Birthday Greetings to Robert Merret who will be 10 on the 11^th

And to anyone else who celebrates a birthday in June!

The Millennium Book of Odell.

After nearly four years of research and preparation, the writing is finally done and the book is with the printers. The date for distribution is now firmly in their hands and all we can do is wait…but mid-June is looking good.

The Millennium Book of Odell…what does that mean? A millennium is a thousand years and that is exactly what the book offers:- one thousand years of Odell’s history. Walter Flandrensis came to England with William the Conqueror and when the fighting was over he was granted great tracts of land of which our parish of Odell, or Wahull as it was then known, was but a part. However, he chose to settle here and adopted the title Baron of Wahull. It was here that he started to build his castle and the family was to remain for nearly 400 years. The family "dwindled" into the female line and the castle and estate fell into neglect.

William Alston was a successful lawyer and he grew rich as Keeper of Briefs on the Kings Bench – a "post of considerable profit" – and when he had made his fortune he began to look for a suitable country estate. His eye fell upon the crumbling fortunes of Odell. He rebuilt the castle into a fine mansion and the Alston family remained with us until the twentieth century.

If you are not interested in the rich, how about the poor? In those earlier, far off centuries, the rich enjoyed a life of relative ease and comfort but for the poor life was one long, unremitting grind of hard labour just to get by. Most of those who aspired to have a little land had to pay their "lord" rent. As most of them could not give money they had to offer their labour instead – without pay. Some of the early rents paid to the Baron Wahull are quite intriguing. Why, for example, did Henry Legerman pay an annual rent of a garland of roses and yet Matilda de Pentyne was required to deliver just one single rose? Why in the eighteenth century did our burgeoing Parish Council force certain residents to wear badges emblazoned with the letters of "P" and "O"? This was in a time before Social Security and if you were unlucky enough to find yourself "on the parish" you would receive a pittance to live on and were expected to wear a badge of shame for all to see. This was known as "badging the poor".

We hear of Peter Bulkeley leaving for America and in a later century of Charles Searle who assisted many of the young men of Odell to seek a better life in the New World. We also hear the sad story of little Kitty Askew, with her plans to join her brother in Canada, all of which came to tragic climax.

If you prefer lighter reading there is the section on Myths and Legends. The black-hearted Baron of Radwell coveted the pretty daughter of Baron Wahull and way-laying her True Knight he secreted him in the dungeons of Radwell Castle. His evil plans came to nothing and right eventually won the day when the happy young couple was married. The thwarted Baron Radwell attacked Odell Church in his rage, seizing the tower. The imprint of his hand was burned into the stonework. There are many stories concerning the "fingerprints" on the church tower. The most popular is that they were left there by the wicked Sir Rowland Alston. Yet again, it is reputed that the fingerprints were left there by the Devil himself. These stories and many other legends all find their way into the Millennium Book.

Perhaps you prefer anecdotes from the turn of the twentieth century such as that of Sally Moffatt selling ice-cream from her little pony and cart, or of the Wesley brothers and their sporting prowess. There are anecdotes of cricket matches and bare-knuckle fighting and the regular pastime of waylaying poachers in Odell Wood, to say nothing of the Odell thunderbolt.

There is all this and much, much more to be found in the Millennium Book. However, with all my research I found myself in possession of far more information than I could make use of, so from time to time I hope to dig into this excess material when bringing you my monthly item.

On June 10^th visit Horsefair Lane and go back some 75 years. Meander down the lane in brilliant summer sunshine (it will be!), listen to Lilly the dance organ as you make your way to the riverbank for a soothing trip on the river in a punt. After something that exhausting how about some tea – cucumber sandwich dear? - or maybe something a little stronger. Whilst you sip your Pimms reflect on all those Americans, tortured by prohibition. Admire the season’s fashions, dropped waisted dresses, long strings of pearls and those fetching little feather headdresses. All that bliss before you have to go and collect your raffle prize and knock yet another coconut from its perch.

How are all the decorative containers coming along? Bring your completed entry along on the day, include your name and address and you could win £10 to spend at Milton Ernest Garden Centre.

Once you have turned the loft out and found all those old clothes – wear them! - and enter our Fancy Dress Competition. Prizes for children 7 and under, 8 to 11 and over 12 and adults.

Forget the National Lottery for one week and buy one of our raffle tickets - the chances of winning are far greater. 35% of ticket proceeds will be returned in cash prizes (first prize 20%).

Do you own a ferret? If you do why not put it into training and bring it to the Fete to compete against our Ferret Racing Team.

On the appealing for help side the Committee could do with items for the following stalls. Here are all the contact names and numbers:

Cakes for Teas Doreen Wheeler 720358

White Elephant Jackie Stubbs 720123

Gifts Catherine Corkery 720348

Sunday School Valerie Streater 720234

The garden of Yelnow Farm, Church Lane Odell, will be open on

17^th and 18^th June from 11am – 6pm.

Adults £1, children 50p.

Proceeds to go to the Henry Doubleday Research Association.

Something for all garden lovers: a developing kitchen garden converting to organic status, woodlands and nursery.

Teas served. Plants for sale.

This month saw our AGM which gave us the chance to review the past year. We have had some enjoyable meetings and with the support of friends and residents, two successful fund raising events. It gave our President, Pat Allen, a chance to say thank you to all who had supported her throughout the year and gave us, the members, a chance to say thank you to her for all her hard work as president and a long standing committee member. She has decided to stand down from both the committee and her position as president so a small presentation was made to her. Our competition cup was won by Jill Cheadle.

We welcomed Dot Wig, a visitor from Bedfordshire Federation, who brought us up to date with W.I. news, answered our questions and finally entertained us with some humorous recitations.

After a coffee break we then resumed the meeting to discuss the resolutions, which were then voted on.

Next Meeting:

Village Hall on June 13th at 7.30. Our speaker will be Mr Deacon who will demonstrate the art of stained glass making.

Competition: A favourite piece of glass.

Hostesses: Mandy Sharpe and Barbara Corley.

As always all are welcome , just come along or contact me at the number below for further details

Parish Council Minute Book 1937 - 1972

Indulge Yourself!

Afternoon Tea

Cream teas – strawberries and cream

Thanksgiving for Marriage

Anne Osborn 781317, Lynda Newman 781780 or Barbara Woplin 781200

Odell Village Hall

We would welcome some more members to the committee so if you have some spare time and would like to join us please contact Rob Lee 720730.

Odell Parish Council

We have chosen and will install a new seat at the end of Horsefair Lane.

We are continuing to battle with the Bus service to improve the service for children going to school.

Mr.Prigmore came from Bedfordshire C.C. and heard our concerns about the roads. He agreed that Horsefair Lane needs re-surfacing and this will be done later. He also undertook to improve the road marking at the eastern entrance to the village. To improve the centre lining is a matter for the Ministry of Transport, and the Bedfordshire C.C. cannot do anything for that.

At the meeting on 3rd July Miss Gillian Cook will address the Parish Council on the subject of affordable housing. Anyone in the Parish may attend.

Mr B Cheadle was elected Vice Chairman, and Mr J Harrison was elected Chairman of the Parish Council for the coming year.

Jonathan Harrison Chairman.