2013 02
DESCRIPTION
Cople village magazineTRANSCRIPT
February 2013 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
February 2013
Cover picture. “Motherly Love” by Marilyn Southgate
Editorial
I have started to publish extracts from a pamphlet called
“Childhood Memories of Cople” written by John Ernest Storton. He
was born in 1909 and wrote his account in 1989. People who have
lived in the Village a long time will probably have already read his
story but it will be news to the many of us incomers who have
arrived in the last 20 years. His recollections bring home the
changes that have taken place in society in the space of one long
lifetime.
There are about 850 people in Cople and it is remarkable how
many diverse talents and activities there are. Eve Carroll has
written a piece about bringing together the creative spirits in the
village to share ideas and possibly form a co-operative. I found it
interesting to review what goes on already. The Friends of Cople
Church bring people together to give talks, perform or participate
in social events. Jill Ebbs marshals the music fraternity. You will
see from their article, that the Cople Argus Cricket Team is as keen
as ever, as are the footballers judging by the turn out at weekend
matches. The Village Trust provides us with the playing fields and
a well used Village Hall. All Saints Church plays a central role in
the community as does Cople Lower School. The Five Bells and the
Sports and Social Club are ever popular and the Tuesday Club
attracts 30 to 40 people to its monthly events. There is a weekly
coffee mornings in the Village Hall and the Over 60’s Club get
together twice a month. Carpet Bowls are offered every
Wednesday evening in the Village Hall. We have a Mothers’ Union
and a thriving Baby and Toddler Group which meets on Thursday
mornings. Steve Halton has opened our eyes to the flora and
fauna that surrounds us and Michael Roadnight encourages the
horticultural community to soldier on. Ian Whiting has given us a
top quality village website. I should also mention the numerous
fund raising activities, fetes and bazaars that take place throughout
the year. You will probably be able to extend the list yourselves
without any trouble. The point of all this is that although this is a
small village we do an incredible amount and we do it ourselves
because we want to, without “direction” from above.
Ged Peeke
5
February 2013
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
February 2013 6
Letter from the Vicarage
Easter is early this year which means that Lent begins on 13th
February with Ash Wednesday. In the evening there will be Holy
Communion service at 7.30pm.
I am not sure how most people regard Lent in our increasingly
secular society. The Christian church takes Lent seriously and
challenges us to focus on the old traditions of fasting and alms
giving. The two are closely related, for clearly if you give up some
luxury item such as eating out or drinking alcohol you will have
more money available to give to charity. We know that it is good
for our health to abstain from some things that are bad for us. We
also know that to keep fit and lose weight we should take up more
exercise. As the forty days of Lent is a considerable length of time
in which to be self disciplined, by its end we should have developed
some good habits that will last. I have met people who have given
up smoking during Lent and have never touched a cigarette since.
The same is true for our spiritual health. As Christians we see Lent
as an opportunity to improve our prayer lives and deepen our faith.
Each person will approach this differently and that is all well and
good. Sometimes, as with physical discipline, it is easier to do this
with a like minded group of people. So maybe you will decide to
join us at our weekly morning prayer on a Monday morning at 9am.
Indeed some people who have done so in the past have continued
to worship with us. Alternatively you could make an effort to pray
more and for longer or decide to attend the monthly Benefice
exploring prayer group.
Many people like to meet together for fellowship and study and give
this a priority in Lent. This year instead of meeting in our usual
home groups we have decided to do the York course on a
Wednesday evening at 7.30pm at the Methodist Church Willington
The course has been written by Canon David Winter and is called
“Glimpses of God”. I have listed the dates and the titles of the five
sessions.
20th February “The God who hears our cry”
27th February “The shepherd who guards and guides his
people
6th March “The Son who is the way, the truth and the life”
7
February 2013
13th March “The God who shares our pain”
20th March “ The God who calms our fears”
All the sessions are self contained so you are most welcome to join
us even if you know that you cannot attend every week. There is a
CD to listen to and then the opportunity to discuss what we have
heard over a cup of coffee. The evening will end at 9.30pm. It will
be really good to meet together with others from the Methodist
church and the Benefice.
So what about alms giving? This year’s charity which we will launch
in time for Lent is called “Tools for self reliance” in Africa. We have
chosen to raise money to buy sewing machines for single mothers
in Uganda and pay for repairs to bicycles in Ghana. At the Family
service on February 3rd at 11.15am there will be more information
about this.
Lent is an opportunity to improve our physical and spiritual health.
It also affords an opportunity to give to those who are in greater
need than us.
With all good wishes
Lynda Klimas
Mothers Union
Our next meeting will be held on Monday 4th February at 2:30pm
at a venue to be decided
Prayer
We give thanks and Praise, 0 God,
for the Gospel of the Presentation:
for the wisdom of Simeon and Anna,
for the loving care of Joseph and Mary,
for the simplicity and innocence of the child Jesus '
We pray for the different generations of our own day,
that in offering their lives in service to you
and to each other, they may grow in mutual respect
and understanding,
and so enrich the life of all, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen
(MU The Prayers We Breathe)
February 2013 8
Christmas 2012 giving to charity
We are writing to thank you for your generosity in supporting our
chosen charities at Christmas.
The Kings Arms project for the homeless. £170
The Children’s Society (from the Christingle service and the
collecting boxes) .£234.34
BECHAR (the Prebend day centre for the homeless from the
travelling crib). £25.87
The Friends of the Church have also given £305:81 to BECHAR
from their Celebration of Christmas concert.
Cople PCC
Songs of Praise Sunday 10th February at 6pm
at Cople
Theme “Love and Marriage”
Last year we held a wedding reunion to which we invited the
couples who had been married in the Benefice during the past few
years. It was a lovely service and others who were married
elsewhere also joined us.
This year we have decided to hold a similar service at Cople on
Sunday 10th February at 6pm. The date has been chosen as it is
near to Valentine’s Day. We will sing about six favourite wedding
hymns. An introduction to each hymn will be given explaining who
wrote the words and the music. Revd Keith Brown will play some
favourite wedding music on the organ at the beginning and at the
end of the service. There will also be special prayers for those who
are married and others who are preparing to be married later this
year.
Children are welcome and we will organise an activity table with
some colouring at the back of the church to keep them occupied.
Afterwards there will be cake and a glass of wine or fruit juice. If
you were married elsewhere we hope that you also may wish to join
us. Even though the focus is on marriage those who are not
married are also welcome to attend.
Lynda Klimas
9
February 2013
From the Registers
Baptism
29th December Billi- Leigh Worrall
Marriages
8th December Susanne Thompson and Colin Siklodi
29th December Chainie Conroy and Ralph Worrall
MOGGERHANGER MEETING PLACE AND SHOP
St. John’s Church, Blunham Road
KNIT & NATTER
This has already proved popular and the next meeting will be on
Tues. 26th February, 10.00-12.00. Wools, needles and know-how
will be available, so just come along. You can bring your own
knitting with you, or you can just do a little knitting for charity from
the wools available.
WALKING GROUPS
Do you belong to a walking group? We welcome them, so why not
suggest that yours stops at the meeting place in the church for a
cup of coffee. We would ask you to be there by 11.30 to give the
volunteers time to serve you before closing at 12.00. We would
also ask you to let us know a day or so before that you’re coming
(on 01767 640124), so that we can make sure we have enough
milk!
Although the church is normally closed in the afternoon, if booked a
few days in advance we can open it for groups wanting this service.
Just contact the number above.
Our SHOP is open 10.00-12.00 Monday-Saturday in the church
vestry, with a very large range of goods for its size. The venture,
which is now 12 years old, is the brain-child of the previous vicar
and is a non profit-making concern totally separate from the church
although housed in its vestry. Come and have a look – you will be
surprised!
Judith Mooney (MMPS Publicity)
February 2013 10
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
Since the beginning of December, there have been two burglaries
in outbuildings. The first was on the 28th December which involved
bales of hay removed from an outbuilding. An arrest has been
made for this. The second was during the night of 7th/8th January
where a garage was broken into, however nothing was taken.
Please continue to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity on
101.
Paul Jones PCSO 4760
11
February 2013
Architectural Design
Stephen Funge Architectural Design Ltd 38 Howard Close
Haynes
Bedfordshire
MK45 3QH
Tel/Fax 01234 381800. Mob 07710 268372
Stephen Funge MCIAT MAPM
Planning and Building Regulations Applications.
Design and Project Management.
Extensions, New Houses, Offices, Shops.
Call for a chat. No obligation
February 2013 12
The Eagle Choir to Perform in Willington
On Saturday 9th February 2013 at 7.30pm, the Eagle Choir will be
performing their acclaimed "Mozart to Manhattan" programme at St
Lawrence Church, Willington.
The Eagle Choir is made up of parents, friends and staff of Bedford
School. They have performed at Bedford Corn Exchange and
several churches in the Bedford area since forming in 1998 and
their performance in Willington will include a repertoire of great
variety....literally from Mozart to Handel to Vaughan Williams to
Gershwin!
The choir is directed by Charles Martin and this latest musical event
in Willington follows the inaugural organ recital from Andrew Lucas
in November and the performance by the North Herts Orpheus
Choir in December after the Bishop of St Albans dedicated the
newly installed organ at St Lawrence Church a few weeks earlier.
The Eagle Choir also promise to showcase the new organ during
their performance!
Tickets for the Eagle Choir concert are £6 per adult including
refreshments (children free).
To book your ticket, please call Nigel on 01767 627307 or email
The Eagle Choir pictured at a previous concert at St Peter's Church,
Bedford
13
February 2013
Tuesday Club
Tea plays a central part in our lives. Millions the world over enjoy
tea on a daily basis. We welcomed back Alan a coffee and tea
merchant to our Tuesday Club to commence our exciting 2013
programme.
Legend has it that tea was discovered by the Chinese Emperor
Shang Nong in 2737 BC. One day while he was in the garden a few
tea leaves fell by accident into his boiling water he liked the smell
and taste so much, he gave the command that tea bushes be
planted in the garden of the Palace. The custom of brewing fresh
tea leaves began and quickly spread!
Drinking tea in the afternoon began during the 19 century
attributed to the Duchess of Bedford. Afternoon tea was meant to
abate hunger between meals (snacks were often served with the
tea).
The inventor of "tea bags", Thomas Sullivan, had a custom of
sending tea samples in white silk bags to his customers. On the
appearance of tea bags the price was lowered because tea was
much more convenient and suitable for mass consumption. All
types of tea; white tea, black tea, green tea, herbal tea etc are all
produced from the same plant. The differences between them
results from the different processing procedures producing the tea.
The health benefits of tea are, it is calorie free (without milk sugar
or honey) and it contains antioxidants which extract harmful
substances from the blood. Green tea is thought to lower the risk
of cancer. A little caffeine is not harmful and is necessary to the
body. There is less caffeine in tea than coffee. China, India and
Kenya supply 75% of the worlds tea. In British culture, drinking tea
is an institution when ever something happens, good or bad the
common reaction is to have a "cuppa"!!.
We will meet next 12th February Cople Village Hall 7 30pm. All
welcome to a bring and buy in aid of our charity of the Year ACORN
a local group that offer support and friendship to cancer suffers and
their carers. Please come and support this unique group of people.
Eithne Dandy
February 2013 14
Recipe for Marmalade
Christmas and New Year celebrations over, I look forward to my
annual event of making marmalade. I get a real kick out of making
jams and chutneys, my husband calls it ‘therapy’. I first started
making marmalade about 30 years ago, when we lived in Cyprus, a
great orange growing island, but the bitter Seville oranges grew
everywhere, and their fruits left to rot on the ground. The children
and I just had to gather them up. Seville oranges are available in
the supermarkets for a limited time in January/February.
Marmalade is surprisingly easy to make, delicious to eat, a great to
give as a gift.
Do try this simple recipe. It makes about 10lbs. 8-10 jars.
Ingredients
1.4 kilo Seville oranges
Juice of 2 lemons
2.7 kilo sugar (I use preserving sugar or jam sugar)
Method
Halve the oranges and lemons, squeeze out juice and pips.
Put pips and any orange membrane in a piece of muslin and tie with
string, leaving a long enough piece so that it can be tied onto the
handle of the saucepan, yet still be in the mixture.
Chop up the oranges as finely as you like. (this can be done in a
food processor but be careful not to chop it too much, or there will
be no bits left after it has boiled)
Put in a large pan with 6 pints of water.
Simmer gently for 2 hours until peel is soft, and the liquid reduced
to half.
Remove muslin bag, squeezing well so that all the liquid goes back
into the pan.
Add sugar, heat gently and stir until sugar has dissolved.
Bring to boil and boil for about 15 minutes, until it has reached
setting point.
Remove any scum with a slotted spoon, and leave for 15 minutes.
Stir and pot into clean warm jars.
Place tops on while warm.
Jane Peeke
15
February 2013
Cricket Corner. Cople Cricket Club
Everyone at Cople CC would like to wish you all a Happy New year.
As we all know, we are all guilty of sitting around for too long over
the Christmas period and eating too many mince pies, so I am
pleased to announce that Cople CC has started its Winter Training
with some Indoor Net Practice. All players, new and old, are
welcome to attend so please spread the word to friends and family
that you think might be interested, sons, brothers, grandsons,
nephews; the more the merrier.
The nets are taking place at The Alexander Sports Centre, Sidney
Road, Bedford on the following dates. We hope we get to see some
new faces.
3rd February : 3:00 - 4:00
10th February : 3:00 - 4:00
24th February : 3:00 - 4:00
3rd March : 2:00 - 4:00
10th March : 2:00 - 4:00
17th March : 3:00 - 4:00
24th March : 2:00 - 4:00
14th April : 2:00 - 4:00
Many of you won’t know that we enter a side into the Bedfordshire
Indoor League and there are currently 4 Divisions. Unfortunately
we are in the 4th. But it’s not all bad as we are currently unbeaten
after playing 4 games and sitting top of the division. Results so far:
· Cople 148-5 (12) v Potton 144-4 (12 overs a side.)
· Brickhill Tigers A 162-2 (12) v Cople 164-2 (11)
· Cople 140-2 (12) v Elstow B 111 All Out
· Blunham C 139 All Out v Cople 140 -3 (9.5)
Excellent results so far, 5 more to play so let’s keep it up. You can
keep up to date with Fixtures & Results, as well as News & Events
by checking out our websites below and join us on Facebook by
adding Cople Cricket Club as your Friend.
If anyone is interested in joining us then don’t hesitate to call.
Daniel Moss 07905822341 (Saturday Captain)
Or Kevin Draper 07730553455 (Chairman) [email protected]
www.copleargus.play-cricket.com www.cople.org/cacc
17
February 2013
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
Themed Menu every Wednesday Live Music most Saturday nights (see website for details)
Sunday Roasts £8:50 (Very popular, booking recommended) Party bookings available
Tel : 01234 831330 www.fivebellscople.com
February 2013 18
Contact us now for a free, no obligation quote
Glyn Carroll
2 Glebe Road, Sandy, Beds, SG19 1LT
01767 680898 / 07859 070517
e-mail:[email protected]
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.
19
February 2013
Cople Sports and Social Club
There has been plenty of banter in regard of the footie supporters
who have been frequenting CS&SC supporting their teams. We will
be scheduling new event evenings over the coming month so if any
members have any great ideas please let us know.
If anyone has any interesting information or photos in regard of
CS&SC could you please speak with Jeanette as we would like to
profile the club on Cople Website.
Football fixtures to be shown at CS&SC: Barclays Premier League
(If there is a particular football match other than the above you
would be interesting in watching please contact CS&SC)
Please see poster in Club for full fixtures
Jeanette Skipsey
Mob: 07749272249 Email: [email protected]
Sat 02 Feb QPR V Man U Barclays 12.30 Sky
Sat 02 Feb Fulham v Man United 17:30 ESPN
Sun 03 Feb West Brom v Tottenham 13:00 Sky Sports
Sun 03 Feb Man City v Liverpool 15:30 Sky Sports
Sat 09 Feb Tottenham v Newcastle 12:30 Sky Sports
Sat 09 Feb Southampton v Man City 17:30 ESPN
Sun 10 Feb Aston Villa v West Ham 13:00 Sky Sports
Sun 10 Feb Man United v Everton 15:30 Sky Sports
Mon 11 Feb Liverpool v West Brom 19:00 Sky Sports
Sat 23 Feb Fulham v Stoke City 12:30 Sky Sports
Sun 24 Feb Manchester City v Chelsea 13:30 Sky Sports
Mon 25 Feb West Ham v Tottenham
21
February 2013
Friends of cople church
Safari supper
ON
Saturday,
february 2nd 2013
7 – 7.15 P.m.
Hosts are required. If you are able to offer a starter or a main course please
contact us
Tel. nos: (01234) 838763, 838467, 838714, 838683
Tickets £13:50
All proceeds towards the
upkeep of all saints’ church,
cople
February 2013 22
FRIENDS OF COPLE CHURCH
Reg. No. 1096386
The tenth ‘Celebration of Christmas’
demonstrated just how much local talent we
have here in Cople and provided yet again a
fine start to the Festive Season. We are
indebted to all those who made it go with
such a swing, whether performing or working
behind the scenes. Singers, instrumentalists
and readers were splendid and we were filled
with admiration. Nothing, however, would be
the same in a church devoid of decoration or
without delicious mulled wine and home-
made mince pies, so thanks must go to all
who played a part, however small. Thank
you too, audience, for filling the church,
joining in the singing and contributing so
generously to a retiring collection for
BeCHAR. £290.81 was handed over the
following morning to a very appreciative
Director at the
Prebend Day Centre.
(Since then an
additional £15 has
been donated to
bring the total to
£305.81),
There has been a
good response to
requests for help at
the Safari Supper on
February 2nd but we
are always pleased to hear from anyone else who is willing to act as
a host. For information or tickets please contact 838683, 838714,
838763 or send an e-mail. We hope the weather will be kind to us
as we make our way around the village, but come rain, snow or
whatever, we always have a jolly time. Do join us.
Vaughan Southgate
www.org.uk/friends [email protected]
23
February 2013
SJ TAX & ACCOUNTING
Professional Friendly Free initial consultation.
Sole traders, Ltd companies, Start ups, CIS, VAT, TAX
Email: [email protected] Tel: 01767 601221
Mob: 07899 808592
QUALIFIED ACCOUNTANT
25
February 2013
Sunday Church Services in February
3rd 11:15am Family Service.
10th 09:00am
09:45am
6:00pm
Holy Communion BCP
Sunday School
Songs of Praise theme “Love”
17th 09:45am
11:15am
Sunday School
All age Communion.
24th 09:45am
11:15am
Sunday School
Sung Communion with the Choir
Cople All Saints
Willington Saint Lawrence
3rd 10:00am Holy Communion BCP
10th 11:15am Parish Praise
17th 10:00am Sung Communion
24th 10:00am Covenant renewal service at the Methodist
Church Willington
Moggerhanger St John the Evangelist
3rd 09:00am
3:00pm
Sung Communion
Hospice Memorial Service
10th 10:00am Family Service
17th 6:00pm Songs of Praise
24th 09:00am All age Communion
February 2013 26
Cople Calendar February 2013
Saturday 2nd
10:30am—12 noon Traidcraft coffee morning Willington.
7:00pm Friends Safari Supper
Monday 4th
09:00am Morning Prayer
11:00am Tiny tots sing along Cople Church
2:30pm Mothers Union Meeting
6:15pm Junior Choir Cople Church
8:00pm Exploring Prayer group at Moggerhanger
Tuesday 5th
10:00am to 12:00 noon Coffee morning Village Hall
2:30pm Over 60s Club in the Sports Club
Wednesday 6th
7:30pm to 10:00pm Carpet Bowls in Village Hall
Thursday 7th (Green Bin)
10:00am to 11:30am Baby and Toddler Group Village Hall
Saturday 9th
10:00am to 3pm Blunham Giant Book Sale
7:30pm The Eagle Choir at Willlington Church
Monday 11th
09:00am Morning Prayer
11:00am Tiny tots sing along Cople Church
6:15pm Junior Choir practice at Cople Church
Tuesday 12th
10:00am to 12:00 noon Coffee morning Village Hall
7:30pm Cople PCC at the Vicarage
7:30pm Tuesday Club Meeting in Village Hall including
Bring and Buy in aid of ACORN
Wednesday 13th
7:30pm Holy Communion for Ash Wednesday at Cople
Church
7:30pm to 10:00pm Carpet Bowls in Village Hall
27
February 2013
Thursday 14th (Orange Bin)
10:00am to 11:30am Baby and Toddler Group Village Hall
Monday 18th
09:00am Morning Prayer
11:00am Tiny tots sing along Cople Church
12:30pm Luncheon Club in Cople Church
Tuesday 19th
10:00am to 12:00 noon Coffee morning Village Hall
2:30pm Over 60s Club in the Sports Club
Wednesday 20th
7:30pm Lent Course at Willington Methodist Church
7:30pm to 10:00pm Carpet Bowls in Village Hall
Thursday 21st (Green Bin)
10:00am to 11:30am Baby and Toddler Group Village Hall
Monday25th
09:00am Morning Prayer
11:00am Tiny tots sing along Cople Church
6:15pm Junior Choir practice Cople
Tuesday 26th
10:00am to 12:00 noon Coffee morning Village Hall
7:30pm Annual Parochial Church Meeting in Cople Church
Wednesday 27th
7:30pm Lent Course at Willington Methodist Church
7:30pm to 10:00pm Carpet Bowls in Village Hall
Thursday 28th (Orange Bin)
10:00am to 11:30am Baby and Toddler Group Village Hall
Blunham Giant BookSale
Saturday 9thFebruary 2013
At Blunham Parish Church 10.00 – 3.00
Come and browse and buy our huge selection of nearly new books.
Enjoy refreshments - teas/coffee cakes & biscuits, home made
soup. Also Hand Made cards a Raffle and a Fairtrade stall.
All profits to Blunham Church Fabric Fund.
February 2013 28
B. WELLS PLUMBING & HEATING LTD
01234 831314
www.barrywells-plumbing.co.uk
"professional by choice, helpful by nature, knowledgeable by
experience"
All plumbing and heating works carried out to
very high standards
We specialise in the design and installation of
new or replacement Oil and gas boilers
and heating systems
LPG registered installations
All renewable energy systems installed including solar
thermal and pv panels
Heat pumps and rain water harvesting
Bathroom design and installation
5 and 7 year parts and labour guarantees on certain
boilers
Service and maintenance contracts
Minor building works
From ballvalve to bathroom, radiator to boiler we have the experience, knowledge and expertise to meet all
your requirements.
Contact Barry on 07831 377351
February 2013 30
Need a Handyman?
Can your man? thismancan.co.uk
Dave Crawford
Handyman /Property Maintenance in Bedford and local villages. Contact me for a free no obligation quote.
Over 25 years experience of Handyman work and Property Renovation. Fully insured (details on website)
Dave Crawford tackles most jobs from changing a tap washer to jobs that fall short of the remit of a full blown Builder, Plumber
or Electrician.
07981 881688 [email protected] or check the website for further
information: www.thismancan.co.uk
31
February 2013
Are you or do you know someone
who is a resident in Cople who is over 60
years old/and or is likely to be vulnerable to
the cold?
Could they benefit from a Warm Home Pack
from Just Ask? Which contains a snuggle
blanket and other energy saving items/
information (subject to eligibility) please call
to check.
Your Village Agent is also able to offer you an Energy
Review to make sure you are saving money where you
can and to check you are on the best energy tariff?
Would you like some help to find out or to change it?
Village Agent Report
Village Agent can also offer many more services:-
Information on agencies who can offer (Free Smoke Alarms,
Door Chains,/Window Locks, Spy Holes).
Free “Message in a bottles” (peace of mind if you are taken ill
and the emergency services are called).
Information on Pension Credit & Attendance Allowance.
If you need help or advice on any of the above or have any
other problems just call Wendy on
FREE PHONE 0800 039 1234
or my mobile no: 07717 269 440
Home Visits Available
(All Agents are CRB Checked)
February 2013 32
Childhood Memories of Cople
John Ernest Storton (1909—2003) wrote a 33 page pamphlet in
1989 in which he recorded his childhood in Cople. This is part one
of an abridged version of his story and more will follow in future
editions.
I was born 27th October 1909 in a brick built house in the small
village of "Hatch". My father was born at Brook End just nearby
and my mother in Waterloo Row, Hitchin Street, Biggleswade. The
Storton’s father line are old Sandy people, also on my mother’s side
the Barley’s are a well known Biggleswade family. Father’s side
worked on the land as labourers, horse keepers, stockmen or small
holders. My mother’s, the men worked in breweries and the girls in
domestic service.
When I was a small child I had rickets and had a stay in South Wing
Hospital, Bedford (they say that it is caused by under nourishment),
my brother Joe carried me to school for a time, to Northill School
about a mile from our home in Hatch, when I was five years old.
On May Day we joined in dancing round Ickwell maypole. They still
cerebrate May Day today and the procession still starts from
Northill School. In my time they rode on a trolley drawn by Mr
Marsom’s horse, which was all decorated up with ribbons and paper
flowers.
We left our home in Hatch in 1914 to move to 62 Water End, Cople,
because our father went to work as horse keeper to Mr John
Franklin, Hoo Farm, Cople, but he had to go into the army, Beds &
Herts Regiment, when the First World War started in August 1914.
During the war Mr Shuttleworth, who owned the houses, let the
families whose fathers were serving in the forces live rent free and
when the time came for them to be demobbed the rent was only
one shilling a week.
Our home was a four roomed terrace cottage made of brick and had
a tiled roof, it also had a large front room where you had your
meals. The fire grate had an oven also a hot water tank on one
side with a tap on it. There was a kitchen with a larder cupboard, a
stair hold cupboard to keep brushes in, also shoes, cleaning
materials and other things you used. The kitchen also had a
dresser to keep crockery on, then there was a sink made of yellow
33
February 2013
stone, it was about 2 feet 6 inches wide, 18 inches long and 4
inches deep. The copper was in the corner near to where the grate
was, so that the smoke from each fire used the one chimney. It
was all hand washing for the ladies and ironing was done with a flat
iron, heated in front of the front room fire. The water was drawn
from two wells, with a bucket and well hook, one well was hard
water for drinking and cooking, the other was soft for washing and
cleaning. There were two bedrooms each big enough to take two
three quarter size beds, the back room had a cupboard for the linen
and your best clothes. They were warm houses and most had big
families in them. There were nine children in ours, but when us
boys got to the age of 16 we went into lodgings, also at the age of
14 the girls went into domestic service until they got married.
Our family all went to Cople School. There was an infant teacher
who had a learner aged about 16-18. The children in their classes
were aged 5 to 7. In the big room there were 4 classes numbered
3 to 6. These were taught by the Head Teacher Mrs Stacey, who
had a single lady teacher to help with the lower classes. When we
first got to school it was a hymn and prayer before we started
lessons, also the register was read and marked each day. At
school we had concerts which we all partook in, sometimes it would
be a negro play, or one of all sorts of tradesmen. They were held in
the evening so our parents could come and watch.
As a child I ran errands for the neighbours, like fetching milk for
them from Barnards before going to school, also taking shoes to the
cobbler in Cardington to be mended and fetching coal for people.
On Saturdays I went to a house to clean shoes, chop wood for the
fire lighting and clean the hen house out. Theirs was a family of
grown up sons and they put money in a box for to buy me clothes
and shoes. I remember it, so well, also they had me sit at the
dining table with them. My favourite pudding was a light steam one
cooked in a basin with jam or treacle in the bottom of the basin, so
when it was turned out the stuff ran all over it.
On Good Fridays when we were going home we had to pass Cople
House which was built in the likeness of Dog Farm, Octagon and
Middle Farms, of light coloured bricks and slate roofs. They each
had plenty of outbuildings and also lots of acres of land. Old lady
Barnard would be at the gate sitting at a table with a tray of hot
cross buns also six pennies and if the boy saluted or the girl
curtsied she gave them a bun and money.
February 2013 34
This Month’s Gardening Tasks
According to an old headmaster of mine, ‘February fill the dykes’!
Judging by the drainage ditches, rivers and streams around this
area, there’s not much room left as it is! But its not just rain we
can expect this month; snow, frost, and wind can all feature
extensively and batter our beloved gardens so it might be prudent
to check fences, sheds and glass houses to see if any remedial
works are required to prevent irrevocable damage from occurring.
A new pane of glass here (Gordon Denny Glass in Biggleswade are
excellent 01767 315 614) or a replacement fence panel there (HBS
also in Biggleswade can not be bettered 01767 312 800). If you
haven’t already done it, this month is also a good time to take
mowers, strimmers and trimmers in for a service. Groundcare
Machinery in Cople (01234 831 123) are where my much put upon
equipment goes and I am always impressed with their work.
But if the prospect of venturing outside to be savaged by the
elements has absolutely no appeal, now is an excellent time to plan
what you hope to achieve in your garden over the forthcoming
twelve months. New plants can be selected and ordered and it is
also the ideal opportunity to think about everything you want to
see. In my view, planning like this actually increases one’s
enjoyment as in addition to enjoying what you have you are also
thinking of what plants are coming next.
Thank you for all of your correspondence regarding the Christmas
Quiz (December Magazine) and here are the answers:
1. Plantain Lilly or Hosta. 2. Biennial. 3. Bear’s Breeches.
4.Common or Ordinary. 5. Viburnum. 6. Coppicing. 7.Both sexes
must be planted together. 8. c). Grenadier. 9. Apricots. 10. Flower
clusters where single stalks arise at one point (see above). 11. Its
leaves fold when touched. 12. Hot Water Plant. 13. Lawn Mower.
14. Lilac = First Love, Rose = I Love You, Red Tulip = Love. 15.
Decimus Burton
First name out of my hat was Mrs Anne Currie of Grange Lane who
wins an hour’s worth of gardening from yours truly! Very well done
Anne and you clearly know your alliums!
Please feel free to email/telephone me any questions you may have
and I will leave you with a quiz question. Contact me with your
35
February 2013
answers and I will give you a mention in next month’s piece:
Vegetable Spaghetti, Crookneck and Yellow Patty Pan are all types
of which relatively uncommon vegetable?
Lawn Doctor
Lawn Doctor Garden Services Clearance, Redesign, Maintenance
Tel: 01767 627 581 or 07796 328 855
Email: [email protected]
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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
JULIAN BIGGS
Member of the Institute of Chimney Sweeps
Fully qualified and insured All types of chimneys swept
Brush and vacuum . Clean and tidy service
Chimney Safety Certificate issued Local, professional and reliable
Tel: 01767 627591 / 07950 705479 9 Ickwell Road, Northill
February 2013 36
Mobile Library for February
Wednesday 13th and 27th
10.05 am All Saints
10.25am Water End
10.40am Outside Five Bells
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 (Registered Charity No 1090113)
COPLE PLAYING FIELD
On the boundary of Cople Playing Field there some trees, however
there are many gaps and it would be good to have more planted.
Cople Village Trust are seeking interest from anyone who would like
to
Plant a tree in memory of a loved one
Would you be prepared to obtain a suitable tree, arrange planting
and look after it until it was established?
If you are interested - please contact one of Cople Village Trusts’
Trustees or alternatively phone 01234 831344.
Sandra Thacker
Chair of Cople Village Trust
37
February 2013
COPLE VILLAGE TRUST
200 CLUB
Prize winners for January 2013
1st Prize of £60 208 K Becker
2nd Prize of £30 204 A Chillingsworth
3rd Prize of £10 222 A Jones
200 Club Subscriptions for 2013
Subscriptions to the 200 Club run by the Village Trust are now due.
It costs £12 per year to take part and cheques, made out to the
Cople Village Trust, can be posted to Catherine Bayliss at 14
Grange Lane or given to your 200 Club representative. Money left
after paying prizes goes to support Trust activities. If you are not
a member but would like to take part please contact Marie
Grohmann on 01234 838248.
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 in Cople Village Hall on Wednesday evenings 7:30 to
10:00 pm Any enquiries contact Pauline on 01234 838102.
Pauline Baynes.
B. W. Taylor
Plumbing Roofing and all Building
Maintenance
From “Complete Bathrooms and Kitchens” including tiling and plaster-ing 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
39
February 2013
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ESTABLISHED OVER 12 YEARS
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ALL EMERGENCY WORK CARRIED OUT
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MK443PX
PLEASE CONTACTJAMES ON
LANDLINE 01234 838274
MOBILE 07773 077042
EMAIL: [email protected]
FREE QUOTATION
February 2013 40
Wild About Cople
It’s the start of a new year and now, as the days begin to lengthen
in both the mornings and evenings, nature begins to stir herself in
response to the increasing light. And, even this early in the year,
there are some very, very early signs of spring.
Apart from the obvious lighter mornings and evenings (which I
think make us all feel better and more optimistic) there is now a
small but discernible increase in bird song at dawn and dusk –
around Cople since Christmas I have already heard birds such as
robins, song thrushes, blue tits, dunnocks and collared doves
singing their spring songs. Indeed, as mentioned in an earlier piece,
robins have two distinct songs; an ‘autumn song’ which is sung
between September and December and is very mellow and wistful
and, now, a ‘spring song’ sung between December and July which is
more livelier, louder and optimistic-sounding. Out in the fields the
skylarks are becoming more active and chasing each other (mainly
males sorting out their territories) and pairing up with the females.
There is a lot of activity and these small brown birds call and fly up
from their resting places in the still brown fields, stubble or young
corn. On a sunny, still day the males will start to perform their well-
known song displays, rising from the ground on fluttering wings and
climbing high into the sky pouring out their beautiful liquid song,
sometimes for 20 minutes or more, through the air and onto the
ground below. This is partly a way of saying ‘this is my territory,
keep away’ to other males but also ‘I’m a fantastic singer, very fit
and healthy and come and be my partner’ to the females!
In areas where there are plenty of trees such as the area around
Water End, Woodlands Close and the churchyard now is the best
time of the year to listen to the lovely, mellow, woodwind calls of
our resident tawny owls around the village. Tawny owls, of course,
are usually strictly nocturnal and can only be heard, and seen, at
night. The tawny owl, sometimes also called the brown owl, is a
fairly common bird throughout the UK and sometimes you may see
one as it floats silently on soft rounded wings at dusk. They come
in two colour varieties; a grey form and a commoner, brown form.
The birds usually pair for life and both defend a territory all year
round; they breed very early in the year (from February onwards)
so during January they are very active re-forming their pair bonds
41
February 2013
with much calling and vocalising.
The well-known, beautiful, spine-tingling ‘hu……hu-hooooo’ call is
usually made by the male;
the female produces the
other, equally well-known,
but louder, sharper ‘kewick’
or ‘u-wee’. Everyone really
should go out and
experience the true magic of
these lovely birds at night,
even if only in your own
gardens.
The birds usually nest in
holes in old trees but will
sometimes use old magpie
or crows nests. They lay
two or three glossy white
eggs and the young fledge
from the nest sometime in
May/June but the parents
still continue to care for
them for another two or
three months, during which
time the young can be very
noisy with their food-
begging calls. Tawny owls
also readily use purpose-
made owl nestboxes details of which can be found here:
www.bto.org/nnbw/nesting_birds/tawny_owl.htm. The boxes are
simple to make but need to go on large, mature trees – now is the
ideal time to put one up.
While still on night-time things, look out later this year for the
predicted appearance of two striking comets in the sky. It is
believed that they will even become visible during the day and are
named Comet Pan-Starrs (due spring 2013) and Comet ISON (due
autumn 2013). More news soon!
Steve Halton [email protected]
Picture; Tawny owl (brown form)
February 2013 42
Willingtots Pre-school Peace Memorial Hall
Church Road Willington
Telephone 07972 148085
E-mail [email protected] 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”
37, Ridge Road
Kempston, Beds MK43 9BS
43
February 2013
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 [email protected]
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
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
February 2013 44
Being Creative is Good for the Soul!
Are you a creative person and interested in being part of a
local arts cooperative? There is a growing trend across the
country of local makers and craft workers coming together
to share in the cost of market stalls, craft fairs and
promotion of their work.
I am interested in meeting like-minded people who may be
interested in forming a craft collective with the intent to promote
and support the handmade crafts in and around Northill, Cople,
Willington, Moggerhanger, Blunham, Sandy and surrounding areas.
I am a potter living in Cople and am aware that there are other
creative souls like myself working locally but we are all currently
working independently without local contact, inspiration and
sharing of ideas.
Having moved to Bedfordshire 4 years ago, I looked around for an
art collective and found the Eagle Gallery in Castle Road, Bedford;
a real gem of a place. The gallery has 45 or so artists/makers
helping to keep the gallery open Mon – Sat 10.00am – 5.30pm. It
is well worth a visit if you happen to be in the Castle Road area, we
are next door to the fabulous Eagle Book Shop. Follow this link for
more information: www.eaglegalleryartists.co.uk
As there is now a farmers market in Frosts Willlington on the last
Sunday of the month and soon to be a monthly ‘Have a Go
Market’ (aimed at new enterprises) in Sandy, every 2nd Saturday, I
feel that an opportunity presents itself for those of us who enjoy
creative work and would possibly like to pursue a part time
enterprise but have not got round to it until now.
The benefit of such a group means we could start to brainstorm
ideas looking at how we might come together and have a presence
at local markets, as well as finding a place where both established
and emerging artists can sell their work.
The craft collective’s philosophy is a refreshing one; the belief that
making things yourself, by hand, can be a powerful tool. The
purpose is to help get crafters’ work out into the public by hosting
fun and unique sales locally.
45
February 2013
I am hoping that for other creative people like myself, this could
well be the springboard for taking your craft/art work to the next
level and possibly to self employment, either part or full time.
There is something unique about selling your work in person and it
would be great to take the handmade movement that is already
happening around the country, put a name to it, and help it to
grow here in this part of Bedfordshire. More and more people are
seeing the value in supporting handmade work because not only
are you getting unique goods but you are directly supporting artists
and enabling them to do what they love and work hard at it.
If you are interested in finding out more information about being
part of such a group, please email me with your details at:
[email protected] or telephone 01234 838593 and
maybe we could get together.
Eve Carroll
Air Ambulance Christmas Cards
Thank you to everyone who bought Air Ambulance Christmas Cards
from me this year. A total of £125 was raised. I wish you all a
happy 2013.
Hilda
Nearly New Centre
Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm
& Saturday 10am to 1pm
At Sue Ryder Palliative Care Home St.
John’s Moggerhanger
February 2013 48
Village Hall
Bookings: Marie Grohmann
Email: [email protected]
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)
Amanda Briscoe,
Tel: 07504 299994
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
Joy Duthie
Tel : 838407
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: [email protected]
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
February 2013
All Saints Church
Vicar:
Rev Lynda Klimas
The Vicarage
Grange Lane, Cople
Tel: 01234 838 431
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 [email protected]
Cople News
Editor : Ged Peeke
39 Willington Road, Cople, Beds, MK44 3TH
Tel 01234 838379
Email: [email protected]
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
February 2013 52
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