28 BIGGLESWADE BULLETIN NOVEMBER <strong>2011</strong> TEL: 01234 843905 EDITORIAL: editorial@biggleswadebulletin.co.ukCPRE presents its <strong>2011</strong> 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 <strong>Club</strong>ecology, 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.
TEL: 01234 843905 ADVERTISING: advertising@biggleswadebulletin.co.uk BIGGLESWADE BULLETIN NOVEMBER <strong>2011</strong> 29SPORT – RUGBYGood start continues for ‘Biggies’BIGGLeSWADe rugby <strong>Club</strong>’s exceptional start to theseason continues with the First xv racing to the top ofMidlands 3 east (South) playing entertaining attackingrugby and having the meanest defence in the league. A big68 point win against Brackley put Biggy at the top of theleague. The opposition withdrew from the round 2 of therFU vase giving Biggy a bye into round 3 to be played onSaturday 26th november.Progress has not gone as wellfor the Pirates and Third Xv, butthings look brighter with a fewwins under their belts. Both teamsare in higher leagues than last seasonand have taken time to adjust.The club have added to theircoaching team by recruiting PeterBean to help develop players fromthe 2s and 3s. Peter had playedSenior rugby and coached at Miniand Youth level for the club beforeinjury forced him to stop, happilythe former Royal Navy player isback to add his experience to thesquads.MinisThe Mini section spends<strong>November</strong> on their travels withRemembrance Sunday down as ahome training session whilst anumber of representatives from theMini section and the club will lay awreath at the town remembranceservice. Meanwhile the Youthteams also do a bit of travelling in<strong>November</strong> with all the latestfixtures on the club websitewww.biggleswaderugby.co.ukU13s top their leagueTwo wins from two games puts<strong>Biggleswade</strong> u13s at the top of theSaracens Herts & MiddlesexLeague division 4. The u13smanaged by David Marjoram andcoached by ‘Stavros’ have dramaticallyimproved fitness and skillsfollowing summer training. A bighome win against Barnet wasfollowed by an excellent away winat Hemel Hempstead Camelot withthe players showing that the moveto a full size pitch held no fears.<strong>Rugby</strong> World Cup <strong>2011</strong>.The club helped spread theword and fulfilled promises madeto the RFu over a year ago bypromoting the sport via the verysuccessful World Cup Biggy BigBreakfasts, the Summer Touch<strong>Rugby</strong> League and the resurgentvets team playing the occasionalsocial rugby match. “The Biggy<strong>Biggleswade</strong> First xv home gamesPlease note from <strong>November</strong>, games kick-off at 2.15pmEntry to Biggy games is FREE, come and enjoy the game!19th november: northampton BBOBs (League)26th november: rFU Senior vase round 3 (TBA)<strong>Biggleswade</strong> Second xv (Pirates) home games19th november: Saffron Walden 2s (League)26th november: Greene King Cup (TBA)<strong>Biggleswade</strong> Third xv home games12th november: renegades (League)26th november: rushden & Higham 3s (Friendly)Big Breakfasts have been very wellsupported by both members andguests and we have seen many newfaces at the club,” said chairmanand chief breakfast cook StanMatthews.Plans are already in place forsimilar entertainment during theSix Nations tournament.England’s early trip homeserved to remind players that in theworld of instant video and CCTvyou cannot get away with tossing afew dwarves around, leaping offferries and having a ‘good time’with blondes. All of the Englandplayers have received intensivemedia training and should haveknown that they would be huntedby the worlds press. very few punditstipped England to get beyondthe Semi Finals but the quarter finaldemise to France was notpredicted, England were simply notgood enough!However, the strong Welshcontingent at Biggy had plenty tocheer about up until the Semi Finalas their boys played some of thebest rugby of the tournament.Having won over the media earlyon in the campaign, Wales were theneutrals favourites and disappointinglylost to France in the SemiFinals, the fallout will continue.Squash <strong>Club</strong> News.The club have recently renovatedcourts three and four bringingthem up to the highest standard.Squash revival continues withmany more players booking courts,please contact club steward Kara atthe rugby club for more details.Biggy U13s who have made an unbeaten start in the Saracens Herts and Middlesex leagues.
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