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To preserve for longer, halffill plastic bottles tlnd 11·I·l'Z~'. ve Social Diary A Fairy Thle by Peter Hadden ^A. nce uoon time. in land far across A violent storm with thunder and I ltr,. r.u, a baby was bom, a baby lightening covered the land. Two or three l\-,r, the villagers met and after long . Council meetings - Villoge Holl 7.30pm, boy. As the mists of time clear. of Porish we see a little boy doing well at school. discussions made a decision on a subject lost Tuesdoy of the month The teachers, though pleased with him close to their hearts. Slowly the storm generally, were becoming more and more passed away only to be replaced by a . Plough Inn - Quiz nights evety other Tuesdoy 9.O0pm worried about his size. He was growing fearful stamping of a giant foot causing The giant was not . Heod Live entertoinment everY Fridoy 7.3Opm into a giant. Stupid people made fun of the earth to tremble. Queens - him but this was a giant that did not suffer happy and even though he spoke in a . Line doncing - Villoge Holl, Weds & Thurs eves 7.30pm fools easily and he quickly squashed them. whisper his voice was heard all over the Many years passed and the giant grew rich world. He told the villagers that they - Cricket Seoson storts first Sundoy in June and settled down with his wife in a tiny were wrong. They told him that he was demand the right to do as we . Time Music Holl t4th,15th ond 16th April village in a strange land far from his place wrong. We Old - of birth. This was the place that he had decide and I demand the right to do as I . Book Club meetings - weekdoys - contoct Lindo Hodden chosen even though he had the entire decide. How petty and childish. How sad. world to choose from. He loved his new An argument that cannot be won because . Pilotes lessons storted - contoct Debbie Porry home and the people there and he at the end of the day, might is right. on a series of things to . Mogic Live Theotre Show. Dotes to be onnounced embarked What the giant gives the giant also takes safeguard this place against the future. away. generous and all the . Front Gorden competition - judging 1st week of July He was and bountiful Peter Hadden The Lane people loved him. . Heod v Plough cricket motch eorly June Queen's John Alec Boyson . Porish AssemblY APril 19th 1932 - 2005 . Pumpkin Competition ot All Soints Church - September of John Boyson on . Cholgrove Games 16th Jul Sadly we have to report the death 31st January aged 73.

IF YOU KNOW OF ANY EVENTS IN THE PARISH PLEASE LET U5 John was born in Folkestone and volunteered for service in the RAF cryptographer in Aden during the KNOW FOR THE NEXTIssUE OF THE SOCTALDIARY where he served as a signaller and violent troubles that marked Britain s withdrawal from its We are very grateful to Miss A Dolemore for her continued East bases. sponsorship of The News. lf anyone would like to Middle sponsor the magazine in future please contct one of the editorial team. ln later life John and his wife Josie ran the Ram Public House in before moving to St.Mary s Close in Tebworth about 20 years ago. The Chalgrave News team produce The Chalgrqve News in good faith and no o-ffenc'e is c'qused to anf individual or do all we can to ensure that John could mostly be found in the public bar of the Queen s Head along with his old friend Ernie Stringer but with a contributions submitted to us if these do nol co ly v'ith our polic'y. crossword always close at hand, still practising his cryptography.

2 35 Editorial Page Auntie Agnes's Problem The New Year brings new challenges Pumpkin Competition! The gauntlet Personal problems resolved with a smile for The Chalgrave News. was laid down by the vicar in our Changes in our printing arrangements previous issue if you remember. Full It is with considerable regret that I once again have to apologise for a make it a good time to review our instructions are given in the mag. design and layout and we misprint in one of my replies in the last issue of The Chalgrave News. would Which brings us to the subject of the welcome comments or suggestions Best Kept Front garden competition. from our readers ifyou have any ideas As we speak, a local garden centre is You will remember that one of our local parish organisations for additional items or coverage in the being approached to sponsor us so that wrote to me seeking my advice on an event they coming issues. this year there will be some REALLY were planning to put on this spring. Although design and layout may GOOD PRIZES!! lt's therefore worth change, we would like to assure our putting in that extra effort to make a They wanted to stage a traditional old festival, which readers that the editorial team remain great garden display this year to win A would be enjoyed by everyone who attended. committed to ensuring the Chalgrave REALLY GOOD PRIZE!! News will continue to inform, OK, we don't actually know what the And what could be more traditional at this time of entertain and remain impartial and non prize is going to be yet but it will be judgemental in our coverage of local REALLY get gardening the year than that old favourite May Pole Dancing. GOOD. So lssues. and remember there is a separate prize Are you puzzled by your free gift in for best tub, basket or window box so It is with much regret that our proof reading team failed to this issue? Puzzle no longer. Just those of us with little or no front notice the misprint in my reply and the plant the seeds provided; water; wait gardens can still enter into the spirit. Gay Pole Dancing by lhe men of the village, and by September you will be able to The copy date for the next should have of course read May Pole Dancing. take part in the Chalgrave Biggest issue is 26th June.

Anyway I understand that the committee have held a trial Front Cover Picture Andrew Selous & Michael Howurd already in preparation of the forthcoming May Day celebrations, which has turned out lo be a great success. Last year the Chalgrave News Team invited both Tony Blair and Michael Howard to appear in The Chalgrave News. It has therefore been decided by the committee members that We are delighted to have had a response from the event will go ohead - lhe only dffirence being that it Michael Howard Leader of the Conservative Party will now be held on the stage inside the village hall so we who is pictured together with our local Member of Parliament will not have to worry about the weather! Andrew Selous sharing a copy of The Chalgrave News. No the picture has not been put together using computer tricks Auntie Agnes has been pleased to be of help and I wish the - it is a genuine photo. committee every success with the festival. Many thanks to both An w Selous & Michael Howard for taking the time to allow us to obtain this unique photo.

Well until our next issue - goodbye dear readers If Ton1, frlqir onds to our invitation vou will see the photo in the next issue of The Chalgrave News.

34 J News Whot s Happened in Chalgrave since the Last Chalgrave 40,000 houses cont inued...... ore cousing unnecessory worry to recommended in the Panel s report of the Public Examination into the strateg), locol residents. Remember it is your held earlier this year. The Strategt identifies the level and broad locations of of the Christmos Lights Winners fomily os well as everyone else who new housing - and target employment levels - required to meet the growth Competition Steve ond Som received hos to poy for the domoge you couse area's needs to 2021. It proposes that 169,800 new dwellings should be built their well deserved New Yeor to be removed/repaired os the ocross the growlh area, of which 45,800 are to be built in Luton and lhe Homper from the Editoriol Teom of money comes from ever growth towns - 19,500 in Bedford and the northern Marston Vale the Cholgrove News. Everyone must increosing community chorges or and 26,300 in Luton, , and Leighton . It hove noticed their mognif icent rotes os they ore better known. also proposes that land should be safeguardedfor afurther 15,400 homes to disploy ot 15 Toddington Rood. Anyone who hos informotion or be built in the Luton growth area over the period to 2031. witnesses o criminol oct pleose Will ther" be o reduction in illegol contoct your locol neighbourhood At the launch of the consuhation, I explained that the growth strateg) was not hore coursing in Cholgrove after the wotch or police. just aboul providing much needed homes for future generations. Housing introduction of the Bill to bon growth will be accompanied by supporting infrastructure that will benefit hunting with dogs? Courses ore held Hor" yo, noticed the number of existing communities, assrs, regeneration and provide opportunities to enhance without permission of the houses for sole since the beginning access to greenspace and lhe local countryside. Infrastructure and amenities londowners ond often wreck hovoc of the yeor in Tebworth2 We hove schemes already supported by the Ofice of the Deputy Prime by toking vehicles onto crop lond. minister in Anyone who sees onything suspicious counted 10 to dote. Is the rumour MKSM include f5 million for new roads in and around Bedford, and should toke note of cor number thot the Milton Keynes/Bedford new f6.6 million on green spaces projects, including enhancement schemes for Dunsloble Downs and woodland areas the Forest plotes ond report them to the conol link plonned to poss through in of Marston Vale. police. Tebworth the couseZ Strongely no The government recognises thal, because the South Bedfordshire Green Belt houses oppeor to be for sole in Since the lost Cholgrove News boundary is tightly drawn qround existing built up qreas, some loss of land in Wingf ield or Cholgrove! there hos been onothet ve?y bod cor the Green Belt is inevitable. The exact location of the areas released will be crosh on the Houghton Regis to delermined through Local Development Documents, prepared by lhe local How long does it toke for 6 men to Toddington Rood just post the toP planning authorities, who will be expected to replace such losses. Whilst of Lords Hill. This hoppened oround erect o concrete garoge ot government believes the scale of unmet local need provides a powerful 6om cousing the rood to be closed in Cholgrove Sports Club? Answer 8 justification for the release of Green Belt land, we remain keen to listen to both directions for most of the hours. How long will it remoin the views of those who live and work in the growth area. morning. We understond thot one of stonding before the goles blow it the drivers involved sodly died of down? Answer I weeks? Anyone Both the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategt and the their injuries. wont o lorge omount of free Schedule of Proposed Changes are available on the Government Office for the hordcore - contoct the E a s t Mi d t an d s w e b s il e a t,YXi" o n s u t t a t i o n p e r i o d Choirmon Cholgrove Sports Club! There oppeors to be on increose in ;iT;il iiit l,e' .c the omount of vondolism ond groffiti "ff being committed oround the porish - Anyone know how the new villoge The final Strategy, incorporating any fuither changes judged appropriate in the porticulorly in The Tebworth oreo. entronce gotes on the A5 entronce light of responses received, will be published in Spring 2005. To those involved pleose stop os you

4 JJ W hat's happened conti nued...... roods is in the worst condition os 40000 Houses well os being the most well used? to Tebworth were broken2 Question B - Which of our Pqrish roods hos hod oll it's potholes ast year the Chalgrave News wrote to various interested parties seeking Does it reolly toke British workmen repaired in eorly Morch2 their views on the government's proposed building of 40,000 new Answers 2 months (occording to the rood homes on the outskirts of Houghton Regis which will bring the edge of A informotion signs) to olter the Question - /Toddington that new community to within a couple of hundred yards or so of Chalgrave troffic lights ot the rood through Tebworth. Parish boundary. B - The Tebworth Rood Leighton/ Woburn junction in Question through Hockliff e? Whot ore they doing Wingfield. Money (our council At the time of going to press in our last issue we only had two replies and we there? Hos onyone evet seen more tax) well spent2 printed both - one from our Member of Parliament Andrew Selous and the thon 5 workmen octuolly working ot other from the Chairman of South Beds District Council stating that they were the some time? One news report Droin ot the entrance to Pork View unable to comment but would get the Portfolio Holder - Councillor Tom recently stoted thot the present Lone is still blocked ond the rood Nicols - to respond. troff ic lights ore being reploced by become guite o dongerous skoting roundobouts ond crossing lights. rink during the cold snop. Certoinly the roundobouts ore Guess what? Nothing further has been heard from South Beds! Not really The highwoys hove been notified but moking the generol flow of troff ic surprising is it? Also we have never had any response from the Chairman of nothing seems to hoppen. f wonder f or better thon the old troffic light Bedfordshire County Council - Rhys Goodwin our County Councillor - if we fiegned o drowning incident system but why put crossing lights Norman Costin our District Councillor or Chalgrave Parish Council. ond threotened to cloim insuronce on the octuol junction. Surely these we could prompt them into oction? would be better ploced o short However our invite letter to Tony Blair was passed on to the Offrce of the distonce owoy from the junction. Deputy Prime Minister and we have received a reply dated lOth November And why does this take 2 months to Procticolly the whole of the Villoge 2004 from JeffRooker as follows: - complete when 3 weeks should be Holl Committeewere bonned from more thon sufficient time scole! The Plough when they went there to "Thank you for sending a copy of 'Chalgrave News'to Mr Blair and for the Answers on o postcord pleose! hove Christmos dinner. Should they invitation to contribute to the debate on house building in South Bedfordshire now be listed os "undesirobles" to in afulure issue of your publication. As Ministerfor Regeneration, I am A Porish hire the villoge holl in future? pleased to have lhis opportunity to respond on behalf of Government. Question - Which of our Five meet down under I have taken a keen inlerest in the proposals for growth in the Milton Keynes and South Midlands area, which includes parx of Bedfordshire, and welcome On retuming to my home in the southern city of Dunedin, New Zealand, the opportunity to contribute to a balonced debate. As you and your readers Ian and I met up with Janet & Dick will be aware, an eight-week public consultation on the governments (formerly of Pond CotLages, Tebworth) proposed changes to plans to provide additionol homes in the and Yvonne (also fomerly of Tebworth) for growth area is currently underway. a meal on New years Eve. All three have moved ts The first secretary of State b Proposed Changes to the draft Milton Keynes and permanently to live in Dunedin. South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategt takes forward many of the changes Lyndie Lolhian

32 5 WHAT'S IN YER DRAWERS...by Florry Bunda around lhe orgoinsalions conlinued..... will be going up within the next few damage to the bus shelter on weeks on the entrance to the village We are always interested to receive your old photographs here at the Wingfield Road. This will be repaired along the Toddington/Hockcliffe Chalgrave Parish News...... in due course. Roads. judging The photograph printed here must have been taken in the 1960's. I'm Graffiti has appeared again in various Notice Boards the large amount crimplene on display, a fabulous material that that by of parts of the village. We have secured funding for required little or no ironing if I remember right, but which created so much It has been reported that a number of replacement notice boards for static, it was possible to dim the lights and still be able to read a book!! motorbikes have been speeding along Tebworth and Wingfield. They are on Anyway, if anybody can reveal the names of the ladies who are raising the Wingfi eld/Tebworth Roads. order and will arrive in eight weeks a glass to us across the years or who can say what the special Also, there have been concerns raised tlme. occasion was, details please as usual to 2, The Lane.... about the same vehicles going down Traffic Calming The Lane on a regular basis. Our speed sign will reappear again to All of the above have, or will be, remind drivers of the 30 mph speed reported to the local police limit. There seem to be a number of Millennium Award heavy lorries coming through We have received nominations and Tebworth on their way to the Sundon will be announcing the winner of this tip. We will be finding out if this is an award in due course. 'oflicial'route - or a short cut. Tebworth Villase Sisns The minutes of our meetrngs are Having now decided on the exact posted on the notice board (and will, location for the new signs (considering eventually, be on our web site). I visibility, safety, security, etc) they Phil Parry Chairman (875169) dt ., Leslie (Les) Mead 1951: 2005' A RECIPE FOR THE BACHELOR WOMAN It is with great sadness that we report the loss of with thanks to the Good Housekeeping Manual of 1922 Les Mead of The OId Woodyard, Tebworth. lf 'The bachelor woman who lives in rooms, or where it is difficult to Les was bom in Luton but raised in Eddlesborough before get little tasty dishes prepared for her, will be glad to have the moving to Tebworth in 1990. following suggestion.... He worked for a number of years at Rugby Cement Steamed Fish with Orange Sauce. and Castle Cement in Pitstone before Take some white fish and place on a greased tray, season, cover wit}r a lid and moving to Boss Trucks in Leighton Buzzard and steam over boiling water for l5 minutes.A few potatoes or vetetables might then to QRS as a quality controller. be cooked in the boiling water at the same time. A keen football fan and season ticket holder at Luton Town, Les was also a To make a sauce, put the iuice and grated rind of an orante into a pan and keen supporter of local events, particularly the annual Chalgrave Games boil. Mix I dessert spoon of cornflour to a paste with water and add to the where he regularly helped in running the beer tent. juice, stirring until thickened.Add a knob of butter and pour sauce over the Les recently married Lesley and our thoughts and condolences together fish to serve.This will be found excellent.' with those of his many friends around the Parish are with her and the More 'little tasty dishes'next time & remember that dishes must only be greased with lard!!! family at this very difficult time.

6 around the otgainsations conlinued..... change to the flightpath. The Parish perhaps, some chattering and then Council was not consulted by Luton Peter Kuys more serious faces. The meeting now Airporl, as they considered Chalgrave Many of you will be aware by now that Peter Kuys has decided that after is underway - voices getting stronger. not affected. reviewing the last issue of the News, the time had come for him to divert I sneak a look at my watch - will it be We have looked at the proposal and his charitable funds elsewhere. Consequently he will no longer be much longer? Everything is twice think that we will be directly affected. producing the Chalgrave News. repeated, sometimes more than twice Toddington were consulted - only a On behalf of the Editorial Team and indeed the Parish of Chalgrave, a big repeated. As we work through the mile and a half away! and sincere thank you is due for the magnificent financial support Peter has agenda (it seems elastic, this agenda). We have written to Luton Airport on given over the initial l0 issues. Without his support we would certainly Becoming longer - never shorter. two occasions with our concerns with not have had such a fine presentation At last! I think we're finished - items no response. We have written again to So, we move on and you can be assured that future issues whilst not perhaps glossy ticked offone by one. But wait! Can the airport and now received a reply as will still be as (hopefully) readable as ever. We are of course now actively seeking sponsors perhaps we confirm exactly what we've done? implying that it's not the responsibility and contributions from any friends of the Chalgrave News and if you are feeling generous, This takes time - but it is the final of the Airport to consult Chalgrave!! please do not hesitate to contact one of the Editorial Team. reckoning - thirst is upon us and the Our MP, Andrew Selous, is In addition, we would like to encourage anybody with a little spare time on Head is now a-beckoning!' campaigning very hard to get the Queens their hands to consider either joining the team or (say) assisting with 20th Memorial Hall Spm proposed flightpath changed so that it AGM June advertising and fund raising. is in a more northerly direction around Linda Hadden So once again, contact us ifyou can help. Leighton Buzzard rather than over it. The Chairman ol lhe Parish Council This will benefit the Parish. He feels writes 'that there is a possibility that the Jackie Hammond Parish Assembly airport may listen to our Jackie has been toiling hard behind the scenes getting new advertisers to On the 19 April at 8:00 pm there is the remonstrations' . subscribe to the News. This is a very time consuming job joined Annual Parish Assembly. Everyone in We are supporting his view. and Jackie us when all the adveftisers needed contacting and funds collected for another the Parish is invited and it's an Plannins year. Because of personal commitments Jackie will no longer be able to opportunity to meet your Council and We are continually concemed about all continue and we would like to thank her for all the work she has done. to discuss any issues. planning issues whether it's on a large This year it will be an informal scale - as in the planned housing for occasion with tea, coffee, wine and this region - or on a small scale. BEDFORD MUSEUM nibbles. Any planning application is referred to Saturday 2nd April the Parish and we can put We will invite a spokesperson from Council Come and see how we were then. Meet members of the forces, the various clubs and organisations in forward our view on behalf of the see World War II vehicles, taste food from the NAAFL the Parish to say a few words about Parish.We can act if there is any abuse Watch a cake icing demonstration "Cakes of the Forces" by students from what they have done in 2004 and will of the planning regulations and we are Bedford College and share family memories as part of be doing in 2005. vigorous and speedy in making sure Bedford Museum's wartime Bedford project. We hope you can come along. there is compliance. Preview of selected items from the Museum of Military Intelligence at Luton Airport Flightpath Vandalism . Reconstruction of ARP Officer's room. We are concerned with the proposed There has been - again - mindless See shrapnel collected from Mid-Bedfordshire.

30 1 Courtney is Charity Dog Walk around lhe otganisalins conlinued.... . welcome Paul Whitton who joined us successful schools in the country. at the last meeting. I-would like to thank everyone in mum. The criteria stipulated that schools To date - the kitchen and store room the were judged in Ofsted have been given face lifts, including I Chulnr"u". and most of all The school had cakes sales and all their raise money new shelving, fridge and,freezer ldog.-thut helped me sorts of things going on to raise inspections to be extremely effective Hailey. bought with money for my friend money. So I can tell you that Hailey in providing high quality education obtained from a grant Hailey needed a mobility scooter to now has her mobility scooter. and in ensuring that pupils achieved from Beds Charities. We have get managed to very well. The inspector felt certain undergone the usual annual help her around. I We raised over f,3000 but only needed this the local community would join him inspections necessary to obtain a raise f-245 towards by walking22 f 1000 for Hailey's scooter! The Pickle, to the in congratulating the staff and the Public Entertainments licence. Our dogs, from the smallest, balance of these monies has been put the Bernard. boiler has been playing up and is high very large Rosie Saint into a trust fund to provide things that pupils for achieving such an accolade. on the list of priorities to have put I had a lot of fun in the 3 weeks it will help Hailey in the future. got and dirty, January was indeed a month for right (not as easy as it sounds). took me and I very cold Since the Big Dog Walk I have a new also arranged a celebration at Parkfields. At long last Apologies to any users who have not but I enjoyed it. I puppy, a Springer called 'Useless', so quiz as someone said the school was able to open its new found the hall as warn as it usually is. maths at school that next time he can help raise give maths group Science Studio. This project began We are currently awaiting the arrival they would my f300 money for a good cause! if we all learnt a times table we didn't nearly three years ago and there have and fixture of some stage lighting - Thank You know. We got the [300! So a very been many frustrating moments since. also obtained with grant money, this Courtney Finch big thank you from Hailey and her The studio is an exciting and should be an asset for many future stimulating new concept building events. which offers a modern environment to We would welcome some more teaching science in the 2l st century. bookings and are looking to set up our Included in the technology available own web site. Pilates is a new venture are interactive whiteboards with which and we hope the pilot run will lead to many children have by now already a regular booking. We are also had their lessons. Certainly the many hoping to start badminton sessions children that I have spoken to are shortly. Has anyone NOT noticed the extremely excited and inspired by the daffodils defoing the snow and lifting studio and will hopefully find it an up their heads proudly between the innovative place in which to learn. trees behind the front fence? David Brandon-Bravo - Headteacher Please iake an interest in your village hall - and attend the AGM. Even put C halgrave Memoriql Hall your name forward for committee - do not be put offby the meetings - which The committee have held several brings me to a few thoughts on that meetings in the last six months - I subject:: can't believe how quickly the year is 'One by one we wander in, pull up passing. Our members have been working hard - and it is with pleasure I chairs and take our places, a fewjokes

8 29 Around the Organisations Cotrrtnet,',s Chqrily Dog Walk Book Club of a cliff'. However this is a misunderstanding of the Robbie We are still enjoying our book club Burn's l9th century song which is meetings and the cakes, biscuits and about two people who meet in a field chat are quite definitely an added for sex. Again he gets it wrong! bonus! We began the summer by I am looking forward to hearing book reading the second of Helen club members views on this work as I Forrester's Mersey trilogy. The found it , sometimes hilariously poverty encountered in Liverpool in funny and sometimes full of pathos. the thirties provoked lively discussion My suggestion to you all is - if about life - then and now. How you've never read it - get a copy different! We then went on to read now! 'Girl With the Pearl Earring'by My report for the book club's last # Tracey Chevelier. This book, loosely issue was somehow mislaid - so am based on a painting by the Dutch including it this time with the artist Vermeel is very descriptive and following update! moody . As one of our members We have now read the first of the remarked 'Nothing happens!'But it is 'Ladies' Detective Agency' series, by our imagining of what might happen Alexander McCall Smith and'White and the very real feel the author has Out'by Ken Follett, and are currently for the era that makes this a really reading 'Bare Bones' by Alice perceptive and well written book. Sebold. More about these in the next Our latest challenge is 'The Catcher issue. We all enjoyed a wonderful in the Rye'by JD Salinger. This is a New Year's spread when we lunched classic that has been used for O levels at the home of Dr.Gill Jones. Thanks and GCE exams for many years. The Gill - greatly appreciated and enjoyed narrator, Holden Caulfield is a by everyone. Happy reading! typical hormonal teenage boy - Linda Hadden unsure about girls, tired of society's falseness and hypocrisy, and a loner. Parklields School The story starts with him visiting his exams and As headteacher of Parkfields Middle New York after failing a leaving school. After a series of School in Toddington, I am delighted mishaps and sexual encounters that to inform Chalgrave that the school go wrong, he tells his younger sister has been included in Her Majesty's that he would like to be 'the catcher Chief Inspector of Schools'Annual These are all the dogs I walked and the in the - a person who catches rye Report for the academic year 2003104 first one is me with Rosie. children when they fall offthe edge as one of the few particularly 28 Rose climbing and rambling What s Going On At CounQ Hall?? Ulex Europeaus- (Gorse) BEDS 'N'SHEDS Crataegus Monogyna (Hawthorn) Ever wondered whatever happens to the council tax we pay each year? lmprove Your GardenSecurity Rubus fruticosus (Blackberry) The oarden is vour home's first Chaenomeles Japonica (Ornamental According to newspaper reports Bedfordshire County Council are employing line 5f defence-aqainst crime. Here Quince) l0 - yes l0! - accountants at around fl00 - yes that's right f,100 - per hour to are some ideas fiom Bedfordshire look through the council's books to find a Police to protect your property: Hostile planting is intended to where large amount of unaccounted complement but not replace crime funds - no that's our monies - disappeared during 2003104!1. The news report TO SCRATCH A THIEF... reduction measures such as locks, goes on to state that it is anticipated that this work will continue until July this alarms and lighting. year - calculated on an S-hour day and 5 day week the total cost ofthis exer- plants Prickly or hostile will slow cise will be f,800,000!! down or deter unlavvful entry to your GET SHEDUCATED... premises - and there s no need for Unfortunately, if offenders have easy we have a better and less costly solution - if the council's present accountants unsightly signage, as with other types access to your shed, they also have are so incompetent that they cannot do their jobs properly of man-made perimeter defences, then replace them access to the tools they need to accountants because you can t sue Mother Nature with who can!!! break into your house. When you ve for causing injury. finished in the garden, make time to: Never mind though, the County Council can just increase all our council tax When planting up the boundaries of Lock away your digging implements, this year to make good both the unaccounted funds - if they really have gone your property, consider using any of this includes small items like trowels missing - and to pay for the squad of agency accountants. the plants below. You can even Put and dibbers think about pufting a them under vulnerable windows to lockable cabinet- in your shed. What we don't know is who is responsible for this mess?? What we do know prevent anyone getting near enough Secure your power tools consider is who will be paying for it to be sorted out - every Bedfordshire council tax- to look inside. The Home Office sinking a steel d-ring into- the floor payer! ! ! ! recommends keeping hedges no and chaining your mower to it. higher than 1 metre and tree Did you think Bedfordshire County Councils spending (of your Items that stay outside can also be money) could canopies no lower than 2 metres to not get worse? Don't believe it! chained together (such as garden enable natural surveillance from your fumiture) or to a metal drain pipe neighbours and the street. lf you Did you know the Corporate Performance Assessment for Beds CC puts them wheelie bins are often used to gain- can t see out of your property, no one at "poor". The bottom of a scale of 5. We understand they are attempting to access to roofs and windows, wheel can see an intruder on your premises. become "weak" which is the next level up. barrows can be used to transport goods. When planting up the boundaries of stolen They placed an advert placed in The Guardian Newspaper on 23rd February your property, consider using any of When you add up the value of the 2005 for a Director of Cultural Change and Customer Care Service. the plants below. You can even put contents of the average shed, it can At a time when Bedfordshire County Council's finances (that means our them under vulnerable windows to work out to several hundred pounds, monies) are in a shambolic mess is this really the best way to spend our prevent anyone getting near enough so you need to make sure your shed council tax? Is this position essential to the future of the County Council or to look inside. is secure: also just a luxury that we cannot afford? Pyracantha (Firethom) - all varieties ls your padlock adequate? lt should Berberis Ottawensis Superba, be made of hardened steel and - Why not, for instance, spend this money on traffic lights at the Hockliffe Stenophylla, Darwinii comply with British Standards. Road/A5 junction to prevent future accidents and possible deaths? This would Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea It s no use having a good padlock be of real benefit to Bedfordshire. There must be a thousand and one Buckthorn) when the hasp is of poor quality better projects to spend this money on each year than the proposed job position! Prunus Spinosa (Blackthorn) make sure you fit one that covers- the new Mahonia - all varieties screw heads when it is in the closed The salary being offered - only f,100,000 per annum! llex (Holly) - aquifolium varieties position. 10 21 Beds IV'Sheds contin ued...... IVew Years Eve Celebrations Around The Parish Some outbuildings may have doors lf you have a piece of stoneware you thick enough to fit a 5 lever mortice don t want to go missing, you could lock. Exposed door hinges would drape a chain around it and fix to a Bring out the old and benefit from using coach bolts or wall or the ground to hide the chain, bring in the new! clutch head screws so that thieves grow a climbing plant- through it. Or was it throw out the can t remove them. Battery operated drive alarms are empties and bring in the full! Fit window locks - burglars won t risk also available on the market these Whatever the cry the 2005 climbing through a broken window if will ring a doorbell chime in the- house New Year was celebrated with they can easily reach through and when someone walks past it. traditional Chalgrave enthusiasm open it instead. Don t forget property marking can be in all parts of the parish. There are plenty of alarms suitable for applied to furniture and tools for outbuildings, ranging from fully wired outdoor items, microdot technology- Your Chalgrave News team - photography section - were despatched to various systems connected to your house and etching work best. venues but regrettably soon (actually very soon) found themselves caught up in alarm to stand-alone battery operated the celebrations and by time they surfaced the following day (or afternoon!) units. More information and advice is found no photo's had been taken! MORE ANTI.THEFT IDEAS... available from your local Crime uon*ul:'I"';ffi w ith Reduction Office: ""il"rf"H:Hue Dusk{ill-dawn lighting not only makes Bedford: 01234275273 [ H your garden attractive at night but Luton: 01582 401212 removes the dark corners where a Dunstable: 01582 473270 burglar can hide.

Bottle of Trofolgar?

This yeor is the 2O0th the brove soilors who f onniversory of the Bottle of thot glorious bottle. Trofolgor ond celebrotions hove On the other hond - but not olreody storted in Wingfield with Nelson's - those screoms could be o doily re-enoctment of this from the residents of Wingfield fomous bottle down to dusk! from who hove been subjected to con- At first light the sounds of tinuous explosions from the crop Nelsons f logship 's opening connon f ield bird scorer for some weeks salvo's ring ocross the fields qnd now! Strongely the birds seem to the sound of bottle gothers be showing themselves to be os strength os the day progresses. brqve os our jolly jock tors of old Broodside ofter broodside sounds ond ignoring the bird scorer if you close your eyes you regulor explosionsl! ost heor the screoms of

ll with members from all points of the the situation last year and that it was parish. The purpose of the Residents left to a few publicly spirited local citizql'= Association would be for members to residents to take matters forward. This etf.eoior use their local knowledge of the point has been put to the Parish immediate area in which they live and Council and they have given the sd presenrs to report any inappropriate use of assurance that if any similar situation Cf- an even in g of green belt or other useful information. was to occur again as soon as they More details with a meeting date and were made aware they would take a venue for anyone interested in proactive rather than reactive stance. forming a Residents Association will Finally many thanks to all those OLD TIME MUSIC HALL be issued in the next Chalgrave News. residents who were willing to donate On another point, it was very hard earned monies to the rn r.[o,lis hts disappointing that Chalgrave Parish consortium's funds which thankfully Council took no lead in dealing with were not needed on this occasion. Thursday, Friday and Saturday I 4th, I 5 th, I 6th April at fne Creat Pumptin

Chalgrave Memorial Hall, Tebworth Those of you who studied the last issue will recall Tickets f 10.00 each the challenge thrown down by the rector of Chalgrave Church Nick McNeil. He seemed of the opinion that by lncluding two course meal September, he could grow the largest pumpkin in the Parish! Never ones to resist a challenge, we at the Chalgrave News have picked up and song sheets the gauntlet and are currently in the process of nurturing our own giant. Just to ensure Nick is well beaten, we invite you all to grow a giant pumpkin and you will find in this issue your very own starter kit - two pumpkin seeds. Use these or find your own variety.

And now for the method:- Pumpkins need to be grown in a frost free period since they will not germ in cold soil. They are shallow rooted and should ideally be planted in a well cultivated bed in a sunny position with rotting manure. Use mulch around the plant to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. The tricks to ensure good available are to cut all but one pumpkin off the vine to ensure it gets full ttenti and to lift the pumpkin offthe ground and surrounding the base with straw. Tables of 8 maximum or individual tickets from: It is also recommended to feed beer or beer slops to the plant (Charles Wells beer seems appropriate). Roger Masters, 2 The Lane, Tebworth. Incidentally, the record pumpkin is 1,446 lbs. So, get growing and we are sure we can find a prize for the biggest Tel: 0l 525 873039 parish pumpkin by harvest time.

t2 25 Land Sale In Wingfield open discussion took place followed Chalgrave Parish Plan Group by a further meeting of residents interested in forming a financial For the past couple years an of ever consortium and an offer was made to Twelve months ago, a group was formed from Parish volunteers to look at the increasing number stories were possibility of the selling agents for one of the two of obtaining a grant from the Countryside Agency to produce a being reported in the national media plots. Parish Plan for Chalgrave. concerning members of the travelling A Parish Plan identifies which taken forward Fortunately towards the end of last actions can be by the Parish community setting up illegal individuals groups year three parish residents stepped Council, by other or within the local community or by other encampments on green belt service providers and statutory bodies. These should have a clear focus forward and bought the plots and the on agricultural land. the past these whom, how, what and when. ln parish consortium was no longer plots of land were usually owned by The Group's work so far has, through a transport needs survey unearthed two needed and disbanded. the local authorities farmers but areas where help is needed. Namely a 'Community Help Scheme'and a 'Taxi or On behalf of all residents of the parish 2003 onwards saw a more worrying Bus Scheme'. we would like to publicly offer our trend whereby the travellers thanks for buying these plots of land. Taxi Bus Scheme themselves were buying green belt However any rural town or village The Taxi bus Scheme is required to get people to and from Harlington train plots and contry to planning laws and surrounded by fields is still station. Toddington Parish Council have also expressed a wish to be part of regulations setting permanent up vulnerable to illegal occupation and in this scheme and have allocated funds to add to our own grant to help set up the homes on their land. Local councils early March this year Mr Prescott (our scheme. Notices are being placed in both Harlington and stations seem almost powerless to evict these Deputy Prime Minister) is reported to informing users of this proposed scheme. new settlements despite the obvious have told councils to treat illegal If you use the trains at least once a week then this service could be of use to breeches of planning laws which all campsites as special cases which will you. If so, please leave your details on the Parish Plan e-mail address homeowners have to abide suffer or surely encourage people to ignore [email protected] or contact Leslie Smith on 01525 874716. the full wrath of the law. planning laws on green field sites. Communiw Helo Scheme There was great concern in many areas Of course any landowner is entitled to There is already a growing network of Village Care Schemes in Bedfordshire of the parish when it became known obtain the best price possible for their set up with the help and support of the Bedfordshire Rural Communities that two green belt plots were being land in exactly the same way as Charity and financed by the Countryside Agency. offered for sale in Wingfield at prices anyone else would do when placing a It appeared from our survey carried out last year that such a scheme could be well in excess of usual agricultural house on the market, and once the land viable in Chalgrave. Many volunteers have come forward to help with the values. is sold their responsibility for future scheme but as yet there seems to be a reluctance to help with the actual run- As had happened in other villages it usage ofthat land ceases and becomes ning of the scheme. was decided to try to form a the responsibility of the new owner. If consortium from within the parish to Parish Plan Public Meeting our parish is to protect the environ- purchase these plots to avoid any The Parish Plan Group is intending to hold a public meeting in May to discuss ment and surroundings in which we all possible future inappropriate use of the this and other topics which have come up as a result of the 'Likes and live we can only be sure to achieve this land. Dislikes' orange questionnaire which was circulated before Christmas, and to by taking a proactive approach rather take all viable schemes the Parish A public meeting was held at through into Plan which will be completed than 'wait and see what happens' the Chalgrave Memorial Hall and by end of November 2005. attitude. This meeting be a real opportunity for all the attended by over 90 residents of the will community to voice their With this in mind it has been needs and wants and to enjoy a social get-together as parish (we believe this was the largest well. suggested that the parish forms a turnout residents Further details will be circulated nearer the time of for any event at 'Chalgrave Residents Association' the hall for over 20 years) where an Roger Mence - Chairman, Parish Plan Group.

24 13 As the need for native timber as a building resource dwindled and fewer Black Poplars were planted, this propagation diffrculty became more important. An The Chalgrave lt{ews added complication was that only male trees had generally been planted - at the Chalgrave Games females were considered a nuisance because of the drifting white down they produce. By the beginning of this decade only about a thousand trees were known to have survived ....not enough to guarantee the survival of the species. The Games day is scheduled for Saturday l6th July this year In 1993 environmental scientists predicted that the species would be extinct and promises to be better than ever. within twenty years. Thankfully, a small band of enthusiasts had other ideas. They were battling to save what had become known as The Forgotten Tree. Watch out for us! In Chagrave Parish there are at least three of these trees. One on The Lane just past the 30mph signs. Two more are beside the stream further down. Another is just outside the Parish towards the Wobum Road, and again beside the The News will be supporting the games by providing stream. It would be interesting to hear if anyone knows of any more in the Strawberries and Cream Parish and should our Tree Warden find some new sites to plant some young and lced Pimms trees for future generations? Perfect to follow the delicious barbeque.

In addition, we will be holding a competition to find the Remembering Brian Gridley best short story. written I have very fond memories of Brian who died on 13th Nov 2004. It's so sad There will be two prize winning categories that he is gone at such a comparatively young age. He grew up in Tebworth 14 and under, and over 14 but had no family left. Wherever he went everybody knew Brian! with the winning stories being published in the He had what we now call "learning diffrculties" but he was by no means daft. Chalgrave News. His dad used to say "if he'd been normal he'd have been a genius" and that about summed him up. He was always interested in old motor vehicles and aeroplanes and was quite knowledgeable on all the different models. He had an expensive and complicated camera that he understood in all its complexity. After School Child-Care Wanted He really came into his element though at the village concerts which were held Wingfield Road, Tebworth Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays regularly for many years. Often at rehearsals we got a bit concerned €6.00 to €8.00 per hour Dependant on skills and experience because he didn't seem to be Responsible, fun and caring person wanted to look after our two daughters following things, but put him in aged 5 and 7 who will need after school care from mid April onwards. front ofan audience and he shone! girls Both are at Toddington St.George s School full time. ldeally the care He just had that knack of would be provided from our home in Wingfield Road, Tebworth. ad-libbing with the most original Hours: 3.30pm to 6pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, term time only, comments with perfect timing. although some holiday cover could be agreed if required He was the star of many a show! preparing Key Duties: Care and entertainment and their evening meals Our sympathy goes to Janet, his References and own transport required girlfriend of many years standing. Please call Debbie or Phil Parry for more details They were very fond ofeach 875169 or 07831 605600 other. Ken Green 14 The Forgotten Tre€....a sad,sad story Ramblings on the Parish Council

A thousand years ago the native Black Poplar thrived across the lowland flood B ill (scoop) Archer plains of the English countryside. Its huge, often steeply leaning bulk was You may well not read this as I have been told I've missed almost as cornmon as oak. But since the start of the l9th century its natural the deadline. I have said that my subject matter is now habitat has been steadily destroyed by housing and farming. The great tree has covered by the Chairman of the Council but I am told my been quietly vanishing from our landscape. light-hearted approach would be appreciated. So I'll have to Now it is Britain's rarest native timber tree. lighten up because although sometimes frivolous I didn't think I was a 'little ray'. As I missed one meeting my coverage may be somewhat sketchy but looking back through my notes I find that some subjects have been a recurring theme meeting after meeting, and it's not because our councillors have been sitting on their hands, it's just the sheer grind of trying to get things done against beaurocracy. Two bus stops regularly appear. St Mary's close where its proximity to the corner has been an issue, the other is Chalgrave Church and where the stop should go - the top of Chalgrave Road or on the triangle opposite. The war memorial in the churchyard is another chestnut. Rumours of grants abound but chasing them down is a task for Hercules. At long last, a grant has been obtained from North Chiltem Trust for replacement notice boards for the Parish. I note too that the January Minutes anticipated three publications in Chalgrave that the Chairman will contribute to llThe Chalgrave News 2/ Parish Council newsletter 3/ Queen's Head newsletter. So you will be inundated with information. Populus nigra subs. betulifolia is an important link with Britain's past. lt was You will all be disappointed that you missed the hedge laying day at Shefford once such a common sight that it features in many classic paintings of the on the 22nd February but there should be a public meeting coming up in April English countryside - John Constable's The Hay Wain is one example. It to discuss the Parish Plan. Elsewhere in this publication should be articles on was so useful for building and scaffolding that it was habitually planted near Mllage Care Scheme, Taxi bus, Parish Plan and an analysis of Orange survey farms and developing villages. The shaped lower branches were especially (whatever that is!) prized for cruck frames. Its toughness made it a favourite of waggonmakers, I note at this meeting poor Lesley (the clerk) was lumbered with checking bowl turners and fletchers - a Black Poplar in Portsmouth has been established potholes on the Toddington Road, chasing up a tipper lorry route through as the descendant of one used to make arrows for the armoury of the warship Tebworth, and getting consultative documents regarding Luton airport - only a Mary Rose (McKee, 1982). Its mysterious, gnarly look gave it a spiritual few of the items on the agenda. She certainly does work hard for her crust! attraction, too. In some parts of the country it was the subject of tree-dressing The Parish Council are extremely concerned that packing more houses around ceremonies dating back centuries, and whose origins are now unknown. Luton with insufficient jobs will cause more commuting to other areas with But the black poplar has a problem it needs very specialised conditions in consequential road congestion. Also the East of Plan takes for which to propagate. Seeds need to lie- undisturbed on bare, wet mud or silt granted the loss of Green Belt from June to October to germinate successfully - conditions that became -So much traffic that every road will have a Green Wave - and you know harder to find as Britain grew more industrialised and more heavily populated. what that means...or do you? 22 l5 Flight Path Changes over Chalgrave Cholgrave Church In the last issue of the Chalgrave News we published a story that had come to our attention regarding proposed changes in the Luton airport flight path that would be sending aircraft over our parish each day at fairly low altitudes but our Parish Council were not aware of these plans because they were never EASTER consulted! Good Friday Service l0am featuring seasonal hymns and reflections. Further urgent investigations were made by our parish council and we can now Easter Parish Communion at l lam set out the updated situation. Songs of Praise in the evening at 6pm. Following a discussion with John Eden, Environmental Health Manager at South Beds District Council it has been ascertained that by law a letter should There will be another Coffee moming organised by the Church in the have been sent to interested parties in July 2004 but our parish council did not Memorial Hall on 9th April following the suiccess of the one last Autumn. receive any letter or other documents. (Toddington council received their copy Excellent tea. Excellent cakes, ( I really mean it - they are ) and of course, and have been debating this subject for over 12 months!). The public excellent company. From l0 - 12 noon. consultation ended on Sth November 20041 If the new flight path is adopted up to 60 flights per day will fly at a level There will also be a Ploughman's Lunch in the delightfut setting of the height of4500 feet over Toddington and then Leighton Buzzard before church on May Bank Holiday Monday, 2nd May from 12 - 2pm. descending into Luton airporl. The number of flights would depend on wind direction each day. On Sunday 29th May the Revd Tony Knox will preach for us at Chalgrave. Our parish council have requested copies of the consultation documents and Some of you may remember him as a past Rector of Toddington. further details will appear in forthcoming copies of the Chalgrave News. The service starts at 9.30 am. However there are some questions that need answering here. It is obvious that these proposed changes would have been known for some time by both County I am sorry I have not been in the villages of late. Some of you will know and District Councils. In which case why did our County Councillor Rhys that I am recovering from an operation and I look forward to getting better Goodwin or District Councillor Norman Costin not inform the parish council and getting to Tebworth and Wingfield. However, I am now well enough to of this situation? They have not served us well on this occasion. enter the...... BUS TRIP

A woman gets on a bus holding her baby. PUMPKIN CHALLENGE "That's the ugliest baby l've ever seen," says the bus driver. ln a huff, the woman slams her fare into the box and LastAutumn I challenged the parish to come up with alarge pumpkin for takes an aisle seat near the rear of the bus. our harvest festival which is on the last Sunday of September. I am delighted The man seated next to her senses her agitation and asks what's wrong. to see that certain parishioners have responded to the challenge, including the "The bus driver insulted me!" she shouts. editors. Obviously there are going to be lots of pumpkin pies this Autumn, The man replies, "Well, he's a public servant and shouldn't (yuk) but the real challenge is, who can grow the largest? say things to insult passengers!" I have already seeded mine and unleashed the 'secret weapon'. You're right," says the woman. "l think I'll go back up there and give him a piece of my mind!" Happy growing and let me know how you are getting on. "That's a good idea," the man replies. "Here, let me hold your monkey."

l6 2t 'theatre in Margate, Kent. It had been a At Nightwatch UK, we use a range of sci- usual hot day in August and the evening whilst entific equipment to search for that other The times of the services at All Saints are:- marginally cooler was still warm. Myself l0Z experience as well as drawing on the lst and 3rd Sundays - 9.30 am Parish Communion with hymns. and fellow ghost hunter and author Ruth talents of anyone who claims they can 2nd Sunday - Family service I I am - a shorter service with hymns and a Stratton were sitting by the stage of the connect or communicate with Ghosts. short talk. theatre when we heard running footsteps Throughout our investigations ofa build- 4th Sunday - I I am Parish Communion with hymns from the stone stair case fire escape ing we are always looking for the rational, See notices for 5th Sundays. behind us. We found this spooky as we logical or scientific explanation to an ini- were conducting an exercise we call tial unexplained event. We seek to gather Please remember that All Saints is your parish church. 'silent running', in that everyone on the evidence ofthe existence ofghosts, as Do contact the Rector with regards to baptisms and weddings and any ghost hunt stays on one spot for an hour. proofis a personal thing for the individual other matters you wish to discuss him. No talking, moving or torches waving to decide. Over the many years of being a with about are allowerd. None of our team was ghosthunter and examining 1000's of pho- staking out that section of the theatre. We tographs, hours ofvideo footage, and stak- knew were everyone was and there was no ing out over 65 haunted buildings, the other way to access that fire escape except weight of evidence has swayed me frorn past Ruth and myself. We ran after the sceptic to optimist and has led me to just footsteps. After a rapid ascent of two one conclusion. Something spooky is defi- flights ofsteps you arrive at the chained nitely going on. Is it the fun and games of and padlocked double doors, which lead to those passed away? Only a fool would a blind back alley behind the theatre. As I conclude that. So, after reading this article reached the double doors my breath was you conclude that something spooky is heavy from the chase. Both Ruth and I going on in Chalgrave and you don't mind Frank Powis could see the steam ofour breath and a bunch ofdedicated volunteers staying noted that the temperature was freezing. the night with you, give me a call. 1922 - 2005 After a few minutes the atmosphere Graham Matthews Tel 07759117495 Q adly. we report the loss of Frank Powis retumed to normal. To this day I cannot tJof Toddington Road, Tebworth who rationally explain the encounter. Ifghosts There you are then. If you would like to died suddenly earlier this year. are in the imagination of one person then share any experiences with the Chalgrave Frank was bom in Swindon village, one of how come both of us heard the footsteps, News or would just like to comment on ten children and spent most of his youth in both ofus experienced the cold and both the article, then please get in touch with Cheltenham, before undertaking his saw our breath hanging in the cold air? one of the News team. Research into the phenomena of ghosts national service in the RAF. He moved to reveals a range ofdifferent experiences ire Association Tebworth over 50 years ago, working on but most follow a pattem. Generally the National Trust Members the railways and Renault Cars before experience is unexpected in that it initially finishing his working life serving behind catches you offguard. It can take the form Highlights of China. the bar at the Queens'Head. of something seen, heard, smelt or felt. An incredible Grand Tour Frank loved walking, spending time in his intense through slides. The more the experience, the more colour beautiful garden and occasionally colder the air temperature becomes during Mrs Margaret Dickson returning to cheltenham to see his family and watch the National Hunt racing. that experience. We have recorded Salvation Armv Hall He was a wonderful husband and carer to his wife Daphne, particularly localised drops ofup to 10 degrees whilst in Bull Pond lane, Dunstable. recent years as her health sadly declined. the temperature ofan adjacent room is normal. 7.45pm I am sure you will all join us at The News as we offer our sincere condolences Visitors welcome at f,1.00 to Daphne and family at this diffrcult time.

20 17 Double Murder in Hocklffi Ghost Hunting Continued...... experience is unexpected in that it initially catches you offguard. It can take the One of the most distressing stories to for these murders - which were Night Watch UK is a club that was formed form of something seen, heard, smelt or the experience, the have occurred locally this year must committed with a shotgun - and one of to investigate the other l%o of paranormal felt. The more intense more colder the air temperature becomes be the dreadful murders in Hockliffe the arrested was a former foster child experiences that remain unexplainable, logic and resists every attempt to during that experience. We have recorded of 79 year old Mrs Iris Jones and her of Mrs Jones. defies rationalise the experience. Take for localised drops ofup to 10 degrees whilst adopted daughter 34 year old Mandy instance a personal experience I had in a the temperature ofan adjacent room is in February. He was named as 45 year old Joseph 'haunted'theatre in Margate, Kent. It had normal. Michael Millcroft. been a hot day in August and the evening At Nightwatch UK, we use a range of According to newspaper accounts whilst marginally cooler was still warm. scientific equipment to search for that they lived a peaceful life in their The other two charged were 36 year Myself and fellow ghost hunter and other 17o experience as well as drawing on house hidden behind the petrol station old Anita Mansfield and an unnamed author Ruth Stratton were sitting by the the talents of anyone who claims they can in Hockliffe and were well known in 14 year old schoolboy. stage of the theatre when we heard connect or communicate with Ghosts. Throughout our investigations ofa the village. We have been told that running footsteps from the stone stair case building we are always looking for the Mrs Jones might have lived in All three were also charged with fire escape behind us. We found this an exercise rational, logical or scientific explanation Wingfield many years ago but at the trying to obtain f800,000 by deception spooky as we were conducting we call 'silent running', in that everyone to an initial unexplained event. We seek moment cannot confirm this. through a life insurance scam. on the ghost hunt stays on one spot for an to gather evidence ofthe existence of hour. No talking, moving or torches ghosts, as proofis a personal thing for the Our condolences go out to the family Mrs Jones had been a foster mother waving about are allowerd. None of our individual to decide. Over the many years and over the years fostered no less and friends of Iris Jones and Mandy team was staking out that section of the of being a ghosthunter and examining than 120 children. Joseph. theatre. We knew where everyone was 1000's of photographs, hours of video and there was no other way to access that footage, and staking out over 65 haunted It was tragic therefore to learn that We will ensure that we keep everyone fire escape except past Ruth and myself. buildings, the weight of evidence has very shortly after their bodies were updated with the police investigation We ran after the footsteps. After a rapid swayed me from sceptic to optimist and you at has led me to just one conclusion. discovered the police had arrested and in the next issue of ascent of two flights of steps arrive the chained and padlocked double doors, Something spooky is definitely going on. charged 3 people in Beccles Suffolk The Chalgrave News. which lead to a blind back alley behind Is it the fun and games of those passed the theatre. As I reached the double doors away? Only a fool would conclude that. you the Interested my breath was heavy from the chase. So, after reading this article conclude Ghost Hunting for Both Ruth and I could see the steam of that something spooky is going on in our breath and noted that the temperature Chalgrave and you don't mind a bunch of dedicated volunteers staying the night with Alan, who works behind the bar at the Queens'Head, has an interesting hobby. As a was freezing. After a few minutes the you, give member of Night Watch UK, he hunts the paranormal - Ghost hunting to the uninitiat- atmosphere retumed to normal. me a call. ed. we asked him to provide an article for the News and the chairman of his group To this day I cannot rationally explain the kindly provided the following...... encounter. If ghosts are in the imagination Graham Matthews ofone person then how come both ofus Tel 07759117495. Most people in the world believe that ghosts and spirits don't exist and that it's all in heard the footsteps, both ofus experienced you your imagination. It's a known fact that 99oh of alleged paranormal experiences are the cold and both saw our breath hanging There you are then. If would like to the Chalgrave explainable in a logical scientific manner. in the cold air? share any experiences with just like to comment on Night Watch UK is a club that was formed to investigate the other lolo of paranormal Research into the phenomena of ghosts News or would the article, then please get in touch with experiences that remain unexplainable, defies logic and resists every attempt to reveals a range of different experiences rationalise the experience. Take for instance a personal experience I had in a 'haunted but most follow a pattem. Generally the one of the News team.

18 t9 Double Murder in Hocklffi Ghost Hunting Continued...... experience is unexpected in that it initially catches you offguard. It can take the One of the most distressing stories to for these murders - which were Night Watch UK is a club that was formed form of something seen, heard, smelt or the experience, the have occurred locally this year must committed with a shotgun - and one of to investigate the other l%o of paranormal felt. The more intense more colder the air temperature becomes be the dreadful murders in Hockliffe the arrested was a former foster child experiences that remain unexplainable, logic and resists every attempt to during that experience. We have recorded of 79 year old Mrs Iris Jones and her of Mrs Jones. defies rationalise the experience. Take for localised drops ofup to 10 degrees whilst adopted daughter 34 year old Mandy instance a personal experience I had in a the temperature ofan adjacent room is in February. He was named as 45 year old Joseph 'haunted'theatre in Margate, Kent. It had normal. Michael Millcroft. been a hot day in August and the evening At Nightwatch UK, we use a range of According to newspaper accounts whilst marginally cooler was still warm. scientific equipment to search for that they lived a peaceful life in their The other two charged were 36 year Myself and fellow ghost hunter and other 17o experience as well as drawing on house hidden behind the petrol station old Anita Mansfield and an unnamed author Ruth Stratton were sitting by the the talents of anyone who claims they can in Hockliffe and were well known in 14 year old schoolboy. stage of the theatre when we heard connect or communicate with Ghosts. Throughout our investigations ofa the village. We have been told that running footsteps from the stone stair case building we are always looking for the Mrs Jones might have lived in All three were also charged with fire escape behind us. We found this an exercise rational, logical or scientific explanation Wingfield many years ago but at the trying to obtain f800,000 by deception spooky as we were conducting we call 'silent running', in that everyone to an initial unexplained event. We seek moment cannot confirm this. through a life insurance scam. on the ghost hunt stays on one spot for an to gather evidence ofthe existence of hour. No talking, moving or torches ghosts, as proofis a personal thing for the Our condolences go out to the family Mrs Jones had been a foster mother waving about are allowerd. None of our individual to decide. Over the many years and over the years fostered no less and friends of Iris Jones and Mandy team was staking out that section of the of being a ghosthunter and examining than 120 children. Joseph. theatre. We knew where everyone was 1000's of photographs, hours of video and there was no other way to access that footage, and staking out over 65 haunted It was tragic therefore to learn that We will ensure that we keep everyone fire escape except past Ruth and myself. buildings, the weight of evidence has very shortly after their bodies were updated with the police investigation We ran after the footsteps. After a rapid swayed me from sceptic to optimist and you at has led me to just one conclusion. discovered the police had arrested and in the next issue of ascent of two flights of steps arrive the chained and padlocked double doors, Something spooky is definitely going on. charged 3 people in Beccles Suffolk The Chalgrave News. which lead to a blind back alley behind Is it the fun and games of those passed the theatre. As I reached the double doors away? Only a fool would conclude that. you the Interested my breath was heavy from the chase. So, after reading this article conclude Ghost Hunting for Both Ruth and I could see the steam of that something spooky is going on in our breath and noted that the temperature Chalgrave and you don't mind a bunch of dedicated volunteers staying the night with Alan, who works behind the bar at the Queens'Head, has an interesting hobby. As a was freezing. After a few minutes the you, give member of Night Watch UK, he hunts the paranormal - Ghost hunting to the uninitiat- atmosphere retumed to normal. me a call. ed. we asked him to provide an article for the News and the chairman of his group To this day I cannot rationally explain the kindly provided the following...... encounter. If ghosts are in the imagination Graham Matthews ofone person then how come both ofus Tel 07759117495. Most people in the world believe that ghosts and spirits don't exist and that it's all in heard the footsteps, both ofus experienced you your imagination. It's a known fact that 99oh of alleged paranormal experiences are the cold and both saw our breath hanging There you are then. If would like to the Chalgrave explainable in a logical scientific manner. in the cold air? share any experiences with just like to comment on Night Watch UK is a club that was formed to investigate the other lolo of paranormal Research into the phenomena of ghosts News or would the article, then please get in touch with experiences that remain unexplainable, defies logic and resists every attempt to reveals a range of different experiences rationalise the experience. Take for instance a personal experience I had in a 'haunted but most follow a pattem. Generally the one of the News team.

18 t9 'theatre in Margate, Kent. It had been a At Nightwatch UK, we use a range of sci- usual hot day in August and the evening whilst entific equipment to search for that other The times of the services at All Saints are:- marginally cooler was still warm. Myself l0Z experience as well as drawing on the lst and 3rd Sundays - 9.30 am Parish Communion with hymns. and fellow ghost hunter and author Ruth talents of anyone who claims they can 2nd Sunday - Family service I I am - a shorter service with hymns and a Stratton were sitting by the stage of the connect or communicate with Ghosts. short talk. theatre when we heard running footsteps Throughout our investigations ofa build- 4th Sunday - I I am Parish Communion with hymns from the stone stair case fire escape ing we are always looking for the rational, See notices for 5th Sundays. behind us. We found this spooky as we logical or scientific explanation to an ini- were conducting an exercise we call tial unexplained event. We seek to gather Please remember that All Saints is your parish church. 'silent running', in that everyone on the evidence ofthe existence ofghosts, as Do contact the Rector with regards to baptisms and weddings and any ghost hunt stays on one spot for an hour. proofis a personal thing for the individual other matters you wish to discuss him. No talking, moving or torches waving to decide. Over the many years of being a with about are allowerd. None of our team was ghosthunter and examining 1000's of pho- staking out that section of the theatre. We tographs, hours ofvideo footage, and stak- knew were everyone was and there was no ing out over 65 haunted buildings, the other way to access that fire escape except weight of evidence has swayed me frorn past Ruth and myself. We ran after the sceptic to optimist and has led me to just footsteps. After a rapid ascent of two one conclusion. Something spooky is defi- flights ofsteps you arrive at the chained nitely going on. Is it the fun and games of and padlocked double doors, which lead to those passed away? Only a fool would a blind back alley behind the theatre. As I conclude that. So, after reading this article reached the double doors my breath was you conclude that something spooky is heavy from the chase. Both Ruth and I going on in Chalgrave and you don't mind Frank Powis could see the steam ofour breath and a bunch ofdedicated volunteers staying noted that the temperature was freezing. the night with you, give me a call. 1922 - 2005 After a few minutes the atmosphere Graham Matthews Tel 07759117495 Q adly. we report the loss of Frank Powis retumed to normal. To this day I cannot tJof Toddington Road, Tebworth who rationally explain the encounter. Ifghosts There you are then. If you would like to died suddenly earlier this year. are in the imagination of one person then share any experiences with the Chalgrave Frank was bom in Swindon village, one of how come both of us heard the footsteps, News or would just like to comment on ten children and spent most of his youth in both ofus experienced the cold and both the article, then please get in touch with Cheltenham, before undertaking his saw our breath hanging in the cold air? one of the News team. Research into the phenomena of ghosts national service in the RAF. He moved to reveals a range ofdifferent experiences ire Association Tebworth over 50 years ago, working on but most follow a pattem. Generally the National Trust Members the railways and Renault Cars before experience is unexpected in that it initially finishing his working life serving behind catches you offguard. It can take the form Highlights of China. the bar at the Queens'Head. of something seen, heard, smelt or felt. An incredible Grand Tour Frank loved walking, spending time in his intense through slides. The more the experience, the more colour beautiful garden and occasionally colder the air temperature becomes during Mrs Margaret Dickson returning to cheltenham to see his family and watch the National Hunt racing. that experience. We have recorded Salvation Armv Hall He was a wonderful husband and carer to his wife Daphne, particularly localised drops ofup to 10 degrees whilst in Bull Pond lane, Dunstable. recent years as her health sadly declined. the temperature ofan adjacent room is normal. 7.45pm I am sure you will all join us at The News as we offer our sincere condolences Visitors welcome at f,1.00 to Daphne and family at this diffrcult time.

20 17 Flight Path Changes over Chalgrave Cholgrave Church In the last issue of the Chalgrave News we published a story that had come to our attention regarding proposed changes in the Luton airport flight path that would be sending aircraft over our parish each day at fairly low altitudes but our Parish Council were not aware of these plans because they were never EASTER consulted! Good Friday Service l0am featuring seasonal hymns and reflections. Further urgent investigations were made by our parish council and we can now Easter Parish Communion at l lam set out the updated situation. Songs of Praise in the evening at 6pm. Following a discussion with John Eden, Environmental Health Manager at South Beds District Council it has been ascertained that by law a letter should There will be another Coffee moming organised by the Church in the have been sent to interested parties in July 2004 but our parish council did not Memorial Hall on 9th April following the suiccess of the one last Autumn. receive any letter or other documents. (Toddington council received their copy Excellent tea. Excellent cakes, ( I really mean it - they are ) and of course, and have been debating this subject for over 12 months!). The public excellent company. From l0 - 12 noon. consultation ended on Sth November 20041 If the new flight path is adopted up to 60 flights per day will fly at a level There will also be a Ploughman's Lunch in the delightfut setting of the height of4500 feet over Toddington and then Leighton Buzzard before church on May Bank Holiday Monday, 2nd May from 12 - 2pm. descending into Luton airporl. The number of flights would depend on wind direction each day. On Sunday 29th May the Revd Tony Knox will preach for us at Chalgrave. Our parish council have requested copies of the consultation documents and Some of you may remember him as a past Rector of Toddington. further details will appear in forthcoming copies of the Chalgrave News. The service starts at 9.30 am. However there are some questions that need answering here. It is obvious that these proposed changes would have been known for some time by both County I am sorry I have not been in the villages of late. Some of you will know and District Councils. In which case why did our County Councillor Rhys that I am recovering from an operation and I look forward to getting better Goodwin or District Councillor Norman Costin not inform the parish council and getting to Tebworth and Wingfield. However, I am now well enough to of this situation? They have not served us well on this occasion. enter the...... BUS TRIP

A woman gets on a bus holding her baby. PUMPKIN CHALLENGE "That's the ugliest baby l've ever seen," says the bus driver. ln a huff, the woman slams her fare into the box and LastAutumn I challenged the parish to come up with alarge pumpkin for takes an aisle seat near the rear of the bus. our harvest festival which is on the last Sunday of September. I am delighted The man seated next to her senses her agitation and asks what's wrong. to see that certain parishioners have responded to the challenge, including the "The bus driver insulted me!" she shouts. editors. Obviously there are going to be lots of pumpkin pies this Autumn, The man replies, "Well, he's a public servant and shouldn't (yuk) but the real challenge is, who can grow the largest? say things to insult passengers!" I have already seeded mine and unleashed the 'secret weapon'. You're right," says the woman. "l think I'll go back up there and give him a piece of my mind!" Happy growing and let me know how you are getting on. "That's a good idea," the man replies. "Here, let me hold your monkey."

l6 2t The Forgotten Tre€....a sad,sad story Ramblings on the Parish Council

A thousand years ago the native Black Poplar thrived across the lowland flood B ill (scoop) Archer plains of the English countryside. Its huge, often steeply leaning bulk was You may well not read this as I have been told I've missed almost as cornmon as oak. But since the start of the l9th century its natural the deadline. I have said that my subject matter is now habitat has been steadily destroyed by housing and farming. The great tree has covered by the Chairman of the Council but I am told my been quietly vanishing from our landscape. light-hearted approach would be appreciated. So I'll have to Now it is Britain's rarest native timber tree. lighten up because although sometimes frivolous I didn't think I was a 'little ray'. As I missed one meeting my coverage may be somewhat sketchy but looking back through my notes I find that some subjects have been a recurring theme meeting after meeting, and it's not because our councillors have been sitting on their hands, it's just the sheer grind of trying to get things done against beaurocracy. Two bus stops regularly appear. St Mary's close where its proximity to the corner has been an issue, the other is Chalgrave Church and where the stop should go - the top of Chalgrave Road or on the triangle opposite. The war memorial in the churchyard is another chestnut. Rumours of grants abound but chasing them down is a task for Hercules. At long last, a grant has been obtained from North Chiltem Trust for replacement notice boards for the Parish. I note too that the January Minutes anticipated three publications in Chalgrave that the Chairman will contribute to llThe Chalgrave News 2/ Parish Council newsletter 3/ Queen's Head newsletter. So you will be inundated with information. Populus nigra subs. betulifolia is an important link with Britain's past. lt was You will all be disappointed that you missed the hedge laying day at Shefford once such a common sight that it features in many classic paintings of the on the 22nd February but there should be a public meeting coming up in April English countryside - John Constable's The Hay Wain is one example. It to discuss the Parish Plan. Elsewhere in this publication should be articles on was so useful for building and scaffolding that it was habitually planted near Mllage Care Scheme, Taxi bus, Parish Plan and an analysis of Orange survey farms and developing villages. The shaped lower branches were especially (whatever that is!) prized for cruck frames. Its toughness made it a favourite of waggonmakers, I note at this meeting poor Lesley (the clerk) was lumbered with checking bowl turners and fletchers - a Black Poplar in Portsmouth has been established potholes on the Toddington Road, chasing up a tipper lorry route through as the descendant of one used to make arrows for the armoury of the warship Tebworth, and getting consultative documents regarding Luton airport - only a Mary Rose (McKee, 1982). Its mysterious, gnarly look gave it a spiritual few of the items on the agenda. She certainly does work hard for her crust! attraction, too. In some parts of the country it was the subject of tree-dressing The Parish Council are extremely concerned that packing more houses around ceremonies dating back centuries, and whose origins are now unknown. Luton with insufficient jobs will cause more commuting to other areas with But the black poplar has a problem it needs very specialised conditions in consequential road congestion. Also the Plan takes for which to propagate. Seeds need to lie- undisturbed on bare, wet mud or silt granted the loss of Green Belt from June to October to germinate successfully - conditions that became -So much traffic that every road will have a Green Wave - and you know harder to find as Britain grew more industrialised and more heavily populated. what that means...or do you? 22 l5 As the need for native timber as a building resource dwindled and fewer Black Poplars were planted, this propagation diffrculty became more important. An The Chalgrave lt{ews added complication was that only male trees had generally been planted - at the Chalgrave Games females were considered a nuisance because of the drifting white down they produce. By the beginning of this decade only about a thousand trees were known to have survived ....not enough to guarantee the survival of the species. The Games day is scheduled for Saturday l6th July this year In 1993 environmental scientists predicted that the species would be extinct and promises to be better than ever. within twenty years. Thankfully, a small band of enthusiasts had other ideas. They were battling to save what had become known as The Forgotten Tree. Watch out for us! In Chagrave Parish there are at least three of these trees. One on The Lane just past the 30mph signs. Two more are beside the stream further down. Another is just outside the Parish towards the Wobum Road, and again beside the The News will be supporting the games by providing stream. It would be interesting to hear if anyone knows of any more in the Strawberries and Cream Parish and should our Tree Warden find some new sites to plant some young and lced Pimms trees for future generations? Perfect to follow the delicious barbeque.

In addition, we will be holding a competition to find the Remembering Brian Gridley best short story. written I have very fond memories of Brian who died on 13th Nov 2004. It's so sad There will be two prize winning categories that he is gone at such a comparatively young age. He grew up in Tebworth 14 and under, and over 14 but had no family left. Wherever he went everybody knew Brian! with the winning stories being published in the He had what we now call "learning diffrculties" but he was by no means daft. Chalgrave News. His dad used to say "if he'd been normal he'd have been a genius" and that about summed him up. He was always interested in old motor vehicles and aeroplanes and was quite knowledgeable on all the different models. He had an expensive and complicated camera that he understood in all its complexity. After School Child-Care Wanted He really came into his element though at the village concerts which were held Wingfield Road, Tebworth Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays regularly for many years. Often at rehearsals we got a bit concerned €6.00 to €8.00 per hour Dependant on skills and experience because he didn't seem to be Responsible, fun and caring person wanted to look after our two daughters following things, but put him in aged 5 and 7 who will need after school care from mid April onwards. front ofan audience and he shone! girls Both are at Toddington St.George s School full time. ldeally the care He just had that knack of would be provided from our home in Wingfield Road, Tebworth. ad-libbing with the most original Hours: 3.30pm to 6pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, term time only, comments with perfect timing. although some holiday cover could be agreed if required He was the star of many a show! preparing Key Duties: Care and entertainment and their evening meals Our sympathy goes to Janet, his References and own transport required girlfriend of many years standing. Please call Debbie or Phil Parry for more details They were very fond ofeach 875169 or 07831 605600 other. Ken Green 14 Land Sale In Wingfield open discussion took place followed Chalgrave Parish Plan Group by a further meeting of residents interested in forming a financial For the past couple years an of ever consortium and an offer was made to Twelve months ago, a group was formed from Parish volunteers to look at the increasing number stories were possibility of the selling agents for one of the two of obtaining a grant from the Countryside Agency to produce a being reported in the national media plots. Parish Plan for Chalgrave. concerning members of the travelling A Parish Plan identifies which taken forward Fortunately towards the end of last actions can be by the Parish community setting up illegal individuals groups year three parish residents stepped Council, by other or within the local community or by other encampments on green belt service providers and statutory bodies. These should have a clear focus forward and bought the plots and the on agricultural land. the past these whom, how, what and when. ln parish consortium was no longer plots of land were usually owned by The Group's work so far has, through a transport needs survey unearthed two needed and disbanded. the local authorities farmers but areas where help is needed. Namely a 'Community Help Scheme'and a 'Taxi or On behalf of all residents of the parish 2003 onwards saw a more worrying Bus Scheme'. we would like to publicly offer our trend whereby the travellers thanks for buying these plots of land. Taxi Bus Scheme themselves were buying green belt However any rural town or village The Taxi bus Scheme is required to get people to and from Harlington train plots and contry to planning laws and surrounded by fields is still station. Toddington Parish Council have also expressed a wish to be part of regulations setting permanent up vulnerable to illegal occupation and in this scheme and have allocated funds to add to our own grant to help set up the homes on their land. Local councils early March this year Mr Prescott (our scheme. Notices are being placed in both Harlington and Leagrave stations seem almost powerless to evict these Deputy Prime Minister) is reported to informing users of this proposed scheme. new settlements despite the obvious have told councils to treat illegal If you use the trains at least once a week then this service could be of use to breeches of planning laws which all campsites as special cases which will you. If so, please leave your details on the Parish Plan e-mail address homeowners have to abide suffer or surely encourage people to ignore [email protected] or contact Leslie Smith on 01525 874716. the full wrath of the law. planning laws on green field sites. Communiw Helo Scheme There was great concern in many areas Of course any landowner is entitled to There is already a growing network of Village Care Schemes in Bedfordshire of the parish when it became known obtain the best price possible for their set up with the help and support of the Bedfordshire Rural Communities that two green belt plots were being land in exactly the same way as Charity and financed by the Countryside Agency. offered for sale in Wingfield at prices anyone else would do when placing a It appeared from our survey carried out last year that such a scheme could be well in excess of usual agricultural house on the market, and once the land viable in Chalgrave. Many volunteers have come forward to help with the values. is sold their responsibility for future scheme but as yet there seems to be a reluctance to help with the actual run- As had happened in other villages it usage ofthat land ceases and becomes ning of the scheme. was decided to try to form a the responsibility of the new owner. If consortium from within the parish to Parish Plan Public Meeting our parish is to protect the environ- purchase these plots to avoid any The Parish Plan Group is intending to hold a public meeting in May to discuss ment and surroundings in which we all possible future inappropriate use of the this and other topics which have come up as a result of the 'Likes and live we can only be sure to achieve this land. Dislikes' orange questionnaire which was circulated before Christmas, and to by taking a proactive approach rather take all viable schemes the Parish A public meeting was held at through into Plan which will be completed than 'wait and see what happens' the Chalgrave Memorial Hall and by end of November 2005. attitude. This meeting be a real opportunity for all the attended by over 90 residents of the will community to voice their With this in mind it has been needs and wants and to enjoy a social get-together as parish (we believe this was the largest well. suggested that the parish forms a turnout residents Further details will be circulated nearer the time of for any event at 'Chalgrave Residents Association' the hall for over 20 years) where an Roger Mence - Chairman, Parish Plan Group.

24 13 with members from all points of the the situation last year and that it was parish. The purpose of the Residents left to a few publicly spirited local citizql'= Association would be for members to residents to take matters forward. This etf.eoior use their local knowledge of the point has been put to the Parish immediate area in which they live and Council and they have given the sd presenrs to report any inappropriate use of assurance that if any similar situation Cf- an even in g of green belt or other useful information. was to occur again as soon as they More details with a meeting date and were made aware they would take a venue for anyone interested in proactive rather than reactive stance. forming a Residents Association will Finally many thanks to all those OLD TIME MUSIC HALL be issued in the next Chalgrave News. residents who were willing to donate On another point, it was very hard earned monies to the rn r.[o,lis hts disappointing that Chalgrave Parish consortium's funds which thankfully Council took no lead in dealing with were not needed on this occasion. Thursday, Friday and Saturday I 4th, I 5 th, I 6th April at fne Creat Pumptin

Chalgrave Memorial Hall, Tebworth Those of you who studied the last issue will recall Tickets f 10.00 each the challenge thrown down by the rector of Chalgrave Church Nick McNeil. He seemed of the opinion that by lncluding two course meal September, he could grow the largest pumpkin in the Parish! Never ones to resist a challenge, we at the Chalgrave News have picked up and song sheets the gauntlet and are currently in the process of nurturing our own giant. Just to ensure Nick is well beaten, we invite you all to grow a giant pumpkin and you will find in this issue your very own starter kit - two pumpkin seeds. Use these or find your own variety.

And now for the method:- Pumpkins need to be grown in a frost free period since they will not germ in cold soil. They are shallow rooted and should ideally be planted in a well cultivated bed in a sunny position with rotting manure. Use mulch around the plant to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. The tricks to ensure good available are to cut all but one pumpkin off the vine to ensure it gets full ttenti and to lift the pumpkin offthe ground and surrounding the base with straw. Tables of 8 maximum or individual tickets from: It is also recommended to feed beer or beer slops to the plant (Charles Wells beer seems appropriate). Roger Masters, 2 The Lane, Tebworth. Incidentally, the record pumpkin is 1,446 lbs. So, get growing and we are sure we can find a prize for the biggest Tel: 0l 525 873039 parish pumpkin by harvest time.

t2 25 Beds IV'Sheds contin ued...... IVew Years Eve Celebrations Around The Parish Some outbuildings may have doors lf you have a piece of stoneware you thick enough to fit a 5 lever mortice don t want to go missing, you could lock. Exposed door hinges would drape a chain around it and fix to a Bring out the old and benefit from using coach bolts or wall or the ground to hide the chain, bring in the new! clutch head screws so that thieves grow a climbing plant- through it. Or was it throw out the can t remove them. Battery operated drive alarms are empties and bring in the full! Fit window locks - burglars won t risk also available on the market these Whatever the cry the 2005 climbing through a broken window if will ring a doorbell chime in the- house New Year was celebrated with they can easily reach through and when someone walks past it. traditional Chalgrave enthusiasm open it instead. Don t forget property marking can be in all parts of the parish. There are plenty of alarms suitable for applied to furniture and tools for outbuildings, ranging from fully wired outdoor items, microdot technology- Your Chalgrave News team - photography section - were despatched to various systems connected to your house and etching work best. venues but regrettably soon (actually very soon) found themselves caught up in alarm to stand-alone battery operated the celebrations and by time they surfaced the following day (or afternoon!) units. More information and advice is found no photo's had been taken! MORE ANTI.THEFT IDEAS... available from your local Crime uon*ul:'I"';ffi w ith Reduction Office: ""il"rf"H:Hue Dusk{ill-dawn lighting not only makes Bedford: 01234275273 [ H your garden attractive at night but Luton: 01582 401212 removes the dark corners where a Dunstable: 01582 473270 burglar can hide.

Bottle of Trofolgar?

This yeor is the 2O0th the brove soilors who f onniversory of the Bottle of thot glorious bottle. Trofolgor ond celebrotions hove On the other hond - but not olreody storted in Wingfield with Nelson's - those screoms could be o doily re-enoctment of this from the residents of Wingfield fomous bottle down to dusk! from who hove been subjected to con- At first light the sounds of tinuous explosions from the crop Nelsons f logship 's opening connon f ield bird scorer for some weeks salvo's ring ocross the fields qnd now! Strongely the birds seem to the sound of bottle gothers be showing themselves to be os strength os the day progresses. brqve os our jolly jock tors of old Broodside ofter broodside sounds ond ignoring the bird scorer if you close your eyes you regulor explosionsl! ost heor the screoms of

ll Rose climbing and rambling What s Going On At CounQ Hall?? Ulex Europeaus- (Gorse) BEDS 'N'SHEDS Crataegus Monogyna (Hawthorn) Ever wondered whatever happens to the council tax we pay each year? lmprove Your GardenSecurity Rubus fruticosus (Blackberry) The oarden is vour home's first Chaenomeles Japonica (Ornamental According to newspaper reports Bedfordshire County Council are employing line 5f defence-aqainst crime. Here Quince) l0 - yes l0! - accountants at around fl00 - yes that's right f,100 - per hour to are some ideas fiom Bedfordshire look through the council's books to find a Police to protect your property: Hostile planting is intended to where large amount of unaccounted complement but not replace crime funds - no that's our monies - disappeared during 2003104!1. The news report TO SCRATCH A THIEF... reduction measures such as locks, goes on to state that it is anticipated that this work will continue until July this alarms and lighting. year - calculated on an S-hour day and 5 day week the total cost ofthis exer- plants Prickly or hostile will slow cise will be f,800,000!! down or deter unlavvful entry to your GET SHEDUCATED... premises - and there s no need for Unfortunately, if offenders have easy we have a better and less costly solution - if the council's present accountants unsightly signage, as with other types access to your shed, they also have are so incompetent that they cannot do their jobs properly of man-made perimeter defences, then replace them access to the tools they need to accountants because you can t sue Mother Nature with who can!!! break into your house. When you ve for causing injury. finished in the garden, make time to: Never mind though, the County Council can just increase all our council tax When planting up the boundaries of Lock away your digging implements, this year to make good both the unaccounted funds - if they really have gone your property, consider using any of this includes small items like trowels missing - and to pay for the squad of agency accountants. the plants below. You can even Put and dibbers think about pufting a them under vulnerable windows to lockable cabinet- in your shed. What we don't know is who is responsible for this mess?? What we do know prevent anyone getting near enough Secure your power tools consider is who will be paying for it to be sorted out - every Bedfordshire council tax- to look inside. The Home Office sinking a steel d-ring into- the floor payer! ! ! ! recommends keeping hedges no and chaining your mower to it. higher than 1 metre and tree Did you think Bedfordshire County Councils spending (of your Items that stay outside can also be money) could canopies no lower than 2 metres to not get worse? Don't believe it! chained together (such as garden enable natural surveillance from your fumiture) or to a metal drain pipe neighbours and the street. lf you Did you know the Corporate Performance Assessment for Beds CC puts them wheelie bins are often used to gain- can t see out of your property, no one at "poor". The bottom of a scale of 5. We understand they are attempting to access to roofs and windows, wheel can see an intruder on your premises. become "weak" which is the next level up. barrows can be used to transport goods. When planting up the boundaries of stolen They placed an advert placed in The Guardian Newspaper on 23rd February your property, consider using any of When you add up the value of the 2005 for a Director of Cultural Change and Customer Care Service. the plants below. You can even put contents of the average shed, it can At a time when Bedfordshire County Council's finances (that means our them under vulnerable windows to work out to several hundred pounds, monies) are in a shambolic mess is this really the best way to spend our prevent anyone getting near enough so you need to make sure your shed council tax? Is this position essential to the future of the County Council or to look inside. is secure: also just a luxury that we cannot afford? Pyracantha (Firethom) - all varieties ls your padlock adequate? lt should Berberis Ottawensis Superba, be made of hardened steel and - Why not, for instance, spend this money on traffic lights at the Hockliffe Stenophylla, Darwinii comply with British Standards. Road/A5 junction to prevent future accidents and possible deaths? This would Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea It s no use having a good padlock be of real benefit to Bedfordshire. There must be a thousand and one Buckthorn) when the hasp is of poor quality better projects to spend this money on each year than the proposed job position! Prunus Spinosa (Blackthorn) make sure you fit one that covers- the new Mahonia - all varieties screw heads when it is in the closed The salary being offered - only f,100,000 per annum! llex (Holly) - aquifolium varieties position. 10 21 Around the Organisations Cotrrtnet,',s Chqrily Dog Walk Book Club of a cliff'. However this is a misunderstanding of the Robbie We are still enjoying our book club Burn's l9th century song which is meetings and the cakes, biscuits and about two people who meet in a field chat are quite definitely an added for sex. Again he gets it wrong! bonus! We began the summer by I am looking forward to hearing book reading the second of Helen club members views on this work as I Forrester's Mersey trilogy. The found it , sometimes hilariously poverty encountered in Liverpool in funny and sometimes full of pathos. the thirties provoked lively discussion My suggestion to you all is - if about life - then and now. How you've never read it - get a copy different! We then went on to read now! 'Girl With the Pearl Earring'by My report for the book club's last # Tracey Chevelier. This book, loosely issue was somehow mislaid - so am based on a painting by the Dutch including it this time with the artist Vermeel is very descriptive and following update! moody . As one of our members We have now read the first of the remarked 'Nothing happens!'But it is 'Ladies' Detective Agency' series, by our imagining of what might happen Alexander McCall Smith and'White and the very real feel the author has Out'by Ken Follett, and are currently for the era that makes this a really reading 'Bare Bones' by Alice perceptive and well written book. Sebold. More about these in the next Our latest challenge is 'The Catcher issue. We all enjoyed a wonderful in the Rye'by JD Salinger. This is a New Year's spread when we lunched classic that has been used for O levels at the home of Dr.Gill Jones. Thanks and GCE exams for many years. The Gill - greatly appreciated and enjoyed narrator, Holden Caulfield is a by everyone. Happy reading! typical hormonal teenage boy - Linda Hadden unsure about girls, tired of society's falseness and hypocrisy, and a loner. Parklields School The story starts with him visiting his exams and As headteacher of Parkfields Middle New York after failing a leaving school. After a series of School in Toddington, I am delighted mishaps and sexual encounters that to inform Chalgrave that the school go wrong, he tells his younger sister has been included in Her Majesty's that he would like to be 'the catcher Chief Inspector of Schools'Annual These are all the dogs I walked and the in the - a person who catches rye Report for the academic year 2003104 first one is me with Rosie. children when they fall offthe edge as one of the few particularly 28 Courtney is Charity Dog Walk around lhe otganisalins conlinued.... . welcome Paul Whitton who joined us successful schools in the country. at the last meeting. I-would like to thank everyone in mum. The criteria stipulated that schools To date - the kitchen and store room the were judged in Ofsted have been given face lifts, including I Chulnr"u". and most of all The school had cakes sales and all their raise money new shelving, fridge and,freezer ldog.-thut helped me sorts of things going on to raise inspections to be extremely effective Hailey. bought with money for my friend money. So I can tell you that Hailey in providing high quality education obtained from a grant Hailey needed a mobility scooter to now has her mobility scooter. and in ensuring that pupils achieved from Beds Charities. We have get managed to very well. The inspector felt certain undergone the usual annual help her around. I We raised over f,3000 but only needed this the local community would join him inspections necessary to obtain a raise f-245 towards by walking22 f 1000 for Hailey's scooter! The Pickle, to the in congratulating the staff and the Public Entertainments licence. Our dogs, from the smallest, balance of these monies has been put the Bernard. boiler has been playing up and is high very large Rosie Saint into a trust fund to provide things that pupils for achieving such an accolade. on the list of priorities to have put I had a lot of fun in the 3 weeks it will help Hailey in the future. got and dirty, January was indeed a month for right (not as easy as it sounds). took me and I very cold Since the Big Dog Walk I have a new also arranged a celebration at Parkfields. At long last Apologies to any users who have not but I enjoyed it. I puppy, a Springer called 'Useless', so quiz as someone said the school was able to open its new found the hall as warn as it usually is. maths at school that next time he can help raise give maths group Science Studio. This project began We are currently awaiting the arrival they would my f300 money for a good cause! if we all learnt a times table we didn't nearly three years ago and there have and fixture of some stage lighting - Thank You know. We got the [300! So a very been many frustrating moments since. also obtained with grant money, this Courtney Finch big thank you from Hailey and her The studio is an exciting and should be an asset for many future stimulating new concept building events. which offers a modern environment to We would welcome some more teaching science in the 2l st century. bookings and are looking to set up our Included in the technology available own web site. Pilates is a new venture are interactive whiteboards with which and we hope the pilot run will lead to many children have by now already a regular booking. We are also had their lessons. Certainly the many hoping to start badminton sessions children that I have spoken to are shortly. Has anyone NOT noticed the extremely excited and inspired by the daffodils defoing the snow and lifting studio and will hopefully find it an up their heads proudly between the innovative place in which to learn. trees behind the front fence? David Brandon-Bravo - Headteacher Please iake an interest in your village hall - and attend the AGM. Even put C halgrave Memoriql Hall your name forward for committee - do not be put offby the meetings - which The committee have held several brings me to a few thoughts on that meetings in the last six months - I subject:: can't believe how quickly the year is 'One by one we wander in, pull up passing. Our members have been working hard - and it is with pleasure I chairs and take our places, a fewjokes

8 29 around the otgainsations conlinued..... change to the flightpath. The Parish perhaps, some chattering and then Council was not consulted by Luton Peter Kuys more serious faces. The meeting now Airporl, as they considered Chalgrave Many of you will be aware by now that Peter Kuys has decided that after is underway - voices getting stronger. not affected. reviewing the last issue of the News, the time had come for him to divert I sneak a look at my watch - will it be We have looked at the proposal and his charitable funds elsewhere. Consequently he will no longer be much longer? Everything is twice think that we will be directly affected. producing the Chalgrave News. repeated, sometimes more than twice Toddington were consulted - only a On behalf of the Editorial Team and indeed the Parish of Chalgrave, a big repeated. As we work through the mile and a half away! and sincere thank you is due for the magnificent financial support Peter has agenda (it seems elastic, this agenda). We have written to Luton Airport on given over the initial l0 issues. Without his support we would certainly Becoming longer - never shorter. two occasions with our concerns with not have had such a fine presentation At last! I think we're finished - items no response. We have written again to So, we move on and you can be assured that future issues whilst not perhaps glossy ticked offone by one. But wait! Can the airport and now received a reply as will still be as (hopefully) readable as ever. We are of course now actively seeking sponsors perhaps we confirm exactly what we've done? implying that it's not the responsibility and contributions from any friends of the Chalgrave News and if you are feeling generous, This takes time - but it is the final of the Airport to consult Chalgrave!! please do not hesitate to contact one of the Editorial Team. reckoning - thirst is upon us and the Our MP, Andrew Selous, is In addition, we would like to encourage anybody with a little spare time on Head is now a-beckoning!' campaigning very hard to get the Queens their hands to consider either joining the team or (say) assisting with 20th Memorial Hall Spm proposed flightpath changed so that it AGM June advertising and fund raising. is in a more northerly direction around Linda Hadden So once again, contact us ifyou can help. Leighton Buzzard rather than over it. The Chairman ol lhe Parish Council This will benefit the Parish. He feels writes 'that there is a possibility that the Jackie Hammond Parish Assembly airport may listen to our Jackie has been toiling hard behind the scenes getting new advertisers to On the 19 April at 8:00 pm there is the remonstrations' . subscribe to the News. This is a very time consuming job joined Annual Parish Assembly. Everyone in We are supporting his view. and Jackie us when all the adveftisers needed contacting and funds collected for another the Parish is invited and it's an Plannins year. Because of personal commitments Jackie will no longer be able to opportunity to meet your Council and We are continually concemed about all continue and we would like to thank her for all the work she has done. to discuss any issues. planning issues whether it's on a large This year it will be an informal scale - as in the planned housing for occasion with tea, coffee, wine and this region - or on a small scale. BEDFORD MUSEUM nibbles. Any planning application is referred to Saturday 2nd April the Parish and we can put We will invite a spokesperson from Council Come and see how we were then. Meet members of the forces, the various clubs and organisations in forward our view on behalf of the see World War II vehicles, taste food from the NAAFL the Parish to say a few words about Parish.We can act if there is any abuse Watch a cake icing demonstration "Cakes of the Forces" by students from what they have done in 2004 and will of the planning regulations and we are Bedford College and share family memories as part of be doing in 2005. vigorous and speedy in making sure Bedford Museum's wartime Bedford project. We hope you can come along. there is compliance. Preview of selected items from the Museum of Military Intelligence at Luton Airport Flightpath Vandalism Chicksands. Reconstruction of ARP Officer's room. We are concerned with the proposed There has been - again - mindless See shrapnel collected from Mid-Bedfordshire.

30 1 WHAT'S IN YER DRAWERS...by Florry Bunda around lhe orgoinsalions conlinued..... will be going up within the next few damage to the bus shelter on weeks on the entrance to the village We are always interested to receive your old photographs here at the Wingfield Road. This will be repaired along the Toddington/Hockcliffe Chalgrave Parish News...... in due course. Roads. judging The photograph printed here must have been taken in the 1960's. I'm Graffiti has appeared again in various Notice Boards the large amount crimplene on display, a fabulous material that that by of parts of the village. We have secured funding for required little or no ironing if I remember right, but which created so much It has been reported that a number of replacement notice boards for static, it was possible to dim the lights and still be able to read a book!! motorbikes have been speeding along Tebworth and Wingfield. They are on Anyway, if anybody can reveal the names of the ladies who are raising the Wingfi eld/Tebworth Roads. order and will arrive in eight weeks a glass to us across the years or who can say what the special Also, there have been concerns raised tlme. occasion was, details please as usual to 2, The Lane.... about the same vehicles going down Traffic Calming The Lane on a regular basis. Our speed sign will reappear again to All of the above have, or will be, remind drivers of the 30 mph speed reported to the local police limit. There seem to be a number of Millennium Award heavy lorries coming through We have received nominations and Tebworth on their way to the Sundon will be announcing the winner of this tip. We will be finding out if this is an award in due course. 'oflicial'route - or a short cut. Tebworth Villase Sisns The minutes of our meetrngs are Having now decided on the exact posted on the notice board (and will, location for the new signs (considering eventually, be on our web site). I visibility, safety, security, etc) they Phil Parry Chairman (875169) dt ., Leslie (Les) Mead 1951: 2005' A RECIPE FOR THE BACHELOR WOMAN It is with great sadness that we report the loss of with thanks to the Good Housekeeping Manual of 1922 Les Mead of The OId Woodyard, Tebworth. lf 'The bachelor woman who lives in rooms, or where it is difficult to Les was bom in Luton but raised in Eddlesborough before get little tasty dishes prepared for her, will be glad to have the moving to Tebworth in 1990. following suggestion.... He worked for a number of years at Rugby Cement Steamed Fish with Orange Sauce. Kensworth and Castle Cement in Pitstone before Take some white fish and place on a greased tray, season, cover wit}r a lid and moving to Boss Trucks in Leighton Buzzard and steam over boiling water for l5 minutes.A few potatoes or vetetables might then to QRS as a quality controller. be cooked in the boiling water at the same time. A keen football fan and season ticket holder at Luton Town, Les was also a To make a sauce, put the iuice and grated rind of an orante into a pan and keen supporter of local events, particularly the annual Chalgrave Games boil. Mix I dessert spoon of cornflour to a paste with water and add to the where he regularly helped in running the beer tent. juice, stirring until thickened.Add a knob of butter and pour sauce over the Les recently married Lesley and our thoughts and condolences together fish to serve.This will be found excellent.' with those of his many friends around the Parish are with her and the More 'little tasty dishes'next time & remember that dishes must only be greased with lard!!! family at this very difficult time.

6 W hat's happened conti nued...... roods is in the worst condition os 40000 Houses well os being the most well used? to Tebworth were broken2 Question B - Which of our Pqrish roods hos hod oll it's potholes ast year the Chalgrave News wrote to various interested parties seeking Does it reolly toke British workmen repaired in eorly Morch2 their views on the government's proposed building of 40,000 new Answers 2 months (occording to the rood homes on the outskirts of Houghton Regis which will bring the edge of A informotion signs) to olter the Question - Hockliffe/Toddington that new community to within a couple of hundred yards or so of Chalgrave troffic lights ot the rood through Tebworth. Parish boundary. B - The Tebworth Rood Leighton/ Woburn junction in Question through Hockliff e? Whot ore they doing Wingfield. Money (our council At the time of going to press in our last issue we only had two replies and we there? Hos onyone evet seen more tax) well spent2 printed both - one from our Member of Parliament Andrew Selous and the thon 5 workmen octuolly working ot other from the Chairman of South Beds District Council stating that they were the some time? One news report Droin ot the entrance to Pork View unable to comment but would get the Portfolio Holder - Councillor Tom recently stoted thot the present Lone is still blocked ond the rood Nicols - to respond. troff ic lights ore being reploced by become guite o dongerous skoting roundobouts ond crossing lights. rink during the cold snop. Certoinly the roundobouts ore Guess what? Nothing further has been heard from South Beds! Not really The highwoys hove been notified but moking the generol flow of troff ic surprising is it? Also we have never had any response from the Chairman of nothing seems to hoppen. f wonder f or better thon the old troffic light Bedfordshire County Council - Rhys Goodwin our County Councillor - if we fiegned o drowning incident system but why put crossing lights Norman Costin our District Councillor or Chalgrave Parish Council. ond threotened to cloim insuronce on the octuol junction. Surely these we could prompt them into oction? would be better ploced o short However our invite letter to Tony Blair was passed on to the Offrce of the distonce owoy from the junction. Deputy Prime Minister and we have received a reply dated lOth November And why does this take 2 months to Procticolly the whole of the Villoge 2004 from JeffRooker as follows: - complete when 3 weeks should be Holl Committeewere bonned from more thon sufficient time scole! The Plough when they went there to "Thank you for sending a copy of 'Chalgrave News'to Mr Blair and for the Answers on o postcord pleose! hove Christmos dinner. Should they invitation to contribute to the debate on house building in South Bedfordshire now be listed os "undesirobles" to in afulure issue of your publication. As Ministerfor Regeneration, I am A Porish hire the villoge holl in future? pleased to have lhis opportunity to respond on behalf of Government. Question - Which of our Five meet down under I have taken a keen inlerest in the proposals for growth in the Milton Keynes and South Midlands area, which includes parx of Bedfordshire, and welcome On retuming to my home in the southern city of Dunedin, New Zealand, the opportunity to contribute to a balonced debate. As you and your readers Ian and I met up with Janet & Dick will be aware, an eight-week public consultation on the governments (formerly of Pond CotLages, Tebworth) proposed changes to plans to provide additionol homes in the and Yvonne (also fomerly of Tebworth) for growth area is currently underway. a meal on New years Eve. All three have moved ts The first secretary of State b Proposed Changes to the draft Milton Keynes and permanently to live in Dunedin. South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategt takes forward many of the changes Lyndie Lolhian

32 5 News Whot s Happened in Chalgrave since the Last Chalgrave 40,000 houses cont inued...... ore cousing unnecessory worry to recommended in the Panel s report of the Public Examination into the strateg), locol residents. Remember it is your held earlier this year. The Strategt identifies the level and broad locations of of the Christmos Lights Winners fomily os well as everyone else who new housing - and target employment levels - required to meet the growth Competition Steve ond Som received hos to poy for the domoge you couse area's needs to 2021. It proposes that 169,800 new dwellings should be built their well deserved New Yeor to be removed/repaired os the ocross the growlh area, of which 45,800 are to be built in Luton and lhe Homper from the Editoriol Teom of money comes from ever Bedfordshire growth towns - 19,500 in Bedford and the northern Marston Vale the Cholgrove News. Everyone must increosing community chorges or and 26,300 in Luton, Dunstable, Houghton Regis and Leighton Linslade. It hove noticed their mognif icent rotes os they ore better known. also proposes that land should be safeguardedfor afurther 15,400 homes to disploy ot 15 Toddington Rood. Anyone who hos informotion or be built in the Luton growth area over the period to 2031. witnesses o criminol oct pleose Will ther" be o reduction in illegol contoct your locol neighbourhood At the launch of the consuhation, I explained that the growth strateg) was not hore coursing in Cholgrove after the wotch or police. just aboul providing much needed homes for future generations. Housing introduction of the Bill to bon growth will be accompanied by supporting infrastructure that will benefit hunting with dogs? Courses ore held Hor" yo, noticed the number of existing communities, assrs, regeneration and provide opportunities to enhance without permission of the houses for sole since the beginning access to greenspace and lhe local countryside. Infrastructure and amenities londowners ond often wreck hovoc of the yeor in Tebworth2 We hove schemes already supported by the Ofice of the Deputy Prime by toking vehicles onto crop lond. minister in Anyone who sees onything suspicious counted 10 to dote. Is the rumour MKSM include f5 million for new roads in and around Bedford, and should toke note of cor number thot the Milton Keynes/Bedford new f6.6 million on green spaces projects, including enhancement schemes for Dunsloble Downs and woodland areas the Forest plotes ond report them to the conol link plonned to poss through in of Marston Vale. police. Tebworth the couseZ Strongely no The government recognises thal, because the South Bedfordshire Green Belt houses oppeor to be for sole in Since the lost Cholgrove News boundary is tightly drawn qround existing built up qreas, some loss of land in Wingf ield or Cholgrove! there hos been onothet ve?y bod cor the Green Belt is inevitable. The exact location of the areas released will be crosh on the Houghton Regis to delermined through Local Development Documents, prepared by lhe local How long does it toke for 6 men to Toddington Rood just post the toP planning authorities, who will be expected to replace such losses. Whilst of Lords Hill. This hoppened oround erect o concrete garoge ot government believes the scale of unmet local need provides a powerful 6om cousing the rood to be closed in Cholgrove Sports Club? Answer 8 justification for the release of Green Belt land, we remain keen to listen to both directions for most of the hours. How long will it remoin the views of those who live and work in the growth area. morning. We understond thot one of stonding before the goles blow it the drivers involved sodly died of down? Answer I weeks? Anyone Both the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategt and the their injuries. wont o lorge omount of free Schedule of Proposed Changes are available on the Government Office for the hordcore - contoct the E a s t Mi d t an d s w e b s il e a t,YXi" o n s u t t a t i o n p e r i o d Choirmon Cholgrove Sports Club! There oppeors to be on increose in ;iT;il iiit l,e' .c the omount of vondolism ond groffiti "ff being committed oround the porish - Anyone know how the new villoge The final Strategy, incorporating any fuither changes judged appropriate in the porticulorly in The Tebworth oreo. entronce gotes on the A5 entronce light of responses received, will be published in Spring 2005. To those involved pleose stop os you

4 JJ Editorial Page Auntie Agnes's Problem The New Year brings new challenges Pumpkin Competition! The gauntlet Personal problems resolved with a smile for The Chalgrave News. was laid down by the vicar in our Changes in our printing arrangements previous issue if you remember. Full It is with considerable regret that I once again have to apologise for a make it a good time to review our instructions are given in the mag. design and layout and we misprint in one of my replies in the last issue of The Chalgrave News. would Which brings us to the subject of the welcome comments or suggestions Best Kept Front garden competition. from our readers ifyou have any ideas As we speak, a local garden centre is You will remember that one of our local parish organisations for additional items or coverage in the being approached to sponsor us so that wrote to me seeking my advice on an event they coming issues. this year there will be some REALLY were planning to put on this spring. Although design and layout may GOOD PRIZES!! lt's therefore worth change, we would like to assure our putting in that extra effort to make a They wanted to stage a traditional old festival, which readers that the editorial team remain great garden display this year to win A would be enjoyed by everyone who attended. committed to ensuring the Chalgrave REALLY GOOD PRIZE!! News will continue to inform, OK, we don't actually know what the And what could be more traditional at this time of entertain and remain impartial and non prize is going to be yet but it will be judgemental in our coverage of local REALLY get gardening the year than that old favourite May Pole Dancing. GOOD. So lssues. and remember there is a separate prize Are you puzzled by your free gift in for best tub, basket or window box so It is with much regret that our proof reading team failed to this issue? Puzzle no longer. Just those of us with little or no front notice the misprint in my reply and the plant the seeds provided; water; wait gardens can still enter into the spirit. Gay Pole Dancing by lhe men of the village, and by September you will be able to The copy date for the next should have of course read May Pole Dancing. take part in the Chalgrave Biggest issue is 26th June.

Anyway I understand that the committee have held a trial Front Cover Picture Andrew Selous & Michael Howurd already in preparation of the forthcoming May Day celebrations, which has turned out lo be a great success. Last year the Chalgrave News Team invited both Tony Blair and Michael Howard to appear in The Chalgrave News. It has therefore been decided by the committee members that We are delighted to have had a response from the event will go ohead - lhe only dffirence being that it Michael Howard Leader of the Conservative Party will now be held on the stage inside the village hall so we who is pictured together with our local Member of Parliament will not have to worry about the weather! Andrew Selous sharing a copy of The Chalgrave News. No the picture has not been put together using computer tricks Auntie Agnes has been pleased to be of help and I wish the - it is a genuine photo. committee every success with the festival. Many thanks to both An w Selous & Michael Howard for taking the time to allow us to obtain this unique photo.

Well until our next issue - goodbye dear readers If Ton1, frlqir onds to our invitation vou will see the photo in the next issue of The Chalgrave News.

34 J ve Social Diary A Fairy Thle by Peter Hadden ^A. nce uoon time. in land far across A violent storm with thunder and I ltr,. r.u, a baby was bom, a baby lightening covered the land. Two or three l\-,r, the villagers met and after long . Council meetings - Villoge Holl 7.30pm, boy. As the mists of time clear. of Porish we see a little boy doing well at school. discussions made a decision on a subject lost Tuesdoy of the month The teachers, though pleased with him close to their hearts. Slowly the storm generally, were becoming more and more passed away only to be replaced by a . Plough Inn - Quiz nights evety other Tuesdoy 9.O0pm worried about his size. He was growing fearful stamping of a giant foot causing The giant was not . Heod Live entertoinment everY Fridoy 7.3Opm into a giant. Stupid people made fun of the earth to tremble. Queens - him but this was a giant that did not suffer happy and even though he spoke in a . Line doncing - Villoge Holl, Weds & Thurs eves 7.30pm fools easily and he quickly squashed them. whisper his voice was heard all over the Many years passed and the giant grew rich world. He told the villagers that they - Cricket Seoson storts first Sundoy in June and settled down with his wife in a tiny were wrong. They told him that he was demand the right to do as we . Time Music Holl t4th,15th ond 16th April village in a strange land far from his place wrong. We Old - of birth. This was the place that he had decide and I demand the right to do as I . Book Club meetings - weekdoys - contoct Lindo Hodden chosen even though he had the entire decide. How petty and childish. How sad. world to choose from. He loved his new An argument that cannot be won because . Pilotes lessons storted - contoct Debbie Porry home and the people there and he at the end of the day, might is right. on a series of things to . Mogic Live Theotre Show. Dotes to be onnounced embarked What the giant gives the giant also takes safeguard this place against the future. away. generous and all the . Front Gorden competition - judging 1st week of July He was and bountiful Peter Hadden The Lane people loved him. . Heod v Plough cricket motch eorly June Queen's John Alec Boyson . Porish AssemblY APril 19th 1932 - 2005 . Pumpkin Competition ot All Soints Church - September of John Boyson on . Cholgrove Games 16th Jul Sadly we have to report the death 31st January aged 73.

IF YOU KNOW OF ANY EVENTS IN THE PARISH PLEASE LET U5 John was born in Folkestone and volunteered for service in the RAF cryptographer in Aden during the KNOW FOR THE NEXTIssUE OF THE SOCTALDIARY where he served as a signaller and violent troubles that marked Britain s withdrawal from its We are very grateful to Miss A Dolemore for her continued East bases. sponsorship of The Chalgrave News. lf anyone would like to Middle sponsor the magazine in future please contct one of the editorial team. ln later life John and his wife Josie ran the Ram Public House in Leighton Buzzard before moving to St.Mary s Close in Tebworth about 20 years ago. The Chalgrave News team produce The Chalgrqve News in good faith and no o-ffenc'e is c'qused to anf individual or do all we can to ensure that John could mostly be found in the public bar of the Queen s Head along with his old friend Ernie Stringer but with a contributions submitted to us if these do nol co ly v'ith our polic'y. crossword always close at hand, still practising his cryptography.

2 35 ELD,ERFL IA

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elderflower mixture into the muslin and strain. !'illll' IlIlu IlH.'riliscd bottles and store in fridge for up to 3 months.

To preserve for longer, halffill plastic bottles tlnd 11·I·l'Z~'.