Honeycomb-On Line

During May The Daily Telegraph gave details of MPs′ allowance claims paid to compensate them for having to live in London and their constituencies. The result has been uproar. However, my first response has been that we are very lucky to live in the United Kingdom. I have lived and worked in quite a few countries. In the Middle East we never achieved anything that involved the government without passing over a brown envelope stuffed with money. In the United States we found ourselves having to make substantial donations to the local Senator′s political funds to ensure that legislation did not disadvantage us. In this country we get mad because our MPs are using to the full and abusing a system of allowances. When I think about the corruption that exists in so many other countries I give thanks that the abuse of allowances is the worst thing we have to worry about.

I also look back and think that we, the public, are, at least in part, to blame for this situation. Governments left and right have been reluctant to propose realistic pay increases for MPs. Instead of risking negative press coverage by increasing pay sensibly, the system of allowances was used to provide MPs with an appropriate income. There has been quite a bit of comment about the level of salary that the MPs are paid. It is certainly high compared to what I and most people earn but it is not high compared to what talented, experienced people in the professions can earn. I don′t know about you, but I want my MP to be talented and experienced outside politics before entering the political arena. If a successful man or woman is to consider entering politics it is necessary to pay them what for them is a reasonable salary. If we don′t do that then we will get less talented people as our MPs. Is that what we really want?

The sad thing is that although the development of the allowances system is understandable, some of the MPs have been breaking the spirit of the system if not the actual rules. Surely it is fair for our MPs to be reimbursed for the costs of a second home including the costs of additional furniture and fittings. However, it is breaking the spirit of that when 48” TVs, patio heaters, expensive bookcases and blue videos are considered essential for the 2nd home. If the boundaries were pushed by what was put in the 2nd home, they were totally broken through the system of flipping between homes enabling MPs to make huge profits without repaying the mortgage interest they had received or paying capital gains tax.

The truth is that our MPs are typical, fallible human beings just like the rest of us. I struggle with a situation similar to the MPs. I live and work in a tied house and rent out the house I own elsewhere. These arrangements mean that I can claim against tax for a range of expenses: those relating to maintaining the house I own; those for contributing to the maintenance of the house I live in and those for having a home based office. Because it is a complicated tax situation I have a tax advisor. He will often encourage me to claim for something because it is in the rules. My quandary is that whilst it might be in the rules is it within the spirit of them? The human, fallible part of me is inclined to take his advice and minimise my tax payments. If I did so and am later questioned I could use the fashionable excuse “Everything I claimed was within the rules”.

It seems that we have got to a point where we have no moral compass to guide us except “the rules” . As a nation, “the rules” are now the only external authority to whom we can turn for guidance as to what is right and wrong. We are left with our own inner sense of what is right and wrong but that can conflict with what we can get away with according to the rules. This is particularly true when it comes to our financial self-interest. For an external authority, as a Christian, I try to look to my faith and what Jesus teaches us. When I do my tax return I try to ask the question “what would Jesus claim”? Hopefully in future when MPs complete their allowances claims they might consider asking the same question.

Jan Brookshaw

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Saint of the month

Take the book of Samuel in the Bible, add a bit of Luke Skywalker father/son conflict from Star Wars, stir in a dash of Pirates of the Carribean, and you sort of have the story of Saint Helier - the first saint and martyr of Jersey.

According to the legend, it all began in 6th century Tongeren (now in Belgium). A pagan couple badly wanted a child, but the wife was barren. In desperation they sought the help of a local Christian, Cunibert. He advised them to pray to the Christian God, and to promise that any child born would be “given back” to God. So they did, and then the wife fell pregnant and gave birth to a son, Helier. The parents were delighted - at first. But as the baby grew into a boy, it became clear that Helier was different from other children - he was precociously intelligent and could perform miracles. Helier”s father found this unsettling, and grew jealous of Cunibert“s influence over his son. Finally he plotted to have Cunibert murdered. In horror at such treachery, Helier fled. He wandered far, eventually reaching a monastic community in Normandy, run by Saint Marculf. Here he settled, seeking a life of contemplation, but it was not to be. Marculf had received pleas for help from the very few residents of an island called Gersut, or Agna (now called Jersey). They, too, had had bitter experience of violent men who killed their loved ones without warning: the Vikings and Saxons and Vandals had each visited the island in turn. Now they sought some comfort from the Christians: would someone bring them the gospel? They had no one to shepherd them.

Marculf could not ignore such a plea, and so he sent Helier and a companion, Romard, to Jersey. The two monks found a small community of fishermen on the sand dunes where the modern town of St Helier would later grow. Helier chose to settle on a tidal islet, nowadays known as the Hermitage Rock. Romard, it was agreed, would act as the “go between” between Helier in his hermitage and the fishing village. Helier had chosen a remote spot for the peace and quiet it would give him as he approached God. But one day he discovered that his tidal islet had another great advantage as well. While looking out to sea and praying, he suddenly saw the sails of attacking pirates, stealthily approaching the island in boats. Frantically, Helier signalled the shore of danger coming, and the fishermen and their families scattered into the surrounding marshes, beyond the reach of the bloodthirsty, lustful pirates. This happened time and again, and became so well known in island history that even today, small dark clouds on the horizon are still known as les vailes dt. Hyi (the sails of St. Helier). As if that were not enough, Helier′s prayers and the sign of the cross on another occasion stirred up such a storm that a raiding party was driven clear off the island.

One day the pirates finally caught up with Helier on his tidal islet. They beheaded him. Helier was deeply mourned, and has always been revered in Jersey for having brought Christiainity to the island. The traditional year of his martyrdom is AD 555. His feast day is still marked in Jersey by an annual municipal and ecumenical pilgrimage to the Hermitage, on 16 July.

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Common sense - RIP

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; life isn“t always fair; and maybe it really was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don′t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (such as adults, not children, should be in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their ill-behaved children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student, but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense took a beating when it was decided you couldn′t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense began to lose the will to live as criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason. He is survived only by his 4 stepbrothers: I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I′m A Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized Common Sense was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

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Wish to improve your computer skills?

For some time we have been discussing the development of web based version of Honeycomb to run in parallel with the printed version. The initial work has been completed and a pilot version is working on the internet. We would be interested to find someone willing to work on this project. No initial programming or internet skills are required as full training will be provided. The basic commitment would require an involvement of some 3 to 4 hours per month. If you would like to develop your computer skills, working on this project would be an ideal opportunity. Anyone interested should contact Ted Welburn on 01480 860999.

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Dean and Shelton Parish Council

Council Meeting Monday 13th July 2009

Dalton Hall, Upper Dean at 7.30pm

Prior to the scheduled Parish Council meeting the Mayor of Bedford, Frank Branston, will be available to talk about the new Unitary Authority. It is proposed that this part of the evening will be open to the public so that those present may take part in any discussion about the new council and the impact on services in the rural areas such as Dean & Shelton.

This is your chance to hear first hand about the authority which affects a large part of our lives, from education and childrens′ and old peoples′ welfare, to library services, waste disposal and the full range of highways and planning matters. A good attendance will show that we care about our community and aim to hold the Borough Council to account in future years.

Nick Leigh

Chairman, Dean and Shelton Parish Council

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Mothers′ Union

The July meeting will be on Wednesday 15th July and should be of interest to women (and men) other than just the members so do come. You would be made welcome.

Mrs Carole Beddal is to talk about a Rumanian Wedding. We meet at 2.30p.m. in Pertenhall Church.

Gillian Aylott. 01234 708174.

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On the top shelf

In the paper shop we all know what we will find on the top shelf so it might come as a surprise to see what is on the top shelf in libraries. Librarians have been advised that the Bible and the Koran should be moved to the top shelves - in order to avoid offending the Islamic community. Muslims have complained that the Koran has often been put on lower shelves, and see this as offensive. They believe that the holy book should be placed above “commonplace things”. As a result, library officials have been advised to keep ALL holy books, including the Bible, on their top shelves, in the interests of equality.

This decision came to light earlier this year when guidance on how to handle controversial materials was published by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), a quango that answers to Andy Burnham, the Culture Secretary. Librarians in Leicester had consulted the Federation of Muslim Organisations, and had been advised that all religious texts should be kept on the top shelf to ensure equality. Libraries are not obliged to follow the advice.

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Be kind to newts

July is a dangerous month for newts. This month they will be leaving their breeding grounds in ponds and ditches and striking out on land, where they will stay until next Spring. They will come out of the water hungry and looking for insects, worms and slugs before they hibernate this coming autumn. You are unlikely to see one, as they spend their days hiding under stones, in wall crevices, or compost heaps. Newt numbers have plummeted as three quarters of our natural ponds have disappeared in the last 100 years. So to help the survivors survive a bit longer, why not leave the vegetation around any ponds long, and include some piles of logs, leaves and compost heaps in your garden?

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A healthy heart

Brush your teeth

The oddest things impact on each other: did you know that certain bacteria living in your mouth could lead to a heart attack? A recent study has found that where two specific bacteria are present in the mouth, the risk of a heart attack is greater. Anyone with Tannerella forsythensis is 53% more likely to have a heart attack, while those with Prevotella intermedia are 35% more likely. Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, said: “Oral health has a major effect on the rest of the body”. Not that those two bugs are in your mouth on their own. Horrible thought: there can be as many as 700 different bacteria in your mouth. Gum disease has also been linked to diabetes, strokes and pregnancy problems.

Laugh

When the writer of Proverbs observed that “a cheerful heart is good medicine” (20:22), he was really onto something. Doctors have now discovered that “mirthful laughter“ can quite literally reduce people′s risk of having a heart attack.

Doctors in a recent study at Loma Linda University in California formed a group of people with problems ranging from diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol. They asked half of the group to watch comedy programmes or films that they found funny for at least half an hour a day for one year. Now the results are in. The half of the group which watched comedy TV have had a 26 per cent rise in their good cholesterol. The level for the group that took medication without the laughter rose by just three per cent. Good cholesterol in the blood is known to protect against heart disease. So it seems that laughter is literally good for the heart. As one doctor put it: “there is an intrinsic physiological intervention brought about by positive emotions such as mirthful laugher, optimism and hope. In other words, a cheerful heart is good medicine!”

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MELCHBOURNE

Correspondent- Philip Pahl

Village web site - www.mmmatmelchbourne.synthasite.com

Supper and Question Time with the Bishop of Bedford

Melchbourne Village Hall was the venue for“Supper and Question Time with the Bishop“ during his recent visit to the Stodden parishes. The event was well attended, attracting over 50 people from Stodden villages and several more from further afield. Villagers from both Melchbourne and Yelden produced a delicious meal and there was a licensed bar. Jeff and Jill of Narrow Daylight provided musical accompaniment throughout the evening. The questions after the supper were wide-ranging and the Bishop′s answers were interesting and caused a good deal of thought and discussion. A big “thank you” to all who helped to make the evening such a success.

Alison Mackonochie

Christian Aid Collection

Audrey managed to raise a total of £70.87 for donating to Christian Aid and wishes to thank all who gave so generously.

Melchbourne Feast day Cakes Appeal

Volunteers are still needed to bake cakes for both the Tea Tent and for the Cakes Stall on the Feast Day Sunday July 12th. I do not do cakes (too much competition) but how about a couple of home baked loaves?

Welcome to Melchbourne

Tony & Dee Legg have recently moved into Vicarage Farm on the Knotting Road after a couple of years of changing and renovating the place. Just as well Dee enjoys decorating and they both seem to enjoy gardening. They have moved from Barton Seagrave with Max the collie dog but are no strangers to Melchbourne. We wish them many years of happiness here.

Wedding Celebration.

The wedding of Ben George, eldest son of Bob & Sue George, to Mandy Westlake was celebrated in grand style at Berkeley Castle last Saturday (13th June). I′m sure everyone who knows them will wish them Great Happiness and every success together. The family lived in Melchbourne until quite recently when they moved, lock, stock and boat to Devon.

Village dates for your diary:

Saturday, 13th June Safari Supper See full page advertisement
Sunday, 12th July Melchbourne Feast Day (See full page advertisement)
Sunday 9th August Village BBQ Village Hall
Saturday 3rd October Jumble Sale Village Hall 11:00 am
Saturday, 31st October Halloween Bonfire Party Details to be advised!
Saturday 21st November Christmas Bazaar Village Hall 11:00 am
Saturday 12th December The Quiz Night Village Hall

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YELDEN

Correspondent - Sue Taylor

Yelden Methodist Chapel

July 5th at 11.00a.m. Service led by Mr Brian Draper

July 12th at 2.45p.m. Chapel Anniversary Service led by Rev. Michael Jackson

(This will be his final service in Yelden before he leaves the circuit)

Visit of US Veterans to Yelden

Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving

Saturday 30th May at 2pm at St Mary’s Church, Yelden

Commencing with lunch at the Chequers there was much activity in preparation for the unveiling of a stone plaque in memory of nineteen USAF aircrew and Quartermaster personnel who lost their lives in March 1944, when a bomber crashed on take off from Chelveston airfield. There is already a plaque in memory of Keith and Monica Phillips from Yelden who also lost their lives in the crash.

Rev’d Jan Brookshaw and Lt Col. Chaplain Rev’d Walter Bean (USAF) led a well co-ordinated ceremony. Colours were paraded and words of remembrance were spoken by Col Tim Cashdollar. Mike Phillips, the surviving brother of Keith and Monica, spoke movingly of his memories.

The service closed with the Last Post and Reveille followed by the Retreating of the Colours just as the shadow and roar of the Battle of Britain flypast, Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane cross the church. As we poured out of St Mary′s the vision of these low flying planes in the perfectly clear blue sky was an incredible experience.

The afternoon continued with a village tea and lots of memories being exchanged. A further flypast by a 1932 training plane was a fitting ending to a memorable day attended by well over 100 including local dignitaries, Americans and villagers.

Many people were involved in the arrangements and financing of this event and thanks go to them for making it such a successful day.

Open Meeting re: Strawberry Fayre

A little disappointing in the number of new faces but Mike Pond emphasised the need for extra hands to help man stalls or even relieve people on busy stalls who often saw nothing of the rest of the “happenings”. But it was a happy evening and we look forward to more people with offers of help and new ideas next year.

Christian Aid Week

A good result from the village collection for Christian Aid - £311.73. Many thanks to all who contributed.

Yelden Charity

The above Charity is again making small one-off grants to help towards the cost of study materials for students in full time further education or apprenticeships and resident in Yelden. Contact 01933 318610 or 316661 for further information.

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PERTENHALL

Correspondent - Chloe Reid

Pertenhall and Swineshead Quality Parish Council meeting

The 2009 AGM was held in Pertenhall Village Hall on Thursday 12th May at 8.00pm.

Phil Cordon and Steven Catley from the Ambulance Service talked about the problems of finding the houses they are looking for when answering 999calls. They have Satnav, but that is reliant on postal codes and in Swineshead the same code applies to the whole High Street. He asked that all residents make time to stand in front of their houses and assess the clarity of the name or number displayed on the house. In an emergency the readability of the name and number could be crucial. He recommended that residents repeat the exercise after dark, using a torch, and then, if necessary, change the signs to something easily legible. It was suggested that white lettering on a black background would be very clear.

The following discussions took place and decisions were made:

• Brian Stevens was elected chairman for the year 2009/10
• Tim Kingham was elected vice chairman
• Thomas Bates and Michael Whitlock again agreed to liaise with Highways officers from the Borough Council about the state of the roads.

Dates for meetings in the year 2009/10 will be

• 9th July, Pertenhall Village Hall at 8.00
• October 1st in Swineshead
• November 26th in Pertenhall
• January 14th in Pertenhall
• March 11th, Meeting for the Electors will be in Swineshead - speaker Frank Branston
• May 20th, AGM in Pertenhall

Full minutes of this meeting are on the web site or posted in the village notice boards. Agendas are emailed to those who have given the clerk Garry Telling their email addresses. Please email gtelling@gefh.ndo.co.uk if you would like to be added to this list.

The next meeting will be in Pertenhall Village Hall at 8.00 on Thursday 9th July, 2009. This is an open meeting and everyone is welcome to attend.

Pertenhall Fete - 6th June 2009

The Pertenhall Fete, held last month at Pertenhall Village Hall, included many attractions such as a raffle and tombola and made a wonderful profit of £1,015.90. On the morning of the fete, it was raining steadily but fortunately by lunchtime the weather had cleared and the sun decided to make an appearance. A good number of people attended from both the village and surrounding area - well done, everyone! All money raised will go to Pertenhall Church funds for the care and maintenance of the building and churchyard. The PCC would like to thank everybody who helped at the event on the day and beforehand, as well as those who turned out to support the fete.

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SWINESHEAD

Correspondent - Jenny Leishman

Elections on 4 June 2009

There were 79 voters in person at the village hall out of 116 people eligible to vote, which, with 7 postal votes, gave a turnout for the village at 74% which is about twice the national average. This is very encouraging and helps to support our efforts to keep Swineshead Village Hall in use as a polling station. There have been proposals from the Borough Council to make Swineshead voters travel to Pertenhall to vote, which would be inconvenient for many and certainly difficult for people without their own transport, and would inevitably reduce numbers voting. It is hoped that as many people as possible will continue to vote at the village hall in person so that we can justify the retention of this facility for our small village.

Rodney Tate

Village Hall

The Sixth Bell Bar will be open from 8p.m. on Fridays 3rd July & 7th August. Afternoon Teas will be served in the hall from 3p.m. on Thursdays 9th & 23rd July, and 6th & 20th August.

Forthcoming events:

Safari Supper Saturday 22nd August. Please see full page advertisement.

St Nicholas Church

Date
July 5th
July 19th
August 2nd
August 16th
August 30th

Cleaning
Dorothy, Diana, Margaret
Edna, Emma, Jan
Pat, Jenny E, Jean
Frances, Anne, Anne
Pauline, Clarissa, Wendy

Flowers
Jan
Edna
Clarissa
Julie
Jan

JOSEPHINE PIKE

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Jo Pike.

Born, one of twins, she was raised and married in Norwich. Jo came to Swineshead more than 25 years ago. She was employed as housekeeper, firstly to the Braid Taylors where she lived in Sale Cottage, and then for Bill Berridge when she moved into Elm Cottage.

Jo was a very active member of the village community. A regular churchgoer she was on the PCC, arranged flowers and did the cleaning. She was always willing to help with events in the Village Hall and tackled the washing up without being asked. Members of her family would come to Swineshead, from Norwich, to help at fruit picking time and to lend a hand at major events.

She and Bill lived happily until Bill′s frailty made it necessary for him to move to a care home. Jo′s health then deteriorated rapidly and soon after Bill′s death last year she was moved into sheltered accommodation in Bedford. Sadly her health worsened and she was admitted to hospital. Her wish was to return to Norwich to be close to her family and she moved to a care home where they could visit her frequently. Unfortunately her health did not improve and she passed away on 27th May, the day after her 79th birthday.

We send our sincere condolences to her brother and surviving sister and their families.

Swineshead 100 Club

May Draw Winners Drawn Thurs 14th
1st Prize
2nd Prize
3rd Prize
4th Prize

Jenny Elsegood (98)
Josie Thompson (Samuel (40)
Fiona Driver (65)
Edward Kenny (83)

£20
£10
£5
£5

June Draw Winners
Drawn Fri 5th Bar
1st Prize
2nd Prize
3rd Prize
4th Prize

Denise Slade (42)
Pat Tate (Oliver) (55)
Wendy Newsom (62)
Sian Slater (2)

£20
£10
£5
£5

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Shelton

Correspondent - Sarah Morgan

Thank you at everyone who came to the Shelton Shed Shuffle on the 20th June. We raised a fantastic £1,485 for the St Mary′s Church fund in Shelton. A big thankyou to all those who helped put the event together, it was a lovely evening.

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DEAN

Correspondent -Annette Brooks

Endurance GB

Once again on Sunday 2nd August this area will be hosting the horse and riders making their 20 mile and 10 mile journeys across our area. The base is at Oak Farm and people interested are invited to look round and have a cup of tea.

Dean Chapel

Services are

2.30p.m. on Sundays 5th 19th July and 9th August in the Chapel Schoolroom. Visitors are always welcome as is anyone looking for a regular place of worship.

Red Cross Collection in Lower Dean

This year the total raised for the Red Cross collection in Lower Dean was £70. Thank you all very much for your generosity.

Jackie Ashby

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Forthcoming Attractions

4th July - evening	Yelden	Yelden Ball
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11th July - Morning	Yelden	Coffee Morning
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12th July - afternoon	Melchbourne	Feast Day
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22nd August Evening	Swineshead	Sarai Supper
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