Bedfordshire County Council are drawing up plans for future quarry work in the County and they have their eyes firmly fixed on the R. Ouse valley between Felmersham and Carlton for one of these proposed sites.

They are asking for the opinion of local communities likely to be affected by such work and although the consultation meetings organised for this area are now past, I am placing before you what I feel would be the effect of such quarrying operations on this parish.

At the moment we are dealing with the planning stage and matters are yet to be finalised, but it is fair to say that Harrold and Carlton would appear to have already fought off plans for the river meadows lying between their two villages and now it is up to those of us who do not fancy the idea of quarrying for sand and gravel on the other side of the river to the parish of Odell to voice our opinions. It is time to contact the County Council and tell them, as individuals, why we oppose such work being carried out in this area. To tell them of the adverse impact it would have on the environment of this community from both a visual and noise point of view, let alone the effect it would have on the river itself and the wildlife. I understand the Parish Council have objected and it is now the turn of individual residents. 

It cannot be doubted that the noise factor alone would be considerable. Just consider the amount of noise we hear when just one farm tractor is at work in the fields across the river. Magnify that by the size and engine capacity of several huge earth-moving vehicles constantly tearing into the valley surface, together with all the other ancillary equipment that would go with it. The sound would echo from one side of the valley to the other, shattering the peace and tranquillity of the area. This would be noise pollution on a grand scale. Probably work would take place seven days a week, twelve months a year and they are talking of the site continuing for twenty years!

The entire area of land involved in this proposed project is in three blocks. That most central to Odell lies in the fields on either side of the Bridle Path from Odell Bridge (The Mill) to the Felmersham top road (Site MD 49). A second block lies between this and Felmersham (Site MD 46) and the third block runs along the valley to the bridge at Carlton (Hill Farm, Chellington). Whether this will be one continuous site is not clear to me at this stage.

These sites contain areas of archealogical interest. Whether they intend to tamper with the lost village of Chellington I do not know, but this is the site of a plague village and seems to be somewhat distasteful. Then there is Chellington Church itself. The church dates from the 13th c. and has recently undergone expensive refurbishment, supported by the Heritage Trust, local charities and residents to convert the premises into a retreat with leisure facilities. This conversion took place as recently as 2/3 years ago and is just beginning to get on its feet. Whether people seeking a quiet retreat in the peaceful tranquillity of the countryside will fancy being in the middle of a working quarry seems doubtful.

Another victim of these proposals must surely be the Daisy Bank Kennels and Grooming Parlour. Whether caring owners would choose to leave their treasured pets (both dogs and cats) trembling on the brink of such earthworks is open to question. The sound alone would terrify most animals, let alone those already bereft of their owners and home comforts. I would suspect that both the Chellington Centre and the Daisy Bank Kennels risk falling on hard times.

Our lovely river is currently running clean and pure. Ask the fishermen, they regularly pull out fish that can weigh anything up to 30 lbs. How long would this continue? The area is a flood plain constantly overflowing its banks. How long, I ask, before the water gets polluted. What effect will this have on the wildlife? There are deer and foxes, sometimes the badger wanders by. The river itself is home to our precious colony of otters and these animals require peace and quiet. If the waters are affected what will happen to these lovely creatures, to say nothing of the waterfowl, kingfishers and heron?

Yes, I know, there is a great need for sand and gravel, it will provide jobs for people - but I suspect not local. I daresay, in due course, the land will be restored to us, in one form or another. However, the big holes that will be left behind after the quarrying will change the water level of the river - it cannot help it. The area may well be turned into a nature reserve (we only have to look at the Country Park) but this will take about thirty years to achieve....after the work has been completed.

With proposed wind farms on one side of the valley and quarry work on the other we seem to be in danger of becoming a village within an industrial site.

We have been asked to submit our views and I have to admit that I have used this article to express how I feel. Please do not leave it to someone else...if we all leave it to someone else our views may never be expressed until it is too late. The Council have set out the following details:

Proposed sites: 46 Felmersham, MD 49 Felmersham/Odell, Land at Hill Farm, Chellington.

Internet: To view consultation documents - www.Bedfordshire.gov.uk and follow links to Environment and Planning, where there will also be a site to register your comments.

To write or Email (but please do not telephone). Make clear which sites you are talking about.

 To write: Minerals Plan, Minerals & Waste Planning Team,

Bedfordshire County Council, County Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford. MK42 9AP

 E Mail: mwplans@bedscc.gov.uk

Barbara Corley

Everyone welcome – come whenever you can!

also

All Age Church Service at the fete ground followed by a magnificent BBQ to thank Horsefair Lane residents and all the helpers and their families.

In Scout Field, Horsefair Lane, Odell

Entry Adults £1.50, Children Free

Stantonbury Brass Band

Boys Brigade

Teas Children’s Tombola Ice Creams

Tombola Cakes Beat the Goalie

Books Refreshments Bottle Stall

Coconut Shy Children’s Sports White Elephant

Produce Gifts Many Side Shows

Raffle Dog Show

2.00pm Grand Opening by Mrs Noreen Sturridge

2.00-4.00pm Dog Show

4.00pm Judging of Children’s Competitions

4.30pm Raffle Draw and Prize Giving

(entry fee - £1 per dog per class)

Painting of signs etc. for the fete will take place at Jim and Doreen Wheeler’s, Linden House, High Street, Odell, on Monday 7^th May from 10.00am.

There will be a lunch time bar-b-q for helpers - please let Doreen know (720358) if you wish to stay for this. Bring your own meat, salad provided.

a club for 5-11 year olds -

5.30pm – 6.30pm

at The Rectory

3, Church Lane, Odell

Games, Activities, Crafts,

Bible stories, Music, Drama

Encouraging children to think about

the world they live in,

their contribution to it and where faith fits in - while having fun!

For details contact: Sue Robinson 720113 or Christine Clark 720234

We would like to say thank you to everyone who helped to make our Golden Wedding Day so special: to all friends from near and far, and for the lovely cards and flowers, and to everyone at All Saints’ and for the gift and card. Thank you, too, to Christine, for such a lovely prayer.

Many thanks too to Doreen and Jane for yet another surprise when we went to Emmaus for lunch – another cake and a lovely flower decoration and everything looking very golden! It was a lovely week to remember.

Alistair Burt, MP for NE Bedfordshire will be holding a surgery at the Harrold Centre on Saturday May 12th, 10.00am until 12 midday.

at

Harrold Playing Field

Saturday June 16th

7.00 for 7.30pm until late

Tickets £28.00 Tel: 720638

All proceeds in aid of Harrold Cricket Club and Harrold Lower School

Have you ever wished that you could speak a foreign language or that you had kept up your language skills?

I have taught French and German for 10 years at a local secondary school and have also worked as an Adult Education Tutor for Modern Languages evening classes.

From April/May I will be offering daytime or early evening classes of no more than 6-8 people at Beginners, Intermediate or Advanced levels. You will be learning in small, friendly groups that give you the confidence to make good progress at a pace that suits you. Lessons will be tailored to the needs of the individual groups but we will concentrate initially on the language required for holidays in French/German speaking countries.

For more information please telephone Janet Hall (01234 720682).

The Parish Councillors are myself, Mrs. Rachel Halton (currently Chairman), Mr. Brian Cheadle Vice Chairman, Mr. Paul Crotty, Mr. Jonathan Harrison, Mrs. Amanda Sharpe and Mrs. Suzanna Swift. The Borough Councillor is Mr. Nick Charsley, the County Councillor is Mrs. Phyllis Gershon and our clerk is Mrs Mavis Knight.

I now propose to give a brief summary of our work during the past year. This will bring together the information given to you in the reports in the Parish Magazine throughout the year.

During the past year the Parish Council has expended a great deal of time and effort on the purchase of the Village Hall for the benefit of the community. We are grateful to the Rural Grants Committee of Bedford Borough Council for a very generous donation of £45,000, and to several smaller charities, which has allowed us to proceed with the purchase. Terms have now been agreed with the vendor and it is hoped to complete the transaction in the near future.

Cllr. Crotty continues to undertake the duty of Parish Liaison Officer with the County Council’s Highways representative Celia Sellars.

Regular meetings have been undertaken in order that problems can be discussed and resolved. This year’s work has included patching the road surface where necessary, reinstalling kerbing on Castle Hill, the installation of two bollards to protect the seat at the bottom of Horsefair Lane, the clearing of the footpath between the Little Odell junction and the Mad Dog, and with the money given to us under the Highways’

Partnership Scheme, the continuing improvement of the footpath from the phone box. It has also been agreed that some remedial work is required on the footpath between Little Odell and Odell.

The village seats have been inspected and a new bench has been ordered to replace the one on Hartles Hill. Our thanks to Cllr Cheadle who is undertaking its installation.

After investigating the options for grass cutting we are staying with our existing contractor but may use other contractors for specific jobs.

We have been advised that funding deliverable over the next four years is now available for remedial work to be undertaken on bridges in Bedfordshire. However we have not yet been informed of when work is likely to be carried out on Odell Bridge.

Various planning applications have been discussed over the year and the decisions of the Parish Council were reported back to the B.B.C. planning department.

The big issue is still the decision about the Podington Wind Farm and at the time of writing no date has been set for the proposal to be heard by the Council.

We heard a presentation from Paul Marsden about ‘Cold Calling Areas’. The Councillors supported the idea but felt that they didn’t want the signage that was available. Cllr Swift undertook on our behalf the distribution of leaflets which outlined the scheme and advised on what action to take.

We were pleased to welcome the present Mayor of Bedford Mr. Frank Branston to our meeting in September, together with Borough Cllr. Ian Clifton. He spoke about various issues and then welcomed questions from the Parish Council.

It was decided to support the Odell Luncheon Club with a donation of £300 as Councillors considered this a worthwhile community project.

Councillors undertake various duties throughout the year on behalf of the Parish Council and I thank them all. Cllrs Cheadle and Halton attend the North Bedfordshire Community Liaison Forum and were fortunate to obtain a small grant from them for the Luncheon Club. Cllr. Halton continues to liase with the Harrold and Odell Country Park Management. Cllr Swift was responsible for the Christmas tree and festive lighting and as noted above Cllr Crotty liases with the Highways’ Dept.

This concludes the Chairman’s Report for 2006-2007. Many thanks for your attention.

It was a fun evening at the W.I. meeting this month, thanks to our excellent speaker Natalie Nardone. Her subject was Belly Dancing, in particular Egyptian Belly Dancing. She had trained in classical ballet but was unable for medical reasons to continue so branched into theatre and choreography work. When doing research for a particular event she stumbled across Belly Dancing and was instantly smitten, learnt how to do it herself and has been passing her skills on ever since.

Its origins go back to the worship of Gods and Goddesses with many of the dances celebrating the bringing of life and the fertility of women. Women rarely perform outside the home now but do dance as a form of entertainment within it, the skills still being passed on to the young girls. It was first seen outside Egypt at a World Exhibition in Chicago in 1894 when the dance chosen to be performed was loosely translated as the dance of the belly and the name has stuck.

She demonstrated two differing dances for us, one incorporated many of the elements of the traditional Belly dance and the other was a graceful dance with a veil.

It was then time for us to have a go, to try and copy some of the lovely graceful arm movements and delicate footwork. We were enthusiastic but definitely need a great deal more practice.

This will be held on Tuesday May 8^th at 7.30p.m. at the Village Hall. It is our A.G.M. and a chance to discuss this year’s Resolution.

None this month

Kathy Dunn & Doreen Wheeler

Rachel Halton 720572

The winner of the Bell Odell Golf Society Stapleford Competition held at Pavenham on 20^th April was Ron Heatley (pictured below), with a score of forty points. He had a handicap of twelve, to be slashed for the next day! Ten members from Odell and the surrounding area took part.

Tuesday 1 May – 7.30pm. Forging Art for Pleasure, Sharnbrook Village Hall. £5 (£2.50 conc.)

Wednesday 2 May – 7.30pm. Quartet Camerata, Chellington Centre. £12 (£6 conc.)

Thursday 3 May – 8.00pm. Bedford Gallery Quire

St Peter's Church, Harrold. £10 (£5 conc.)

Friday 4 May – 7.30pm. Liquorice Allsorts Clarinet Quartet, The Barn, Carlton. £10 (£5 conc.)

Saturday 5 May – 7.30pm. Sights and Sounds of the Swing Era

Bromham Village Hall, £8 (£4 conc.)

Sunday 6 May – 7.30pm. Gary Seiling in Concert

St Leonard's Church, Stagsden. £8 (£4 conc.)

More detailed programme can be obtained from 01234 781372 and tickets for all events from Bedford Central Box Office (01234 269519)

Carlton Road, Harrold, Bedford MK43 7DS

During May why not take a look at the Country Park or go further afield and see what else the County Council has to offer in the way of countryside heritage. With lighter evenings it is a good opportunity to take a walk or a ride around and take the time to look at birds, animals, plus trees and plants.

May 6^th and 7^{th -} 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. A unique chance to come and catch a glimpse of medieval life, with craftsmen, living history, jousting and battles. Adults £5.50 and children £3.50.

Bromham Mill is open on May 12^th and 13^th from 1 pm to 5 pm. There will be a special demonstration on both days of traditional woodland crafts. The mill coffee shop and gift shop will be open with delicious cakes and the mill machinery can also be viewed. The Gallery will be open to see work by local artists some of which are for sale.

Advance notice – Bromham Mill Apple Day 2007 – Sunday October 14th

Stevington Windmill - May 12^th and 13^th open from 11am until 3pm both days, with a team of volunteers undertaking maintenance. Come and have a look inside and see how the windmill – a rare example of a complete post mill – works. Weather permitting, the sails will be turned and you may be able to help turn the mill itself on its central post!

12-4pm Elstow Village Green – There has been a May fair on the Green for centuries. Join the fun with maypole dancing, refreshments, Morris dancing, and car boot sale. Moot Hall museum is also open and why not visit the Abbey as well?

Join in with cutting willow to make charcoal, loading and unloading a kiln and setting off a burn. Using materials from the Park make a walking stick or learn how to construct a hurdle.

Come and join in with practical work to enhance the park for wildlife and visitors on the following dates:

Monday 21 May and Monday 25 June

All tasks start at 10am and finish mid afternoon, but you only need stay as long as you want.

If you would like to bring a group of children to the Park, an event can be organised for them. Adult groups also welcome. Contact us for further details.

Events at the Park are free but donations are always welcome. Please contact us to reserve a place as numbers may be limited.

Tel: 01234 720016

Email: hocp@bedscc.gov.uk

If you have an idea or can help with these let us know. The Hall may be hired for a private function for a very reasonable fee.

The large number of teams entering the quiz proved the ever-increasing popularity of this event, with several teams from outside the village.

Once again the evening was hugely enjoyable, due to the great efforts of quiz master Rob and all his helpers on the evening.

The winning teams were: 1st, ‘The Ad Hoc Luvvies’; 2nd, ‘The Misfits’ and 3rd, ‘Brains Aren’t Everything’ (although they certainly helped on this occasion!).

Friday 27^th April – Saturday 5^th May at 7.45 pm.

Tickets are available NOW at Sharnbrook Post Office (in person)

or Bedford Central Box Office, 269519 (*credit/ debit cards accepted).

Parties: 10% Discount for 10 or more (excluding Charity Gala or Revue Performances). Disabled Access: Lift, 2 Wheelchair spaces, easy access seating (3 steps). Please book early!*

Friday 25^th May at 7.45pm.

This is a memorable evening of anecdote, song and stories from the show that is: ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ - see and hear Tom Owen, enjoy a glass of wine and benefit the Bedford Hospital Charity.

Tickets £10, to include glass of wine, available now from Sharnbrook Post Office, or 01234 356051.All profits to Bedford Hospitals Charity.

Tues 1^st-5^th 7.45pm A Little Night Music, The Mill Theatre.

Tues 1^st 7.30pm. Forging Art for Pleasure, Sharnbrook.

Wed 2^nd 7.30pm. Quartet Camerata, Chellington Centre.

Thurs 3^rd 8.00pm. Bedford Gallery Quire, St Peter’s, Harrold.

Fri 4^th 7.30pm Liquorice Allsorts Clarinet Quartet, The Barn,

Carlton.

Sat 5^th 7.30pm Sights and Sounds of the Swing Era, Bromham

Village Hall.

Sun 6^th 7.30pm Gary Seiling in Concert, St Leonard’s, Stagsden.

Mon 7^th 10.00am Fete Working Day, Doreen Wheeler’s.

Tues 8^th 7.30pm WI AGM Village Hall.

Wed 9^th 10.30am Meeting Point at Eileen’s, 24 Church Hall Rd.,

Rushden.

Wed 9^th 10.30am Sue Ryder coffee morning, Rose Cottage,

Felmersham.

Sat 12^th 10.00am Alistair Burt surgery, Harrold Centre.

Wed 16^th 12.30pm Christian Aid lunch Village Hall.

Sat 19^th 9.45am All Saints’ Amblers meet at The Bell.

Mon 21^st 10.00am HOCP conservation tasks.

Mon 21^st 8.00pm AGM Parish Council, Village Hall.

Wed 23^rd 10.30am Meeting Point at Jill’s, Rectory Farm.

Sun 27^th 1-4pm Countryside Crafts, HOCP.

Please send all entries for the June 2007 magazine to Tricia Hudson (mag1@odellbeds.net) or Catherine Corkery by May 12^th 2007 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.