Hello! Weekly news from Bedford, England

Beds. on Sunday leads with a disturbing report of a family intimidated by youths to the extent that they are now living elsewhere:

A mother and her two teenage daughters have been hounded out of their home by repeated attacks - once by more than 40 youths.

One of the incidents was so serious that a police officer attending had to push the panic button on his radio to summon help.

Sam Carr, 31, has lived at Fountains Court off Hartwell Drive, Kempston, with her daughters Emma, 14, and Nicola, 12, for 12 years.

Until a year ago they lived there quite happily. Last May Emma got into a row with a group of local teenagers. Sam stuck up for her daughter and since then her life has been made hell with taunts, threats and damage to her home.

The incidents culminated over Easter weekend. On Good Friday when Sam had friends round for a barbecue, a group of youths turned up and started throwing stones at them.

Some of the party guests went out and spoke to them but Sam said:

"They went away but I knew it would only make things worse for me.

The next day a load of them, about 40 or 50, came after me. I was not even at my own house, I was round the corner at a friend's and they followed me there.

We called the police and the officer who came out had to push his panic button to get help. He said it wasn't safe for us to go back."

Since then the family has been sleeping on friends' floors desperately hoping to be rehoused.

A former borough council lawyer, jailed for raping a trainee solicitor, has failed in a bid to persuade Appeal Court judges that he was unfairly convicted because he is black.

The man raped the woman in her own flat after plying her with alcohol, the court heard this week.

He was convicted of rape and indecent assault and jailed for five and a half years at Luton Crown Court on June 18, 2003.

On Wednesday he applied to top judge, Mr Justice Gibbs, sitting at London's Criminal Appeal Court, for leave to appeal against those convictions and the length of his sentence.

The prosecution case at trial was that he had talked his way into the woman's flat then forced her into sex after plying her with wine.

During the attack, the court heard, the victim took a phone call from her father during which she told him she was 'having an unpleasant experience' and would have to phone him back.

Among his lengthy grounds of appeal read by the judge was one where he 'argued that the jury had convicted him despite the evidence because he is black'.

But Mr Justice Gibbs, sitting with Lord Justice Rose and Mr Justice Stanley Burnton, dismissed both his applications saying:

"There can be no possible arguable grounds of appeal in the circumstances."

Some weeks ago, as I recall, I questioned whether there was not some correlation between youth crime and the state of the county's youth service. Now, BoS reports, the county council's youth service has once again been slated after achieving the lowest possible score in all key aspects of a recent Ofsted report.

Back in January 2002 Bedfordshire on Sunday reported how the service had been strongly criticised in the county's own best value review.

At that time there was a major reorganisation but an inspection carried out between February 7 and 11 found the weaknesses persist and 'the service's inefficient deployment of resources currently provides unsatisfactory value for money'.

The Ofsted report, which has not yet been made public, concluded:

'Using the four point inspection grades with one being very good and four being inadequate, the service scored four on each element of the key aspects: standards of young people's achievement, quality of youth work practice, quality of curriculum and resources and strategic and operational leadership and management.'

The inspection discovered that there is poor access to youth service provision in rural areas and low rates of attendance at sessions. There is also inefficient deployment of resources with some youth workers spending too much time providing advice and guidance to individual youngsters.

There is also continuing evidence of confusion in roles with 'overly complex middle management arrangements' and youth workers being unclear about their responsibilities.

Another major criticism is that the county has provided a low level of funding for youth work over many years and expenditure is well below the national average.

In 2002 we reported that Bedfordshire's youth service cash allocation ranked 139th out of 143. At the time the county was spending less than £32 per young person per year when some London boroughs were spending as much as £261.

Patrick Hall, Labour Parliamentary candidate for Bedford and Kempston and himself a former county councillor specialising in children's services said:

"This is appalling news for the county's young people. However, I am sadly not surprised. The county council sets the third highest council tax in the country yet is the worst performing.

It is ruled with a rod of iron by the Conservatives whose track record of waste and incompetence goes deep."

Liberal Democrat group leader Peter Blaine added:

"It's a quite appalling report and reveals a challenge to put things right particularly since around the county a number of residents experience anti-social behaviour at the hands of a minority of young people and it is very important that effective work should be done with them."

A county council spokesman said:

"The Ofsted report will not be published until Monday May 9 and therefore it would be inappropriate for us to comment until then.

Regarding the amount spent on the Service, for 11-25 spend Bedfordshire is 97 out of 118 and for 13 -19 spending Bedfordshire is 111 out of 129. Although both figures place the county in the lower quartile we do have more spend, in both areas, than some of our statistical neighbours."

Two teachers who suffered torment from gangs of school children outside their home have started to fight back.

Earlier this month Bedfordshire on Sunday reported how Mrs Susan Bell and her husband Anthony, who are both teachers at Sandy Upper School, were being attacked in their own home by teenagers.

This was after Mrs Bell had disciplined two pupils for abusive behaviour while she was on bus duty.

Mr Bell told the annual NASUWT conference in Brighton that she and her husband 'refused to be victimised like this'.

At Monday night's annual parish meeting in Sandy, Mrs Bell presented a petition complaining about anti-social behaviour by youngsters in Sandy town Centre.

The petition was signed by more than 100 people and asked the town council what steps it is taking to address the problem'

It also wanted to know what pressure it is putting on the relevant authorities to reduce anti-social behaviour.

The petition read:

'We, the undersigned Sandy residents, are dismayed by the increase in anti-social behaviour in and around Sandy town centre.

We acknowledge that the majority of the young people in the town are well-behaved and respectable, but that there is a small but significant minority who are making life difficult for all'.

The petition went on to pinpoint problems such as littering, vandalism and criminal behaviour. The petitioners also felt that large groups of youths who hang around Budgens and Forbouys are intimidating and abusive.

Trevor Stewart, clerk of Sandy Town Council, said:

"We have spent a substantial amount of money on CCTV, but we are looking into the possibility of another camera in the town centre.

We are in dialogue with Bedfordshire police. We have the support of local residents and we'll continue to put money into town cameras."

Some feel that the youths aren't to blame for the problem. Ken Lynch, who works with many youth groups, said:

"If people are experiencing problems then they should go to the local beat manager to resolve them.

Sadly, the young people of Sandy have very few facilities. Plans are in hand to start a new youth organisation and, hopefully, a non-alcoholic pub, so if these are approved there will be a big improvement in the town centre."

The future of a popular nightclub has been put into doubt following its owners' decision to sell the building.

Mission Nightclub in Mill Street, Bedford, has been made available to rent by Heavyweight Leisure Limited at a cost of £135,000 a year excluding fees. The rent would also be up for review every five years.

The letting agents of the property state that the building is 'a purpose built leisure facility' and has recently been 'entirely reconstructed'.

Mission Nightclub opened in 2001 after permission was granted for the Grade II listed Howard Chapel to convert into a night spot.

A Mission spokesman said:

"The freehold for the building is up for sale, but Mission will continue to operate and function as normal."

Yet another use has been thought up for Chicksands.

The former USAF base has been earmarked as the site for East Anglia's new 999 fire control room.

RAF Chicksands near Shefford has been identified as the preferred location for the region's centralised control room, scheduled to open in 2007.

The site is owned by the Ministry of Defence and is currently home to the Defence Intelligence Security Centre (DISC).

During the Cold War Chicksands was the nerve centre for Nato and was home to the largest receiver of radio signals in Europe.

How is this for cheek! A shop owner whose premises were broken into was surprised to see a man in the street the next day wearing the stolen clothes.

To make it more obvious the shirt he was wearing had the word 'Criminal' written across it.

But what really gave the game away was the lack of co-ordination.

Planet Clothing in the Arcade, Bedford, was broken into when burglars climbed on to the roof and cut through security bars.

Having been disturbed by the alarm, the thieves escaped with a £200 cash float from the tills and a selection of clothes. The clothes they made off with were actually sale items and stock not yet put on display which turned out to be the their downfall.

Shop owner Neil Primett was stunned that just 36 hours after the robbery, he saw a man dressed head to toe in the stolen goods.

Neil said:

"I couldn't believe that this guy was wearing all the pinched stuff with little thought of matching items with any real taste.

Picture Rupert the bear, green check trousers with elasticated bottoms, an electric blue sleeveless tee shirt carrying the words Criminal 00 and a tracksuit top."

Neil called the police after seeing the man in Kempston and they swooped to make an arrest.

When he returned to the shop he and co-owner Kevin Bailey were able to provide the police with a full list of all the missing stock but as yet none of it has been recovered.

A man has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

SIR - I totally agree with the mother complaining about the bullets in the children's party bags. If that had been my son I would have done the same.

There are other things that can be put into party bags. The mother of the child is in the right and I totally support her view.

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SIR - Your front page news goes a long way to show everyone just how irresponsible some parents are to-day.

I can't say I agree with Eric Evans when he throws an army theme party, but what is to prevent that 'outraged parent' from reading the invitation and deciding that a five-year-old should not attend? Did she bother to think what would be happening at such an event?

Come off it Tommy's mother, and take control over your son's activities. It is about time that parents voted with their feet and do not support unsuitable events.

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SIR - The skate park in Jubilee Park, Bedford is the worst in Bedfordshire.

It is well-used and is now eight years old and is worn out. Plans are in hand to revamp it. In 2004 a survey was carried out in Bedfordshire by a group of young skaters and Jubilee skate park was given four marks out of 100.

The park is to have a revamp at the cost of £100,000 at no cost on the council tax.

For the third year running Bedford Hospital has won a Top Forty Hospital award.

The honour follows an independent study by the country's leading hospital, benchmarking company measuring against 15 recognised healthcare standards in which Bedford outperformed every other hospital in the region.

Hospital chairman Helen Nellis collected the award at a ceremony in Birmingham.

She said: "I am absolutely delighted that Bedford Hospital has been recognised once again for the excellent care it gives to local patients.

"This award demonstrates our commitment to providing consistent, patient-focused, professional services.

"Despite facing substantial financial challenges the hospital continues to ensure its delivery of quality services to the local community."

Bos reports on a trial for murder in Grafton Street:

A man accused of murdering two of his house mates with a machete appeared before a High Court judge on Wednesday.

An application was made by his defence team for the plea and direction hearing to be postponed. Barrister Fred Ferguson said they were still waiting for an expert's report.

Mr Justice Bell adjourned the hearing until June 15 and the man was remanded in custody.

He is charged with murdering 21-year-old Adam Crol and his uncle Rsyzard Kraszewski, 44, who both came from Miloradz in Poland.

He is also accused of attempting to murder ex-Portuguese soldier Hugo Barrolho, 28.

All four were living in a guest house in Grafton Road, Bedford at the time of the killings on January 13 this year.

The two men were hacked to death with a seven-inch butcher's cleaver.

The third victim, Mr Barrolho, crawled to the public bar of the Grafton Hotel, on Midland Road, Bedford for help and then collapsed.

Marcus Finch might look like any other nine-year-old but you wouldn't want to pick a fight with him - he has just passed his black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

And if that's not scarey enough dad John and mum Joanne are also black belts with little sister Gemma bringing up the rear with a green belt at just six.

Dedicated Marcus took up the Korean martial art when he was six and trains twice a week at the Newnham Middle School class in Bedford where he can find himself sparring with anyone from other youngsters, though he is the youngest black belt, to more senior members like Frank Gorman who is 72.

Tae Kwon Do is the martial art favoured by the Korean military and it involves self defence moves as well as sparring and movement in prescribed patterns.

Beginners start off with a white belt and move up through yellow, green, blue and red before black. Marcus' teacher at Newnham, Master BS Sahota, has just achieved his black belt seventh degree, a rare honour.

Early on when Frank Branston became mayor, I commiserated with him for having to wear what seemed to be a pretty heavy chain. All that it needed was a ball attached to it, which might adequately represent the sentence of four years, but which did not seem right! It seems that he has gone for a substitute.

The Times&Citizen shows this photograph of Frank weighing up the evidence. He comments:

"I got sick of wearing the chains. They weigh more than three pounds, have wrecked one suit and are damaging others.

This is much lighter, and the Mayor's officer does not have to accompany me when I am on official business. I just fold it up and put it into my pocket."

One of the performers at this year's Proms in the Park will be Aled Jones, who shot to stardom as a small boy, singing "Walking in the air" and who is a popular presenter, especially on the weekly Songs of Praise on the BBC.

The performance - the eleventh annual concert in the Park, will take place on August 6th.

Tickets cost £26.

At last it is over! We have suffered from an excess of reporting on the election sufficient to make one weep. I was told by someone that the hustings are the time his friend goes abroad on holiday, and I can sympathise.

Locally, Patrick Hall was re-elected but on a much smaller vote. He has worked hard for the area, but has suffered because of the present antipathy to the Prime Minister, Tony Blair. The accusation that Blair deceived us all into war in Iraq persists, and may soon result in his downfall.

(This cartoon appeared in one of the national newspapers, on the day that yet another British soldier had lost his life in Iraq. Though a clever play on words, some will see this as cruel, others will claim that this echoes what many people feel.)

As all readers will know, the Labour party has been returned to power, but with its majority halved. And mercifully the extensive coverage in the news will diminish!

A long-time supporter of the Bedford Blues, I never imagined that I would see the Bedford flag flying in the sky at Twickenham! Yet this happened, and in a nailbiting match we won the shield.

Now Rugby fans are expected to turn out in force on Sunday to celebrate Bedford Blues' Powergen Shield win.

The victorious squad beat Plymouth Albion 14-13 in a dramatic final at Twickenham last month, 30 years after their last win there.

And to mark their success they will take an open-top bus tour through the streets of Bedford to show off the trophy to their adoring fans.

The event will start at midday when the tour of honour leaves Blues' ground in Goldington Road before winding its way through St Peter's Street, the High Street, St Paul's Square, the Embankment and Bushmead Avenue, arriving back in Goldington Road at about 1pm.

The procession will be followed by a civic reception hosted by Bedford Mayor Frank Branston, and after that follows the Bruce Willey Memorial Match featuring former England players and veterans of Bedford and Northampton. The Mayor said:

"The whole borough wants to show its appreciation of Bedford Blues' success this season.

"We hope that many fans will come to the town centre to cheer on the players and make this a truly memorable celebration, and that afterwards they will stay for the charity match."

Minor road closures will be in place on the day although they will be re-opened soon after the procession.

I have been asked to join the party on the bus, to take photographs. It's on occasions like this that I would like to be invisible. Somehow a man in his sixties might appear incongruous mixing with strong muscular players of a different generation!

My one fear, frankly, is that despite all the publicity, people may not put in an appearance, given the fact that the event was some three weeks ago. I hope they do, because the players have achieved something that is the envy of all rugby teams in the country.

Kempston Choral Society celebrated one hundred years of existence with a superb concert at the Methodist church in Kempston. The first half was devoted to the Creation, the second to Elijah. A most enjoyable event. Mention might also be made of the leader of the society, Janet Welsh, who has been with the choir for over thirty years - no mean undertaking!

Meanwhile, Bedford Modern School's concert was a triumph. First came Elgar's Cello Concerto, with Robin Tyler (a BMS Year 13 student) as the soloist. It was followed by This was followed by Haydn's Symphony No. 45, a composition that might well have been forgotten but for the story behind it:

It was written for Haydn's patron, Prince Nikolaus Esterházy , while he, Haydn and the court orchestra were at the Prince's summer palace in Eszterhaza . The stay there had been longer than expected, and most of the musicians had been forced to leave their wives back at home, so in the last movement of the symphony, Haydn subtly hinted to his patron that perhaps he might like to allow the musicians to return home: during the final adagio each musician stopped playing, snuffed out the candle on their music stand, and left in turn, so that at the end, there were just two muted violins left. Esterházy apparently got the hint: the court returned to Eisenstadt the day following the performance. The composition is now generally known as the Farewell symphony.

Last Sunday, Christ Church, in Denmark Street, celebrated fifty years as a parish in an unusual style. With a shortened service, almost the entire congregation, children as well as adults, walked round the whole parish distributing leaflets and praying for all the people in the parish. When they came back, children (of all ages!) were given balloons, and everyone trooped out to release them.

I said children of all ages. The Bishop of Bedford and his wife also joined in. This supportive family, with children also on missionary work overseas, add much to the life of the church, when commitments allow them to attend.

What I find so appealing is this friendly unassuming atmosphere, a world apart from the pomposity and elaborate robes which characterise so many churches. It is common to hear about the decline of churches, but this is a distortion of the truth. Christ Church is thriving, teeming with children and young people, with a lively and engaging programme of events, both spiritual and purely social. Along with many other churches in the town, the Alpha courses have been running for years. The one problem that is facing the church is that it not longer has sufficient room to accommodate the varied activities. The next fifty years, not that I shall see all of them, will be interesting.

Finally, whilst putting this to bed for another week the kind birthday greetings from Peter appeared. Is it really eight years since this newsletter started?! Indeed it must be, because the first edition was published the day before the elections, when John Mayor's government was defeated.

Thanks, Peter. I can't guarantee another eight years - it depends upon a number of things - but I'll be carrying on for the time being!

Mowsbury Park, leading to Putnoe Woods. An enjoyable place to walk, far away enough to
scarcely hear the noise of traffic.

Week ending 7 May 2005