Odell Village News - November 2015

Welcome to Mike and Karen Oates who have moved into Village Farm. Mike and Karen have already become involved with village events as they helped to set up the hall for the recent production of ‘Tartuffe’.

In October we welcomed Debby Horsman from Pavenham who gave an illustrated talk on Ernest Shackleton’s intended Expedition to the South Pole in 1914. It was titled “Shackleton’s Forgotten Men” and concentrated on the support operation which was to provide supplies to the second leg of the Expedition leading to the Ross Shelf. Debby is related to a member of the expedition, and had a large number of original documents and photographs to illustrate her talk. The support group were not in communication with Shackleton or the organisers and laboured to set out supply stations not knowing that Shackleton had cancelled the expedition. She described the appalling conditions in which they worked and their eventual rescue.

The next meeting will be held in the Village Hall on Tuesday. 10^th November at 2.30 pm when we shall be making Christmas cards with Doreen

New members are always welcome and if you need any more information please ring Rachel Halton (01234 720572). Ladies, just come along to the Village Hall on the second Tuesday of each month and see what we do and how we enjoy ourselves. To find out more about the WI go to www.theWI.org.uk or the local Bedfordshire Federation website www.thewi.org,uk/bedfordshire Jane Eshelby

This application was rejected by the Planning Committee at its meeting on 27 July 2015. The Committee agreed with the officer’s recommendation that the applicants failed to provide compelling evidence to demonstrate that the development of the best and most versatile (Grade 3a) agricultural land in lieu of poorer quality land is necessary. The proposed development is, therefore, contrary to the aims of paragraph 112 of the National Planning Policy Framework which requires local planning authorities to take account of the economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land and Policy CP2 (criterion i and ii) of the Bedford Borough Council Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan 2008. There has been no indication of whether the applicant will appeal.

The Police & Crime Commissioner put forward his preferred candidate, Jon Boutcher, to become the new Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police and his appointment has now been confirmed following a meeting of the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Panel in September 2015. Jon Boutcher has served as Deputy Chief Constable of the force and has recently occupied the position of Interim Chief Constable following the retirement of Collette Paul.

The Borough Council has recently issued a reminder for residents to be safe in their homes after a further spate of cold calling incidents recently. This has seen individuals purporting to be ‘builders’ or ‘roofing specialists’ and trying to sell their services on the door step. There have subsequently been reports that works undertaken have been of poor quality.

To report an incident please contact Bedfordshire Police on 101, or for further information please contact Environmental Health & Trading Standards at the Council on (01234) 718099 or the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on (03454) 04 05 06. ‘Uninvited Trader Warning’ stickers can be obtained for attaching to the front door of a property by contacting Lynne Arch, Neighbourhood Watch Administrator, on (01234) 842043.

The Village Hall Committee continues to meet to plan for the future of this important amenity, including the establishment of a varied events programme. This includes three new events, “Tartuffe” (performed in October), “Melvis” in November and a children’s play in December 2015.

Investigation works have been completed by the Borough Council in respect of the repairs to the drains at the Little Odell junction and the design has now been changed to avoid the need to construct a manhole in the centre of the junction. As part of the work, the Borough Council plans to have the adjacent ditch cleared. The Borough Council have advised that they are currently programming completion of the works.

An application to Bedford Borough Council for a grant of Ł20,000 towards the provision of new equipment and re-surfacing of the play area has been successful. A contract for the refurbishment and enhancement of the play area will be awarded in the near future – watch this space.

A report recently published by Bedford Borough Council identifies the need for new land allocations for "about 4,500 new homes" over the Local Plan period. The Development Strategy looks first for development opportunities in and on the edge of Bedford and Kempston, then apportions growth to rural settlements depending on their size and infrastructure capacity. Villages are placed in one of 4 groups and an indication of the scale of growth for each village or group is given. Based upon the proposed apportionment of growth, 10-20 dwellings would be allocated to villages such as Odell.

The external audit of the 2014/2015 financial statements had now been completed and the External Auditor, BDO LLP, had issued an unqualified opinion that the information in the Annual Return for 2014/2015 is in accordance with proper practices and that no matters had come to their attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements have not been met.

The next meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday 16 November 2015 at 7.30pm.

The Mayor’s Executive has outlined plans for efficiencies totalling Ł689k in 2016/17 which will be the subject of an 8 week public consultation.

The proposals are the latest round of savings in response to anticipated funding reductions for local government; Borough Council officers have forecasted that the Council will need to make further savings totalling Ł14.7m in the years 2017/18 – 2019/20. The actual position will not, however, be known until the Government’s Autumn Statement on the 25^th November, which is likely to provide further details on the Chancellor’s stated intention for local government finance reform.

The Council’s initial Ł689k savings plan contains a number of proposals including changes to school transport (with routes to be on offer only to the nearest geographical school or school with available places), an end to speed limit reductions and average speed camera investment, and summer play schemes will cease.

A joint committee of Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire Councillors has spoken of its frustration at the lack of progress of a review of health services in Bedfordshire.

The review is being undertaken by the Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Groups and is being overseen by national regulators and NHS England. It is exploring options for Bedford and Milton Keynes Hospitals to work closer together and for hospital services to be better integrated with GP and social care services, with the latter being provided by local authorities.

The Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG) has put forward an additional option as an alternative to plans for closer-working between Bedford and Milton Keynes Hospitals. This would see Bedford Hospital explore options to expand its existing links with other hospitals, including Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge.

The joint committee was due to receive an update on the review at its meeting at the beginning of October but was told by NHS England that the various options were still being examined.

The Borough Council is holding an 8 week consultation from the 19^th October on its Local Plan 2032 which will set out plans for new employment, infrastructure and thousands of new homes in the urban and rural areas.

More details can be seen on the Council’s website under ‘Environment and Planning’ and subsequently ‘Planning Policy’. This includes dates of ‘drop in’ sessions at various locations where officers will take questions from residents.

You may be aware that state schools in Bedford Borough have been asked by the Council to fill in an application form detailing whether they are seeking to move to a two-tier system and if so to elaborate on their plans and partnerships with other schools.

The Council announced in July that it would resurrect the transition to two tier and has set aside Ł39m of existing funds to provide the necessary facilities. It is intended that there will be no closures of lower schools and that resources will be found where appropriate to extend facilities to convert them into primary schools.

The deadline for applications has now passed. The Council will now put together proposals, including plans for the allocation of funds, which will go to consultation from November 2015 - March 2016. The target date for implementing the new system is September 2017 although changes may happen after this date.

The Government has agreed a new contract with East Midlands Trains to continue to run services between London and the North of England, stopping at Bedford, until 2018. East Midlands Trains has pledged to invest Ł13m in providing extra services and freezing some ticket prices. Furthermore, the electrification of the Midland Mainline is to continue after the Government decided to freeze the process in the summer in order to develop the plans.

The Government has also chosen a contractor to carry out a Ł2.8m scheme to upgrade the A421 and M1 at Junction 13. The works will include repairs, resurfacing, new road markings and improved lighting.

Odell is in the good position of being identified in Phase 1 of the Borough’s Second Superfast Broadband Project and the Borough has agreed an accelerated programme of Second Project delivery with BT/Openreach which means that delivery will start as soon as the First Project finishes. We would therefore expect work in Odell to start in the latter half of 2016 with delivery around the end of 2016 .

There will still be remoter parts of Odell, as there are remoter parts of Harrold and Carlton, without superfast broadband. These will typically be farm houses and individual or small clusters of rural dwellings. These will have to await an extension of the Second Project, using more recently developed technology, and with resources that the Borough is working on piecing together.

This month Peter Coleman celebrates his eightieth birthday and so takes his place in Odell’s Hall of Fame as the longest residing villager of Odell.

On 5^th November, 1935, Peter was born in the same house that he lives in now, in Odell. He was educated in Odell, Harrold and Luton Technical schools. He recalls that, as a boy growing up in the village during the war, life was very basic as he had no electricity or sewerage in his home. After leaving school, he worked in Rushden in the watch and clock repair trade for 50 years. Leisure time was spent playing for Odell Rovers Football Team; Odell also had a good tennis club. Peter was also a keen scout, and later went on to become a scout leader with the 51^st Odell Scouts for 25 years. As a young adult, Peter spent two years serving with The Beds and Herts Royal Artillery in Egypt.

Peter has retained his love of sport, having been a member of Harrold Badminton Club for 25 years and now being an active member of the Bridgman Bowls Club, and of course, he is a keen supporter of Luton Town Football Club.

In the 1990s, Peter helped to produce ‘The Pictorial History of Odell’ books, in a team with Florence Shellard, Derek Spencer and Edith and Ernest Surridge.

Now, a keen craftsman, Peter spends much of his time making pieces out of clock parts (see the steam engine, pictured overleaf), which are very popular – no sooner has he produced one than another order is placed. Peter also enjoys wood engraving, sketching out the scene first (usually a local scene), and then carving it into the sides of boxes or chests. Shown on the next page is an example of a box with a carved scene depicting ‘The Bell’.

We wish you a very happy 80^th birthday, Peter, and many more happy years in Odell!

A big 'Thank You' to everyone who supported the theatrical production 'Tartuffe' in the village hall last weekend. It was a huge success! The director (in an email) said…

"The company had a brilliant time and said you were one of the most appreciative audiences yet - so please pass on our thanks for all the support."

We, on the committee would like to pass on our thanks too. It was our first event - so we were all a bit anxious that it should be well received.

are dealing with the work that needs to be carried out as a result of the dishwasher leak. As well as the damp, their assessor also identified asbestos in the lobby tiles so these have now been removed. What this means is that once all of the work has been completed, we should have a really swanky lobby and gents!

The contractor is aware of our upcoming events in November and December (see below) and will make sure that access to the main hall is not restricted.

The Committee would like to be able to keep Odell residents up to date about future events.

If you are willing to receive emails, please forward your email address to lesley@huntersmead.co.uk

The Little Match Girl (family Christmas show) - Sunday 20th December 15.00 - 16.00

Please note that a flyer delivered to some houses, incorrectly gave the day of the latter event as Saturday.

Odell Village Hall Management Committee requires a self-employed cleaner to clean the hall for an hour a week. Additional hours available on event weekends. Must be fully insured. Please contact the treasurer on 01234 721798 for more information". Elisabeth Evershed

This is a national scheme which is free of charge. We meet at the café entrance at 10.30am every other Thursday and walk for an hour to improve your health and wellbeing. Please call 01234 720016 or e-mail janet.munro@bedford.gov.uk for more information.

On the last Monday of every month (a week earlier if a bank holiday) the volunteers get together on a task to progress the conservation and repair works around the park. Meet at 10am at the Ranger’s office in the café.

Participants should bring a packed lunch, appropriate old clothing and sturdy footwear. We provide refreshments, tools and gloves. Please call 01234 720016 or e-mail Richard.dowsett@bedford.gov.uk for more information. Janet Munro, Greenspace Officer

Soaring score, by one of Broadway’s most exciting composers; which perfectly allies the harsh reality of the drama…a true story.

NB: Mon. 16th Nov. is a Charity Night for Rotary Club of Bedford (International Charities) Book via bob.panton@btinternet.com or 01462 811642.

‘Warm aid of our Green Energy based Heating & Ventilation; all at ‘The Mill’

Warm Up Appeal events in aid of our green energy based heating and ventilation, all at The Mill

Please send all entries for the joint December 2015/January 2016 magazine to Tricia Hudson (ed at odellbeds.net) or Catherine Corkery by November12^th at the latest. May we remind you that the editorial team exercises the right to edit, shorten or alter any items that are submitted. Also, the opinions expressed in the articles are those of the contributors and are not the responsibility of the editorial team.

Alex Stubbs Flooring

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01234 240954

Last revised: November 07, 2015.