Cople News

April 2012

April 2012 2

WILLINGTON POST OFFICE & STORES

Telephone: 01234 838 240

Friendly. helpful staff, well stocked shelves, wide range of products.

News paper& magazine ordering service, optional delivery to Cardington, Cople, Willington and Moggerhanger.

Fresh local produce on external stalls, Free range eggs from Cardington,

Willington honey, fresh bread and cakes from local bakery. Specially decorated iced mini cakes and cup cakes for Mothers Day, Valentine, etc

Chilled snacks and sandwiches, salads, ham, cheese, and bacon,

Varieties of designers cards for all occasions, stationary, packaging material.

Lottery. groceries off licence (Good collection of wine)

Pay station for phone top up, gas/electric key charging and bill payments

Post Office Counter for Personal Banking& Business banking services. Foreign Currency (Euros & Dollars on Demand)

Car Tax, Phone& Broadband

Services, Savings products, Car/home/travel/life/pet & Business Insurance products, Credit services, Gifts cards etc.

Special services: Send flowers by post “BUNCHES” for all occasions.

Dry cleaning & repair service. Household coal &logs. Making fruit & veg Baskets for special occasions.

Samosa veg and non veg on Friday/Saturdays Home delivery on the purchase of £10.00 (enquire in the shop.)

SHOP OPENING HOURS

MONDAY-FRIDAY 6.30AM to 6.00PM

SATURDAY 7.00AM to 6.00 PM. SUNDAY 8.00 AM to 12.00 NOON.

3

April 2012

Cover: “Primrose Wood” by Marilyn Southgate

Editorial

I have gone for colour on the front page as an Easter treat. Our small print run means that we use a digital printing process which is expensive in colour and therefore we can only afford it on high days and holidays. Last month’s tree caught the eye of a gentleman in his 90s who recalled climbing it, along with every other tree in Water End, when he was a boy. He was last seen heading off to find it again and presumably see if he can still get to the top.

There are some new ventures starting in April. Mike Vacher is going to open the Church once a month on Saturday to allow access to the bell tower and other areas not normally seen. Details are on page 29. Also The Five Bells is going to run Quiz Nights on Thursdays starting on 5th April with a fund raiser for Sue Ryder.

Several mums who walk with their children to school have complained about dog mess, especially on the Willington Road pavement. It is disappointing that such anti social behaviour is still prevalent. It is probably the fault of only one or two owners but it is still unpleasant. A lesser problem concerns the recycling bins at the back of the Five Bells. Having saved the planet by depositing glass in the right place the effect is spoilt by leaving bags etc to blow around in the car park. To earn an extra gold star please take the bags and boxes home.

The Bedford Camera Club has strong support in Cople and their annual exhibition will be held in the Harpur Suite on 20th and 21st April. See page 21 for details. On the 28th Charlie Porter will give a talk on “Tales from Wood End”. Details are on page 38.

The hyperlinks (underlining) on email addresses sometimes stops you reading the text correctly so I have removed them in the print version but retained them for the web site. The print run is now 360 and I hope that those who have not had copies will now be supplied. Eventually, I will get the numbers right!

Ged Peeke

April 2012 4

5

April 2012

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

April 2012 6

Letter from the Vicarage

It’s not that I am against bunnies, newly hatched chicks and even chocolate eggs; it is simply that I fail to see their relevance to the true meaning of Easter. I am sure that some people will try to convince me that they represent new life but that is hardly the same as resurrection from the dead. Easter is not like a

fairy story with a happy ending.

It is about the cost of sacrifice, the pain of death, and the need of redemption. We have even sentimentalised the cross by putting it on the top of a currant bun. Many people today go

around with a cross on their earrings, bracelet or necklace. We are so used to seeing this that we are not shocked by it. We might be if we saw someone wearing a gallows or an electric chair on a chain, but the cross was just as much a form of execution. Indeed it was one of the cruellest forms of execution known to mankind. It was abolished in AD 315 because even the Romans considered it too inhumane.

We cannot celebrate Easter without looking at the cross and asking ourselves “Why did Jesus die? What did it achieve? What

does it mean that he died to save us from our sins?

These are huge questions which we cannot begin to answer without taking seriously the events of Holy week. This is why every year we spend time entering into the last events in Jesus

life from Palm Sunday to Good Friday. The Last Supper, the betrayal, Peter’s denial, the trial and then the crucifixion. It is only by reflecting on Jesus costly sacrifice that we can experience the true joy of Easter Day.

I began by saying that I am not averse to bunnies, chicks and chocolate eggs. Indeed I do enjoy some chocolate from time to time. This year I will be enjoying a chocolate egg with a difference. I am buying my eggs from “The real Easter egg campaign” It’s hard to believe that out of a whopping 80millon

Easter eggs sold each year not one of them mentions Jesus on the box. Until now that is. The real Easter egg is the first and only Fair trade chocolate Easter egg to explain the Christian

(Continued on page 7)

7

April 2012

understanding of Easter on the box. It also supports charity and development projects.

So apart from buying these new eggs there is also the opportunity to deepen our faith and commitment this Holy week

through a variety of services

Palm Sunday 1st April at 11.15am we will read a dramatised form of the Passion narrative during the Communion service

Maundy Thursday 5th April at 7.30pm at Moggerhanger there is an agape meal as we enact the last supper

Good Friday 6th April at 10am there is a Family service at Cople with a Passion play performed by the children and at 2pm at Willington there is a service of music and meditation for the last hour.

Easter Day Holy Communion at 9am

I do hope that like me you will look to the cross to be reminded of how much God loves you which is the best Easter present ever.

With my love and prayers

Lynda Klimas

(Continued from page 6)

Mobile Library Dates for April

Fortnigthly itinerary Wednesday 11th and 25th

All Saints Road 09:55 –10:10 Water End 10:25—10:35 The Five Bells 10:40—10:55

April 2012 8

9

April 2012

Curate’s Corner May I begin by wishing you all a very happy and blessed Easter.

In the Early Church the period before Easter was traditionally used for the preparation of baptism candidates, with baptisms usually taking place at Easter. Today baptisms can take place on most Sundays, with a confirmation service usually taking place just once a year in any parish. This year we have been preparing several candidates for confirmation, in readiness for the service on Tuesday 8th May at Cople Church. As well as confirming their promises, made by their parents and Godparents on their behalf at baptism, confirmation allows the candidates to receive Holy Communion. Holy Communion is usually received in the context of a service which prepares us to come to the altar. At the next Exploring Prayer Group on 30th April at 8pm at Moggerhanger Church we will be looking at the prayers we

use in the communion service each Sunday. There is a prayer of Preparation and of Penitence, a special prayer called the Collect, which changes every Sunday and prayers of intercession. There are also alternative Eucharistic prayers numbered A – G and a

prayer for use after communion. If you would like to learn more about these prayers and why we use them then do come along on 30th April, you will be made most welcome.

Jackie Buck

Easter Lilies

If you would like to purchase an Easter Lily in remembrance of a loved one please contact June Shanahan 831705. The price is £4. The lilies will form part of the flower arrangements in the church at Easter.

April 2012 10

B. W. Taylor Plumbing Roofing and all Building

Maintenance

From “Complete Bathrooms and Kitchens” including tiling and plas-tering through to “Ball Valves and “Garden Taps”

No Job too small Local Reliable service at Reasonable Rates

References Supplied if Required

Telephone: Barrie Taylor 01234 - 838 676 Mobile 07979 - 928 186

WENDY

Mobile Hairdresser

Tel : 01234 838460

Mobile : 07795 573409

46, Station Road, Willington

11

April 2012

Architectural Design

Stephen Funge Architectural Design Ltd 38 Howard Close

Haynes

Bedfordshire MK45 3QH

Tel/Fax 01234 381800. Mob 07710 268372 Stephen@architecturaldesign.co.uk

Stephen Funge MCIAT MAPM

Planning and Building Regulations Applications. Design and Project Management.

Extensions, New Houses, Offices, Shops. Call for a chat. No obligation

April 2012 12

C.R.WILKINSON & SON

PROFESSIONAL TREE SURGEON

ESTABLISHED OVER 12 YEARS

FULLY QUALIFIED & INSURED

FELLING HEDGE TRIMMING

CROWN REDUCTIONS STUMP REMOVAL

DEAD WOODING WOODCHIP AVAILABLE

THINNING LOGS AVAILABLE

ALL EMERGENCY WORK CARRIED OUT

CHURCH END NURSERIES, WILLINGTON, BEDS.

MK443PX

PLEASE CONTACTJAMES ON

LANDLINE 01234 838274

MOBILE 07773 077042

EMAIL: james.wilkinson50@ntlworld.com

FREE QUOTATION

13

April 2012

Adult Confirmation Course 2012 Every year I arrange an Adult confirmation course. and every year it turns out to be one of the things I most enjoy. It is important to be clear about our aims. We do not aim to

provide easy questions to complex issues, but rather to explore some of the main Christian building blocks like:

God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit. Worship especially the Communion Service. The Church. Prayer. Baptism and Confirmation.

The Bishop of Hertford , The Right Revd Paul Bayes, will be with us for the Confirmation Service on Tuesday 8th May at 7.30pm at All Saints Cople The confirmation course will begin on Sunday 15th April at 4pm. We will meet at The Vicarage for about an hour. The other dates are Sunday 22nd April at 4pm and Sunday 29th April at 4pm.

There will be a rehearsal in Cople Church on Sunday 6th May at 6pm

If you are interested in being Confirmed but cannot make these dates that is fine. I will be happy to see you on another occasion. If you would like to be Confirmed or you simply want to know more then please do not hesitate to contact me. Lynda Klimas

Church Fete Accessories Stall If you have any costume jewellery, scarves, accessories which

you no longer wear please could we have them for the stall at the fete. Phone June 831705 and she would be most happy to collect.

April 2012 14

15

April 2012

Benefice Service 29th April at 11am at St

Lawrence Willington Following the success of Rogation Sunday I thought I would revive the ancient service of “Clypping”. I will use material from the book “Seasonal worship from the countryside” So what is “Clypping” The ceremony is probably of Roman origin. The word means embracing or hugging the church, when the congregation form a ring around their parish church and embrace it. If there are not enough people to hold hands then a

rope is used or people hold some ribbon and walk around the church together. The idea is to pray for the work of the church and to rededicate our lives to God’s service. That will fit in well with this year’s charity “The Kings Arms “project. I have invited Chris Willis back to update us on the work of the project and after the service there will be a simple bread and soup lunch to raise some more money. So I hope that you will be able to join us for the first ever “Clypping service” in our Benefice.

Lynda Klimas

Biggleswade and District Art Society

13th Spring Art Exhibition

Northill Village Hall

Saturday 21st April (10.00—4.00)

Sunday 22nd April (10.00—4.00)

Free Admission Original Paintings for sale Refreshments

April 2012 16

SJ TAX & ACCOUNTING

Professional Friendly Free initial consultation.

Sole traders, Ltd companies, Start ups, CIS, VAT, TAX

Email: sally@sjtax.co.uk Tel: 01767 601221

QUALIFIED ACCOUNTANT

17

April 2012

Wild about Cople Spring is here now, and in my opinion, the next 3 months are the best of the year in many respects. It’s good to see the evenings and mornings getting lighter and the landscape changing as trees begin to bud and more and more birds start to

sing. The early spring flowers are now appearing in the fields and woods and two species that seem particularly common around Cople are the Lesser Celandine and various species of Violet. The Lesser Celandine is a cheerful, bright yellow flower often found in the damper areas of grassland and ditches – the churchyard is a good place to see it at the moment where it can form large patches of golden yellow. The plant is a member of the buttercup family, (a Ranunculus) and the name ‘Celandine’ comes from the Latin word chelidon meaning ‘Swallow’; it was said that the flowers bloomed when the swallows returned. Actually not quite true as the flowers are usually over by the time swallows arrive here. Violets do well around Cople and there are several native species, however the Sweet Violet is

particularly common at the moment and I see it a lot in the gardens, hedges, banks and churchyard around the village. The plant, as its name suggests, has a sweet, very distinct smell (they used to provide the flavouring for the Parma Violet

sweets), especially when warmed by the sun. In medieval Britain sweet violets were used to strew on floors as a means of making houses smell nicer! They tend to come in a deep purple colour (sometimes white) and form small colonies. Another very typical and common plant, and a universal token of spring, is the pale yellow native wild primrose; often growing in clumps in shady spots and woodland. Primroses (Primula) now come in a wide range of brightly coloured varieties but, I always think, you just can’t beat the simplistic beauty of the pale and simple flowers of the native British plant gently glowing under the trees or along a hedgerow. The flowers can occur in a range of subtle colours from deep yellow to a pale cream.

April 2012 18

A week ago I saw one of the first of our summer migrants; a superb male Wheatear on the fields behind the school. These

splendid dapper birds in their cream, white, buff and black plumage (the females are a duller brown and cream) are often seen on open fields at this time of year as they migrate back to their breeding grounds on the hills and mountains of west and north Britain and Scotland. The bird’s name derives from the

fact that it has a very obvious white rump or bottom as it flies away from you, and the Anglo-Saxons named it the ‘White-Arse’ due to this feature – over time this evolved into the probably more socially correct ‘Wheatear’! The bird is usually always on

the ground and often calls with a distinct harsh ‘Tchak-tchack’ call and a flash of white as it flies away – look out for it now. And while we’re on the subject of migrant birds, just give a thought to all our much-loved summer visitors that are right now

winging their way back to us across Africa and Europe – the swallows, swifts, cuckoos, warblers, turtle doves and many others; wish them luck and wait for them to bring the summer to us!

One of the most loved of our summer migrants is the cuckoo, the ‘voice of summer’. This bird is sadly in fast decline over much of the UK and research is currently underway to try and discover the reasons why. As part of this, in 2011 the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) fitted radio tracking devices to five cuckoos from Norfolk to follow them as they went on their travels after breeding here. Now already, (8th March) the cuckoos are moving northwards through West Africa and back towards us – a thrilling thought. You can follow the cuckoos through tracking their movements via the following link: www.bto.org/science/migration/tracking-studies/cuckoo-tracking And finally, my early morning walk to look and listen to birdsong around Cople will take place on Saturday 12th May. We will meet

at 7.00am by the church pull-in and the Five Bells will kindly do a breakfast (£5.50) for those who would like one, when we get back at approximately 8.30am. Several people have already booked so please book with me via the email address below. This is necessary if you would like breakfast at the pub so

19

April 2012

I can let them know numbers beforehand.

Many thanks Steve Halton stevehalton@gmail.com

Male Wheatear

Friends of Cople Church Reg No 1096386

I am delighted to report that the Safari Supper made a profit of £990.

The next event will be ‘Tales from Wood End’ in the Village Hall on Saturday April 28th at 7.30 pm, when we will be entertained by Charlie Porter who will be telling us about life in Cople and his oil lamp collection. There will be a delicious supper and a bar. The cost of this event will be £10 a head, and tickets are now available from (01234) 838714, 8138763 and 838683.

Vaughan Southgate www.cople.org.uk/friends

April 2012 20

Mothers’ Union At our last meeting in March, members met at Jill’s house to

arrange the programme for the coming year. After prayers, we took part in a quiz based on the bible, which got us all thinking. We shall not be meeting in April, but members joined other branches in the Deanery for the Lady Day service at Great Barford Church on 26th March, when the MU banners were paraded. At the Women’s Day of Prayer service in March, members took part with others from Willington and Moggerhanger. The speaker was Sister Marie Hayes, a Catholic nun. She spoke of her first hand experience of helping women fighting injustice and prejudice in their country, hence the theme of the service prepared by Malaysian women, Let Justice Prevail.

After the service, typical Malaysian food was served and enjoyed by all.

Liz Buck

Prayer

Easter Light, Easter Joy You bring the promise of the sunlight, the resurgence of hope. For in you all has been conquered, death and pain and doubt. For you are Easter Light Easter Joy

(Anthology of Public Prayers)

21

April 2012

Bedford Camera Club

Bedford Camera Club, founded in 1906, is well established and has a thriving membership of 70+ enthusiastic photographers. From October to the end of April we enjoy a very varied winter programme of lectures, competitions, members’ interactive evenings and photographic workshops. As a result of this variety, all our members find many events of interest, regardless of their level of experience or expertise. Our overall aim is to provide an environment in which all our members can develop their photographic skills, whether through internal and external competitions, simply sharing knowledge or taking part in our more practical workshops.

We meet every winter Tuesday evening at 7.30pm at the Priory Church, Newnham Avenue, Bedford. Come as a visitor for a few weeks to see what we can offer you. You can be assured of a friendly, helpful welcome.

On a much more informal level we also meet every Tuesday evening during the summer months, but on these evenings we are out and about at a variety of sites, putting into practise all that we have learned during the winter programme.

Our Annual Exhibition is an opportunity for members to display, to the people of Bedford and the surrounding area, their best images from the previous year. On April 20th and 21st , Bedford

Camera Club, in conjunction with ‘The Times and Citizen’, will be holding its 2012 Annual Exhibition. The venue for 2012 is the Harpur Suite, situated in the centre of Bedford. Once there, you will also be able to view the winning images from the ‘Hidden Treasures’ competition being run by the Times and Citizen. There will be refreshments and demonstrations throughout the two days. More details about the Exhibition will appear on our website and in the ‘Times and Citizen’ as we approach April. Four Cople residents are members of the BCC, Vaughan and Marilyn Southgate, Claire Boardman and Ian Whiting. All will have some of their work on show at the exhibition. Details relating to contacts, programme, competitions and of course a selection of member’s images can be found at www.bedfordcameraclub.co.uk.

We look forward to seeing you at the Exhibition.

April 2012 22

Contact us now for a free, no obligation quote

Glyn Carroll

2 Glebe Road, Sandy, Beds, SG19 1LT

01767 680898 / 07859 070517

e-mail:glyncarroll@btinternet.com

We hold a valid Waste Carriers Licence

Public Liability insurance to 5 million.

We are a small, friendly, reliable

Construction Company based in Sandy.

We specialise in Plastering, Bricklaying,

Decking, Fencing and Patios, but can

fulfil all your building requirements.

23

April 2012

April 2012 24

Arnolds Funeral Service

48 Roff Avenue, Bedford

an independent family owned business

established in 1875

Day and night

personal attention

Chapels of Rest Flower service Memorial service Catering arranged

Pre-payment plans and pre-arrangement advice available

…..reassurance when you need it most

Telephone 01234 - 359529

25

April 2012

Sunday Church Services in April

1st 11:15am Sung Communion

8th 09:00am Holy Communion BCP

15th 11:15am All age Communion with the Choir

22nd 10:00am All age Communion and Children’s Church

Cople All Saints

Willington Saint Lawrence

1st 11:00am Parish Praise with Brownies

8th 11:15am Sung Communion with Children’s Church

15th 10:00am Sung Communion

22nd 11:15am Sung Communion

29th 11:00am Benefice “Clypping” service . Followed by bread and soup lunch in aid of the “Kings Arms Project”

Moggerhanger St John the Evangelist

1st 10:00am Sung Communion

8th 10:00am Sung Communion

15th 09:00am 6:00pm

Holy Communion Songs of Praise

22nd 09:00am All age Communion

April 2012 26

Cople Calendar April 2012

Monday 2nd 09:00am Morning Prayer in Cople Church 11:00am Tiny Tots Sing Along in Cople Church 7:00pm Prayer and Meditation in Willington Church

Tuesday 3rd 7:00pm Prayer and Meditation in Moggerhanger Church 10:00 to 12 noon Coffee Morning in Cople Village Hall 2:30pm Over 60s Club in the Sports and Social Club

Wednesday 4th 7:00pm Prayer and Meditation in Cople Church 7:30pm to 10:00pm Carpet Bowls in Cople Village Hall

Thursday 5th Maundy Thursday 10:00—11:30am Baby and Toddler Group in Village Hall Cople 7:30pm Agape Communion Moggerhanger Church 7:30 pm Quiz night in The Five Bells.

Friday 6th Good Friday 10:00am Family service Cople Church 2:00pm The last hour music and meditation Moggerhanger Church.

Tuesday 10th 10:00 to 12 noon Coffee Morning in Cople Village Hall 7:30 pm Tuesday Club in Cople Village Hall

Wednesday 11th 7:30pm to 10:00pm Carpet Bowls in Cople Village Hall

Thursday 12th 10:00—11:30am Baby and Toddler Group in Village Hall Cople

Sunday 15th 4:00 pm Adult Confirmation Group at the Vicarage Cople.

Monday 16th 09:00am Morning Prayer in Cople Church 11:00am Tiny Tots Sing Along in Cople Church

Tuesday 17th 10:00 to 12 noon Coffee Morning in Cople Village Hall 2:30pm Over 60s Club in the sports and Social Club 6:00pm Young people’s Confirmation Group Cople 7:30pm Fete Committee meeting in Cople Church

27

April 2012

Wednesday 18th 7:30pm to 10:00pm Carpet Bowls in Cople Village Hall

Thursday 19th 10:00—11:30am Baby and Toddler Group in Village Hall Cople

Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st. Bedford Camera Club Exhibition see page 21.

Sunday 22nd 4:00 pm Adult Confirmation Group at the Vicarage Cople.

Monday 23rd 09:00am Morning Prayer in Cople Church 11:00am Tiny Tots Sing Along in Cople Church 12:30pm Luncheon Club in Cople Church 6:15 pm Junior Choir practice Cople Church 7:30pm Home Group 87 Willington Road Cople

Tuesday 24th 10:00 to 12 noon Coffee Morning in Cople Village Hall 6:00pm Young people’s confirmation group Cople

Wednesday 25th 7:30pm to 10:00pm Carpet Bowls in Cople Village Hall

Thursday 26th 10:00—11:30am Baby and Toddler Group in Village Hall Cople

Friday 27th 6:00pm Youth Group Swimming

Saturday 28th 10:00—1:00pm Open Church Cople. See page 29. 7:30pm “Tales from Water End” in Village Hall see page 38

Sunday 29th 11:00am Benefice Service Willington. See page 15. 4:00pm Adult Confirmation Group at the Vicarage Cople

Monday 30th 09:00am Morning Prayer in Cople Church 11:00am Tiny Tots Sing Along in Cople Church 6:15pm Junior Choir practise Cople Church 8:00pm Exploring Prayer Group Moggerhanger

April 2012 28

Event Planner 2012

28th April Tales from Wood End’ A talk by well-loved local resident Charlie Porter on life in Cople as it was, is now, and probably as it always will be and an oppor-tunity to see and learn about some of Charlie’s unique collection of oil lamps. Organised by Friends of Cople Church.

18th, 19th and 20th May Moggerhanger Plant Sale

5th June Party in the Park Diamond Jubilee Celebration on Cople Playing Fields organised

by Cople Parish Council

16th June Church Fete Held at the Village Hall and Playing Fields. Organised by Mike Vacher.

24th June Open Church and Open Gardens. The event will run from 2pm to 5pm. Programmes will be avail-able for the gardens tour at All Saints Church, Cople on the day; cream teas will also be served at the church between 2pm and 5pm. Anyone who is willing to have their garden included in the tour contact Eileen Reardon on 01234 838987 or Jackie Benbow on 01234 838292.

21st July Barn Dance and Hog Roast By kind permission of Paul and Heather Walsh at Oak Farm,

Moxhill An annual event in unparalleled surroundings, this is al-ways popular and a chance to dance the night away to the inimi-table ‘Kelly’s Eye’ and feast on succulent pork. Organised by the Friends of Cople Church.

29th July and 4th August Music Festival Classical Concert in the Church Sunday July 29th 2pm followed by cream tea and cakes. Proms in the playing field Saturday Au-gust 4th from 4pm. Musical quiz in the pub during festival week. Contact Graham or Jill Ebbs

7th October Harvest Sunday

24th November Race Night `

29

April 2012

Moggerhanger Park The bluebell season will soon be upon us and Moggerhanger Park woodlands will be open once again to the public free of charge. The Woodland Cafe will open on Friday April 13th from 10am-4pm - for three weeks. If you would like to volunteer please

contact Kate Henderson (email henderson641@btinternet.com) There is always a need for stewards in the car park (shaking donation buckets) and help in the Woodland cafe (in the newly refurbished Garden Room) The snowdrops this year competed with the snowfall but visitors were still able to enjoy an exciting menu and some wonderful artwork on the walls by local artist Jean Picton.

Open Church Saturdays 2012 at Cople

All Saints Church Cople will be open to visitors on the last Saturday of each month commencing on the 28th of April until September 29th from 10am until 1pm. The only exception being

in June when it will be open to visitors on Sunday the 24th from 2pm to 5pm. That being open Church Sunday an annual event in the Church calendar. A team of bell ringers from Cranfield will ring at All Saints at 2

pm on the first of the Open Church Saturdays on 28th April, they will also have lunch at the Five Bells and look round the Church. We have had several teams of visiting Bell Ringers over the past year, or so, from as far afield as Cornwall and Chester. One of the attractions of ringing at Cople is the fact that our bells are unusually rung anti-clockwise. Come along and learn about its history, rub its brasses, climb its tower, ring a bell, buy Trade Craft, tea coffee and cakes and

meet some of the Congregation. (Some activities will attract a small charge). All will be welcome. For further information contact Mike Vacher on 01234 831207.

April 2012 30

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. Carpet bowls is played in

Cople Village Hall on Wednesday evenings 7:30 to 10:00 pm and the subscription is only £2 each per session.

There is no need to buy any equipment as everything you

require is supplied. If you are 18+ come and give it a try.

New members are very welcome and will help keep this

socialable village activity running. Any enquiries contact Pauline on 01234 838102.

Regards

Pauline Baynes.

31

April 2012

St Johns Hospice Whether you are looking to volunteer or are looking for paid em-ployment take a moment to see what we have to offer. We cur-rently have vacancies for casual catering, domestic and laundry staff to support our outstanding Support Services Team.

We need people who are team focused, flexible and available to work at weekends and weekdays. All applicants will be CRB checked and must provide two references.

We also need volunteers to assist in a variety of ways around the hospice whether assisting with refreshments for our patients, manning the reception desk, helping with our sales of donated goods or helping out in our lovely grounds.

If you would like to be involved contact us on 01767640622 and quite and ask for Janet Robinson.

Sue Hillyard

April 2012 32

Police Update NEW POLICE NON EMERGENCY NUMBER

Bedfordshire Police and other forces nationwide are now using ‘101’ as the non emergency number replacing the existing 01234 841212. You can use this number anywhere in the country and it will take you through the nearest towns police station.

CURRENT ISSUES

During February there was no reported crime in Cople. Since

the beginning of March however there has been one break into a building on the playing field on the 2nd March, another break into an outbuilding on Bedford Road on 11th March and a theft from motor vehicle at a business premises on Bedford Road. Please be vigilant as to who is about and report anything suspicious to

Bedfordshire Police on 101.

RINGMASTER

Ringmaster is a computerised crime messaging system run by Bedfordshire Police which offers local residents, Neighbourhood Watch members, businesses, farms, and Bedfordshire Police’s partners, throughout Bedfordshire, details about crime and events in their local area.

The service is free to everyone. You don’t need to be involved in

Neighbourhood Watch to join Ringmaster. You can receive information via email direct to your computer, view your messages online, or receive messages via phone at a time to suit you. Receive crime reduction advice and help tackle crime in your local area. Currently we have 8,000 members of the

public and other partner agencies registered on the system. You can join Ringmaster by applying online at www.safer-beds.org or alternatively you can phone 01234 275288.

FREE SECURITY SURVEYS

We are raising the awareness of FREE security surveys available from your Safer Neighbourhood Team. If you would like us to conduct a survey on your home please contact us on the details below. Here are some quick pointers for general security: When

33

April 2012

leaving your house don’t forget to double lock your doors and ensure that you haven’t left any windows open. Consider

leaving a radio on to make it look like someone is at home. Keep keys, handbags, laptops etc. out of sight and mark valuables with ultra violet pens. Report any suspicious activity to the police. Use security chains and invest in security lights. Lock gates, sheds and garages.

Paul Jones PCSO 4760

Riseley Police Station 37 High Street

Riseley MK44 1DX

T: 01234 842864 F: 01234 842867

E: LPT.gtbarford&roxton@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk

Willingtots Pre-school Peace Memorial Hall

Church Road Willington

Telephone 07972 148085

E-mail info@willingtots.co.uk 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 (£9.00) 12.15-15.15 Tuesday & Wednesday (£9.00)

Lunch Club daily 12.15-13.15 (£3.00)

Registered Charity No. 1035672

Member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance and registered with OFSTED

“We are totally committed to safeguarding children”

April 2012 34

Tuesday Club March is AGM Time! Thankfully the club is thriving welcoming ladies not only from Cople also from near by villages. We now have a healthy membership of over 40 which is creeping up year by year. It was decided to donate £100 towards the Queens

jubilee celebrations from club funds. If anyone has any suggestions that may further enhance improve the club they will all be carefully considered “Its your club ladies". "Transforming Lives" We were enthralled and delighted to welcome Sheila and Carol with their canine partners.! representing: Canine Partners (dogs for the disabled). Golden retrievers Chester 3 years and Damson 11 months stole the show! More than 1.2 million people in the UK use a

whee l c h a i r and a significant number of those could benefit from a canine partner.

The dogs are carefully matched to the applicants needs and lifestyle no matter how challenging. They are trained to help with everyday tasks: opening and shutting doors, unloading the washing machine picking up dropped items, pressing lift buttons! Operating switches and getting help in an emergency. Chester brilliantly demonstrated some of these tasks flawlessly. However Damson the younger retriever although willing was a bit more playful. It was impressive to see how gently and skilfully Chester picked up a credit card and a £1 coin in his mouth. These dogs provide practical, physiological, psychological help to increase confidence and self esteem most of all they become

35

April 2012

loyal companions, Canine Partners is a registered charity staffed entirely by volunteers. It costs 10 to 20 thousand pounds to

care for a dog including training. You can be a "puppy parent" looking after a dog from 6-8 weeks up to 20 months. Be a foster "puppy parent" or join the adopt a puppy scheme. The charity aims to train dogs to meet needs such as cerebral palsy parkinsons

disease, spinal injuries, epilepsy suffers also injured soldiers. The next meeting is on the 10th April

Cople Village Hall. Marion Maule is talking about Mother Of Pearl Uses, and historical importance of this seductive material.

All Welcome Eithne Dandy Pictures by Julie Scherrer

Food for Thought.

Pythagoras Theorem 24 words.

Lords Prayer 66 words.

Archimedes Principle 67 words.

Ten Commandments 179 words.

EU regulations on the sale of cabbages 26,911 words

Source- Smith Gore Land Agents.

April 2012 36

37

April 2012

Sports and Social Club As the lighter nights are approaching it is apparent that there is much needed updating and repair work needed to maintain Cople Sports and Social Club. The lottery grant is in process so

we hopefully have an answer soon in regard of the grant. Chris has been busy replacing the facia boards and guttering. We will be holding an Easter family fun evening on Saturday 7th April all members and new members welcome for more details either ask at the Cople Sports and Social Club bar or contact number below. Football fixtures through April: All Barclays Premier League Sunday 1st Newcastle V Liverpool 1.30pm Sunday 1st Tottenham V Swansea 4.00pm Monday 2nd Blackburn V Man Utd 8.00pm

Saturday 7th Sunderland V Man Utd 12.45pm Sunday 8th Man Utd V QPR 1.30pm Sunday 8th Arsenal V Man City 4.00pm Monday 9th Fulham V Chelsea 8.00pm

Sunday 15th Bolton V Tottenham 1.30pm Sunday 15th Man Utd V Aston Villa 4.00pm Saturday 21st QPR V Tottenham 5.30pm Sunday 22nd Man Utd V Everton 12.30pm Saturday 28th Norwich V Liverpool 5.30pm Sunday 29th Chelsea V QPR 1.30pm Sunday 29th Tottenham V Blackburn 4.00pm Monday 30th Man Utd V Man City 8.00pm

Jeanette Skipsey

Mob: 07749 272249 Email: jeanette_skipsey@hotmail.co.uk

April 2012 38

Lamps and Lore

A talk by Charlie Porter

THE VILLAGE HALL, COPLE

SAT. APRIL 28TH

7.30 p.m.

Come along to see some of Charlie’s lamp collection, to learn

something of their provenance and listen to his fascinating tales

of Cople life - past and present - whilst enjoying a delicious

supper and having a lot of fun amongst friends.

Tickets £ 10 ( to include supper )

tel. (01234) 838714, 838763, 838683

All proceeds towards the upkeep of the church

Friends of Cople Church

39

April 2012

News From Cople Lower School

The children have been busy on their new topics. The Catkins have welcomed lots of visitors into their classroom to support their topic of ‘People who help us’. They have learnt lots by asking great questions. The Acorns have been busy learning all about Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole and health care over the years. Meanwhile the Oaks have travelled further back in time to find out about the Romans to present their findings in their own Roman newspaper.

In March we will have held our first ‘Walk to School’ week, organised by the Oaks class, encouraging as many children as possible to walk. This is part of our drive to sustainability in considering health, safety and congestion issues.

A special Mums’ assembly was held to celebrate Mothering

Sunday. The children provided refreshments, sang special songs to the many mums who were able to attend and presented them with bulbs planted in hand decorated pots. All parents and friends are invited to join us for our Easter service at the end of term.

We have a new addition to our school community in the shape of a young hamster (as yet un-named) who replaces ‘Tickles’, who had lived well into hamster old age, enjoying his time in school and spending weekends with various families.

Many of you will have read in the local press of changes to the Borough Council’s plans for Cople Lower School to become a Primary School. We are disappointed not to have the chance to grow our school in this way, but will be putting all our efforts into continuing to provide the best education we can for children

from the village and beyond, continuing as a Lower School. Please be assured that there is no threat of closure; Bedford Borough will have a mix of two-tier and three-tier areas. Over the coming months, I hope to be able to give further news on plans for future school improvement. Helen Johnson, Headteacher

April 2012 40

News from the Before and After School Club

The club children have entered the Young Writers Riddles com-petition, open to all After School Clubs. The club with the best set of entries will win £1000 and all participating clubs will re-ceive a complimentary copy of an anthology of published riddles and bookmarks for all the children. The children have also organised a ‘Name the Easter Bunny’ competition, selling names and drawing the winner at the end of term.

The children help to plan for future activities and this half term they have come up with the following ideas: COOKING – Healthy Pizzas; WILDLIFE WATCH – Animal tracks and signs; ARTS & CRAFTS – Making masks and Puppets to act out a play; FILM CLUB and a PYJAMA PARTY to take place in June. For further information about the Club, please contact Naomi or

Gill on 07592012249

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

41

April 2012

Cople Lower School

Before & After School Club

Regular and one off bookings, including Casual bookings.

Registration forms and information packs

available from: Naomi Whittingham – Play Leader

07592 012 249 copleba@hotmail.co.uk

Hours Fees

Monday to Friday Regular bookings

Breakfast 8.00am – 8.45am £3.00

Session 1 3.30pm – 5.00pm £7.00

Session 2 3.30pm – 6.00pm £8.50

Casual bookings:

an additional £1.00 on

regular session fees

JB Plumbing & Heating

Julian Biggs

All types of plumbing and heating work.

Oil Fired Boilers - Servicing, Repairs and Installation - OFTEC registered.

Bathrooms, Showers and Toilets Radiator Installation, maintenance and repairs.

Hot and cold water tanks and cylinders.

Prompt, reliable and professional service. Free quotations. No call-out charges.

Fully qualified and insured.

Tel: 01767 627591 / 07950 705479

9 Ickwell Road, Northill

April 2012 42

Eamonn , Julie and Katie would like to welcome you to the Five Bells in Cople , a traditional country village pub .

It is our intention to provide a warm welcome in comfortable surroundings for visitors and locals alike to enjoy a

drink or a hearty meal .

Wherever possible , we have sourced our ingredients from local suppliers and our menu is designed to be as homemade as

possible .

We also provide a wide selection of fine ales , wines and spirits and great care is taken to ensure they are kept to the highest

standard

Every Tuesday, Over 60’s Lunch, 2 courses £6:50 then Supper Night, 2 courses £7:95

Live Music most Saturday nights (see website for details) Sunday Roasts £7:95 (Very popular, booking recommended)

Tel : 01234 831330 www.fivebellscople.com

43

April 2012

This Month’s Gardening Tasks

Did you know, many of the plants us gardeners chose to brighten up our garden produce nothing of any use to the butterflies, the bees and the other insects that sustain the

natural world. The very same natural world that we humans depend on for much of our food. Einstein famously stated that without bees, human beings will live for only six years as the work these little creatures do at pollinating is that crucial. The decline of insects is a serious problem and requires our urgent

attention. The problem is, as certain plants have become bred to prioritise particular attributes it has been at a cost; to lose the very parts of the plant that the insect world depends upon for their

survival. Highly bred begonias are just one example. Despite their very obvious beauty, they produce no pollen or nectar at all and so contribute nothing to the natural world. So what can be done? If you want to make a huge contribution to this worrying problem, when choosing plants, look at them as if you were a discerning bee! Go for those that

1. Have only a single flower as these produce more pollen, 2. A range of flower shapes and heights is useful as it benefits a

variety of insects and, 3. Those plants that have a succession of flowers are also good,

eg. Foxglove. Remember, if you can’t see the centre of a

plant, where the nectar and pollen are usually located, nor will the insect!

Lawn Doctor

April 2012 44

45

April 2012

37, Ridge Road

Kempston, Beds MK43 9BS

Lawn Doctor Garden Services Clearance, Redesign, Maintenance

Tel: 01767 627 581 or 07796 328 855

Email: LawnDocGardens@aol.com

Tree Care, Planting, Weeding, Hedge Trimming, Turfing, Jungle

Clearing,

Landscaping, Lawn Improvement, Holiday Watering etc., etc.

City & Guilds Qualified & Widely Experienced – OAP Rates

– References Available Upon Request - Northill Based

‘Lawn Doctor deserve a medal. They are worth their weight in gold and I,

without doubt, will be using them in the future. A true gem.

Thank you Lawn Doctor, you have given me my garden back’, Ms

N.Patadia, Mill Hill

April 2012 46

47

April 2012

Calling all Rural Areas

Help Bedford Borough Accelerate with Faster Broadband

The Borough Council is working on a project using nearly £1m of Government and Local Partnership funding to significantly improve broadband speeds across the Borough and especially rural areas where commercial forces aren’t making it happen. A whole range of benefits can come from this includ-ing economic growth and improved access to a full range of public and other services. You can help this to happen by registering your inter-est in faster broadband on the Council’s broadband web page at www.bedford.gov.uk/broadband. It will encourage broadband infrastructure providers to re-spond positively to the invitation to work with us which we will issue to them in a few months time. It only takes a minute or so to complete the very sim-ple form so please help if you can.

Thank you.

April 2012 48

Village Hall Bookings: Marie Grohmann Email: marie@cmjdg.com Tel : 838248

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) Karen Murray, Tel: 01767 683719

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 Hilary Clarke Tel : 838942

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: ian@cople.org.uk Web Site :www.cople.org.uk

Cople Baby and Toddler Contact Kylie Dougall Tel: 01234 740745 07999 257165

Just Ask Wendy Worgan 0800 039 1234

Village Contacts

49

April 2012

All Saints Church

Vicar: Assistant Curate: Rev Lynda Klimas Rev Jackie Buck The Vicarage 54 Henderson Way Grange Lane, Cople Kempston, Bedford. Tel: 01234 838 431 Tel: 01234 407020

rev.l.klimas@btinternet.com jackiebuck@hotmail,co.uk

Churchwardens

June Shanahan Mike Vacher 34 Grange Lane 91 Willington Road

Cople Cople Tel: 01234 831705 Tel: 01234 831207

Cople Parish Council

Clerk to the Council: Jeanne Pope 42 Wingfield Road, Bromham, Beds. MK43 8JY Tel: 01234 823 297 jhpope@btinternet.com

Cople News

Editor : Ged Peeke 39 Willington Road, Cople, Beds, MK44 3TH

Tel 01234 838379 Email: coplenews@yahoo.com

Deadline for copy and advertising 15th of every month

Advertising Rates Annual Charges

Full Page £95

Half Page £47:50 One Third Page £31:50

Delivered free to every home in Cople every month

Circulation 360 copies

April 2012 50

Cople Village Hall

and Playing Field

Available for Hire for

Private Functions, Children’s Parties,

Weddings, Conferences

and other bookings by arrangement

Hire Charge from £ 9 per hour

Please Contact

Bookings Officer: Marie Grohmann

Telephone : 838248

COPLE VILLAGE TRUST

Reg. No. 1090113

200 CLUB

Prize winners for March 2012

1st Prize of £60 174 David Hughes

2nd Prize of £30 222 Andy Jones

3rd Prize of £10 130 Neil Croucher

Thank you for your support

For just £1 a month you can support the village hall & playing field and have the opportunity

of winning up to £60.

51

April 2012

GroundcareMachinery Services Limited

Water End, COPLE, Bedford

Suppliers of Leading Brand Names

in Domestic & Professional

powered garden machinery

at BIG DISCOUNTS

with full service back up

Petrol, Diesel, Electric, Battery

Allen, Atco, Billy Goat, Countax, Eliet,

Flymo, Hayter, Honda, Klippo, Lawnflite,

MTD, Mountfield, Robin, Ryobi, Stihl,Viking, Westwood, Yardman, etc

For details of Products and

Savings visit our website

www.groundcare.biz

Tel: 01234 831123

sales + service + spares + repairs