Honeycomb-On Line

During the recent General Election, which mercifully is behind us, I tried to understand what each of the parties was offering us and particularly what their over–arching philosophy was. David Cameron came up with term the “Big Society” but from the coverage I read and discussions I had, most people were unable to understand what the term really meant. I have since read Cameron’s speech in full and the relevant part of the Conservative party policy document. As I understand it, it starts with a discontent with how things are. Then, instead of relying on more central Government expenditure and further legislation, we should work together taking social responsibility and community action to put things right. Well I hope I have got that correct and if I have not then no doubt a member of the Conservative party will let me know.

The Bishop of St. Albans (Bishop Alan Smith) recently expressed a somewhat cynical view of the “big society” concept. In summary he said that it was the hope that voluntary groups and therefore unpaid volunteers would take on many of the services that currently are provided through our taxes. I sympathise with that possible interpretation but I also think, as does Bishop Alan, that there is real value in what is called “social capital” which has some parallels with the “big society” idea. “Social capital” describes networks of mutually supportive relationships in communities that benefit the whole community rather than the individual or may benefit both the community and the individual.

Social capital is based on reciprocity, trust and shared social norms. It results in more involvement in politics at both the national and local level; voting in elections; giving more to charity and volunteering.

Over recent decades there has been a noticeable reduction in the amount of social capital there is in most western societies including our own. We have been encouraged to be more individualistic looking after our own needs and wants whether or not fulfilling those needs and wants also benefits our community or society. There has been a trend away from considering the wider society (remember Lady Thatcher’s comment “there is no such thing as society”) towards a narrower focus purely on family and maybe immediate friends. This has been fuelled by urban anonymity where many people do not know their neighbours, returning each evening from work, shutting the front door and looking after their own interests. The result in this breakdown of social capital is shown in lower turnout at elections be they local, national.

In General Elections from 1945 – 97 the turnout was consistently between 70% and 80%. In the General elections between 2001 and 2010 the turn out has been between 59% and 65%. The decline is social capital is also evidenced in less volunteering; less donating to charities and less involvement in community activities in the communities of which we are a part.

There are many reasons for this decline in social capital which could be so valuable for all of us. However, in the Stodden villages we have a real opportunity to buck the trend and often do so. For example I note that Swineshead recorded a turnout at the General Election of 87.5%. We do not suffer from urban anonymity living as we do in very small villages where it is really easy to know each other. It is simple to get involved in local groups that help to strengthen local friendships and help the community because the chances are that we already know people in those groups. The sort of groups we can be involved with are our Parish Councils, our Village Hall committees, the Women’s Institute, Mothers’ Union, reading groups, tea/coffee groups, First Responders and so on.

It also easy get to know more of your neighbours by attending the wide variety of social events held in all our villages. I note in last month’s Honeycomb there were opportunities to attend and participate in the following: four free concerts, three fêtes, two groups of open gardens, a safari supper; a dog day; a village history walk, and a Moroccan Ball.

We are blessed being able to live in these six villages which still do have reasonably strong social capital. It is however less strong than it used to be. Let’s show the way to our urban friends by building on the great things we have here so becoming even more supportive communities.

Jan Brookshaw

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Saint of the month – St Mary Magdalene

It is easy to understand the popularity of Mary Magdalene over the centuries: she is the patron saint both of repentant sinners and of the contemplative life.

Jesus drove seven demons from Mary, who came from near Tiberias in Galilee. She became his follower to the bitter end. She followed him to Jerusalem and was present during the crucifixion, standing heart–broken at the foot of the cross. Her love for Jesus did not end there, for she went to the tomb to anoint his body on the Sunday morning.

Such faithful, humble devotion was richly repaid: it gave her a unique privilege among all mankind: she was the first person to whom the Risen Lord appeared on Easter Sunday morning. She thought he was the gardener at first.

Mary Magdalene has sometimes been identified with the woman who anointed Christ’s feet in the house of Simon (Lk 7.37). Over the centuries many artists have painted this scene. Mary Magdalene’s feast has been kept in the West since the 8th century. England has 187 ancient churches dedicated to her including at Melchbourne, as well as a College in both Oxford and Cambridge.

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J Neale Educational Charity

Please make any requests known for a grant from the Charity before the end of this month. The Trustees will meet in the early autumn to decide how to allot the small amount available. You can contact any of the trustees: Shelton, Mrs Wells/ Dean, Rev Brookshaw or Mrs Aylott/ Swineshead, Miss Nicholson or Mr M Whitlock.

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Mothers Union

The group will meet on Wednesday 21st July at 2:30p.m. when they can learn about Oberammergau the 10 yearly re–enactment of the Passion by the villagers of this village. The Rev Jan Brookshaw was unable to go this year due to illness but has been before and so can still tell us about the experience. Non members of the Mothers Union are welcome to come to Pertenhall Village Hall where we meet, and hear about the event.

Gillian Aylott. Hon Sec. 01234 708174.

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A Doctor in our midst

I am sure you will all join with me in congratulating Norman Holden on the successful completion of his PhD through the University of Birmingham. Norman has spent the last six years working on his doctoral thesis on the Nazi war criminal Albert Speer. Most of Norman’s research was carried out at the Imperial War Museum Document Centre at Duxford, which he describes as “an absolute treasure trove of WWII documentary records.”

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Is there a Yuckie loose in your home?

Do you feel under mounting financial pressure? You may have a Yuckie in your family. Almost a third of parents in the UK are remortgaging their home in order to raise the £30,000 typically needed to help support their Yuckie – those 18– to 30–year–old children who have been labelled Young Unwitting Costly Kids.

No wonder the babyboomers have become babygloomers these days – as they struggle to keep fund both their own children and their ever more dependant parents. A survey by the child trust fund provider The Children’s Mutual found that two thirds of parents say they have had to – or will have to – reduce their own living costs as a result – by shopping more economically or selling their cars or reducing the heat and light in their homes. It seems that no one is financially independent at 18 these days, and many parents are financing their offspring well into their 30s.

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Naming the baby

Choosing a name for your baby can be fraught with difficulties: family sensitivities, fashion and phonetics all need to be taken into account if you are not to land your offspring in life–long difficulties.

Parents’ top 10 choices since 1837 are these:
Boys: 1 John; 2 William; 3 Thomas; 4 James; 5 George; 6 Joseph; 7 Robert; 8 Arthur; 9 Charles; 10 David.
Girls: 1 Elizabeth; 2 Mary; 3 Mary Ann; 4 Margaret; 5 Ann; 6 Jane; 7 Ellen; 8 Sarah; 9 Alice; 10 Annie

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All in the month of July

450 Years ago:	on the 6th July 1560 that the Treaty of Edinburgh was signed by Scotland and England, resulting in the withdrawal of the French from Scotland, and Scotland’s official religion changing from Catholic to Protestant.
250 years ago:	on 8th July 1760 that the British defeated the French in the last naval battle in New France, Canada.
225 years ago:	on 6th July 1785 that the US Congress adopted the dollar as the official monetary unit of the USA.
150 years ago:	– on 7th July 1860 that Gustav Mahler, Austrian composer and conductor, was born.
125 years ago:	– on 20th July 1885 that British football clubs were allowed to employ professional players for the first time, provided they had been born locally or had lived there two years.
100 years ago:	– on 12th July 1910 that Charles Stewart Rolls, British driver, aviator and car manufacturer, co–founder of Rolls–Royce, first person to fly across the Channel and back non–stop, became also the first British pilot to die in a plane crash.
90 years ago:	– on 12th July 1920 that the Panama Canal was officially opened by US President Woodrow Wilson (although it had been operating since August 1914).
80 years ago:	– on 13 July 1930 that the first FIFA Football World Cup was held in Uruguay.
60 years ago:	– on 5th July 1950 that the first clash between American and North Korean forces took place – and the Korean War was underway.
50 years ago:	– on 4th July 1960 that the 50–star United States flag, newly updated to include Hawaii, made its debut in Philadelphia.
Also 50 years ago:	– on 6th July 1960 that Aneurin (‘Nye’) Bevan, the British politician responsible for establishing the National Health Service, died.
40 years ago:	– on 21st July 1970 that the Aswan High Dam in Egypt was completed after 11 years.
30 years ago:	– on 5th July 1980 that the Swedish tennis player Bjorn Borg won the Wimbledon singles championship for a record fifth consecutive time.
25 years ago:	on 13th July 1985 that Live Aid, two simultaneous concerts in London and Philadelphia, plus other venues including Sydney and Moscow, raised millions of pounds for victims of famine in Africa.
20 years ago:	– on 2nd July 1990 that more than 1,000 Muslim pilgrims were killed in a stampede in a pedestrian tunnel leading to the holy city of Mecca.
15 years ago:	– on 16th July 1995 that Amazon.com opened its website to the public.
10 years ago:	– on 25th July 2000 that an Air France Concorde crashed outside Paris shortly after taking off for New York, killing all 109 people on board and four people on the ground.

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Dean Tennis Club

The small group of people responsible for organizing and running Dean Sports Club are either moving away from the village or unable to continue on the committee.

We need NEW BLOOD to keep the tennis club going, the tennis courts in good order and to ensure coaching is available to all who want it including the children’s holiday courses.

A meeting of any interested parties is to take place on Sunday 6th June at 6pm at Old Pond House, Upper Dean. Call Tom Dormer on 01234 708510 for further details.

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Prayers for the World Cup

We are well into the World Cup now and whether you are loving it or bored to death, you might well be praying – particularly if England are still in contention. If so the Church of England has published three prayers for the World Cup: two for the teams, the hosts and the fans – and one for those really not interested. The prayers ask for blessings on all those involved, for generous sportsmanship and for the competition to be a source of celebration.

Prayers for all those involved in the World Cup
Lord of all the nations, who played the cosmos into being,
guide, guard and protect all who work or play in the World Cup.
May all find in this competition a source of celebration,
an experience of common humanity and
a growing attitude of generous sportsmanship to others.
Amen.

God of the nations, who has always called
his people to be a blessing for the world,
bless all who take part in the World Cup.
Smile on South Africa in her hosting,
on the nations represented in competition
and on those who travel to join in the party.
Amen.

A prayer for those simply not interested!
Lord, as all around are gripped with World Cup fever,
bless us with understanding,
strengthen us with patience and
grant us the gift of sympathy if needed.
Amen.

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Melchbourne and Yelden Parish Council

Chairman: Mrs Judy Stewart	Clerk Mrs Garry Telling
Tel: 01234 708		Tel: 01480 860 439
www.melchbourneandyeldenpc.org.uk

At the meeting held in Yelden Village Hall on Wednesday, 19th May, 2010. Six councillors and Borough Councillor, Doug McMurdo [DM] were present.

There were 10 members of the public in attendance.

Judy Stewart was in the chair.
The following discussions took place and decisions were made:–

	Judy Stewart was re–elected chairman
	Tim Marsden was elected vice chairman
	Highway Liaison Councillors were Helen Bone [HB] for Melchbourne and Tim Marsden[TM] for Yelden.
	A new councillor was co–opted to replace Diane Gray in Yelden. Mr David Soul was elected and welcomed to the Parish Council
	The Ward Councillor’s fund, administered by DM, is to be spent on seats in the villages. HB will arrange this in Melchbourne and TM in Yelden.
	The problem of speeding in Knotting Road was again discussed. PC Rob Smith felt that the use of SIDs was perhaps the answer and Kate Gelder [KG] agreed to try to find volunteers to man these on an occasional basis.
	Bulky Waste collection will be on Sat June 19th, 10.30 till 12.00 at Melchbourne Village Hall.
	KG reported on the police meeting, the JAG meeting, she had attended.
	Planning applications for 5, Forge Gardens, Yelden, Vicarage Farm, Melchbourne [permission granted],and 31, Park Road, Melchbourne were discussed.
	The councillors had written a letter of objection to the planning application for the Chelveston Wind Farm and had delivered it to both Bedfordshire and East Northants planners.
	Wilson Beaty, acting as the new Finance Officer, praised the work previously done by Carolyn Hilton in keeping the books for the parish council, commented on the changes in the Insurance Policy, and said that the accounts were now ready for the External Auditor. These were signed by the chairman on behalf of the councillors.
	The events to take place in the village and the Chequers on 31st July/1st August were announced:
	Dates for meetings in the year 2010/11 were as follows
	July – Melchbourne – Wed 14th
	September – Yelden – Wed 15th
	November – Melchbourne – Wed 24th
	January 2011 – Yelden – Wed 19th
	March 2011 – Yelden – Wed 16th – Meeting for the Electors
	May – Melchbourne – Wed 18th – AGM

The complete minutes, including planning information and financial matters, will be available on the Parish Council web site, www.melchbourneandyeldenpc.org.uk and in MMM and on the notice boards. Agenda for the next meeting will be posted likewise at least a week before the next meeting.

The next meeting will be on Wed, 14th July, 2010, in Melchbourne Village Hall.

THIS IS AN OPEN MEETING AND EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND.

Useful telephone numbers

Street lights out of order – 01604 493 820
Highways Help Desk – 01234 228 661highways@bedscc.gov.uk
Anglian Water Help Desk – 0845 714 5145
Rights of Way – 01234 228 335
Town Hall – 01234 267 422
Borough Councillor Doug McMurdo– 07834 257 928 – doug@mcmurdo9.freeserve.co.uk
PC Rob Smith [PC 428] – 01234 275 175
Clerk – Garry Telling [Mrs] – 01480 860 439 – gtelling@gefh.ndo.co.uk

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MELCHBOURNE

Correspondent- Philip Pahl

Melchbourne Church Grand Draw

The Rev Roy Hubbard drew the raffle after the service on Sunday May 30th:–
v The holiday went to Karen Jones (ticket number 00819) 
v The quilt to ‘Bill’ Reynolds (00623) 
v The Tusting bag was won by Helen Coverly (00776)

Congratulations to the winners and a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who bought tickets. In total the raffle raised £864 for Church Funds. 

Jumble Sale

Once again Audrey’s Jumble Sale had people queuing at the door waiting to be allowed in to grab a bargain. A total of £455 was raised for the church. Thank you to Audrey for organising the Jumble Sale and to everyone who helped and supported it.

Making the Most of Garden Flowers

Back by popular demand, Diane will be holding a series of flower arranging classes to show us how to make the most of our garden flowers. Starting on Thursday, July 1st, at 7–9pm in Melchbourne Village Hall Beginners welcome! To book your place call Alison on 01234 709464. 

Helpers for Melchbourne Feast Day

Anyone willing to help with setting up, manning stalls and, also importantly, taking down over the weekend please, please offer your services to Cathy on 01234 709728. With the Football World Cup Finals kicking off at approx. 7:30pm Sunday (as I’m sure you are all aware) this promises to be the fastest take down in the history of the Feast Day. Should be fun?

Church Cleaning and Flowers Rota

There is a regular church cleaning rota and volunteers are always welcome. Anyone wishing to be included on the rota should contact Audrey on 01234 708728.

July 11th Service Cleaning Pam and Sarah/Flowers Sarah

July 25th Service Cleaning Ruth & Jill/Flowers Ruth

Village dates for your diary:

Sunday 11th July Melchbourne Feast Day
Sunday 15th August Melchbourne Summer BBQ
Saturday 2nd October Stodden Quiz & Supper at Melchbourne
Saturday 30th October Melchbourne Halloween Party
Saturday 11th December Melchbourne Quiz Night
Melchbourne Summer BBQ Sunday, 15th August 2010
12.30 for 1.00 at the Village Hall
Adults £7, children under 12 £4
Under two’s free
Raffle
Please bring your own drinks and glasses
Tickets from Audrey (708728)

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Yelden

Correspondent- Sue Taylor

Strawberry Fayre Open Meeting

A very successful Open Meeting was held in May, chaired by Mike Pond, explaining areas where help might be needed. Thankyou to those people who volunteered their services.

Christian Aid

Thank you all those in Yelden who helped raise the goodly sum of £283.01 in Christian Aid week. Some of the donations were gift aided and this increased our collection to a very impressive £306.25.

Rosemary Morgan

Strawberry Fayre Notice

Just a little thankyou note to those helpful villagers who kindly distributed flyers for us.

The Bedford Gallery Quire

About a dozen villagers turned out for the visit of the Bedford West Gallery Quire who had chosen 4 of the Stodden villages for their summer tour. What a treat it turned out to be for those who attended. The Bedford Quire’s numbers were swollen by enthusiasts from other parts of the country and they performed some rare gems from their archive material.

This is what church music sounded like before organs were introduced and what a splendid sound it was, made all the more authentic because most of the performers arrived in period costume. They also played instruments long forgotten like the Serpent which I doubt any of us had heard before.

As we were the last in the schedule our final treat was tea and cakes and we thank the Yelden ladies fore providing generous hospitality. Shakespeare at the Chequers

With rugs, chairs and picnics people gathered in groups dotted in the field behind the Chequers and in front of a raised stage to see The Festival Players perform The Tempest. With great gusto we were well entertained and luckily the weather was a good deal better than the ‘title’. Thank you Chequers team for organising an ambitious and very successful event.

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Pertenhall

Correspondent- Chloe Reid

Pertenhall 100 Club Draw

April Draw
No.36
No.45
No.27
No.66
No 120
No 116

Mrs G Giggle
Mrs E Saunders
Mrs J Strand
Mr E Crisp
Mrs D Birtwistle
Mrs E Wheeler

£20
£10
£7
£5
£5
£5

May Draw
No.43
No.38
No.26
No.41
No.113
No.77

Mrs E Hayter
Mrs S Sheard
Mrs A Kirkpatrick
Mr T Newman
Mrs R Day
Mrs J Lacey

£20
£10
£7
£5
£5
£5

May 2010 Pertenhall and Swineshead Quality Parish Council meeting

This meeting was held in Swineshead Village Hall, on Wednesday, 12th May, at 7.30. It was attended by six Parish Councillors and two members of the public. Michael Whitlock was in the chair. This was the AGM

The following discussions took place and decisions were made:
– Michael Whitlock was re–elected as chairman
– Tim Kingham was re–elected as vice chairman
– The Code of Conduct, the Risk Assessment, and the Confirmation of the Powers of the 2 village planning committees were confirmed.
– Michael Whitlock and Thomas Bates were again appointed as Highway Liaison Councillors
– Sandye Lane was discussed. It was agreed that the clerk would place the following notice in Honeycomb.

Sandye Lane, Swineshead

A considerable amount of work has been done on Sandye Lane and the Borough Council has spent significant funds to improve the surface. Regrettable damage is done by vehicles breaking in when the Lane is closed. The Rights of Way department would like to remind residents that this work has been done for the benefit of ramblers and horse riders.

Grass cutting was discussed. The verges are kept in good shape by Mr Ian Harris but there is also cutting done by the BBC and it is hard to find when and where the BBC team intend to cut. This can lead to duplication of the work.

The Grange Farm, Pertenhall, planning application was approved.

The accounts were ready to go to the external auditor and they were signed by the chairman on behalf of the councillors.

Dates for meetings in the year 2010/11 are as follows
Wednesday 21st July in Swineshead at 7.30
Wednesday 29th September in Pertenhall
17th November in Swineshead
12th January, 2011, in Pertenhall
9th March, in Pertenhall. Meeting for the Electors
11th May, in Swineshead. AGM

Bulky Waste collection dates are Saturday 19th June and 30th October, from 12.30 till 2.00 in Swineshead and from 2.30 till 3.30 in Pertenhall.

Full minutes of this meeting are on the above web site [or will be when the clerk has come to terms with her new computer], or posted in the village notice boards.

Agendas are emailed to those who have let me have their email addresses. Please inform me if you would like to be added to this list. (gtelling@gefh.ndo.co.uk)

The next meeting will be in Swineshead Village Hall at 7.30 on Wednesday 21st July 2010. This is an open meeting and everyone is welcome to attend.

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Dean

Correspondent- Annette Brooks

Dean Chapel

Services are: 4th and 18th July and the 1st August at 2.30p.m.

One member Mrs Ethel Clark celebrated her 90th birthday on June 29th at Lt Staughton Village Hall, where her daughter Pauline and members of the family had laid on a great spread and a wonderful afternoon was enjoyed by many friends and relations. Many people who used to live in Dean had returned and so the chatter was lively and memorable. Ethel looked no more than 60 years old and did not seem to be at all tired after the 4–5 hours of celebration and enjoyed reminiscing over the photos and memorabilia. Ethel lives on the top of the hill by Upper Dean Windmill and worships regularly in Dean Chapel brought by her daughter Pauline. Pauline Jordan and family are to be congratulated on the successful event.

DEAN DOG DAY

We awoke on Sunday 30th May to a bright, but very windy, chilly day. Would anyone turn up? and if they did would the dogs behave? or would we see blood on the cricket pitch before dark? (hopefully not ours)

Well none of that happened and so many of you turned up with all sorts of dogs, small, large, young and old. From pedigree dogs to pooches and they were all great in their own right. From the Best biscuit catcher to the cutest puppy and the best veteran, everyone went home with a super rosette thanks to our generous sponsors, a biscuit for the dog and I guess a huge smile after a lovely day out.

As well as having a good day out, we were able to send a cheque for £70 to the Dogs Trust Charity. The full accounts will be posted on the Honeycomb and Dean Parish Council websites very shortly. We look forward to seeing you all next year

Mike Muncaster, Jo Cordell, Michelle Ormesher

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Swineshead

Correspondent- Jenny Leishman

100 CLUB May Draw

Thursday 13th Teas No.61
No.88
No.94
No.33

Pat Tate
Jan Herdan
Jane Constant
Josie Thompson

£20
£10
£5
£5

100 CLUB June Draw

Friday 4th No.3
No.83
No.13
No.65

Mick Nash
Mathew Elsgood
Lesley Salter
Clive Seddon

£20
£10
£5
£5

Sandye Lane Public Byway

The Rights of Way Department of Bedford have recently carried out improvement works on the Public Byway which begins at the top of Sandye Lane, and continues to Dean. This was after requests from the parish council. The ruts have been filled in and the surface levelled, and drainage improved. The Byway is presently in good condition and will be much easier for walkers and others to use. Between 1 May and 30 September, the Byway is usually used by motor vehicles and motor cycles, as well as pedal cyclists, horse riders and walkers. To allow for the work to consolidate properly however the temporary closure to motor vehicles (motor cycles are allowed) has been extended for the rest of the summer.

St Nicholas Church

Date
July 25th
August 22nd

Cleaning
Frances, Anne, Anne
Pauline, Clarissa, Diana

Flowers
Jan
Pat

Swineshead Runs

It is coming around to THAT time of year again, the Swineshead Runs: the 10 Mile, the 5 Mile and the Fun Run (approximately 3km). Put the date in your diary, Sunday 12th September. You will be contacted nearer the time about donations for Run prizes and all the usual stalls, but if you plan to take part in a run then get training!

Village Hall

There will be a plant sale at the village hall 11am to 5pm on Sunday 11 July in support of Swineshead Open Gardens. Refreshments will also be on sale. Please see the full–page advert for the open day in this issue of Honeycomb.

The Sixth Bell Bar will be open from 8pm on Fridays 2 July and 6 August. Afternoon Teas will be served from 3pm on Thursdays 8 & 22 July and 5 & 19 August.

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