November 2011 Bulletin - Biggleswade Rugby Club

28 BIGGLESWADE BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2011 TEL: 01234 843905 EDITORIAL: editorial@biggleswadebulletin.co.ukCPRE presents its 2011 Living Countryside AwardsTHIS is the fourth year of theCPre Bedfordshire awardsscheme, which aims to bringrecognition to landowners,individuals and commercialusers of the coucntrysidewho are making specialefforts to preserve the visualappearance and biodiversityof the county for futuregenerations. Their workoften receives little publicacknowledgement and theawards were thereforeestablished to celebrate theirachievements. Here are thisyear's best examples:LANDSCAPEIMPROVEMENTS:CPRE MARK, top AWARD:Harrold-Odell Country ParkSkilled management of theflooded gravel pits alongside theRiver Great ouse over recentyears has provided the county witha popular resource for leisure andrecreational activities, whilst preservingthe ecological value of thepark's habitats. up to 200,000 visitorseach year now enjoy a wideningrange of facilities while itslakes, woodland and river bankquietly host many rare species inpeaceful surroundings.Stockwell Farm woodland project,eggington (Joint Mark withPecks Farm Shop, SustainableLiving)This huge voluntary projectcarried out on Stockwell Farmrequired the planting of 100,000trees over some 80 acres. Tenyears in the making, the woodlandsnow provide a rich habitatwith indigenous Bedfordshirespecies. Broad avenues throughthe hill top woods are lightlymowed for the benefit of visitors,who are welcome to explore thisnew landscape.SILVER AWARD:Henlow Bridge LakesThe creation of two large fishinglakes with disabled access informer scrub land near Arleseyrailway bridge provided an attractivenew location for the county'sanglers and a more diverse habitatfor wildlife. The owner of the site,which includes a well designedcaravan park, planted some 20,000saplings and also voluntarilyopened a new public footpathalong the delightful bank of theRiver Hiz.John O'Gaunt Golf Clubecology, SuttonThe staff and members of thegolf club, previous entrants for theLiving Countryside Awards, continueto develop new areas for thebenefit of wildlife and flora. Thelatest example is the Cartagenacourse, which is having the edgesof the fairways enlarged to encouragewildflowers, gorse planted inold bunkers and its mature treesfitted with additional nestingboxes.Sheri's Garden, BromhamLower SchoolA memorial garden to a formerpupil has been completely renovatedusing creative landscapedesign, high quality materials andimaginative planting. All 320children planted something, givingthem a sense of ownership.The garden is accessible to villagersand the seating is arrangedto provide quiet spaces forthought.Townlands, Aspley GuiseThree years ago the ParishCouncil and a group of volunteersset about improving a disusedpiece of land which was attractingvandalism and have transformedthe site into a much appreciatedvillage asset. It now has opengrassland, fruit trees, a willowmaze and play equipment. But thehighlight is a spectacular wildflowermeadow, full of colour andinterest, and improving year onyear.COMMENDED:Turvey Community OrchardA neglected piece of land nextto the village cricket pitch is beingdeveloped as a communityorchard by volunteers who haveplanted and now tend fruit tresssponsored by village donors. Awide variety of traditional speciesof apples, pears, plums and cherriesare growing alongside moreambitious experiments with apricotsand figs.HISTORIC BUILDINGS:CPRE MARK, top AWARD:St Margaret of Antioch church,KnottingThe Churches ConservationTrust assumed care of the tiny villagechurch in 2009 when its congregationbecame too small to sustainits regular use for services.Since then the Grade1 listed buildinghas been meticulously restoredusing traditional materials andskills in a two-year programme. Ithas a charming and simple interiorwith a timeless, rustic feel and isnow well protected and preparedfor its next few hundred years.SILVER AWARD:The Mansion, ShuttleworthCollege (roof and tower)The Grade 2* victorian countryhouse is a significant feature inthe landscape but its roof andtower had started to leak in recentyears. A major phase of restorationwas recently completed, usingstone acquired from the originalNorthamptonshire quarry beforeits closure and genuine Welshslates.COMMENDEDAll Saints Church, LittleStaughtonThe villagers were outragedwhen thieves stole the copperlightning conductor from thechurch in 2007, pulling down thetop two metres of its stone spire inthe attack. It has now beenreplaced and the building hasrecovered its former glory as aprominent landmark on the NorthBedfordshire wolds.Close Cottage, Swineshead (BB)The ingenious and enthusiasticowners and their architect haverestored a Grade II listed cottagewhich had stood derelict for thelast ten years in an important locationopposite the church. Theowners have replaced rotten timbers,preserved wattle and daubsections and re-used pantiles toretain the building's integrity,whilst skilfully incorporatingenergy efficient measures such asan air source heat pump.SUSTAINABLE LIVING:CPRE MARK, top AWARD:Master Thatcher roger evansand throughout the countyNumerous examples of Roger'swork, bearing his acorn motif, canbe found throughout Bedfordshireand further afield. His contributionto preserving the authenticappearance of the county’s villagesover more than 30 years hasbeen very significant. Roger wasthe first thatcher to receive aHeritage Skills NvQ level 3award, enabling him to work onEnglish Heritage buildings: henow teaches this most visible andancient craft to the next generation.Pecks Farm Shop, eggington(joint with Stockwell FarmWoodland project)Set up eight years ago to promotehealthy, locally grown food,the shop hosts visits for childrenand raises awareness of foodtransport issues. It stocks a hugerange of products from local farmersincluding fruit and vegetables,meat, breads, conserves and itsown honey, as well as a wideselection of beers from local microbreweries.rush Matters, Colesden andthroughout the countyFelicity Irons and her staff havebuilt a highly successful businessproducing a range of rush matting,tableware and basketry for customersall over the world, while atthe same time keeping alive anancient Bedfordshire craft.Rushes are harvested by handfrom local rivers using punts andscythes and dried in an ancientbarn. The high quality productswoven by a small team of localcraftspeople have found their wayto customers as far away as Japanand the uSA.SILVER AWARD:Stondon Lower SchoolThe compact garden outsidethe school is heavily used forlearning and play and much lovedby enthusiastic teachers andpupils. It features a productivepoultry enclosure, a very clevergreenhouse built entirely from discardedplastic bottles, compostingfacilities and beds devoted toflowers and vegetables. Lessonsin various subjects are createdusing aspects of the garden and thechildren are able to use it for restor games.COMMENDEDKingfisher Way Arts FestivalAn imaginative new venturecomprising a programme ofmusic, visual arts and literaryevents held over the early summerperiod aims to encourage residentsand visitors to enjoy the naturaland cultural attractions of an areawhich encompasses Mogger -hanger, Tempsford, Great Barford,Blunham and Roxton. It alsocompliments the RiversmeetHidden Britain initiative whichprovides local walking routes andinformation boards.