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Cople News February 2015
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Cople News February 2015
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WILLINGTON POST OFFICE & STORES
Telephone: 01234 838240
Newspaper & magazine delivery to Cardington, Cople, Willington and Moggerhanger
Fresh bread and cakes from local bakery and decorated cakes for
special occasions.
Fruit & vegetable baskets
made up for special occasions.
Home delivery on purchases over £10.00
Gas and Electric key
charging
Post Office counter for: Banking & Foreign
currency Car tax phone & broadband services
Savings, Insurance, Mail
Shop Opening Hours
Monday – Friday 6.30am to 6.00pm Saturday 7.00am to 6.00pm Sunday 8.00am to 12 noon
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Front cover: Something cheering for February. A wild orchid growing in the fields near Grange Farm last year. Picture taken by Ian Roberts.
Cople News
Editor : Ged Peeke 39 Willington Road, Cople, Beds, MK44 3TH. Tel 01234 838379
Email: [email protected]
Deadline for copy and advertising 15th of every month
Advertising Rates Annual Charges. Full Page £96. Half Page £48
Delivered free to every home in Cople every month Circulation 360 copies
Editor’s Notes
Councillor Carole Ellis died in December and there is a tribute to her on the back cover. We were very fortunate to have a woman of such integrity and energy representing us on Bedford Borough Council. The article draws on the work by Shane Horlock who edits the Willington Villager magazine.
The weather may have deterred me but others in the village are made of sterner stuff and a good start has been made regenerating the Millennium Wood in Water End. There is an update on page 39.
Did you know that there is a “Pop Up Restaurant” in Cople. Details can be found at www.doghousekitchen.co.uk. Once a month the owners of the georgian house at Dog Farm offer a menu and serve a maximum of 20 people. The next event is on 14th February. We can also look forward to regular recipes in the magazine, the first of which is on page 44.
The annual safari supper will take place on Saturday 7th February. This is my favourite event in the village calendar and, as there only a few tickets left, I am obviously not alone. Details can be found on page 32.
Carissa Summers is in training to run the London Marathon this year. She is fundraising for the Epilepsy Society and is looking for our support. More details are on page 34. It takes a lot of courage and determination to take on this challenge and she deserves all the help we can offer.
Readers of my diatribe last month may recall that there is an information event taking place in the Village Hall on Thursday 12th February starting at 7pm to encourage and support prospective parish councillors in the May General Election. Local government is set to become more powerful and we need to be well represented if we are to have our say. Details are on page 33.
The out of season picture of a wild orchid on the front cover has been chosen to remind us that that spring is on the way. This particular flower was spotted and photograph by others but I only had room for one picture. It was a difficult choice. Ged Peeke
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Letter from the Vicar
Dear friends
No sooner are the Christmas decorations down on Twelfth Night than the Easter Eggs start appearing in the shops – one of our modern signs of spring!
But we don’t just jump straight from Christmas to Easter. In the church’s calendar, the season of Lent comes between the two, and this year it starts in February. Lent used to be a formal 40-day period of fasting, so no rich foods and drinks could be consumed in that time. Hence the tradition of eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent begins, the day when people would have gone to church to confess their sins before the fasting began, and also the day they would have eaten up all the food they wouldn’t be able to eat during Lent.
Modern Lent is a little different: you’ll often hear people talk about giving up chocolate, cake, alcohol or Facebook. One year, in my teens, I gave up television for Lent. It was amazing to see what else I got done instead! But why do we do it? The original idea was that it symbolised a period of self-denial, saying ‘no’ to some of the things we crave, to help us focus more on God. And in my book that’s always a good thing. But just giving up things for the sake of it may not help us with that aim of focussing more on God and his character.
For the past three years I’ve joined an online challenge run by Christian charity Stewardship, called 40acts. It gives 40 daily ideas for living more generously during Lent. Some things they’ve suggested in the past are: give blood, forgive someone, live on £5 for a week, phone a relative to say hello, thank someone e.g., bus driver or local shopkeeper. I’ll be doing it again this year, and if you want to join me, go to http://www.40acts.org.uk/ and sign up to do Lent generously. Because for me, generosity is one way in which I can learn to reflect the generous character of God, who loved the world so much that he gave his only Son.
In the Benefice, we’ll also be observing Lent with a study group held jointly between the three Anglican churches and Willington Methodist, to be held on Wednesday evenings throughout Lent, starting on Wednesday 25th February. All are welcome to come, whether you normally come to church or not. For more details please see the further information in the magazine, or get in touch with me or Revd Glayne Worgan.
And in case you find the giving-up just all too much, remember that the Sundays in Lent don’t count: all Sundays are always a remembrance of the resurrection, and Christians can’t fast on such a joyful day. You heard it here first.
With my best wishes, Revd Fiona Gibson
From the church registers
Funerals 19th November Terence Fisher, aged 71 years 24th November Elizabeth Betty Huyts, aged 87 years
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All Saints Church
Revd Fiona Gibson The Vicarage. 3 Grange Lane. Cople, MK44 3TT.
Telephone 01234 838145. email; [email protected]
Churchwardens
June Shanahan Mike Vacher 34 Grange Lane 91 Willington Road Cople Cople Tel: 01234 831705 Tel: 01234 831207 [email protected] [email protected]
Children’s Society
Thank you to everyone who gave so generously at the Christingle Service in candles or in the collecting boxes which are filled throughout the year.
A cheque for £262.09 has been sent to the Society.
Judith Howard
COPLE VILLAGE TRUST Reg. Charity No. 1090113
200 CLUB
Prize winners for January 2015
1st prize of £60 133 P Grohmann 2nd prize of £30 227 R Tombs 3rd prize of £10 182 A Moore
Thank you for your support
For just £1 a month you can help the village hall & playing field and have the opportunity of winning up to £60.
We have a few spare numbers, if you are interested please contact Catherine Bayliss, 07880 890508/01234 838704, [email protected] or any of the Village Hall trustees.
Lent Evening Services
The first of the Deanery Lent Evening Services, will be held on Sunday 22nd February at 6pm at Northill Parish Church: the speaker will be Alistair Burt MP. The Deanery Evening Services for Lent will be on the theme of ‘Faith at Work’ and will be held in parishes around Biggleswade Deanery.
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Epiphany 2015 at All Saints 11.15am on Sunday 4th January saw several royal personages arriving at church, complete with splendid crowns. No, Her Majesty was not paying the parish a surprise visit, Fiona had challenged everyone to come to church wearing a home-made crown and we were celebrating the visit of the Three Kings to the infant Jesus. Or were we…? During her talk Fiona said that in fact we have no idea how many were in the group: three gifts are mentioned in the gospel story, but no comment is made about how many people there were. That’s a tradition that grew up later. And she also said they weren’t kings, but wise men or Magi, those who studied the stars, and the wisdom of their culture. And she also pointed out how odd it would be for a star to move around in the sky, and change direction. But before we all got too upset and confused, she told us that we needn’t worry: the Bible account is completely reliable and perfectly believable. The men may not have been kings, but they were wealthy and learned men who did risk everything to find the infant Jesus, and when they found him they worshipped him and gave him the costliest treasures they had: gold, frankincense and myrrh. And as for the star, there has been a study by an eminent Cambridge professor that shows from ancient Chinese astronomical records that there was a comet in 5BC (a probable date for Jesus’ birth) that would have initially have been visible in just the right part of the east of the morning sky, moved south in the morning sky over the following 1-2 months, and then appeared to have stood over Bethlehem with a near vertical tail. According to the professor who wrote the article, the description ‘stand over’ is uniquely applied in ancient literature to refer to a comet. If you want to read the full 26-page article, do ask Fiona for a copy! So, Fiona said that even though the language used by modern astronomers and physicists would be different, the account is believable and the event really happened as Matthew recorded it in his gospel. So we were reassured that, whilst they weren’t kings and there may or may not have been three of them, a group of wise men from the east really did follow a bright light in the sky to find the infant Jesus. And when they found him they were overwhelmed with joy and they knelt down and worshipped him. We were challenged to respond in just the same way.
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Mothers Union
Our first meeting of 2015 will take place on Monday 9th February at 2pm in Glebe House; not Cople Church as previously stated.
Future dates for the diary; Lady Day Service at Caldecote Wednesday 25th March. Time to be arranged. Wave of Prayer at Cople Wednesday 24th June 11am to 11:30am
Liz Buck
Prayer
National Marriage Week February 7th to 14th
Harmony is pleasing In music and in life; What beauty when it resonates In husband and in wife. (Our Daily Bread)
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New Pilates Studio open in Cople
1:1 & 1:2 matwork sessions or on Reformer & Tower equipment, times to suit you. All classes run in the classical style with limited places to ensure purity of the method, pre booking only.
Julie has been teaching Pilates in the local area for 10 years this year, and teaching Pilates since 2001. She has been working within the fitness industry since 1989. Julie's wealth of experience means she is able to teach and help people of all ages and abilities, it is recommended that a 1:1 is taken at the studio prior to attending a class. The studio is conveniently located in your village.
Monday 1:00pm Absolute Beginners intro as 1:1 or small group (45 mins) Cople Studio 2.00pm Mixed ability—Cardington Reading Rooms
Thursday 1:00pm Absolute Beginners intro as 1:1 or small group (45 mins) Cople Studio 2.00pm Mixed ability – Cardington Reading Rooms 5:30pm Absolute Beginners intro as 1:1 (45 mins) Cople Studio 6.30pm Memorial Hall, Willington 7.35pm Memorial Hall, Willington 8.40pm Absolute Beginners Memorial Hall, Willington Bookings for intro or 1:1 (30 mins)
Julie also teaches at other locations, 1:1 Pilates, Relaxation and Meditation. Retreats in Spain, France, and the UK.
For more information please see website www.forwardfitness.co.uk or contact Julie Crawford Ring 0794 6067266 or email [email protected]
Cople Village Hall & Playing Field
Available for Hire for Private Functions, Weddings, Children’s Parties,
Conferences etc Main Hall and/or Committee Room
Hire charge from £9 per hour (special rate for children’s parties)
For more information contact
01234 838704 or [email protected]
Blunham Book Sale
Will be held on Saturday 21st February 2015 10.00 am to 3.00 pm in Blunham Parish Church. A selection of second hand and nearly new books, home made cakes, teas and coffees, home made soup, bread and a raffle. All proceeds to Blunham Church Fabric Fund. Donations of good quality books (No magazines, Readers Digest, journals or text books please) to Sue Holden at 3 Grange Road, Blunham or can be brought to the church on Friday 20th February.
For further information ring Shelagh 01767 640742 or Sue on 01767 640572.
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Architectural Design
Stephen Funge Architectural Design
Tel 01234 381304. Mob 07710 268372 [email protected]
Stephen Funge MCIAT MAPM
Planning and Building Regulations Applications.
Design and Project Management.
Extensions, New Houses, Offices, Shops.
Call for a chat. No obligation
Billy Marler – Dog Walking and Pet Sitting – Cople and surrounding villages. Mobile: 07449 023101 Tel: 01234 838965 [email protected]
William’s Walks
Trustworthy, responsible,
experienced with dogs -
short or long walks –
available 7 days a week –
anytime.
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COMPOST AND MORE
HOME AND GARDEN PRODUCTS
www.compostandmore.co.uk
Free next day delivery in Bedfordshire on orders over £40.00.
Dumpy bag of soft wood logs £60.00. Dumpy bag of hard wood logs £75.00.
Kindling from £1.50 per bag. Soft wood logs 5 nets for £10.00. Hard wood logs 3 nets for £11.00.
www.compostandmore.co.uk
01234838755
07707198022
FOR THE GARDEN 6- 50L bags of organic compost £10.00
3- 70L bags of bark chippings £10.00
70L play bark £5.99 a bag
Mini digger and skip loader hire also available.
Heidi Robinson
9 Bedford Road Cople
MK44 3TP
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Sally’s Tax Corner
February already - I do hope you all got your tax returns in by 31st Jan. This month I am going to be guiding you through new law on workplace pensions and automatic enrolment that you may have heard about. (Gripping stuff….)
It is called automatic enrolment as if you are an employee, you will be automatically enrolled into one of the pension schemes by your employer (you can then opt out if you so desire). However if you are an employer – which is the angle that I will be addressing - you need to take the following steps to ensure that you are fulfilling your obligations.
This effects any business that employs at least one member of staff. There is lots of information at www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk each employer has a date by which they need to comply with the law. This is called the staging date and there is a tool on the website so you can find out when it is (most smaller companies date will be 2016 or 2017 – so you still have plenty of time).
You need to complete a certain number of tasks by your staging date, including assessing your workforce to see who is eligible, (Generally employees who earn more than £10k per year, work in the UK and are between 22 and state pension age) choose a pension scheme and tell all your staff what is going on. There are plenty of pension schemes to choose from and pension providers. Pension contributions from your ltd company will be tax deductible.
Other pension rules have changed if you are going to be receiving a personal pension (Not state pension) there are now more options as to what you do with your pension pot. Previously you were forced to buy an annuity but now you can treat your pension pot more like a normal savings fund. You can still draw 25% of your pension pot as a tax free lump sum. Any other amounts drawn out of your pension – in whatever form – will be taxable. So I would always recommend taking the maximum of the full 25% then topping up ISA’s, premium bonds etc to keep this money outside the scope of tax.
For those of you who have read the entity of this article – then well done. Its very dry this month and I apologise for that. Enjoy the rest of your February and as ever please do get in touch with any queries.
Sally Cobban
“You want a tax cut? Write a cheque to HMRC and drag it across your fingers really fast.”
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SJ TAX & ACCOUNTING
Professional Friendly Free initial consultation.
Sole traders, Ltd companies, Start ups, CIS, VAT, TAX
Email: [email protected] Tel: 01234 831997
Mob: 07899 808592
QUALIFIED ACCOUNTANT
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Moggerhanger Park's Spectacular Snowdrops!
The Park's renowned display of snowdrops attracts visitors from near and far. Explore the estate's historic 33 acres and discover for yourself the beauty of this annual display. Snowdrops also signal that spring is finally on its way! The Café will be offering a Snowdrop Soup & Cake offer throughout February, a delicious bowl of homemade soup served with locally sourced bread and a slice of cake for only £4.99.
Valentine's Afternoon Tea for 2 - February 14th & February 15th Treat your loved one to a romantic Valentine's Prosecco Afternoon Tea! Book now on either the Saturday or Sunday - you will be treated to specially created cakes as well as our traditional sandwiches and scones. Your loved one will also be presented with an eternal handmade rose.
Community Craft Fair - Sunday, 22nd February from 10am to 4pm
We've had a great response from local crafters and stallholders. If you are interested in taking part please book now - drop in and chat to Irena or Karen or email us at [email protected]/01767 641007 x 308
Moggerhanger Park, Park Road, Moggerhanger, Beds MK44 3RW - [email protected] - 01767 641007 x 308
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Need a Handyman?
Can your man? thismancan.co.uk
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Over 25 years experience of Handyman work and Property Renovation.
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Dave Crawford tackles most jobs from changing a tap washer to jobs that fall short of the remit of a full blown Builder,
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information: www.thismancan.co.uk
Rejuvinating Hatha Yoga classes which include creative flowing sequences, in-depth posture work
and space for reflection and relaxation
Sundays 10.00 – 11.00 a.m. Cardington Village Hall, Southill Road, Cardington
ALSO Monday and Wednesday evenings in Bedford
£6/class (£5 conc)
Contact: Jen
Tel: 01234 210970
Text/phone: 07849 158 850
YOGA
CHIMNEY SWEEP JULIAN BIGGS
Member of the Institute of Chimney Sweeps.
Fully qualified and insured. All types of chimneys swept
Brush and vacuum. Clean and tidy service
Chimney Safety Certificate. Local, professional and reliable
Competitive rates.
Tel: 01767 627591 / 07950 705479 Northill, Bedfordshire
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February Diary
Monday 2nd
11:00am Benefice Tiny tots sing along Cople Church
Tuesday 3rd
2:30pm Over 60s Club Sports and Social
7:30pm Bell ringing practice Cople Church
Thursday 5th (Green Bin)
09:00am Benefice Morning prayers Willington
Saturday 7th
7:00pm Safari Supper Starts in Cople Church
Cople Church Services
1st 11:15am Family Service
8th 09:00am 09:45am
Holy Communion BCP Sunday School
15th 09:45am 11:15am
Sunday School All-Age Communion
22nd 09:45am 11:15am
Sunday School Sung Communion
Monday 9th
11:00am Benefice Tiny tots sing along Cople Church
2:00pm Mothers Union Glebe House
6:15pm Junior Choir Cople Church
7:15pm Benefice choir practice Cople Church
Tuesday 10th
7:30pm Bell ringing practice Cople Church
7:30pm Tuesday Club. Charity of the year—Stroke Association. Bring and Buy.
Village Hall
Thursday 12th (Orange Bin)
09:00am Benefice Morning prayers Willington
Mobile Library for February
Wednesday 11th and 25th
10:00 to 10:20am All Saints Road, 10:25 to 10:45am Water End, 10:50 to 11:10am Outside Five Bells
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Cople - Coffee Morning
In Cople Village Hall Run by The Kempston Centre
Every Tuesday 10:30am to 12 noon Tea / Coffee Home Made Cakes
Come and have a chat with friends in a relaxed atmosphere.
Monday 16th
12:30pm Luncheon Club Cople Church
7:15pm Senior Choir Cople Church
Tuesday 17th
2:30pm Over 60s Club Sports and Social
7:30pm Bell ringing practice Cople Church
7:45pm Parish Church Council meeting
Wednesday 18th
7:30pm Benefice Ash Wednesday Holy Communion
Cople Church
Thursday 19th (Green Bin)
09:00am Benefice Morning prayers Willington
Monday 23rd
11:00am Benefice Tiny tots sing along Cople Church
6:15pm Junior Choir Cople Church
7:00pm Senior Choir Cople Church
Tuesday 24th
7:30pm Bell ringing practice Cople Church
Wednesday 25th
7:30pm Lent Study 1 Willington Methodist Church
Thursday 26th (Orange Bin)
Cople Carpet Bowls Club
Have you ever thought of playing bowls. If so why not come along and join in a game of carpet bowls which is played indoors on a 30 ft carpet in Cople Village Hall on Wednesday evenings 7:30 to 10:00 pm Any enquir-ies contact Pauline on 01234 838102.
Pauline Baynes.
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Wild about Cople
Things that go bump (or flutter) in the night…
Moths… we tend to think of moths as flying on warm summer nights, bumping against lighted windows or caught highlighted in car headlights, but did you know, that moths, those feeders on pollen and nectar, also fly on cold winter nights?
The moths you are most likely to see in your car headlights in winter are the appropriately-named November moth, December Moth, Winter Moth, Mottled Umber and the Early Moth (someone seems to have run out of inspiration in naming these moths in contrast to the usual flowery names that many moths have).
So how do these moths survive the cold winter nights? Most of them are dark coloured, so helping to absorb and retain any little warmth and many are thickly covered in ‘furry’ hair to keep them warm. They also contain a type of anti-freeze agent which stops ice-crystals forming in their blood when the temperature drops below 0°C – without this they would literally freeze to death.
The aptly-named Early Moth flies in January and February and the others are named roughly after the months in which they fly although many start their flight period in October each year.
The mottled umber flies from October to December and, in common with many of the winter moths, only the male flies; the female is wingless. The females hatch out from pupae in the ground between November and February and climb up the trunks of fruit trees where they lay their eggs on the bare branches. These then hatch into caterpillars once the leaves open in spring – often the caterpillars can be in such numbers that they can cause defoliation of the trees thus affecting fruit yields later in the summer. The caterpillars then pupate back under the soil at the foot of the trees so completing the cycle of destruction. And that is why fruit growers put those sticky bands around the trunks of fruit trees over the winter (I can remember my Grandmother doing it) – to catch those wingless females as they clamber up over the trunks. As an aside, birds such as blue and great tits, robins and wrens also do a great job of eating the moths and their larvae so encourage them to breed in your garden too.
Male December Moth
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And on that subject, now, of course, is the best time to put up nestboxes in gardens for birds; this is the time of year that birds are beginning to pair up and search for a mate and somewhere to nest and breed. Generally birds such as tits like traditional boxes with a round hole, robins and blackbirds like open-fronted boxes and, in general, all birds like lots of hedges, thick bushes and climbers to nest in. You can buy special ‘sparrow boxes’ for house sparrows (I have one on the side of my house, although it has not yet been used!). Sparrows like to nest in small colonies so sparrow boxes have three or four compartments to enable the birds to all nest together. Try one – there’s nothing like having cheeky chirrupy sparrows around as happy neighbours, and there are quite a few sparrows in the village!
A rather nice little bird shot out of one of the ditches between Cople and Willington whilst I was out walking at the start of the New Year and you may see it too…A sharp whistling ‘tuEEt-wit-wit’ as a small, dark bird with a brilliant white rump, flickered out of the ditch. The bird was a Green Sandpiper, a small wader which overwinters here in small numbers and breeds across Scandinavia, Russia and Asia. I see one every now and again and they are always a delight to see and hear; keep an eye out for one when walking the ditches around the village. Beautiful!
The village churchyard had one, incredibly early, lesser celandine just about managing to flower over Christmas and the New Year. It was good to see that sign of spring with its one half-opened glossy yellow flower lighting a dark corner and showing what is to come…
And, one last thing, keep repeating the mantra ‘The evenings are getting lighter, the evenings are getting lighter’! I hardly dare mention the word but spring is coming… honestly!
Steve Halton [email protected]
Green Sandpiper
Parking Space Needed
We have a severe lack of parking outside our house so I am trying to find somewhere in the village where I could keep my car. If anyone has a bit of room on a driveway or room somewhere next to their house where I could keep my small hatchback off the road then please get in touch – it doesn’t take up much room and I’m a very considerate person! I don’t use the car all that often as I work from home quite a bit so anywhere I could keep it tucked away would be very much appreciated! I would be happy to pay something towards the privilege too. We’re even considering having to move out of the village just to get some off-road parking but we really don’t want to have to do that!
Thank you
Steve Halton Tel: 01234 838593 Mob: 07796 081602 Email: [email protected]
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Gardening in February Many thanks to all those of you who have entered this year’s Christmas gardening quiz. Because this piece has to be written before the deadline for the quiz, I shall notify the winners directly and publish the answers in March’s magazine but it was gratifying to see more entries than ever. Thank you. Although this area didn’t have any snow, January seemed to provide pretty much every other kind of weather and this lack of a pattern can make life in the garden a bit of a challenge. Indeed, after a day of rain, the very last thing most of us would expect is a hard frost but that’s exactly what we got and so expect the unexpected is probably the horticultural mantra to chant at the moment and it remains prudent to keep fleece and all other tender plant protection at the ready. As I have said in these pages before and apologies for repeating myself but if you have any doubts about how hardy a much loved plant might be, err on the side of caution and cover it. Perennial plants are generally able to withstand more extreme conditions but as my dear old dad would say, it’s better to be safe than sorry. One of the joys of gardening is that there is always something new to marvel at. Just yesterday, I noticed that my ten year old Camellia (pictured) has its first flower – this is around 2 months earlier than last year – and is the earliest it has flowered since it was bought from the gone but not forgotten Gardeners’ Village in Upper Caldecote. I dare say this is the harbinger of something or other and if you happen to know one of those pithy gardening phrases that despite their old world quaintness reveal a wisdom, please send it to me. One such phrase pertains to Candlemas Day which is February 2nd. ‘Cold weather on Candlemas means colder weather after the feast than before’. If this aged Latin ‘truth’ sounds a tad pessimistic perhaps you would prefer ‘If Candlemas Day be clear and bright, winter will have another flight. But if it be dark with clouds and rain, winter is gone and will not come again’. Still the phrase that is more often accurate than not is ‘Rain before 7, fine by 11’ and I have Denis Louden of the Hertfordshire College of Agriculture & Horticulture to thank for passing that on to me in the 1980’s! The answer to last month’s just for fun question is: Michaelmas Daisies are a type of Aster and are they called this because they are star shaped and Aster is Greek for star. This month’s question is: you learn that your lawn is covered in lolium perenne – what urgent action should you take? As usual, please contact me with any gardening tasks or queries you may have, [email protected] or tel: 01767 627 581 or 07796 328 855. Lawn Doctor
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Email: [email protected]
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Thank you Lawn Doctor, you have given me my garden back’, Ms N.Patadia, Mill Hill
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Service and maintenance contracts
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From ballvalve to bathroom, radiator to boiler we have the experience, knowledge and expertise to meet all
your requirements.
Contact Barry on 07831 377351
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Friends of cople church
Safari Supper
Saturday, February 7th 2015 7 - 7.15 p.m.
Starting in the Church We kick off our events for 2015 with the Safari Supper on Saturday, February 7th and are hoping to get support from all our ‘regulars’, plus those in the village who haven’t been before. If you are a newcomer to the village this is a splendid way to get to know people. The number of tickets available is always dependent on the number of hosts, so if you are willing to open your house and serve either a starter or a main course please let us know as soon as possible. We will be extremely pleased to hear from you and you will be fully reimbursed after the event.
If you would like tickets or more information please contact us on (01234)
838683, 838704 or 831466.
Tickets are priced at £15.
All proceeds towards the upkeep of All Saints’ Church
Vera Rose Sibley
Vera Sibley passed away on Christmas Eve 2014, aged 85. Vera, along with her husband Bob and son Mark, moved to Cople in 1978 and lived at 13 Woodlands Close for 26 years. She spent many happy years in the village before moving to Berkhamsted in 2004 to be closer to her family. Vera formed a number of close friendships in Cople and was an integral part of village life, helping with the running of the Youth Club and the Sports and Social Club.
A service was held on January the 2nd at the Chiltern Crematorium. She leaves behind her two daughters, Jane and Dawn, her son Mark and eight grandchildren. A wonderful mother, sister, grandmother and friend, she will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
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ACE PEST CONTROL
Fast Efficient Service
Rats, Mice, Fleas, Moles, Wasps, Bird Proofing etc
We offer very competitive rates with normally same day service
Proprietor: Mr J. T. Hillyard Telephone 01234 - 838391
Carissa Summers’ London Marathon
I am Carissa Summers of Grange Lane. Cople and I am running the 35th London Marathon on the 26th April 2015. I am the Mother of three and have taken on the challenge of the gruelling 26.2 mile course to raise money for the Epilepsy Society. This charity is close to our family’s heart as our eldest daughter Taya has suffered from the condition since she was 4 years old.
I am hoping to raise my target of £200O through a variety of fundraising events including a raffle which is to be drawn in March with an array of prizes kindly donated by local businesses. Please see my Facebook page www.facebook.com/carissasummerslondonmarathon2015 for more details and to follow my progress as l clock up the miles over the coming months. I have run several half marathons but this will be my first full one, so quite a jump in distance! Any sponsorship donations would be gratefully received at www.justgiving.com/carissa-summers or posted to 23 Grange Lane.
Thank you kindly for the support shown already from the Summers Family.
Carissa
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B. W. Taylor Plumbing Roofing and all Building
Maintenance
From “Complete Bathrooms and Kitchens” including tiling and plastering through to “Ball Valves and “Garden Taps”
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Tuesday Club
The New Year began with a talk entitled ‘A Year in the life of a High Sheriff’ by Vaughan Southgate. Although several years have passed since he fulfilled the office, Vaughan recaptured the essence of a very busy year by means of projected images which gave us an insight into the widely diverse activities in our small but vibrant county of Bedfordshire.
Vaughan began his talk by giving a brief history of the shrievalty, the oldest secular office under the Crown, which dates from Saxon times when a shire reeve was appointed by the monarch to maintain justice, keep the peace and collect taxes. Today, as the Queen’s representative in the County, the High Sheriff welcomes and provides hospitality for visiting High Court Judges, attends visiting royalty, acts as a returning officer in the event of an election, and is required to attend certain ceremonial functions, such as Citizenship ceremonies in which he presents certificates to those who have qualified and have been accepted as British citizens.
In addition the High Sheriff encourages and supports the work of voluntary organisations, especially of those who work with young people and the disabled, and crime prevention. Invitations to schools, church services, concerts come in thick and fast and Vaughan emphasised that it was a wonderful year of his life, providing him with unforgettable memories.
We were very grateful to Mary Whitehead who lent her considerable technical expertise and her equipment. Thank you, Mary.
A donation has been sent to ‘Crimebeat’, a shrievalty charity which heightens the awareness of and tries to combat the dangers to which children are exposed.
All welcome at our annual "bring and buy" on our next meeting of the Tuesday Club. February 10th. Funds from the evening will be donated too Our chosen charity for 2015 the Stroke Association.
Eithne Dandy
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Friendly advice available Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat, 10 am – 6 pm,
Please phone: 01234 831058
Photos, Prints, Textiles, Objects,
Embroideries, Canvases, Mirrors,
original art on paper or board,
laminating.
Framing from budget to
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Large choice of mountboard,
glass and frames, including
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Tracy Herrick 76 Willington Rd. Cople 01234 831079
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Cople Sports and Social Club We will be holding another fundraising event on March 14th for the Bobby More Fund, our local musicians and guest will be performing similar format to the wear it pink evening. Our Cople Sports Football team are doing well and moving up with each game. We are providing bacon, sausage and burger rolls, tea or coffee at our home matches so if you fancy supporting Cople Sports Football club you can have breakfast with us too. There is a regular email sent out to all members in regard of what sports events will be shown and up and coming events. If you wish to become a member please enquire on details below or visit us at CS&SC. Jeanette Skipsey Telephone: 01234 831473. Mobile: 07749 272249. Email: [email protected]
Millennium Wood Update Many thanks to those who came on Saturday 10th and 17th January. We had a great day on the 17th– sunny and cold but very sheltered in the wood and made even more welcome by the appearance of our bonfire! I ended up virtually spending all day in there. It took David Whitehead and myself some while to get the fire going but after lots of puffing, and nurturing with dead sticks we managed to build it up into a magnificent thing which would burn any type of wood thrown onto it. So in the end, all the big piles of cut scrub from the 10th have now been burnt whilst other people were stacking cut timber to make a habitat pile further into the wood. Now we have a fire site we will use it when we need to burn again – we will need 3 or 4 throughout the wood – I don’t want too many and I want to keep them discretely hidden away. I taped off the fire to make it safe when I left and will remove the tape in the next day or so; it does rather look like a ‘crime scene’! Next time it would be good to widen the ride along the south edge of the wood (along the ‘bramble path’) and continue to widen the main ride at the top end (Water End lane) where it is dark and narrow. This time I think we will just drag the cut vegetation well under the mature trees and leave it to rot down; this will be quicker than starting a fire and we can all concentrate on cutting, dragging and widening out the rides. I will mark up the trees to be cut beforehand. Saturday 7th February looks like a good option for our next effort, at the usual time (10am). Then, after that we should be able to fit at least one more task in late March to clear some more glades in the wood. Steve Halton
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Willingtots Pre-school Peace Memorial Hall
Church Road Willington
Telephone 07972 148085
E-mail [email protected] Website www.willingtots.co.uk
Fundraising www.buy.at/willingtots
Sessional care for children aged 2 to school age during term time
FREE PLACES for eligible 3 and 4 yr olds
09:15-12:15 Monday to Friday £9.75 per session
Lunch Club daily 12.15-13.15 (£3.25)
Registered Charity No. 1035672 Member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance and registered with OFSTED
“We are totally committed to safeguarding children”
37, Ridge Road Kempston, Beds MK43 9BS
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Cople Baby & Toddler Group
Has opened its doors again
Every Thursday (Inclusive of school holidays)
10.00am-11.30am At the Cople Village Hall (off Grange Lane)
First session free, £2 per family thereafter Adults with one child under 7 months £1
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Dog House Kitchen Recipe
At Dog House Kitchen, we’re busy getting ready to prepare a special 5 course Valentine’s Day feast, but if you fancy staying home and cooking up a dish to impress your loved one, our mushroom risotto with griddled chicken is just the thing – and if you prefer the vegetarian alternative, leave out the chicken breast and use vegetable stock in the risotto.
Dog House Kitchen Mushroom Risotto with Griddled Chicken
Ingredients
25g dried porcini mushrooms 150g fresh mushrooms, cleaned (a pack containing a mixture is best, but button mushrooms will work too) ½ ltr of chicken or vegetable stock 1 tbsp olive oil 1 small onion, finely chopped 150g risotto rice, such as arborio 100ml dry white wine 25g butter 25g parmesan, freshly grated 2 tbsp double cream Salt & pepper to taste 2 chicken breast portions Dried sage or dried thyme
Method
1. Put the dried mushrooms into a large bowl and cover with boiling water, leave to soak for 20 mins.
2. Heat the oil and half of the butter in a saucepan over a moderate heat. Add the onions and gently fry for about 5 - 10 mins until soft and translucent. Meanwhile, lay a piece of cling film on a flat surface, place the chicken on top of this, then cover with another piece of cling film. Bash the chicken breast with a rolling pin or meat tenderiser until flat and even. Rub a little olive oil over the chicken, then sprinkle on your herbs and season.
3. Remove the rehydrated porcini from their water and chop. Pour most of the liquid into a saucepan (be careful to throw away the grit at the bottom of the bowl though). Add your hot stock to the same saucepan and keep the pan of stock on a moderate heat.
4. Add the porcini mushrooms and fresh mushrooms with seasoning to the onion and cook for 5 minutes. Now add the rice and cook for a further minute.
5. Put a griddle pan over a high heat for your chicken and leave to get really hot.
6. Pour the wine in with the rice and let it evaporate. Once this has happened, add a ladle of stock and keep stirring. Once the stock has almost disappeared, add another and keep repeating until the stock has been absorbed and the rice has become creamy in texture but still al dente in the middle. You can always add a little more
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stock or water if the rice is still undercooked.
7. Gently lay the chicken breast in the griddle pan – because they are thin, they will cook pretty quickly, so keep an eye on them. As soon as they no longer stick to the griddle pan, they can be turned (this should take about 3 minutes for the first side and slightly less for the second side). Once cooked keep in a warm place.
8. Remove the risotto from the heat. Stir in the parmesan cheese and cream and test your seasoning.
9. Serve the risotto with the griddled chicken breast on top, with some extra parmesan and freshly milled black pepper.
Perfect with a simple rocket salad and a chilled glass of prosecco.
Dog House Kitchen can be found at www.doghousekitchen.co.uk or contact Liz on 07545 911 615, or find us on facebook
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Village Hall Bookings: 01234 838704 [email protected]
Over 60's Club Secretary : Hazel Shreeves Tel : 838817
Mothers Union Contact: Jill Ebbs Tel : 838659
Cople Lower School Headteacher : Helen Johnson Tel : 838827
Cople Village Trust Chair : Sandra Thacker Tel : 831344
Royal British Legion Chair: Max McMurdo Tel: 01767 680624 Welfare: David Hansen Tel : 01767 226020
Police PC Paul Jones Riseley Police Station Tel : 01234 - 842864
Carpet Bowls Secretary : Pauline Baynes Tel : 838102
Willingtots Pre-School Group Tel: 07972– 148085
Before & After School Club At Cople Lower School Tel: 07592 - 012249
Brownies (Willington) Amanda Briscoe, Tel: 07504 299994
Beavers, Cubs & Scouts Contact Emma Whiterod Tel: 07908 167356
Friends of Cople Church Chair: Vaughan Southgate Tel: 838714
Cople Sports & Social Club Chair: David Hughes Tel : 838669
Tuesday Club Joy Duthie Tel : 838407
Cricket Cople Argus Cricket Club Chris Gregory 01234 838396
Biggleswade Chronicle Village Correspondent: Jill Ebbs Tel: 838659
Cople Web Site Ian Whiting Tel : 838347 Email: [email protected] Web Site :www.cople.org.uk
Cople Baby and Toddler Kara Rees 07528 416804 or Heather Cornish 07816 396219
Just Ask Wendy Worgan 0800 039 1234
Cople Parish Council Clerk to the Council: Jeanne Pope 42 Wingfield Road, Bromham, Beds. MK43 8JY Tel: 01234 823 297 [email protected]
Yoga Classes Freda 01767 627611
Pilates Classes Julie Crawford www.forwardfitness.co.uk Mobile 0794 6067266 Claire Darlow 07813 843 980 [email protected]
Village Contacts
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Councillor Carole Ellis MBE
Former Mayor of Bedford and our Borough Councillor Carole Ellis passed away on Sunday 7th December after battling a malignant brain tumour that had been diagnosed in October 2013. Carole joined the Borough Council in 1991 and has represented the Great Barford Ward, which includes Cople, for the last 23 years. She was Civic Mayor of Bedford Borough in the years 1999 – 2000 and she hosted Nelson Mandela when he visited Bedford. Carole was leader of the Conservative Group on the Borough Council from 2009 until 2012. Alongside her work as a councillor Carole served also as a magistrate for six years.
Councillor Stephen Moon, Carole’s fellow Great Barford ward councillor said: "Carole will be greatly missed. She took her role as councillor very seriously and worked hard on behalf of the residents of the villages she represented for so long. During her long illness the constant stream of visitors to her bedside, which included many from other political parties, showed the regard in which she was held. She set a very high standard and Bedford Borough Council will be all the poorer with her passing."
Our MP Alistair Burt had the following to say: “The loss of the unbelievably brave councillor Carole Ellis leaves a big hole in our local community, and a heart breaking one for Eddie and her family, of whom we are all thinking at such a time. The terms ‘larger than life’ and ‘personality’ are given away rather too often these days, but no one who knew her, and there were thousands, would say anything other than that the terms fitted her perfectly. She worked incredibly hard for all the causes in which she was interested, and for her life in politics. She spoke out without much fear or favour - and with an honesty and truth which people of any political persuasion find the most important quality. Carole will be much missed.
David Hughes said Carole was always very supportive to all Cople Parish Councillors and to me personally as Chairman. She was an enormous help a few years ago when the village, along with many others in the Borough, was faced with potential gypsy and traveller sites. She was a regular attender at Parish Council meetings and provided valuable insight and liaison with the Borough Council. She was always extremely approachable, very reliable and made a point of keeping us 'in the loop' on issues.
Before she died she was told that she was be awarded the MBE and this was made posthumously in the New Year’s Honours list.
