Moretaine or Moreteyne?

After the holiday weekend, what next? There are are some fantastic activities and opportunities to just chill (or chillax as they say now) at the Forest Centre in Marston. We'll just say Marston because I cant be doing this afternoon with all the Moretaine/Moreteyne stuff. Marston please make up your mind... In this issue News from the Forest of Marston Vale - 30 May 2012 Wildlife Bioblitz! Noon Saturday 23 June until noon Sunday 24 June 2012 Join the Marston Vale Trust and the Bedfordshire Natural History Society for 24 hours of wildlife fun in the Millennium Country Park. Local experts will be recording everything that flies, jumps, swims, crawls, hops, slithers and scurries in this mass wildlife recording day. There will be a whole host of guided walks to get involved in. Evening moth trapping is strictly advance booking only. Saturday 1pm Dragonflies and damselflies 2.30pm Bumblebees 2.30pm Butterflies 4pm Birds 9.30pm Moth trapping   Sunday 8am Bird ringing 10am Hoverflies All walks £2 per adult £1 per child For more information contact anna.charles@marstonvale.org  01234762614 Read more... Plants for sale at the Forest Centre We are very pleased to be working with Frewins of Sutton, who are supplying the Forest Centre with a wide range of plants for sale to our customers. These will include bedding plants and perennials such as Fuchsias, Hydrangeas, lavender and Geraniums; shrubs and small trees (willows, Azaleas and conifers), as well as climbers and palms. There will also be a range of mixed bowls and tubs and of course hanging baskets. Read more... Half term for kids - 'Wands in the willows' Friday 8 June A half term outdoor adventure in the Millennium Country Park, for children, 4-10 years. Join us for a walk to the willow huts to make a willow wand and enjoy a game of tree bingo on the way. There will be 3 sessions during the day: 10am, 11.30am and 1.30pm. If you would like to get involved, you'll need to book; and because places are, as ever, limited, don't delay in contacting us. Read more... Carthy and Swarbrick confirmed for Woodworks! We are genuinely thrilled to have two of English music’s living legends playing at this year’s festival on 1 & 2 September. For more than 40 years Martin Carthy has been one of folk music’s greatest innovators, one of its best loved, most enthusiastic and, at times, most quietly controversial of figures. Dave Swarbrick hardly needs any introduction to seasoned folkies and newcomers to this music alike. Read more... Forest 5k Have you ever thought the Country Park would look better if you were running alongside a horde of muscular types wearing shorts and singlets? If so you might consider entering the Forest 5k. Now well-established (this is its eighth year), the Ampthill & Flitwick Flyers have developed an event that is extremely attractive to serious club runners, looking for a sharpener for the county 5k championships, as well as the less serious but still committed. There’s also a fun run for kids. Read more... Reductions for rail travellers Rail travellers get 10% off the price of tea or coffee and a cake from the Forest Centre’s beautiful Lakeside Café, until 30 September! What more incentive could be needed to tempt you onto the wonderful Marston Vale Line? If you haven’t tried it, it’s definitely worth a go as the Line reveals views that aren’t usually seen and gets you to the Forest Centre from Bletchley or Bedford in superb, low-carbon style. Please note that this offer is not valid during Woodworks! - 1 & 2 September. Read more... 'The Swift Serve' opens Saturday 2 June Great news for anyone wanting a quick snack at the Forest Centre. On Saturday a new serving area opens in the Centre’s Lakeside Café, bringing you a short menu and even shorter waiting times. The Swift Serve will offer filled rolls, cakes, drinks and ice creams as well as coffee produced from the grooviest machine you’ll have seen for a long time – worth a visit just for that! So for anyone needing refuelling before another lap of the Park or swift refreshment before a meeting, be sure to visit the Swift Serve from Saturday. Click here to view this email in your browser Click here to stop receiving communications from The Forest of Marston Vale

Cranfield Express

The June edition with all the jube news is now being delivered around the village. Well done Peter Hinson for a tour de force, 24 pages bursting with local news views and information. 

Party in the park - weather forecast?

Last minute planning for Cranfield's massive Party in the Park. All getting very hectic.
We are all meteorologists now.

Ancient and modern

St Peter and St Paul's is holding a Special Songs of Praise on Sunday evening. Parishioners will sing some favourite hymns from around the UK and the Commonwealth to celebrate the Jubilee. Sounds like they'll have all the best tunes!

Sunday 3rd June, 18:00

Cranfield Parish Church

Songs of Praise from around the UK and the Commonwealth to celebrate the Queeen's Golden Jubilee.

Parish councillor makes fire

Parish councillor makes fire! I got into the spirit of Thriftvale Scouts (that includes beavers and cubs) open evening last night leaning how to use flint to make sparks and therefore fire. Talk about getting in touch with your paleolithic side?

However there is nothing stone age about the levels of organisation and commitment shown by the adult volunteers and leaders in the group and their open evening, awards ceremony and AGM was a fun-filled showpiece. If you want to get involved in helping to build the local branch of an organisation doing great work with young people email scout leader Phillip Stothart at pstothart@jarviscontracting.co.uk

Result - conversation

Is there a new spirit of activism, which many people thought had disappeared, in Cranfield? Cranfield apathy used to be mentioned with a sigh. Some recent developments suggest things might be (a)changin'. LOL

One good example of the change was the refurbishment and reopening of the village hall. After years crumbling it is now looking ready for the 21^st century. The Sounds Familiar event in the hall on 19 May brought two very popular local institutions together. I’m afraid I was glued to the European Cup Final but I know that the concert was a great send off for the building’s second century. Roll on 2111. 

Likewise two major events, the Party in the Park and Cranfest are due to kick off on Tuesday and July 7. 

Like the other co-organisers of PITP I have been taken aback at the support shown by local businesses. And it’s notable that long-term residents have started to ask if the village fete could be revived on the back of the momentum. Who knows?

And Cranfest is building up to be quite an event, so well done the Football Club for putting all the time and effort in. Fingers crossed for their weather forecast as well.

Last night  I attended the AGM  and open evening of Thriftvale Scouts (see above) where there has been a revival in adult involvement and leadership. The group operates across Cranfield and Marston and offer young people, boys and girls, all the opportunities for growth, association and fun learning that they dont get locked into a car or in front of a computer. The future looks much better. 

The last example to come to mind is the campaign to Save the Carps. This is a tough one given the large amount of money needed to assemble a strong business plan and buy it out. I’ve known Dick Peake a long time and if anyone can lead the Carpenter’s Arms to the promised land - and a well deserved pint -  it’s him. So, a considerable work in progress. 

But we all need to fight to save our public places and public houses are part of that.  When M and I go out for a drink we leave our smartphones at home and forsake the telly. The result, amazingly enough, is a conversation.  Good grief what would happen if we all started doing that? 

Cutting the grass

I have asked for grounds maintenance to be discussed in the environment committee next week (Wed 6th)  as we are entering the run in to  the award of a new contract next year. 

There are several factors that we need to consider. 

1. Length of contract - currently four year - can we do 2, extend the current contract by 1 or stick with 4?

2. Arising from  the Marston Vale PC liaison group, are there are other councils who might be reawarding next April and  with whom we could collaborate offering a larger contract, and also driving down costs as a result. 

3. Looking at the spec - including cutting the broad green hedge as part of the contract.

4. Measuring weekly and monthly outputs. I will be proposing that we request a  weekly record of work done and time spent. We receive a flow of anecdotal issues around grounds maintenance. We need to work  with In Trim to test out whether there are any underlying issues that need tackled. This information  is also vital in considering  the award of another contract. 

Waste collection

News from central beds about waste collection. Should we be worried? I don't think so as long as waste food is still collected weekly. Interesting they remark about 'when' the BEAR project will start up.




 Central Bedfordshire Council  PR 1057    22/05/2012    [For Immediate Release] 


 Waste collection changes in the north of Central Bedfordshire Residents in the north of Central Bedfordshire will have their recycling and green waste collected separately from Monday, 28 May, as part of plans to harmonise waste collections across the area. 


 Current 'split back' recycling vehicles that collect both recycling and green waste together in the same vehicle are being replaced with new vehicles that collect the waste separately. The wheeled bins and bags residents currently use for their collections will remain the same. 


The day of collection is not affected, but some vehicles may change route and, as a result, collection times may vary from those which residents are used to. 


 Cllr Budge Wells, Deputy Executive member for Sustainable Communities at Central Bedfordshire Council said: "The current 'split back' vehicles were due to be renewed by the collection contractor and we have taken this opportunity to start to harmonise collections across Central Bedfordshire. The new vehicles are more adaptable to seasonal changes in volumes of waste and will be fit for purpose when the new Bedfordshire Energy and Recycling (BEaR) Project for waste treatment solution commences. 


 "We would like to reassure residents that the quality of the current waste kerbside collection service will be maintained, however residents should be aware that separate vehicles will now be collecting their recycling and green waste and that the collection time, but not the day, may change." 


 Residents' bins and bags should still be placed out by 7am on the usual day of collection and taken back in as soon as possible after collection. For more information about waste and recycling please visit Central Bedfordshire Council's website: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/recycling

Diamond Jube plans

Party in the Park which is an independent production, as they say is still on schedule for June 5. Event organising requires a certain sort of obsessive behaviour combined with fatalistic devilmecare. As a former US defense secretary once said it's the unknown unknowns that floor you. The things you didn't know where there to be known. Well, we are not invading Iraq but PITP has still got plenty of imponderables. And we are excited.

Just to remind you Frank Menzies Hearn pipes us in, village treasures Sounds Familiar do their fab melodies, the Muckabouts strut their stuff,  big name tribute band Swede Dreamz rocks the village with virtual Abba, Gillian and Stephen Chilvers are giving us Titanic and Lloyd Webber hits. Vincent Craze comperes. Wow

Home farm dialogue

A very authoritative source tells me that Persimmon and Denison are once again in dialogue to resolve their dispute about  land on Home farm. But the key question is whether Central Beds Council are in dialogue with Persimmon about their unlawful occupation of a house on the site without fulfilling their planning obligations (i.e. securing access to Court Road) . We have a stakeholder meeting on 11 june. Hopefully everything will have been regularised by then. Though breath will remain unheld. 

It doesn't get better than this

The totally dependable Doug Parish our cemetery superintendant is away on holiday. Well deserved.
So I'm doing my share of locking up and opening up while he is away. Strangely peaceful in this beautiful spring weather at 8 pm. Its a low key but worthwhile bit of PC work

Cranfest

Pushing the  Cranfest message




CRANFEST 2012 is being held at Cranfield United FC on 7th July


Featuring live bands, music dance events and stalls youd be


mad to miss it.




Check out the CRANFEST 2012 facebook group for more 


details as they are released. 








Tickets available verrrrrrry sooooooooooon.

Warm weather for outdoor events

We are into the watching the weather season with BBQs, fundraisers, school fetes and Party in the Park all hoping for a dry patch.

First up is Cranfield churches'  annual Pentecost celebration service to be held on the Green in Court Road this Sunday 27 May at 10.30 as it has been for the last 5 years.  If it is wet it will move to the Parish church.  Fingers crossed that the good weather that has been developing continues.






At present Sunday is predicted to be warm and sunny. Yay

Party in the Park

 CRANFIELD’S PARTY IN THE PARK

 Tuesday 5th June, 5pm - 10pm, Recreation Ground, High Street 

Bring a picnic (alcohol is permitted) 

“Queen and Duke” competition (under 5’s, 5-10’s, 11+) 

Finishing with a spectacular aerial firework display by Alchemy Fireworks! 

Live Music: “Swede Dreamz” – as seen on BBC’s The One Show 

Plus: Piper from the Royal British Legion, 

Sounds Familiar Community Choir, 

Vincent Craze aka The Crazy Frog and The Muckabouts. 

Cosponsors: Cranfield Parish Council, J R Trolleys, RGR Garages, Alchemy Fireworks, Cranfield Social Club, Global Robots, One Clean, Cathedral Financial Planning, Jonathan Vowles Chartered Accountants, JB-AV, Impact Productions, Café Pacific, Bespoke Group, Caltec Ltd, Cranes, Angela Jane’s Farmhouse Kitchen, The Swan Cranfield, A K Aviation, Wharley End Garage, The Carpenters Arms Cranfield, Cranfield University Press, Storacar, My Little Design Company, Daniels, Fils Hair-Stop, Palmers Solicitors, Shiner Plant Hire Ltd, Budgens, Stonbury, Cranfield Express, Cranfield University, Cranfield Conference Centre, D & G Ayre Electrical Ltd, two-d studios, N F Caravans Ltd, Lock Stock Storage Ltd, Denton Drapes, L E Barnes & Sons Ltd, The Paper Shop Cranfield, Ellis Caravan Services, Cranfield Student Association, Cranfield Haulage Ltd, JEM Bookkeeping Ltd, MK Forty Ltd, Evans & Son, Marshalls Hardware, Autumn Blossom Florist, Butterflies Bespoke Cupcakes, Cranfield Fish & Chips, Cranfield Cattery, Resolution Homes, Ergospan, Your Vintage Life, Newlands Farm, D. R. Allen Pharmacy, Grafton Motor Cycles, Cacklestreet Entertainment, The co-operative Cranfield 

Jubilee A4 Poster.indd 1 21/05/2012 14:24 

Flag time

Diamond Jubilee Flag ordered for village flagpole. To-do list shortens by one. 

1,248 things left to do now :-)


What to  do afterwards with this one off flag? How about mounting it and surrounding it with photos of local jubilee activities in  the village hall? 

Could go up with the golden jube flag.

Beware pot holes

A report back from Marston Parish Council colleague about my concern regarding pot holes near Millbrook level crossing:

Spoke with Central Beds. yesterday re potholes - some work has been carried out today, some potholes filled and others within yards have been left.   What was the point of that.    Central Beds. have told me that they have no money - so they haven't got a pot full of money.     They will have to come out again to repair the rest, makes no sense. 

 

Fostering Bedfordshire

Giving a child or young person whose family life has been difficult or non-existent a home, is one of the most difficult - and rewarding - things you can do. Don't rule it out don't rule it in. Just check out the appeal below from Central Beds

We desperately need new foster carers in Bedfordshire. Do you have room in your home...and heart for one more?
Watch our YouTube video – ‘Fostering in Bedfordshire an insight’, to hear from fosters carers and people who have been fostered. They share their experiences of fostering and talk about the difference it has made to their lives. 
A shortage of foster carers means that some children have to live too far from family and friends, change school and are separated from their brothers and sisters. Having more foster carers would mean more children could live with the right foster carer, first time, and not have to move several times.


Become a foster carer
If you would like to become a foster carer for Bedfordshire or find out more then visit our website or call us on 0300 300 8181 or 0300 300 8083 and we will contact you to discuss fostering. 
Thanks

Central Beds Broadband

Central Bedfordshire Council’s superfast broadband plan has been given the green light from the Government.


CBC says this will mean 'massive' investment in improved broadband infrastructure to improve connectivity and services for residents and support business productivity and growth.
Central Bedfordshire’s Local Broadband Plan will be partially funded by £620,000 from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Broadband Delivery UK team, with over £1.2 million being invested by the Council and Central Bedfordshire Together (the Local Strategic Partnership) to improve broadband services.


Under the plan a minimum of 90% of all premises would have access to superfast broadband. You can find out more about superfast broadband on the CBC  website.




Wouldn't you like to know if you are in  the 10 per cent?

What time is it?

Spent a fascinating, if dusty hour in the clock tower at the church with Andrew Hicks (pictured) from engineers Smith of Derby and Don Allan, Gerry O'Mara, Roger Baker and Roger's granddaughter. Andrew explained the process for both adjusting the time and varying the momentum of the clock to deal with slow/fast running. Great session and the clock now tells the correct time. 

Loop? What loop?

Still trying to find out why Cranfield Parish council and parishioners were totally ignored when a new bus service and new operator Grant Palmer were abruptly introduced last month. None of our Central Beds councillors knew anything about it or why we were not consulted. I have asked them to make enquiries and will report back. 


A Milton Keynes transport officer Pcllr Alan Morris and I worked with emailed the following when Alan raised the issue with him:


As Central Bedfordshire Council took over the lead for the work in
October 2011,  my understanding was that Paul Dodge
had liaised with Cranfield University and the Parish Council regarding
the changes to services. I am certainly aware that he has had a number
of meetings with the University and changes were made to the service as
a result.

I would suggest liaising with Paul Dodge at
Central Bedfordshire Council regarding some of the details.   





We will (liaise) but Mr Dodge had no meetings with us so far. Which part of the loop are we not in? 

Budgens' pond

A sore point for some these days. 


A resident has approached the chair of the Parish Council  suggesting that Budgens' pond is cleaned in time for the Jubilee.  The  Council will contact Budgens to express concerns that the pond is neglected, and to ask that the manager contact Budgens head office to ask for immediate action to be taken to clean the pond. 




There was a report at last night's Parish Council meeting of some improvement but we will still be asking Budgens to do something.

Ear drum perforating

Parish Council last night. Under Central Bedfordshire Councillors' reports,  I brought up the deafening - ear drum perforating - silence from Central Bedfordshire Council about Persimmon's unlawful occupation of the Home Farm site. I think it is about time CBC explained why they have not taken action (six weeks on). Neither of the two Central Beds councillors present were able to offer any information. I am urging them, in their capacity, as elected reps to find out and share that with their electors.


The minutes of the last Home Farm stakeholder meeting (2.4.12) state:

Dwelling at entrance has been completed, show home is near completion. Site is currently standing still. 1^st Occupation on site has happened today, 2/04/2012, Persimmon are using this forum to verbally notify Central Bedfordshire Council.

And the minutes of the last Parish Council meeting (2.5.12) record: 

(CBC planning officer) goes on to say that due to the current situation with Home Farm, CBC is currently following legal advice and therefore it is not appropriate to meet to discuss the matter at this time but once matters have moved forward CBC may be in a position to discuss this further.

I think we are entitled to know what that legal advice is, and how Persimmon have responded to CBC. But if CBC acquiesces in this how long before Persimmon claims they have some de facto right to start building again?  That there is some kind  of recognition that they are there? In addition...we are under a requirement to make a start on the community building six months after the first occupation. Where are we if that has not happened - have we lost a  key piece of infrastructure? 

 

Cranfield police report

Latest police report on Cranfield

Since the last meeting on 18/04/12 there have been 5 recorded crimes.

1.       Theft from motor vehicle on 10/05/12 Partridge Piece between 1130 – 1135. Vehicle was left unlocked and insecure. Whilst the delivery driver was at the rear of the vehicle, 2 phones were taken from the front seat.

2.       Burglary between 10pm 10/05/12 – 5:50am 11/05/12 at Budgens store. Offender has tried to force open the side fire door using a crow bar  type implement.

3.       Criminal damage to property between 9pm 11/05/12 – 7am 12/05/12 on Springfield Way. 6 wooden perimeter fence posts and chain link fencing was pulled/kicked from the ground and thrown across the garden.

4.       Other miscellaneous theft between 5pm 12/05/12 – 8am 13/05/12 at a farm on Astwood Road. Chains have been cut from all 3 gates at location and a caravan towed away.

5.       Criminal damage to other property at 1245am 12/05/12 on Red Lion Close. Damage to 2 fence panels.

NOTE During the evening of 12/05/12 there were several incidents called in between midnight and 1:30am involving suspicious activity at Holywell Middle School, youths placing road signs, cones and  a porta loo in the middle of the road. Possibly down to the youths congregating for the circus.

In addition to the above there have been 3 Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) incidents recorded in the last 28 days.

1.       Animal Problems. The dog owner was located and there were no further issues.

2.       Malicious communications.

3.        Animal problems whereby IP was bitten by a dog. Appointment was made for a Police Officer to deal.

Write to Cranfield Parish Council

The new postal address for Cranfield Parish Council is:


Cranfield Parish Council
Oliver's Field
Whaddon Road
Mursley
Buckinghamshire
MK43 6QE


Tel and email remains the same


Visit  http://cranfield.bedsparishes.gov.uk/

Keeping the Carps in Cranfield

The Carps is going hammer and tongs despite the threat of closure. But...Great news! To assist the Carps Campaigners in the purchase of the Carps, Charles Wells is renewing the tenancy to keep the pub open while they raise the funding.


So, it really IS business as usual. 


Here is the programme over the next few days:

Business as usual @the Carps

During May and June the Carps is delighted to welcome:
On Saturday 26th May – LIVE MUSIC
with the Fruit Flies and friends

On Wednesday 28th May – MORRIS MEN & DANCING
REDBORNSTOKE & OLD MOTHER RED CAP from 8pm

Diamond Jubilee Weekend
(Friday 1st – Tuesday 5th June)
4 COUNTIES + TOWIE BEER FESTIVAL
Selection of OVER 15 Ales from LocAle Brewers from
Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire & Hertfordshire
+ Also showcasing Tippler’s Ales, a new microbrewer from Essex
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT & TRADITIONAL PUB FOOD ACROSS THE WEEKEND.

You can try the New Bar Nibbler Menu
Pie & A Pint or a Platter of Spanish Meats with bread & olives
or a Miniature Ploughman’s choose from Cheddar/Brie/Stilton or fresh baked Baguettes.

And of course, don’t forget the Traditional Sunday Lunch!

The Cranfield Recreation Ground Jubilee Committee wishes the Carps Campaigners all the best. Hopefully there will be some good business alongside the massive Party in the Park planned for 5 June (5 - 10 pm)

Flooding

Central Beds emails to say:

Given the amount of rain recently, it's not surprising that we have had a lot of customer enquiries about flooding. 

Who can help?

We can help with flooding on highways, road gullies or gratings. Water companies can help with water sewers and The Environment Agency can help when a river floods. More detailed information, with contact telephone numbers and links to water companies is available on our website.

That's all fair enough but am I the only one to think, why do we have three separate organisations all involved with flooding? Or two if you are in Cranfield where we are not burdened with rivers.

Amey

We seem to have entertained Amey unscathed after their return to Crane Way last week. However if you have a different opinion let me know. broadgreen68@btinternet.com 01234 757689