Weekly news from Bedford, UK

The demise of Rover is having its impact locally. More than 150 jobs are to go as a major employer cuts back as a spin-off from the Rover car closure.

Foam and polyurethane producer Woodbridge Foam UK is located on the Elms Farm Industrial Estate and is listed on the Bedford Development Agency website as employing 200 people.

This week it emerged that the Canadian-owned business, which also has a branch in Solihull, is closing down its Bedford factory. Contractors are currently at the site loading up fixtures and machinery to move them to its Manchester factory.

The company makes car seats and other components for the motor industry.

One haulage worker said:

"I can't officially say what's happening, we're only here moving the stuff out but I am told this place is due to be closed down by September."

Nick Jaillet, a forklift truck operator at Woodbridge Foam, said:

"I know that all the contracts and stock are going up to Manchester over the next few weeks but the move isn't happening for a while. I think it will all be done by September time, that's what I have been told.

"None of the employees at this plant are going to keep their jobs because the work will all be up north.

"Am I worried? Not at all, I only recently started working here but I can't wait to get out. I just can't wait to leave."

A spokesman from Woodbridge Foams head office in Canada, Paul McKay, said:

"The downturn in the market, particularly the Rover situation, has forced us to take this drastic action. The plant will close at the end of September.

"The reason for the Bedford closure is driven by the significant reduction in sales in the UK and the need to reduce capacity due to ongoing financial losses."

Bedfordshire on Sunday has new owners.

Iliffe News and Media on Friday acquired LSNmedia Ltd, the free newspaper company started by Frank Branston.

Mr Branston founded the company with the launch of Bedfordshire on Sunday in 1977.

Since then the group has launched further newspapers in Luton, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, north Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes.

All the newspapers are known for their strong editorial stance and independence.

This will not change.

In October 2002 Mr Branston became the first directly elected Mayor of Bedford borough. He is up for re-election in 2007.

Iliffe News and Media publishes newspapers in Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, and Derbyshire.

The company also owns Channel TV.

It is a subsidiary of Yattendon Investment Trust plc (YIT).

David Fordham, group publishing director of YIT, said: "For some time we have been looking at opportunities to expand the range of newspaper titles we publish.

"With our existing media interests in Cambridge and Hertfordshire, the acquisition of LSNmedia is a logical extension of our existing activities and provides an excellent fit with our other publications."

Mike Richardson, who will continue as managing director of LSNmedia, said: "This is great news for us. It secures the future success of all of our titles and gives us a platform for growth."

Three dogs saved their owner from serious injury by barking out loud moments before the woman's bedroom ceiling caved in.

Debris crashed on to the bed and since then Patricia Collier, 64, says she has been left 'high and dry' by her landlords.

Mrs Collier, lives in a bungalow in Wootton run by Pilgrims Housing Association.

On April 22, her three Jack Russell terriers woke her up by yelping frantically outside the bedroom door at around 6.45am.

As she went into the hall to see what the fuss was, she heard 'an almighty crash'.

She returned to find the entire bedroom ceiling had collapsed and that only her dogs had saved her from injury.

People power paid off when the borough council rejected plans to knock down houses for an old folks' home.

More than 70 residents turned up to protest to the planning meeting at the Civic Theatre on Thursday night.

They were objecting to developers McCarthy and Stones' plans for the site on Putnoe Lane in Bedford.

After an initial update from the planning officers, objector Peter Holden was allowed to address the committee to explain Putnoe Lane residents' disapproval.

Mr Holden pointed out that they were not against the idea of sheltered housing, but they were against the density of the accommodation, the car parking provided and expressed doubts over the developers commitment once the development was completed.

Mr Holden referred to a development in Melksham, Wiltshire, where it is alleged that McCarthy and Stone washed their hands of parking shortages after residents and visitors found it impossible to find a space.

Commenting on the plans, Cllr Margaret Davey said:

"They are totally out of character with the surroundings. There is no architectural worth at all."

Cllr Anita Gerard said:

"The development is in the wrong place. It will end up looking like an army barracks."

When the vote was cast all members of the committee accepted the report of the planning officer by rejecting the application on the grounds of size and that the design would be detrimental to the character and appearance of the area.

After the meeting Mr Holden said:

"I am obviously very pleased with the committee's outcome.

"If the plans had been approved then a lot of damage would have been caused to the Putnoe Lane area."

Paul Trofimov of McCarthy & Stone said: "We are disappointed by the decision as the building meets development control standards. Bedford's planning officers accept that we have overcome the other planning issues.

"There is a desperate need for this type of home - indeed several people on our waiting list locally are now looking at moving to another county."

Letters have been winging backwards and forwards between an MP and the chief constable over Bedfordshire on Sunday's front page two weeks ago, when it revealed that police have been told to take their shoes off and not use sniffer dogs when raiding Muslim homes.

An 18-point guide issued by Bedfordshire Police listed dos and don'ts when dealing with Muslims suspected of terrorist or drugs offences.

Patrick Hall, MP for Bedford and Kempston has written to the chief constable, Gillian Parker, over the story.

His letter starts by saying that a senior police officer had confirmed the 'accuracy of the lead report in Bedfordshire on Sunday, published July 31'.

It continued:

'While I expect police officers to be highly professional and to respect human dignity in carrying out their work, I do not expect them to show preferential treatment to any individual or section of society. Equal treatment before the law and by the police is essential.'

The Muslim community in Bedford agrees. Asif Nadim, 38, is the chairman of the Mosque in Westbourne Road, Bedford.

Mr Nadim said:

"We do not want to be treated any differently. We expect to be afforded the same dignity and respect as anyone else - no more no less.

"On the matter of shoes we normally have one room in the house specifically for prayers, where no shoes or anything dirty is permitted. The rest of the house is like anyone else's house."

The chief constable is sticking by the decision to issue the guidelines.

In a letter of reply to Mr Hall, Gillian Parker wrote:

'The reason for re-circulating advice about entering Muslim households at this time is self-evident.

At this time the Muslim community feels victimised and it is going to be less than helpful if Bedfordshire Police add to those feelings by not being aware of some of the sensitivities of that community.

'Much of the advice contained within the document is generic and I would expect staff to apply it across the board. For example, not using inappropriate language and treating everyone with dignity and respect.'

A serving police officer said:

"I'm with the MP and Mr Nadim but not unfortunately with my boss. The advice was not generic but applied specifically to Muslims.

"It is headed 'Advice to police entering Muslim households' and every paragraph refers specifically to Muslims."

Letters continue to pour in:

SIR - I have just finished reading the article 'Cops keep the faith' (Bedfordshire on Sunday front page July 31) and I find myself appalled. What makes being Muslim different from being any other human on the face of this earth?

If a muslim household has nothing to hide then there should be no reason for a forced entry.

As members of a civilised society, all people, Muslim or others, should be more than willing to co-operate in any police investigation of illegal activity such as terrorism or drug offences.

While I understand that a person's dignity should be respected, I do not feel that it is fair to allow the residents of the home to dictate how the home is to be searched. The result of this will be that the people with the intent to perpetrate these crimes will use the guidelines the police have set forth to hide their criminal activity.

Have we not seen drugs hidden in a child's diaper to try to get past security forces?

Have we not seen explosives hidden in hollowed out shoes?

What is to prevent someone from making a false cover of a Koran and hiding explosives or drugs inside?

While I understand that the Muslim community is under extreme scrutiny because of everything that is happening in the world right now, I also believe that all people are created equal and if this special treatment applies to Muslims, than it should also apply to every other person.

If a person, regardless of their religion, has nothing to hide and is a good citizen then they should be co-operative with any investigation that would help to stop any crimes from occurring.

As one person who believes in justice for all, when there are laws and rules to follow when living in any society, all must follow them.

This reminds me of a case here in the States where a Muslim woman did not want to take her covering off to get her photo taken to obtain a driver's license.

If a person wants the privilege they must also go along with the rules that come with that privilege.

I have the utmost respect for all people, including Muslims, I can only pray that they will have respect for our investigating officers and allow them entry if requested and be forthcoming with information that will prevent more people from being hurt.

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SIR - Have you lost your minds? Be sure to call the suspected terrorists in advance and let them know you're coming, that way they can hide the evidence and let the criminals escape.

You are fools of the highest order.

We across the pond continue to watch and prepare. We're not going to let them get away with it.

We still have the right to protect ourselves and will exercise it, regardless of what the politically correct element has to say.

Should the pc crowd continue to protect the enemies of the West, well, then they can admit that they are traitors and suffer whatever legal fate awaits them.

My descendants came from the British Isles in the 19th century. They would be appalled, absolutely appalled at what British society has become.

May God (the Christian one) have mercy on your souls.

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SIR - I have been impressed by the logical and pragmatic approach to the current terrorist threat adopted by the Metropolitan Police.

However, your revelations about Bedfordshire Police's 18-point guide describing how officers are to search the homes of Muslims who are suspected of serious crimes are almost incredible.

If you have reported this correctly it is the zenith of illogic and irresponsibility, which threatens the security of all citizens in Bedfordshire.

Have they considered the likely consequences of this daft and discriminatory policy?

To select a few of the points;

• Discouraging raids on Muslim houses to maintain religious dignity is likely to result in fewer serious crimes being detected.

• Removing shoes before entering a property will prevent effective pursuit.

• Avoiding the use of sniffer dogs will increase the chance of drugs and explosives remaining undetected.

• Standing aside to allow occupants to finish prayers during a raid will provide a superb opportunity for others to make their escape.

• Seeking to avoid entering occupied bedrooms and bathrooms would offer precious time to dispose of illicit items.

Thus not only has the effectiveness of the police in countering serious crime been compromised but also discrimination against all other members of the population - who presumably will not be afforded such consideration - has been instituted.

The obvious lesson for Islamic terrorists is to leave London for Bedfordshire, where you will be able to go about your work with much less likelihood of police interference.

I would like to hear urgent reassurance from the Chief Constable that the first responsibility of our police is to protect public safety and not the sensitivities of single groups.

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SIR - I would like to comment on your front page article headlined 'Cops keep the faith'.

I am a middle aged Christian woman, who, should the police ever have cause to enter my home, would also like the police to remove their shoes before tramping through my home.

Also I am very frightened of dogs, so would not want one in my home, I would be very upset if anyone, let alone the police, saw me unclad, or that I might be on a police video without the appropriate clothing, and would hope that they would also give me time to dress, whilst averting their eyes.

I also hold bible study in my home and would feel that it would be a desecration of my premises.

The reason that I am saying this, is to show that I, as a Christian, would like the same respect for my religion, but it would appear that even though I live in a Christian country, I am sure I would not be allowed the same privileges.

I would be interested to see the equivalent copy of the Christian guidelines that the police follow when entering a Christian home.

I am not against any other religion, I pray daily, that one day, we will all be able to share love and peace in this country, whatever our religion, creed or colour.

But whilst it is shown that some have special treatments for fear of upsetting their religious beliefs, we will have to strive harder to make that possible, as this elitism only serves to widen the gap between us.

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SIR - If you will excuse the expression, your police seem to be shooting themselves in the foot.

While it is entirely right that the customs and sensitivities of Muslims should be treated with respect, there are two problems with the guidelines issued by Bedfordshire Police.

First, it gives the impression, whether true or not, that Muslims are getting preferential treatment over other citizens. Either it is just for Muslims or it is for everybody. If this is for everybody, why do the guidelines not say so?

Second, it is causing exactly the problems I assume the police wish to avoid: that is creating further tensions between the police and other communities, rather than easing them.

Over here in the USA we are sometimes thought of as having a 'shoot first ask second' mentality but I would like to think we would have handled this kind of issue with much more obvious fairness and clarity.

And now the other letters:

SIR - Most people are becoming particularly irritated with petty restrictions imposed by local authorities in the name of health and safety.

Yet when it comes to the health of our children who like to walk and play on the grassy sides of Bedford's embankment, they are in danger of diseases from the complete coverage of excrement delivered by the Canadian Geese.

These are classed as vermin and their numbers are now completely out of control.

If we were overrun by rats would the council take the same attitude?

The present situation is an utter disgrace and we are entitled to immediate action.

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SIR - Scrapping the East of England Regional Assembly cannot come too soon.

Apart from being an unnecessary tier of government it was never meant to be a conduit to impose European doctrine and governance at the expense of British sovereignty or dividing Britain into manageable Euro regions.

In addition, the bleatings of the Borough representatives, Cllrs Hunt and Bagchi, both Labour, clearly confirm they are inappropriate to represent an area that is 89 per cent anti-Europe or a council that is only 25 per cent Labour.

Their hopeless reasoning to justify the existence of EERA, being the invention of John Major, entirely fails to account that it has been secretly commandeered by Prescott for undemocratic and anti-national purposes.

Does their same misguided reasoning also agree that hypodermic syringes were invented only for drug addicts?

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SIR - The East of England Assembly is a waste of money. I proposed a motion to full council to end the contribution from Bedford Borough Council but a majority of councillors disagreed so local taxpayers have to continue to pay up. Recent articles in BoS confirm my view.

Let's save the money and reduce the burden on the local taxpayer.

THE county council is getting behind plans for a rowing lake to be built in time for the London Olympics.

The lake has been held up by Bedfordshire County Council failing to treat the matter with any urgency.

Now at last the council is looking to support the scheme, which could see a world class rowing lake and country park built at Willington.

A meeting of interested parties was held at County Hall on Monday and although there are still some i's to be dotted and t's crossed, it looks as though it will happen.

The county council is seeking funding, although much of the lake will be 'built' for free.

Construction company La Farge is currently excavating gravel at the site and has agreed to join up the holes rather than fill them in.

This will provide the western end of the lake.

The eastern end contains 'fill' material which can be used to help create a golf course over the road from the proposed lake.

Such a lake makes it much more likely that Bedford will be able to attract Olympic teams to the area for the 2012 Games.

County councillors John Scott and Lynne Faulkner have issued a joint statement, which said:

"The county council fully understands why local people are excited at the idea of prestigious rowing lake and the potential economic benefits it could bring to the community.

It should be a particular boost at a time when London is preparing to host the 2012 Olympics and the spotlight will be on British sporting venues. We support the project in principle."

(I've left out some of the more abrasive small party politics letters, which are tiresome to read!)

Last week I mentioned the issue where the County is now seeking to back out of an outsourcing of services to Hyder. Most people felt at the time that it was not a sensible move, and now comes the parting of the waves.

But at what cost? Unless the councillors who precipitated this unwise move are to be surcharged, and I doubt this will be the case, the rate-payers will be expected to foot the bill for the separation. But how much? Unfortunately the wise owls at County Hall do not appear to think sufficiently highly of the public to let them know.

Now The Times & Citizen has launched a legal bid to expose the costs of Bedfordshire County Council ditching its private partner company.

It was announced last Friday the local authority had reached a settlement with Hyder Business Services (HBS).

But the agreement was "confidential" and no financial details have been released by County Hall.

Under freedom of information law, this newspaper has demanded the council tell taxpayers how much public money is in the pay-off.

Backing our call, MP for Bedford and Kempston Patrick Hall said he will begin his own efforts to get at the truth should the council clam up. Mr Hall said:

"If a contract is ended before time, we know there is a price to be paid. If it's in the public sector involving taxpayers' money, it's healthy and good for local democracy that this information is made available.

The fact it's not is a further indication of how far removed from the ordinary people of Bedfordshire the county council has become. I think this information is relevant to the people I represent and if the county council won't see sense I will look at how we can get it from them through the freedom of information law."

The council joined forces with HBS four years ago in a deal worth £250 million over 12 years.

In a partial privatisation of County Hall, the company took over finance, personnel, IT, education and development services, highways and transport, and business support.

The contract was trumpeted as a way of injecting investment and commercial know-how into the public sector.

But since then the council has been hit by a series of damaging reports by local government watchdogs on the quality of its services.

Last year its partnership with HBS in particular came under fire, with inspectors claiming it was "not delivering improvements".

The council was also slated for its "inability to manage its financial position effectively".

The council launched a review of its ties with HBS in the autumn to see if improvements could be made.

But with no solutions found, last month it gave one month's notice of ending the deal for breach of contract.

Leader of the council Coun Madeline Russell said the severance deal would see the council pay HBS for assets it was taking over, such as a computer system and hardware, furniture and a call centre.

The cost of the settlement could not be divulged, she added, but would be scrutinised by independent financial inspectors.

Coun Russell said:

"Our legal advice is that we have to keep it confidential in spite of being a local authority.

"It will be the district auditor who holds us to account, and I believe the district auditor will think it's a good deal for Bedfordshire."

(As for those who put them in power, they are evidently deemed not wise enough to be allowed to know. If this goes on much further, the clamour for the abolition of the County Council will become larger and larger.)

In an email I am taken to task for my comment last week about standards, using the analogy of the four minute mile. Surely, I am informed, everyone knows that standards are slipping dramatically.

I just wonder whether the writer is a parent of a youngster just taking GCSE or "A" levels. After working very hard, their enthusiasm is dampened by some old duffer who says that things aren't what they were like in his day...

Some years ago I sat on an "A" level moderating committee, and we had an exceptionally good entry one year. The examining board's statisticians came in and said that we would need to revise downwards the marks. We all held firm, feeling that this was an atrocious way of dealing with youngsters. Anyone who has been a teacher will say that there are good years and bad years, and just to fiddle around with marks in order to satisfy the statisticians is a bad ploy, unfair to pupils and to their teachers.

There may well be a case for introducing more demanding questions for the really high flyers. I understand that some years ago athletics officials, concerned over the fact that javelin throwers were getting so good at their sport that there was a danger of one landing in the crowd, decided on a heavier javelin. However, nobody said that standards were slipping!

To dismiss success with "Ah, but it's only because standards are being lowered" is an insult to them - and also to their teachers.

Wishing you a good week ahead

Week ending 20 August 2005