HOUGHTON CONQUEST Village Newsletter...Newsletter is 21st January 2021 You may send copy c/o Clerk to the Parish Council: Gill Wiggs, 10 Parklands, Bedford MK41 9LZ or send it by email

HOUGHTON CONQUEST Village Newsletter

December 2020

All the latest news, events and reports for our Village inside…….

HOUGHTON CONQUEST PARISH COUNCIL

Members

PCllr Sue Beaumont

PCllr Brian Blackall

PCllr Peter Bullock (Vice Chair)

PCllr Mark Dobson

PCllr Tracey Fry

PCllr Bec Hares (UCllr)

PCllr Liz Lovell (Chair)

PCllr Bryn Whitaker

Committees, Working Parties and Appointed Representatives

Highways PCllr Fry

Planning Sub-Committee PCllrs Beaumont, Blackall Bullock,Dobson & Whittaker

Village Hall PCllrs Bullock

Play Area PCllr Dobson

Sports Field PCllr Blackall

Allotments PCllr Lovell

School Liaison E Thompson

Houghton Conquest Newsletter - December 2020 2

Parish Council Clerk – Gill Wiggs Tel: 01234 270016 [email protected]

All correspondence should be forwarded to the Clerk to the Parish Council: Gill Wiggs, 10 Parklands, Bedford MK41 9LZ The Parish Council usually meets on the second Thursday of the month except August & December, in the Village Hall committee room at 7.30pm. Parishioners are invited to attend the meetings and time is allocated for them to address the council. Central Bedfordshire Councillor: Bec Hares T: 01234 742542 E: [email protected] If you have a matter you wish to draw to the attention of the Parish Council, you can contact any Councillor, write to the Clerk, or attend a meeting. If you wish to speak to the Council please notify the clerk or the chairman before the meeting, so that you can speak during the time allotted.

Police Liaison PCllr Beaumont

Tree Warden Vacancy

Newsletter PCllrs Bullock & Fry

Community Facebook PCllr Fry

Website Parish Clerk

United Charities PCllr Beaumont

Covanta/BACI/Millbrook Power P Rolfe

Climate Change Champion R Blevins



Please note that the closing date for insertion of copy into the February 2021 issue of The Houghton Conquest Village

Newsletter is 21st January 2021

You may send copy c/o Clerk to the Parish Council: Gill Wiggs, 10 Parklands, Bedford MK41 9LZ or send it by email to the Editor:

[email protected] with ‘Village Newsletter’ as the subject

All contributions are welcome but are subject to the editor’s discretion as to size and content

Place your advertisement here For a reasonable payment to Houghton Conquest Parish

Council you can reach the entire Village every two months.

Copy may be emailed to [email protected] or posted to Gill Wiggs, Clerk to the Parish Council, 10

Parklands, Bedford MK41 9LZ

Payments to Houghton Conquest Parish Council please

mailto:[email protected]

Parish Council Updates

Chair’s Report

It certainly is beginning to feel that Winter is on its way. Temperatures are dropping and the evenings are getting darker. As you read this I hope that we are looking forward to a lifting of the current restrictions in time for Christmas. At the November Council meeting your Parish Council took the decision to switch on the Christmas lights sooner rather than later. We hope that they have brought a little light into an otherwise dull world. We realise that some may feel that this is too early for the lights to be on but if they lift the spirits of even one person then we are happy. I hope those further from the centre of the Village are enjoying the expanded provision. Any ideas for next year gratefully received. Thanks to Cllr Bryn Whittaker for liaising with Andy Muskett who put the lights up.

Remembrance Sunday took place this year without the usual service in the Church. Wreaths were laid at the Memorial by The Royal British Legion, Central Bedfordshire Council, your Parish Council and the Houghton Pioneers. A socially distanced two minute silence was honoured at 11.00 on Sunday 8th November. In addition to the wreaths, a display of 22 poppies was also laid at the site of the Town Well alongside the Unknown Tommy Silhouette. Further details inside. Thankfully, due to the flagpole having been successfully repaired at last, we were able to raise the Union Jack between the 8th and the 11th of November. With thanks to Jason Lay.


Works and repairs to our highways are ongoing with new barriers being installed at the junction of the B530 and The Grove as well as new bollards on the bend from How End to the village. Glebe Way has benefitted from some resurfacing works and potholes in Rectory Lane have been marked up for repair.

We have also received notification of a road closure on Bedford Road between Ampthill Road and Sollars Way. This road closure will be between the dates 4th Jan to 30th March 2021 between the hours of 07;30 and 18:00. PCllr Fry continues to report any highways issues that she identifies during her daily horse ride around the village but everyone can report problems on the CBC website when they arise. It is simple to do and the more people that report issues the more awareness CBC will have of our concerns.

The speed indicator device has been converted to solar energy to solve the problem of the batteries running out and two additional devices are ready to be mounted. The job is complicated by the current Covid restrictions as it is not possible to carry out the work whilst socially distanced and it is definitely a two-person job! We will endeavour to get the devices into position as soon as possible.

PCllr Blackall has been working hard to improve the condition of the playing field. A programme of cutting back and ditch clearance has commenced and should be completed by the time this is published. The repairs and additional security for the pavilion should also have been completed. It is hoped that this will reduce the level of on-going vandalism and thus save un-necessary expenditure. PCllr Blackall has also been in discussion with Marston Vale who have thousands of trees to plant as part of a Government backed initiative. We are looking


at a number of areas to plant trees and if anyone has any suggestion please let us know by emailing Gill Wiggs on [email protected]. One suggestion was the planting of a Community Orchard on the land to the rear of Cherry Close. Let us have your thoughts and ideas.

Your Parish Council is still two members short, so this is your chance to join us and be part of the decisions that are made about your Village. Just drop Gill a line to let us know you are interested and she will get back to you. Don’t forget that you are welcome to observe all Parish Council meetings and time is always allocated for you to have your say. Now that these meetings are on Zoom you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your armchair! The codes are published on the Agenda on the notice board at the front of the Village shop. Hard copies of the agreed minutes are placed on the noticeboard at the rear of the shop. Electronic versions are on the Parish Council website. https://houghtonconquest-pc.gov.uk

All that is left is to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and to express the hope that in the New Year we can welcome a brighter future for us all.

Warm Regards

Liz

Upcoming Parish Council Meetings The next few council meetings may or may not be held in person and we will be reliant on using Zoom and email in order to conduct Parish Council business. Should you wish to raise anything with the Council, please direct your question to the The



https://houghtonconquest-pc.gov.uk

Clerk, Gill Wiggs via email [email protected] or by post c/o 10 Parklands, Bedford MK41 9LZ

The Chair’s newsletter is intended to provide a general update. Agendas and approved minutes can be viewed on the Parish Council website www.houghtonconquest-pc.gov.uk

POLICE LIAISON REPORT NOVEMBER 2020

As I write this, we are in the middle of another lockdown, of

sorts. I reported in September that the easing of the full lockdown had led to an increase in criminal activity. Since then, within the CBC area, it appears to have been ‘business as usual” for the miscreants! That having been said, we are fortunate that Houghton Conquest attracts little police activity and is seen as a low crime village.

The biggest problem, within the village, have been burglaries at the Kier building site in Chapel End Rd. Specialist advice has been offered and the police have increased patrols around the area.


This Photo by Unknown Author

http://www.houghtonconquest.bedsparishes.gov.uk

http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/30087/breakfast-links-technology-in-your-life/

The wider priority for the police in Central Bedfordshire is cracking down on the supply of drugs. Fortunately, Houghton Conquest does not appear in the list of ‘areas of concern’.

As we approach Christmas and the season of celebration [so welcome in what has been a dismal year], the advice continues to be one of caution. Please do ensure that all outbuildings are secured and that gifts are not displayed in full view. We don’t want thieves to be the ones celebrating! Keep your presents secure and out of sight both in your homes and your cars.

As always, if anyone sees anything/anyone of concern, please report this either on 101 or:

www.bedfordshire.police.uk/report

Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthier 2021.

Sue BeaumontPCllr Police Liaison Officer

Highways Issues

To report any highways matter to Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC), log in to the following website http://centralbedfordshire.gov.uk and follow the instructions


http://www.bedf

http://centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

http://centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

All Saints Church

Rector: The Rev'd Stephen Toze 01234 740423 Assistant Minister: The Rev'd Roger White Reader: Mr. Robert Heley 01234 740927 Wardens: Margaret Tyler – 01234 740964 Pearl Tompkins – 01234 741958 Services: Sunday Eucharist - 9:30a.m. Family Service - First Sunday of the month at 9:30am

(With effect from Sunday, 16th August, regulations permitting)

Church Social/ Fundraising committee Margaret Tyler 740964 Brenda Hartley 740482


Church Roof and Other Issues

Hello again everyone, here is a quick update on things.

Firstly, I have been awarded the task and office of Church Warden replacing Margaret Tyler, who has worked hard for a long time, and joining Pearl Tompkins. I have not quite picked up the reigns yet as I have been isolated with Covid. As I write I am supposed to be clear but, although I haven’t had it badly, I am still very tired and breathless. I think full recovery takes some time so forgive me if I’m not rushing around at the church!

Main Roof: The Good News. Historic England have given us the go ahead to complete the 3 layer felt roof on the nave and the side aisles and a Faculty for the work has been issued by the Diocese and duly displayed on the notice boards and on Facebook. I am now working with the firm doing this to find the earliest date we can get the work done. You will appreciate that this is not the best time of year for the work!After that we will need to get the lead flashing renewed and then the stonework repaired. We have quotes for the stonework and hope we can progress that into the New Year as long as we can raise enough funds. A faculty for that work will be needed first.

Christmas:19th December: If weather permits, we hope to have a Christmas sale outside the church. Tables 2m apart as we did in the summer and with a one-way system. We will draw our Christmas raffle that afternoon, so, if you’ve not got any ’tickets’ yet please contact Sarah Hannant (07900 927050). £1 a ticket or 6 for £5. There are many prizes and I’ll put a list on the church notice


board if you’ve not seen on FB. Many thanks to local people and businesses who have donated prizes.

What happens around Christmas in Church will depend on government health restrictions. We are unable to have any worship services in church at present. If this is eased in early December then Sunday Morning service may restart with social distancing and, presumably, with no congregational singing allowed, as before. The need for social distancing and not being able to have music stops us being able to have our usual Nine lessons and Carols and our Christingle service. We took the decision not to have our Christmas Tree Festival, as have many churches, because of the logistical difficulties getting the trees in and decorated and walking visitors through to see them in a socially distanced fashion.The major concern though, this year is that we have a fair amount of rain coming through in the side aisles until the roof is fixed and that does not sit well with electric wiring down the aisles for the trees!At present we are prepared for having Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve but, unless things change, it will be a purely said service and we will have to limit numbers and possibly ticket it. We will carry out a risk assessment and report via Facebook what the process will be. A maximum of 20 -30 people is likely depending on the weather and how many pews can be clear.

There will be the usual tree in the churchyard and also one in place in the north door. Let’s hope for twice the Christmas celebration next year. Those of us who sing in choirs are finding this time very hard.


Please check posters and Facebook page for further information and events.

Have a peaceful Christmas. Stay Safe

Best Wishes, Gary Mudd (01234 741871)

Houghton Conquest Charities GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES Houghton Conquest Charities owns the land the Village Hall stands on. The rent paid by the village hall enables this charity to give grants for educational purposes. Residents of the parochial Parish of Houghton Conquest who may benefit from a grant are encouraged to come forward and make an application. Grants are also available to village organisations for educational purposes, and age is not a restriction.

Some idea as to what we can give grants for are listed below, however any real educational need will be considered. • Books or computer equipment for university, college or further

education • Help with university or college fees • Outward bound or similar courses • Tall ships or Jubilee sailing trust • DOE or similar • Sporting activities • School trips


Application forms are on the Parish Council website and once completed should be returned to 23 Victoria Drive. (www.houghtonconquest-pc.gov.uk) Houghton Conquest Charities incorporating The Clerke & Wilde Educational Foundation Charity no. 307480

Village Clubs, Organisations & Events, etc.

Village Hall Regular Events

MANY OF THESE ARE NOT CURRENTLY BEING HELD OWING TO THE COVID-19 VIRUS, BUT ARE LISTED BELOW FOR FUTURE REFERENCE:

Weekly

Monday Indoor Bowls 2pm to 4pm

Whist 7:45pm

Tuesday Line Dancers 10am to 12:30pm

Brownies 6:15pm to 7:30pm

Rainbows 6:15pm to 7:15pm

Wednesday Yoga 9am to 10am

Thursday Line Dancers 10am to 12:30pm

Novice Line Dancers 1pm to 2pm

Houghton Pioneers 5.30pm to 6.45pm


Monthly

Friday Toddler Sense 9:45 am and 11 am

Indoor Bowls 2pm to 4pm

Qi Kwan Do 7pm to 8pm

1st Wednesday Art Group 7:30pm to 9:30pm

1st Thursday WI 7:30pm to 10pm

1st Friday Quiz Night 8:30pm

2nd Tuesday Garden Club 8pm to 10pm

2nd Thursday Parish Council (Committee Room)

7:30pm

3rd Wednesday Art Group 7:30pm to 9:30pm

3rd Thursday Village Hall Management Committee

7:30pm

3rd Friday Family Night 8:30pm

Last Thursday BINGO 7:30pm to 10:00pm


To Book Contact: Mrs Christine Dean

01234 741 182 [email protected]

IF YOU ARE PLANNING A ONE-OFF EVENT OR REGULAR MEETING. DON’T DELAY AND BOOK TODAY.

• Run by volunteers for the benefit of the villagers. Hire charges are very reasonable with varying rates for day, evening and weekend, with residents getting preferential rates.

• Fully equipped kitchen

• Licensed bar with air conditioning at £25 hire charge

• Large hall including stage area with curtains

• Small committee room and lounge area

• Large car park

Village Notice Boards If you would like to put notices in our boards, please: • Hand them in to Houghton Conquest village shop. • We have 5 noticeboards, so please provide 5 x A5 copies to

ensure a copy goes in each board. Regrettably, we cannot accept larger than A5 due to limited space.

• If you provide only one copy it will only go in one board. The choice of board will be at the discretion of the Parish Councils representative.

• If you are advertising an event, please allow plenty of time, as our noticeboards are only updated once a week.

• We do not accept commercial advertising, unless it is for community activities, such as local classes.

• Space is limited, so priority will be given to local community events, & is at the discretion of the Parish Councils


representative, who kindly keeps all the noticeboards up to date.

Any queries please contact Gill Wiggs on 01234 270016, [email protected]

100 Club

If you would like to join the Hundred Club or find out more about it, then please contact Carol (01234 381393) or Jackie (01234 740635)

Houghton Conquest Garden Club

Members have each been given two Daffodil bulbs for the chairman’s challenge competition at next year’s spring show, which we hope will take place, if not it will have to be a virtual competition. Mid-November and the Dahlias and other autumn plants are still flowering, which gives us a bit of colour to cheer us up at this awful time.

This Photo by



http://www.stockpicturesforeveryone.com/2012/07/british-pound-or-gbp-images-and.html

I hope everyone is keeping well and exercising in the garden. Margaret Whalley 01234 740892

Houghton Conquest Art Society Sadly we are not able to meet in the village hall as usual as with other local clubs, due to the pandemic, but our friendly arty members are keeping in touch on our whatsapp group. We have managed between lockdowns to get our calendar launched. The joint effort between Bedford Writers Circle and Houghton Conquest Art Society is now complete. We have all been artistically busy at home, art is a great way to spend time relaxing and forgetting your worries. I have included here some ideas for you to make some cute little cards or pictures. During the winter months Robins come to mind when painting, drawing or colouring homemade cards, but snowy scenes are also very pleasant cards to receive and look at when you are inside in the warm. Here are some ideas for painting Robins from the simple


to the more complex, or from the detailed to the loosely painted to use an art term.

The three Robins above are all painted in watercolour but could be drawn and coloured in pencils or children might use poster paints. If little ones use lots of water when painting it might be a good idea to use fairly thick paper. When complete you can then cut the robins out including a square or any shape of plain border around them, then glue them to the front of folded card. Here is a couple of Robin templates to start you off, they will make it easier to draw the Robin first, you can rub out the pencil lines afterwards with an eraser, or I like to go over the lines lightly in ink. Your picture then becomes a ‘Pen and Wash’ painting.


If you would like to try a snowy scene here are two ideas. You can see you don’t need lots of colours and the colours are always cool, think mauves, greys and blues.


Plus here is a snowflake one colour pain?ng and templates for simple snowflakes perhaps for children to try and the addi?on of glue and gli@er or gli@er pens are a nice finishing touch.

I hope I have managed to stir some creative juices and you try some of these ideas to brighten up when winter indoors. Don’t forget to put your name on the reverse and give your painting a title. Barbara Boxshall Publicity Manager Houghton Conquest Art Society www.houghton-conquest-art-society.co.uk


http://www.houghton-conquest-art-society.couk

HOUGHTON CONQUEST VILLAGE SCHOOL

RESPECT - TRUST - PATIENCE - SUPPORT – APPRECIATION - UNITY

As a ‘Values’ based school we are so proud of our whole school community and how they have come together during the pandemic, and the second lockdown, to provide care and support to each other. In September the whole school came back together again after the summer break, ready to learn and have fun.

Headteacher news - We are very excited to announce that we have a newly appointed Headteacher. Miss Heaslip has led our school as the Acting Head for the last 18 months through the long-term absence of our previous Headteacher. Governors believe they have made a really strong appointment and that Miss Heaslip’s drive, enthusiasm and commitment to our school and its pupils will help us to continue to build an environment in which every child is empowered to achieve their potential.

Remembrance - Our year 4 children have been learning about WW1 and WW2. We thought we would share with you some amazing remembrance artwork which they have made. I am sure you will agree they are wonderful.


The children learnt about the Poppy Appeal and had the opportunity to purchase a poppy to wear, along with observing the 2-minute silence.

Community – As an integral part of our lovely village the school are keen to become more involved with other village groups as such we would be very happy to receive information/invitations/competitions from other groups in the village to see if we can get involved somehow. Clearly, at this time, this limited but we are keen If you have any information you can email Mrs Anna Allen at [email protected].

Christmas – Usually at this time of year we undertake a Christmas performance to an audience of eagerly awaiting parents and family members. This year the pupils are busy preparing and rehearsing for their Christmas performance which will be airing virtually.

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas.

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering ‘it will be happier’…” Alfred Lord Tennyson

LIBERTY - HONESTY - RESILIENCE - HAPPINESS – DEMOCRACY - HOPE



Bowls Club (Meetings currently suspended)

When the club is open again, we will let you know, but for your information carpet bowls is an easy game to play and gives you some exercise but is not too strenuous. We normally play on Monday and Friday in the afternoons in the Village Hall from 2pm till 4pm. The majority come for a good natter, a good laugh, a cup of tea and a biscuit – also a game of bowls. This costs only £2 per session. If you would like to join in, please come and give it a try.

Houghton Conquest Care

Most of the volunteering we do is taking people to appointments at surgeries and hospitals so we have had far fewer calls since the March lockdown.

Recently we have had requests for the collection of prescriptions, transport to a few doctor, dental and hospital appointments as well as help with shopping. Babs Hill has organised drivers for all of these requests.

Doctor’s surgeries are open for business if people have medical concerns and the Care Group will do our best to help with transport to and from appointments.


Many of our volunteers are unable to drive at present due to their own health status and the level of risk assessment required however, as in pre-Covid days, we will try to help. Unfortunately, through a shortage of drivers, we may not be able to give the same level of support as we have done in the past.

We have two new volunteers and another awaiting a DBS check. Please contact either of the people listed below if you are interested in joining us.

We would like to thank the gentlemen who have recently serviced our two wheelchairs. The wheelchairs had gathered dust in various garages for some years, but are now on loan to people in the village who have mobility problems.

If you need help, please phone 07969 982 970 and leave a message. One of our volunteers will return your call. If you require transport please try to give us at least 24 hours’ notice. We charge £3.00 per trip or 30p per mile for trips over 30 miles.

Kate Smith (Honorary Secretary) 01234 740522

Sue Derrick (Acting Chair) 07886 459225

OUR PHONE NUMBER is 07969 982 970


We were just starting to organise regular walks for members when lockdown came again. Once it is over we plan to

start with a short walk and then the next one will be a bit longer. We will let members know when we can do these walks.

We are planning an outing for next summer and hope to go to Highclere Castle, so keep your fingers crossed that we will be able to do this Keep well Shirley Johnson

Houghton Pioneers

Unfortunately, we are unable to say when we will be back Pioneering, but may know more in the next edition.


Ramblings That, there Parish Council We are still a couple of councillors short of a full complement and I am sure there are those amongst you who would like to have your say and help to keep the wheels on the Village bus?

It doesn’t have to take up too much of your time and the areas you might be invited to take a special interest in, vary in scope.

Our overall aim is to continue to make the Village an inclusive and supportive community in which to live. Current members are of different backgrounds/ages/interests and this all helps us to adopt a balanced approach to any decisions/recommendations we make.

You can apply if you have lived or worked in the Parish for 12 months or more. Simply send an email to our Parish Clerk, Gill Wiggs ([email protected]) with a few details about yourself, your background and what you could bring to the Council.



Applications are welcomed from residents of the new developments around the Parish (Kier, Morris Homes, Harrowden Green etc) as well as from those living nearer the centre of the Village.

Lockdown 2 but heading for Vaccination for the Nation

I’m finding this a bit harder than the first Lock-down - I think it’s the darkness. As I’ve worked from home most of that last few years, so during the first lockdown, I made full use of our allowed exercise time during the early evening. The sun was out, it was light increasingly later and we have some beautiful walks around the Village. I found new routes and variations on old ones and returned to my 4 walls, relaxed and refreshed.

This time, it has getting dark by 4 o’clock. There has been rain. There has been wind. When the rain has stopped, there has been mud. As a result, my excursions into the woods and fields have been infrequent and I’ve suffered from CF-38 (Cabin Fever at number 38)

It hasn’t all been miserable, however, as we now have something to look forward to (probably) 3 or more vaccines available by Easter!!

Sadly, I already hear cries of: “Its not safe!” “It has awful side-effects!” “The Government using it to implant tracking devices!” “I’m not getting one - if everyone else does, then I don’t need one!” I truly hope this nonsense (in my personal opinion) dies down as it did eventually with other vaccines, which is why we haven’t had Smallpox, Polio, Diptheria, Measles, Mumps or Rubella pandemics in recent times.


Scarecrow Trail

After the success of last year’s Scarecrow Trail, friends of the Church ran this again. Whilst the uptake a couple of days beforehand looked a bit sparse, but the day itself there had been a flurry of interest. Here they are:


The event proved a success again, with many family groups wandering around the village finding the scarecrows, making lists, drawing pictures and collecting prizes. All proceeds have

gone to the Church Roof Fund. This was prior to the latest lockdown.



Remembrance Sunday

The traditional parade and service were sadly missing this year as a further casualty of the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, wreaths were laid at the broken cross war memorial in the churchyard. Anne Huckle and other representatives of the Royal British Legion laid their wreath and Parish Council Chair - Liz Lovell laid wreaths on behalf of the Parish Council and Central Beds Council. A wreath from Houghton Pioneers had been laid earlier. A number of individual crosses and poppies had also been laid in more personal memorials.


On Remembrance Day itself, a display of 22 poppies, arranged by Annie Huckle, adorned the area around the Town Well, one for each of the names on the War Memorial at the Church.

A note from Annie Huckle:

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION POPPY APPEAL

On behalf of the RBL poppy appeal I would like to thank you all for your donations.

Thanks also go to the individual contributors to the appeal.

My last thanks go to the Parish Council for allowing the poppies representing each name from the memorial which appeared around the well.


Lights

The Christmas Lights are now in abundance in the village. These were switched on a little earlier than last year, but this was both to tie in with the very heavy schedule of the lighting contractor and also to spread a little cheer during Lockdown 2.

Changes under the Tree

The advent of Lockdown 2 has brought forward the end of Jane Launden’s tenure at the Royal Oak after 25 years. Jane and husband George are soon to embark on a well-earned retirement. Over the years, there have been a multitude of celebrations of all kinds, numerous charity events, darts teams, pool teams and many other activities, which will be greatly missed. We wish them both well.

Naturally (it is a Village, after all!!) there has been enormous speculation as to the future of the pub - will the brewery close it


down? Will they build houses on the site? Will there be a new landlord/landlady?

If we ever escape from lockdown, we may find out.

Future Events

Christmas and New Year will happen, but not as we know it, I suspect. Beyond that, we will just have to see.

Stay safe and continue being sensible

Pete


THE GREEN PIECE

Good for the Planet, Good for Everyone

Welcome to “The Green Piece” – a place where we can share ideas on how to live a ‘greener’ life. Please send in suggestions.

Once again, as I write, we are in lockdown. I sincerely hope readers and their loved ones are keeping healthy and in good spirits. I’m finding getting out of the house for a walk, whatever the weather, or participating in an online exercise class really lifts the spirits, plus making time for the activities I enjoy, curling up with a good book, watching a film, baking (and eating!) a cake and of course keeping in touch with friends and family.

In October, 150 wildflowers were planted in the ZigZag Park in Ampthill. Take a look next summer. Further plantings have been postponed due to lockdown but will resume asap.

Christmas is coming but will certainly be different this year. Can everyone please consider how to make it a bit more sustainable because, despite not being in the news, the climate and ecological emergencies have not gone away. Here are a few shocking facts:

• 1 billion Christmas cards end up in the bin• The equivalent of 2 million turkeys are binned as a result of

cooking mishap or wasted leftovers. Together with 5 million xmas puddings and 74 million mince pies, these contribute

to the 250,000 tonnes of food wasted each Christmas


• 500 tonnes of fairy lights are thrown away• 81 million unwanted presents are received (many end up in

landfill)• 227,000 miles of wrapping paper are used, equivalent to 9x

around the globeThese figures are from the UK alone.

The food waste is particularly shocking especially as we hear of increasing numbers in the community who have been struggling due to the pandemic. This year, more than ever, we want to reach out and connect with friends that we might not be able to see, but could a newsy personal email, e-card, phone call or Skype call be better than a card. Consider gifts that the recipient will really enjoy or needs. You may have already bought wrapping paper but keep used paper from this year to use next (avoid foil or plastic glitter which won’t recycle).

Important message from RSPB: cooked turkey fat is dangerous for birds. Please don’t put out.

We all lead busy lives and it can be hard to know the greenest choices or make them all the time, but every little bit will help. Written in this vein is “The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide” by Jen Gale, website https://www.asustainablelife.co.uk. I’ve attended several free webinars with Jen over the year and there is a great Facebook group Sustainable(ish) with Jen Gale. People post questions eg Has anyone tried x? What’s a greener alternative to y? How do I repair z? (What shampoo/socks are more sustainable? Any ideas for using torn tights?) Feedback is informative, imaginative, sympathetic and non-critical. We can’t do it all, let alone all of the time – hence the (ish).


New Year’s Resolution: choose one area of life to make more sustainable eg food, fashion, home, work, travel, celebrations. Please tell me your discoveries and I can share in a later issue.

This festive season may not be all we are used to, but let’s try to create a real spirit of warmth and togetherness in our village.

Best wishes

Rosalind Blevins [email protected]


Commercial Advertising Rates:

Annual Rates = 6 Issues £10 per half page = £60 pa. £20 per page = £120 pa

Published every 2 months; April to February Charged ‘pro-rata’ for the remainder of the financial year Copy may be changed subject to receipt before published cut-off dates by prior arrangement with the editor Payments to: Houghton Conquest Parish Council, c/o: Clerk to the Parish Council: Gill Wiggs, 10 Parklands, Bedford MK41 9LZ


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A note from your Editor…

We are always happy to receive your articles/comments/concerns/reports on events and hopefully I have included as many of these as I can. Please send more!

As always, delivery volunteers are welcomed, if not immediately, then for the future as regular volunteers step down over time.

Contact details are as follows: Email: [email protected] A note through my letterbox at 38 Victoria Drive or call or text me on 07748 187069 Pete Bullock Editor


Please note: Whilst the cost of the Village Newsletter is kindly funded by the Parish Council, the articles in this newsletter are not necessarily the opinion of either the Parish Council or the editor. Editorial comments are completely independent of and not a reflection of the views of the Parish Council. Letters and articles for inclusion are welcomed, subject to the standard appropriate editorial control. Any questions for the Parish Council should be directed at the Clerk to the Parish Council.


USEFUL CONTACTS Around the Village

Contacts outside the Village

ART SOCIETY Mary Rich 01234 272470

BROWNIES & RAINBOWS Laura Cullingham 07747 549531

CARE GROUP Sue Derrick 07886 459225

FRIENDS OF ALL SAINTS CHURCH

Carol Juffs 381393

GARDEN CLUB Margaret Whalley 740892

HOUGHTON PIONEERS Liz Thompson 07810 298069

INDOOR BOWLS TBA

VILLAGE HALL BOOKINGS Christine Dean 741182

WOMENS' INSTITUTE Shirley Johnson 740265

YOGA Jules Buchanan 07584 034708

AIRPORT (London Luton) 01582 405100

BEDFORD HOSPITAL 01234 355122


BUSES (Grant Palmer) 01525 719719

CHURCHES

C of E - Revd. Stephen Toze 01234 740423

Methodist - Rev. Silas Wood 01525 571392

D.H.S.S. - (Bedford) 01234 365155

SCHOOLS

Lower School - Houghton Conquest 01234 740202

Middle - Stewartby 01234 768224

Senior - Wootton 01234 767123

Holywell School - Cranfield 01234 750381

LIBRARIES Bedford 01234 718178

Ampthill 0300 300 8053

Flitwick 0300 300 8057

ELECTRICITY (UK Power Networks) General Enquiries

0800 029 4285

ELECTRICITY (UK Power Networks) Power Cuts

0800 316 3105 or just 105

ANGLIAN WATER 08457 145145

HIGHWAYS Dept. (Helpline) 0300 300 8049

Forest of Marston Vale 01234 767037

Central Beds Council 0300 300 8000

POLICE (Emergency only!) 999


County H.Q. 01234 841212

Ampthill 101

Incidents needing non-urgent response

101

Reporting Anti-Social behaviour 101

Crimestoppers 0800 555 111

RAILWAY STATIONS

Travel Enquiries 0345 748 4950

Silverline 01923 207258

Bedford station 0345 748 4950

Flitwick station 0345 748 4950

DOCTORS

Ampthill - Houghton Close Surgery 01525 300898

- Oliver St Surgery 01525 631395

- Greensands Surgery 01525 631390

Kempston 01234 852222

REGISTRATION

Marriage & archives 01525 403430

Births & Deaths 0300 300 8089.


Should any of the above contacts be incorrect, changed or if additions are required please contact the Parish Clerk or email [email protected]. Amendments will be made in the next Issue.



Christmas photo created by freepik - www.freepik.com


Documents

HOUGHTON CONQUEST Village Newsletter...Newsletter is 21st January 2021 You may send copy c/o Clerk to the Parish Council: Gill Wiggs, 10 Parklands, Bedford MK41 9LZ or send it by email