Mass missed thanks to St Jude

I have no reports of St Jude's Storm damage or mishaps in Cranfield. Of course Thameslink was up in the air or down on the ground and generally out of action on Monday. The Sunday evening mass for uni students was cancelled due to uncertainty ahout whether the priest would make it from Woburn Sands.

White lines

The white lines go all the way up Marston Hill again. At last. It's your choice whether you feel frustrated that it took this long or glad that it's happened at all. Same difference with Moulsoe Road, - frustrated that it is still closed for the cycleway construction or elated that it's happening? I'll go for glass half full. But I still get caught out at Nissan roundabout.

Mediaeval superstitions

A skateboard park or rink is going up the PC's agenda. Not the principle which we think is a good thing but the location.

The PC started off with an idea that it should go on the 'old' tennis courts or former tennis courts near the children's play area in the High Street Recreation Ground. However there was reaction which suggested that this is regularly used by casula footballers. An alternative is the Millennium Park in Lodge Road. But some people are concerned asbout noise near homes. For me the obvious place is elsewhere in the Rec, leaving the tennis courts intact. This brings up the mediaeval superstition that we are not allowed any more 'hard standing' on the  Rec after a meeting of some people in the 1990s.

Personally if the alternative was removing the in-use tennis court surface or putting the skateboard park in Lodge Road people would go for the new Rec location.

Anyway, you can have your say at a special Parish Council surgery on Wednesday 13 November at 7.30 pm in Holywell School, themed round the Skateboard park.

No Plan B

Beancroft Road? Yes closed for two days. I'm indebted to Cllr David Toland in Marston for flagging this up though I wasn't able to post that it would be closed during the day. I was Cranfield-bound on Monday but has a trip to London, Tuesday and in my usual, locally knowledgeable, smart-ass way decided to head for Luton Airport parkways , park there and pick up Thameslink, instead of Flitwick.

Anyway I didn't reckon  on a broken down coach near J11, two lanes closed and a 75 minute journey which usually takes 20 minutes. Ho hum. On the way home up from Salford,  I sped past the long miserable queue tailing back to the bowstring T junction. If you live or work in Cranners and Marston Hill/Beancroft is closed there is no sensible Plan B. :-((

Plan B? I don't think so

Polite notice?

I am indebted to a local member of the Corps of Citizens for sending these pictures and accompanying correspondence about the new sign outside Portnall Place. The citizen rightly has pointed out that Portnall Place is a public highway and has written to CBC to that effect.

CBC has written:

I have checked our mapping system and Portnall Place is showing as a publically (sic) maintained highway. Upon looking at the area the carriageway and the footpath on the right of the carriageway fall under Central Bedfordshire's Highways ownership. The garage bay and the area in front of it would appear to still be private.

The citizen has, therefore, written:

Thus the area of Portnall Place I have indicated in red above is private  but remainder is public thoroughfare.

I therefore, have to ask, upon what authority, do Aragon Housing Association have the right to erect the two signs declaring Portnall Place to be private parking for this sheltered housing scheme (2nd one is just visible through the window of the pickup truck above)?

I would have no objection if they erected a polite notice asking for considerate parking but not if this is just public road, like any other street in the vicinity.

I am unsure why they think they need to do this, in my experience of living here for several decades, I rarely see any problem with parking round there. I would concur that there is no frontage to the scheme on Mill Road or Bedford Road, upon which safe parking can be made and that parking for residents/visitors/emergency vehicles, has to be down the area above. However, most "non-visitors" parking over there, represents very short term parking, largely due to the inadequate parking available at the Co-op or Pharmacy on Mill Road & does not constitute a major issue.

I look forward to your observations

Trouble in Cranfield, blog readers and the Corps of Citizens also look forward to CBC's observations.  And you do wonder that if its possible to do this in Portnall Place surely some similar signage might be possible in Flitt Leys. 

Insufferable anti-social behaviour

There was another strong turnout by Flitt Leys residents on Wednesday at Parish Council and a tentative proposal for double yellow lines at the bottom near the High Street.  Unfortunately there is no consensus among all the residents about whether this is a solution and we are still struggling to find one that is. Anyway, that would not happen if agreed until the next financial year.

But the chair of the PC put it well - she reminded everyone that this problem is not caused by the hot food takeaways. It arises from the insufferable, anti-social behaviour of some patrons who turn up in Flitt Leys and frankly do not give a damn where they leave their cars or the effect it has on residents. Plus the abuse which a small number have handed out when they have been challenged. 

Now I write as a user of the takeaways. I park out on the High Street by the kerbside and not blocking anyone's drive. For five minutes. How easy is that? 

Delise also acknowledged that we are struggling to find options but we backed another go at a meeting between highways officer David Bowie and senior Councillor Brian Spurr and residents. This was supposed to have taken place recently but didn't happen. Don't ask.

And CBC councillor Sue Clark suggested that  repainting the lines on the takeaway parking area might use space more rationally. It's a small thing but we have to think incrementally. 

Bunyan boat blessing

It's good to see the Bedford and Milton Keynes waterway project making progress, symbolised by the John Bunyan. I'm not sure what  Pilgrim would have made of it but I, personally, think it could make a huge difference to Bedford, a town that has been looking for an identity and an economy since the 1970s. I say economy because it's only just got connected to the motorway system after years of relying on a dirt track AKA the "old" A421 and it has felt the usual high street shopping pressures from both Interchange and Milton Keynes. As a hub for a major recreational waterway system linking the Broads and the Grand Union the future looks much better. Bring it on.

Beancroft Road

We are on the alert all the time for unexpected road closures after Marston Hill in July. There is a closure planned on Beancroft Road near Marston on Monday and Tuesday this week but I don't have the times including whether it will be during the day.   More updates when I have them...

Brogborough wind turbines in the offing

Things are moving on wind turbine applications

FCC writes:


The Stewartby single turbine application has been submitted and is awaiting validation by Bedford Borough Council.

I will circulate the Council’s web link to the complete application following validation

In the meantime I attach the Planning and Design and Access Statements for your information

The Brogborough six turbine application should be ready for submission early next month

Regards,

Alan Bulpin - Planning & Estates Manager
Direct Dial: 01604 826378 | Mobile: 07825 364760 | Email: Alan.Bulpin@fccenvironment.co.uk
FCC Environment | Ground Floor West | 900 Pavilion Drive | Northampton | NN4 7RG | http://www.fccenvironment.co.uk/

 

All those balls in the air

Story today that John Lawson's Circus featuring Clumsy the Clown (wow all those balls in the air!!) has been told to take down posters in Leighton Buzzard by the town council because a woman complained of the frightening "Clown" images -  she has clownphobia. 

Well, by the windsocks of Cranfield that is probably the worst PCism I've heard recently. Ironically, in Cranfield our problem with circus posters was getting the owner to take them down after the circus has left town.

Your input to the Parish Council

 Parish council meeting on Wednesday at Holywell school. Is there something we are not hearing? Are we ignoring the voice of the people? PC meetings every 2 (or 3 weeks) are the level of government closest to you. We can't do much but we can make a fuss and Cranfield PC does on a  regular basis - as they know at Chicksands. But we want your input.

Wednesday, 23 October  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 hereunder.                                                                              

                  …………………………………….

                  Clerk of the Council

BUSINESS TO BE DONE

 

^1.            To receive apologies for absence  - PCllrs: A Morris, D Saint

^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

5.4.1.    General Planning Matters

5.4.2.    Flytt Leys Close – solicitor consultation

^6.            Financial matters and accounts for payment

^7.            Correspondence   

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

^9.            Highway matters

The past is alive

Top historical author Ruth Downie visits Bedfordshire next week for a pair of fascinating talks at local libraries with other authors. Forget the telly and the iPad (lol if you're reading this on one) and interact with acclaimed story tellers. Yes there is life outside Cranfield

16 October – 7.00 pm at Barton Library (Barton le Clay, Bedfordshire) “Writing the Romans” with Henry Venmore-Rowland. Henry is the author of “The Last Caesar” and “The Sword and the Throne,” bringing to life the tumultuous events of AD 69 when Rome had four emperors in one year. 

17 October – 7.00 pm at Putnoe Library, Bedfordshire – Crime Through Time. I’ll be discussing the appeal of the Romans and the Tudors with Rory Clements, author of the John Shakespeare series (yes, John is the brother of the more famous William, and a great character in his own right).

dog found

DOG FOUND....SORTED...

Who's dog is this?

Dog just found - Cranfield area face book post...

Please share in Cranfield! Springer Spaniel black and white bitch at rectory field. No tag on collar. With a kind friend in bowling green road awaiting dog collection by the dog warden 

 

 

could it be yours or do you know who's?

Teetee arrows

The hunt for elusive Teetee Arrows - TTROs - goes on. When and where will our roads be closed and to what purpose? I don't remember this one (below) being issued on 9 July and I have only became aware  of it becaus  the date has changed. It will means  big doversuion but bnot as bad as when Marston Hill is shut. And assuming they achieve what they are setting out to achieve - "flood alleviation". That has to be in a good cause.

PLERASE NOTE THE CLOSURE DATE IS NOW 27th NOVEMBER to 4th DECEMBER 2013.

-->

Proposed Temporary Road Closure – Crawley Road, Cranfield

I have a request for a Temporary Road Closure at the above location to enable flood alleviation works to be carried out in safely. Details are listed in the schedule below and having assessed the application I am satisfied the request is justified.

The alternative route available for this closure is as in the details below and will be signed accordingly. The restrictions are to be in operation only when the necessary signs are erected on site. This notice will cover a four month period. Access may be allowed from time to time according to local signing.

If you have any observations you wish to make I would be grateful if you could let me know as soon as possible.

Gareth Hughes. Streetworks Co-ordinator

……………………………………………………………………………………

                       

Road:                       Crawley Road, Cranfield

Application from:   Anglian Water – 01733414396 - Emmanuel Iwuamadi

Reason:                   Flood Alleviation Scheme

Length affected:     From number 44 to 50m south of pump house

Date: The closure is expected to take place from Monday 14^th October to Monday 21^st October 2013 for 24 hours daily during this period. Access may be allowed from time to time according to local signing.

Alternative Route: Proceed along Crawley Road in a northerly direction and turn left onto College Road continuing into University Way, at the first roundabout take the second turn right to remain on University Way and the first exit at the second roundabout, at the third take the first turn left onto Moulsoe Road. Turn left onto High Street and continue ahead into Bedford Road, turn left onto Crane Way, at the junction turn right onto Broad Green and continue into Crawley Road to reach site and vice versa.

Dedicated campaigner

The opponents of traffic calming, the High Street insurgents, the traffic talibans will not let up. On this occasion I am on the opposite side but I take my hat off to this complainant, recorded in the Beds Highways customer service bulletin (carefully anonymised I would add). They are determined...

I am writing a letter of complaint about the speed humps that run though Cranfield... Bedford rd/High street.  5 ramps I have to bump up and down 6 trips in+out of cranfield a day that's 30 up and downs to my car suspension daily.  I have just purchased a new car I have had this Car for 1 week +3 days and its now broke .... COIL SPRING !!  The car is a few yr old with 20k on the clock In normal cases this is far to soon for a coil spring to go.   I consider my self a careful driver especial with my new car and do take the ramps at slow speed, My car is not the only one my neighbour 2 doors away has a land rover who's suspension has gone on the right hand side of his vehicle (visibly).   These Ramps need to be assessed!  I have now fitted cctv in my car to record my every movement any more suspension problems with my new car I will take legal action.

Cry from the heart

We do cats in Broad Green. Great personal hygiene, very engaging and they aren't dragging you over to the HSRG or the triangle at 6.30 on a winter morning for a spot of business. So we felt very strongly this cry from the heart from "anonymous" in Bedfordshire...

Calling all animal lovers , On Thursday 26th September our loved 2-year old tabby cat got run over and killed. Now while this is horrible these things do happen but we had a witness that his body was collected by Central Beds Council and when we called them they said they don’t scan cats for microchips they are treated like general waste and his body would have just been dumped like any other waste.  What was even more furious is he had a collar on with my number !!

We never will get closure and be able to bury him.

There are laws for dogs to be scanned but not cats, we are trying very hard to get the laws changed but need as many signatures as possible.

Please take 30 seconds out of your day and sign the e-petition located http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/53894 also if you have Facebook or Twitter please share to your friends and family.

We also have a Facebook page dedicated to this campaign - https://www.facebook.com/catsarenotrubbish please like and share

It’s a long shot but we are determined to get the laws changed

Thank you for your time

Any old iron...?

I don't know if we have any scrap metal dealers or motor salvage businesses in Cranfield or its further reaches but new measures to regulate these companies might help to make metal theft more difficult. I know St Peter and St Paul church has had lead nicked in the past  and  every so often all the lineside copper wiring disappears from a bit of railway near you bringing services to a halt.

CBC is now the focal point for local scrap metal regulation. They say:

Central Bedfordshire Council is ready to take on licensing powers for scrap metal to help in the crackdown on metal theft.

The new Scrap Metal Act 2013 came into force on 1 October 2013 and requires every scrap metal dealer to have a licence - operating without one will be a criminal offence.

It replaces the previous registration system and under the new legislation the definition of scrap metal dealers is extended so it now includes motor salvage operators too.

Cllr Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities, Services, explained the changes. He said: "We’ve been saying for some time that a solution to crack down on metal theft couldn’t come soon enough. This new ability to regulate who is and who isn’t a scrap metal dealer will help to improve operating standards as well as cutting down those who deal in scrap illegally."

"Previously, scrap metal dealers were required to register with us and to keep records of purchases and disposals. Now however, we have been given enforcement powers to revoke a licence and inspect sites to really cut down on any illegal activity. Doing this means that we can protect responsible dealers and improve the reputation of the trade."

He added: "Trade in criminally obtained metal is costing the UK economy around £770 million a year in costs to business and damage to the nation's infrastructure, so this is a step in the right direction. "

Poppies for 1914

The PC recently and regretfully turned down an application from the RBL for a £500 grant  for poppy seeds (for next year WW1 centenary marking)  because we needed more information. See the info from the RBL website, below. 


I  think the PC should encourage individuals in the village including individual members of Cranfield RBL to buy a packet each and scatter. I would also back them buying them from Marshalls (not B&Q) in exchange for a donation from Marshall's which I'm sure could be arranged. Keep our village shops alive.  



13 September 2013 
The Royal British Legion is delighted to announce the Centenary Poppy Campaign, which originated in the Greenhithe and Swanscombe Branch of the Legion, will be rolled out nationally in partnership with B&Q.

The national campaign will see the Legion asking the public and local authorities to purchase Flanders poppy seeds from B&Q to plant on their own land. The funds raised by the campaign will go towards the £1.6million the Legion spends each week on vital care and support to the Armed Forces community.

The idea for the campaign was initiated by members of the Greenhithe and Swanscombe Branch of the Legion, who are now working alongside the national charity to implement the scheme in communities across the UK.

The campaign, which will be officially launched at the beginning of October, will see the UK awash with poppies during the centenary period in commemoration of all those who lost their lives in the First World War.

The Royal British Legion's Director of Fundraising, Charles Byrne, said:

"The Royal British Legion is pleased to confirm we are rolling out the Centenary Poppy Campaign, across the UK, and in partnership with national retailer B&Q.

"The idea to distribute poppy seeds to commemorate the centenary of WW1 originated in the Legion's Greenhithe and Swanscombe Branch, who are working with us to establish this campaign on a national level.

"We want to see members of the public making this campaign their own in their local communities, working in collaboration with local government, schools and community groups, and we will be taking discussions forward with central Government to engrain this campaign in the centenary commemorations."

Graham Mentor-Morris and Phil Berry of the Greenhithe and Swanscombe Branch said:

"We are over the moon our campaign is now being developed on a national level, with support from a national retailer. Not only will the Centenary Poppy Campaign commemorate all those who gave so much during WW1, but also raise vital funds for the Legion.

Men's breakfast

I'm not quite sure what "Men's Breakfasts" are all about but they happen from time to time around here.

Here is the latest from Andrew Pearson


"There is another Men’s Breakfast coming up.  Gary Chester writes:
 

We have another men's breakfast coming up on the 19th October. Arrangements as previous. This time we have Tim Beacon from Medical Aid International speaking about the work of his organisation supporting the Aid efforts round the world in particular Syria and Africa. He will be flying in from Africa so will have the up to date stories . The venue as before is Wooton Church. Breakfast will be served from 08:30 and will cost £5.

"If any of you would like to go please let me know.  I shall attend myself and we can sort out lifts etc. nearer the time."

contact Andrew at Andrew.Pearson@eemua.org

The old ticker

Here's the minutiae of clock maintenance as recorded in the draft minutes for the burial grounds committee last night. Hopefully we will get the old ticker running smoothly again, before very long.
 

The gubbins

1.     Smith of Derby writes to advise that following the annual service, the pendulum spring in the clock is twisted and that it is a vital component in respect of timekeeping, as it maintains the pulse to the clock mechanism. The spring requires replacing, which Smith of Derby would manufacture from new and replace within the pendulum chops.   Gerry O’Mara has agreed to remove the existing spring and send it to us to use it as a pattern if this Council approves the purchase. Further, it has been requested that Smiths supply a switch unit for the automatic winding system which could be fitted when fitting the new pendulum spring. The price to manufacture and install a new pendulum spring, along with a new switch unit, would be £537.00 (Five Hundred and Thirty Seven Pounds) plus VAT.   This quotation is given subject to Conditions of Contract.   All prices quoted are based on the information received to date and are valid for a period of 90 days from issue.

Not just a pretty face

A quiet night

Parish council tonight, in short.

Dr Noel attended and failed to persuade us that defibrillators are either a bad thing or useless.  We have had the offer of two locations and are backing Budgens.

We've allocated £737  for repair of the village pump. If you think this is  a bad idea come along to the full council on October 23 and say your piece.

We're aiming to paint the railings around the memorial garden before Remembrance Sunday.

Chair Delise Ball had been in  touch with the Royal British Legion in Kent and they explained that branches would receive seeds  free for scattering to mark the outbreak of WW1 next year.

The PC surgery on Wed 13 November will be focused on the proposed skateboard.

The church clock mechanism will be repaired  and we are looking at quotes to repair the church wall.

A quiet night all round, we finished early and I saw the last 10 minutes of Man United and Shaktar Donetsk (1-1)

When Marston Hill was too hot to open

We now have some feedback on the Great Marston Hill Shut Down. I have to say, I'm indebted to Lee Baldry, deputy head of highways contract service delivery at Bedfordfshire Highways. He gives an informative and sympathetic response to the issues I have raised. He writes as follows:

Hi Cllr. Spurr, Cllr. Clark and Cllr. Pollock

I'm a little concerned not to have been circulated this message before - has something gone wrong in our comms somewhere? I was aware of one complaint at the time concerning gatemen and the works period itself - which was addressed at the time of the works (July). However, post-completion, may I presume that the issue becomes one of explanation/reassurance?

If so, I will try to comment as helpfully as I can. I have copied Cllr. Pollock's observations in bold, with my comment following each.

1. In early July Amey closed Marston Hill for a day for resurfacing. There was not, as far as I was aware, a TTRO and they only put up signs saying "closed for one day over the next two weeks".
I do know a TTRO was published, but I will have to check the precise date (sorry I don't have it immediately to hand).

The sign onsite was an advance warning, which was attempting to provide the courtesy of an early warning of the impending works. Since these works, we have reviewed matters and found that in fact a sign of this type isn't as helpful to folk as much as we hoped. In essence, it is better to offer a reliable date - albeit perhaps at shorter overall notice - than it is to offer a longer notice, but less surety about the precise date.

Therefore, current advance notices should benefit from this point of learning. Essentially the message should be "closed xx/xx/xx" and erected around a week in advance.

I hope this accords with your views and shows the lessons learnt from instances such as this.

2. I assured callers that these closures were normally 9.30 to 3.30 to assist schools and the Cranfield "rush hour". Road remained closed  until after 6.30 pm 
This was a problematic shift, owing to the very high ambient temperatures that day (11th July). Essentially the road closure noted the high ambient temperatures, but perhaps not as high as those found in the road pavement that day (heat storage, basically). This meant that the new surface materials did not cool as quickly as foreseen, and accordingly that the road could not safely be re-opened as planned until sufficiently cooled.

3. There were no diversion signs put up
I'm disappointed to hear this, as it is contradictory to other messages we've had. I think a more in-depth check might be needed and I have copied in the relevant colleague.

4. We have had a number of complaints about Amey in recent years but this is one of their more cavalier acts.
Please let me know what these are so that I can investigate them from a Contractual perspective.

5. We need to find out if CBC finds their action unprofessional and unacceptable, why they did not follow correct practice and what assurances can we have that they will not behave in this way again.
The Council investigates complaints, and if shortfalls are identified robust corrections are put in place. I don't have evidence that the work was conducted unlawfully, but I do accept that the work on this occasion overran its allotted period and I have explained the circumstances surrounding this. I think this is an isolated case, but equally the risk is valid to address.

The complaint regarding gatemen was resolved and essentially the decision to begin the work (despite the risk of overrunning due to latent heat in the road pavement) was made for quite supportable reasons; since the resurfacing project was necessary. However, I do apologise for the overrun and any disruption it may have caused.

6. Incidentally there is no sign of Amey coming back to put on the road markings.
We investigate opportunities to minimise lining on new surfacing mats, as this can have a demonstrable link to reducing vehicle speeds. However, if this was the intention then perhaps Amey colleagues should have let you know this in advance, so that you were not chasing something which wasn't intended.

By copy to colleagues I will check what the next steps are.

I hope this offers a useful reaction in time for your Parish meeting.

Heart start for cadets

@207Sqn: Congratulations to Cpl north and Cdt kersey on getting their heart start Certificate !! #bedsandcambs #heartstart #cadets - well done

News from #cranfield air cadets

Grey power!

What do old/older/elderly people get up to in the village? A small group of crusties hang around the parish council giving off about Flitt Leys and grass cutting and youths.

Some of the crustiest go to Chicksands as CBC councillors. They are so crusty they have crusts on their crusts.  

Others do Hands across Cranfield, short mat bowls (and perhaps long mat bowls for all I know) and go on facebook and go cycling (he knows who he is) but not up Marston Hill, these days!!!

But Aragon Housing and Healthwatch Bedfordshire are running this enterprising event in Flitwick on Thursday week, the 10th October.  Looks interesting and useful.  Hopefully anyone going in their car will offer a lift to the non-car owners. Good luck.

For more info contact;

Nikki Dalrymple
Project Co-Ordinator
Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire
Capability House, Wrest Park, Silsoe
Bedfordshire, MK45 4HR
Tel: 0300 303 8554
nikki.dalrymple@healthwatch-centralbedfordshire.org.uk 
www.healthwatch@centralbedfordshire.org.uk 

lol as they say

Delivering Cranfield Expresses to the uni houses on Saturday there was evidence of new students moving in.  Cranfield's are older, postgraduate and often have family with them. Quite a few are from abroad. Anyway I thrust a Cran X into their hand when I encountered them and said "Welcome to Cranfield" you might find this useful. What they make of rows about Flitt Leys is anyone's guess.

For a flavour of the more conventional student experience check out ITV2 on a Monday night focusing on Bedfordshire. The first of three parts was last night. Anyway the freshers hits Beds and who knows what embarrassing scenes the documentary makers have captured on camera. Or as somebody said on my face book page recently. 

"The great thing about being over 40 is we did all our stupid stuff before the internet." 

lol, as they say.

Bedfordshire Police to recruit 80 constables

Well its maybe good news but only to stand still. The only point I will make is about Commissioner Martins's  comment that the retirements were unexpected. The big surge in recruitment in the late 70s caused by a favourable pay review is now filtering through into 30-year retirements. Added to that is the fact that historically, police pensions were paid out of current revenue (not an accumulated fund) which meant as the number of retirements grew so did the financial pressure. Crazy. 

From BBC

Eighty constables are being recruited by Bedfordshire Police over the next year after more officers than expected left during the spending cuts.

The force is about 50 below strength and 32 more officers are leaving soon.

Police and Crime Commissioner Olly Martins denied the force had got its sums wrong, saying the number of officers that recently retired or left after 30 years was unanticipated. Chief Constable Colette Paul said the force had recently been "stretched". Since 2010, the number of officers at Bedfordshire Police had been reduced from 1,248 to 1,092 up until March this year.

Cemetery space fear

Hot news

 Almost half of England's cemeteries could run out of space within the next 20 years, a BBC survey suggests.

And a quarter of 358 local authorities responding to the BBC said they would have no more room for burials within a decade.

Cemetery experts warned of a looming "crisis", while managers called for a change in law to allow graves that are more than 75-years-old to be reused.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said the issue was "under constant review".
BBC Local Radio approached 699 local authorities - 358 of which responded.

 

Many of the councils surveyed, including those in Gosport, Mole Valley, Crawley and Rother, said they had five years or less before they ran out of room. Other areas - such as Tandridge district council in the South East - said they had already run out of space.

Full story BBC News

In Cranfield we should be OK thanks to farsightedness by parish councillors particularly Delise "Dee Eagle" Ball the chairwoman of the PC.  The extension is now ready for use and within the next year will take its first interment. Ground prepared and cut, road constructed. We are looking at extending the water supply.

Cranfield cemetery - our mark on the land

When Dr Noel speaks...

Please note that Dr Noel, no less is to address the PC tomorrow night about defibrillators. He is, I believe, agin them and is concerned that we are for them. And tomorrow he will elaborate on his concerns. At the moment we seem to be making some progress on finding a suitable location but we will listen to Dr Noel and you are welcome to come and along too.