ODELL VILLAGE NEWS
October 2005
Sudden
Footpath closure
A sturdy fence was been erected to stop people crossing directly between the Bell and the river foot bridge. The land owner who has erected it may be entitled to do so if the mini fence erected by Greene King across the Bell garden has already been acting as an impediment to otherwise unobstructed regular public use for at least 20 years. Since it has a very pedestrian-friendly gate in it , most people think this is unlikely. The parish council discussed this on July 18th but were not prepared to do anything about it. A separate initiative will be launched to address the problem. Watch this space. The Bedford council contact on such matters is adrian.fett@bedscc.gov.uk and tel 01234 228335
Birthdays
Happy birthday to:
Lottie Robinson whose birthday is on the 18th October
and to anyone else who has a birthday in October.
Clocks Change
Don’t forget to put your clocks back 1 hour on Sunday 30th October.
Round and About
Trafalgar - October 21st. 1805.
In Britain's long historical memory the names of many heroes shine brightly but few shine brighter than that of Horatio Nelson. He was a giant amongst giants and this month we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar - claimed to be one of the most important sea battles ever fought and certainly the last major sea battle fought under sail.
On this day of historical importance the fleets of three great maritime nations were drawn up off Cape Trafalgar on the Spanish coastline. The combined fleets of France and Spain were commanded by Admiral Villeneuve and numbered 33 tall ships. Twenty seven ships-of-the -line were under the command of Admiral Nelson. They finally came to battle after a prolonged game of cat-and-mouse as Nelson tried to track the enemy ships.
Napoleon had more or less conquered Europe and only two great prizes eluded him, Russia to the East and England to the West, but to reach England he had to cross the sea and that meant facing the British navy. Our navy had a formidable reputation and the French navy had already suffered great losses to Nelson in the past. The present fleet was under the command of the Admirals Nelson and Collingwood and Napoleon was far from convinced that his own navy had the skills to take the British navy on head-to-head. Hence the sea chase that took the combined fleets all the way to the West Indies and
back again but, at last, the British fleet had cornered its prey.With the two opposing fleets sailing towards each other in battle order Nelson sent up a string of flags with his now famous message of "England Expects that every man will do his duty". In a country now unaccustomed to such gestures this may seem somewhat over-the-top but for the same reason Nelson trod his quarterdeck in full uniform with all his medals on display. This was thought to be unwise as it made him a target, however, Nelson knew what he was doing. He was sending a message to the ordinary seamen so that they would know exactly where he was - in their midst, facing the same dangers, and thus encourage them to enter the fight with enthusiasm.
Sea battles in those days were very formalised events, the ships would sail in line, past each other exchanging fire - this was how it had always been and this is what the French and Spanish fleets expected...but Nelson was a tactition. The English fleet knew what it had to do. They broke the enemy line, enabling the smaller fleet to reduce the enemy into several separated but more manageable groups...and the carnage was great. In these old sea battles between great wooden ships, most of the injuries were from flying splinters or falling rigging and casualties were high. Very few people fell from being hit by a bullet but this was the fate that awaited Nelson. During the wild, opening flurries of the battle a sharpshooter in the enemy rigging took aim and whether by luck or judgement his bullet struck home, hitting Nelson in the back and shattering his spine. He was carried below and the news of his fall was kept from the crew.
Despite the fall of Nelson the battle continued with great ferocity, and amazingly at its conclusion the British had not lost a single ship, but of the 33 enemy vessels the British had captured or sunk 22 ships. It cost 5,000 French and Spanish lives but we lost only 450 British seamen. It was actually Admiral Collingwood, supported by his captains, who fought and won the Battle of Trafalgar but they followed Nelson's battle plan to the letter. We may have lost one of the nation’s greatest seamen in the death of Nelson but it was his strategy that gave the British navy supremacy of the sea for more than 100 years.
England was to mourn its hero. Nelson had requested Captain Hardy: "Do not throw me overboard..." and he was carried home to England - and a state funeral. Villeneuve, who had fought bravely, on the other hand, returned home to face a court martial. This, however, he did not live to see...he was discovered in his bed - stabbed to death.
So it is that nations perceive their heroes - one celebrated in paintings and statues whilst the other lies more or less forgotten.
"Open Your Mind" to Alzheimer’s.
For many years the Alzheimer Society has worked to raise awareness of, and change attitudes towards, this disease. Please help Alzheimer’s Society to continue its valuable work by buying and wearing one of its new wristbands, which are branded with the Society colours and includes the Society’s website address on the back. The cost of a wristband is £2 and every purchase will go to help those suffering from this disease and other dementias.
Thank you.
Contact Leslie Knowles 721860
Odell Luncheon Club
Senior Citizens Harvest Lunch
The annual senior citizens’ harvest lunch will take place in Odell Village Hall on Wednesday October 12th, 12.00 for 12.30pm.
All senior citizens invited – please accept this as the only invitation.
Please let Roma know (720431) by October 5th if you are coming.
Stopping Sales Calls – Silent Calls
Telephone Preference Society
0845 070 0707
Silent Computer Calls
0870 444 3969
These will only stop calls where the company has registered with them and is currently voluntary.
However, there is a new product available, called ‘Call Blocker’, which will stop 100% of all sales calls, silent calls, premium rate calls and fax calls from both UK and abroad! It is a device that fits between your socket and phone and comes with a full 12 month guarantee.
The device costs £39.99 + £4.99 p&p.
Telephone 01905 743685 for details. Leslie Knowles
Hatha Yoga Class
Odell's Thursday evening yoga class takes place in the Village Hall from 7.30pm to 9pm. during term time.
The very friendly, outward going class has been running for two years and would like to welcome new students for the autumn term.
A new term will commence on Thursday 15th September 2005, at a cost of £5 00 per class.
Complete beginners are most welcome; a non slip mat will be essential.
Please contact Veronica (01234) 218 654
W.I.News
We
had a colourful and exotic meeting this month when Jinder Surmal and her
daughter came to talk to us about Indian Fashions. She started by telling us
that there was no such thing as one national costume in India. It is such a big
country that the colours and materials used vary as much as the climate does.
Where cotton grows easily that will be the fabric used, where it’s colder and
higher it will be the fleeces of animals that provide the fabrics. India has
also been ruled by many different nations and each has left its legacy: some say
that the sari has its roots in the Roman Toga and Greek dress.
She and her daughter then showed us some of their own outfits, beautifully made and embroidered for special occasions with
simpler versions for daytime use. Some are still made back in India, others by local dressmakers and there is now a flourishing designer market particularly for the younger women. Fashions change and colours come and go but what was clear was that you are unlikely to see anyone else in the same outfit.
A fascinating look at a style of dress that always looks elegant and cool.
October meeting
We welcome John Tusting to the Village Hall on Tuesday 11th October at 7.30. He will be talking about the re-development of Chellington Church.
Hostesses and Competition
Hostesses are Margaret Jones and Chris Devereaux. The competition is an Autumn Posy.
Rachel Halton 720572
Line Dancing
Odell Village Hall
Beginners Class
Every Wednesday until Christmas
7 - 8.30pm
Contact Roma for more details or just turn up
Proceeds to Harrold Surgery
Harrold-Odell Country Park
Events for all ages at Harrold-Odell Country Park
Come and join in the events at the Park. You will need to reserve a place as some of them can only take limited numbers. If you would like to make a donation to the Park it will enable us to put on more of these events. The one exception this
programme is the event for the Royal National Institute of the Blind on Friday 28th October when all donations will go to them.
Tel: 01234 720016 or email: hocp@bedscc.gov.uk
A Walk in the Woods
Sunday 16 October 10am – 12pm
Discover all the different kinds of trees that are growing in the Park. See if you can identify them through their fallen leaves.
Marvellous Mammals
Wednesday 26 October 2 – 4pm
Come and learn about our furry friends! Starting indoors, we’ll learn about these marvellous creatures and how to track them down. Then we’ll go for a walk around the Park and see what we can find.
A Spooky Walk in the Dark!
Friday 28 October 7.30pm - 9.30pm
(In aid of the Royal National Institute of the Blind charity no 226227)
Hear the scary stories; meet the ghastly ghosts on your walk around the Park. Finish up the shenanigans with a hot drink and a chocolate
apple! Families welcome. Please bring a torch with you and wear warm clothing.
Make a donation on the night or raise more money by having a
sponsorship form available in advance from the RNIB 01603 262427
Halloween Weekend
Saturday 29 October 10am – 4pm
The Big Draw! Make a horrid Halloween Mask of creepy creatures or grotesque gremlins. Take part in lots of art activities. Make your own charcoal. Dress for mess.
Sunday 30 October 10am – 4pm
The Big Draw continues with another session! Everyone is an artist. What can you find in the Park to experiment with?
Friends Group
Come along and help with the practical work at the Park. The next session is on Monday 31st October from 10am until mid afternoon but you can stay as short a time as you like. There is no charge. Please wear old, warm, outdoor clothes, sturdy footwear and bring a packed lunch. All welcome.
Appealing for Apples!
National Apple Day - A celebration of the apple
At Bromham Mill, Bridge End, Bromham, Bedford
On Sunday October 16th from 11.00am – 4.30pm.
Taste, eat, drink, try and buy your local apples.
Cider from CAMRA, Food Fayre with Bedfordshire Clangers and other gastronomic goodies, longest peel competition, apple bobbing, children’s art activities, entertainers, and lots more.
Do you have any old apple trees in your garden and don’t know what varieties they are?
Bring along two apples with a small piece of twig and some leaves for apple identification. Maybe you have some of these lost varieties – Rufus, Bedfordshire Greening, Ring Pippin, or Lord Beatty. The identification is being done by the East of England Apples and Orchards Project who can offer advice on everything to do with apples! See their website for more details – www.applesandorchards.org.uk
Follow the signs through the village to free parking in Bromham Park.
Admission - Adults £4, concessions £2.50, children under 16 free.
Further details tel: 01234 824330 or email:bromham.mill@bedscc.gov.uk
Welcome home
...to Marietta Shaw. We are very pleased to say that Marietta is home from hospital following her recent accident and is making good progress. We send our best wishes for a speedy recovery.Village Hall News
Events
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.
Barn Dance - 8th October.
Tickets will be on sale from the usual sources at £6 and will include a Chilli and Baked Potato supper!! Tickets will be sold on a first come first served basis.
Quiz - 19th November - As the chilly nights start to draw in come and join us for another Odell Quiz. Usual teams of 6 (no more, but can be fewer for the brainier ones!) at £2 per head.
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.
Rob Lee (720730) on behalf of the Village Hall Committee.
Alistair Burt MP
will be holding an Advice Centre at Sharnbrook Village Hall
on Friday 14th October 2005, from 4.00 to 6pm.
To arrange an appointment, please phone
Liz Hobbs, Organising Secretary on 01767 313385. Thank you.
The Mill Theatre, Sharnbrook
2005 Season
Scrooge
The Wonderful, Seasonal, Family Musical by Leslie Bricusse,
based on Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’.
Fri. 11th- Sat. 19th November, nightly at 7. 45pm, also Matinee Sat. 19th 2.30 pm
Tickets available from Monday 3rd October.
Tickets:
Sharnbrook Post Office in person
Bedford Central Box Office – 01234 269519
Party Bookings – 01234 781372 (10+ 10% discount excluding charity/gala evenings).
Welcome one and all!
Access for the disabled: completed in time for Season’s Greetings, the new Foyer-to-Clubroom cabin-style lift and covered riverview balcony from the Gallery Bar now provide easy access to 2 wheelchair positions, also to neighbouring seating in the Auditorium. Patrons wishing to book wheelchair positions or to take advantage of easy access (rows A-C), please contact Bedford Central Box Office and mention your need when booking.
Youth Theatre Summer School
2005A most accomplished, inspired and moving performance entitled Calm & Conflict was staged on Saturday 6th August 2005 at The Mill Theatre, before a large audience of parents and friends, whose emotions were stretched from the start by the cast of 28 students!
The company members aged 8 up to 16, a number acting for the first time, demonstrated their array of talents - dramatic, musical and comedy – through the media of dance, song & tableaux, performance poems, sketches, mime and improvisation. Vibrant interludes of African ‘welcome’ or ‘war’ drums linked the themed scenes as varied and testing as: Monty Python’s Flying Circus ‘The Argument Sketch’ – ‘The Send-off to War’ and ‘The Christmas Truce’, via: ‘I saved The World today’, ‘The War of the Worlds’ and ‘Combat Games’ – to Scene One of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet; the whole culminating with the poignant finale
ensemble ‘Reach out and Touch’.
The show that evening concluded a week of professional tuition, hard work and fun, with new skills learnt, confidence and experience gained. Congratulations, One and All!
Are you 9 – 18? Interested to take part in Mill Theatre Summer School 2006? Then please write to Mrs Erica Lester, The Mill Theatre, Sharnbrook, Bedford MK44 1NP or phone 781210; it’s not too soon.
Diary
1st 10.00am Church decorating, All Saints’.
7.00pm Harvest Supper, Village Hall.
2nd 10.00am Harvest Festival Family Service, All Saints’.
5th 7.00pm Line dancing Odell Village Hall.
8th Barn Dance, Odell Village Hall.
11th 7.30pm W.I. Odell Village Hall,
12th 12 noon Senior Citizens’ Harvest Lunch, Village Hall.
14th 4.00pm Alistair Burt Advice Centre, Sharnbrook.
16th 10 am Walk in Harrold/Odell Country Park.
16th 11 am National Apple Day, Bromham Mill.
19th 10.30am Meeting Point at Jane’s, Newton House, Avenue
Rd., Rushden.
22nd 7.00pm "Shakespeare Ladies Club", Odell Village Hall.
26th 2pm Learn about our mammals, Harrold/Odell
Country Park.
28th 7.30pm Spooky walk in the dark, H/O Country Park.
29th 10am Big Draw, H/O Country Park.
30th 1.00am Clocks change.
30th 10am Big Draw, H/O Country Park.
31st 10am "Friends Group" working day, H/O Country
Park.
Magazine Deadline
Please send all entries for the November 2005 magazine to Tricia Hudson (patriciahudson@kbnet.co.uk), Anne Turner or Catherine Corkery by October 12th 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.
Electronic mail address
email is mag@jonhudson.net
FAX number
01234-721004
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