Issue 115 December 2014

PARISH NEWS
covering
SHILLINGTON, PEGSDON & HIGHAM GOBION
846 properties /1900 population. www.shillington.org.uk
Issue 115 – December 2014
Deadline for February edition – 30th January 2015
PARISH COUNCIL
DOG CONTROL ORDERS
Central Bedfordshire Council has made the following Dog Control Orders that came into
effect on Sunday, 19 October, which make it an offence to:
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Fail to remove dog foul on any open land in Central Bedfordshire to which the public have
access – this extends the current legislation which largely covers towns and villages to a
much wider area including the countryside and country parks.
Allow a dog off a lead on any land to which a Dogs on Lead order is in place – this
extends current legislation that already apples to A and B roads and adjoining footpaths and
verges, and is now extended to cover cemeteries/burial grounds/gardens of remembrance,
marked sports pitches, and the car parks/recreation/education areas of some country parks.
Fail to put a Dog on a Lead when ordered to do so by an authorised person: authorised
council officer, dog warden, site manager or park ranger, where the dog is not under proper
control and is causing a nuisance to others.
Allow their dog to enter or remain in an area from which Dogs are Excluded: enclosed
children’s playgrounds, multi-use games areas.
Anyone who fails to do so faces a fixed penalty notice of £80 – or a fine of up to £1,000 if
prosecuted. Exceptions are available for assistance dogs. The new orders will largely
replace previous dog fouling legislation and associated dog control bye-laws, but not preexisting Dog Control Orders.
Next steps:
1. Information on Council website – completed by 31 October, which includes a copy of the
relevant orders and maps.
2. Public signage – largely paid for and erected by the Council. A considerable amount of new
signage is required e.g. for the Dogs Exclusion Order - estimated 210 enclosed children’s
play areas, and for the Dogs on Lead Order - 100 large recreation grounds with sports
pitches and 87 burial grounds/cemeteries. Posters that Town and Parish Councils will be able
to add to internal noticeboards or those protected from the weather – these will be down
loadable from our website by early November. Signage requirements will be prioritised.
3. Training and accreditation of officers – the orders will be enforced by a range of officers
including Council Officers (Rights of Way, Countryside and Environmental Protection),
Dog Wardens, and rangers from Greensand Trust, National Trust and Forest of Marston
Vale. It is anticipated that training will take place in December 2014 and January 2015.
In the meantime complaints of dog fouling can still be made by calling 0800 300 8302 or by
e-mailing customers@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk This will trigger a survey of the site by a
Waste Contracts Officer who will consider the need for an additional clean up and whether
the Dog Warden needs to be deployed for educational visits and where necessary
enforcement action.
For all Parish Council issues please contact:
Mrs. K. Cousins, Clerk to the Parish Council
20A Vicarage Close, Shillington, Hitchin, Herts, SG5 3LS.  01462 713567.
email: shilling1@talk21.com
website: www.shillington.bedsparishes.gov.uk
COMMUNITY DEFIBRILLATOR
We have now committed to having a community defibrillator for the village and have just
signed a memorandum of understanding with Central Beds Council. The defibrillator will be
located on the outer wall of the Village Hall in High Road (by kind permission of the Village
Hall Management Committee) and all costs associated with its installation and operation will
be borne by the Parish Council. We would ask for community volunteers to come forward
for appropriate training in its operation. Please contact the Clerk to Council.
WAR MEMORIAL GARDEN/REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE
Following the annual tidy up of the memorial garden ready for the Remembrance Day
Service in November (thanks to Derek and Margaret for their kind assistance) we decided, as
part of the WW1 commemoration to make more of the garden and create two circular flower
beds on either side of the path. With the removal of the overgrown spotted laurel bushes
(thank you Martin G) we will be looking to create these beds in the early spring. Any
volunteers would be welcome in this task and perhaps some of you might have some planting
suggestions appropriate to the Memorial.
Thank you to Gavin Clements (+Freddie & Finlay) and Andy Stapleton for kindly assisting
with parade/traffic duties, even though we had the surprise appearance of Police Officers this
year.
One thing that did blight the 2014 service was that during the procession of the congregation
from the Congregational Church to the War Memorial, two horse riders decided to ride their
animals down Church Street and into High Road where these then deposited piles of horse
manure for all to have to avoid ! This was deemed to be most disrespectful not only to the
procession, including the children bearing their flags, who had to avoid it, but also for the
purpose of the occasion. Perhaps those not involved in the event could be more considerate
and avoid the area for the brief period when this service is taking place next year.
ELECTIONS 2015
Next May there will be Parish Council elections. Have you ever felt you would like to stand
up and be counted as a representative for your parish, and feel that you could do as good a
job, if not better than those who have held these positions over the years? We hope you will
consider this opportunity. Indeed over the past year one or two likely candidates have
emerged full of ideas and enthusiasm – just what we need! There will be an evening
workshop in the middle of February at the Village Hall to give interested parishioners the
chance to see what is involved and meet existing councillors. Exact date will be confirmed in
the early February edition of the Parish News.
ARAGON CAR PARK
Some of you may be aware of the car park created by Aragon on the left hand side as you
enter Vicarage Close. We have requested that this be swept out as we felt the chestnut tree
leaves and conkers were putting off residents/villagers from making use of this parking! We
have also requested suitable signage just in case parishioners weren’t aware that they could
park in it.
ANNOUNCEMENTS / ITEMS / NEWS IN BRIEF
SHILLINGTON FLOWER & VEGETABLE
40th ANNIVERSARY SHOW
(Saturday 20 September 2014)
This really was a special event ! The Village Hall was packed with flowers,
vegetables, pickles, cakes, childrens’ exhibits and, reintroduced for this
year, a section for table decorations. The overall standard was as high as ever,
proving once again it really is the Horticultural show not to be missed in
Bedfordshire.
On behalf of the Committee I would like to extend our thanks to everyone who
attended and supported the show making it such a success once again.
Colin Halsall
(Chairman, Shillington Horticultural Society)
A huge THANK YOU and festive greetings to contributors,
advertisers, sponsors and distributors of this magazine.
Your kind support ensures the continuity of the Parish News.
And to YOU dear reader – very best wishes to you and your families
for a very happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.
If you’re still looking for a stocking filler, we have a few 2015 ‘Village
Collection’ Calendars left over from our November exhibition - a
special commemorative edition featuring photos of our enlisted
village boys during WW1. Only £7.50
 Jan & Peter Watts on 01462-712080
Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
The RBL Poppy Appeal collection in Gravenhurst School and
Shillington amounts to £1,626.67 to date.
Thank you to all the willing collectors and to all who contributed.
Shirley McGrath, Poppy Appeal Organiser.
Beryl Lawrence wishes to thank everyone for the cards and flowers she
received on her 90th birthday celebrations.
A big thank you to the Congregational Church for the lovely flowers.
She enjoyed a perfect lunch at The Raven with her 3 children, their
children and great grandchildren.
Val Fiore and her family would like to express their thanks to friends
and family for the beautiful flowers, chocolates and cards she received
during her two stays in hospital recently.
The hip is doing fine, but Val has a lot of other healing still to do,
which is improving daily now she’s back home again. Xx
1st SHILLINGTON BROWNIES
Invite the OVER 50s to join us on Tuesday, 9th December
at Shillington School, Greenfields
from 6.00pm to 7.15pm
Free mince pies, teas and coffee & a Sing Song
WANTED…..ASSISTANT BOOKING SECRETARY
For SHILLINGTON VILLAGE HALL
It has become necessary for our Booking Clerk to “retire”, so we are looking for a village
based volunteer to join our small, hard working Committee and deal with the all important
task of arranging our Hall Bookings. This involves taking telephone calls, booking dates,
issuing the necessary paperwork and may also involve showing potential Hirers around the
Hall (at a mutually acceptable time).
There are no set hours, but the role would best suit a home worker/retired person.
If you are interested in learning more about this important position and you feel you can
help - please contact Naomi Saul on 01462 711772 (answerphone facility available) or email:
ericandnaomisaul@btinternet.com to arrange a meeting.
FLOWER ARRANGING CLASSES will continue to be held in the Jubilee Room of Shillington
Village Hall on Mondays and Tuesdays. A ten week course will begin on 2 nd or 3rd
February, either from 10am to 12 noon or 1.15pm to 3.15pm.
It’s a great way to relax and enjoy making something to take home and enjoy. It’s a
friendly atmosphere with quality professional instruction. Beginners always
welcome.
For further details and/or to enrol, contact Sandra Hare (Tutor)  01462-711589
Why not experience something new for 2015?
New children's dance classes will be starting in the village in January.
Our name is Pirouettes & Pullbacks and we offer classes for ages 3 and up in
Ballet, Tap and Disco/Street.
The classes will be run at the village hall on Friday afternoons and the
children have the chance to participate in shows, fetes, carnivals and exams as
well as having fun, making friends and learning to dance.
For more details contact: Danielle Ellis -  07866-395739
ALL SAINTS NEWS
www.allsaintsshillington.org
Parish Priest: Rev’d Richard Winslade ( 01462-713311)
(Day off on Fridays)
Church Wardens
Liz Allan ( 01462–711084)
Peter Farmer ( 01462–711306)
Church Services:
 9.30am - Every Sunday.
 On 5th Sundays the service is held jointly with the Congregational Church.
 First Sunday of the month: 9.30 am - Family service. 6.00 pm - Choral Evensong
Sunday Club:
Takes place at the Congregational Church room from 9.20am each Sunday except 1 st and 5th
Sundays of the month. There is no Sunday Club during August.
Christmas Services:
Sunday, 7th December: Advent Evensong - 6pm. Please note that this service will be held at St
Mary’s Church – Lower Gravenhurst. There will be no service at All Saints Church.
Sunday, 14th December: 6pm - Village Carol Service. The collection will be in aid of Keech Hospice
Care.
Wednesday, 24th December: Christmas Eve: 11.30pm - Midnight Mass.
Thursday, 25th December: Christmas Day: 9.30am - Family Eucharist.
Sunday, 28th December – There will be no service at All Saints. A joint service will be held at the
Congregational church at 11am.
Please note that during the period 26th to 31st December the Church will be kept closed. Revd.
Richard will also be on holiday then. If you have need of a priest at this time, please contact one of
the Churchwardens. From 1st January 2015 the church will be open during daylight hours, as usual.
Forthcoming Events:
6th December:
Christmas Bazaar – Village Hall from 2pm
18/19/20 December: Christmas Float – will be visiting all parts of the parish.
The collection will be in aid of the Church and Keech Cottage Hospice.
7th February:
Quiz Night – Village Hall – 7.30pm.
Tickets £10 (to include a hot supper) available nearer the date.
From the Registers:
Burials
29th September
30th September
30th October
William Arthur Clayburn
Helen Margaret Russell
Ian Elsdale Burdon
Aged 74
Aged 93
Aged 76
200 Club Winners:
October 2014
1st
2nd
3rd
November 2014
£50 133 Stuart Stevenson
£25 130 Emma Stevenson
£10 121 J. White
1st
2nd
3rd
£50 70 Anne Hare
£25 5 Max Stephenson
£10 166 Amy Hanks
A Christmas present with a difference
200 club tickets for April 2015 to March 2016 will be on sale at the Church
Bazaar, priced £15 each. They can also be purchased from the Churchwardens.
All profits go directly toward the upkeep of All Saints Church.
ALL SAINTS’ ILLUMINATED
To celebrate or commemorate your special occasion
please contact:
 01462-711850 (Catherine)
It only costs £25 to sponsor a whole week’s
illumination – a perfect way to commemorate a special family occasion or
loved one’s anniversary. The ideal gift for the person who has everything.
Sponsor
Mummy, Daddy &
Abbie
The Whiteley Family
The Whiteley Family
David & Fiona Howarth
All Saints Church
Shillington
Message
From
To
In memory of our beautiful daughter Chloe Jade Stronach
on her 18th birthday (12th October). Missing you every
second of everyday. Love you forever Princess xxxx
With thanks for the safe arrival of Lily, a Whiteley girl on
the 25th October
With thanks for the safe arrival of a wonderful Whiteley
boy on the 23rd November.
John Howarth - Remembering your birthday on 22nd
December
Wishing you all a happy Christmas and a peaceful New
Year
Sun
12th Oct
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18th Oct
Sun
26th Oct
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30th Nov
Sun
21st Dec
Sun
21st Dec
Sat
1st Nov
Sat
6th Dec
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27 Dec
Sat
3rd Jan
Letter from the Vicar
Dear Friends
The Christmas advertising and the Christmas stock in our shops seems to appear earlier and
earlier each year. As always this year the shelves are full of a huge variety of possible
Christmas presents. For those of you who like a wide range of choices and plenty of time to
think it must be perfect. You can’t blame the shops of course they need to make as much
profit as possible especially in the present financial situation. However early the shops start
selling Christmas gifts we all need at some stage to organise ourselves and go out and buy
our presents for our loved ones.
There are many people who organise gift buying like a military operation. Every gift planned
and a great deal of thought going into the perfect gift. Others are still the last minute dash
on Christmas Eve. Either way the hope is that the gift will bring joy and happiness to those
who receive it.
The church believes that the true meaning of Christmas is about a single
perfect gift given to all. The gift of the Christ child. God’s only Son sent
into the world to save us from sin. Everything we do at Christmas whether
it be the village carol service or our Midnight mass is there to remind us of
the gift and to offer thanks and praise to the giver.
This year as you purchase your gifts to give to others please consider whether the receiver
should also know about the one true gift of Jesus Christ. You may also want to know more
yourself. We would love to welcome you to any of our Christmas services to join in our
praise and thanksgiving to God the giver of the one true gift at Christmas, Jesus Christ.
Richard
Richard Winslade
The Vicarage, Shillington
 01462-713311
richardrev@btinternet.com
SHILLINGTON MEN’S CLUB
We have had a busy year in the Men’s Club with the following events being attended in
the last few months by members.
Our August evening meal was at the Five Bells in Henlow on Wednesday 20 th August.
16 members enjoyed Steak Pie and trimmings and a good chat.
A “Cruise on the Ouse” was attended by 21 members with wives /
partners on the 18th September. The weather forecast a few days
before was for thunderstorms and rain, the actual day turned out to be
perfect weather with temperatures around 22c and plenty of sunshine.
We boarded the John Bunyan narrow boat at Sovereigns Quay in
Bedford for a two and a half hour cruise. Once all were aboard we set sail down river
through the Town Lock and then to Cardington Lock where we did a “winding” to
retrace our route back to Sovereigns Quay. A number of members enjoyed cream teas
during the cruise. All thoroughly enjoyed this trip and saw parts of the River Ouse that
they didn’t know were there.
The cruise is organized by the Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway Trust and is
raising money for a new canal between the River Ouse in Bedford to the Grand Union
Canal in Milton Keynes. The Trust is raising money for this project and is totally run
by volunteers. For more information you can visit their WEB site at http://www.bmkwaterway.org.uk.
Our September evening meal was at the Five Bells in Henlow, 17 members enjoyed
Steak Pie nd the usual good chat. As a change from steak pie our October evening
meal was at the Dalchini Spice in Shefford for those that like their curry. 11 members
attended. 6 Members attended the Computer Museum in Cambridge for a technically
interesting visit. A return visit was made in November to the Cross Keys in
Pulloxhill for Steak Pie and trimmings. 21 members attended an excellent
evening of good food and much chatting. Our Christmas Meal will be at
The Crown in Shillington on the 17th December. 21 members will be
attending.
Our AGM will be held on 28th January at 7pm at the Congregational Church. Beside
the AGM we will also have a speaker who will be talking about ‘Special Forces’.
The Club has 26 active members from all walks of life both employed and retired.
There are no age restrictions for membership.
If you would like to join Shillington Men’s Club you will be made most welcome.
For further information please contact:
The Secretary - Derek Lewison (Tel 01462 711504, email derros@lewison.freeserve.co.uk)
or Chairman - Graham Williams (Tel 01462 713468, email coberley59@btinternet.com).
SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB
The past few weeks have seen the club having some very enjoyable times. Our
week at Potters Leisure for the National short mat competition proved quite
rewarding. There were over 60 teams from around the British Isles and
Belgium competing and we managed to get two of our Triples teams into the
quarter finals, one then making it to the semis. We also had a Pairs team
through to the quarter finals. Many of the opposing teams play regularly all over the country
so we were very happy with our efforts. Of course, next year we will be hoping to improve
even further. Practice, practice, practice!
Locally we have two teams competing in the Beds and Herts league at Wilstead and, at the
time of writing, one is leading the field; our best position since we started competing some
years ago. Our ‘In house’ Triples league is well under way now with seven teams playing
through the winter months.
We have had two ‘friendlies’ recently; in October we met with our friends at Letchworth and
drew at two matches each, always very enjoyable afternoon. November saw us entertain
Bromham at home in which our teams won two of three matches. The afternoon concluded
with refreshments and a raffle.
Next important date is our Christmas Dinner which we’re having at The Crown in
the village. Entertainment will once again be music with Paul David who gave
us such a great time last year.
Please note:
Club nights are usually Mondays and Fridays 7-10p.m. but, as an experiment, for the winter
months only; on the first Friday of November through to March we are replacing the
evening session with an afternoon session from 2-5p.m. If this might be more convenient
for you please look in and see us at play! Maybe with a view to joining the club?
Further info from Jeff Rix (01462 711298)
CRAFT CLUB - CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
The next meeting dates are:
20th January
3rd and 17th February
between 2.00 and 4.00pm
Visitors welcome.
For further details contact Janet Worley. Tel: 01582 881824.
WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
The WI continues to meet monthly at the Congregational Church on the first
Thursday of the month at 8.00p.m.
Last month we enjoyed a make up demonstration by local beautician Beverley
Croft and she gave us lots of tips so we should all be glowing for the Christmas
Season!
Our Food Fair at the Village Hall was a great success and we had
great feedback from customers and stall holders alike. Even with the
weather against us we had a good response and it was a very
enjoyable day with all the local produce and producers and some
lovely craft stalls too.
We will be meeting a week later than usual in December and one of our own
group, Sandra Hare, will be helping us to make something beautiful and floral for
Christmas so we are looking forward to a creative evening - with a little mulled
wine to help us along.
We will be going to Flitwick Manor for our Christmas lunch and
are all looking forward to that. January will bring a social
evening with a few games and ideas to go along with the catching
up after Christmas.
Our Group managed to tightly fill 10 shoe boxes with useful gifts for the East
European appeal so thank you to all our members for their contributions.
We have an exciting program for the New Year and as always, welcome
newcomers. Our Book Club, Knitting Club and Lunch Club all continue through
the winter months so come along and give us a try!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
If you would like any more information about how to join us or any
other matters, please call 711205
1st SHILLINGTON SCOUT TROOP
Biggleswade District Hike Weekend
25th – 26th October 2014
Congratulations to Matthew Barnett, Ben Woodhouse, Harry Jarvis, Harry Layton and
Harvey Fanning from the 1st Shillington Scout Troop in winning the Category C
trophy in the Biggleswade District Hike competition. Over the weekend they
had to plot their route from given co-ordinates, hike 20 km, pitch their tents
and cook their own meals on light-weight stoves.
The last camp of the year is Survival Weekend at Boyd Field, Henlow on 29 th-30th November
where the Scouts will be shown during the day basics of survival and then overnight, have to
cook on an open fire and sleep in a “bivvy” (under a plastic sheet).
The first planned camp for 2015 is “The Ice Cold Adventure” held at Belchamps Scout
Activity Centre in Essex on 13th – 15th February this is open to Cubs and Scouts.
Akela, Ian & Amy
WIVES’ GROUP
The Wives Group commenced their 2014/2015 session on September 11th when we held a
Social Evening & Buffet to welcome old & new members. We were pleased to welcome
several ladies who have now joined as members.
Later in September they had Audrey Burr speak to us about the ‘Send a Cow’ charity. On
October 9th due to the cancellation of the speaker we hastily arranged an evening of games
& competitions and were pleased to welcome another new member on that occasion.
Later in October we had a very memorable evening when Caroline & Pauline
put on a ‘Champagne Afternoon Tea in the Evening’. Both ladies greeted
everyone at the door with a glass of champagne & they were both suitably dressed
as ‘Nippys’. Members joined in after the tea with competitions based on a Tea
theme. In November at our meeting we welcomed Keith from Langford Garden
Centre who advised us on ‘Ways to garden as we get older’.
On November 27th we welcomed Rae Doward from Luton who demonstrated ‘Ribbon
Christmas Trees’. Members were encouraged to take part and make a tree & 8 members did
so. Some very attractive trees were produced. Our next meeting is our Christmas Outing to
Mount Pleasant Golf Club for a Christmas meal. We then take a break until January 22nd
2015 when we welcome everyone back for our New Year’s Party.
Our best wishes go to one of our members Val Fiore who is recovering from a recent stay in
hospital, who kindly arranged our Christmas outing & is now unable to go.
For more details of our meetings contact Janet (01462 711402).
RAMBLING on with Derek Turner
Derek Turner – 01462-712462 - derek.turner@phonecoop.coop
One of the great success stories of recent years has been the brewing and consumption of traditional
and innovative styles of beer from local and micro-breweries. In the early 1970s, many of their
predecessors had been taken over or closed and there were under 100 brewing businesses left. The
survivors' advertising budgets were used to promote a limited range of mass-produced beers and
lagers which were fizzy, often served far too cold and had little taste. A few pubs, mostly owned by the
smaller brewers, bucked the trend and continued to serve traditional beers poured straight from the
cask or dispensed by hand pumps and- in the case of some like the Live & Let Live at Pegsdon - by
electric pumps. These beers came to be known as ‘real ale’ and they were in real danger of dying out.
Along with other enthusiastic drinkers, I joined CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, in 1973,
two years after it was founded and was pleased to discover that there were still tasty and
distinctive beers available if you knew how to find them. One of CAMRA’s main tasks had
been to mobilise members to identify pubs where real ale was available and promote them
in the Good Beer Guide. This was an indispensable companion for someone like myself
whose work at the time took him to different parts of the country. It enabled me to sample fabled brews
like Old Peculier that were only available in a handful of pubs.
At this time, Greene King ran a brewery in Biggleswade but many of their pubs pushed the beers up to
the tap on the bar with carbon dioxide pressure, which also made them gassy. However, when kept
and served the right way, Greene King beers were as good as you could get. XX was a dark mild with
a fine malty taste, IPA a full-flavoured bitter with a good balance of malt and hops and Abbot a very
distinct, robust, strong beer. Some readers will remember the Musgrave Arms when Jack Hillyard was
the landlord and served them all straight from the barrel. Unsurprisingly, the pub was a frequent entry
in the Good Beer Guide.
Since the 1970s, Biggleswade and many other breweries have closed, taking many well-loved tipples
with them and some beers that survived have changed - including Greene King’s which have become
blander in my opinion. However, the renewed interest in quality ales, particularly among younger
drinkers, has seen new breweries open, there are now 1,285 and counting. In contrast, the number of
pubs has fallen dramatically. Soon after I moved to Shillington in the mid 1980s, the
much-loved Five Bells closed and the Bedford Arms followed soon after. It’s remarkable
that we still have 4 pubs left in the parish but unless we give them more custom, I fear
that we will lose them. Indeed, the Live and Let Live is currently up for sale.
However, a group of customers - the Live & Let Live Supporters Group - are determined to keep it open
and have a plan to take over the pub by inviting local people to purchase shares. This idea was first
used at the Red Lion at Preston which had been a run-down Whitbread pub in 1982 when locals
clubbed together to buy it. It has thrived ever since and there are now about 30 other communityowned pubs across England. Running a pub is no picnic but the Live & Let Live has a lot going for it
with plenty of passing traffic and a superbly picturesque setting that attracts many walkers providing
lots of potential customers. It is essential that we keep alive the “Live” and all the other pubs,
businesses and community groups that feature regularly in these pages. Without them, Shillington
would be a very dull place. I hope to see you in one of our pubs, soon. Cheers!
E-mail George Ruddock at savetriplelllt@outlook.com for more information about the Live & Let Live
Supporters Group.
Village Walk
Many of you have joined me for a post-Christmas walk in recent years and I hope
to see more of you again this year on. Starting from the Village Hall at 10am,
we’ll cut across the village towards Hanscombe End and visit Apsley End too. I’ll
be able to bring you up to date with what we’ve found in the archaeological digs
and point out other interesting features. The route is between 3 and 4 miles long
and walking boots are required for the sections on field paths which may be muddy.
We’ll aim to finish at the Crown at about 12.30pm.
You may also be interested in a 4 and a half mile walk from Clophill on Thursday 1 January
that I’m leading for the Ivel Valley Walkers. This is a different route from that which I described
in the June edition of Parish News passing features that you won’t see in Shillington such as a
medieval castle and old quarries. Please meet me on the village green opposite the Flying
Horse for a 10.30am start. Parking space here is very limited, so please leave your car
elsewhere in the village and walk along to the start. We’ll finish before 1pm.
SHILLINGTON HISTORY SOCIETY
A talk by Steve Fuller on the Bedfordshire Regiment attracted a strong
turnout at November’s meeting. Steve has been researching this
subject for many years and told us how its roots go back to 1688. The
Bedfordshire Regiment was named in 1881 and during World War 1,
its soldiers were dispatched to the Western Front, Italy, Gallipoli,
Egypt and Palestine.
We heard about stories of incredible feats of bravery which resulted in 7 of its
soldiers receiving the Victoria Cross and about some of the Shillington men who
joined it.
Find out more about the Bedfordshire Regiment at
www.bedfordregiment.org.uk After the meeting, the AGM was held and a
committee elected for the coming year.
There’s a talk about the History of Christmas at the next meeting on 16
December at 7.30pm at the Congregational Church. Admission is free on this
occasion but you are invited to become a member for 2015. It’s only £7 for
family membership or £5 for individuals which gives you free admission to
meetings. The Society is cheap to run but need a small income each year to cover
meeting costs and running the website.
The report on the 2014 archaeological test pits is now online at
www.shillington-history.org.uk
PLOUGHING ON………. A Farmer’s Perspective !
by Whizz – T.C. Shaw & Sons
Winter jobs have started on the farm now and the amount of field work
we can do has decreased. We have had significant rainfall in the past
month or so and the ground is saturated. The average annual rainfall
for this part of the country is 575 millimetres but we have already had
805 millimetres and there is still another month to go.
Our environmental work has continued across all our farms and we have been
reviewing the schemes that are in place because of DEFRA’s new regulations on
cropping. The new rules mean that features such as grass margins and uncut
hedgerows form part of the “Ecological Focus Areas” so we have to calculate the
relevant areas to make sure that we comply.
We were delighted to have our hard work recognised recently and our
environmental scheme, together with the rapeseed oil business, at
Barton Hill Farm were awarded a CPRE Mark in the “Sustainable
Enterprise” category of their Living Countryside Awards. This is the
highest award that we could have won and makes all the hours we put into the farm
worthwhile. The judges were particularly keen on the fact that each bottle of oil has a
field name and grid reference on it of where the seed comes from. They also
appreciated all the work that we have done to reintroduce certain birds to the farm e.g.
lapwings and grey partridge, as well as encouraging the general public to come to the
farm, not only for organised farm walks but also to enjoy and make use of the additional
permissive footpaths that we have located strategically around the farm to link up the
existing network of paths.
The crops are all doing quite well at the moment and the wheat and barley have been
thriving in the relatively mild weather we’ve been having. The oilseed rape is also
starting to look better now that it has grown away from the threat of the dreaded flea
beetle and slugs. The plants are now big enough to be established and therefore not
threatened by smaller pests. Pigeons are eerily absent still so the infamous
“pigeon patrol” hasn’t been necessary much so far this season, although
that’s probably tempting fate and I’ll regret saying that…
On a non-farming matter, we have had a rather exciting fortnight
and have a new addition to the family. Millie became a big sister
and little George was born 10 days ago. He is settling in to life at
the farm and helped me host the farm shoot to-day. Wellie was slightly put out that she
has been pushed down yet another rung of the ladder at home but since buying her a
new toy duck she is in her element and feeling rather smug!
You may have heard that there is a local crime wave going on at the
moment with a lot of farms and rural properties getting broken into,
including us. The rural police have increased their night time patrols and
are in the area a lot more to make their presence known. We witnessed this last week,
when zooming off to Lister Hospital to have George. It was 5am and we spotted the
patrol cars near Hexton. We were both very impressed and said how reassuring it
was…that was until they decided that we looked suitably suspicious in our very muddy
four wheel drive at that time of day and pulled us over! When we explained where we
were going they fell about laughing and told us to “go, go, go”! A good story to tell
George when he’s older!
DECEMBER
AT
THE NOAH’S ARK
Christmas Eve – 24th December
Live…..E L V I S……9.00pm til late
New Year’s Eve – 31st December
GAVIN’S DISCO…………..8.00pm til late
ALL WELCOME – FREE ENTRY
Come and see the New Year in with us !!
THE ROAD MORE TRAVELLED
By Revd. Angus McCormick  01462- 712096
Minister of Shillington Congregationalist Church
I was thinking about Christmas and I decided to go to town on the bus. Rosemary and Celia and
a lot of other people got on the bus before we left the village. The bus took its usual route out
of the village without any help from me, though I did keep looking both ways as we came to the
road junction to make sure all was clear for the driver before he drove out onto the main road.
I also had to watch out in case we got too close to the hedge in the
neighbouring village because it is so tight for the driver and the bus. I’m full of
admiration for the way the bus driver can get through the narrow passage
between parked cars and hedges. Then suddenly the bus stopped and started to reverse. Yes,
we went back all the way we had come through both villages again. I didn’t know whether I
was coming or going! Someone on the bus said they could have stayed in bed for another 20
minutes and got the bus on this return journey if they had known. I thought I could have had
another cup of tea.
Anyway I thought how great it is to have buses from our village and back again. You talk to
people, you have a great view of the fields and what’s happening – any new building. You have
no parking worries, no need get change for the parking meters, time to think about what you
got on the bus for….For many of us it’s free and adds up more pence in the pension pot.
Christmas can be hectic. Mind you I can cope with the hectic round of tasting the best mince
pies I’ve ever tasted made by the ever busy and productive current Mrs. Sometimes I leave a
few for the poor hungry people the pies were intended for. Then there’s the sublime Christmas
cake that the Mrs makes - it’s the best in the world and the whole family want her to bake
them their Christmas cake as well! That’s nearly as much ‘SUFFERIN’ as I can manage at
Christmas.
Well our charity appeal at church this year is for arthritis care since I’m looking ahead to the
inevitable but it’s better than not looking ahead. All the donations will go as always to the
charity and hopefully benefit us locally.
Thinking of mobility I was driving some very experienced and mature (?) men in the
Men’s Club recently to one of our very enjoyable outings when I realised how many
men I knew called Peter. I thought that as Saint Peter is supposed to hold the keys to
heaven maybe I’m not in bad company knowing so many Peters. Well I hope one of
them has the keys and will remember how well he was driven in the car when my
time comes to seek entry to that other place….
Of course we have all got the keys we really need in our own hearts; that is the keys that enable
us to love the real poor, the real hungry, the real homeless, real children, real elderly people
and in fact to really love EVERYBODY - the more we travel on this Road the better I think.
Every blessing,
Angus
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH NEWS
47 Church Street, Shillington
www.shillingtoncong-church.org.uk
This year at the Congregational Church we have made a donation of £100 to the Noah
Enterprise in Luton who help the most disadvantaged in the local community.
£100 has been given to the Poppy Appeal to mark the start of the first world war
100 years ago. This is in addition to the Church collection on Remembrance
Sunday.
Via our representation on the Women's World Day of Prayer, £20,000 to the Ebola Appeal.
Our Church has a new Church Secretary, Mrs. Janet Worley, her phone number is 01582
811824. Mr. John Corbett has retired this position after over 20 years. This doesn't mean
that you will not see John and Angela at Church, they will still be attending worship and
social events. Angela will still be catering and letting the Church to other groups who use
the premises for their meetings.
Christmas Tree Festival:
The Christmas Tree Festival is from Friday, 5th December from 3pm to 7pm;
Saturday, 6th December from 11am to 6pm; Sunday, 7th December from 12noon
to 5pm. Then there is a Carol Service to close the event. Entrance is FREE - we
just ask for a donation for the chosen charity this year, which is Arthritis Care.
There will be a raffle and tombola and refreshments throughout the weekend. If
you miss the weekend and want to give a donation, please pass it on to a member or the
minister.
Sunday Services:
Sunday Services. The Church is open each Sunday for worship at 10.30am. Details of those
conducting worship are in the village calendar.
Socials:
The December Social is on Saturday, 13th - the entertainment this year will be by "The
Parkside Singers”. In January we meet on Saturday, 24th for our "Burns Night
Celebration”. In February we meet on Saturday, 14th for the Valentines’ Evening. All
Socials begin at 7pm. If you want to know more ring Tom on 01462-712562.
Lunch Club:
In December we meet on Thursday, 18th December for our Christmas event. In
January we meet on Thursday 8th and 22nd from 12.30pm. If you want to
know the menus for any Lunch Club or Social then contact Angela on 01462850266.
On the notice board outside the Church is a list of services and social events happening each
month.
CBC WARD MEMBER’S REPORT
for Shillington, Higham Gobion and Pegsdon Residents
Christmas again, and how fast the year has gone. I never got to use my detector in the fields
this autumn. But I hope to show the children in Shillington Lower School the worn Roman
coins that I have unearthed - out of our own fields. The splendid school Firework Display is
behind us, as is the packed autumn Food Fair that I browsed my way through. And the
Christmas Tree festival is still to come, as I write.
Locally: before the winter mud arrives, I have ensured that the New Walk pathway has been hard
surfaced to enable walkers and school children to use it as a short cut, while I asked the pathways
officer to get the two bollards moved back from the end, so that residents can turn their vehicles
round! After 18 months of pursuing decent lighting for Scyttels Court, I am now
nearer to a solution - I hope. I am also going to try to appropriate available funding
for yellow lines on the bends of some roads in the village, in January. Hanscome
End Road continues to be a problem, with speeding and parking. I am trying to get
the Local Neighbourhood Police Team and Highways to look at both areas of
concern. Talking about roads - CBC has a large amount of salt in stock for the winter, and is still
using the Velocity Patcher to fill potholes before conditions worsen. We have, amazingly, the
second best road surfaces in the country! But we still intend to improve...
On the wider front, we have been hearing a lot lately about the extreme situation that
the NHS faces as winter approaches, and our rural Bedfordshire is not immune.
Health England, which has just carried out a review of healthcare services for
Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes, recently presented its outcomes to CBC
councillors. They include a common IT platform to be used by all 55 practices, so that information
can be transferred more efficiently. Practices would be enabled to carry out routine procedures,
such as blood tests, previously requiring a visit to a hospital, and be open longer. People would be
encouraged to think of their local pharmacy first, to use their knowledge and expertise with regard
to everyday issues, rather than seeking a doctor's appointment. Bedford Hospital would be a
'modern general district hospital' offering core services, but with links to the more specialised
services which are further away. All of these proposed changes are to enable care to be closer to
our homes, with better access to primary care and longer opening hours. These were what
residents said they wanted in the recent consultation. More funding we cannot have unfortunately.
Next year will see the return of the Gypsy and Travellers plan, in an expanded form. More
land will be asked for, as the total, of approximately 28000 new houses by 2031, has
been increased to 31,000 by the same date. So we can expect to see land being
offered, again. Superfast Broadband is to be rolled out across Central Bedfordshirebut sadly, not for our bit until 2016! And, of course, there will be the local elections
next May, alongside the general election. An exciting year ahead.
In the meantime, if you have anything that I can help you with, please contact me as usual, on
alison.graham@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk - or, more probably - on 01462 713543... But for
now, may I wish us all a joyful Christmastide.
Alison Graham
PARENT, TEACHER AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION
SHILLINGTON LOWER SCHOOL
We would like to thank Shillington Clay Club for their sponsorship over the
coming year, which will support the ongoing use of our school swimming pool,
which is enjoyed by all of our pupils.
If you or your business is interested in providing much needed sponsorship,
please contact Andy Neaves at andy.neaves@yahoo.co.uk who can give you more
information on our sponsorship packages.
Look out in the New Year for details of our upcoming family bingo event and
other fundraisers to support our local school!
Shillington Under Fives & High Fives Before / After School Clubs
Registered Charity 1030391
Our team of professional, highly qualified and trained staff provide childcare from
7.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday in term time for children from 2 years to 9 years
old. We take funded 2, 3 and 4 year olds and have very flexible session times.
Holiday Clubs run throughout the year for children up to 12 years old.
Prices are £3 per hour with sibling discounts
Located in the grounds of Shillington Lower School.
Visit our website www.shillingtonunderfives.ik.org or
call us on 07769 866286 for more information.
SHILLINGTON BABY
AND TODDLER GROUP
REGISTERED CHARITY 1054966
SOS !!!
Parents, carers, babies and toddlers, we need you to keep our village group going!
Shillington Baby and Toddler Group has been running now for many, many years
and we feel that it is a great way for mums to meet other new mums, and
children to have a play whilst mixing with other children of their age.
Unfortunately, numbers have dropped recently and with some mums due to
leave the group soon with their children starting school, we aren’t covering our
costs. It would be very sad if the group was to close, but if numbers do not
pick up, we will have to close after Easter.
So if you or anyone you know, have or look after children 0-4, please tell them
about our group. It would be such a shame to see it close.
SHILLINGTON BABY AND TODDLER GROUP
REGISTERED CHARITY 1054966
We would like to welcome you to join us on Fridays in term-time at the Village Hall,
High Road, Shillington - from 9.15am to 11.00am
We provide toys, books and crafts, for children from 0 to 4 years as well as a
relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Great for parents & carers to meet others and enjoy
a tea or coffee while their children socialise!
We also often tell a story or sing rhymes with the children if they want to join in.
£1 per adult and £1 per child aged over 6 months
Cost includes refreshments – drink, healthy snacks & biscuit!
You can find us on Facebook ‘Shillington Baby & Toddler Group’. We know it can be
daunting to come to a group where you don’t know anybody so please feel free to add
to the group and one of the committee could arrange to meet you first
Please note, we have toddler sized tables, chairs, ride on bikes, plastic slides,
rockers, and soft blocks – should you wish to hire them for birthday parties
and other occasions.
CARE AND CARE WITH DIGNITY
Ron Bradstreet
( 01462-711486)
E-mail: ron_bradstreet1492@btinternet.com
The Care Quality Commission, which is the independent regulator for all health and social
care in England, has carried out a large number of unannounced inspections of hospitals in
England in recent times. The results were hardly satisfactory. Over half the hospitals
inspected were falling short to some degree in the basic care they provided to elderly
people. This was seen as showing shocking complacency on the part of the hospitals
towards an essential part of good health care. There are no excuses, although the squeeze
on finances is making it harder to maintain high standards on wards. However, bashing the
NHS is easy; but does it provide an answer? Some are taking a rather different view.
A report published recently found that the dignity of elderly patients in NHS
hospitals is being compromised by the practices used by hospital
management. The treatment of vulnerable patients will not improve until it is
recognized that the familiar cycle of investigation, scandal and blame will not
make any difference. Rooting out bad nurses and managers is not the
solution. The report offers a radically different way of looking at the
problems. The meticulous research and interviews carried out in the report lead to a very
different solution – that these problems need system wide solutions. It was found, for
instance, that hospital managers and staff either do not see or do not accept that their core
business is caring for older people. The average age of patients in some hospital wards
covered in the report was often over eighty. Staff interviewed on these wards insisted that
these patients did not belong there and that they should be elsewhere. The interviewers
thought they had a point. A hospital ward is not the place for an old person who may be
confused and probably have at least two long term health problems. A hospital is not a
retirement or care home. Doctors and nursing staff are there to heal the sick and return
them to the community.
The head of the NHS has said that hospitals are not the right place for old,
frail people and called for community care to be expanded to accommodate
the growing elderly population. He made the point that, in the average
general hospital, about forty percent of patients will have dementia. A
third of hospitals do not have guidance to ensure a dementia patient’s carer
is fully informed; forty-one percent of hospitals do not provide training in dementia care for
new staff; forty percent do not train support staff and eleven percent do not train nurses.
Remarkably, improving dementia care is not a priority for a significant number of hospital
managers. The nature of NHS patients is changing rapidly and hospitals are seeing a larger
and larger group of frail old people in their wards. Alternatives must be found. A lot more
elderly folk will have to receive care in the community from relatives or trained carers. The
system has to change but will politicians grasp the nettle?
16 DAYS OF ACTION
’16 days of Action’, is an international campaign that aims to raise awareness about violence as
a human rights issue at a local, national and international level.
The 16 Days of Action Domestic & Sexual Abuse Awareness Campaign for 2014 takes
place between 25th November and 10th December 2014. The theme for our campaign is ‘This is
Abuse’. The ‘This is Abuse’ campaign is aimed at preventing teenagers (13 to 18 year old boys
and girls) from becoming victims and perpetrators of abusive relationships by encouraging them
to re-think their views of controlling behaviour, violence, abuse, sexual abuse and what consent
means within their relationships and directs them to places for help and advice. Further details
can be found on the Home Office website.
Lisa Scott, Sexual Abuse Coordinator and Claire Churchley, Domestic Abuse Coordinator at
Central Bedfordshire Council said “Sadly, domestic and sexual abuse goes on all over the world
but we are using this international campaign to bring the issue to the forefront of people’s minds
across Bedfordshire”.
“We’re also hosting a quiz night and a cake sale to raise money for refuges in the local area and
to fund valuable advisors that support victims of domestic abuse in Central Bedfordshire &
Bedford Borough”.
If you’d like to get involved, or just for more information, please see the events schedule on the
website, or contact Lisa Scott on ext. 75733 (0300 300 5733) or Claire Churchley on ext
75168 (0300 300 5168).
REPORTING POTHOLES ON LINE MADE EASY
How often have you driven over a pothole and done nothing about it ? or spotted a
streetlight that doesn’t work and then walked on ?
Central Bedfordshire Council have now made it even easier for everyone to report
problems on the roads and pavements on line. You can report problems 24 hours a
day, 365 days of the year.
You can also do so at a time and a place that is convenient to you, because our new
online service allows you to report issues on mobile phones and tablets.
What’s more, if you get in touch with us online we will let you know what’s happening
about the problem you have reported. It’s an easy promise to make, but thanks to
the new online reporting system, that’s just what will happen.
To report a problem go to www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/reportit
Clocks Go Back - Burglaries Go Up
Bedfordshire Police are warning residents across the county to be on their guard now that
the clocks have gone back providing easy pickings for burglars.
Traditionally the number of break-ins go up by as much as half when it starts getting darker
earlier, so this year, as well as special operations to target burglars, the force is giving local
people guidance on how to protect their homes against this seasonal increase in
burglaries.
Simple crime prevention precautions really can make all the difference. Thieves are
essentially lazy and if they have to make a lot of noise, spend a lot of time, or risk being
seen, they are unlikely to bother to attempt a break-in. Taking a few precautions now, and
purchasing a few simple security devices to make your home more secure, is a small price
to pay for peace of mind.
Make sure you do the following things to make your home more secure and help
Bedfordshire Police reduce the number of burglaries this winter.







Leave lights or the radio on so it looks and sounds like someone is at home.
Lock all windows - thieves can wriggle through any gap larger than a human head.
Fit locks to the top and bottom of patio doors.
Visible burglar alarms make burglars think twice.
Never leave garages or sheds unlocked.
Check for weak spots and sagging fences on your boundary.
Stop a thief getting into the back of the house where he can work unseen by fitting a
strong, high gate across a side passage.
 Be alert to strangers loitering in the street. If you don't recognise them or they are acting
suspiciously, call the police.
 Don't hide keys under the mat or in a flowerpot - it is the first place a burglar will look.
You can download a comprehensive guide to protecting your home and property from the
Bedfordshire Police website bit.ly/1pFTcB3 or visit www.bedfordshire.police.uk .
Vulnerable and older people can get a free security check and home improvements from
the Bobby Van team, qualified carpenters and security experts who provide those over 65
or vulnerable people with a FREE security check to improve their security and prevent
them becoming victims in the first place. If you are over 65 or considered vulnerable, or a
carer for someone in this situation, go to bit.ly/1ruSZHu to ask for a visit.
Anyone with information relating to a burglary or other incident should call Bedfordshire
Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.
Alternatively you can contact the independent crime fighting charity, Crimestoppers,
anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
 Having difficulty collecting prescriptions from the GP?
 Getting to the hospital or surgery a problem for you ?
 Need help with shopping ?  Form filling a difficult task ?
If you answer YES to any of the above questions
Call Shillington
Care
on
07939-448360
Normally we will answer your call directly. If we can’t there will be a message saying
you have reached us at Shillington Care. Leave a message with your name and phone
number and we will then call you back within two hours and ask how we can help.
If you have an emergency or if there is a difficulty with the new number, or if you
would like to find out how to join our volunteers,
just call Ida (711814) or John (711084)
USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS
Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford
Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ. (www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk)
General enquiries .....................................................................0300 300 8000
(customer.services@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk)
Highways Helpline
………………………………………….…0300-300-8049
(pavements, potholes, road maintenance, gritting, street lights)
highways@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Waste collections/recycling/fly tipping/abandoned vehicles/dog warden services
………….….…………………………………..……..0300-300-8631/0300-300-8632
Planning ............................................................... 0300-300-8692/0300-300-8670
Police (Emergency) ………………………………………………999
Bedfordshire Police ……………………………………….……..101
(non emergency calls, but to report incidents)
Police SNT Ampthill & Flitwick .…………………………….…. 01234-842613
Trading Standards (Bogus Caller Hotline) ………….…….......08454 040506
Electricity ………………………………………………………….0800-783-8838
Anglian Water ………………………………………………….…08457-145145
(water and sewage queries and problems)
Bus Information ………………….………..……0870-608-2608 or 01234-228337
.
Parish Councillors – contact details:
Sue Chalmers
via Clerk to Council
David Mott
01462 711222
John Clark
01462 711446
David Simkins
01462 711209
Alison Graham
01462 713543
Helen Smith
01462 711714
Tony Howells David Middleton
01582 881611 via Clerk to Council
Sally Stapleton
Derek Turner
07711 504489 01462 712462
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
DECISIONS from CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL:
CB/TPC/14/00352. Mrs A Simkins, Land to the north of New Walk
Works to trees protected by a Preservation Order: Prune one Corsican pine tree and one
Pear tree. The trees are located the rear of 56 Hillfoot Road. The trees are within group G2
of Tree Preservation Order Ref: MB/TPO/76/00009
APPROVED 09/10/14
CB/TCA/14/00358. Mr J Cheeseman, 4 Elmhurst Gardens
Works to trees in a Conservation Area: Remove a Conifer tree within the front garden.
NO OBJECTION 09/10/14
CB/14/03105/FULL. Mr D Gill, Chiltern View, Higham Road, Higham Gobion
Replacement dwelling with new entrance.
APPROVED 14/10/14
NEW/REVISED APPLICATIONS:
CB/TPC/14/03916/FULL. Mr A Burton, 19 Bury Road
Two storey side extension and renovation of existing cottages with realignment of brook.
Parish Council - SUPPORT, unanimous.
CB/TPC/14/03922/LB. Mr A Burton, 19 Bury Road
Listed Building: Two storey side extension and renovation of existing cottages with realignment of
brook.
Parish Council - SUPPORT, unanimous
CB/TCA/14/03980/FULL. Mr C Dayer-Smith, Stonecroft, Pegsdon Way, Pegsdon
Two-storey side extension and alterations.
Parish Council - SUPPORT, unanimous
CB/TPO/14/00426. Mr P Carroll, 1 New Walk
Works to trees protected by a Preservation Order: Remove dead wood and reduce by 35%. Pear
tree located in front close to boundary.
Parish Council - SUPPORT, unanimous
CB/14/04088/FULL. Davies Veterinary Specialists Ltd, The Den, Manor Farm Business Park,
Higham Road, Higham Gobion.
Erection of animal therapy clinic following demolition of storage building.
Parish Council - SUPPORT, unanimous
CB/14/04175/FULL. Mr & Mrs R Watson, 88 Bury Road
Demolition of existing conservatory, new 2 storey rear extension and internal modifications.
Parish Council - SUPPORT, unanimous
CB/14/04178/FULL. Ms J Quorn, Corn Mill Farm, Gravenhurst Road
Erection of 3 bay garage with accommodation above.
Parish Council – SUPPORT, unanimous
subject to the inclusion of a planning condition that the building, if permitted, shall not be occupied
at any time other than for purposes ancillary to the use of the dwelling known as Corn Mill Farm
 USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS 
ENERGY/WATER COMPANIES
CBC’s trading standards department has provided the following numbers, which
will assist residents to identify doorstep cold callers, who purport to be from
energy or water companies, and enable checks with the relevant organisation,
where there is any reason for concern.
British Gas
British Gas
British Gas
British Gas
E.ON
E.ON
EDF Energy
EDF Energy
EDF Energy
EDF Energy
National Gas
npower
npower
npower
ScottishPower
ScottishPower
ScottishPower
SSE
SSE
SSE
General Enquiries
Energy efficiency advice helpline
Support to vulnerable customers
Complaints Team
Energy efficiency advice
Complaints Team
Customer services
Complaints Resolution Team
Energy efficiency helpline
Priority Services helpline
Emergency Service Helpline
General Enquiries (landline)
General Enquiries (mobile)
Electricity and gas complaints (landline)
Electricity and gas complaints (mobile)
Boiler and heating complaints (landline)
Energy efficiency (landline)
Energy efficiency (mobile)
General Customer Service (landline)
General Customer Service (mobile)
Electricity and gas complaints
Priority Services Register (Carefree)
General Enquiries
Complaints helpline
Priority Services: Careline (info on services
for elderly, disabled or chronically sick)
Energyline (info and advice on using energy)
Anglian Water
0800 048 0202
0800 072 8629
0800 072 8625
0800 072 8632
0333 202 4650
0333 202 4606
0800 096 9000
0800 051 1643
0800 096 9966
0800 269 450
0800-111-999
0800 073 3000
0330 100 3000
0800 316 9328
0330 100 8628
0845 155 0060
0800 022 220
0330 100 8620
0800 027 0072
0345 270 0700
0800 040 7005
0800 027 1122
0800 980 8831
0800 975 0485
0800 622 838
0800 072 7201
0800 145 145
VILLAGE FACILITIES
Looking for an evening venue for your organisation ?
SHILLINGTON SCHOOL
has a large hall available for hire on weekday evenings.
For further information and an opportunity to view the facility,
telephone the School on 01462-711637
SHILLINGTON
FOOTBALL & SOCIAL CLUB
Greenfields, Shillington
(FREE WiFi to Club Members)
Paul Dunstan (Club Secretary) info@shillington-fc.co.uk Mobile: 07779 118641
John Galleymore (Treasurer) jgalleymore@btinternet.com Mobile: 07785 584474
Usual Opening Hours:
Mon – 7.30 pm : Fri – 8.00 pm : Sat – arranged evenings : Sun – 12 til 4 pm
find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/shillingtonsocialclub
 Licensed bar with variety of beers at social club prices – £1 a pint less than most public
houses.
 FREE MUSIC – book parties – birthdays – christenings - anniversaries - reunions, etc.
 Regular Artistes and Fund Raising Events and a great Pool Table
 Fresh filter coffee while you are passing, or for a warm up after watching a football
match.
 The Club is a village amenity, why not pop in for a drink or even better - become a
MEMBER.
SHILLINGTON VILLAGE HALL
All enquiries please contact the BOOKING CLERK on
 01462 711772 (answerphone facility available) or
e-mail: bookshillingtonvillagehall@hotmail.com
Stage - Small Committee Room –Kitchen and Bar Facilities
Disabled access & toilet.
 Children’s Parties  Discos/Dances  Meetings 
 Table Top Sales  Exhibitions  Keep Fit 
Occasional Separate Use of Car Park by Prior Arrangement only.
House Sitting
2
nd
Pet Sitting
Pair of
Repairs,
Deliveries &
Appointments
ands
Zara’s Concierge Service
07817593210//zara_2ndpairofhands@mail.com
New Baby Support
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WE ARE NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR CHRISTMAS PARTIES
- FROM 5th DECEMBER TO 31st DECEMBER 2014
 3 course lunches £22.00
 3 course dinner £23.00 (Monday to Wednesday)  3 course dinner £24.00 (Thursday to Saturday)
CABARET NIGHTS £28.00 per person
VILLAGE CALENDAR
DECEMBER
5
Opening of Annual Xmas Tree Festival – Congregational Church – 3pm
6
Annual Xmas Tree Festival – Congregational Church – 11am to 6pm
6
All Saints Xmas Bazaar – Village Hall – 2.00pm
7
Congregational Church Service – Revd. Angus McCormick – 10.30am
7
Annual Xmas Tree Festival – Congregational Church – 12 noon to 5pm followed by Carol
Service led by Revd. Angus McCormick.
7
Advent Evensong – St. Mary’s Church, Lower Gravenhurst – 6.00pm
8
Playing Field Management Committee Meeting – Social Club – 8.00pm
11 Wives Group – Christmas Outing
11 WI – Festive Floral Fun with Sandra Hare – Congregational Church – 8.00pm
13 Congregational Church Social – Parkside Singers – 7.00pm
14 Congregational Church Service – Mrs. Janet Worley & Mrs. Marian Smith – 10.30am
14 All Saints Church – Village Carol Service – 6.00pm
16 History Society – The History of Christmas – Congregational Church – 7.30pm
18 Congregational Church – Lunch Club – 12.30pm
18/19/20 All Saints Xmas Float – around the parish
19 Sports & Social Club – Family Xmas Party Night – from 7.30pm
21 Congregational Church Service – Mr. David Shaw – 10.30am
24 All Saints Church – Midnight Mass – 11.30pm
24 Noah’s Ark – Xmas Eve - live ELVIS – 9.00pm to late
25 All Saints Church - Christmas Day Family Eucharist – 9.30am
25 Congregational Church - Christmas Day Service – Mrs. Sally Metiana – 10.30am
27 Village Walk with Derek Turner – meet at the Village Hall – 10.00am
28 Congregational Church – United Village Service – Revd Angus McCormick – 11.00am
31 Noah’s Ark – New Year’s Eve - Gavin’s Disco – 8.00pm to late.
JANUARY 2015
1
Walk at Clophill with Derek Turner – meet at Clophill Village Green – 10.00am
4
Congregational Church Service – Revd. Angus McCormick – 10.30am
6
Parish Council Meeting – Congregational Church – 7.45pm
8
WI – Party Fun – Congregational Church – 8.00pm
11 Congregational Church – Lunch Club – 12.30pm
11 Congregational Church Service – Mr. Roger Eaves – 10.30am
18 Congregational Church Service – Mrs. Nola McCormick – 10.30am
14 Village Hall Management Committee Meeting – Jubilee Room – 8.00pm
20 Craft Club – Congregational Church – 2-4pm
22 Congregational Church – Lunch Club – 12.30pm
22 Wives Group – New Year’s Party - Congregational Church – 7.45pm
24 Congregational Church Social – Burns Night Celebration – 7.00pm
25 Congregational Church Service – Mrs. Sandra Hare – 10.30am
FEBRUARY
1
Congregational Church Service – Revd. Angus McCormick – 10.30am
3
Craft Club – Congregational Church – 2-4pm
3
Parish Council Meeting – Congregational Church – 7.45pm
5
Congregational Church – Lunch Club – 12.30pm
7
Friends of All Saints - Quiz Night – Village Hall – 7.30pm
9
Playing Field Management Committee Meeting – Social Club – 8.00pm
17 Craft Club – Congregational Church – 2-4pm
26 Wives Group – “Gardening with Wildlife” - Mr. G. Kingsnorth – Congreg. Church – 7.45pm