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What does the term "community" mean to you?

Traditionally a community has been defined as a group of interacting people living in a common location. The word is often used to refer to a group that is organized around common values and social cohesion within a shared geographical location.

In our community of the Stodden villages, there are about 1200 residents. We do have a common location but we are scattered across quite a wide area. The services that we depend on do not have united boundaries. In fact we live on the edge of several boundaries. Between us we have two postcodes and three dailing codes. Decisions that impact us can be made by neighboroughing county councils for whom we cannot vote. We visit different G.P.s in Bedfordshire and in Cambridgeshire. Our hospitals are based in Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. We do not have a post office or any shops and only three of our villages boast a pub. We shop in Bedford, St. Neots and Rushden. For most of us, events at our village halls are the only opportunities to get together.

Does this living on the boundaries with little to unite us matter? Do we want to be part of a community? Well each one of us has to answer those questions for ourselves. Most of us are incomers who have chosen to live in this relatively underpopulated part of the country. We have probably made the choice consciously to live in the country rather than in a town or a city. The rural way of life is often perceived to be more community focussed than is the urban way of life with its emphasis on individualism.

Quite possibly a sense of community was one of the things that attracted you to whichever Stodden village you live in. There certainly are benefits from being part of a community. Firstly there is friendship. We can meet more people and it is very likely that some of those will become friends. Then there is the mutual support that exists in community. People help each other out in times of need or crisis. The community also provides a network of information. Issues being faced in one village are very likely to be faced in the other five. We can learn from each other's experience. As a community we can work together for the common good, pooling resources and ensuring that local and national government do not overlook the needs of rural dwellers. Finally, there is a sense of belonging when we are part of a community. That sense can be hard to define but everyone needs to feel rooted. Even if we have moved here recently, belonging to a community can give a sense of security in what is for so many of us a very rapidly changing world - and not always for the better, particularly at present.

From 15th to 17th May there will be a weekend of fun and festivities that will be enjoyable and strengthen us as a community. We will be able to meet existing friends; maybe acquaintances will become friends and we will meet new people. There are a range of great events that hopefully will provide something for everyone living in our six villages. Richard Inwood, the Bishop of Bedford will be with us throughout the weekend. So these events are an opportunity to meet him in an informal setting whilst having fun at the same time. Full details of the weekend were on the green flyer enclosed with last month's Honeycomb and there should be another flyer with this edition. In summary the main events are:

1 Friday evening - Inter-village men's quiz night with a fish & chip supper at Swineshead village hall (the one with the proper bar and good beer)

2 Saturday afternoon - All creatures great and small, family afternoon at The Old Rectory in Shelton. Just turn up and join in.

3 Saturday evening - Supper & Question Time with Richard Inwood at Melchbourne village hall

On Sunday there will be worship at 9am at Pertenhall and 10.30am at Yelden led by Bishop Richard. To book to attend either evening event please see the contact details in the flyer included in the printed version of Honeycomb. I look forward to seeing you at one or more of the events - other than the men's quiz evening - for obvious reasons I won't be there!!

Jan Brookshaw

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Questions for Bishop Richard

Hopefully by now you are fully aware of the Stodden Parish weekend on 15th to 17th May. One of the events is supper and Question Time with Richard Inwood, Bishop of Bedford on Saturday May 16th at Melchbourne village hall. After a delicious supper there will be an opportunity to find out from Bishop Richard his, and the national church's views on a range of subjects. We are hoping that the questions will not be particularly "churchy". A Bishop is Bishop to all the people living in his area of responsibility not just to those who go to church.

Bishops take an interest in a very wide range of subjects that affect us all in one way or another so we are hoping for a wide variety of questions for Bishop Richard to answer. Subjects that come to mind might include: the credit crunch, unemployment, bankers' bonuses, pensions, global warming, access to health care, faith based schools, end of life health care, abortion, adoption, and support for the developing world. No doubt you can think of many other issues.

If you would like to pose a question to Bishop Richard, it would be very helpful to have them in ahead of time so that he can give some advanced thought to what we hope will be a wide range of issues. If possible, please could you let me have your question(s) by Monday May 11th. You can email it/them to: revjanbrookshaw@btinternet.com or put it/them through the Rectory door or mail it/them to me at Stodden Rectory, Upper Dean, Beds, PE28 0ND. Alternatively, if you think of a question after May 11th you can let me have it on the evening.

Jan Brookshaw

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Yelden Bomber reunion

If you have visited Yelden church you might have seen a memorial to Keith Phillips aged fourteen, and Monica Phillips aged four who died when a bomber plane from Chelveston airfield crashed after takeoff near the church. The plaque mentions eleven members of the USAF crew who also died in the crash but they are not named.

Colleagues of those eleven, from 40th Combat Wing, are coming to the UK in May for a reunion. The 40th Combat Wing comprised USAF units at Chelveston, Podington and Thurleigh. They will be visiting Yelden on Saturday May 30th. There will be a service at the Church at 2pm on that day when we hope to dedicate a plaque naming the USAF crew. There will be a USAF honour guard and members of our own ATC present at the service which will be conducted by Jan Brookshaw and a USAF Chaplain, Major William Bean. Mike Phillips, brother of Keith and Monica will also be taking a part in the service. If you would like to attend this service you will be very welcome.

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Two tips for living a longer and relaxed life

If you garden for three hours a week after the age of 50, it seems that you are likely to live two years longer than people who don't take exercise. A recent survey in the British Medical Journal has found that high levels of physical activity in middle age (defined as three hours of sport or heavy gardening per week) will reduce your risk of dying to that equivalent to people who have always been active. So - it's not too late to get planting!

People who are religious are less likely to panic under pressure than people who don't believe in God. Recent research, published in the journal Psychological Science, has also found that the stronger your belief in God, the calmer you remain. And even though you may make a mistake, you are not so flummoxed. Researchers found that the best performers of tasks under pressure are neither atheists nor fundamentalists, but instead those people who feel that God has "given them meaning in life".

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Saint of the month

Joan of Arc is remembered on May 30th. She showed how far someone can go to respond to God's call on their life. When as the daughter of a peasant family in Champagne in 1426, 14 year old Joan heard heavenly voices calling her to 'save France' from the English, she decided to obey the call, no matter what the consequences.

Teenage girls who want to rescue their country from foreign troops were considered every bit as crazy back then as now. But Joan eventually came to the notice of the Dauphin (Later Charles Vll) who decided to make use of her obvious ability to inspire people - in this case, the French, to fight. And so Joan, dressed in white armour, rode at the front of the French army when they relieved Orleans in April 1429. Her presence and belief in her divine calling to get rid of the English, did wonders for the morale of the troops, who loved her even more when she sustained a wound in the breast, and made little of it.

A campaign in the Loire followed, and then in July the Dauphin was crowned at Rheims with Joan at his side, carrying her standard. More battles followed that winter, until Joan was captured and sold to the English. They attributed her success to witchcraft and spells, and imprisoned her at Rouen. She was brought before judges, where her spirited and shrewd defence were outstanding. But the judges declared her false and diabolical, and she was condemned to die as a heretic. She was burnt at the stake in the market-place at Rouen on 30 May 1431. Joan died as she had lived; with total faith in God and certainty that she was obeying his will for her life. She died with fortitude, looking at a cross and calling on the name of Jesus. Her ashes were thrown into the Seine.

Joan's integrity and courage are what shine down the centuries. Here is a patron saint for you if you feel that God is calling you to do something extraordinary: something that is way, way beyond your comfort zone; but something that could right wrongs and make a difference in the world. Are you up for it?

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Dean Cricket Club

Fixture list 2009

Date	Opposition	Home Team	Start Time
Thursday 30th April	St Ives Town	Under 13 A	6pm
Saturday 2nd May	Obelisk II	Development	1.30pm
Sunday 3rd May	St Ives Town	Under 9	9.45am
Sunday 3rd May	Dean v Yelden	Guest Game	1pm
Monday 4th May	Peterborough District	District U11's	1pm
Wednesday 6th May	Upwood	Under 15	6pm
Saturday 9th May	Huntingdon	1st XI	1.30pm
Sunday 10th May	Buckden II	2nd XI	1.30pm
Tuesday 12th May	Pilgrims Oakley	Midweek XI	6.30pm
Thursday 14th May	Needingworth	Under 13 B	6pm
Saturday 16th May	Guilsborough II	Development	1.30pm
Monday 18th May	Peterborough Town	Under 11
Tuesday 19th May	Eaton Socon	Under 13 A	6pm
Thursday 21st May	Warboys	Under 13 B	6pm
Saturday 23rd May	Orton Park	1st XI	1.30pm
Tuesday 26th May	South Cambs District	District U13's	12pm
Tuesday 26th May	Kempston Methodists	Midweek XI	6.30pm
Saturday 30th May	Sawtry	1st XI	1.30pm
Sunday 31st May	Upwood III	2nd XI	1.30pm
Thursday 4th June	Buckden	Under 13 A	6pm
Saturday 6th June	Kibworth IV	Development	1.30pm
Sunday 7th June	Hertfordshire	Hunts U12's	1pm
Wednesday 10th June	Huntingdon	Under 15	6pm
Saturday 13th June	Upwood	1st XI	1.30pm
Sunday 14th June	Waresley	Under 9	9.45am
Sunday 14th June	Brampton	2nd XI	1.30pm
Thursday 18th June	Huntingdon	Under 13 B	6pm
Saturday 20th June	Old Eastionians	1st XI	1.30pm
Sunday 21st June	DEAN U11 TOURNAMENT		10am
Monday 22nd June	St Ives Town	Under 15	6pm
Thursday 25th June	Waresley	Under 13 A	6pm
Saturday 27th June	Old II	Development	1.30pm
Sunday 28th June	Eaton Socon	Under 9	9.45am
Thursday 2nd July	Moggerhanger	Midweek XI	6.30pm
Saturday 4th July	Burghley Park	1st XI	1.30pm
Sunday 5th July	Buckden	Under 9	9.45am
Monday 6th July	Alconbury	Under 13 B	6pm
Friday 10th July	Upwood	Under 11	6pm
Saturday 11th July	Burton Latimer IV	Development	1.30pm
Sunday 12th July	Needingworth	Under 9	9.45am
Sunday 12th July	Longstowe III	2nd XI	1.30pm
Monday 13th July	Godmanchester Town	Under 13 B	6pm
Thursday 16th July	Houghton & Wyton	Under 13 A	6pm
Saturday 18th July	Alconbury	1st XI	1.30pm
Sunday 19th July	Newborough II	2nd XI	1.30pm
Thursday 23rd July	Alconbury	Under 15
Wednesday 29th July	Eaton Socon	Under 11	6pm
Saturday 1st August	Brigstock II	Development	1.30pm
Saturday 8th August	Newborough	1st XI	1.30pm
Saturday 15th August	Bold Dragon II	Development	1pm
Sunday 16th August	Sawtry III	2nd XI	1pm
Saturday 22nd August	Badby II	Development	1pm
Saturday 29th August	Ickwell	1st XI	1pm
Sunday 30th August	Huntingdon II	2nd XI	1pm
Monday 31st August	Kidbrooke	Friendly XI	11am
Saturday 5th September	Warboys III	2nd XI	1pm
Sunday 6th September	Rushden W's	Friendly XI	1pm
Sunday 20th September	Kempston Ramblers	Friendly XI	1pm
Sunday 27th September	Eltisley	Friendly XI	1pm

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MELCHBOURNE

Correspondent- Philip Pahl

Village web site - mmmatmelchbourne.synthasite.com

Talk by RSPB representative March 28th

We were privileged to be treated to an entertaining, illustrated presentation by RSPB representative David Nobbs in the village hall on Saturday evening. Privileged because it was the last such presentation to be given by David before retirement and because it was packed full of information about the habits and needs of our garden bird population to prevent further decline. The evening event was well attended and a qualified success in that several new memberships were signed up, a number of books sold and enough money raised to make a small donation to the RSPB funds after all costs were covered. Thanks to Lyn Steer for organising the event.

The Jumble Sale April 4th

The Village Jumble Sale organised by Audrey Lovell has raised, in sales and personal gifts, a grand total of ?563.70 donated to the Melchbourne Church Restoration Fund. Audrey sends her thanks to all who helped out with the jumble sale and to those who gave so generously.

The Re-enactment of the Good Friday Story

The re-enactment of events leading up to the Crucifixion of Christ took place on Good Friday. Starting at the village hall with the Last Supper, on to His betrayal enacted in the garden at The Croft then moving up to Per Ardua where we saw the High Priest in the Courtyard next The School House for the trial and finally the Crucifixion enacted in the Church. There was a large turn out to see this solemn event which I, for one, found quite moving, and for some, a visibly emotional experience. Well done to all the players and to the organisers.

Thanks from Dorothy Jameson

Dorothy wishes to thank all the visitors, both friends and family, who have lifted her spirits and helped her whilst she has been incapacitated during her recovery after a knee operation.

Bulky Waste Collection

The next bulky waste collection is due Saturday 16th May approx.1:00pm - 2:30pm at the Village Hall. Please do not leave any items unless the operators and vehicle are in attendance.

Village dates for your diary:

Saturday, 9th May

Beetle Drive

By popular request we are holding our second Beetle Drive in the Village Hall. 7.30 start. Adults ?7, children under 12 ?5. Ho supper provided. Please bring your own drinks and glasses.

Saturday, 13th June Safari Supper

Sunday, 12th July Village Feast Day

Sunday 9th August Village BBQ Saturday,

Saturday 31st October Halloween Bonfire Party

Details to be advised!

Saturday 12th December The Quiz Night

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Shelton

Correspondent- Sarah Morgan

Obituary for Les Hewitt of Shelton and Dean. 9th May 1920 ? 20th March 2009.

Les and Brenda (Dickens) and Jack came to Dean with their father and mother when he came to Dean as chauffer to Colonel Wade at Dean Grange just after the First World War. They went to Dean School and when Les was 10 he went on to Kimbolton School where he enjoyed Cricket and Football as well as the other lessons!

In the mid thirties they moved to the Three Compasses where his father became landlord. Les was aware of the poverty in Dean and around due to the Great Depression and this started his love of the Labour Party. The Whitbreads in Shelton and the Wades in Dean helped the villagers survive the unemployment; hunger; ragged clothes and threat of T B. Children took it in turns to use the few shoes to wear to school, sometimes one child in the morning and brother in the afternoon.

Les wrote a book ?My Life in Rural England? a few years ago telling in detail of this and other times. When he left school he became a trainee draughtsman at W H Allen in Bedford. He volunteered early when the World War II broke out joining the Beds and Herts Regiment. He served in Italy, including Rome and in 1945 until 1947 was in Greece. He achieved the rank of Sergeant Major before the demob. On leave in 1945 he married Dora Clark and they had two children, Sally and Carol. He and Dora celebrated a successful marriage of just over 63 years. In 1946 they had moved to Shelton and Les indulged his passions for cricket; gardening and the Labour Party. In 1947 when demobbed he worked for Marriots. His gardening thrived as he won prizes after prizes at the Dean and Shelton Flower Show each year. He missed it all greatly when old age meant they moved to Raunds.

His funeral service was in Dean Chapel on 31st March.

Bulk Refuse Skips

Bulk Refuse skips will be in Shelton on Sunday 17th May around 2.0p.m.

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YELDEN

Correspondent - Sue Taylor

Yelden Methodist Chapel Services

May 3rd Holy Communion led by Rev Mike Lewis at 11.00am

May 17th 10.30am United Service with Parish Church at St Mary?s, Yelden.

May 24th Songs of Praise led by Don Annis at 2.45pm

Yelden Methodist Church

Yelden Methodist Church will be holding a Coffee & Gateaux Evening on Friday 1st May from 7-9pm. The event will be at the Methodist Church, Park Road, Rushden and feature Traidcraft Produce, Clothes & Gifts and Indian Experiences Admission will be ?1.50 and tickets are available in advance from Yelden chapel members.

March 2009 litter pick

On Saturday 14th March 2009, 12 volunteers participated in a litter pick around Pertenhall and managed to fill 15 bags. Well done everyone!

Pertenhall and Swineshead Quality Parish Council meeting minutes

A meeting was held in Swineshead Village Hall, on Thursday, 12th March, at 8.00. It was attended by five Parish Councillors, Borough Councillor Clifton [IC], County Councillor Wootton and five members of the public. Brian Stevens was in the chair. Anne Lovesey, from the Quality Parish Councils Re-accreditation Board, complimented the councillors on their reaccreditation, for the next four years.

At the meeting for the electors, the following discussions took place and decisions were made:

Reports were presented by the chairman, the councillors with responsibility for the Highways, and the clerk. There were charities' reports.

From the floor there were comments about bird scarers, which this year seem to be particularly loud and can be heard at inappropriate times.

Comments were made about the proliferation of signs in the villages.

There was discussion about parking on verges, especially in Swineshead.

It was noted that the Riseley PCSO does cover Swineshead and it was suggested that he be invited to meet the residents.

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PERTENHALL

Correspondent - Chloe Reid

Parish Council Meeting

The distribution of SmartWater was discussed. Two successful events had been held in the village halls and it was hoped that all households had received their Smartwater.

There had been correspondence about the sewage system in Swineshead.

The First Aid course organised by Rodney Tate had proved to be very successful.

Bulky Waste collection dates are Sunday 21st June and 1st November, from 12.00 till 3.00.

Grants were allocated for the year 2009/10 to the village halls, the PCCs and Honeycomb.

Ian Harris will continue to do the grass cutting and verge cutting for the next three years.

Tom Wootton was thanked for his help during his years as County Councillor to this Parish Council.

Full minutes of this meeting are posted in the village notice boards. Agendas are emailed to those who give their email addresses to gtelling@gefh.ndo.co.uk. The next meeting will be in Pertenhall Village Hall at 8.00 on Thursday 14th May, 2009. This is an open meeting at which any member of the public can raise any relevant topic that he/she would like to discuss.

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SWINESHEAD

Correspondent - Jenny Leishman

Booking Swineshead Village Hall Enquiries

All enquiries please ring Jenny Leishman For detail see Contact Us

Thanks are due to the 12 villagers who spent a Saturday morning in March picking up litter around the village. It was well worthwhile and they collected some 14 bags of rubbish. The next Community Litter Pick is 3rd October 2009.

100 CLUB

March Draw Winners

Drawn 3rd April 2009 Bar Night

1st Prize £20 - Michael Marlow (24) 2nd Prize £10 - Ray Thompson (34)

3rd Prize £5 - Chris & Ian Franklin (29) 4th Prize £5 - Josie Thompson

St Nicholas Church

Date	Cleaning	Flowers
May 10th	Dorothy, Diana, Margaret	Edna
May 16th	Edna, Emma, Jan	Wedding
May 24th	Pat, Jan, Jean	Jan
June 7th	Frances, Anne, Anne	Clarissa
June 21st	Pauline, Clarissa, Wendy	Dorothy

First Aid

Many thanks to the Parish Council for sponsoring the recent First Aid course provided by St John Ambulance (19 March) in Swineshead Village Hall. The course covered Emergency Life Support procedures for assisting adults. Of the ten participants, nine were from Swineshead, and their names have been posted on the notice board inside the village hall. Thank you to Rodney Tate for facilitating the course.

In Memory

In memory of Dorothy "Dot" Kenyon who died on 19th March 2008.

Thinking of You

Alan, Hazel and Family (Calford)

Smart Water Reminder

Please remember to complete your Smart Water Statement of Registration as soon as possible, and return it to: Jean Constant, Silvers, High Street, Swineshead MK44 2AA.

(If preferred, statements can also be sent directly to the address given at the top of the form.)

Village Hall

The Sixth Bell Bar will be open from 8p.m. on Fridays 1st May and 5th June. Afternoon Teas will be served in the hall from 3p.m. on Thursdays 14th and 28th May.

In this recession ridden times

Q. What's the capital of Iceland?
A. About 10 krona.

Q. How do you define optimism?
A. A banker who irons five shirts on a Sunday.

Why have estate agents stopped looking out of the window in the morning?
A. Because otherwise they'd have nothing to do in the afternoon.

What's the difference between an investment banker and a large pizza?
A. The pizza can still feed a family of four.

What's the difference between an investment banker and a pigeon?
A. The pigeon is still capable of leaving a deposit on a new Ferrari.

The credit crunch has helped me get back on my feet.
A. The car's been repossessed.

Latest news: The Isle of Dogs bank has collapsed.
A. They've called in the retrievers.

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DEAN

Correspondent -Annette Brooks

Dean Chapel

Dean Chapel will meet on Sundays 10th and 24th May at2.30p.m.

Also on Sunday 7th June at 2.30p.m.

Thanks are especially given to all those who organised the Sale of Work on Saturday 4th April which was such a success.

Dean Chapel Parish Council/ Borough Council

The Bulk Refuse Skip will be in the villages at Lower Dean 2.30p.m. and Upper Dean about 3.0p.m. till 4.0p.m. on Sunday 17th May 2009.

The Chapel Window Fundraiser

Chapel Members would like to thank everyone who contributed to a most successful ?Eggstravaganza? held on the 4th of April at the Dalton Hall. It was a beautiful day and an amazing number of people came to support the event - £960.12 was raised, a truly remarkable result.
Rosemary Hallworth, Treasurer.

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