Flit More

What a great summer we have had, and look, as they have lasted well but will prob- by the look of what’s on offer this autumn in ably not make it through the autumn, so will the pages of this mag, and Green- have to be taken down. The picture above field is the place to be (are the places to shows some of the children involved in the be?) as the evenings draw in. project with Mrs McCullion and Mrs Staff - our thanks to them for all they do for our A lot is happening in the life of the church at children, and for strengthening the close the moment, of which see more on pages 4 ties between school and the church. and 5, and not least is the great art-work being done by Greenfield School. Last term Families can become even more involved they made several pieces of outdoor art to with the church by coming along to our new celebrate Values Education, and displayed Sunday Fun Club every first Sunday of the them in the churchyard. The one pictured month - see page 5 for details! above is a rainbow of painted pebbles each And don’t miss the all new Harvest Supper. depicting a Value, and there is also a beau- New venue this year so that even more tiful screen of fishes suspended from a tree people can come. It’s a great charity fund- and a woven tapestry in the porch. If you raiser and a village tradition not to be have not noticed them yet, go and have a missed! See pages 4&5 for details.

Village website? It’s at; http://flittongreenfield.bedsparishes.gov.uk To put stuff on the website, contact Debbie at [email protected] Church website; www.3churches.co.uk Contact Clare at [email protected] ‘Flit ‘n’ More’ is published and distributed by the Parochial Church Council of St John the Baptist, Flitton. The Editor is Angela Ayres, Sunnyside Cottage, Cobbett Lane, Flitton MK45 5DX, 01525 860723, [email protected] Please note that views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Editor or Parochial Church Council. ADVERTISE YOUR EVENT/ORGANISATION IN FLIT’N’MORE... THAT’S WHAT IT’S THERE FOR! The next issue will be out in December 2014 for events up until March. Please contact Angela if you have something to publicise or Simon on 861727 if you would like to advertise. Free for voluntary groups, very good rates for businesses. From Your Parish Council ... Keep up to date with what’s going on in Flitton, Greenfield and Wardhedges Yet again it is disappointing to note that more vandalism has occurred at the Playing Field which of course costs us all money as any repairs have to be paid for out of the parish precept. Please be vigilant and report anything untoward to the police or a parish council member. Also some irresponsible people are still allowing their dogs into the rec and of course dog mess invariably ensues which is totally unacceptable. Nappies are also being found in the litter bins and we would ask if this practise could cease. New litter bins with tops are shortly being installed in the rec which hopefully will prevent rubbish spilling on to the grass. As we do not have bins for recyclable rubbish, please take that home with you. No doubt you will all have seen and admired the new notice-board outside the church hall in Flitton. This was made by a local tradesman and parishioner Gary Jones and we are delighted that Gary has now made another one for Greenfield in exactly the same style. After consultation with Greenfield villagers it has been decided to site this opposite Cornerways Garage in the same position as it was some years ago. It is hoped that this will be in place before the end of September. Following the installation of chicanes there have been a number of complaints about the position of the post box in Greenfield at the bottom of Holmewood Road. Consequently the Post Office has agreed to move this to a more suitable location at the top of School Lane next to the phone box. It is hoped that this will be done by the end of October. A public meeting was held on the 31st July in Village Hall to provide initial details of a proposed Solar Farm at Clayhill Farm on the border of Westoning and Flitton & Greenfield Parishes. The developer, a company called Axiom, set out plans to install a large (19 MW) solar farm covering 36 ha of farmland, which will generate electricity for the grid. They have had a number of meetings with Central Council planning officers and taken ad- vice on modifications to the scheme to minimise the visual impact of the scheme. The site layout has been chosen for its proximity to a large electricity sub station and its low impact on visual amenity. At the meeting the developer took a number of questions from the public. The main issues relating to planning concerned a public footpath which runs through the area proposed and the quality of the farm land being displaced. With regard to the footpath the developer talked of needing to divert the path slightly whilst at the same time up- grading it by using a farm track. This will be the subject of a separate application for the diversion of the path. The land is currently growing wheat and is grade 3a agricultural land. The developer stressed that the solar farm would be sown with a wildflower rich meadow grass mix improving the biodiversity of the land and furthermore it would be grazed with sheep maintaining its agricultural purpose. The developer mentioned that they were proposing to offer a sum of money for community benefit. However this has yet to be agreed with the Parish Councils involved which include Westoning, Flitton & Greenfield with the farm stretching across both Parishes and also as the greatest visual impact is from that Parish. Once the Planning application has been formally submitted there will be the usual opportunity for individuals to comment and we will publicise this on the website and Parish notice-boards. Nick Thompson Chairman Services for Autumn 2014 at St John the Baptist, Flitton Sun 7th Sept 10.30 am NEW! Family Fun Club - activities for children and refreshments for all 11 a.m. at 10.30, then informal service at 11. See page 4 for more details. Sun 14th Sept 9.30 a.m. Choral Communion Led by the Reverend Julie Cox. Sun 21st Sept 11 a.m. Harvest Songs of Praise. Hymns, readings, poems and prayers, a celebra- tion of harvest! Mon 22nd Sept 7.30 pm Harvest Supper. This year we move to the White Hart marquee for this traditional church social event, where fun is had and our produce is raffled for charity or donated to the Food Bank. See page 5 for details. Sun 28th Sept 8.30 a.m. Holy Communion - a shorter service without hymns using the Book of Common Prayer led by the Reverend Bill Britt. Followed by PARISH BREAKFAST in the church hall - see page 5 for details. Sun 5th Oct 10.30 am NEW! Family Fun Club - activities for children and refreshments for all 11 a.m. at 10.30, then informal service at 11. See page 4 for more details.

Sun 12th Oct 9.30 a.m. Choral Communion led by the Reverend Julie Cox Sun 19th Oct 11 a.m. Matins led by Robin Wellsford, reader at Clifton Sun 26th Oct 8.30 a.m. Holy Communion - a shorter service without hymns using the Book of Common Prayer. Followed by PARISH BREAKFAST in the church hall - see page 5 for details Sun 2nd Nov 9.30 a.m NEW! Family Fun Club - activities for children and refreshments for all at 10.30, then informal service at 11.

Sun 9th Nov 10.50 for Remembrance Sunday. A special Communion Service with the choir led 11 a.m. by the Rural Dean, the Reverend Lynda Klimas, followed by refreshments and the Act of Remembrance at 12 noon with the British Legion at the War 12 noon Memorial. Sun 16th Nov 11 a.m. Matins led by Carol Moss Sun 23rd Nov 8.30 a.m. Holy Communion - a shorter service without hymns using the Book of Common Prayer, followed by PARISH BREAKFAST

Sun 30th Nov 10 a.m. Three Churches Service at Pulloxhill - Choral Communion with a guest preacher. (NB no service at Flitton) Sun 7th Dec 4.30 pm Christingle A delightful service when each child receives a lighted candle in an orange. Sun 14th Dec 6.30 p.m. Carols by Candlelight A service of favourite carols, readings and poems, preceded by mulled wine and mince pies. Thurs 18th 7.15 p.m. Carols Round the Christmas Tree Join the choir outside the White Hart Dec for a really festive sing - it wouldn’t be Christmas without it!

Sun 21st Dec 9.30 am Three Churches All Age Communion at led by the Bishop of Bedford 4pm Blessing of the Crib A short service especially for the very young, with our famous woolly crib - see page 5 for a novel way to take part! Wed 24th Dec 9.30 pm Christmas Communion. Our very special start to Christmas, with the choir, led by the Rural Dean, the Reverend Lynda Klimas. As many of you will know, our Vicar Stephen Holroyd has left for pastures new. Stephen has moved to North Bedfordshire to a parish of five wardens are on the back page, but just to be sure; churches including Stodden and Dean. His final services were on Sunday 24th August, when a presentation from the benefice was made to him at Silsoe church. In his time as our Vicar, Stephen has done much to allow us to diversify and modernise our services, while keeping the traditional services for those who enjoy them, and has also done much work in AND IN OTHER CHURCH NEWS… the local schools, especially on the teaching of Why not try our new SUNDAY FUN CLUB? Christian Values in a multi-cultural society. We See opposite for details. thank Stephen for all the work he has done in this parish over the past seventeen years and wish him will in the future. HARVEST SUPPER - MONDAY 22ND SEPT Our popular Harvest Supper and Auction of WHAT NEXT? THE FUTURE FOR OUR CHURCH… Produce takes place on Monday 22nd Sept at 7.30 pm. The festivities include a delicious hot Until a new Vicar is appointed, we will continue main course (courtesy of the White Hart) plus our services much as before, but using visiting pudding, and once again our Auctioneers are clergy where we can and sometimes having David Stoppard and his Harvest Elf, John Smith. members of the PCC to lead the service. We are Who could wish for more! especially grateful to the Rev Julie Cox, who lives This year’s Harvest Supper has a new venue - in our parish, and who has kindly agreed to lead Phil Hale has generously allowed us to use the some of our services. marquee at the back of the White Hart. This It will be some months until a new Vicar is cho- means that we can offer a BIGGER and BETTER sen, but we promise to get the process underway Harvest Supper! Same format, same meal, as soon as we possibly can. Much as we are sad same free B&T beer (plus BYO other drinks or to lose Stephen, we must now look forward to an this year just buy from the bar) same entertain- exciting new era, as whoever is chosen will be ing Auction of Produce. There are MORE tickets certain to bring something new and fresh to our available but they will still go like hot cakes, worship and our community. Watch this space! so get yours EARLY - see opposite.

IN THE MEANTIME… BELL RINGING SUCCESS Please bear with us as we do our best to keep the church in Flitton running smoothly. For every- On 4th August the tenor bell was tolled 100 times thing about which you would have spoken to the to mark the centenary of the start of The First Vicar, for example funerals, weddings, baptisms, World War. On Wednesday 20th and Sunday 24th or any spiritual matters, please call the church- August quarter peals were successfully rung at wardens or any member of the PCC, who will be Flitton and Silsoe respectively to mark Stephen’s pleased to help you. The numbers for the church- leaving and to wish him well in the future. HARVEST FOOD BANK APPEAL AT FLITTON CHURCH Saturday September 20th from 10am 28th Sept/26th Oct/23rd Nov We are having another Food Bank collection at our Harvest Festival weekend. Please bring undamaged and within - date tins, jars, In the Church Hall from 9.15 - 10 am packets, cartons etc to Flitton church All for £5 per head! (Children £3) on Saturday September 20th. IMPORTANT: ADVANCE BOOKINGS ONLY The church will be open all morning from 10am and PLEASE CALL 01525 860723 donations will be used to decorate the church for It follows the 8.30 Communion but ALL are the festival. Afterwards, they will be taken to the welcome, you don’t have to go to church! The charge is just to cover costs, but any profits distribution centre in Harlington to help those in will go to Flitton Church. need in the county. ► Don’t mess up your own kitchen, bring the family and You can leave your contributions in the church forget the washing up! porch anytime in the days before the 20th. Do ► Late night out on Saturday? Just what you need to please help us to support this Christian based initia- blow away the cobwebs! tive to assist the increasing numbers of people who ► Live alone and can’t be bothered with a fry-up? Let us do it for you! cannot manage because of financial difficulties. ► Read the Sunday papers, relax with a coffee.. It’s like We would appreciate any fresh fruit, flowers and Flitton’s own pavement cafe.. But indoors! vegetables and items for our charity auction which ► Know someone who might be glad of the company? is held on Monday September 22nd. Bring them along! ► If you need a lift, just call Angela on 860723 and we For information, contact Margaret Butt 01525 will arrange it!

KNIT A SHEEP FOR OUR CHRISTMAS SUNDAY FUN CLUB! CRIB!

*YOUR Our unique woolly LOGO crib needs more HERE? sheep for the crib service (see page 3). Just follow the 1st Sunday in each month, starting at 10:30 am, simple (?) instructions on page 17 or get a knitter to show you how! Then in the church or church hall. bring your sheep to join the flock at the Blessing of the Crib! Children’s activities and refreshments, usually followed by a short informal service at 11 am. HARVEST SUPPER AND Stories, crafts, competitions, quizzes, drama, AUCTION OF PRODUCE Monday 22 sept at 7.30 pm - see opposite page cooking, and who knows what else.. You told us you wanted Anyone, old or young, can be a member of the more tickets available - you’ve got it! Order early for this ever-popular village event, new Sunday Fun Club… Come along on this year in the White Hart marquee, courtesy Sunday 7th September to help us launch it! of the Hale family and Paul Meads. Tickets £10 from Angela on 860723 *Take part in our ‘Design a Logo’ competition, [email protected] and help us plan future events! Don’t miss out this year - order today The Friends of Flitton and Greenfield Church Coffee Morning, 22nd November There will be a coffee morning on Saturday 22nd November in the Church Hall starting at 10:30 am. As well as the refreshments, there will be stalls and of course the opportunity to buy the Friends’ Christmas Card. Make a note of the date for this village social occasion

Christmas Cards In celebration of the life of the late Jack Crawley, who died in March at the age of 92, the Friends’ Christmas card for this year features one of his artworks, a nostalgic view of Flitton High Street in the 1960s. Jack had a distinguished flying career. As an RAF Warrant Officer during the war he flew Spitfires, Hurricanes, Oxfords, Mustangs, Ly- sanders etc and was one of the first RAF Test pilots for the Gloster Meteor, Britain’s first jet aeroplane. There is a gap in his flying log for several months prior to D-Day when he was flying SOE personnel into occupied France. You may recall the Spitfire flypast at his funeral. Born in Luton, he started painting at an early age. After the war he became a freelance commercial artist who moved to Brook Lane in 1963. The Friends of Flitton Moor, and Council, have plans to replace the derelict (& con- demned) barn on the Moor with a new one and to name it 'The Jack Crawley Memorial Barn' in his honour. The cards are in packs of 10, with envelopes, priced at £5 per pack. Advance orders can be lodged with Michael Brown ( 01525 716230) or [email protected]).

Members The Friends would welcome new members and especially anyone willing to join the Friends’ Board to assist in the planning and organisation of Friends’ activities. If you are interested please contact Caroline (telephone 07749 836245) or email [email protected]) or Michael. The first humans in East Anglia and Northern Europe

An illustrated talk By Curator at the British Museum Department of Pre-History of Europe

7.30 pm - Flitton Church Hall In aid of St John the Baptist Church, Flitton Bar and Raffle Tickets £5 Contact 01525 862170/[email protected]

Two Moors Walk Saturday 18th October Join members of the Heritage Group for a walk along the whole 5 miles of the Heritage Trail. Discover some of the amazing heritage features of your parish.

Meet at the White Hart, Flitton at 9.15am. If you want lunch at a pub (may be the White Hart or the Jolly Coopers) after the walk please book on – 01525 714961. We plan to have a visit to the Mausoleum after lunch, at about 1.30 pm.

Phone David for more info on: 01525 714961

Flitvale Wildlife Trust - Autumn Programme Saturday 28th September, 8.30 am, Moor Small mammal trapping and identification with Richard Lawrence and Colin Carpenter. Join us to discover the small, furry creatures on the moor’s pasture. Wednesday 29th October, 10.00 am, Flitwick Moor Fungal Foray - with Peter Walker. A mid-week walk through the moor with a renowned expert. Fingers crossed for a good showing of mushrooms and toadstools. Numbers are limited on both these events. Booking is essential. Friday 21st November – 7.15pm, Village Hall Annual quiz night. Tickets £10 include fish & chip supper (or veggie option), plus glass of wine or juice. Book at table early to avoid disappointment. £1 per adult is requested for most walks. Contact Ann on 07890 347327 or [email protected] The Famous Flitton Potato Race Report Sunday 22nd June 2014

Another year of heightened pre-race interest with a lot more talk and even practising. There were defi- nitely more people pounding the roads beforehand, which helped the publicity along with a slot on BBC 3 Counties where the angle was to find a sport to celebrate after ’s poor showing at the World Cup. The deciding factor, as ever, was the weather and on the day we were very lucky and yet again people turned out en masse to run and or watch 265 people of all ages (from 6 months to 58) sizes and levels of fitness crossed a start line and ran for fun, pain, charity or just to say that they had done it. Everyone over 9 years old ran the full mile from Moat Farm to The White Hart and there were new relay race categories for 10-16 year olds; we even had a separate demonstration of how to fly the course on roller skates! Also new this year, we split the kids races into spud and spoon and spud and fork races depending on age to cater for the numbers and the maximum 120 signed up at the village hall where we had refreshments and entertainment for the first time. A total of 54 adults crossed the finish line after the full mile and they can all count themselves winners. However, there is only one cup which went to local boy (!) Steve Ball who had run before with an improved time each year, so there is hope for everyone –just keep practising - Lizzy Janes was first lady home of a record field of 20. There were fewer teams in the relay challenge but owing to changes in the bags, there was no repetition of last year’s controversy of split bags. However it was last year’s winners and runners up that were in the lead throughout, and the race was only won by The Cod Squad in the last 100 metres over the Wheeler Peelers. The cadet relay shield was retained by Platoon Army cadets. Full results and photos can be seen on www.flittonpotatorace.co.uk. An event like this doesn’t happen without a lot of help and support; particular thanks go to John Boutwood of Isle of Ely Produce for providing the core ingredient for the main races. Since the prizes are traditionally cash, we are extremely appreciative of those who gave prize money and other costs; the principal benefactors can be seen on the website. However, there were many unsung heroes who helped on and before race day. Finally, thanks to everyone who put up with the inconvenience of the road closure, inevitable in these health and safety conscious times. Many more people were involved this year, including the school with a design a potato head competition; and there was the ‘Tatties in a Bucket’ competition for Greenfield, Pulloxhill, Silsoe and Westoning pupils and Maulden cubs. Since the objective was to have an enjoyable fund-raising community event, the numbers on the day and the £3500 raised suggests that it was a success; one beneficiary was Mind, our national race charity, and Barclays have promised matched funding of £1000 on top which is fantastic news. We are looking at next year already (June 21st) which coincides with Father’s Day so look out for a theme! We have taken note of possible improvements, but in order for any of this to happen, volunteers to help on the day and the race committee and financial backing are needed; you will have heard this before but without new faces and money etc, this tradition may well fade away. Anyone who wishes to help should contact Simon Sadler on [email protected] or [email protected] POTATO RACE FUN AND GAMES! Flitton Moor Barn

The Friends of Flitton Moor were intending to have the derelict barn on the Moor refurbished. However, the buildings dept at Central Bed- fordshire Council has condemned it as unsafe and they will shortly be removing it.

So, together with the access team of CBC, we have a plan to replace it with a new barn of similar size - subject to successful fundraising. We intend to use it as an Information Centre about the whole Flit Valley - linking it's many wildlife sites. We will also display historical, geological & other local information, such as information on events, local groups, associations and clubs. It will continue to be a very useful place to meet for work parties, and school and other group visits. We also intend to display examples of work by local artists - and use the building for occasional workshops and exhibitions. As our most respected local artist died recently we have decided to call the new barn 'The Jack Crawley Memorial Barn'. Jack's executors have offered us some of his paintings to auction or sell to raise money for this project - so please keep an eye out for information on this if you are interested. Flitton Moor Local Nature Reserve has recently been awarded the national "Green Flag" status - recognising the hard work of the 'Friends' in improving it's biodiversity and visitor attractiveness. If anyone would like to know more about this, or is interested in joining the FoFM, or would like to fill in a questionnaire about the barn, then please get in touch. David: 01525 714961

DUCKLING NEWS! As from 1st September 2014 Greenfield Pre-School will no longer exist!..… BUT we will be known as Ducklings Nursery Class, within the Greenfield Lower School. So for Ducklings Nursery (formally Greenfield pre-school) contact Greenfield Lower School on 01525 712426 Wardhedges, Flitton 01525 860626 www.jollycoopers.com

Attractive 40 seater restaurant and beautiful garden Paella Night - Sat 11 October Breakfast - Sunday 12 October Champagne Breakfast - Christmas Eve Christmas Menus will be ready soon! For dates and details, watch the A board or check out the website. Bobbi and Ian look forward to welcoming you to the Jolly Coopers.

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Book early for your Christmas Festivities, we would not want to disappoint you and it does get pretty busy! In the meantime there’s always something to entertain you, even if it’s only the landlord! Watch this space for Christmas and New Year events… Well watch it next time, that is, if you watch this particular space you might have a long wait… Green Flag Awards 2014 Three open spaces in Central Bedfordshire have been recognised as some of the best community-run green spaces in the country in the National Green Flag Awards 2014/15.

The announcement of this year's Award-winners came in the same week that thousands of people up and down the country were celebrating our country's fantastic parks and green spaces with Love Parks Week. Wood, Common and Flitton Moor have all been awarded with the Community Award for managing and improving the sites for everyone to enjoy, visit, appreciate and use as green spaces for healthy activities and quiet enjoyment. The sites are also carefully managed to help improve them for wildlife and biodiversity.

All three sites are managed by the council, with invaluable help from 'Friends of' groups who run work parties, fund raising activities, educational and guided walks and other events.

David Sedgley, Volunteer Warden for the Friends of Flitton Moor said: "We are so delighted to discover that Flitton Moor has received a Green Flag Award. We have been working very hard over the past 9 years to improve the site; both for its biodiversity and the visitor experience. This award means a lot to us, as recognition of all we have achieved so far. We have a derelict, and condemned, barn on the site which we are intending to replace and use as an open visitor information point for the whole Flit Valley. We hope that the green Flag award will help us in our funding bid to achieve this.

For a full list of countryside sites that Central Beds Council manages, visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/countryside and see where you could go! Need a baby-sitter or pet minder? Catrin Ellis would love to help. Catrin is 14 years old, is at Harlington Upper School and lives in Flitton. She loves animals and football. Call her on 01525 861496 or email [email protected]

RS Cars Ltd Your Local Garage for Competitive Servicing - Parts Exhausts - Tyres Paint and Body work MGOC Cornerway Garage 2 Flitton Road, Greenfield Bedfordshire MK45 5DJ 01525 717346 This Vintage Cake recipe dates ICKY ERS back to the First World War T FI G when ingredients needed to be S N rationed and simplicity was key. Even in today’s modern times, this budget-friendly, easy cake recipe still is a favourite of If you are a mum, dad, grandpar- many. Made with basic ent or childminder, you look after ingredients and simple a child of pre school age and are steps, his no-nonsense free on a Monday morning then why not come along to the recipe is a time-honoured village toddler group - Sticky Fin- tradition that many folks gers from 9.30 to 11.30 at Flitton will have fond memories of. and Greenfield Village Hall. Cooking Time: 1 hr Ingredients We cater for babies up to four years old with toys and games, • 1 cup water • 2 cups raisins • 1 teaspoon cinnamon • 1/2 craft every week and storytime teaspoon cloves • 1 cup brown sugar • 1/3 cup lard (short- too. The cost is only £2.50 per ening) • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 2 cups family flour • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon baking pow- including a hot drink for you and der squash and biscuits for the chil- Instructions dren. 1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). 2. Place water, raisins, We are a friendly bunch and we cinnamon, cloves, brown sugar, lard (shortening), nutmeg try to meet socially one evening a month in the pub or a local res- and salt in a saucepan and mix. 3. Place saucepan on heat taurant. and bring to a boil. Cook 3 minutes. 4. Allow to cool, then It’s pay as you go so you don’t sift together the flour, baking soda and baking powder. Stir have to come every week and the into cooked mixture. first session is free! Either drop in 5. Place mixture in a greased loaf pan and bake for 1 hour or call BRING YOUR ENTRY ALONG TO THE GALA FOR Louise Platt on 01525 720623 for 2PM FOR JUDGING - GOOD LUCK! more information.

DOES YOUR STYLIST GIVE YOU WHAT YOU WANT? DOES YOUR STYLIST GIVE TIME YOU NEED AND DESERVE? DOES YOUR STYLIST LISTEN TO WHAT YOU WANT? DOES YOUR STYLIST EXPLAIN HOW TO DO YOUR HAIR AT HOME? DOES YOUR STYLIST EXPLAIN THE RIGHT PRODUCTS FOR YOUR HAIR? NO MY STYLISTS DO EVERY TIME! STEVE’S PERSONAL GUARANTEE! TRY US TODAY! News from Central Beds James Jamieson Central Bedfordshire Councillor for Flitton, Greenfield, Pulloxhill and Westoning

This is the time of year many of our young people think about their futures. GCSE and A level results came out last month and there were some excellent results at our local schools. This is all testament to the hard work of pupils, teachers, and as a parent I can also say parents! While results are important, providing opportunities is essential and hence my delight in the latest local employment statistics, with a drop of 3,700 in unemployment in Central Bedfordshire. We have attracted a number of new businesses and with the opening of Center Parcs, where the vast majority of staff are locals. As I wonder around Flitton and Greenfield I have noticed a number of young people with their Center Parcs uniform going out to work both as permanent staff and casual. Talking of summer there have been a number of applications for solar farms, including locally one at Clay Hill Farm (near Westoning railway bridge). While we all recognise the need to secure our future energy and that we cannot burn coal forever, these are often controversial. I am pleased that the company has listened to advise from the council planning officers to mitigate the impact, though there is no getting over the fact that farmers’ fields will be lost. So far most residents I have spoken to are supportive of this application. This is not the case for the application on Faldo farm Pulloxhill (looking down towards Barton), where residents are concerned of the visual impact from the ridge and the many footpaths. I would appreciate your views on this on any other matter. We continue to work on our roads and footpaths, with resurfacing of Holmewood footpaths and Pulloxhill road due for resurfacing in October. I am also looking forward to the annual gala on 6th September. The new Flitwick Leisure centre recently received planning approval, and hopefully we should see work starting before Christmas. How well do you know Central Bedfordshire? - How many books and other items were loaned from libraries last year? - How many people are employed in Central Bedfordshire? - What is the length of roads in Central Bedfordshire? (Answers on Page 18) If you have issues with services provided by Central Bedfordshire please email/call me [email protected] , 03003008532, Twitter #jgjamieson Knit a Woolly Sheep… another strand of wool. Using double yarn and beginning Your sheep can be white, grey, brown, black or a mixture. with a P row, stocking stitch 3 rows. Break off one strand of You also need small amounts of toy stuffing. It doesn't matter wool and continue in single wool. K 1 row. Decrease for face: if the sheep are not all alike. They certainly are not identical in K2, [K2 tog] 8 times, K2 - 12 sts. Beginning with a P row, st-st real life but they do need to be roughly the same size. If 3 rows decreasing 1 st at each end of 3rd row - 10 sts. St-st anyone wants a go at knitting a shepherd, or if you need help 2 more rows. Next row: [K2 tog] to end 5 sts B&T tightly. call me. Margaret 862170 [email protected] Noting that K side of of st-st on face is the right side, oversew Needles: 3mm or No 11. row ends together. Turn right side out and stuff. Leave cast Body: Begin at back and cast on 12 stitches. P 1 row. Next on edge open. Note that the oversew seam will run under- row: Increase knit wise into every stitch - 24 stitches. Begin- neath the head. ning with a P row, stocking stitch 17 rows. Next row: [K2 tog] Eyes and nose: Work stitches in black. Start and finish off in to end 12 stitches. B&T tightly [break off yarn, leaving long stuffing at open cast on end. For eyes - work a small black end, thread it through the stitches left on knitting needle, pull to stitch 2 rows down the st-st face section. At end of face work gather tightly, then fasten off]. P side of stocking stitch is right a small v shape for the nose. You might want to do another side. Oversew row ends together. This seam will run under stitch over each one to make the eyes and nose stand out the body. Turn right side out and stuff. Gather round. more. Push a little more stuffing inside head to cover black Legs: [make 2 pieces alike] The following knitted strip makes yarn ends. Gather round cast on sts, pull up tightly and one pair of legs. Begin at top edge and cast on 19 stitches. 1st fasten off. Pin the seam [at section of head which was row K9,P1,K9. 2nd row P9,K1,P9. Repeat these 2 rows worked in double yarn] to front of body above the B&T sts. once, then 1st row once. Cast off. Starting at one set of row Sew head to body. ends and with K side of stocking stitch outside, roll up strip Ears: Make 2 alike. Cast on 5 sts. 1st row: K3, turn. 2nd row: very tightly as far as centre line of stitches. Catch rolled up Slip first st K wise, P to end. Cast off P wise. Gather up section to centre stitches. Roll up and sew the other set of row longest set of row ends. Pin these edges to section of head ends in same way. Sew one pair of legs under body at front worked in double yarn at sides of head. Make sure that K and other pair at the back. side of st-st faces forward. Sew ears in place. Tail: Work as Head: Begin at top edge and cast on 14sts. P 1 row. Next for ears. Sew to back of body above the gathered cast on row: K4, inc K wise into next 6 sts, K4 - 20 sts. Join on sts, with P side of st-st outside.

Length of roads 1380km roads of Length Quiz Answers: Number of items loaned 1,348,000. Number employed 128,300 employed Number 1,348,000. loaned items of Number Answers: Quiz Village History by Margaret Butt CHARITY WORK AND FUNDRAISING FLITTON BEFORE THE FIRST WORLD WAR A lot of fundraising goes on in the village today - the church, church hall, FACTS school, village hall, MUGA, Food Bank, Help for Heroes etc. It was just the same 100 years ago. The parish then had about 130 houses although the parish boundaries were slightly different then. Entertainment was far more locally based so home grown parties, concerts, whist drives and so on were organised in the village. For a small community, a great deal went on and considering that most people were not well off, they managed to support many causes. By looking at old newspapers and parish magazines, I have found some examples of what they did. In January and February 1906, collections were made for Zenana, raising money for the women and children of India. A total of 22 shillings was raised. In June, there was a sale of works at Flitton Vicarage to raise money for the Flitton and Silsoe Cot in the hospital at Peshawar in India. The sale was opened by Mrs Whitelaw Reid, the wife of the American Ambassador to England who lived at Wrest Park. They rented the house and grounds from the Lucas family. Money was also sent to the Missionary Society in India. The children of Greenfield School sent 5 shillings to help the poor of London in 1908. In September, there was an outdoor social to raise money for church workers and the choir for their outing. Mrs Whitelaw Reid donated £2 for this and Mrs Osborn from Greenfield Farm gave 5 shillings. In October, they all boarded a train at to go to Great Yarmouth for the day. They left Flitton at 5am and returned at 1.30am the next day. The railway had opened up travel for many but a day at the seaside was probably all that most managed in a year. Mrs Reid donated Sunday School and School prizes, donated Christmas trees and food for parties as well as money towards a District Nurse. She caused great excitement because she was driven everywhere by motor at a time when cars were quite scarce. Bedford Hospital was one of the main organisations the village collected for. Every Easter, the village donated eggs for the patients of the hospital. For example, in 1907, 220 eggs were given, 436 in 1908 and 444 in 1914 - a good amount for a small community. There were annual collections and donations of bed jackets. There were always collections and fund raisers for the church, either for general funds, church repairs or special projects. When the Rev Sawyer died in 1906, a fund was set up in his memory. Initially, it was hoped to have a new east window in the nave but for some reason, the Lucas family did not like the idea. There was no window at all at this time, just a blank wall behind the altar so it was felt that a stained glass window would have been a fitting memorial to the Rev Sawyer. A lych gate was erected instead which sadly does not exist anymore. Eventually, our church was given an east window - it was an old one from Silsoe church which got the new one. In 1907, there was a general plea to raise money for the church to pay for heating, lighting, cleaning, repairs, a new stove that would not smoke and so on. It doesn't sound a great deal different today! Repairs to the church roof was a major project and when King Edward VII visited the church in 1909, he noted the poor state of the roof. By then, a church repair fund had been set up with stalls and events taking place at regular intervals to raise money. In February 1914, there was a whist drive and dance at the school in Greenfield followed by a dance in May, to raise money for tar paving the school playground. The annual parish entertain- ment in January 1914 raised money for a new piano. ‘The Parish Room was packed for music and dancing with the room being decorated with flags and lanterns.’ Once the First World War started, fund raising gradually became focused on that. The first event recorded was a collection for the national Relief Fund in August 1914 which raised £5. These are just a few examples but shows how generous village people were. I cannot think that our village was exceptional in this and similar efforts were made throughout the country. Handy Phone Numbers

ORGANISATION CONTACT NAME PHONE

Churchwardens Angela Ayres/Clare Butler Ellis 860723 861496

Flit’n’More Editorial: Angela Ayres 860723 Advertising: Simon Sadler 861727 Distribution: Pat Woodland 860189

Church Choir Musical Director: Enid Gibbon 712018 Contact: Clare Butler-Ellis 861496

Bellringers Vernon Green 712916

Church Flowers/Cleaning Lesley Arthur/Margaret Butt 860723//862170

Parish Council Nick Thompson (Chair) 860421

Village Hall Hire Pauline Downing 860595

Church Hall Hire Jill Chandler 860715

Bedfordshire Police Team 01234 842613

Greenfield Lower School Headteacher: Mrs Annette McCullion 712426

Scouts and Cubs Badger Hill Scout Group; www.badgerhillscouts.org.uk

Brownies Jane Staff 717294

Multi Use Games Area bookings Lee Ashton-Rigby 862436

Allotments Greenfield: Kathy Wright 714724 Flitton: Gareth Ellis 861496

Village Gala Margaret Lowe 861111

Friends of Flitton Moor Dave Sedgley 714961

Jazzercise Nicky Thacker 405178

Women’s Institute Meriel Davies 633421

Greensand Trust Lorna Walker (Community Dev. Off.) 743666

Flitwick & District Heritage Group Dave Sedgley 714961

Keys to Mausoleum (English Heritage) Barbara Stimpson 860094

Ampthill & Flitwick Flyers (Running Club) Dave Sedgley 714961

Ampthill and District Lions Bob Pledger 860962

Square Dancing Betty Brown 404564

IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS ADDED TO OR DELETED FROM THIS LIST, PLEASE CONTACT THE EDITOR