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BEDFORDSHIRE
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Events 2006
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All of the events organised by CPRE Bedfordshire are open to both members and non-members unless otherwise noted. It is always helpful if you can telephone on 01234 353331 or contact us by email 
beforehand, so that the organisers may have some idea of the numbers expected.
NOW updated for June, July and September !
Click here to show all events for 2008 in this page.
2008 January
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2008 February
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2008 March
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2008 April
Tuesday 15th April 2008
Coffee for CaSH
Many thanks to CPRE member and volunteer, Vanessa Hutton for hosting a coffee morning in aid of CPRE and CaSH, the campaign group opposing a football stadium and massive commercial development on Green Belt land near Junction 12 of the M1. We raised £113.05.
Thanks too to the many volunteers from CaSH who helped with organisation, baking cakes and providing other items for sale and the raffle.
For more details on this development see 'What's New' on our website or go to www.cash-harlington.org.uk
Thursday 24th April 2008 7.30pm
CPRE Bedfordshire AGM
Notice of the 21st Annual General Meeting to be held at BLETSOE VILLAGE HALL
CPRE's VISION FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE, 20:26
The formal business of the AGM will be followed by refreshments and a public meeting at 8.15pm, in the form of an address and debate on the development of CPRE's Vision for our countryside, 2026, in relation to Bedfordshire, given the particular problems facing its countryside. This will be led by Tom Oliver, Head of Rural Policy at the Campaign to Protect Rural England. This discussion is open to the public so please bring along friends and have your say in this important debate.
Please see Vision for the Countryside (PDF 108K) for details of the themes we shall be discussing.
Bletsoe Village Hall
Memorial Lane
Bletsoe
Bedford
MK44 1QJ
2008 May
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2008 June
Wednesday 25th June 2008
Evening CPRE circular walk from Harlington to Sundon, South Bedfordshire
Walking towards area threatened by stadium and warehousing development (OS 299 038)
A party of members and friends met in Harlington for another splendid midsummer walk. We were again led by Steve Williams (vicar of Harlington) and followed the line of the old road to Sundon (re-routed around 1810). We diverted from the route under the Midland mainline to view the site of the proposed ‘Junction 12 development’. This is a 200 acre site in the Green Belt intended for massive warehousing which would fund a new stadium for Luton Town football club. The area we saw was not being farmed and is being described as ‘derelict land suitable for this development’ when in fact it is reverting naturally to a wildlife site. The fact that the football club does not want to move here is of course of no concern to the developers.
We then walked south seeing in the distance several old moated manor sites and learning about John Wesley’s rides along this route. We skirted the former Sundon landfill site (in a former chalk quarry), now capped and under long term aftercare and monitoring. Leachate is seeping from the site across the footpath but did not seem to be polluting.
We walked through a belt of woodland and eventually reached the banks of another chalk quarry known as Sundon Springs. This was the site of a proposal in 1988 for a massive theme park development. Opposition to this was CPRE Bedfordshire’s earliest major campaign success when the developers eventually withdrew their appeal against refusal of permission from the County Council. The Council had already withdrawn the site from consideration as another landfill. We climbed one of the gentler slopes into the quarry, admired the distant views, the orchids at our feet and enjoyed the scents of wild thyme and marjoram. On arrival back in Harlington, we were able to relax with Steve in his local, the Carpenter’s Arms.
Once again, Steve prepared for us some interesting historical notes and maps to help us on our way. We still have copies in the office for anyone wishing to try the walk on their own.
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| Lovely views - waterhole near Sundon Country Park | From chalk pits looking SW towards Streatley |
2008 July
Saturday 12th July 2008
Music in country churches: St Mary Magdalen church
A packed audience filled this lovely church decked with flowers for the summer Festival and we all had a most delightful evening of organ playing interspersed with songs. Paul Edwards prepared a varied programme of short pieces ranging from compositions by contemporary organists working in English cathedrals to European composers from the 16th to 19th centuries, from the less well known to the famous, Mozart, J S Bach, Handel and Hayden.
Liz Budek, soprano and Yvette Howley, alto entertained us with their songs by composers such as Strauss, E J Moeran, Vaughan Williams, Mendelssohn and by Chopin two even sung in his native Polish. Most of the songs reflected themes of the countryside.
Paul also explained and demonstrated in his engaging manner some of the special qualities and lovely tone of the organ, built in 1858 by G M Holdich. He was a London organ-builder who specialised in small instruments for village churches although he built some for larger ones. This organ was given to the church by Louisa, Dowager Lady St John, widow of the 14th Baron of Melchbourne Park and has recently been most carefully restored by Robert Shaftoe of Stevington.
The evening was a successful joint fundraiser for the church's roof restoration and CPRE Bedfordshire. An informative Festival programme was also produced.
2008 August
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2008 September
Sunday 21st September 2008 - 2.15 for 2.30 pm start
Afternooon walk in Mid Bedfordshire
Mid Beds easy circular walk through an area of varied landscapes, from farmland, along the banks of the River Hiz and up to a fine viewpoint, east of Henlow Camp. Led by Martin Knight, co-author of an excellent booklet of 6 Walks around Henlow.
Meet: outside Hairdresser’s shop west side of A6001 0S 357165. Ample parking in and around the area. Stagecoach Mars M1 & M2 Hitchin-Bedford (01604 676060).
FREE to members. Others - £2.00 donation to CPRE Beds
Monday 29th September 2008
Understanding the planning system and how to influence local development.
All day training and practical guidance from expert planning consultant, Michael Brooks. Especially useful for Parish Councils. Cost per delegate –incl sandwich lunch & drinks £25.00 CPRE members (1 per affiliated group), £40.00 others.
Download further information PDFs of:
Programme details (28KB)
Application form (68KB)
Booking essential.
Venue: The Rufus Centre, Flitwick.
2008 October
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2008 November
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2008 December
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Please note that some events must be pre-booked.
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