I could not believe my eyes. As I turned the page of my newspaper I beheld an article that took my breath away. Now I readily admit that political correctness coupled with the modern and increasing compensation culture regularly reduce me to a state of impotent rage, but this article must surely have plunged the depths, or even scaled the heights, of complete and utter stupidity….the perils of walking in the countryside and the necessity of taking out insurance to cover such a rash pursuit!

The incident quoted happened in Leicestershire, but I am quite sure that Bedfordshire is quite capable of adopting the same policy. A local civic society organise, on an annual basis, a gentle ramble through their local countryside and invite members of the public to join them and they would regularly advertise this dangerous expedition in their local community newspapers. When they submitted their advertisement for their latest expedition, however, they came up against an unexpected problem. The Leicestershire and Rutland Community Council sent them a multi-page questionnaire demanding to know if those on the walk would encounter such hazards as ploughed fields, overhanging branches and slippery surfaces. They were asked to specify whether such hazards were of a low, medium or high risk. When they enquired whether the form was a joke they were advised by the Council that it was a very serious matter and that insurance cover must be taken out to cover any accidents that might occur and that such cover could cost anywhere up to £2,000, depending on the risks taken. The Council further advised them that they promote about 60 other walks in the area and that the organisers had all filled in the risk assessment form and taken out the recommended insurance.

The newspaper had printed out six of the questions taken from the Risk Assessment form and, somewhat tongue in cheek, I have ventured to answer them, on my own behalf…whether or not you feel I should insure myself – I leave for you to decide!

from 10.00 until 4.00pm

on

Sunday 20^th March 2005

Bedfordshire County Council will be sponsoring a coppicing day in Yelnow New Wood, off Yelnow Lane towards Sharnbrook, on Sunday 20th March from 10.00 to 4 00pm. It is the chance for you to spend a day in the open air and to have some fun learning about, and trying out, some ancient crafts.

Jim Jones from Yelnow Farm is giving up his time to work alongside a coppicing specialist for the day, to offer this free opportunity for 20 people to try their hands at something new.

If you are interested or need more information please contact Richard Hall on 01234 720723.

Annual General Meeting…The next meeting is the Annual Meeting to which all members of the Parish are invited. It will take place at 8.00 pm on Monday 14th March 2005 in the Village Hall.

Subsequent meetings in 2005 will be held as follows:- May 16th, July 18th, September 19th, and 21^st November.

Depart 9.15 Return 13.15

Depart 9.15 Return 13.05

Depart 9.36 Return 15.10

A seat may be booked for these services by phoning 01234 228337

Depart 9.30 Return 12.19

The mini bus is also available for private hire. Please ring 01234 781920.

BT 'Wholesale' have upgraded the local exchange so that now homes in Harrold, Carlton and Odell can enjoy an 'always on' fast internet service.

Depending on your needs, there are several different choices in terms of the service which is best value for you. Even though all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) use BT's new digital connections, the billing and technical support (the actual servers which store your emails and connect your internet browser to the world-wide web for example) can be provided by any of up to 200 different companies.

I am encouraging people to look at Business Serve (see the Odell Website on www.kbnet.co.ukodell for more on this) since they took over from KBNet who for years have provided the Odell Website free of charge.

Because Business Serve has a large number of business customers, their network is particularly lightly loaded after 6pm and at weekends (i.e. fewer bottleneck situations). This means that they can offer a very attractive home Broadband Service with NO download size limits. It also means that, unlike the bigger mass-market players such as BT Retail, Wanadoo, AOL and others, they won't be tempted to introduce ways of charging customers more as the months roll by. What you sign up for is what you get - unlimited 512KB/s download ADSL supplied to them by BT Wholesale using your existing phone connection for £19.99 per month including VAT. There is a set-up fee of £58.75 but they will let you change after 6 months if not completely satisfied. Their support service is at the national rate of 3p/minute from a BT phone.  

Events at Harrold-Odell Country Park

Join us on a guided walk around the park, or beyond! Please ring or email to book your place.

Friday 11^th March 2pm-4pm

Otter and Water Vole Walk (3 miles/9.5km)

Learn about these wonderful creatures, where they live and how we know they’re around, even if we don’t see them!

Join our growing band of volunteers and help us manage the country park. All training and tools are provided and no experience is required. Keep fit, learn new skills and meet people too!

Saturday 5^th March 10am-1pm

Voluntary warden training

Become a voluntary warden and help us look after the park by being extra eyes and ears on the ground.

Sunday 13^th March 10am-3pm

Tree and hedge maintenance

Help our hedges and trees survive with some essential management work.

All events are free, but if you come and enjoy yourself, why not make a small donation. We will use the money to put on more events in the future.

For further information about the guided walks or becoming a Friends volunteer, please contact us on:

Tel: 01234 720016, or email: lyndsey.bignell@bedscc.gov.uk

Odell’s very own Natalie Bushell has been selected for the World Class finals

 by the British Equestrian Federation. First she made it to the top 50 and most

recently the top 15 riders from whom the future Olympic Dressage Riders will be chosen.

In early March she will hear if she has made it to the top 5 – these are the lucky ones

who attract massive sponsorship to enable them to compete internationally in the run up

 to the 2012 Olympics for which Natalie is aiming. Natalie has already competed as a

member of the Junior European Team 2003 and represented the UK in Holland and France.

We wish her good luck for the next round.

February’s meeting was a members night where we shared our memories of our childhood and teenage years. We come from many different parts of the country, some from towns, some from country, which all had an effect on our upbringing and memories. Particularly interesting were the memories of how the war years had affected people -some good some bad. Our local ladies were speaking of dances with G.I.s at Harrold Hall while those from the London and Kent area spoke of bombs, doodlebugs and being evacuated.

Two things, however, which seemed to be common to us all, was the freedom we remember and, of course, that the sun nearly always shone.

This will take place in the Village Hall on March 8^th at 7.30pm. Our speaker will be Helen Dawkins who will be demonstrating and talking about how Black and White photographs can be restored and brought back to life.

Our March hostesses are Jane Eshelby and Jill Cheadle. Competition is ‘A Black and White Photograph’.

We would like to thank everyone who attended the funeral of John Hancock, and for the many cards and letters of sympathy that we have received. We have been overwhelmed by the kindness and support from family and friends.

John would have been touched by the attendance, and the wonderful tribute written by his friend John Osborn. Thank you John for a truly memorable and accurate tribute - John was lucky to have such a good friend.

We would also like to thank those who gave so generously to Cancer Research. At the last count, well over £1000 had been raised, which we hope will in some way help to prevent the illness that John fought against so bravely. Judy, Peter & Jackie Hancock

The current absentee landlords have decided to drop their tenancy of The Bell which means that the position of pub managers Kyla and Richard is now up in the air. Kyla and Richard will take the opportunity to go travelling and will be leaving on 28th March. They would like to thank everyone for the support shown to them over the past 18 months. They have enjoyed their time here and will be sad to leave many new friends.

Meanwhile…..Mothering Sunday Lunch at the Bell on March 6th: 4 course meal £19.95 per person.

At long last bus users in the Bedford area have a say in how their services are operated following the formation of the Bedford Area Bus Users’ Society (BABUS).

The need for the society was first identified at a Bus Surgery held in Harpur Square, Bedford in 2002, organised by the Bedfordshire Rural Transport Partnership and National Federation of Bus Users.

The inaugural meeting of BABUS took place in October 2004, a resounding success with 11 people coming forward to form the committee. However, there is still room for more committee members!

BABUS is the latest addition to a growing number of bus user groups across the country, and has an interest in all bus services operating from Bedford Bus Station.

The birth of BABUS comes at an ideal time; not only have there been extensive changes to bus services in the Bedford area over the last year, but also there are a number of exciting imminent improvements to bus information on the horizon, courtesy of Bedfordshire County Council.

The Society has three main aims:

to represent the interests of bus users in the Bedford area,

to encourage people to use buses

to act as a focal point between bus users, bus companies and the Borough and County Councils.

For further information, please contact Stephen Sleight, Field Officer (Transport) on 01234 838771 ext 115 or email stephens@bedsrcc.org.uk

If you have an idea or can help with these let us know, and if you would like a venue for a private function, the very reasonable hire fee helps us maintain the hall.

The new year has had a fine start with two cracking evenings:

Over 80 people sat down to "Neeps and Tatties" with Burns recitals from Martin Cameron. After the meal everyone danced through to the end of a long and thoroughly enjoyable evening. Proceeds from the evening were in aid of Alzheimers Society in Bedford which provides tremendous support locally. Thanks to Les Knowles and his band of helpers for putting it all together.

Once again we were treated to over 2 hours of solid song and comedy from this very versatile and favourite theatre group. Tickets were again sold out within days of a mention in last month’s parish magazine!!

It's the time again for our annual spring Quiz. Teams of up to 6 as usual. To avoid disappointment, book your team with Rob Lee 720730 or Pat Asbery 720594. £2 per person. 7.30 for 8 pm start.

Waste Paper Collection - Thank you for bringing your waste paper to the bins. Though the return is small, every little bit helps financially and of course the waste is recycled.

Do please support our events, and do suggest to us your ideas for alternative activities.

Tuesday 8th – Saturday 12th March, 7.45 pm

The Wartime Theatre Classic by Ronald Harwood

Ronald Harwood’s evocative, perceptive, and hilarious portrait of backstage life, inspired by memories of his years as Donald Wolfit’s dresser; one of the most acclaimed dramas of modern theatre.

In a war-torn provincial theatre an ageing actor-manager, known to his loyal company as ‘Sir’, is struggling to keep a grip on sanity and complete his 227th performance of King Lear. Thanks to Hitler, all the able-bodied actors are in uniform and bombs are destroying theatres across the country, but the show must go on. Ensuring that it does is Norman, Sir’s devoted dresser, who for sixteen years has fixed his wig, massaged his ego, reminded him of his opening lines, and provided the sound effects in the storm scene… A moving, ‘must see’ production.

Tickets (£8/10) available NOW from:

Sharnbrook Post Office – in person (cheque/cash) your local booking point

Bedford Central Box Office 01234 269519 (Credit/Debit Cards accepted)

PLEASE NOTE: Tickets are no longer available from The Castle, Wellingborough.

For Party bookings: Please ‘phone Alison Bean 01234 781372

(10% discount for 10 or more, excluding Charity Gala performances).

Then…the emotional roller-coaster:

Spend, Spend, Spend 13^th – 21^stMay

Book in advance during this show only at the theatre.

Advance notice: Tickets available soon for …

Nelson Mandela and Winnie: A Love Story An original play in three acts.

One performance only at The Mill Theatre, on Saturday 4th June 7.45pm. A one-man performance by Michael Prior as Mandela

Mon. 1st – Sat. 6th August 2005

9-18 years old? Act Now! A week-long course under professional tuition, concluding with a performance on the Saturday. For details or to register, please contact Erica Lester, The Mill Theatre, Sharnbrook, Bedford MK44 1NP (781210).

The editorial staff are always pleased to receive pictures of local events to include in the magazine. Now that many people have digital cameras it is easy to e-mail photographs - so please send in any that have local interest – but be sure that any people in the photographs are happy to be featured in the magazine!

Please send all entries for the April 2005 magazine to Tricia Hudson (patriciahudson@kbnet.co.uk), Anne Turner or Catherine Corkery by March 12^th 2005 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.