NEW January 2021 Issue 4 Volume 1 NEWSLETTER An Independent Newsletter covering all parishes across Wixams • [email protected]

To all our readers and advertisers, thanks for your support. Wishing you all the best for a Happy New Year. Let's hope for a better 2021!

Wixams Events Team ello Everyone. We hope you all managed some events in 2021 as safely as we can but in to see the virtual light switch on and the meantime the Events Team hope you had a all the stars on the tree. Hope the Happy Christmas and wishing for a better 2021. Hchildren have been able to spot theirs. Here are As always stay safe some pictures. We hope to be able to bring you e Events Team Wixams Parish Council News Councillor Vacancies look to rotate the speeds signs to the other the Lakeview Allotment Association.  ere Last month the parish council lled the two direction in the new year and take another cut is still a waiting list for the allotments so it’s councillor vacancies and we now have a full of the data. important that as many plots as possible are house with 15 councillors.  is is the pro le of operating. one of our two newest councillors, Scott Foster: Highways “Hi. I am a resident of Wixams and have  e remaining roads in Village 1 have now Facebook group been since 2010, when I moved here from been adopted by the borough council from Reminder that the parish council now has . I’ve been interested in joining the parish the developers. Whilst this might not seem a Facebook group for sharing information. council for a while now. I’m an engineer who like extremely exciting news, being out of Search for “Wixams Parish Council”. has worked in the construction industry for the transition phase will reduce much of the Correspondence with the parish council from over 20 years on residential and commercial complexity around reporting and chasing xes residents should remain via email/letter/phone buildings. Having lived here for 10 years I have to roads, streetlights and pavements. call directly to the clerk. seen the estate continue to grow and thrive, even  e parish council recently made requests of with the teething problems in the early days and BC Highways for additional parking Next Parish Council Meetings continued problems now. I would like to try to restrictions and other Highways changes in Our next meetings will be on 18th January help make a di erence for everyone who lives Wixams, but some of these were turned down and 15th February at 7.30pm. We are currently here and ensure that Wixams continues to be a due to a lack of budget. At the December meeting using Zoom video conferencing. great place to live. I can o en be seen walking meeting the parish council agreed to fund: Please email the clerk if you wish to attend. Our around Wixams with my dog, meeting other dog 1. “No verge parking” signs for the southern agendas will always be published on our website owners or taking my son to the park.” part of Bedford Road. 2. Parking restrictions at least 3 working days before the meeting. for outside the retirement village where HGVs Speed feedback signs are parking on verges overnight. Borough Happy New Year We have provided the data taken from the Councillor Tim Hill will match the parish We would like to wish all the residents in vehicle-activated speed feedback signs last council’s donation. Wixams a happy and prosperous new year. month to the police, who have con rmed Goodbye 2020! they have added us to the list of sites for speed Allotments checks. We’ve also requested the borough  e parish council will be nancially Contact details: council to allocate us some time from the supporting the implementation of a French Email: [email protected] Community SpeedWatch van, but are waiting Drain on the allotment site to resolve the Phone: 07554443800 for con rmation that this can be actioned. We’ll  ooding issue.  is work will be managed by Website: www.wixams-pc.gov.uk 1 Crime Stats • 29/10/20 - Aggravated vehicle taking - Brooklands Avenue • 7/11/20 - Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) - Tawny Avenue • 18/11/20 - Assault without Injury - Common assault and battery - Mallard Court • 30/11/20 - Harassment - Pursue course of conduct in breach of Sec 1 (1) which amounts to stalking • 2/11/20 - Harassment - without violence (course of conduct) • 3/11/20 - Other criminal damage to a vehicle (Under £5,000) - Zander Way • 24/11/20 - Sexual Off ence (22B) • 22/11/20 - Sexual Off ence (86) • 4/11/20 - Th eft by an Employee • 23/11/20 - Th eft if not classifi ed elsewhere - Southern Cross • 30/11/20 - Th reats to kill - Linnet Lane

To report online non-emergency crimes, incidents or give the police information, go to www..police.uk/report See also www.police.uk You can webchat direct with someone in the control room by clicking the green icon on their website. If you have something to tell us that's not urgent this leaves the phone lines for emergencies.

2 Wixams Community Group www.wixams.org/community-group

Christmas Decorations Competition www.wixams.org/christmas-competition-2020

We are sure you would agree that the decorations all over Wixams have been truly magnificent this Christmas! The sheer amount of lights, colours and christmassy decorations in all parts of our town was amazing, which meant there was a big selection of wonderful houses that were entered into our competition. WINNER The winner of the 2020 Christmas Decorations Competition is Michelle and her magical Christmas display on Green Lane! So many different lights, displays, ornaments, colours and Christmas themes were waiting to be discovered by residents and families passing by and we are sure you would agree that this display made Christmas special to many. Congratulations! Thank you to the Budgens team for donating the goodies for the prize hamper, to our judges and volunteers for their help and to everyone who decorated their homes for Christmas, it was fantastic. Below are some photos of our other finalists and please head to the competition page above for many more fabulous photos from across our community by Asan from Tu Plus Tu photography.

3 USEFUL NUMBERS 999 - Emergency Puzzle Corner Where there is a risk of: • Personal injury • Loss of life Sudoku - Skill: Medium • Crime in action 101 - Non emergency 7 6 1 5 • Reporting a crime that is no longer in progress • Giving information about a crime • Contacting local police offi cer • Getting update reported crime 2 6 • Suspicious incidents • Wixams Parish Council ...... 07554 443800 6 8 4 • Lakeview Village Hall ...... 07821 744848 • Lakeview School ...... 01234 741653 • Wixams Tree ...... 01234 608960 • Wixams Academy ...... 01234 608950 5 1 9 7 6 • Budgens ...... 01234 740404 • Portugallo ...... 01234 741116 • Lakeside Fish & Chips ...... 01234 743942 1 3 • Tandoori ...... 01234 740904 • Wilstead 9th Kitchen ...... 01234 740413 • Th e Red Lion ...... 01234 402446 8 4 5 7 2 • Th e Woolpack ...... 01234 742318 • NHS Direct ...... 111 • Wilstead Pharmacy ...... 01234 740609 • Bedford Hospital ...... 01234 355122 3 8 5 • Doctors - London Road ...... 01234 266866 • Doctors - Houghton Close ...... 01525 300898 • Doctors - Greensand ...... 01525 631390 7 2 • Doctors - Oliver St ...... 01525 631395 • Doctors - Wooton ...... 01234 762500 • Dentist - Cranfi eld ...... 01234 752515 • Scotts Vets ...... 01234 742423 5 6 1 3 • BPHA Customer Service ...... 0330 100 0272 • Bedford Borough Council ...... 01234 267422 • L&Q Estates ...... 01926 339339 December issue crossword solution: • Wilstead & Wixams Good ACROSS: 5. Brooklands Avenue, 6. Carp, 8. Parking, 9. Alan Pibworth, 10. Who knows

Neighbours Scheme ...... 07807 408928 DOWN: 1. Budgens, 2. Village Hall, 3. Graeme Coombes, 4. Nathan, 7. Wanderers r

o

o

D t ex s N BBalloon Balloons For All Occasions T. 07733 666508 E. [email protected] Balloons Next Door balloons_next_door

4 1st Wixams Scout Group st Wixams Scout Group rounded off this year with a virtual kitchen disco aft er what has been a diffi cult year for young people across the country.  is was a time for them to let 1their hair down, grab their glow sticks and have a good old boogie at home alongside their friends, parents and leaders over the magic of modern telecommunications.  e scouting values of Integrity, Respect, Care, Belief and Co-operation have been tested to the extreme throughout this period and it has been testament to the sheer resilience of the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts that they have managed to work towards developing their personal goals and achieving rewards throughout the year while participating in fundraising and community participation programmes despite all of the set backs and diffi culties they have faced. It has been a complete privilege to work alongside these remarkable individuals as well as their leaders, who volunteer their time and eff ort so readily to instil these values in our young people.

Steve Bartlett Group Scout Leader 1st Wixams Scout Group

Wilshamstead Borough Councillor GRAEME COOMBES Reporting to Wixams (January 2021)

new year means a new aft er such a relentless period of Astart. I think I can safely negativity and bad news, but say the overwhelming majority there is light at the end of the of us will be glad to see the back tunnel.  e vaccine has, at the of 2020. Whilst there may have time of writing, been given to been personal milestones for over half a million UK people. some during the year – an exam  e prospect of mass vaccination passed, a wedding, a new baby, a across the UK gives us hope special birthday reached – much that we might soon be able to of 2020 had the pall of COVID get back to normality, whilst hanging over it. For those trying recognising that there are likely to run businesses, or who’ve been to be some permanent changes furloughed, or lost their job, it to our way of life. will be a year to quickly forget. My Nan had a saying when I For those who’ve lost loved ones, was a child: “It’s always darkest it will have been a particularly before the dawn”. So whilst emotional year. For those things may have been pretty working on the front line, it has bleak in 2020, I hope we can all been a never-ending daily battle share some optimism that next to protect us and keep us safe. year will be easier. So what does 2021 hold for I’d like to wish all residents of us? It’s diffi cult to be optimistic Wixams a much better 2021.

Tel: 07815 302 318 E-mail: [email protected] Facebook: Cllr. Graeme Coombes

5 Wixams Retirement Village ur Retirement Village is home to folk from all over Bedfordshire and further a eld. One such gentleman Ois Michael Buckley and here is his story. "Shortly a er my wife's death, a er 61 years of married life, I moved into Wixams Retirement Village (WRV). We had lived in France for the last 16 years of her life.  e change in my own life was therefore heartbreaking. However 3 things helped me considerably: 1) I was made welcome by the local church and I am enjoying fellowship with them. 2) I have met a kindred spirit who is now entering her 90th year. We have become very close friends. 3) At WRV, amongst both sta and residents, there is a wonderful sense of community. It is a warm feeling, di cult to put into words, but it has helped me enormously. In spite of COVID-19, or perhaps because of it, this feeling of togetherness has been a source of great strength for all who live here." Michael has used his language talent to run French lessons for interested residents and has enjoyed taking a stroll with Wixams Walkers when possible.

Would you or any of your family/friends like to volunteer at Wixams Retirement Village?

The ExtraCare Charitable Trust has thousands of volunteers who play an invaluable part within the organisation; they make a real difference by sharing their skills/knowledge and offering their kind support. We have a wide variety of volunteering opportunities: ➢ Bistro / Coffee Bar / Kitchen Assistant ➢ Receptionist ➢ Shop Assistant – covering the till in our small on-site shop ➢ Maintenance Team - practical tasks/admin ➢ Befriender (age 18+) - supporting other residents ➢ Bar Assistant ➢ Fitness / Gym Assistant ➢ Gardening Club ➢ Wellbeing / EOP volunteer (Enriched Opportunities Programme, supporting residents living with dementia & other mental health conditions) …. and many more!

If you would like to volunteer or have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me - telephone 01234 981000 or Email [email protected] Wixams based cake maker

Look forward to hearing from you. Contact: 07791 282769 Kind regards Paula McCready - Volunteer Coordinator email: fi [email protected] Core Hours: part-time, Mon-Wed 8.30am-3.30pm (Flexible, subject to change) www.fi eldfarecake.co.uk www.facebook.com/fi eldfarecake Wixams Retirement Village, Bedford Road, Wixams, MK42 6EA

6

DB22Designs #DB22Designs E [email protected] M 07825506431

FOR ALL YOUR INTERIOR AND Contact Jo 07896040084 [email protected] EXTERIOR WORKS

Councillor Tim Hill’s Report Tim is currently the Borough Councillor for , , e Wixams Retirement Village and Hardwick

Interchange roundabout markings -  e Ampthill Road closure and the layout changes on the privately-owned Interchange Retail Park caused some real traffi c issues at the time. However, I’m really pleased that at my request, the Council has taken the opportunity to paint the roundabout markings I asked to be done. Th is makes it much safer and much clearer where drivers need to be, to go in a certain direction off the Interchange roundabout. Wixams Park application -  e whole of the old Elstow Storage Depot, which is now basically Wixams, has ALWAYS been in the then Mid- Bedfordshire and now Central Bedfordshire Council’s local plans as a prime site for extensive development. Part of the old Depot is a site now known as “Wixams Park”, which is now being put forward for development by O&H with over 1,000 homes. Readers Pictures... Thanks to Karen Dunstone I’ve fi lled in the digital consultation, serving notice that a bog-standard access junction onto the B530 and to Wixams just won’t do and is totally unacceptable. Instead, we should look for full and proper roundabouts with two lanes on each point. New bollards - save energy - Bollards across the Borough have been replaced, where legally possible. Instead of being illuminated they are highly re ective, so saving energy.  is is part of the Borough’s ongoing eff orts to reduce energy use, which is good for the environment and will save money over time as well. Mobile Advice Surgery - My next Mobile Advice Surgery is planned for 12pm-12.30pm on Saturday 16th January 2021. With the County in Tier 2 Coronavirus status, Tim will seek advice nearer the time on whether he can do an in-person Street Surgery for a local area or a Ward-wide “Virtual” one via Zoom for all of his Ward at the same time. Either way, this will be advertised via social media and by e-mail.

7 Health Groups s a result of Covid-19 the provisions of Children’s playgroup and wellbeing sessions have had to cease with some services moving to a virtual platform. Below is some information on some of the groups that are currently running. ATh e groups below are supported or provided by Bedford Boroughs Children’s Centres. If you have any queries or to book a place, please contact the relevant numbers shown below. To keep up to date on activities being provided, follow the Wixams Facebook pages or the Bedford Borough Children’s Facebook page. ese groups were correct at the time of publishing.

Wellbeing Groups Breastfeeding Support Would you like an opportunity to have The team are still on the a chat with other mums with children? phone for support and Would you like to feel connected? advice, please contact us on 0300 323 0245. Zoom sessions for all parents with children up to the age of 5, so come and join the For any breastfeeding group to share experiences and meet support or advice, other parents. Places are to be booked via we have face to face Eventbright appointments in a Children's centre or one- Due to the limited numbers we ask parents to-one online sessions to only book on one session per week. via Zoom available Monday 1.30pm - 2.30pm everyday, please call Wednesday 10.00am - 11.00am 0300 323 0245 to book. Friday 10.00am - 11.00am

Mental Health Crisis Support 24hr mental health crisis support for all ages is available across Bedfordshire and Luton by calling NHS 111 - option 2. NHS 111 - option 2 will act as a fi rst point of contact for any adults, children or young people in urgent need of mental health help. Help is there for you.

8 Bring in 2021 with this NUMBERS QUIZ courtesy of www.freepubquiz.co.uk

Round 1 1 In the bible, how many Plagues of Egypt were there? And what was the fi rst plague? 2 Which number Apollo mission was the spacefl ight that landed the fi rst two men on the Moon? Wixams Dog Groomer New3 Wa, Cha, Wej, YearloS, Vagh, is counting Quiz... from one to fi ve in which language? 4 How many yards are there in a chain? 5 In scrabble, which is the only letter worth 5 points? 6 Which 1969 science fi ction anti-war novel by Kurt Vonnegut is about the World War II experiences and journeys through time of Billy Pilgrim? 7 How many sculpted lions by Sir Edwin Landseer sit at the base of Trafalgar Square? 8 Which number Pennsylvania Avenue is the formal address of the White House? 9 Charles Atlas marketed his fi tness program for the 'how many' pound weakling? 10 How much is in a Baker's Dozen? 11 If an internet user follows a broken or dead link, they will typically fi nd an error page with which number error message? 12 How how many landlocked countries are there in South America? 13 What is 'nine tenths of the law'? 14 The Crazy 88 feature in which fi lm? 15 On most phones, what number key also features the letters M, N, and O?

Round 2 1 What’s the fi rst line of William Shakespeare’s ‘Seven Ages of Man’ monologue from the comedy As You Like It? And what’s the fi rst stage? 2 Which common fi rst name would be signalled in Morse code by six dashes? 3 In inches, how high is a table tennis net? 4 Who has written many book in series called ‘The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’ and ‘44 Scotland Street’? 5 What do the sum of all the numbers on a roulette wheel add up to? 6 How many yards are there in a mile? 7 Prior to the Korean War, what parallel north formed the border between North and South Korea? 8 President Obama was what number President of the United States? 9 What is an ogdoad? 10 How many times has Del Boy Trotter been married in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses? 11 Which American television sitcom follows the lives of roommates Caroline and Max? 12 The EU Flag consists of a circle of how many golden stars? 13 How many players are there in an ice hockey team? 14 Adam Ant had a hit a British Number One hit with which song in the Summer of 1982? 15 Which age do you have to reach to be eligible to become President of the United States?

Answers: Round 1 Answers: Round 2 1 10. Turning water into blood. 1 All the World’s a Stage. First stage is infant (the 2 11 (Apollo 11) seven ages of man are: infant, schoolboy, lover, soldier, justice, Pantaloon and old age) 3 Klingon 2 Tom (------) 4 22 yards 3 Six inches 5 Letter ‘K’ 4 Alexander McCall Smith 6 Slaughterhouse-Five 5 666 (0 to 36) 7 Four lions 6 1760 yards 8 1600 7 38th 9 ‘97-pound weakling’ 8 44th 10 13 9 A group of eight 11 404 (‘404’ not found) 10 0 (he never married Raquel) 12 Two (Bolivia and Paraguay) 11 2 Broke Girls 13 Possession 12 12 14 Kill Bill: Volume 1 13 Six 15 Number 6 14 Goody Two Shoes 15 35

9 Hey Wixams neighbours! We are a small local business that have amazing homemade gifts including clothing, personalised and designed to your requirements. WIXAMS PARISH Please get in touch, we would love to COUNCIL hear from you! GRANTS

Love Are you a Helen and Lynsi X community group?

Helen 07960177698 Apply now from a grants pot of £10,000 Lynsi 07805527555 [email protected]

10 Wixams Community Group - continued...

Sports & Recreation Facilities The Wixams development is rapidly expanding and the ‘design code’ for Village 3 has been published by Bedford Borough Council’s planning department. Village 3 will include the town centre for Wixams which will bring a boost to the sports & recreational facilities for the community such as more football pitches and the town park. 6x All Weather Tennis A wide range of facility types are recommended by the National Playing Fields 1 doubling as MUGA Village 2 Association to planners for new developments, this includes playing pitches and play areas, but also open spaces, multi-use games areas (MUGA), outdoor Town Park gym equipment and skateparks. The following facilities are currently planned for Village 3: Village 2 • Town Park • 3 sports/football pitches Village 3 • Sports pavillion • 6 all weather tennis courts (1 to double as a MUGA) • 1 cricket pitch • 3 recreational areas (2 will include play parks)

Wixams Park Run 1x Senior Cricket Parkruns are a very popular way to help the community to stay fit and have fun at Village 4 3x Senior Football the same time. There are over 2000 official parkrun events across the UK, including 5k events on Saturdays and 2k junior parkruns on Sundays. One of the key requirements for setting up an event is to have a 5k run/loop which does not cross or run alongside a road, this unfortunately might not be possible in Wixams under the current plans. However, as the proposed Wixams Park development includes a countryside park it may be possible to run a 5k event if this park is connected directly to the pathway which starts near to Dane Lake. We have discussed this issue with Cllr. Rebecca Hares (Central Beds) and she will be taking this issue forward to the planners and developers to see if this can be factored into the plans so a parkrun could be set up at a later date.

Outdoor Gym Equipment Staying fit and healthy is important for residents of all ages and good quality outdoor gym equipment (as shown in the example below from another village) can provide a free and convenient way for people to get some exercise. Apart from the small equipment installed near to Dane Lake, there are currently no plans to provide decent facilities elsewhere in Wixams for the community to use. We have contacted the planners at Bedford Borough Council and they have informed us this is something they’re exploring. If you would like to see some good quality equipment installed in Wixams, for example in the planned Town Park, please contact your Ward Councillor to let them know your views.

14+ years iOS App Development Course We can now announce that the appropriate safeguarding policy will be in place and this free course has been opened up to applicants from 14 years of age. If you or your child would like to learn a Skatepark new skill, take up a hobby or even start a new career, then perhaps There are plenty of play parks in Wixams for the younger this course will be a step in the right direction. children, but no facilities at all for the older kids and We’ll be covering a wide range of topics which should give a solid teenagers. There have already been quite a few requests foundation in app development, including covering the Swift from younger residents on social media and to the Parish programming language, building user interfaces, storing data and Council. They are asking for a skatepark to be built for much more. those who are interested in biking, skating and scooting, but there are no plans to build a skatepark in Wixams at For entry requirements, more info and instructions this stage. on how to book a place please visit the page Learn to build apps One resident has set up a petition below: i i • with Bedford Borough Council to www.wixams.org/ios-course Swift request that a skatepark be built • xcode here and you can support our teenagers by signing it. Scan the QR code with your smartphone camera or search for petitions on the Borough website.

11 Advertising Advert Option 1

Why not advertise in this newsletter? Best Option! It is delivered to 2200 homes and local businesses. A 50% discount and priority will be given to Option 1 (93 x 132.5mm) ...... £28 per issue Wixams and Wilstead based businesses as we will have Local rate .....£14 per issue Advert Advert Grab an limited space. Advertising options are shown here. Option 2 (93 x 64mm) ...... £14 per issue Option 2 Option 3 advert now from Most Popular! just £3.50 an If you would be interested in advertising in the next Local rate .....£7 per issue Amazing edition... issue of the Wixams Newsletter then please contact Option 3 (45 x 64mm) ...... £7 per issue Value! Sandra Beck on [email protected] Local rate .....£3.50 per issue Advert (190 x 64mm) ...... £28 per issue ere may be a limit to how many adverts of each style we can Option 4 Option 4 accommodate in each issue Local rate .....£14 per issue Dynamic new Option!

Visit www.wixams.org/newsletter The Newsletter Team for digital versions of Wixams Newsletter and contact details. Editor Saqhib Ali [email protected] Advertisements Sandra Beck If you would like to advertise in our newsletter, Email: [email protected] please contact Sandra at [email protected] Distribution/Delivery Barbara Matthews If you would like to help out and have an hour or Printed by White Hart Press, 58a York Street, Bedford MK40 3RL so a month to spare please contact Barbara at Tel: 01234 270465 www.whitehartpress.co.uk [email protected] Design and Production Alex Hall Your local Graphic Designer! For all your design needs visit www.alexhalldesign.co.uk Deadline for submissions for next issue: 19th January 2021 Editorial/Proofreading Barry Huckle Treasurer Anthony Musgrove

If there is anything specifi c you would like to see in the Wixams Community Group Leon Staszak and Adriana Schepankiewitsch [email protected] Newsletter or if you would like to write an article of interest to Committee Alan Pibworth, Sheila Menzies, Emma Egan and Ellie Egan others please get in touch with us at [email protected]

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ALL OUR DELIVERERS ARE VOLUNTEERS AND AIM TO DELIVER THE LEAFLETS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. AS THERE ARE 2200 COPIES TO DELIVER, SOME HOUSES MAY GET THEIR COPIES BEFORE OTHERS BUT YOU WILL GET YOUR COPY!

w.alexhalldesign.co.uk [email protected] OFFER EXTENDED - HALF PRICE* Give Your Business a Fresh New Look for 2021 Get noticed again with a BRAND NEW LOGO and everything else you need for one SPECIAL PRICE Including: ✓ Original Logo Design all of this... ✓ Professional Business Card Design ✓ 100 Printed Business Cards - Delivered ✓ Letterhead / Compliment Slip Design ✓ Social Media Profi le Graphics Prepared ...for just All of this for just now just this! £200 / £100 * Limited time offer - act now

12