A Spitfire will be flying over RAF Henlow on the 5th June at 7.30pm.

The Spitfire, a British short-range, high-performance interceptor fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War, will complete three turns over the south side of RAF Henlow.

Young people from across Central Bedfordshire are being encouraged to help shape the delivery of new youth clubs in Biggleswade, Sandy and Arlesey (including Stotfold and Shefford).

Central Bedfordshire Council has awarded delivery of youth
provision across Central Bedfordshire to local environmental charity
Groundwork Luton & Bedfordshire, and Groundwork
wants input from young people to help shape the direction of youth provision throughout these areas.

Groundwork were selected after an open tender process and are amongst the first to have been interviewed by Central Bedfordshire Council’s Young Commissioners, a group of young people who work alongside council officers to make decisions on which services the council should be providing for local young people.

Groundwork is well placed to deliver youth provision, given that it has been undertaking provision of youth clubs in both Toddington and Potton since April 2012.

About Groundwork

The charity is based in Luton, but operates across the county delivering projects with and alongside schools, local communities businesses, Local Authorities, Town and Parish Councils and other similar-minded organisations. As such, it has a wealth of partners, contacts and project ideas to draw from.

Cllr Mark Versallion, Executive Member for Children’s Services said: ’I am delighted that Groundwork will be providing a wide range of activities for local young people.

‘We know that there is a big demand for activities here and I am confident that they will do a great job, not least because their proposals have been given the thumbs up by a panel of young people, who worked with the team here to reach the final decision. If you are aged between 12 and 18, why not go along and find out what’s happening?’

Wide variety of activities

Groundwork will be delivering club-based and detached sessions across the three areas, providing young people with a variety of activities such as graffiti art and crafts, sports and outdoor games, music and dance.

The youth clubs will be provided for any young person aged 12-18, and all participants will be encouraged to get involved in shaping what provision and resources they would like from their club.

Full delivery of youth provision will commence from 3 June as follows:-

Biggleswade – Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 7pm until 9pm at Biggleswade Youth Centre, Mead End, Biggleswade, SG18 8JU

Sandy – Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings from 7pm until 9pm at Sandy Youth Centre, Swansholme Gardens, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 1HN

Arlesey (including Stotfold and Shefford) – Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 7pm until 9pm at Arlesey Youth Centre, High Street, Arlesey SG15 6SN

Want to find out more?

If you or any young person you know would like to join and help shape youth delivery for young people in your area, then please contact

• Biggleswade – David Stott on 07981 881736
• Sandy - Diana Hedley on 07702 941440
• Arlesey (including Stotfold and Shefford) – Jenny Scoot on 07857 145264

Apply for your free place now – time is running out!

Focusing on business start-up, growth, finance and business strategy, Cranfield Venture Day 2013 is being sponsored by Central Bedfordshire Council and around 200 entrepreneurs, investors, UK start-ups and advisors.

The event will be held on Thursday 9 May at Cranfield School
of Management, and comprises of keynote sessions by leading entrepreneurs and a range of workshops focussing on business start-up, growth, finance and business strategy.

Sharing ideas…

Amongst those to share their ideas on entrepreneurship and growth opportunities is James Averdeck, founder of Gü Puds.

The company launched in 2003 with just three products, and now its estimated that a Gü Pud is eaten somewhere in the world every 2 seconds!

Ticket prices would normally be £120, but Central Bedfordshire Council are offering 10 sponsored places for local businesses to attend the event for free. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Want to find out more?

Contact the Central Bedfordshire Council Business Team here, or call 0300 300 8272.

National Citizen Service (NCS)  is running an exciting opportunity for young people in Central Bedfordshire this summer.

Just for young people in Year 11 and Years 12, it’s a chance for young people to spend two weeks away from home, learning new skills like abseiling and camping.

They also get to hone their business skills, learning movie making, how to start a business and more!

Teams also complete a project to benefit their local area.

Benefits of NCS

A study of NCS participants from 2012 found that over 85% had increased confidence, gained new skills for the future and became more aware of education and employment opportunities.

NCS is a great addition to young people’s CVs, and is included in guidance on UCAS forms.

How much does it cost?

The whole course costs £1,300, but as it is subsidised by Cabinet Office, the course costs just £50, and is free to those young people who receive free school meals.

Want to find out more?

To find out more, email NCS here, or call them on 0845 4607410. You can also visit the NCS website here.

Visit the NCS Facebook page, or follow them on Twitter.

Do you want to influence decisions about your area and champion local interests?

Why not come along to a special evening event to find out about becoming a councillor on Monday 13 May, from 6pm to 8.45pm (networking from 6pm with the main event starting at 7pm) at
Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ.

What to expect on the night

The event will answer questions about:

• How to get started;
• the job of a councillor, including how much work and time is involved; and
• remuneration.

You can also meet and chat to councillors from across the political spectrum to find out what it’s like to be a councillor.

Speakers:

Richard Carr, Chief Executive – Central Bedfordshire Council

Paul Scoins, Political Editor for BBC Three Counties Radio

Want to find out more?

Visit the CBC website here to find out more.

Leighton-Linslade Music Centre trust is holding an evening with Andy Abraham to celebrate 30 years of the Music Centre.

The event will be held on Saturday 8 June at Leighton Buzzard Rugby Club marquee.

Tickets are £40. For more information, check out the poster at the top of this article, or visit the website here.

A 5-year project to refurbish the disused, Grade II listed Ridgmont rail station building as a centre for heritage and enterprise is due for completion by May 2013.

The ground floor will accommodate a small-scale Heritage Centre, café, gift shop and meeting room.

The first floor will provide up to 50m2 of affordable office space across 3 separate offices, and would suit small or start-up businesses or social enterprises.

There has already been interest expressed in these offices, so they are unlikely to be available for long.

Prime location

The building is ideally situated on the Marston Vale railway line (being extended to Milton Keynes Central in 2013), and just off J13 of the M1 (where it meets the A421 trunk road), and is therefore easily accessible from many parts of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and beyond.

The Ridgmont Station project is being brought forward by Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity (BRCC) on behalf of the Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership and other local stakeholders.

It has been funded by the Rural Development Programme for England, Central Bedfordshire Council, WREN, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Railway Heritage Trust, the Wixamtree Trust, and other funders.

Want to find out more?

For more information please contact Stephen Sleight on 01234 832645.

The Way in Association with Houghton Regis Town Council are bringing Easter fun to Houghton Regis Pavilion from 8 to 11 April.

5 to 12 year olds are invited to come along and join in with arts and crafts, sports and a coach trip.

Activities run from 9.30am - 3.30pm, and places are limited so you’re advised to book early!

Want to find out more?

For bookings and enquiries contact Jan Cooper on 01582 708540.

Do you have a working smoke alarm? When was the last time you checked it?

It is vital to have a working smoke alarm in your home.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service recommend a smoke
alarm is installed on each floor of your property.

Remember to check that your smoke alarm works weekly.
A good tip is to check at the same time as you put your bin
out so that you don’t forget to do this regularly! 

Did you know…?

You may qualify for a free smoke alarm if you are elderly, living alone, a single parent family, have bad health/disability, or are on a low income.

If you are unable to fit a smoke alarm safely, the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service can offer a free fire safety check.

Call 0800 043 5042 or email Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service here with your full name, address, postcode and contact number.

If this is you – Age UK Bedfordshire can help!

The Age UK Bedfordshire Gardening service is available to over
50s living in Bedfordshire, providing local gardeners to keep your garden neat and tidy all year round.

All of the gardeners are strictly vetted and fully insured. They are
all equipped with a lawn mower, hedge trimmer and strimmer, and can carry out work in your garden all year round.

Fortnightly visits can be arranged during the main season, and monthly visits during the winter period.

This is a very popular service, and the gardening service is available throughout Bedfordshire.

Want to find out more?

To arrange a regular gardener please telephone Age UK Bedfordshire on 01234 360510.

Contact Age UK Bedfordshire for more information or to check availability by emailing here.  Phone lines are open Monday – Friday, 9.30am to 4.00pm.

A message from AgeUK Bedfordshire

Age UK Bedfordshire offers  a range of other services to everyone over 50 in Bedfordshire. We believe that older age doesn’t mean loss of independence.

Our Home Help, Assisted Shopping and Handyperson services can help you maintain an independent lifestyle. We also provide information and advice on all issues of concern to older people.

The Age UK Group offers a range of products and services tailor-made for the over 50s, including car insurance, personal alarms and legal services.

Ring 01234 360510 or email today to see just how we can help you. Older people deserve support and access to information. As your local, independent charity - we can help you.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Bedfordshire’s 26th AGM will be held on 18 April at 7.30pm at St Mary’s Parish Church Crypt, Woburn.

The AGM will be followed by an illustrated talk, ‘Hedgerows
and their management’ which is open to all.
Non-members are welcome to attend for a small cost of £2.50.

The talk, given by Paul Blissett, will cover how and why hedgerows came about, their role in the landscape, attitudes to hedgerows, hedgerow management by hedgelaying and other means, regional variations, and how all these things have changed over time.

He will also bring some traditional hedgelaying tools and protective clothing items, as these are quite distinctive.

Want to get involved?

For bookings and more information, please contact Suzanne Yates or Ann Collett-White at CPRE Bedfordshire, on 01234 353331.

St Mary’s Parish Church Crypt is on Park Street, Woburn MK17 9PG.  The crypt is accessed from behind the church, and there is ample parking nearby.

CPRE online Planning Guide

CPRE Bedfordshire has updated its free online guide to help local people have their say about planning issues that affect them.

(Click on ‘free online guide’ above to download your copy)

The 14-page guide explains how to find and use the online planning resources of Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council.

It provides step-by-step instructions to finding relevant information and sets out how local people can engage more fully in planning processes and help influence decisions.

Sharing knowledge

Tom Harding, a CPRE Bedfordshire member who compiled the guide, said:

‘We have produced this guide to share our knowledge of local authority planning systems with the wider community as we feel that the more people who keep an eye on planning issues, the better
for the community, and the wider our monitoring network will become.’

‘This will avoid communities becoming belatedly aware of significant planning issues in their parishes and neighbourhoods. It will also help to inform CPRE Bedfordshire on whether the community wishes us to become involved at some level on their behalf, either to support or oppose a proposal.’

Impact on the local community

CPRE Bedfordshire monitors and, when necessary, reacts to development applications that may impact the local community and would be contrary to our principles of protecting the rural environment.

They are also keen to lend support to good quality development proposals that would strengthen and enhance our rural communities and the vitality of the countryside.

Want to find out more?

To find out more about CPRE Bedfordshire, visit the website here. For further information, contact Ann Collett-White on 01234 353331.

CPRE Bedfordshire Summer Evening Walk

CPRE Bedfordshire’s annual summer evening walk is to be held on Thursday 20 June.

The event offers the opportunity to explore the award-winning permissive pathways at Polehanger Farm, Meppershall.

Polehanger is an extensive arable farm. Three permissive paths on the land have been linked with existing footpaths.

They pass ancient boundary hedges and bluebell woods and the work carried out on the paths won a prestigious CPRE Bedfordshire Living Countryside Award in 2012.

The walks usually last for about an hour and a half and are always enjoyable and informative social occasions. Everyone is welcome. Non-members: £2.50, free to members. Meet at Polehanger Farm at 6.15pm for 6.30pm.

Click here or telephone 01234 353331 for more information.

An update from the Toddington Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group…

‘In January, Toddington Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group held
a stakeholder meeting with the business community in the village.’

‘The stakeholders made a number of recommendations, many of which are being taken on as quick fixes with the planning process
by the Parish Council, but they also agreed to set up a Toddington Business Support Group for businesses within Toddington.’

‘At present the Group has met once and is currently chaired by Cllr Steve Kendall (Chairman of the Neighbourhood Planning Group and Business Portfolio on Toddington Parish Council), with secretarial support provided by the Parish Council. ‘

Continued support

‘The Parish Council wishes to see the organisation taking on its own administration, but has agreed to continue supporting it until the business community feels able to take over. ‘

‘At its first meeting, the Group agreed that they would develop a strategy to support local businesses providing a forum for businesses to support each other, and the ability to inform the Neighbourhood Planning process.’

‘The first meeting identified issues which it believed were obstacles to the retail business and which it felt the Parish Council could help.  These included car parking and the underwhelming nature of the village’s annual Christmas lights.’

Community contribution

‘In response to this the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group has agreed to commission a study of parking in the village. The Parish Council has obtained the services of a consultant who is planning
an enhanced event to switch on the better Christmas Lights for 2013.’

‘At least one business, Nisa Local, already contributes to the community by hosting an annual Christmas
Lunch for the village’s older residents.’

‘When the Group is more established it will be able to seek advice and help from Central Bedfordshire Council’s Business advice and Information Service, the Library Service, the Federation of Small Businesses etc.’

Strategic support

‘The Group will no doubt be pleased to learn that Central Bedfordshire’s Stronger Communities Thematic Partnership will be making recommendations to the Board of Central Bedfordshire Together in March.’ 

‘These will include the following additional principle to the Central Bedfordshire Community Engagement Strategy - ‘Ensuring effective engagement and partnership with local employers to enable them to thrive and to help them to contribute to their local community.’

‘Meetings are held once a month initially in Toddington Village Hall (when available) and the group are seeking partners’ help to help its members to thrive.’

Want to get involved?

For further information please contact Jim Gledhill on 07903 485904.

What will you bring to the table on 2 June 2013?

The Big Lunch is a one-day get together for neighbours – an idea from the Eden Project, made possible by the Big Lottery Fund.

As many people as possible are encouraged to have lunch with
their neighbours once a year, for a few hours of community, food, friendship and fun.

The aim is to create stronger, friendlier communities in which we share more, from small things like a chat and a smile, to bigger things such as skills and resources.

Big Lunches can be any size and take place anywhere – in a garden, street, park or community venue; just about anywhere you can come together for some food and conversation.

Want to find out more?

Check out the Big Lunch website here for all the tips , information and advice you will need to organise a Big Lunch, and to encourage others to join in.

If you sign up on-line, you will receive a free pack to help you get started.

Did you know…?

A massive 8.5 million people took part in 2012, when ‘The Big Jubilee Lunch’ formed part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee official programme of events.

Central Bedfordshire Council have taken measures to simplify the procedure for road closures, enabling residents to enjoy street parties without mountains of paperwork, hassle and costs.

Visit their website here to find out more.

Sandy Town Councillor Mr Ken Lynch has received a prestigious award after he was commended for his voluntary work across the county.

He received the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire’s Citizenship Award at
a ceremony in Luton on 20 February for his involvement with groups of all ages throughout Bedfordshire.

Mr Lynch also won the award back in 2005 with his wife Audrey, and has been a volunteer for charities since he left the Royal Air Force when he was 21.

He said: ‘It is lovely to have been nominated for what I do in the community, and I am very grateful.’

‘It is nice that they are recognising what people are doing voluntarily in Bedfordshire, and I am sure there are many who have done just as much as I have,  such as those who run Cub packs and Girl Guides.’

In other news…

Mr Lynch is always looking for people to get involved in the Volunteer Task Force in the Sandy area. If you’d like to get involved, click here to find out more.

You can contact Ken on 01767 681739 if you’d like more information.

A Travel Choices Hub in Ashton Square, Dunstable has opened its doors to the public, and is generating local interest in encouraging people to use sustainable transport methods.

“Travel Choices” is a three year, £4.9m project funded through the Government’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LTSF).

It will help to support the economies of Dunstable, Houghton Regis and Leighton Buzzard,  by providing residents and businesses with an improved choice for local journeys reducing car use, cutting costs and improving health.

Consider your journey

The Travel Choices Hub aims to make people consider their journeys and whether that trip to the corner shop by car is always necessary.

With information about cycling, walking and buses, residents and businesses could benefit by saving money on petrol and improving their long-term health at the same time.

The project is focussed on implementing these changes in Leighton Buzzard, Dunstable and Houghton Regis.

Personalised journey plans

Residents and businesses in these areas are able to benefit from personalised journey plans that aim to reduce congestion by getting cars off the road. It will also help local business be more efficient with less wasted time on the road. 

As well as travel advice, the Hub also hosts NHS nurses who can give on-the-spot health checks. Hub customers can then check their health before and after a period of ‘car abstinence’.

Over the next two years, the project will provide:

• Business support – work with businesses to introduce improvements that support the use of the bus, walking and cycling;
• Access to education and training – work with local education providers to encourage more active travel and improved choice for local journeys; and
• Community liaison – work with priority groups in the local community to remove the barriers to travelling in a more sustainable way.

The Hub will be the focal point for these actions. The work at the Hub is the culmination of partnership working between Central Bedfordshire Council, Sustrans, NHS and Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity (BRCC). 

Want to find out more?

For more information visit the project’s Facebook page.

Great news for aspiring entrepreneurs in Central Bedfordshire. A programme that supports the unemployed in becoming self-employed has been extended.

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) have recently
announced great news for unemployed would-be entrepreneurs
looking to start-up in 2013.

Their New Enterprise Allowance Scheme (NEA), which provides
financial support and expert coaching to job seekers starting up their own business, will be extended from March 2013 to September 2013.　

The extension follows evidence of a ‘strong uptake’ in the programme’s first year.　According to official statistics, at the end of May 2012, 8,180 businesses had been set up through the NEA. 

Support for determination…

The scheme itself, delivered by Wenta across Beds and Herts is to be made easier too, in a proposal to back those who have the determination to start their own business.

The current three month long wait for business mentor support is to be abolished and jobseekers will now be able to access the support instantly, as soon as they start claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA).

Financial support is to become instantly accessible too – to those who can produce a viable business plan. The financial support, which is worth more than £1,000 over six months, is to be used to help with start-up costs.

‘Great aspirations…’

The Prime Minister, David Cameron said: ‘If Britain is to compete
on a global stage, we must do all we can to support budding
entrepreneurs and build a nation where everyone aspires to
great things.’　

‘I am determined to get behind people who have ideas that will
work and a can-do attitude that will turn those ideas into
successful enterprises.’

‘It doesn’t matter what your background is or whether you are out
of work, if you are prepared to work hard and aspire to achieve
more, this Government, through schemes like the Enterprise
Allowance, will back you.’

Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire’s Enterprise Agency, Wenta, have played their role very well in all of this – achieving excellent results for the region since the start of the programme.

321 businesses

Peter Cabon, Director of Advisory and Education Services at Wenta said, ‘To date, Wenta have helped to start 321 businesses across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire through the NEA programme.’

’119 of these businesses have already completed six months of trading supported by their Wenta business mentor and new businesses starts are currently running at 25 -30 per month.’

Out of these figures, Wenta have helped to start 41 businesses across Central Bedfordshire alone, and 26 of these have already completed six months of trading. Business types have varied from sports therapy/massage, to gardening and flooring specialists.

‘Continued support…’

These results have had a significant impact on the local economy and helped to reduce the unemployment figures locally.

The extension of the scheme will enable Wenta to continue to support Jobseekers across the counties.　

Wenta will continue to deliver the NEA scheme to Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire jobseekers until the end of September 2013.　 It is estimated that 40,000 new businesses will be created in the UK by the end of 2013 as a result of the programme.

For more information on Wenta and the support services available visit their website here.