2

WILLINGTON POST OFFICE & STORES

Telephone: 01234 838240

Newspaper & magazine delivery to Cardington, Cople, Willington and Moggerhanger

Fresh bread and cakes from local bakery and decorated cakes for special occasions.

Fruit & vegetable baskets made up for special

occasions.

Home delivery on purchases over

£10.00

Gas and Electric key charging

Post Office counter for: Banking & Foreign currency

Car tax phone & broadband services Savings, Insurance, Mail

Shop Opening Hours

Monday – Friday 6.30am to 6.00pm Saturday 7.00am to 6.00pm Sunday 8.00am to 12 noon

3

Cople News

Editor : Ged Peeke 39 Willington Road, Cople, Beds, MK44 3TH

Tel 01234 838379 Email: coplenews@yahoo.com

Deadline for copy and advertising 15th of every month

Advertising Rates Annual Charges

Full Page £96 Half Page £48

Delivered free to every home in Cople every month Circulation 360 copies

Front cover picture: The Pantomime by Ian Whiting and Claire Bardman. Back Cover Picture. Dave Hillyard provided by Sue and Jason Hillyard

Panto update Tickets will shortly be on sale for the panto. As a reminder there

will be 3 performances, 7.30pm on Friday 28th March and 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday 29th March.

If you are interested please contact one of the following to

reserve tickets:

£8 for adults and £5 for children 12 and under.

Vaughan & Marilyn Southgate on 01234 838714 Fran Moore on 01234 831466 Julia Moore on 07837 105964

A Date for your Diary

12th April Quiz Night and light supper in the Church

4

Churchwarden’s letter The Christmas Carol service held on 22nd December, consisting of carols and readings, followed by mulled wine and mince pies provided by the ‘Friends’, was as expected, a very special Christmas service. The service was attended by a joyful congregation of over a hundred people who gave generously to a collection which is to be shared with BECHAR, a local charity for homeless people, and the church. Our grateful thanks to Rev Stephen Heap who kindly led the service as well as leading the midnight communion service. This service was also well attended by villagers, friends and family and our neighbours from the surrounding villages.

The Carol service was preceded by Rounds and Call changes by the newly formed band of village bell ringers. Our thanks to the ‘volunteer’ readers who were recruited to read at the Carol service, to the other talented members of our community who sang, played instruments and performed some of our favourite seasonal songs after the Carol service.

On Christmas eve we had another traditional and very enjoyable event ,the crib service, when the children acted out the story of the nativity.

The sum of £936 was raised by the Benefice of Cople, Moggerhanger and Willington during our 2013 Mission project. This has enabled us to donate the money to help towards providing sewing machines in Uganda and bicycle repair kits in Ghana to enable people in both countries to become more self sufficient. For the year 2014 the PCC’s have chosen St Johns Hospice in Moggerhanger as our mission project.

On to vacancy news. All of the individual Parish and Benefice profiles were submitted as required in January. The profiles were designed and printed by Colin Taylor who has done a splendid job. Interviews will take place in February. In the event of there being no suitable candidate further advertising will take place as soon as possible. We sincerely hope that this will not be the case and that someone will be successful.

We need to update some of the records displayed in the church and need the services of a calligrapher. Please contact Mike Vacher on 831705 if anyone is able to help.

We have just received the Architect’s Quinquennial report on the condition of the church building and the surrounding church yard. We are pleased to report that there are no major problems to be addressed. However, there are always maintenance issues to address and we are very grateful to the ‘Friends’ for their considerable financial support in respect of the fabric and to the Parish Council for the Church Yard maintenance. The Parish Council has recently arranged for the re pointing of the church yard wall by the bus stop.

We have maintained the usual pattern of services with help from visiting clergy and we are heartened by the support of the congregation. We will continue with all services ,the times of which are posted on the church noticeboard and recorded in this village magazine.

The family service on the first Sunday of the month is a great service to attend if you haven’t been to church for some time. Or why not try our Songs of Praise at 6pm on the second Sunday of the month. We have favourite hymns introduced by the congregation intermingled with some poetry. Refreshments are provided after both services You will be made most welcome at any of the services you might attend.

June Shanahan and Mike Vacher

5

Mothers Union

At our meeting on the 13th January, Jill welcomed our 3 new members to the branch.

After prayers, a discussion then took place on our programme for this year, as well as a number of Deanery events taking place, the first of these being the Lady Day Service in March.

Our next branch meeting will take place on Monday 10th February at 2pm in Cople Church when our new members will be officially enrolled into the Mothers Union.

We will now be meeting on the second Monday in the month and at the new time of 2pm.

Jill was thanked for her hospitality, at the end of our January meeting Liz Buck

Prayer

Help us to live this day quietly, easily; to lean on your great strength trustfully, restfully; to wait for the unfolding of your will patiently, serenely; to meet others peacefully, joyously; to face tomorrow confidently, courageously in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen (Anthology of Public Prayers)

Architectural Design

Stephen Funge Architectural Design

Tel 01234 381304. Mob 07710 268372 Stephen@architecturaldesign.co.uk

Stephen Funge MCIAT MAPM

Planning and Building Regulations Applications.

Design and Project Management.

Extensions, New Houses, Offices, Shops.

Call for a chat. No obligation

6

7

ACE PEST CONTROL

Fast Efficient Service

Rats, Mice, Fleas, Moles, Wasps, Bird Proofing etc

We offer very competitive rates with normally same day service

Proprietor: Mr J. T. Hillyard Telephone 01234 - 838391

8

Wild about Cople Already, even though we are just a few weeks into the New Year, it is surprising how the slowly lengthening days begin to fire Nature up in readiness for all that spring has to bring. And that increase in light (varying between 1 and 3 minutes each day) also triggers a response in me – a real desire and impatient anticipation in wanting to see everything unfurl into life again as another year begins and we hurtle towards spring

And for those who, like me, can’t contain their excitement, but who know where, how and when to look, there are plenty of clues as to what is to come, even this early in the year.

Imagine it is early morning, say 6.30am and I’m getting ready for work. There’s just a slight glimmer in the air, a hint in the sky; a lightening, especially if the morning is sunny. In the distance a singing bird catches my ear. Just a few wild, skirled notes a loud, fluty call but at the same time a strangely dream-like song as if the bird is singing behind closed doors which occasionally open to let the song come through clearly then closes and the song becomes muffled. The bird? Its a Mistle Thrush, the ‘Stormcock’, the ‘Hollin Cock’ (so named because it will often defend a holly tree and its berries by driving off other birds that may try to take the berries), the Welsh call it ‘Brych y Coed’ or ‘King of the Copse’ due to its pugnacious behaviour when defending its nest, even driving off and diving at foxes, cats, squirrels, even humans. The song of this thrush is one of the very early signs of spring coming. Singing into the teeth of a gale from the very top of the tallest tree – that’s the mistle thrush for you.

And then, a classic, it is evening this time, early February and you can just begin to feel the evenings drawing out. A soft evening, pleasantly mild and there is just the merest hint of something slightly indefinable in the air – is it spring we can feel? But in the distance, heard as if in a dream, I catch the mellow richness of a blackbird singing, the first of the year, just tuning up. Just a few fluting phrases but there is no doubt about it – it is a blackbird. And that first song is a real cusp, a real turning point and it makes me tingle with excitement, with the thought of ‘all that’s about to come’.

This time it’s midday and I’m walking across the fields out the back of the village when, suddenly, out of the brown fields studded with green shoots, a small clod of brown earth becomes a brown bird which rises with shivering wings and climbs rapidly into the blue and as it climbs, it sings. Pouring out a non-stop, breath taking song of liquid beauty as it showers the ground below with silver – it may sing for 20 minutes or more and so we have the skylark, another of the spring-bringers.

Just three examples, of many – see if you can hear the spring-bringers yourselves!

And, even down on and under the earth the increasing day length will be having subtle effects on all manner of other wildlife. Newts and frogs will be stirring and heading to our ponds, deep in their warm setts female badgers will be giving birth to tiny cubs and, under the soil, bulbs will be pushing their green shoots up towards the light.

As I write this, just after Christmas, we are having blustery weather but we have had a remarkably mild winter to date. But, who know what the weather will be by the time you are reading this! As the old country saying goes – ‘As the days get longer, the cold gets stronger’. . . You have been warned!

But, to back to the coming spring, the poet Henry Reed wrote a brilliant poem contrasting the stripping down and loading of a gun with the coming of spring. It is

9

called ‘The Naming of the Parts’ (written in 1942) and here is a verse from it:

And this you can see is the bolt. The purpose of this Is to open the breech, as you see. We can slide it Rapidly backwards and forwards: we call this Easing the spring. And rapidly backwards and forwards The early bees are assaulting and fumbling the flowers: They call it easing the Spring.

Finally, Dave Hillyard, my dear friend and ex-work colleague sadly passed away in December last year. I used to work as a Ranger and Dave was Head Ranger and my boss. He was a true countryman and an inspiration to me and to many others. He was also my predecessor in that he wrote a regular wildlife and countryside article in Cople News for many years. My sympathies go to his lovely wife Sue and all his family. Therefore I would like to dedicate this article to Dave and all that he loved.

RIP Dave, you’ll never be forgotten. . . Steve Halton stevehalton@gmail.com

Cople Village Hall and Playing

Field

Available for Hire for

Private Functions, Children’s Parties,

Weddings, Conferences

and other bookings by arrangement

Hire Charge from £ 9 per hour

Please Contact

Bookings Officer: David Reardon

Telephone : 01234 838987

All Saints Church

Churchwardens

June Shanahan Mike Vacher 34 Grange Lane 91 Willington Road Cople Cople Tel: 01234 831705 Tel: 01234 831207 juneshanahan748@btinternet.com vacher309@btinternet.com

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Friendly advice available Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat, 10 am – 6 pm,

Please phone: 01234 831058

Photos, Prints, Textiles, Objects,

Embroideries, Canvases, Mirrors,

original art on paper or board,

laminating.

Framing from budget to

conservation standard.

Large choice of mountboard,

glass and frames, including

hand-finished frames.

12

13

Contact us now for a free, no obligation quote

Glyn Carroll 2 Glebe Road, Sandy, Beds, SG19 1LT

01767 680898 / 07859 070517 e-mail:glyncarroll@btinternet.com

We hold a valid Waste Carriers Licence Public Liability insurance to 5 million.

We are a small, friendly, reliable Construction Company based in Sandy.

We specialise in Plastering, Bricklaying, Decking, Fencing and Patios, but can fulfil all your

building requirements.

14

15

HORSE OWNERS

BORED WITH HACKING? FANCY DOING SOMETHING NEW?

WANT TO HAVE SOME FUN WITH YOUR HORSE? WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR HORSE’S MANNERS?

THEN

WHY NOT HAVE A LOOK AT NATURAL

HORSEMANSHIP?

£15 p/h

Call Heather on 01767 627161 Heather.stopher@btinternet.com

16

Dave Hillyard (1939-2013) This tribute to Dave Hillyard has been taken from Charlie Porter’s address at his memorial Service held in All Saints Church on 18th December 2013. Editor.

Dave “Shady” Hillyard could be summed up in two words, countryman and character. His father and mother, Archie and Kath, lived in Moxhill Cottages and it was here on the 15th May 1939 that Dave was born, a young brother for Shirley. They spent a wonderful childhood here being allowed to roam free over the countryside all day long, their adventures often taking them over the ruins of Highland Farm or as far as the railway tunnel and often on through it, which was possibly not the safest way to spend an afternoon as it was then in regular use.

His father Archie was the cowman on the Vincent farm and he delighted in teaching Dave all about the countryside. How to identify birds and their eggs, how to snare rabbits and rats, how to look after and use ferrets and all about the dark art of using a catapult to get the odd pheasant, but always for the pot and never for sale. He also taught him how to look after animals and birds as they used to have an array of wild pets which once included a Cormorant.

His schooling began at Cople School under head teacher Mrs Slater. Aged 11 he was the second person to win a scholarship from Cople School, the first being his sister Shirley, Dave going to the Boys Modern and Shirley to Dame Alice. Dave left the Modern aged 16 to join the Merchant Navy as an apprentice Officer on the City Line. For 3 years he enjoyed going all over the world visiting many exotic cities and countries. However he became restless as so much time was spent in docks which invariably were in the sleazier parts of wonderful cities. When he returned to Cople he found to his disappointment that he had then got to do National Service. So he spent the next 3 years in the RAF in Kilburn in the Recruiting Department.

It was towards the end of this time that he was to meet the love of his life, one Sue Calvert. They fell in love and a year later Dave proposed. But Sue said no as it was going to be her birthday and she didn’t want it to clash with something else that was going on. So it was 4 more years before he proposed again. She definitely said yes this time. Amazingly, for the entire 5 years of their courting, Dave wrote Sue a letter and often a poem every day. In 1966 they were married and moved to their first home, 25 Water End, where in 1967 Jason was born and in 1973 Samantha. Whilst here he worked at Hunting Engineering, for Michelin Tyres, Driving a cement Lorry, in Pest Control and also a spell on the farm.

He loved Water End and gave his children a similar childhood to the one that he had had, wild animals were a big part of it. A muntjac fawn was reared as well as a Jackdaw. Dave also had a pet owl which would ride on his pushbike handlebars every night when he went to the pub at 10.40 exactly for his regular couple of pints. The owl would then sit in a tree and then fly back onto the bike for the ride back home.

On a very wet day in 1974 the family moved by tractor and trailer to Rye Crescent because with 2 children they now needed a bigger, more modern house which would also be a lot better for little Sam who sadly had Cystic Fibrosis.

It was also about now that their neighbour told Dave that she had seen a job advert for a Countryside Ranger and that she thought that he would be perfect for it. He duly applied for and got the job as Ranger for Harrold Country Park and the surrounding area. This job was perfect for Dave and he was brilliant at it. Visitors to the park would relish meeting and chatting to him and others said that they didn’t mind walking alone there now because they just felt safe knowing that Dave was around. He would also do talks to schools, WIs and other groups about his

17

work, always taking one of his beloved dogs with him, which the children loved.

He was then promoted to Head County Ranger overseeing a team of 5 other Rangers. He was an inspirational leader and the team all loved him because he was a true countryman who could blend a love of shooting with a love of conservation. They all also remember his fashion sense: sandals and shorts whatever the weather, only resorting to convention when it actually snowed !!

His boss, Clive Beckett, remembers him as such a hard working, conscientious man who would work round the clock whatever the day and do anything, anytime, anywhere for anybody and whatever he did it was always to the highest of standards. His secretary, Linda Adams, says that you could never seem to keep Dave in the office for more than half an hour before he got edgy and wanted to be off outside with his dog to do some proper work. He did this job for over 20 years and it is safe to say that those that worked with him will agree that he was simply the best and utterly irreplaceable.

Away from work Dave loved shooting and used to help Jason out with the keepering both on Diggles shoot at Old Warden and also at Capons at Broom. He even named one of his dogs Major, after Major Diggle, for whom he had the greatest respect.

At busy times he would also help Jason with the Pest Control Business. He was a dab hand at trapping, a skill he had learnt from Archie, and many a garden or sports field has been cleared of moles or rabbits. His customers would all be grateful, not only for the job done but also for having had the opportunity to meet and chat to such an interesting and knowledgeable man.

Dave also enjoyed doing charitable work, and along with other family members and friends helped to raise tens of thousands of pounds for the Cystic Fibrosis Charity. Dave had such a close bond with Sam which began when he held her little incubator as it was rushed from Bedford to London when she was only a few hours old. They shared a similar sense of humour and would cherish time spent together be it in the countryside, car or home.

Dave was an excellent writer and had a superb command of the English language to the extent that he would proof read the International CF Magazine that Sam used to edit and proof read other publications as well. Many of us will have enjoyed the articles about the countryside that he used to write in the Parish Magazine for 5 years. These were much awaited for and anticipated because he was never afraid to say exactly what he thought and along the way he ruffled a few feathers, but usually these feathers deserved to be ruffled!

There was a period in their lives when Dave and Sue parted, their interests taking them in different directions. Sam had also flown the nest to lead a fully independent life in-spite of her illness. So for 7 years Dave remained in Cople and Sue moved to Cardington. It was the sudden and tragic death of Sam which bought them back together again as they supported one another through this saddest of times.

Photography was a hobby that also helped Dave at this sad time and many of us will have seen some of his stunning shots. Patience and knowing when and where to be enabled him to capture some wonderful wildlife and landscape scenes.

Even when he was diagnosed with the debilitating lung and circulatory condition COPD in 2007 he was able to carry on with his photography. Towards the end of his life the COPD got worse and Dave required round the clock nursing and it was then that he moved into the Airdale Home in Bedford which provided the most amazing care for him.

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COMPOST AND MORE

HOME AND GARDEN PRODUCTS

www.compostandmore.co.uk

Free next day delivery in Bedfordshire on orders over £40.00.

Dumpy bag of soft wood logs £60.00. Dumpy bag of hard wood logs £75.00.

Kindling from £1.50 per bag. Soft wood logs 5 nets for £10.00. Hard wood logs 3 nets for £11.00.

www.compostandmore.co.uk

Heidi@compostandmore.co.uk

01234838755

07707198022

FOR THE GARDEN 6- 50L bags of organic compost £10.00

3- 70L bags of bark chippings £10.00

70L play bark £5.99 a bag

Mini digger and skip loader hire also available.

Heidi Robinson

9 Bedford Road Cople

MK44 3TP

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Tracy Herrick 76 Willington Rd. Cople 01234 831079

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Cople Village Trust 200 Club

Prize winners for December 2013

1st Prize of £60 186 A Tedder 2nd Prize of £30 209 J Prior 3rd Prize of £10 171 Unallocated

Prize winners for January 2014

1st Prize of £60 110 Jane Barnard 2nd Prize of £30 120 Steve Brown 3rd Prize of £10 293 Michelle Robertson

Mobile Library for February

Wednesday 12th and 26th

10:00 to 10:20am All Saints Road 10:25 to 10:45am Water End 10:50 to 11:10am Outside Five Bells

kevin@1wood99.freeserve.co.uk

21

Eamonn , Julie and Katie would like to welcome you to the Five Bells in Cople , a traditional country village pub .

It is our intention to provide a warm welcome in comfortable surroundings for visitors and locals alike to enjoy a drink or a

hearty meal .

Wherever possible , we have sourced our ingredients from local suppliers and our menu is designed to be as homemade as

possible .

We also provide a wide selection of fine ales , wines and spirits and great care is taken to ensure they are kept to the highest

standard

Themed Menu every Wednesday Live Music most Saturday nights (see website for details)

Sunday Roasts £8:50 (Very popular, booking recommended) Party bookings available

Tel : 01234 831330 www.fivebellscople.com

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Small Business Management Services

Practical Management Advice & Assistance Process Analysis & Legal/Contractual Compliance Review Personnel, Motivation, Disaster Recovery Planning Discreet and independent Incident/Accident Investigations

Business Computer Systems New start or upgrading; Desktops, Laptops and/or iPads Traditional server/client or ‘in the cloud’; Remote management Supply, Installation, Configuration, Training, Support & Back-up

Management Systems Consultancy Vendor Assessments, Inspection Regimes & Internal Audits ISO9001/14001/27001/OHSAS18001/etc implementation

’20+ years of hands-on management experience’

Any distance - Ian McIver - Sensible B2B rates m: 07968 568 057 e: ian@ianmciver.freeserve.co.uk

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Sunday Church Services in February

2nd 11:15am Family Service

9th 09:00am 09:45am 6:00pm

Holy Communion BCP Sunday School Songs of Praise

16th 09:45am 11:15am

Sunday School All age Communion.

23rd 09:45am 11:15am

Sunday School Sung Communion

Cople All Saints

Willington Saint Lawrence

2nd 10:00am Holy Communion BCP

9th 11:15am Parish Praise

16th 10:00am Sung Communion

23rd 10:00am All age Communion

Moggerhanger St John the Evangelist

2nd 09:00am Sung Communion

9th 10:00am Family Service

16th 6:00pm Songs of Praise

23rd 09:00am All Age Communion

Cople Carpet Bowls Club

Have you ever thought of playing bowls. If so why not come along and join in a game of carpet bowls which is played indoors on a 30 ft carpet in Cople Village Hall on Wednesday evenings 7:30 to 10:00 pm Any enquir-ies contact Pauline on 01234 838102.

Pauline Baynes.

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February Diary Monday 3rd

11:00am Tiny tots sing along Cople Church

6:15pm Junior choir practice Cople Church

8:00pm Panto rehearsal Cople Church

Tuesday 4th

09:00am Morning Prayers Moggerhanger

10:00am to 12:00 Coffee morning Village Hall

2:30pm Over 60s Club Sports and Social

7:30pm Bell Ringing Cople Church

Wednesday 5th

12:30pm School Choir Cople Church

7:30pm to 10:00pm Carpet Bowls Village Hall

Thursday 6th (Green Bin)

09:00am Morning Prayers Willington

10:00am to 11:30 Baby and Toddler Group Village Hall

Friday 7th

10:00am Yoga Class Village Hall

Monday 10th

11:00am Tiny tots sing along Cople Church

2:00pm Mothers Union Cople Church

6:15pm Junior choir practice Cople Church

7:00pm Benefice Choir Cople Church

8:00pm Panto rehearsal Cople Church

Tuesday 11th

09:00am Morning Prayers Moggerhanger

10:00am to 12:00 Coffee morning Village Hall

7:30pm Bell Ringing Cople Church

7:30pm Tuesday Club. CHUMS Charity Village Hall

Wednesday 12th

12:30pm School Choir Cople Church

7:30pm to 10:00 Carpet Bowls Village Hall

Thursday 13th (Orange Bin)

09:00am Morning Prayers Willington

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Monday 17th

11:00am Tiny tots sing along Cople Church

12:30pm Luncheon Club Cople Church

8:00pm Panto rehearsal Cople Church

Tuesday 18th

09:00am Morning Prayers Moggerhanger

2:30pm Over 60s Club Sports and Social

7:30pm Bell Ringing Cople Church

Wednesday 19th

7:30pm to 10:00 Carpet Bowls Village Hall

Thursday 20th (Green Bin)

09:00am Morning Prayers Willington

10:00am to 11:30 Baby and Toddler Group Village Hall

Friday 21st

10:00am Yoga Class Village Hall

Monday 24th

11:00am Tiny tots sing along Cople Church

8:00pm Panto rehearsal Cople Church

Tuesday 25th

09:00am Morning Prayers Moggerhanger

10:00am to 12:00 Coffee morning Village Hall

7:30pm Bell Ringing Cople Church

Wednesday 26th

7:30pm to 10:00 Carpet Bowls Village Hall

Thursday 27th (Orange Bin)

10:00am to 11:30 Baby and Toddler Group Village Hall

Friday 28th

10:00am Yoga Class Village Hall

10:00am to 11:30 Baby and Toddler Group Village Hall

Friday 14th

10:00am Yoga Class Village Hall

Saturday 15th

7:00pm Friends Safari Supper

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Gardening ‘February, fill the dykes’, well, according to my old headmaster at least! Given the incredible amount of rain we have had over previous couple of months, there can’t be much room left to fill! But make the most of it by ensuring existing water butts work as they should, no leaks or blockages, and perhaps even adding to their number? Any roof will do although obviously, the bigger the roof, the more water can be captured. That said, even an average sized shed roof can be utilized and there’s never been a greater choice of butts with all different shapes and sizes now available. Come the scorching summer and you will soon reap the benefits. A word of warning though: do resist the temptation to compliment a neighbour on their new purchase by saying anything like ‘my, what a lovely butt you have’! A slap round the chops can often offend! If you have a glass house, many seeds can actually be sown from February. I actually planted some Cosmos, Hesperis and Sweet Peas in January last year and was surprised by the results. Don’t forget though: seeds do not last forever. It will say on the packaging when they should be planted by and this should be adhered to for the best results. Otherwise, the law of diminishing returns will apply.

Seen any snowdrops yet? Apparently, there are people ‘out there’ who call themselves Gallanthophiles on account of their love of snowdrops, the botanical name of which is Gallanthus. Well, for all of you, and everyone else by the way, Moggerhanger House is the place to visit. Call them on 01767 641 007 or email them on enquiries@moggerhangerpark.com to find out if they are in bloom.

As promised, here are the answers to the Christmas Quiz. Thank you to all who entered, winners have now been notified. Very well done. 1. Hemerocallis 2. Deer’s Foot Fern or Stag’s Foot Fern 3. False. It Requires Acid or Lime Free Soil 4. At Ground Level 5. Nicholas Culpeper 6. Spindle 7. Yellow 8. Mexico 9. Bodnant 10. Treat Coleus As An Annual 11. Indian Shot Plant 12. Seed 13. False. It Has Insignificant Flowers 14. Klema is Greek For Vine Branch 15. False. Cut Back To The Second Or Third Bud. The answer to last month’s just for fun question is, glauca in botany means sea green. This month’s is, why are primroses so called? As usual, please contact me with any gardening queries you may have, lawndocgardens@aol.com or tel: 01767 627 581. Lawn Doctor

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Lawn Doctor Garden Services Clearance, Redesign, Maintenance

Tel: 01767 627 581 or 07796 328 855

Email: LawnDocGardens@aol.com

Tree Care, Planting, Weeding, Hedge Trimming, Turfing, Jungle Clearing, Landscaping,

Lawn Improvement, Patio/Drive Pressure Washing/Weedkilling, Holiday Watering etc., etc.

Qualified

3 x City & Guilds Qualified & Widely Experienced – References Available Upon

Request

‘Lawn Doctor deserve a medal. They are worth their weight in gold and I,

without doubt, will be using them in the future. A true gem.

Thank you Lawn Doctor, you have given me my garden back’, Ms N.Patadia, Mill Hill

28

B. WELLS PLUMBING &

HEATING LTD

01234 831314 barrywellsltd@btinternet.com

www.barrywells-plumbing.co.uk

"professional by choice, helpful by nature, knowledgeable by

experience"

All plumbing and heating works carried out to

very high standards

We specialise in the design and installation of

new or replacement Oil and gas boilers

and heating systems

LPG registered installations

All renewable energy systems installed including solar thermal and pv panels

Heat pumps and rain water harvesting

Bathroom design and installation

5 and 7 year parts and labour guarantees on certain boilers

Service and maintenance contracts

Minor building works

From ballvalve to bathroom, radiator to boiler we have the experience, knowledge and expertise to meet all

your requirements.

Contact Barry on 07831 377351

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B. W. Taylor Plumbing Roofing and all Building

Maintenance

From “Complete Bathrooms and Kitchens” including tiling and plastering through to “Ball Valves and “Garden Taps”

No Job too small Local Reliable service at Reasonable Rates

References Supplied if Required

Telephone: Barrie Taylor 01234 - 838 676 Mobile 07979 - 928 186

Rejuvinating Hatha Yoga classes which include creative flowing sequences, in-depth posture work

and space for reflection and relaxation

Sundays 10 – 11.15 a.m. Cardington Village Hall, Southill Road, Cardington

ALSO Monday and Wednesday evenings and Friday mornings in Bedford

£6/class (£5 conc)

Contact: Jen

Tel: 01234 210970

Text/phone: 07849 158 850

mail@chandrikayoga-dance.co.uk

YOGA

CHIMNEY SWEEP JULIAN BIGGS

Member of the Institute of Chimney Sweeps.

Fully qualified and insured. All types of chimneys swept

Brush and vacuum. Clean and tidy service

Chimney Safety Certificate. Local, professional and reliable

Competitive rates.

Tel: 01767 627591 / 07950 705479 Northill, Bedfordshire

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Cople Sports and Social Club There has been plenty of banter in regard of the footie supporters who have been frequenting CS&SC supporting their teams. The pool tournament is to be resurrected and will take place on set dates throughout the year, if you are interested in being part of this let us know. Football at CS&SC 1st March Stoke V Arsenal Premier 2nd March Spurs V Cardiff Premier 8th March Chelsea V Spurs Premier 8th March Swansea V Tottenham Premier 15TH March Spurs V Arsenal Premier 22nd March Chelsea V Arsenal Premier 22nd March Spurs V Southampton Premier There is a regular email sent out to all members in regard of what sports events will be shown and up and coming events. If you wish to become a member please enquire on details below or visit us at CS&SC. Jeanette Skipsey

Telephone: 01234 831473 Mobile: 07749 272249 Email: Jeanette_skipsey@hotmail.co.uk

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Friends of cople church

Safari Supper Saturday February 15th

7 – 7.15 p.m.

Hosts are required. If you are able to offer a starter or a main

course please contact us

Tel. nos: (01234) 838714, 838683

Tickets £13 50

All proceeds towards the upkeep of All Saints’ Church, Cople

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HOLISTIC THERAPIST & BODY WORKER

Suzanne Edgington CNM (Dip), L.C.M. Dip, AOSM Dip, B.S.Y.A.( Ad.Arom), L.C.M.IH Dip, LSSM (Dip), CTLLS,

CST II, SERI,SERII

SPORTS MASSAGE CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY,

ACUPUNCTURE, NUTRITION, and More…

For Acute & Chronic conditions:

Muscular problems, Injuries, Stress, Headaches, Anxiety etc.

Individually tailored treatments Helping you to move on and live life!

01234 870 236 / 07802 864 275

Email: suzyedge@btinternet.com www.suzanneedgington.co.uk

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C.R.WILKINSON & SON

PROFESSIONAL TREE SURGEON

ESTABLISHED OVER 12 YEARS

FULLY QUALIFIED & INSURED

FELLING HEDGE TRIMMING

CROWN REDUCTIONS STUMP REMOVAL

DEAD WOODING WOODCHIP AVAILABLE

THINNING LOGS AVAILABLE

ALL EMERGENCY WORK CARRIED OUT

CHURCH END NURSERIES, WILLINGTON, BEDS. MK443PX

PLEASE CONTACTJAMES ON

LANDLINE 01234 838274

MOBILE 07773 077042

EMAIL: james.wilkinson50@ntlworld.com

FREE QUOTATION

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Willingtots Pre-school Peace Memorial Hall

Church Road Willington

Telephone 07972 148085

E-mail info@willingtots.co.uk Website www.willingtots.co.uk

Fundraising www.buy.at/willingtots

Sessional care for children aged 2 to school age during term time

FREE PLACES for eligible 3 and 4 yr olds

09.15-12.15 Monday to Friday (£9.00)

Lunch Club daily 12.15-13.15 (£3.00)

Registered Charity No. 1035672 Member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance and registered with OFSTED

“We are totally committed to safeguarding children”

37, Ridge Road Kempston, Beds MK43 9BS

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Cople Baby & Toddler Group

Has opened its doors again

Every Thursday (Inclusive of school holidays)

10.00am-11.30am At the Cople Village Hall (off Grange Lane)

First session free, £2 per family thereafter Adults with one child under 7 months £1

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Need a Handyman?

Can your man? thismancan.co.uk

Dave Crawford

Handyman /Property Maintenance in Bedford and local villages. Contact me for a free no obligation quote.

Over 25 years experience of Handyman work and Property Renovation.

Fully insured (details on website)

Dave Crawford tackles most jobs from changing a tap washer to jobs that fall short of the remit of a full blown Builder,

Plumber or Electrician.

07981 881688 info@thismancan.co.uk or check the website for further

information: www.thismancan.co.uk

Situated within lovely gardens in the mid Bedfordshire village of Moggerhanger, Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice has been busy providing incredible care for those living with incurable illness in our community for 34 years.

Not only is our caring hospice team on hand to give specialist medical treatment to ease pain and discomfort, but we also offer people and their families real emotional support during what is an extremely difficult time. It is a sobering thought that today one in four of us is living with an incurable illness - around 18 million people – and you will almost certainly have met or know someone who has been affected.

We treat all our patients as individuals, giving people the opportunity to live the best quality of life they can for however long they have left. We listen to the wishes of our patients and their families and we strive to provide them in those all important final days.

We need to raise £2.4 million a year to be able to provide this incredible care. That is where you come in.

Without the support of the community, St John’s Hospice would simply have to close. This year, as ever, we need your help. Whether it is a simple donation of however much you can afford, organising an enjoyable fundraising event with a group you belong to, or taking up that challenge you always promised yourself you would do while raising sponsorship for us. You could make 2014 a year to remember! And you would be helping so many families in the process.

Your support can make a real difference in 2014.

If you would like to help please contact your Regional Fundraiser Jessica Wilson on 01767 642422 or email Jessica.wilson@sueryder.org

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Tuesday Club

Graham Ebbs is the Managing Director of Bearkatt and the Jungle Group formed in 1994. His background is in live sound and he originally edited and produced TV and radio commercials.

Graham "kicked off" our 2014 full of boundless energy and enthusiasm! Working closely with the UK's top advertising agencies M+C Saactchi being notable among these. Jungle creates award winning sound and design also music for T.V. radio and cinema. After many "tweaks" and complex editing processes, the latest M&S Christmas campaign took Six months to complete and cost many thousands of pounds! After recently spotting a gap in the market Graham and his talented creative team have developed an "app" for pre school children. Keeping up with fast moving world of communication.

Eithne Dandy We meet again Tuesday February 11th in Cople Village Hall at 7 30pm for our adopted charity of 2014 CHUMS for Bereavement Trauma,and emotional wellbeing service for Children. Please come and support this worthy group. We will also be holding a bring and buy to help things along. Every one welcome.

Police Update Criminal damage took place where a padlock was removed from a gate off the A603 on 16th December. A theft of a cash safe at All Saints Church took place on Christmas Eve between 8.30pm and 9pm. We are looking for witnesses so if anyone saw anything suspicious or has any knowledge in relation to this crime please contact Bedfordshire Police on 101. A Burglar’s View. Over the winter period and dark evenings, opportunists will not take long to spot potential empty homes so please ensure all windows and doors are locked and secure when you leave the house. Please also ensure you have lights on in the early hours of the evening using timer switches. Here are a few other tips to remember: Most burglars will wander around to identify potential targets. They will look at homes from the road, any adjoining track, footpath, playing field or other open land before deciding which home to break into. At this time the burglar has not even entered your property. Burglars will initially look for a home which appears to be empty and has easy access to the back of the building. The surrounding area will also provide the burglar with good cover, for example trees and high bushes.

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Is life sometimes a struggle? Cople’s own Village Agent is here to help

Did you know that Cople has a dedicated Village Agent Wendy Worgan who is here to help you? Her services are always free of charge, and she will phone or visit you at home. She is here to help you access the services and support you might need.

Do you need advice about benefits & allowances, such as Pension Credit & Attendance Allowance?

Perhaps you need help filling in forms? Would you like a free home safety check by

Bedfordshire Bobby Van? Are you a carer in need of support? Do you need home adaptations to help keep your independence? Your village agent can advise you about community transport & other com-

munity services

Any help you need - please Just Ask

Free “Message in a bottle” and Message in Wallet - for people who live on their own and take important medication, in case they fall ill and cant speak to the emergency services. We have a number of these to give away to anyone who needs one. If you would like one, please give us a call.

Just Ask” Village Agents are a FREE service, funded by Bedford Borough Council through BRCC. They are here to help you when you don't really know where to turn. If you need help or advice about anything at all, or know someone else who does just call:

FREEPHONE 0800 039 1234

(Be ready to leave your contact details and your Village Agent will call you back)

Burglars prefer homes which have no visible signs of protection such as alarms and lighting. Having chosen the property, the burglar will do several things. For example: Look through the windows to see inside Check if any neighbours are watching Break in if everything appears okay. Paul Jones PCSO 4760

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Sally’s Tax Corner As promised last month I did say that I would be covering inheritance tax this month. I hate inheritance tax (IHT), it really is a double tax and is at such a high rate of 40%. This is why it is essential to do inheritance tax planning, as we all work hard to earn money which we pay tax on, to build up assets to be passed on to our loved ones, for them to then pay tax on them again when we die. Basically your death estate (all the money and assets that you own) will be subject to IHT when their total value is above £325k. If you are married (this is a really good reason to get married – the only reason? – too cynical?) then you can benefit from a combined amount of £650k. So when the first married person dies, all the assets and money pass to spouse 2 then when spouse 2 dies IHT will be payable by beneficiaries on assets and money above £650k. So – if your current estate is above the exempt amount of 325k then you should look at doing some IHT planning. You want to get your estate to below the 325k or 650k level (depending on whether you are married or not). This exemption is not an annual one but has a 7 year life to it. So if you want to reduce the value of your death estate you need to give money and assets away and then live for 7 years, otherwise the asset will be brought back into your death estate in a tapered way depending on the timing. Example; Married couple with 2 children own the following House £650k (no mortgage), Cash balances £50k, Shares £100k, Total estate £800k – if no IHT planning done tax due on death = (800-650 x 40%) = 60k – residue of assets to children 740k If they give away the shares and cash balances to the children now - £75k each to children then parents must live for 7 years from the date of the gift – NO IHT payable and total assets to children is the full 800k on death. Tax fact There are however some items that are exempt from IHT altogether; Gifts of up to £3,000 in total in each tax year (You can carry forward any unused part of the £3,000 exemption to the following year). Wedding gifts - parents can each give cash or gifts worth £5,000 -grandparents and great grandparents can each give cash or gifts worth £2,500 - anyone else can give cash or gifts worth £1,000 Small gifts up to the value of £250 to as many individuals as you like in any one tax year. Any regular gifts you make out of your after-tax income, not including your capital. These gifts will only qualify if you have enough income left after making them to maintain your normal lifestyle. (an interesting rule this one…. As there are no limits on this) These include:- monthly or other regular payments to someone, regular gifts for Christmas and birthdays, or wedding/civil partnership anniversaries, regular premiums on a life insurance policy - for you or someone else You can also make exempt maintenance payments to: your husband, wife or civil partner, your ex-spouse or former civil partner, relatives who are dependent on

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you because of old age or infirmity, your children, including adopted children and step-children, who are under 18 or in full-time education. I hope you find this helpful this month, please do get in touch with any questions.

Sally Cobban FCCA SJ Tax Limited

SJ TAX & ACCOUNTING

Professional Friendly Free initial consultation.

Sole traders, Ltd companies, Start ups, CIS, VAT, TAX

Email: sally@sjtax.co.uk

Tel: 01234 831997 Mob: 07899 808592

QUALIFIED ACCOUNTANT

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Village Hall Bookings: David Reardon 01234 838987

Over 60's Club Secretary : Hazel Shreeves Tel : 838817

Mothers Union Contact: Jill Ebbs Tel : 838659

Cople Lower School Headteacher : Helen Johnson Tel : 838827

Cople Village Trust Chair : Sandra Thacker Tel : 831344

Royal British Legion Chair: Max McMurdo Tel: 01767 680624 Welfare: David Hansen Tel : 01767 226020

Police PC Paul Jones Riseley Police Station Tel : 01234 - 842864

Carpet Bowls Secretary : Pauline Baynes Tel : 838102

Willingtots Pre-School Group Tel: 07972– 148085

Before & After School Club At Cople Lower School Tel: 07592 - 012249

Brownies (Willington) Amanda Briscoe, Tel: 07504 299994

Beavers, Cubs & Scouts Contact Emma Whiterod Tel: 07908 167356

Friends of Cople Church Chair: Vaughan Southgate Tel: 838714

Cople Sports & Social Club Chair: David Hughes Tel : 838669

Tuesday Club Joy Duthie Tel : 838407

Cricket Cople Argus Cricket Club Chris Gregory 01234 838396

Biggleswade Chronicle Village Correspondent: Jill Ebbs Tel: 838659

Cople Web Site Ian Whiting Tel : 838347 Email: ian@cople.org.uk Web Site :www.cople.org.uk

Cople Baby and Toddler Contact Kylie Dougall Tel: 01234 740745 07999 257165

Just Ask Wendy Worgan 0800 039 1234

Cople Parish Council Clerk to the Council: Jeanne Pope 42 Wingfield Road, Bromham, Beds. MK43 8JY Tel: 01234 823 297 jhpope@btinternet.com

Yoga Classes Freda 01767 627611

Pilates Classes Julie Crawford www.forwardfitness.co.uk Mobile 0794 6067266

Village Contacts

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GroundcareMachinery Services Limited

Water End, COPLE, Bedford

Suppliers of Leading Brand Names

in Domestic & Professional

powered garden machinery

at BIG DISCOUNTS

with full service back up

Petrol, Diesel, Electric, Battery

Allen, Atco, Billy Goat, Countax, Eliet,

Flymo, Hayter, Honda, Klippo, Lawnflite,

MTD, Mountfield, Robin, Ryobi, Stihl,Viking, Westwood, Yardman, etc

For details of Products and

Savings visit our website

www.groundcare.biz

Tel: 01234 831123

sales + service + spares + repairs

www.groundcarebedford.co.uk

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Dave Hillyard 1939 –2013