Wilstead August 2011 EWSLETTER Nincluding Parish Council News “Caring for the Community Without Prejudice” Published by Wilstead Neighbourhood Watch, part of Bedford & District NW Association Press Release on behalf of the Community Safety JULY Partnership 27th July Lift the Handle, Turn the Key CRIME FIGURES This is the simple message being given to residents by BURGLARY IN A DWELLING the Community Safety Partnership to reduce the risk Thursday 17th July, 5.30pm of burglary. Bedford Road, Wilstead Following the success of Bedfordshire Police's BURGLARY IN A DWELLING ATTEMPTED Operation Peak which aimed to reduce burglaries during Saturday 9th July, 4.30am the winter months, Central Bedfordshire Council and its Morgans Close, Wilstead partners are now passing on a clear message to communities, ensure your properties are secure all year VICTIMLESS CRIME AWAITING round. UPDATES Saturday 16th July, 10.31pm By securely locking UPVC doors - along with keeping Pollards Close, Wilstead valuables out of sight burglaries around the area could be prevented particularly as the evenings are getting CRIMINAL DAMAGE - TO DWELLINGS longer, the weather starting to warm up and people Saturday 2nd July, 1pm spending times in their gardens thinking their houses Little Causeway, Wixams won't be a target. All too often police get reports of people who have come in from the garden to find someone has slipped through a keys are easily accessible near to your front and back front or back door and grabbed easily removable items doors. You should also develop and practice a fire such as handbags or wallets - or even keys along with the escape plan for your home and make sure that all family car. members of the household including visitors know how to quickly and safely evacuate the building. Most thieves are lazy opportunists and if they see a door left wide open, or possibly unlocked with the owner Cllr Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Sustainable engrossed elsewhere, they will not hesitate to take Communities Services at Central Bedfordshire Council advantage of the situation. said: "By taking very small and simple steps we can help reduce the amount of burglaries that take place around Another very common method of entry is whereby Central Bedfordshire. The summer is a time when offenders will smash a window or a pane of glass close to people are out and enjoying the weather, but everyone the door lock, reach in and open the front or rear door needs to be vigilant and take measures to ensure that they from the inside. This is made possible if a key has been do not become a victim of crime." left in the back of the door, the door only has a simple latch lock and no deadlock, or if a lock exists but is not Your Co-ordinator is used. Whilst it is important to implement measures to protect your property from burglary it is also very important to be able to escape quickly in the event of a fire. Therefore, keep a window key in every room and ensure that door Players' News Wilstead Garden Club 1 The Wilstead Players Drama Group was founded in 1971 Thank you to everyone who came along to Garden Club in and so this September we shall be celebrating our 40th July, to hear a great talk from Roger Skipper entitled 'My Anniversary! We have booked the Village Hall for Garden Through the Year”. We enjoyed his talk and found Friday 2nd September where, we hope, anyone who has it interesting and entertaining. It is very gratifying to see been connected with the group over the last four decades the Garden Club being so well supported. can join us to celebrate this achievement. We shall endeavour to contact as many past members as possible We had three new visitors, Enid, Ivor and May, hopefully but if you feel we've forgotten you, or someone you know they enjoyed themselves and we will see them again. of, do please come forward and speak to one of the The Garden Club members took part in the All Saints committee. It promises to be a lovely evening of Church Summer Fete and decorated the Church. There are nostalgia! photos of our displays on the village website. Thank you to We have been busy with rehearsals for “Ladies Down all of them for their efforts, and the Church did very well Under” by Amanda Whittington, which is to be this year, with the weather being in the main, fairly kind to performed in early October. This is the sequel to “Ladies them. Day” which we performed last year and which was so Our talk onTuesday 16th August is from Alan Portas successful. If you saw that and would like to find out what about Hedge Laying, with a presentation, and that will be happened to the four fish-packers from Hull after they very interesting to everyone. won all that money, then this is one you mustn't miss. We plan to perform the play at The Place in Bedford on We meet at the village hall at 8 pm and the admission is th Thursday 6 October, and then in the Village Hall on £1.50. Everyone is welcome, there is no annual Friday andSaturday 7th and 8 th October. Box Office membership so just drop in as it suits you and pay as you details will be given in the next Newsletter. We do need, go. We are a very friendly group, and would love to see however, help behind the scenes and Front of House, as you. usual, so if you feel you can offer assistance in these areas please do come forward. Jackie Lloyd 01234 742757 Jackie Tanswell [email protected] Your Local Approved Alarm Company Intruder Alarms, Access Control, CCTV, Safes Door & Window Locks, Key Cutting HERTS ~ BEDS ~ BUCKS 01462 422500 to contact your local branch for a no obligation survey A family business established over 26 years in the area. Systems designed and Sentinel House, 38A Wilbury Way installed to PD6662:2004 and DD243:2004. Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG4 0AP Insurance company recognised. Approved contractors for local Councils, Bedfordshire Police & Beds Fire & Rescue. Minimise Your Risks... Maximise Your Protection! 2 Allotment News August Jubilee Centre Toilets AW1 ILLIAMSON In response to our earlier questionnaire a number of Builders & Plasterers members indicated that they would make use of the toilets Extensions from Planning to Paving at the Centre. For security reasons only those members will Internal Plastering, External Rendering, receive an explanation of the necessary procedures to Lime Plasterworks, Block Paving, Patio Slabbing, access the toilets. Naturally the same information will be Brickworks, Fencing, Decking, Kitchens, given to future members and to any other member on Bathrooms, Plumbing & Heating request. Your Satisfaction is my Guarantee “Best Kept” Plot Tel: 01234 741720 or 07759774922 The result of this friendly competition has usually been 38 Luton Road, Wilstead, Beds MK45 3EX decided in the month of August. This year it is hoped that the plots will have been judged by Parish Council representatives during July as we believe there will have been more crops to view at this time. Steves Autos The Parish Council will also have conducted a general plot inspection by now. Watch this space. Cars & Vans Serviced & Repaired “Best Kept” awards will be made at the Flower and Produce Show on 10th September. Waiting List Call Steve Numbering 4, the waiting list is: JD; SN; NW; JA. W.A.S.Treasurer Tel: 07808 593882 Our treasurer, Lisa Pywell has been doing an excellent job rear of 66 King Street Kempston, opp bungalow 63 for us throughout the year. Unfortunately she has also been doing an excellent job in her employment and further studies and regrets she will be unable to continue as treasurer beyond October'sAGM. Wilstead Pharmacy We have an ageing Secretary and a young Chairman now We now offer Free Blood Pressure check and we can help seeking a new Treasurer. Members are asked to consider you quit smoking on NHS stop smoking service. whether they are willing to consider this position. Further Please ask information is available from Lisa or from me. Take advantage of our free prescription collection and delivery service in Wilstead, Cotton End, Elstow, Helpers Haynes, Bedford, Kempston and other surrounding areas. The condition of the tracks and paths is remarkably good. Opening Times: Many members have been seen to contribute to allotment Monday to Friday: 9am to 6.30pm site maintenance by destroying weeds, mowing paths and Saturday: 9am to 1pm Sunday Closed watering the flower boxes. Others have made their Telephone: 01234 740609. Fax: 744893 contributions without being seen! It is truly gratifying to e-mail: [email protected] say there are too many to thank individually but many 1 Crossroads, Church Road, Wilstead thanks to all. Youknow who you are. As a foot note to the above, if you know a colleague is Wilstead Mini Market mowing your path please make life easier and less CONVENIENCE STORE dangerous by winding up your hose pipe and ensuring that Guaranteed Lowest Prices Locally poles and canes do not lean out over the path. ! Pay Point ! Groceries ! Household Items ! Electric and Gas ! Off Licence - Many ! Soft Drinks Help! Tokens Special Offers ! Sweets ! Dry Cleaning ! Photo Developing ! Crisps ! ! After a morning of play and a satisfying meal my eyes Phone Top Up Printing Passport Photo began to close of their own accord and my armchair New Opening Times: beckoned. My Little Helper had her own idea: Monday to Saturday: 9am to 7pm “Grandad, you said after lunch we were going to pick Sunday 9am to 2pm strawberries”.