News in brief

Occasional newsletter - mainly for expats

July 2007

Greetings from Bedford!

Thanks to those who pointed out that the County's web camera is not functioning. It seems to have been out of action since May! I have informed the I. T. department and was told that the matter would receive attention.

Hopefully the worst of the floods will be over by now, but for a while there was considerable concern that once again we would experience the same kind of problems as nearly 9 years ago.

However, a few days ago a severe flood warning was issued on the River Great Ouse between Turvey and Sharnbrook. I rang my cousin, who lives in Sharnbrook, and was relieved to learn that the situation was not bad, especially compared with Tewksbury and Oxford.

Parts of Radwell, Milton Ernest and Odell were under water, with Chellington, Felmersham, Oakley and Pavenham also affected.

Fire crews had to rescue the residents of a house in Carlton Road, Harrold at 5.40am on Monday morning when they were trapped by fast-rising flood waters.

Oakley's twin bridges are impassable due to flood water, as is the Felmersham to Sharnbrook bridge, the Carlton to Harrold bridge and the Radwell-Milton Ernest bridge.

There was a flood warning on the River Great Ouse between Sharnbrook and Bedford and a flood watch on the River Great Ouse between Bedford and Wyboston. However, the problem was relatively minor.

Turvey Lower School was opened as a potential refuge centre in case householders had to leave their homes at short notice.

Emergency services are advising people to stay away from affected roads and to make preparation to protect their homes in areas with a severe flood warning.

At one point trains between Bedford and Brighton were reduced to two an hour.

At the Embankment itself, two large willow trees fell into the river, ripping up part of the riverside path.

The Times&Citizen has grouped together some pictures that have been sent in to them. Click here to see them.

That said, the problems in our district have been minute compared with parts of Gloucestershire, and the floods and poor weather have been the main items on the national news for quite a few days now. I am sure that readers may have seen on television the devastation caused to so many people. It is indeed a disaster, and difficult to square up with the situation in Europe, where people are sweltering in temperatures reaching 40 degrees Centigrade. And change occurs so quickly too; when I started writing this newsletter it was very dark and the rain was pelting down. One hour later, the sun is shining brightly and I can hardly see a cloud in the sky!

To happier times, only a few days ago children were enjoying "Bedford by the sea" in the Harpur Square!

There were also other features, such as rides, but I seldom saw any child riding on them. One wonders whether these now have the same appeal, given Play Station and other more high-tech means of entertainment.

This is supposed to be the peak time for the gardens along the embankment, but the rain has stopped people from coming to admire the work. I've been criticized for publishing pictures of the Embankment, but equally there have been compliments!

However, the Embankment also has its occasional tragedies. On Tuesday I went to the embankment armed with my camera, only to find police and ambulance men about 100 yards or so from the main bridge. A man in his forties had suddenly taken it into his head to attempt to swim from one side of the river to the other. He was defeated by the strong currents and though attempts were made to revive him, he died, his body being recovered at the riverside opposite the Castle Mound.

The big news locally this week is that Bedford has gained the unitary status it was seeking, and consequently the Bedfordshire County Council will in due course cease to exist. The photograph shows the heading from the Times&Citizen.. The County Council, having reputedly spent a small fortune on lobbying, seemed confident to win, but probably its poor record over the years compared with the borough, coupled with high spending in the past, sealed its fate.

The Mayor, Frank Branston, pictured here with Shaun Field, the chief executive, is understandably ecstatic about the decision. It will probably take up to two years to sort out the repercussions of the government's decision.

However, yesterday's Ministerial statement does contain a caveat:

"We recognise on the basis of the available information that ..in.... the proposals from Bedford borough council, ...there are risks to their achieving the outcomes specified by the affordability criterion. Accordingly, we are asking these councils to undertake further work and submit additional information on the financial viability of their proposals. We will have regard to this information along with all other relevant available information before taking final decisions, if and when the Bill is enacted."

Implementing Bedford borough's proposal means that we must consider the future local government structures for the remaining county area. We are satisfied that this area needs unitary local government, and we intend formally to invite all the other councils in Bedfordshire to propose a unitary solution that would meet our five criteria for that remaining area."

See here. So it's not all over yet, and the County Council still appears to feel that there is still all to play for. But I am sure that the experts at the Town Hall will soon resolve any outstanding issues. One only hopes that the necessary cooperation will exist and that the transition will be smooth.

Though I have been firmly on the side of the Borough in its bid for unitary status, I can't help but commiserate with those in the County Council who will be affected. Clearly, a few jobs will have to go, though there are many who would remain because of their skills. Nevertheless, it must be a difficult time at County Hall. The latest edition of Beds. on Sunday (see here) suggests that the County is still goijg ahead with a lavish refurbishment of County Hall, something that might best have been put on ice, as either the Town Hall or County Hall must go.

Finally, for the locals, the Proms in the Park is on 4th August, and Russell Watson will be the guest singer. Further details from here.

Also, on Saturday 4th, it's Snakes Day at the Museum! The exhibition is free. Come and hold boa constrictors and pine snakes, and safely look at a three metre Burmese python! The experience scared me somewhat the first time, but seeing youngsters handling them without any fear left me feeling somewhat ashamed of myself!

Best wishes

More soon!

Robert