Thanks Gerry

Gerry O'Mara reported on Thursday


Tis the season to be jolly!

I had a call today from Smiths who have arranged to install the new
spring and micro-switch on Monday at 10am.

I do not expect the clock to be spot on straight away as the weights
will need adjusting again but hopefully it will be a quick process
getting it right.

I will of course advise you when works have been completed.

Regards

Gerry

Parish Council 4 December

Parish council meeting next week - please note earlier start.

I HEREBY GIVE YOU NOTICE that meetings of the under-mentioned Committees of the above named Parish Council will be held at Holywell School, Red Lion Close, Cranfield, MK43 0JA.

Wednesday 4^th December 2013 at 7.00pm

All members of the Committees are hereby summoned to attend for the purpose of considering and recommending upon the business to be transacted at the meetings as set out hereunder.

……….………………………….. Clerk of the Council

BUSINESS TO BE DONE

In attendance: 

To receive apologies for absence:  CB/PCllrs:

To receive declarations for Members in relation to: (a) Personal Interest or (b)   Prejudicial Interest in any Agenda item.

1.     Planning Committee

1.1.  General Planning Matters

Reports - Correspondence - Agenda Items

2.     General Purposes Committee

2.1.  Waste Bin – Bin at the end of Flitt Leys, around to the Chemist /End of Lincroft (near Parklands Store)

2.2.  Polling District Review – consultation.  Deadline for comment 31^st December 13

2.3.  Dementia Friendly Community

2.4.  Salt Bag Scheme

2.5.  Electric Supply - street lighting

Reports - Correspondence - Agenda Items

3.     Finance & Grants Committee

3.1.  Council Tax Support Grant

3.2.  Budget

Reports - Correspondence - Agenda Items

4.     Burial Grounds

4.1.  Baby burial

4.2.  Church wall

4.3.  Church clock

4.4.  Water supply – Cemetery

Reports - Correspondence - Agenda Items

5.     Environment Committee

5.1.  War Memorial green

5.2.  Skate Park

5.3.  Tree inspection

5.4.  Broad Green Hedge

5.5.  Play area inspections – review of quotations

Reports - Correspondence - Agenda Items

You know who you are

Flyposting is a bit of nuisance in Cranfield, especially when the fly posters don't take their posters and banners down afterwards. The PC clerk has now written to a list of the usual suspects (you know who you are) who shall remain anonymous, for now, with the following request:


Cranfield Parish Council is currently undertaking work to improve the village pump/war memorial area of the village, and the railings in the area will be painted over the next month or so.

As you know, the posting of notices is allowed in the area, with the required permission and agreement to remove the posters in the required time scale. In order to continue this practice, can I respectfully ask that you ensure that permission is in place before posting notices; post them for a maximum of 7 days before the event, and take them down immediately after the event, or if this not possible, the following day.

Any posters displayed without permission will be removed immediately; and those posters which are displayed too early or removed after the permitted time may result in permission being denied in the future.

Your cooperation in this would be most appreciated.

Please accept my apologies if this email is not relevant to you; I will remove you from the mailing list if you reply ‘remove’.

Hole in the wall

Visited the hole in the wall at the uni recently? Well, it's just got a lot bigger after a JCB driver stuck his bucket in instead of a piece of plastic.  He (she maybe?)  got away with the full box and the ATM is now, not surprisingly 'out of order'. Pic by David Moyes

The BBC reported: The wall of a university bank has partially collapsed after ram-raiders smashed into it to steal a cash machine.

A digger was used to pull the device from the NatWest branch at Cranfield University in College Road at about 03:00 GMT, Bedfordshire Police said.

A spokeswoman said the offenders left the scene in a blue pick-up style vehicle and a silver car.

She added that it was not yet known how much money had been taken.

Investigating officer, Det Con Claire Case, said it was possible the offenders had been in the area to plan the theft.

"I would urge anyone who has seen anyone in the area acting suspiciously to contact officers immediately," she said

Hartwell Almshouses

Hartwell Almshouses, part of Cranfield's historical landscape, have now been sold. The money raised will be used to create new fit-for-purpose units which will allow the Hartwell charity to once again offer homes to elderly people in the village in need of accommodation. My photo-essay attempts to capture the unique character of this structure.

Salt your own

OK, here's another challenge to local neighbourliness (in addition to learning about the defibrillator - see below)

Central Beds Council will deliver either one tonne or 1.5 tonne bags of road de-icing salt, free of charge, to any town or parish council that requests one. The Council did this for just one month last year, but this year will supply one bag each month in December, January and February if required. 

Each town or parish council will take responsibility for the salt, which can be spread by local volunteers on minor roads and pavements that are not covered by CBC gritting routes. 

So where do you think needs keeping an eye on during the icy months?

Defibrillator is installed at Budgens

The defib is in, at Budgens. Big thanks go to the shop for hosting this and also to local business Jonathan Vowels for offering. It was very public spirited. 

The memorandum of understanding which the parish council has signed states:

“The device should be available to members of the public whether or not they have had defibrillator training. It is helpful to conduct community awareness familiarisation.

“It would be advantageous to have a number of adults in the village trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and basic life support and the use of semi auto/automatic defibrillators. 

“Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service training instructors and the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust offer a free awareness course.”

I am sure the Parish Council will be seeking to facilitate this training and hopefully there will be a good scattering of volunteers who will take it up.

Stopping Central Beds wriggling

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There could be some moves to tackle persistent parking issues in Flitt Leys Close. 

At last week’s Parish Council meeting the chair, Delise Ball, said residents had agreed on double yellows at the entrance to the Close, formalised parking bays in front of the hot food takeaways, providing more space and several “on-off” parking bays in the Close allowing for partial parking on the footpath.

It followed a meeting between residents and the executive member for highways Cllr Brian Spurr and highways officer David Bowie from Central Beds Council, set up by Delise.

In October residents shared their concerns with the PC and at the time there was no consensus on a solution. This allowed Central Beds plenty of wriggle room around doing nothing and blaming it all on the locals.

Delise has spoken to the agent for the Indian and the Chinese restaurants, who says they would agree to marked parking spaces outside their premises which would add one to two more spaces. 

Central Beds Cllr Sue Clarke had also urged the need for consensus from residents.  

This consensus has closed down the wriggling we hope.

It has suggested been that the Parish Council puts a sign on the wall by the Chinese takeaway saying “Do not park outside the garages”. This is now being considered (i.e quotes obtained for the cost). 

I think the residents and the PC owe a big "thank you" to Delise as she has spent many hours and done a lot of work around this thorny issue.  

We aren't there yet  but some progeress has been made.

Cranfield expert probes Toot's tomb mystery

Cranfield boffins were called in on a world famous cold case review. But cause of Tutankhamen's death is still unknown. Read the story in full in  Beds on Sunday

"one of the worst mummifications ever"

Modern day Egyptologist, Dr Chris Naunton, has researched why the young king's body was charred and he looked at the unanswered questions about his death. Seeking the help of Cranfield University’s Forensic Institute, they broadcast their findings on Channel 4 last Sunday .

“It’s one of the worst mummifications ever, it was botched,” says Dr Peter Zioupos, who works at the Institute.

Read more: http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/Features/A-kings-death-is-pieced-together-20131117090010.htm#ixzz2ktrA57tJ

Best suit - it wasn't pretty inside the sarcophagus

Cranfield Village Hall AGM

The  Annual General Meeting of Cranfield Village Hall is  on Saturday 30th November at 12 noon, after the coffee morning and 200 club draw. There are also vacancies for elected members. For more information email 
marjorie.cotton@btinternet.com
 

Getting ready for winter

The Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum (BLLRF) brings together police, fire, ambulance, local councils, health and government agencies, Bedfordshire businesses and risk and resilience consultants to plan for disasters and help businesses think about the unthinkable.

It was called civil defence in old money. Today their concern is not so much a thermonuclear exchange and a 10-megaton airburst over Cranfield airfield as weather conditions and resulting loss of power and food supplies. So that should get everyone's attention as the Arctic blasts gather.

See the following useful information and please spread it around...

Prepare for bad winter weather

and win a free Home Emergency Kit

What would you do if faced with natural disasters like a severe snowstorm or heavy rain? Or unnatural emergencies like a power cut or industrial accident? Helping you deal with major disasters locally is BLLRF (the Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum) made up of the emergency services, local councils, hospitals and health agencies and a whole host of local voluntary groups working together.

BLLRF co-ordinates everyone who tackle emergencies, planning for the unthinkable to ensure they are ready to react swiftly and effectively to protect you, your family and home.

Local community organisations like the Royal Voluntary Service, Midshires Search and Rescue, the 4X4 owners club and Raynet, amateur radio enthusiasts, also get involved through the Bedfordshire and Luton Emergency Volunteers Executive Committee (BLEVEC).  You could also volunteer. The Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and the local branch of the Federation of Small Businesses also help plan for emergencies and encourage local businesses to prepare for their own crisis like fire, theft or supply chain problems.  See our Prepare your Business page for further information.

BLLRF’s website – www.bllrf.org.uk– is packed with help and advice so you can prepare for being cut off in your home by bad weather, separated from your family by a major incident or left without power for an extended period. Visit now to find out what you can do to protect yourself before winter sets in.

WIN a Home Emergency Kit!

BLLRF is now giving you the chance to win a free Home Emergency Kit that contains some essential things you’ll need if there’s an emergency like a power cut or severe snowfall. To enter our FREE prize draw just follow @what_would on Twitter, like us on facebook.com/whatwouldyoudoif or enter using the website’s contact page on the website. Entry closes at midnight, 2 February 2014 .

So visit www.bllrf.org.uk today to discover how to protect your home and family this winter.

Getting the right formula

I hope readers enjoy this one. As chair of burial grounds committee I have to deal from time to time with unusual headstone proposals. It's a sensitive matter and I'm not sure of my view or that of fellow councillors to a sudoku puzzle. Was it solved? unsolved? And what was the degree of difficulty? Did it include what are known as "pencil marks"?I speak as a sudoku-er. As for the equation, that would have us stumped.

The late Spike Milligan's family had difficulty about his request for the words "I told you I was ill" to be inscribed on his headstone and it was resolved in an interesting way. See the full story on BBC News

 

I'm not sure how that could have been applied to Mr Robinson's memorial

Spike Milligan's headstone: He told them he was ill

Solar in Salford

We already have a solar panel array planning application pending in Cranfiled and here's another one down towards MK. The exhibition might be informative for those moved to  go.

Plans for solar farm on land at Whitsundoles Farm, Broughton Road, Salford, MK17 8BU.

We would like to invite you to a public exhibition about the proposals for a solar farm at Whitsundoles Farm, Salford.

South Lincolnshire-based Lark Energy (part of the Larkfleet Group) proposes to develop a solar farm which will occupy approximately 70 acres of land on the site. The exhibition is being held as part of the informal public consultation for the proposed development. The public exhibition provides us with an opportunity to talk to local people about our plans and gather feedback which we will use to tailor our proposals to local needs.

The aim of this solar farm project is to produce clean, renewable energy for the local electricity grid providing enough power for over 3,000 homes.

Background

Lark Energy has a great deal of experience in planning and delivering solar farms which generate clean energy while enhancing wildlife and conservation whilst recognising the importance of the character of a particular area.

The solar panels at Whitsundoles will be screened from most directions by existing hedgerows and new indigenous hedgerow which will be planted where needed. The solar farm will be fenced off for security and will provide a haven for wildlife. 

Further details on the plans will be available at the public exhibition.

When: Wednesday 20^th November 2013, 4:00pm – 7:30pm (drop in event, no need to book)

Where: The Mary Agate Hall

             Wavendon Road

             Salford

             Bedfordshire

             MK17 8BD

For further information, or if you are unable to make the informal consultation but would like to meet and discuss the proposals:

Please contact: Matthew Desorgher on 07802 540985 (mobile), 01529 497771 or

e mail: matthew@jo-wall.com

This is an informal public consultation and we plan to submit a full planning application shortly. Following this there will be a statutory consultation period

Headphones hanging from the overhead wires?

We know Bedford to Bletchley (where?) is a sort of Thomas the Tank Engine line so drivers' cabs catching fire is a real shocker. There'll be hell to pay when the Fat Controller finds out about this one. Thanks to Bedfordfshire News for the update...

 

 

Tales of modern times - Train evacuated at Bedford station after headphones cause fire on board

Written by RUPERT MARQUAND

The scene at Bedford train station this morning

PASSENGERS escaped unharmed after a fire broke out on a train when it hit a pair of headphones hanging from the overhead wires.
Fire services were called to the scene at Bedford Station at around 8.30am when the impact with the object caused the driver cab to fill with smoke.
The London Midland train was on platform 1a when it was evacuated.
A spokeswoman from London Midland said: “At 08.30 the driver of a London Midland train from Bedford to Bletchley reported striking an object that was hanging from the overhead wires. The object, confirmed by Network Rail staff to be a pair of headphones, caused a circuit when it came into contact with the train and caused the driver cab to fill with smoke.
“The fire brigade attended the scene and doused the cab with water. Services between Bletchley and Bedford are currently affected as a result of the incident.

Read more: Bedfordshire News

Forest is spreading to Cranfield

From Forest of Marston Vale on Facebook
 

 

A big hello to the people of Cranfield! We just wanted to give you a heads up - we have a public tree planting day coming up where we invite members of the public to come along and plant a tree or two in The Forest of Marston Vale, and this year it's in Cranfield. So if you're planning on joining us, there's no point you driving to the Forest Centre, for a coach to drive you back. Make sure you Like our Page and we'll soon be letting you know the location so that you can walk to where we'll be. Do join us - it's a lovely thing to do and everyone enjoys it

 

 

Here's to a great decade

It's been 10 years since Fil's Hairstop stopped off in Cranfield and in that time Fil Wain's become a village fixture and a real buzzywoman in the buzziness community. So I'm offering my congrats and thanks for many great trims and site clearances lol.

She and Gabby, a vital part of this family firm are pictured practising for their 10th birthday party at the Salon on 30 January 5-7 pm. All are invited for cake and bubbly, alcoholic and non alcoholic. Gabby reckons there have been 500 individual customers in the past decade. She and her mum hope to see as many as possible at the 'Do' but newcomers are also welcome to the event.

 

 

Agenda for Parish Council Wed 20 Novermber

I HEREBY GIVE YOU NOTICE that a meeting of the above named Parish Council and its

Committees will be held at Holywell School, Red Lion Close on

Wednesday, 20^th November  2013 at 8.00pm

All members of the Council are hereby summoned to attend for the purpose of resolving upon the business to be transacted at the meeting/s as set out below.                                                                             

               

BUSINESS TO BE DONE

 

^1.            To receive apologies for absence  

^2.            To receive declarations of personal and/or prejudicial interests in any matter

^3.            To confirm the minutes of the last meeting[s] [copy herewith]  Clerks Report 

^4.            Health & Safety 

^5.            Reports from Committees 

5.1.    General Purposes Committee

5.2.    Burial Grounds Committee

5.3.    Environment Committee

5.4.    Planning Committee

^6.            Financial matters and accounts for payment

^7.            Correspondence   

^8.            Reports from unitary councillors (and any other representative)

^9.            Highway matters