£270 million for a rail link between Oxford and Bedford

The title above was an eyecatching detail in the chancellor's autumn statement. Parish Matters wont go into the macro economics of structural deficits and yields on government debt but anything that improves the Bletchley-Bedford Cinderella line extending it to Oxford has got to be good news for our local economy, cars off the road and just plain days out. After that they can put in the jigsaw piece between Bedford and cambridge

Village hall

I attended the AGM of the village hall management committee on Wednesday. Earlier reports that the house had been sold have been dashed due to the buyer withdrawing in the light of a survey. This is hugely disappointing as a sale at a decent price is needed to progress the project. We have now missed the centenary tear

Dr Reddy

With hundreds of others I crammed into the parish church for the funeral service of Dr 'Gina' Reddy on Friday. It was a moving and poignant occasion and the affection the village felt for her was clear. That affection was also felt by her, it was clear, from her wish to be buried in Cranfield cemetery. She died tragically early before the fruitful retirement which she richly deserved. Our thoughts are with Dominic and Anita.