Happy birthday to:

Liane Fulford on the 4^th

And to everyone with a birthday in March.

 As you enter the Country Park from Horsefair Lane the bridle path takes you between two lakes.  On your right is the large lake whilst on the left is, for the purpose of this article, what I shall call Swan Lake.

Two years ago things began to look brighter.  There was a companion bird.  The resident and the new companion built a nest and last April they proudly ushered four little balls of fluff on to the open water.  For about a week people looked on and smiled.  I heard several comments about how nice it was to see cygnets on the lake again.  Then disaster struck.  Last year the weather was foul and May came in wild, wet and windy.  For several days the cygnets sought shelter on the backs of their parents but one day there was just one swan on the lake.  A few days later the park flooded and it was a week before I could view the lake again.  Just one swan, and so it remained all summer.  What was it that had destroyed this young family, predators or weather?  It is unlikely that weather would have taken all five birds in one night and I sadly suspect it was foxes.

Once again Swan Lake was home to one lonely, grieving swan.  This lovely bird languished away the summer and autumn months and then returned again in January - still alone.  The only consolation seemed to be found in joining the little group of ducks for company.

Towards the end of January amid torrential rain, the country park flooded once again.  As the water began to subside I witnessed a sequence of events to which I have put my own interpretation.  Maybe I have let my imagination run away with me but I record the events that followed together with my own explanation. 

before and I was not at all keen to see it happen again and so I hurried on my way, fearing the worst.

The following day I passed Swan Lake, as I always do, and I looked to see whether there was any sign of the previous day’s battle,  but only ducks were present.  The following day, however, I could hardly believe my eyes.  Not one, but two swans, in quite close proximity, sat upon the water.  Now, I wondered, was this two of the bully boys claiming possession of the lake or was it the original resident together with the survivor - two birds in need finding solace in each other’s company.  When I reached the flooded meadow what met my gaze but four swans swimming happily on the flood water.  This seemed to rule out of the equation the question as to whether the bully boys had taken up residence on the lake.

At the time of writing the two swans are still together on Swan Lake and I would like to think that these two birds have a future together.  One is almost certainly the original resident as I occasionally see it in the company of the ducks, whilst the other holds back a little.  Swans do not usually choose ducks for companions but when alone they provided the only company available.  Now, however, with two swans once more on the lake, whether as a mating pair or as two companions, let us hope happier times have returned for the birds on Swan Lake.

   Barbara Corley

The annual Senior Citizens Fish and Chip lunch will take place on

Wednesday 5^th March

at 12.30 for 1.00pm

in the Village Hall.

February’s meeting was saved by one of our members. Our speaker Sorrel Pinder failed to turn up so we are indebted to Joyce Knight for stepping into the gap. She attends a fitness class in the Harrold Reform Church most weeks and took us through some of her regular exercises. Thank you Joyce. Our competition was a poem on Balance and Flexibility and was won by Carol Ormond.

This will be held on Tuesday 11^th of March at 7.30 in the Village Hall. Our speaker will be Major Alan Gilmore; his topic: ‘Training an Intelligence Officer’.

Write the 1^st paragraph of a new James Bond novel

Jane Eshelby and Jill Cheadle

Rachel Halton 720572

Harrold's 26th Pit Run will take place on Saturday 19th April 2008.

We thought we'd get this date in your diary now! This year the event will be themed St George's Day with plenty to keep all ages occupied. So…

Runners - get training

Clubs/charities - get organised

Fun runners - get a costume sorted

Businesses- get in touch

Everyone - make sure you're around!

Web: www.pit-run.com

E-mail: pit-run@hotmail.com

In memory of the late Avril Brittle.

Village Hall Update: There was some discussion regarding the current position regarding the lease and it was agreed that information would be sought from other parishes regarding a suitable document. The position regarding the car park is still ongoing and funding for this was discussed. To pay outright from the Parish Council’s funds would leave insufficient in reserve to cover annual ongoing costs; an option to impose a one-off increase in the Precept was considered inadvisable in the current uncertain financial climate so it was agreed that the owner be asked if he would accept payment in two instalments – one from this year’s budget and one from next. This would allow a 12 month period for funds to be accumulated for the second payment.

Disabled access and playground: Following Cllr. Cheadle’s personal conversation with the Planner regarding possible resolutions to this impasse, Peter Bull has now stated that an application [for the disabled access] could in principle be considered providing an undertaking [planning obligation] is prepared that would prevent the work from taking place until a new play space is available for use. The Borough Council’s Legal Services Unit is willing to draft such an undertaking for the Parish. Details of title and evidence of agreement in principle from the County Council regarding the play area would be required. The initial County Council required approval has been granted and a proposal incorporating all the Council’s requirements is to be prepared. The Planners are insisting on a litter bin being provided but the County Council would not be willing to service this – the Parish Council would have to find a suitable solution. This will be pursued.

Disabled parking spaces at village hall withdrawn.

Northend Farm – erection of new gates etc. withdrawn.

Outline permission granted for erection of 4 dwellings at 119 Odell Road.

Nuon Renewables – notice of Appeal.

The Lodge, High Street – notice of Appeal.

Castle Farm House – installation of solar panels refused.

Highways: there is concern locally that the ‘Flood’ notices are not being properly controlled; individuals are not allowed to remove them and the County appears to be leaving them in situ ‘in case it rains again’. The County Council will be notified of the local strong feeling about this and will be asked to regulate the notices more accurately according to the flood situation.

Community Fund: The limitations within this document for the funding make it almost impossible for parishes to find suitable areas locally where the money could be used. As there is no flexibility to go outside the proposals, after much debate the following possibilities were agreed:

i) No. 3 – litter clean-up @ £100 per visit. Constraints apply but we will submit a request for 4 visits within the 12 month period.

ii) No. 7c – Youth Activities – Dance & Music. £100/two hour session with a minimum of 10 participants. Mr. R.Dobbs will be approached regarding the suitability of this for his group.

iii) No. 17 – Monitoring Study for Speed Activated Signs - £200-£500. Speed monitors will be installed for a prescribed length of time.

Community Leader’s Fund: Cllr. Gershon has the small sum of £227.27 available to each parish and requires the nomination of a worthy group. The Parish Council proposed the Luncheon Club as the most worthy and suitable recipient and their details will be forwarded to Cllr. Gershon.

Cllr. Halton was unable to attend the last meeting which appeared to be very short. The ‘No Cycling’ signs and notice board have still not been erected but the work on the building has been completed which has greatly improved the facilities. The Heritage Lottery Bid is to be resubmitted under a different Lottery heading. The skateboard facility has been approved by the County Council. The next meeting is on the 13^th March.

After considering all the possible financial implications for the coming year, it was agreed that a Precept of £4000 should be put forward – an increase of only £100. There is little room for manoeuvre within the Budget as the annual accounts show incomings and outgoing are almost equal. Increased bills, particularly grass cutting, take up any surplus so a small annual increase is felt to be more acceptable than remaining static and then having to impose a very large increase.

The sum of £300 was again written into the Budget for the Luncheon Club, should this be required.

A Play Area Management/Information day is to be held at Shuttleworth on 1^st March. Cllrs. R. Halton and A. Sharpe volunteered to attend.

A Funding Workshop is to be held on 11^th March at Clophill; as the Parish Council will be approaching the WREN and Biffa organisations the Clerk will attend this.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Monday, 17^th March.

Carlton Road, Harrold, Bedford MK43 7DS

Website: www.hocp.net

All the events are free but donations are welcome.

Please contact us for further details.

Using materials from the Park make an obelisk for your garden. It will help support your plants and flowers or just use it as an architectural statement!

You will need to register for this as places are limited.

Colour in a butterfly or a fish. Prizes for the best ones at the end of the holiday. Collect yours from the Discovery Room in the Visitor Centre.

Easter Egg Hunt for the under 7s.

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

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

Monday 31 March Monday 28^th April

10am – 3pm

Wear warm clothing and footwear.

Hot drinks provided.

Come for an hour or two or stay as long as you like.

Medieval May Celebration at Bromham Water Mill, Bromham Sunday 25^th May and Monday 26^th May 2008 open 11 until 5 both days with last admission at 4 pm.

Fun for all the family and a chance to sample life in the 15^th century in the living history camp. Our unique working watermill is also open on both days with information about country crafts and the Bedfordshire

Countryside.

Attractions include:

Adults £5.50/Children and Concessions £3.50

Tel: 01234 720016

Email: hocp@bedscc.gov.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.

Everyone who attended this event enjoyed a great evening. Once again we were fortunate to be able to enjoy the musical and lyrical skills of Martin Cameron as he piped in the haggis and treated us all to a rousing rendition of Robert Burns’ ‘To a Haggis’ before the eating, drinking and dancing began. We are also grateful to Keith Rose who once again was our caller for the Scottish dancing.

Doreen and Leslie would like to thank everyone who gave of their time and effort for the recent Burns Night Supper. It was a great success and we were able to raise £585 – our biggest total ever. It has been donated to the North Beds Alzheimer Society; they will use the money for their new ‘Music for Memory’ Project and it will enable them to continue their support for people in Bedford affected by dementia. Once again a big thank you.

This year the theme of the show is ‘Cool Britannia’ – a light-hearted look at British life, culture and eccentricities through music, dance and stand-up and sketch comedy.

When? Saturday 15^th March

Time: 7:30 for 8:00pm

Tickets: £12.00 from Nikki Freeman 720893.

Book your seats early as tickets for this event are always in great demand.

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.

Definitely not to be missed!

Sharnbrook Post Office (in person)

& Bedford Central Box Office 269519

Advance Booking for our Regional Première of the musical

will be available, only at Theatre, during The Importance of Being Earnest

5^th 10.30am Meeting Point at The Rectory

5^th 12.30 for 1.00 Senior Citizens Fish and Chip lunch, Village Hall

6^th 10.00-1.00pm HOCP making obelisks

6^th 10.30am Coffee Morning for St. John’s Hospice, Rose Cottage, Felmersham.

7^th 10.00am Women’s World Day of Prayer Harrold URC

11^th 7.30pm W.I. Village Hall

15^th 9.45am All Saints’ Amblers, meet at The Bell

15^th 7.30 for 8.00pm Time of Our Lives Music Theatre, Village Hall

17^th 8.00pm ‘Journey of anger’, service at URC Harrold

17^th 8.00pm Odell Parish Council Meeting, Village Hall

18^th 8.00pm ‘Journey of tricky questions’, St Mary’s Carlton

19^th 10.30am Meeting Point, Jill’s

19^th 8.00pm ‘Journey of hospitality’, St Peter’s, Harrold

20^th 8.00pm The Lord’s Supper, Re-enactment, All Saints’ Odell

21^st 2.00pm An Hour at The Cross, URC Harrold

22^nd 10.00am Church Decorating, All Saints’

23^rd 10.00am Easter Sunday Holy Communion for all, All Saints’

23^rd 2-3.00pm HOCP Easter Egg Hunt

31^st 10.00-3.00pm HOCP Conservation Tasks

31^st 7.45pm PCC Meeting at The Rectory

Please send all entries for the April 2008 magazine to Tricia Hudson (mag1 at odellbeds dot net) or Catherine Corkery by March 12^th 2008 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.

Mid Beds Citizens Advice Bureau is looking for volunteers who would like the opportunity to learn new skills and develop existing ones.

Located at offices in Biggleswade, Ampthill and Chicksands, CAB advisers interview clients face to face and on the telephone. They advise on a wide range of issues including debt, benefits, housing, employment and family matters.

Advisers receive free formal accredited training with all expenses paid. As well as advice-giving, the service has volunteering roles in support of fundraising, publicity and recruitment.

All sorts of people volunteer for the CAB, but one thing that unites them all is that they find it challenging, rewarding and varied – and you never stop learning.

If you would like to join a friendly team, please contact Jenny Hedges, Bureau Manager on 01462 819570.