20 BIGGLESWADE BULLETIN NOVEMBER <strong>2011</strong> TEL: 01234 843905 EDITORIAL: editorial@biggleswadebulletin.co.ukHow should businessesRELATE to employee stress?STreSS is now the number one cause of long-term sicknessacross the UK, costing businesses billions of pounds in lostproductivity.Nearly 40% of employers toldthe CIPD (Chartered Institute ofPersonnel and Development) thatstress related problems haveincreased among their employees.With increasing pressure toreduce costs and achieve bestvalue in the current recession,employers cannot afford to ignorethe costs of staff absence.People experts Relate canprovide support to businesses andhelp to tackle this increasingproblem in the workplace:“The health of any businessreplies upon the performance andwell being of its employees. Weall have more worries on ourminds these days and there is morepressure on staff and managers toperform well.“Left unaddressed, concernsand worries can soon take holdleading to poor performance andsick leave. We can help byproviding expert advice and counsellingwith our Employee AssistService,” said Chief ExecutiveAngela Foll.This new service from Relateoffers a confidential counsellingservice, funded by the employer,designed and developed to supportthe physical, emotional andpsychological well being ofemployees.“Taking the welfare of yourstaff seriously is important, it canhelp increase productivity and alsoprotect your company againstworkplace stress litigation. Nomatter what the size of your companywe can design a service tosupport you,” added Angela.Relate is the country’s largestprovider of people support andcounselling via a network of 70centres across the uK.To find out how Relate canhelp you: call 01234 356350, visit6 St Paul’s Square, Bedford orclick onto www.relatebedsandluton.org.ukThe Planning System – Howcan I make it work for me?DO YOU know enough aboutthe current planning system tomake an informed responsewhen you have the opportunity?If not, why not come to the JointCPre/nALC Planning SkillsWorkshop to understand thecurrent planning system, andlearn about the planning implicationsin the Localism Bill.Campaign to Protect RuralEngland (CPRE) Bedfordshireand the Bedfordshire Associationof Town and Parish Councils arejointly organising a PlanningSkills Workshop on Friday the25th <strong>November</strong>. The daylongworkshop is being run by MichaelBrooks BSc, CEng, DipTP,MRTPI - an expert on planningissues. Who should attend?Anyone interested in planningmatters, parish councillors, residentsand volunteers active withintheir local community.The Workshop will bedesigned to equip local peoplewith the knowledge to make aninformed response to any planningissues that may arise in their area.It will be an opportunity to fullyunderstand the implications of thegovernment’s proposals to overhaulthe current planning system.The organisers are also seekingplanning champions: volunteerswho can offer advice to localgroups and parish councils andwho can also enthuse people aboutthe value of getting involved inlocal planning.The day is completely free,however booking is essential.Places are allocated on a firstcome, first served basis and placesare limited.The Workshop will take placeat the Rufus Centre, SteppingleyRoad, Flitwick, MK45 1AH from9.00am to 4:30pm on the 25th of<strong>November</strong> <strong>2011</strong>.For more information, contactAnn Collett-White on 01234353331<strong>Biggleswade</strong> Ivel Evening Townswomen GuildCHAIRMAN Chris Davies welcomedmembers to the<strong>Biggleswade</strong> Ivel EveningTownswomen Guild Meeting on10th october. Birthday greetingswere given to those ladies celebratingthis month – Audrey Purkiss,Joan Stump and Ann Taylor.A number of members hadenjoyed the September walkaround Henlow taking advantageof the beautiful warm sunshine.Lunch was taken at the Five Bells.The <strong>November</strong> walk will take placeon 27th <strong>November</strong> members tomeet at 10.45 at St AndrewsChurch, Langford.A number of members went toLondon on a theatre trip to see BillyElliot and everyone agreed it waswell worth the visit. Menus wereavailable for the Anniversarydinner at the Five Bells andmembers were asked to make theirselections as soon as possible inorder that they could be handed in.Tickets were available to seeSinging in the Rain in January at aconcessionary rate of £29.50.Members will attend the town’sRemembrance day service and theNational Carol Service inDecember.Appeals were made for shoebox gifts operation ChristmasChild. This year they should NoTcontain sweets or makeup. Afurther appeal was made for 'Treatthe Troops' the list of items is veryextensive and includes the usualassortment of small containers oftoiletries, sachets of coffee and tea,toilet tissue, packets of tissues,sweets, coloured pencils and paperto distribute to local children andchildren in hospital in CampBastion.The booked speaker for theevening had been unable to attenddue to a bad back, and Mr EricLund kindly stood in at the lastminute with a very interesting talkon the history of the St James biblewhich celebrated its 400 yearanniversary in May, having beentranslated from Hebrew andAncient Greek by three teams ofscholars from London, oxford andCambridge and is still being usedworldwide.The competition for theevening, ‘The prettiest flower’ waswon by Anne Jones, second ChrisDavies and third Joan Stump.Raffle winners were Ann Taylor,Margaret Hennegan, and WendyWalters.The next meeting will be heldon the 14th <strong>November</strong> when thespeaker is Mr Lawrence. Thecompetition will be for a‘Christmas Decoration'’ The guildmeets on the second Monday of themonth 7.30 pm at the WeatherleyCentre new members and visitorsare very welcome.
TEL: 01234 843905 ADVERTISING: advertising@biggleswadebulletin.co.uk BIGGLESWADE BULLETIN NOVEMBER <strong>2011</strong> 21
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