Maundy Thursday drama

A wonderful Easter Day to everyone who comes by Trouble in Cranfield. At least there has been some sunshine.

I attended the Maundy Thursday  service and supper at the Methodist Church on Thursday evening. This was a day in the calendar which caused me a lot of trouble in my early years as I couldn't make out what "Monday Thursday" was all about. Let alone the Queen giving out the "Monday Money". According to the online Free dictionary it comes from Old French mandé something commanded, from Latin mandatum commandment, from the words of Christ: Mandātum novum dō vōbīs A new commandment give I unto you. I.e to wash the feet of others.

The new Pope Francis washed the feet of young offenders and seems to have scared the traditionalist horses by including  women in this ritual. Trouble in Cranfield gives him the thumbs up on this one. The jury is always out on new popes, sometimes for a while, but it's a good sign. Check it out at BBC News

At the Methodist Church there was an unusual and engaging dramatisation of the trial of Christ and the role that Pontius Pilate played in it. Cranfield Baptist Church's David Foster played a troubled Pilate, struggling to do the right thing while Methodist Minister Caroline Weaver was his in-the-know adviser describing his rapidly narrowing options. There were some smiles and chuckles but it is of course an intensely moral tale. The script has, I believe, been adapted from Yes Minister. It was an imaginative excursion into drama and I think David deserves some sort of acting recognition. Get your nominations in soon.

Arise you starlings from your slumbers

Check news reports pf the RSPB garden bird survey. Sparrows and starlings are in trouble it says. Read RSPB Birdwatch

The birds have been studiously avoiding my bird table and fat ball container all winter - despite refreshing it from time to time. Things are slightly better in the summer but then the wood pigeons dominate. Like great military transports they flop down on the table roof and on the table itself hoovering everything up. 

Then I bought a half coconut shell filled with fat and seeds. Every starling from the Vale must have assembled and there was dense frenzied black ball of feathered greed as they emptied it in 10 minutes. Never again. We get passing tits and chaffinches but no abundance. The cat installation last year probably hasn't helped. I hope the birds are all right but I'm never going to worry about starlings

In your diary

Remember the fab Party in the Park last June? Here it is again with plenty of Swede Dreamz but no Queen! LOL. Get it in your diary now and check facebook

Egging them on

Puff of the week - The Coop. Click here for 
Great Easter Deals 

Told off!!!!

BABUS, the Bedford Area Bus Users’ Society has written to the PC to point out ‘the filthy state and apparent lack of maintenance of the bus shelter situated in the middle of the road at College Green (also known as The Triangle)’. We are writing to the University to progress the matter of refurbishment which has been the discussed at previous university liaison meetings. Obviously time to move on from discussion. 

For more info on BABUS visit http://www.babus.org.uk/

Cranfield Easter weekend church services

EASTER WEEKEND CHURCH SERVICES

 

ST PETER AND ST PAUL CHURCH OF ENGLAND

 

METHODIST CHURCH

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday, we will be holding the usual Ecumenical Communion Service and Supper. The service will start at 6.30pm and will be followed by a Ploughman’s Supper.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday breakfast 8.30am

Join us for a cooked breakfast before the Easter day service at 10.30am  

Lists to sign up in the lobby

BAPTIST CHURCH

Contact Steve Lloyd on 01234 751495

Hartwell Almshouses

CBC's Development Management committee has turned down The Hartwell Almshouses planning application by 9 votes to 5. It's depressing and raises the prospects that this historic building will decline, unused and unusable, eventually. There has been criticism of an over zealous approach taken by the conservation officer who recommended refusal but ultimately it was the elected members who took the decision to agree with her. Do officers rule in CBC? (See Flitt Leys decisions)

Anyone seen Captain Oates?

Right, looks like Easter - and April - is going to be a challenge with Scott of the Antarctic type conditions and the penguins running line dancing courses. Pasted in below is a straight lift from the CBC what's on section and there are some interesting prospects, with or without children. The Marston Forest Centre's "Nordic Walks" seem to be in the spirit of the current north easterly airflow. 

I also had a chuckle at the Bedford Uni Spaghetti western film festival and conference which states: "An international conference running all day on Fri 12 will give delegates the opportunity to learn about & discuss transculturation and liminality within ‘Spaghetti Westerns’ " 

 

It will, will it?

 

Enjoy everyone. And try to forget about Captain Oates. He's not worth it. 

 1 - Easter Egghead Hunt

Date: 23rd, 24th, 29th, 30th, 31st March and 1st April 2013
Time: 10:30am - 4:30pm Join us on our egg trail 
Join us for an exciting egg hunt with our sponsors Cadburys. Complete our trail exploring the Downs and win a yummy Cadburys chocolate egg!
On Easter Monday, join in our free Egg and Spoon races every half hour from 11am till 3pm. There will be lots of family Easter fun happening too, all in the glorious surroundings of Dunstable Downs.
Booking advisable.  Normal admission charges apply.
Download a poster for more information (PDF 139KB)
Venue: Dunstable Downs, Chilterns Gateway Centre, Whipsnade Road, Dunstable, Beds LU6 2GY
Tickets: All Tickets £2 (for trail and chocolate prize)
Contact: Chilterns Gateway Centre Shop
Telephone: 01582 500925
Email: dunstabledowns@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: Chilterns Gateway

2 to 14 - Easter Fun

Date: Tuesday 2 April – Sunday 14 April 2013
Time: Various times throughout the week. Drop in. Come along to see what Stockwood Discovery Centre has in store for your family this Easter holiday:
• Facepainting
• Trail packs
• Bouncy Castle
• Rides
• Children’s craft activities
Venue: Stockwood Discovery Centre, London Road, Luton, LU1 4LX
Admission: Prices vary according to the activity
Enquires: 01582 548600
Website: Stockwood Discovery Centre

2,9,16,23,30 - Nordic Walking

Date: Tuesdays 2,9,16,23,30 April 2013
Time: 9:30am - 10:30am Nordic Walking burns more calories than normal walking and uses all the major muscle groups in the body. Once the technique is perfected it feels easier than conventional walking.
Participants join 6 x 1 hour sessions to learn the various techniques. A session or two can be missed and can be picked up quite easily.
Wear clothing and footwear suitable for the ground and weather conditions.
Cost: for 6 sessions £20 if paid in advance (£16 for friends of the Forest Centre) or £6 per session (£5 for friends)  Advance booking essential - contact Dennis Simpson on 07508827279 or
email fortytwa@virginmedia.com
Venue: The Forest Centre, Marston Vale Millennium Country Park, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford.
MK43 0PR
Phone: 01234 767037
Fax: 01234 76260
Email: info@marstonvale.org 
Website: The Forest of Marston Vale  

3,10,17,24 - Health Walks

Date:Wednesday's in April 2013
Time: 10:30am Free, no need to book. Most walks start at Reception but some elsewhere – see notice board or ring 01234 767037 to confirm.
Venue: The Forest Centre, Marston Vale Millennium Country Park, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford.
MK43 0PR
Phone: 01234 767037
Fax: 01234 76260

4 - Blows Downs Nature Reserve open event

Date: Thursday 4 April 2013
Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm Come and celebrate with us at the re-opening of the paddocks at Blows Downs. Everyone Welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult
Event: Community and Family Event
Booking: Not required
Location: The Paddocks Blows Downs Nature Reserve, LU5 4AE
Price: Free. Donations gratefully accepted
Wheelchair Access: No
Mobility: Uneven steep slopes in areas
Contact: Ruth Sneath 01525 874317 ruth.sneath@wildlifebcn.org
Website: The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire

4 - Fun, Facts and Craft

Hop to it - Find out about Frogs
Date: Thursday 4 April 2013
Time: 4 sessions for 25 children each: 10:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, 2:00pm. Get busy finding out about frogs with some frog-themed fun and games.      
Cost: £2.50 per child. All children must be accompanied by an adult
Venue: The Forest Centre, Marston Vale Millennium Country Park, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford.
MK43 0PR
To book ring: 01234 767037
Fax: 01234 76260

4 - Learning Lunchtime

Researching Army Ancestry with Nigel Lutt
Date: Thursday 4 April 2013
Time: 11:00am Come and listen to a different angle on researching family history.  
Cost: The talk is free and you can just turn up to the Forest Centre for 11am
Venue: The Forest Centre, Marston Vale Millennium Country Park, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford.
MK43 0PR

5 - Tea Dances at Kempston

Date:  Fridays - 5th, 19th April / 3rd May  
Time: 2:00pm - 4:15pm Tea Dances are held every two weeks and feature Ballroom, Latin, Sequence and Olde Tyme dancing.
Venue: Kempston Hammers Sports and Social Club, 134 High St, Kempston
Admission:  £2.50 which includes tea, biscuits and a free raffle
Contact: Maurice on 01462 628656

7 - Sunday stroll - a gentle Sunday walk

Date: Sunday 7 April 2013
Time: 10:30am - Walks last approximately 2 hours. Come and join us in the Country Park for a gentle walk to hear how the Park was set up and a little about the surrounding area.  The walk will keep to hard surfaced tracks in the Park which are mostly level but have short sections of gradient up to 1:9.

Cost: £1, payable on the day - no need to book.
Venue: Meet at the Forest Centre Reception, Marston Vale Millennium Country Park, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford.MK43 0PR
Why not finish the morning off with lunch in our Forest Centre Restaurant? Call 01234 767037 for details.
Further information and updates contact the Forest of Marston Vale

7,14,21,28 - Nordic Walking

Date: Sundays 7,14,21,28 April 2013
Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm Nordic Walking burns more calories than normal walking and uses all the major muscle groups in the body. Once the technique is perfected it feels easier than conventional walking.
Participants join 6 x 1 hour sessions to learn the various techniques. A session or two can be missed and can be picked up quite easily.
Wear clothing and footwear suitable for the ground and weather conditions.
Cost: for 6 sessions £20 if paid in advance (£16 for friends of the Forest Centre) or £6 per session (£5 for friends)  Advance booking essential - contact Dennis Simpson on 07508827279 or
email fortytwa@virginmedia.com
Venue: The Forest Centre, Marston Vale Millennium Country Park, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford.
MK43 0PR
Phone: 01234 767037
Fax: 01234 76260
Email: info@marstonvale.org 
Website: The Forest of Marston Vale  

7 - HULA Animal Rescue, Easter Eggstravaganza

Date: Sunday 7 April 2013
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm - Easter Egg Hunt
- Easter Bonnet Competition (prize for 1st adult and 1st child)
- Meet the rescued pets and farm animals
- Charity Bazaar and Book Store
- Children's fun and games
- Meet rescued pets and farm animals
- Refreshments
Download an event poster (PDF 558KB)
Entry: adults £2 accompanied children free 
Venue: Glebe Farm, Salford Road, Aspley Guise MK17 8HZ Between M1 Junction 13 and Woburn Sands (Nr. Aspley Guise Rail Station)
Enquiries: (01908) 584000
Website: HULA Animal Rescue
Email: hularescue@tiscali.co.uk
Download the HULA Animal Rescue - Calendar of events for 2013 (PDF 71KB)
All Proceeds from this events goes to the Care and Welfare of HULA's Rescued Animals
Rgd. Charity 1094115

9 - Artist Salon: Touring your show DIY Style

Date: Tuesday 9th April, 2013 
Time: 2:00pm 6:00pm  Presented by The Hat Factory and Arts Council England
Here at the Artist Salon we provide some of the groovy industry tips that you may need to help you take that first step to making a creative piece of work in the performing arts sector as an emerging or mid career artist/company, producer or creative practitioner.
Ever fancy taking your theatre, circus, dance, spoken word production on the road? How do you go about doing this? What budget do you need to make this happen? How do you go about recruiting the right creative team? This event give you an A to Z guide on how to make it happen on a shoe string budget.
Run Time: 240 minutes Box office: 01582 878100
Venue: The Hat Factory, 65 - 67 Bute Street, Luton LU1 2EY 
Tickets: £5 workshop, £10 workshop and My Robot Heart evening performance ticket 
Telephone: 01582 878100
Website: The Hat Factory 

9 - My Robot Heart

Date: Tuesday 9 April, 2013
Time: 7:30pm Molly Naylor & The Middle Ones present
My Robot Heart
Warm, poignant storytelling entwined with live folk music. Molly Naylor (BBC Radio 4) tells the story of a family in which three generations encounter love and fear. ‘Brave, funny, tough and beautiful writing’ - The Guardian.
Ages 14+ Run time 65 minutes
Venue: The Hat Factory, 65 - 67 Bute Street, Luton LU1 2EY 
Tickets: £10 / £8 concessions /  £5 NUS / £3 under 18s
Telephone: 01582 878100
Website: The Hat Factory 

11 - Fun, Facts and Craft

Bluebell wood
Date: Thursday 11 April 2013
Time: 4 sessions for 25 children each: 10:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, 2:00pm. Design your own spring woodland and make a bluebell. Find out where you can enjoy bluebell woods in the Marston Vale.      
Cost: £2.50 per child. All children must be accompanied by an adult
Venue: The Forest Centre, Marston Vale Millennium Country Park, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford.
MK43 0PR
To book ring: 01234 767037
Fax: 01234 76260

11,12,13 - Spaghetti Cinema Film Festival and Conference

Date: Thursday 11 – Saturday 13 April, 2013
Time:  various times The University of Bedfordshire film festival will screen an array of ‘Spaghetti Westerns’. An international conference running all day on Fri 12 will give delegates the opportunity to learn about & discuss transculturation and liminality within ‘Spaghetti Westerns’.
See Luton Culture for more information.
Conference delegate pass (every event): £15
Festival pass (every film plus 2 talks): £10
Individual film ticket: £4 / £2 concs
Frayling and van Husen sessions only: £4
Venue: Luton Library Theatre, Luton Central Library, St George’s Square, Luton LU1 2NG 
Telephone: 01582 547474
Website: Luton Library Theatre

13 - Hugo (pg)

Date: Saturday 13 April 2013
Time: Doors open 2:30pm Ivel Flix presents HUGO
The astonishing adventure of an orphaned boy, sent to live with his drunken uncle, where he learns how to wind the station clocks. When he disappears, Hugo maintains the clocks on his own, becoming a squatter in the station. His aptitude for engineering leads him to steal pieces to rebuild a mechanical man, his father’s project. Avoiding the station's lone police officer and the orphanage, Hugo strikes up a friendship with Isabelle, who unknowingly possesses the last item Hugo needs to make his father’s mechanical man work again.
Download a poster for more information (PDF 254KB)
Venue: Space For Sport and Arts, Holmemead School, Mead End, Biggleswade
Tickets: £3.50
Website: ivelflix.org.uk

14 - Conservation Task - Weaving the willow sculptures and work in the Sensory Garden

Date: Sunday 14 April 2013
Time: 10:00am Join our volunteer team to do something for the environment, get some exercise and have fun. We carry out a variety of practical projects throughout the Vale. Wear old clothes and bring lunch if you want to stay all day. We provide tea and biscuits.
Meet at the Forest Centre (Marston Vale Millennium Country Park, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford. MK43 0PR) - finishes about 4.15pm. Places on this task are limited so please let us know if you wish to attend.
For further details contact stephen.gascoyne@marstonvale.org or 01234 762614.
Further information and updates contact the Forest of Marston Vale

16,23,29 - Creation Station

Date: Every Tuesday during Term Time
Time: 10:45am - 11:30am A series of weekly events for pre-school children, giving them the chance to experiment with a range of materials, tools and ideas. Sessions, suitable for ages 15 months to 5 years, are designed to develop a child’s thinking and creativity.  In each 50 minute class children will be encouraged to explore new ideas and learn about texture, shape and colour in a structured session incorporating music and a “Show and Tell” at the end.  Great fun for the kids and no clearing up for the adults!
Cost: £5 per child (reduction for siblings).
Venue: The Forest Centre, Marston Vale Millennium Country Park, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford.
MK43 0PR
To book: email louiseplatt@thecreationstation.co.uk or call 0844 854 9178.
Full details of the events can be found on the Creation Station.
Look out for a full programme of Creation Station events starting at the Forest Centre in January.

16 - The Playground:(scratch n pitch)

Date: Tuesday 16 April, Tuesday 7 May, Tuesday 4 June 2013
Time: 7:30pm The Playground is a night where creative artists from the world of theatre, dance, music, digital installation, live art and spoken word performances test out their creative ideas in front of an audience. If you are interested in giving your creative ideas a try then send us an email: oluwatoyin.odunsi@lutonculture.com
Ages 14+  Run time 90 minutes
Venue: The Hat Factory, 65 - 67 Bute Street, Luton LU1 2EY 
Tickets: £3 per person
Telephone: 01582 878100
Website: The Hat Factory 

18 - Hedgerow craft - its unique role in our landscape

Date: Thursday 18th April 2013
Time: 8:00pm How and why did hedgerows come about?
What is their role in the landscape?
Are there regional variations in hedgerows?
And how are things changing over time? To find out, please come along to a special illustrated talk, Hedgerows and their management, to be given by expert Paul Blissett. 
Some fascinating and distinctive items, including traditional hedgelaying tools and associated protective clothing, will be on display, and members of the audience can also ask questions.
Paul has combined a 20-year career in IT with 25 years’ hedgelaying and 10 years’ yoga teaching. His guiding principle is "find something you enjoy and you'll never work another day in your life". Find out more at http://www.hedgelayer.freeserve.co.uk/
Venue: St Mary's Parish Church crypt, Park Street, Woburn MK17 9PG
Tickets: The talk is open to everyone, free to CPRE Bedfordshire members, and £2.50 for non-members.
This will be a popular event, so please book ahead if you can by email ann.cw@cprebeds.org.uk or telephone 01234 353331. You are also welcome to turn up on the day. 
Website: CPRE Beds

18 - Learning Lunchtime

Archives for Local History: the Bedfordshire Sources with Nigel Lutt
Date: Thursday 18 April 2013
Time: 11:00am Learn something new about the area you live in.
Cost: The talk is free and you can just turn up to the Forest Centre for 11am
Venue: The Forest Centre, Marston Vale Millennium Country Park, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford.
MK43 0PR

18,19,20 - You Obviously Know What I’m Talking About

Date: Tuesday 18,19,20 April, 2013
Time: 7:30pm A magical theatrical experience about those days when, if anything can go wrong, it will. ‘It’s bright and colourful and big of heart, a kind of live action cartoon’ - The Stage. ‘Mesmerising. One of this year’s most delightfully charming productions ?????‘ - New Current
Ages 5+  Run time 60 minutes
Venue: The Hat Factory, 65 - 67 Bute Street, Luton LU1 2EY 
Tickets: £10 / £8 concessions /  £5 NUS / £3 under 18s
Telephone: 01582 878100
Website: The Hat Factory 

20 - NCT Nearly New Sale - Biggleswade

Date: Saturday 20th April 2013,
Time: 2:15pm - 3:30pm
(early entry at 2:00pm for NCT members, with a valid membership card) Biggleswade, Sandy & District Branch Spring Nearly New Sale.
Items for sale include: children's clothes from 0-8, toys, nursery equipment and buggies
Admission: £1 (in aid of NCT)
Venue: Stratton Upper School, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade
Email: nearlynewsale@biggleswade-nct.org.uk for more information see our Facebook Page (Biggleswade NCT)

21 - Wedding Fayre

Date: Sunday 21 April 2013
Time: 11:00am - 4:00pm Alongside the regular wedding staples - cars, cakes, wedding dresses and jewellery -  this time there will be a new ‘All About the Bride’ section – dedicated to all things bridal!  Hair, makeup, slimming advice – everything you need to make you feel like a million dollars on your big day.
Admission to the Forest Centre is free, however we recommended that you pre-register online, to skip queues on the day. Come and chat to experts and get inspiration; whether you are starting planning or looking for final touches, there is something for all brides-to-be!  While you are here, look at our wedding packages to see how we can help you incorporate the Forest into your big day.
For more information contact lifestyles@woocandoo.com or call 01234 767037
Venue: The Forest Centre, Marston Vale Millennium Country Park, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford.
MK43 0PR
Phone: 01234 767037
Fax: 01234 76260

25 - Learning Lunchtime

The History of Italian Cooking with Christine Fellini
Date: Thursday 25 April 2013
Time: 11:00am Christine runs an Italian cookery school and will talk you through the various twists and turns in its history with some great recipes.
Cost: The talk is free and you can just turn up to the Forest Centre for 11am
Venue: The Forest Centre, Marston Vale Millennium Country Park, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford.
MK43 0PR

25 - Single Act / Yellow Card

Date: Thursday 25 April, 2013
Time: 7:30pm Khamlane Halsackda presents
Single Act  / Yellow Card
In autobiographical solo Single Act, acclaimed contemporary dancer Halsackda revisits the first time he fell in love. Yellow Card is a duet looking at the contradiction that is the East Asian image. ‘a charming humour’ – Bournemouth Echo
Ages 14+
Run time 60 minutes
Venue: The Hat Factory, 65 - 67 Bute Street, Luton LU1 2EY 
Tickets: £10 / £8 concessions / £5 NUS / £3 under 18s
Telephone: 01582 878100
Website: The Hat Factory 

27 - Parkfield Middle School 50th birthday celebrations

Date: Sunday 27 April 2013
Time: 12:00noon - 4:30pm Open School  7:00pm - 11:30 pm Hog Roast and Memories Disco Please contact us if you have any memorabilia we can borrow or can offer us any help – Katie Perch 07817317241 katie.perch@sky.com
Download a poster of the day's events (PDF 24KB)
Venue: Parkfield Middle School,
Tickets: On sale in February
Website: For regular updates and information – www.facebook.com/parkfieldsis50

Is it all just wind?

Everywhere is having a wind turbine debate - here is a opinion from Leighton Buzzard thanks to the Leighton Buzzard Observer

Cranfield Express

I posted earlier today 'Stop the Presses'. Unfortunately the presses have stopped - or broken down - on Cranfield Express which will not be available for distribution this Thursday. Peter sends his profuse apologies and is working to get the paper available as early as possible next week. I'll post any updates

Against Cranfield Turbines

Contact details for Against Cranfield Turbines
By email against.cranfield.turbines@gmail.com
And find them on Facebook

Stop the presses

Bedford Times and Citizen's report on the Against Cranfield Turbines  meeting last week on wind turbines. Check out Times and Citizen

Wind energy and health

New material from ACT (Against Cranfield Turbines) is accessible 
at this link
European Platform Against Windfarms


Karen Diamond of ACT who sent it writes:

"The link is from a Canadian documentary ‘Wind Rush’ It’s about the effects of wind turbine noise on people’s health. What's interesting in the new documentary WIND RUSH is not the usual mantra about clean energy. What's interesting is that the health effects of windfarms are recognised by health professionals, and explained very clearly. So we made an abridged version grouping the parts that help understand why there is a health problem. It's an eye-opener for most people. It will be of interest to the people living in Cranfield."




There is a full report of the ACT public meeting last week in the forthcoming Cranfield Express - out on Thursday

The Big Lunch

The Big Lunch is asking if there will be a road closure charge for residents in Central Bedfordshire Council who want to hold a Big Lunch in the form of a street party. This will be on the 2nd June.


Last year the Big Lunch fell on the same weekend as the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations on Sunday 3rd June and The Big Jubilee Lunch was part of the main Diamond Jubilee programme of events announced by Buckingham Palace.
 
The Big Lunch has written to CBC saying: "I know that for last year’s Big Lunch the council paid for a countywide street closure to bear the cost and wondered if something similar could be done or if there will be any charge?" 

Highways have replied: Applicants should fill in this form which was used for the Queens Jubilee. If Parish or Town Councils are approached I suggest they give this application to people.  A blanket order will be made by CBC and all applicants need to contact me with their applications.

Gareth Hughes
Street Works Co-ordinator - Bedfordshire Highways
t: 08453656179 m: 07967201256 e:gareth.hughes@amey.co.uk
Woodlands Annexe I Manton Lane I Bedford I MK41 7NU

The form is available  by emailing Cranfield Parish Council or CBC


The Big Lunch is an idea from the Eden Project. The aim is to get as many people as possible across the whole of the UK to have lunch with their neighbours once a year in a simple act of community, friendship and fun.
Since starting in 2009, thousands of Big Lunches have taken place  across the UK. Last year  Our research shows that an astonishing eight and a half million people took part in events across the UK.
A Big Lunch can be anything from a few neighbours getting together in the garden or on the street, to a full blown street party with food, music and decoration that quite literally stops the traffic. Visit http://www.thebiglunch.com/index.php


  

Round the houses

Ooooooookay...FCC (trains not wind farms) finally got back regarding my query concerning the work on Flitwick station footbridge. It is WORSE than I thought. They confirmed the stuff we already knew about from the notice at the station.

Dear Mr Pollock
Thank you for your email of 27 February 2013 enquiring about the improvements to Flitwick station. Please find the below details of the improvement to the station
- Network Rail will be refurbishing and strengthening the pedestrian footbridge.
- The supports will be repaired and strengthened, new non-slip surfaces will be installed and new paint applied. It is expected this work will extend the life of the bridge by 25 years.

So far, so predictable and then. 

Work will then move on to the northbound platform, 4, to the side of the ticket office. While these stairs are closed, passengers will have to use the road bridge to reach the other platforms. 

I have written back:
Using the Road bridge?  and how do we access that? Walk all the way up the vehicle access and round?  How long will that last and what provision will you make to sell tickets on platforms 1, 2 and 3 to save people going all round the houses? 

I'm afraid the last query took them four weeks to respond so don't hold your breath, Platform Wunners

 

The full Monty

England draw twice in one day. In the cricket they snatch triumph from disaster then the footie descends from triumph to near disaster. Shall we treat these two imposters both the same? I hope not. BIG BIG cricket hero Monty Panesar born in Luton, Beds, the last man standing. Look him up

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Panesar

Doing less with less

One of the big problems about government finance is confusing it with a household budget.  If we've maxed out our credfit card(s) we cut out all unnecessary expenditure and start paying it back. But economies are not like that. Both political leaders and high level public servants pretend they can keep things going as normal - 'We'll do more with less', 'We'll protect front line services,' 'We'll work smarter'. There are great careers and the possibility of re-election if you state this. 

But of course the cracks start to show. 


Sir Merrick Cockell, the Conservative chairman of the Local Government Association, has stated that local authorities will have lost a third of their budget by 2015: "This is the calm before the storm. We do not know how big the storm will be or how long it will last." 

A survey of more than 80 England and Wales councils by The Guardian today found planning budgets are being hit, with 75% saying there would be cuts in the next 12 months, some of almost 50%. Richard Rogers and other leading architects have warned  that the cuts will undermine proposals to give local people more say over planning, instead placing it in the hands of property developers and their lawyers.

Other outcomes include:

• Almost half said they were planning to reduce spending on care services for adults, hitting those with learning difficulties or disabilities. 

• More than 50% said they would be cutting the money spent on children's services and a fifth said they would be closing – or transferring responsibility for – youth centres in their areas.

• Almost two-thirds plan to cut spending on culture and sports 

The honest assessment is we'll do less with less and in some cases a lot less with less. But there's no career in saying that. 



 

Central Beds pothole zapper

Potholes
Report them here
Central Beds pothole zapper
But if general observation is anything to go on we could crash the system by the time we are finished

The lazy month?

Have you been to the Flitwick gym this year? Maybe in January? Got a fright on the scales on January 4? So the good resolutions kick in and you go in search of your younger slimmer self.


Then March comes along. I got this press release this morning which sums it up. Of course its a puff for the no contract Simply Gym chain but there is some truth in it.

March Named The Official Lazy Month 

The nation falls into "Laziness Trap" as New Year resolutions run out of steam

March has been named the month in which gym users are most likely to break their exercise routine, according to figures obtained by a nationwide fitness chain.

Over a third of those who join a gym in the New Year rush are no longer exercising by the end of March, figures showed, with many slipping back into unhealthy habits. 

"We always notice a decline as March presses on so that by April, regular gym goers are significantly fewer," said Andy Tee, Director of simplygym.co.uk, "We see people hit the 10-12 week mark in March and if they haven't seen the results they want by this point they often drop off the radar. 

"Similarly, if people do achieve their desired results they see their efforts as successful and stop going, believing they have accomplished their fitness goals". 

"Just one half an hour session can help rejuvenate your body and keep you motivated through out the day"

In addition to this, the end of March also sees the clocks go forward so lighter nights and warmer days draw people away from the gym and into more social environments such as pub gardens.

According to figures, the number of people walking away from their gym contracts is double that of previous months. Of the people who sign up for gym membership over Christmas and the New Year, 50% leave in March.

Former gym members admitted that they had fallen back into old bad habits. A third said that they now take no exercise at all; while nearly half said they had also dumped healthy eating. 

Additionally, 20% said they were drinking as much alcohol as before, while 5% had resumed smoking, despite knowing the health risks.

Former gym user Jayne said: "It was fine for a couple of months after Christmas, but it just seemed too much like hard work. I know I'm putting the weight back on, but I've got other things to do with my time."

Andy says many people are unaware how much exercise an adult should take each day, and after a short burst of fitness at the beginning of the year they still leave themselves at risk of weight gain which is strongly associated with heart problems, diabetes and many other conditions.

"March is clearly the danger month for many gym-goers," he said.