Weekly news from Bedford, UK, 16th July 2005

Curiously, Beds. on Sunday does not lead with reports on the repercussions arising from the bombing in London. One might seen this as somewhat insensitive, but equally one can read into this the view that Brits, despite the intense sadness and grief this event has caused, it is business as usual, and people are not going to let the terrorists have the upper hand.

At the weekend, one of my daughters 'phoned saying that she and her husband had planned to go to London for a week, but in view of what had happened, wondered whether it was advisable to do so. My reply was that I thought that London must surely be the safest place in the world at this moment!

On Monday I received a text message from Philippa saying "We made the front page in the Telegraph!" Wondering whether they had been interviewed, or something, I rushed into the newsagent to buy a copy, and on the front page found this...

It was taken from Buckingham Palace, showing an estimated quarter of a million people celebrating the end of the 1939-45 war. The red blobs are in fact some of the million poppies dropped from a Lancaster bomber.

Well, Philippa did make the front page, and I had been well and truly taken in! But there's an added poignancy in view of the bombings only three days before. It perhaps shows the contempt for those who are so motivated by hatred as to kill and maim.

Back to BoS. Here's a report of a Houdini-type series of escapes that must leave the police with egg on their faces!

The report is of a teenager who escaped from custody on Monday - for the fourth time this year.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was being held at Greyfriars Police Station, having been arrested in Sandy on suspicion of burglary.

During an interview the following day he escaped from the room after the door was left open and was able to run through the station and out of the rear before jumping over a fence.

In May he was arrested in Luton for attempting to steal a car, but absconded from the magistrates' court while under secure supervision from the local authority.

On another occasion he was being transported from Rainsbrook Detention Centre near Daventry to Wrexham when the vehicle he was travelling in stopped at a service station so that the youngster could use the lavatory. Instead, he walked straight out of an emergency exit and escaped over a field before catching a train home.

A third escape came when he gave a false name at Greyfriars before being transferred to Huntingdon station where he gave the same name, only to be released on police bail without any checks being made.

He has almost 20 convictions for car crimes and burglary in Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire and the forces have failed to rearrest the offender and formally charge him.

The teenager's family have been left disgusted with the actions of the police. His mother said:

"They haven't called us once to say that he had escaped or what they are going to do about it. Thankfully he has rung us to say that he is safe."

The boy's uncle added:

"When I told the police that he had escaped from Luton police station they just laughed and said that he wouldn't get out of Greyfriars. They even said that the Luton policemen were cowboys and it was no wonder he had walked out. A few minutes later they were chasing him through the station as he escaped again."

A Bedfordshire Police spokesman said:

"I can confirm that a 15-year-old youth was in custody on Sunday night at Greyfriars Police Station. Unfortunately due to an insecure external door he was able to slip out of a communal area within the custody unit into the rear enclosed car park of the police station.

"While he was pursued immediately by police officers from the custody unit, the youth managed to scale the high security gate and escape. Inquiries are now underway to trace him.

"No other prisoners were at risk of escaping during this incident and issues about security within the unit have now been addressed."

BoS reports that the manager of a homeless centre says that supermarket giant Sainsbury's tried to charge for out-of-date potatoes.

This week, a representative from the store's Clapham Road branch offered to donate food to the Prebend Day Centre, Prebend Street, Bedford.

When Sainsbury's turned up, the centre was asked for £1.20... for four bags of potatoes that were past their sell-by date.

The potatoes were described by centre staff as 'sprouting'.

The Prebend Day Centre sent the visitor packing.

The next day, Sainsbury's phoned the centre to make sure centre staff hadn't changed their minds.

Centre manager Pam Giles said: "The phrase 'stick it up your jumper' came to mind."

Funded by Bedford Borough Council, the centre has been in operation for 13 years and has been helped by donations from a number of businesses.

It supports about 50 homeless people, offering sympathetic help and advice for all their problems.

Mrs Giles said:

"We're a charity for the homeless, helping the vulnerable.

I'm amazed that Sainsbury's were looking at £1.20 for a few spuds. It angered me.

We've always had good relations with the Kempston branch of Sainsbury's but this was Clapham Road, who we'd never dealt with before.

What is £1.20 in the grand scheme of things to a company like Sainsbury's?"

With 153,000 employees and 728 stores, the company announced profits of £254 million in May 2005.

Its slogan is 'Making life taste better'.

A Sainsbury's spokesman said:

"We donate £4 million in food to over 400 charities across the UK each year, to charities that need fresh food to feed the people they help.

"We donate food which is beyond its display-by but not its use-by date and we hope that Prebend Day Centre becomes one of them. "

(Not exactly the kind of publicity to impress customers!)

Another example of publicity owners would rather do without:

Paralysed rugby player Matt King was made to use a hotel's industrial lift used for carrying rubbish bins.

Rugby star Matt, 18, became quadriplegic when his neck was broken during a game last April.

On June 29, he attended a party at the Moat House Hotel, Bedford. The event was a prom night for pupils of Stratton School, Biggleswade, organised by his cousin Sarah.

When he tried to get to the first floor of the hotel, Matt was informed that his specially designed wheelchair would not fit in the customer lifts.

He was made to use an industrial lift that serves to take goods including rubbish bins to and from the hotel's loading bays. Mr King said:

"I was ready to give up. It was really bad. This is the first place where I have been where staff have been so unhelpful. When you've gone to all the trouble of getting dressed up in your best clobber, it's so undignified."

His Uncle Richard called his nephew's treatment 'shoddy' and said: "I can't believe a company has done this."

Carer Sarah Moore, 42, is one of a team of eight that provides Mr King with 24-hour care.

She said the incident was 'distressing' and that the ventilator attachments on the chair had nearly been damaged by the squeeze into the small lift. Mr King had to be 'wedged in' with his legs folded, she added.

A spokesman for the Disability Rights Commission said:

"Moat House is part of a national chain and must have hosted conferences that disabled people attend.

"This is not a situation I've ever come across. Matt King has clearly suffered dreadful indignity."

A hotel spokesman said:

"Bedford Moat House has recently invested £200,000 in refurbishment and as such the hotel lifts are Disability Discrimination Act compliant. Unfortunately though we were not made aware of the larger size of the wheelchair Mr King uses prior to the event and we can only apologise to him for any inconvenience caused.

"The hotel staff made every effort to ensure the guest was able to attend the function that night and this meant using the hotel goods lift which is larger than the guest lifts.

"Every effort was made to ensure this was done as quickly and comfortably as possible."

Deputy Speaker for the borough council Andrew McConnell had just arrived to start his working day at King's Cross station when the bomb went off.

Many Bedfordians were caught up in the disaster, but ironically a delay to the 7.55am train from Bedford saved commuters from injury or possible fatality.

Nezma Begun from Bedford was another commuter caught up in the mayhem. She said: "I arrived at King's Cross in the morning and literally as soon as I got off the train I heard a huge bang.

"I was scared and confused, everything happened quickly. I saw many, many people who were injured and hurt. We were all trying to help where we could. It was unbearable for everyone trying to get out and get home. People were crying. I was one of the lucky ones really."

Sue Frossell of Rosamond Road, Bedford, added:

"I was heading for Aldgate East station as part of my job for Network Rail and I didn't really know what was happening.

"I thought about getting a bus, but as I was walking I saw television screens in a shop that showed a bus completely blown apart - so getting a bus was not an option."

Bedfordshire Police have dispatched uniformed officers to patrol railway stations across the county, London Luton Airport, bus depots, Toddington Services on the M1 and other buildings and locations which have been identified under the force's local counter terrorist plan.

Passing patrols are also paying additional attention to local places of worships in the north and south of Bedfordshire to provide reassurance to all minority ethnic communities who may be feeling vulnerable.

Deputy Chief Constable Martin Stuart said:

"I want to reassure all the communities of Bedfordshire that their safety is our primary concern. We are not looking to target or criminalise any section of the community, but we will and do act against those we have reasonable grounds to suspect may be engaged in criminal acts.

"As always, we want the public to be vigilant and report suspicious activity to the police. We are also doing everything possible to provide support to the Metropolitan Police at this time."

The emergency number for people to call if they are concerned about friends or relatives, which has been issued by the Metropolitan Police is 0870 1566344.

On Friday night 75 Muslims joined in a prayer service at All Saints Parish Church in Queens Park.

The Rev Jay MacLeod said: "It was a poignant and powerful experience to pray together for the victims of the bombings and their families."

As I think I mentioned last week, my son-in-law was one of those travelling to London, and it so happened that he was on the train that arrived late, otherwise he may have been one of the victims.

A relative of a member of our church escaped with broken ribs and cuts, as he was in a carriage further down in the train that was bombed.

(The picture shows a sniffer dog at Bedford station)

The Mission's farewell party didn't quite go according to plan on Thursday night.

Revellers had been invited to the club in Mill Street, Bedford for a final time after it was announced last week that the venue was to close due to dwindling numbers.

Some guest who arrived uninvited were bailiffs Constant and Co who had been instructed to serve notice on the club over alleged failure to settle a substantial council tax bill from Bedford Borough Council. A source at the club said:

"The bailiffs arrived at about 10.30pm demanding money for unpaid business rates. They listed all the goods in the club and threatened to return on Friday to repossess the list."

A spokesman for Bedford Borough Council said:

"The council actively pursues the non payment of business rates. We are able to use bailiffs to recover monies outstanding by obtaining a liability order through the magistrates court."

(Good riddance!)

Steve Lowe, editor, in his weekly column, comments upon rubbish disposal:

When on the occasional holiday abroad, I cannot help noticing how foreigners treat their rubbish - not with more respect but perhaps more sensibly.

No individual dustbin for them but a collective covered skip.

Everyone takes their rubbish to the skip, which is emptied at least once a week.

This seems to me more cost-effective and more pleasant than keeping a bin in the garden, or having wheelie bins as part of today's street furniture.

It could also help the green cause in that it is easier to have three or four skips available for the different types of rubbish.

Certainly this option ought to be considered for all new housing estates, as a cheaper, greener and healthier way to dispose of rubbish.

But maybe I am missing something.

Another editorial from Steve Lowe, this time about the Olympics 2012:

London being nominated the site for the 2012 Olympics is great for the city, great for the country and could be great for us.

The sporting and economic possibilities are incredible.

Bedfordshire is less than an hour from London. It has good rail and road links, plus a major airport in Luton. It is an attractive county, that with the potential of Nirah, a new country park and rowing lake and the MK-Bedford canal can become even more attractive.

It has excellent sporting facilities, college and university campuses and a wide diversity of people and businesses.

In sporting terms it can boast the top woman athlete of the last decade, Paula Radcliffe, an Olympic Gold medallist, Tim Foster and silver medallist Gail Emms.

We need to act quickly. An organising committee should be set up without delay.

Bedford borough Mayor, Frank Branston, has already taken the lead on this. Bedfordshire on Sunday, and its sister titles, is more than happy to help ensure the vision of the Olympics and the genuine prospect of benefit to our communities becomes a reality.

It is not the time to sit back and let others do it.

SIR - Last Saturday muslims in Bedford marched to St Paul's Square to complain about treatment of the Koran at Guantanamo Bay.

Similar marches took place all around the country, said the organisers.

During the last two years in Iraq, and recently in Pakistan, mosques, filled with praying muslims and while weddings and funeral services were taking place, have been blown up by rival muslims, causing death and destruction.

In these bombings copies of the Koran have been damaged or destroyed.

To the best of my knowledge there has not been one whisper of protest or outrage from any muslim in Bedford, or anywhere else in this country or the rest of the world, that the Koran has been so defiled.

No-one has taken to the streets in support of the injured and the friends and relatives of those innocents who were so casually and brutally sacrificed.

(Actually, this is utter nonsense. The Muslim community in Bedford had to a man condemned the bombings, and religious leaders have been at great pains to say that what has happened has no place whatsoever in their religion).

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SIR - Now that cyclists seem to, by what they regard as their 'right', have taken over the pavements, I have noticed they are expanding their activities by cycling over zebra crossings.

On Monday afternoon, two little charmers cycled at speed the wrong way on the pavement on the High Street, and then turned sharply without warning onto the zebra crossing by McDonalds.

This nearly caused a serious accident.

I have received a number of complaints from residents in my ward concerning similar incidents, and it would seem it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured.

However, I think it is important that we also recognise that we need to improve our cycling environment for our many law-abiding cyclists - particularly over the St Mary's bridge.

It is high time that a cycle path is provided on one side of the bridge, as it is currently impossible for two cars and a cyclist to safely travel over the bridge abreast.

Perhaps your readers may wish to offer their opinions on these issues.

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SIR - I notice the geese are back in their hundreds despoiling our once beautiful Embankment.

If the 'animal rights' get their way these creatures will take precedence over human beings' needs and rights.

Our council seems unable to deal with the situation in spite of the fact that they are paid to do the best for the town and its citizens.

(It hardly helps that so many well-meaning but misguided people supply so much food, despite notices all over the place prohibiting feeding).

BoS reports that crunch-time is coming up this week on the £200 million contract between the county council and HBS.

HBS has been providing services for Bedfordshire County Council since 2001 but some councillors have been unhappy about its performance.

A 'fundamental review' is to be discussed in secret on Tuesday at the Bedfordshire County Council executive committee.

All councillors have been invited to the meeting to ask questions but any decision will be made by the executive alone.

An HBS spokesman said:

"We are currently working together on a joint review of the Strategic Partnership. It is still ongoing and the outcome has not yet been finalised.

As far as we are aware, there is an internal meeting of the council's executive on Tuesday , as part of which they might discuss progress of the joint review.

We both continue to work towards a satisfactory outcome."

(Apart from those who are seeking to save face, I have yet to find anyone who will not concede that this partnership has proved a total disaster in the County! Actually, I'd like to extend the debate further and ask whether, in the light of the appalling record the County has in some areas, Bedford might not be better served as a Unitary authority. It should cut down on expenses and put the interests of the electors more in focus.)

On Thursday some 25 pupils from Biddenham Upper School were participating in the National Festival of Music for Youth at the Adrian Boult Hall in Birmingham. The steel band was accompanied by teachers, parents and other well-wishers, and the programme, put on by ten different groups, can only be described as breathtaking both in the accomplishment and variety of pieces.

Years ago (and I heard the same misconception only last week) I had the uninformed impression that steel bands were not for musically gifted. How wrong I was! I believe that all those playing this week are at grade six or above standard.

I usually shy away from festivals of this nature if they are local, partly because sometimes adjudicators come over as if it is an ego trip for them, rather than a means of encouraging the highest standards. Not so on this occasion - the three judges were top in the profession, and though reports will no doubt be sent to each participating school, the public comments were all affirming - and rightly so, given the considerable amount of work by pupils and teachers.

Our group was appropriately called the Clangers (Bedfordshire Clangers - know what these are?!) Overture, the first piece, has to be the most quietly played, sensitive piece I have ever heard on these instruments, and several people (not necessarily the supporters who can be forgiven for being a little biased!) commented that they were deeply moved by the beauty of the playing. Toco Band was a lively piece, with the performers clearly enjoying themselves! Then came "Force Field" - once again a slightly quieter piece played with a sensitivity that I don't think I have experienced before.

Actually, at the time of writing, we have yet to learn of the level of award, but fro our point of view, the only appropriate word to use is "Outstanding!"

Due credit must be given to Mark Horton, head of music, and to Mr. Murphy (sorry - don't have any more than this!) who is clearly adored by the performers! The way music, dance and drama has developed at the school in the past few years has been nothing short of spectacular. As for the performers, I doubt whether any of them quite appreciate the enjoyment they give to their parents and all those lucky enough to go to school functions, or the way they enhance the school's reputation. Every one of them are nothing short of stars!

Chris Almond, chairman of the Trade Justice network in Bedford, has been campaigning for more than ten years to raise awareness of the plight of Africa.

Chris said:

"Marching in Edinburgh was the culmination of all our local campaigning which began with the demonstration in Bedford town centre where 700 people signed postcards to send to the G8 leaders.

"The Edinburgh march was a phenomenal event. People of all ages and ethnic backgrounds used their own money to travel hundreds even thousands of miles to take part."

Clare Bissell, Jordan Anderson and Lucy Just, all members at Christ Church, Goldington Road, travelled overnight by bus to get there. Claire, who has used her gap year being an invaluable helper at the church said:

"There was no other option than to go to Edinburgh. Many people in Bedford are concerned about poverty and this was their chance to take their feelings to world leaders."

Demonstrators were upset by the lack of coverage, many feeling it was overshadowed by the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park. Claire commented;

"I am annoyed that Live 8 got more coverage, people went to Live 8 not knowing about the issues. I did not see one black face nor one campaigning banner in the audience. We went to Edinburgh to make a political statement.

It is not every day that campaigners climb up on top of bus shelters and police officers stand by and watch."

The Edinburgh event was organised months before Geldof's Live 8 extravaganza and was designed to be the main focus of the Make Poverty History campaign.

(Though the huge event in Hyde Park was supposed to draw attention to the Make Poverty History campaign, for the most part it was mainly an excuse for a huge concert, and those who went to the trouble of travelling to Edinburgh had every good reason to feel miffed over the poor media coverage, compared with the concert.)

Whilst some of our young people were in Edinburgh, Christ Church held a frugal meal on the theme of making poverty history, where a number of initiatives aimed at helping people in Africa to stand up for themselves, and be adequately remunerated. The church is very committed to Tradefair. Some sixty people attended, as also did Patrick Hall, MP, who spoke briefly, and who spent quite a long time listening to members' concerns.

Our church was crowded last week for the annual confirmation service. One has come to expect that this is an event only for teenagers, sadly many of which are never seen in church again. It was encouraging therefore that the ages of candidates varied from 16 to over eighty!

The picture shows the Bishop of Bedford, Richard Inwood, conducting the laying on of hands.

The confirmations were preceded by a baptism by immersion of Bryony Penman, daughter of members of our church. The church building has no baptistry for the purpose, so we had to make do with an outdoor baptism, and fortunately the weather was kind! The baptism was on CCTV so the congregation were able to witness this.

(I remember such events with affection, because quite a number of years ago one of my daughters was baptised by immersion in the same spot! I find it amusing to look back at that event, because I understand that several church members had gone to ask the church wardens whether this baptism was quite in order. The church wardens made their inquiries, and came back with the surprising information that baptism should be by total immersion unless sickness prevents this! So, at the risk of sounding controversial, Bryony has been baptised the correct way! Anyway, full marks for a plucky young lady, who braved this despite the fact that the water was very cold. She well deserved the huge round of applause from the close friends gathered by her, and from the congregation watching the event on the large screen inside.)

Another Biddenham Steel band - this time year 10 - entertaining this evening (Saturday) at St. Joseph's school, Queens Park, and evidently enjoying it themselves in the bargain! Usually it's heads down and concentrate, but occasionally someone might miss a note or play a wrong one, and the rest collapse into fits of laughter. All adds to the fun!

The school year now coming to an end, and unless something dramatic happens next week, I too will be having a bit of a rest! Many thanks again for the private emails and the guestbook entries.

All being well, I'll be back in the first week of next term.

Week ending 16 July 2005