they have behind the counter.

The garden and vegetable patch are normally starting to look more organised by this time of year but thanks to all the rain we haven’t managed to do much yet. On one of the warmer Sunday afternoons we had recently the children did their usual though. We wondered why it was so quiet and found them in a home-made tepee (made from canes and a duvet cover) in the garden. It was the headquarters for all those involved in “Worm Hunting” – two mucky children and two shifty Labradors!

NEW CAFÉ AT W&H PEACOCK AUCTION CENTRE NOW OPEN!

For a unique dining experience open six days a week, why not visit our new Café in Bedford Auction Centre? Set with modern Italian designer furniture, the Café overlooks the busy sale rooms and comfortably seats over 100 customers. Groups and families with children are welcome to meet and professionals may choose to take advantage of our free wifi or book our private meeting rooms.

Alternatively, you could choose to take-away and enjoy your refreshments whilst browsing our forthcoming sales. Our choice of breakfasts and homemade bakes are available all day and our freshly updated lunch menu and range of hot and cold drinks are sure to satisfy all tastes. Our professional and dedicated Café team look forward to welcoming you soon.

The Café is open Monday to Thursday 8.30am - 3.30pm, with extended opening on Friday to 7.00pm, and Saturday from 8.30am - 4.00pm (last orders for food 1 hour before closing time).

Visit us at: W&H Peacock Auction Centre, Eastcotts Park, Wallis Way, Bedford, MK42 0PE. : 01234 266366

WATCH OUT ! – THE ROBOTS ARE COMING Ron Bradstreet  01462-711486 E-mail: [email protected]

This is not a horror film from Hollywood, but a simple statement highlighting the way automation is going to replace people doing jobs in the future. These predictions vary from estimates of some four million jobs or more being replaced in the next ten years to the robotics market tripling over the same period. The effect of this on unemployment remains to be seen. Half the jobs in the country being replaced by robots does not mean half the jobs lost. All technologies mean more jobs created so the effect is less.

There is, however, no fundamental law of economics that requires the same number of jobs to be created as destroyed. That has been the case in the past but it does not mean it has to be the case in the future. Also automation has been going on for some time. Car production lines have changed completely over past years and some underground lines have been partly automatic since 1968. The Docklands Light Railway is more recent, but the trains are driverless and air travellers will be aware of light trains with no driver travelling between terminals. The New Tube for London programme will include driverless trains, but will have a person on board in case of emergency.

Aircraft themselves are becoming more automatic every day with modern airliners landing automatically if the destination airfield has the necessary facilities (as most of the major ones have). However, I cannot see too many passengers climbing aboard an aircraft with no human pilot. The general situation, therefore, is that things are changing – but where will that lead us? The truth is that nobody has any real idea.

Taking the Industrial Revolution as a guide, machines took over many physical tasks we used to do but humans were still left with the cognitive tasks. Now the machines are taking over the cognitive tasks too, so what will be left for us humans? Obviously this will most likely be the jobs where humans excel or where we choose not to use machines. There are also tasks which robots do better than humans. Dangerous military tasks can be performed by drones or bomb disposal robots, which not only detect but deactivate explosive devices, without endangering soldiers.

Underwater robots have radically changed the way we see the world from the ocean floor. These amazing machines are equipped with sensors, cameras, wheels and other technology to assist scientists when they explore docks, ocean floors, dams, ships’ hulls and so on. They can also dive longer and deeper than any human and provide a close up of marine life. Robots are becoming increasingly important for investigating and researching hazardous and dangerous environments. They can be used to enter active volcanoes to collect data or a burning building to search for victims, giving them a special place with law enforcement and fire departments.

The robotic world ahead of us is without boundaries and we shall have to wait and see where it takes us.

Tool thefts in your area

Dear Residents

Thieves are currently targeting builders and trade vans and tools.

Things you can do to make your van and tools secure:

• Park in a well light area and in clear view of your property and CCTV cameras

• Reverse park against a brick wall or fence so rear doors are inaccessible

• Unload as many tools as you can. It may seem like a chore but it’s better than not being able to go to work tomorrow!

• Fit a quality tool chest in your van and secure it with a solid secure padlock

• Mark your tools so that they can be easily identified, spray paint in bright colours

• Keep an up to date list of your tools including photos and serial numbers

Call 999 immediately if you see a crime in progress

Call 101 if you see or hear something suspicious

Kind regards PCSO Gill Richardson

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

DECISIONS from COUNCIL:

CB/17/05796/FULL. Mr W Burton, Land at the rear of land adjacent to 129 Bury Road Change of use – from agricultural land to garden/residential. APPROVED 12/03/18

CB/17/05250/FULL. Chamberlain Holdings, Land to South West of Higham Cottages, Higham Road, Higham Gobion. Proposed Grain Store. APPROVED 19/03/18

CB/17/05732/FULL. Mr Darren Gill, Noahs Ark, Hillfoot Road Erection of two dwellings on existing public house car park and alteration/extension to existing public house and associated flat into a single three bedroom dwelling. APPROVED 19/03/18

NEW/REVISED APPLICATIONS:

The next CBC Development Management Committee meeting at Chicksands will be held on 25th April 2018.

CB/18/00848/FULL. Mr. & Mrs. R Hanlon, Willow Thatch, 129 High Road Erection of a side extension to form new utility room with attic store over in place of existing flat roof extension.

CB/18/00886/LB. Mr. & Mrs. R. Hanlon, Willow Thatch, 129 High Road Listed Building - Erection of a side extension to form new utility room with attic store over in place of existing flat roof extension.

CB/18/00755/FULL. Mr. Granger, 52 Church Street, Shillington. Remove existing polytunnel. Erection of greenhouse.

CB/18/00975/FULL. Mrs. Simkins, Rosehill Cottage, Rose Hill, Shillington. Erection of detached cartshed.

INFORMATION:

CBC Local Plan Update: We have been progressing work on the local plan to submit it to the Planning Inspector by the end of March. This target date was determined following the Government’s Housing White Paper: ‘Planning for the Right Homes in the Right Places’, in which it was suggested that a new housing number calculation methodology would be imposed on any Councils which did not have a plan submitted by the end of March. The new methodology calculation would suggest a need for a 60% increase in housing in Central Bedfordshire, which we believe to be both unreasonable and undeliverable, however in recent weeks there have been further announcements from Government regarding changes to NPPF. These have indicated that the new housing number calculation methodology will only be applied six months after the introduction of the NPPF (National Policy Planning Framework), therefore reducing the need for submission by 31st March 2018. We remain committed to submit our Local Plan at pace.

However, this relaxation in timescales does provide us with an opportunity to continue to work with Luton Borough Council, under our duty to co-operate. We believe we are close to agreeing a statement of common ground with Luton, which would be beneficial to both local authorities at the examination stage. Therefore, we now anticipate putting the Local Plan to Full Council on 26th April for approval to submit it to the Planning Inspector by 30th April.

The Plan protects our communities against speculative development and ensures the growth that we need is delivered in the right place and is of the right character and quality. It also ensures that growth is delivered with the supporting roads, schools and services such as health, as well as retain, leisure and community facilities.

 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

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

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

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. ✓ Regular Artistes and Fund Raising Events and a great Pool Table ✓ Fresh filter coffee while you are passing, or for a warm up after a football match. ✓ The Club is a village amenity - why not pop in for a drink or, even better, become a MEMBER.

VILLAGE CALENDAR

APRIL

5 WI – Monthly Meeting – “A Passion for Pearls” – Congregational Church – 8.00pm 8 Congregational Church Service – Mrs. Brenda Ballentine – 10.30am 10 WI – Monthly Outing to Cambridge 11 Men’s Club – Evening Meal at Golf Club 12 Wives Group – Birthday Outing – details TBC 15 Congregational Church Service – Dr. Martin Pulbrook – 10.30am 15 History Walk with Derek Turner – meet at Village Hall – 2.00pm 17 Craft Club – Congregational Church – 2.00 to 4.00pm 22 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Dr. Christopher Hill – 10.30am 25 Men’s Club – Visit to Battle of Britain Bunker, Uxbridge 26 Wives Group – “Alpacas” with Sue Watkins – Congregational Church – 7.45pm 29 United Church Service with All Saints – Congregational Church – 10.30am

MAY

1 Craft Club – Congregational Church – 2.00 to 4.00pm 1 Parish Council Meeting – AGM – Congregational Church – 7.45pm 3 WI Monthly Meeting – “Family Photographs” Restoration – Congreg.Ch. – 8.00pm 6 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Angus McCormick – 10.30am 6 All Saints’ Church – start of Afternoon Teas to end of September – 3.00 to 5.00pm 9 Men’s Club – Visit to The Raven, Hexton for Ham, Egg & Chips 10 Wives Group – “Mid Shires Search & Rescue” – Congregational Church – 7.45pm 13 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Dr. Christopher Hill – 10.30am 14 Playing Field Management Committee AGM – Social Club – 7.30pm 14 Playing Field Management Committee Ordinary Meeting – Social Club – 8.00pm 15 Congregational Church – Christian Aid Coffee Morning – 10.30am to 12 noon 15 Annual Meeting of the Parish (open to village organisations) – Cong.Ch. – 8.00pm 20 Congregational Church Service – Mrs. Sandra Galton – 10.30am 23 Men’s Club – Visit to Horse Racing Heritage Centre, Newmarket 23 Village Hall Management Committee Meeting – Jubilee Room – 8.00pm 24 Wives Group – AGM – Congregational Church – 7.45pm 27 Congregational Church Service – Mr. Allan Linger – 10.30am

JUNE

2 WI – Cake & Plant Stall outside Ansell’s Village Store, High Road – in morning 3 Congregational Church Anniversary Service – Revd. Angus McCormick - 10.30am 5 Craft Club – Congregational Church – 2.00 to 4.00pm 5 Parish Council Meeting – Congregational Church – 7.45pm 9 Friends of All Saints – 1960s Disco – Village Hall – 7.30pm 10 Congregational Church Service – Mrs. Sandra Galton - 10.30am 17 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Dr. Christopher Hill – 10.30am 19 Craft Club – Congregational Church – 2.00 to 4.00pm 21 Men’s Club – Tour and Beer Tasting with Supper, Tring Brewery 24 Congregational Church Service – To be arranged – 10.30am