June, July, August & September 2019 Downside Fun Day...

June, July, August & September 2019

Play Day 2019Free entry and activitiesWednesday 7th August11am - 3pmfor more information see page 4

Downside Fun DaySunday 14th July 2019 2pm - 4pmDownside Community Centre Suffolk Road LU5 4ES

Woodfield Green&Downside Residents’ Association would like to invite you to

Free face painting, bouncy castles, tea&coffee and more... Popcorn or candy floss available to buy for 50p eachFree entry and activities

Wednesday 7th August 11:00am—3pm Bouncy castles, crafts, face art and lots more. Fun for all the family.

Refreshments will be available

Dunstable South Children’s Centre Oakwood Avenue LU5 4AS

Contact us for more details on 01582

2019

Welcome to the Downside MagazineDear ReadersWelcome to the Summer edition of the Downside magazine which is packed with information about upcoming Summer events not only on Downside but also in the town. We had the pleasure of interviewing Rhoda, the oldest resident on Downside, and she shared with us her story and memories from her life on the estate.

We also have great news to share with you. A new member has just joined our team. Her name is Silvie French and she has taken on

the role of graphic designer. We hope she has enjoyed working with us on this edition and will continue in the future. She has re-designed the magazine and we love the new look. It is not an easy job and we are very grateful that she is using her free time to work with us.

The magazine is full of interesting articles from different corners of the Downside estate and also, as always, there is a little bit of history by Paul Heley.

Your Downside magazine team

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St Augustine’s Academy01582 661 778Downside Pre-School01582 660 833The Wildlife [email protected] 669 907Cllr Philip Crawley DTC & CBC01582 515 890Cllr Wendy Anne Bater DTCCllr Mark Richard Cant DTCDunstable Town MayorCllr Sidney Abbott 01582 891404

Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC)0300 300 8000CBC REPAIRS (e.g. Potholes)0300 300 8049STREET LIGHT – report a problem(lamp identification number on the lamp post)0300 300 8049Police Contact Non-emergencies 101SNT.DunstableHR&[email protected] 666 403Dunstable Town Council01582 513 000, [email protected] Advice Bureau01582 670 003

Downside Magazine Volunteers: Mary Cuckson, Amanda Evans, Emma Gibson, Linda Nash, Jana Veyres, Moira Wollington, Kim Woodland, Silvie French

Visit facebook.com/DownsideMagazineDunstable The magazine is also available free in digital form on our website downsidemagazinedunstable.co.uk

If you would like to advertise or write an article for the next edition, please contact:Dunstable South Children’s Centre, Oakwood Avenue, LU5 4AS

You can call us on 01582 666 403, pop in, write to us or send us your articleand photos on an email: [email protected]

If you require any help writing your article, we’ll be happy to assist.DEADLINE FOR OCTOBER 2019 EDITION IS 30TH AUGUST 2019

Any opinion expressed in these articles is not necessarily the opinion of the editor.

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www.downsidemagazinedunstable.co.uk

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St Augustine’s Academy01582 661 778Downside Pre-School01582 660 833The Wildlife [email protected] 669 907Cllr Philip Crawley DTC & CBC01582 515 890Cllr Wendy Anne Bater DTCCllr Mark Richard Cant DTCDunstable Town MayorCllr Sidney Abbott 01582 891404

We would like to say thank you to all who support our community coffee mornings. Some of them have been very well attended and we hope that the numbers will continue to grow. There are two locations which run on alternate Fridays.

St Augustine’s Church Oakwood Avenue, 10am - 12 noon on 1st and 3rd Friday of the month

Downside Community Centre Suffolk Rd, 9.30am - 11am on 2nd and 4th Friday of the month** Downside Community Centre - term time only

Community Coffee Mornings

Tuesdays – 11am – 1pm is our Community Gardening ClubTuesdays – from 2pm is Dementia Friendly Cinema ClubThursdays – from 2pm is Cinema ClubThe first Tuesday of the month is Community Salon.

All of these apart from the Gardening Club are pre-bookable by calling 01582 320750

Caddington Grove

BARBECUE SAFE THIS SUMMER!Now that the warm light evenings are with us and the summer holidays are fast approaching, barbecues are beginning to sizzle across Bedfordshire. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is asking everyone to take extra care when cooking al fresco, especially when lighting barbecues or cooking outside. By following these top tips you can ensure your barbecue is a safe, enjoyable event:● Never leave a lit barbecue unattended.● Follow the safety instructions provided with disposable barbecues. ● Make sure your barbecue is well away from sheds, fences, trees, shrubs or garden waste.● Use enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue, but not more.● Keep children, pets and garden games away from the cooking area.● After cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before moving it.● Empty ashes onto bare garden soil, not into dustbins or wheelie bins. If they’re hot, they can melt the plastic and cause a fire.● Enjoy yourself, but don’t drink too much alcohol if you are in charge of the barbecue.● Always keep a bucket of water, sand or a garden hose nearby for emergencies.● Never use a barbecue indoors or in an enclosed space.

For more information, please visit the BFRS website www.bedsfire.gov.uk, follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instragram @bedsfire or visit www.facebook.com/firekills.

Caddington Grove Care Home, 175 London Road, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 3DX

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Dunstable South Children’s Centre

Regular Programme Monday to FridayOakwood Ave, LU5 4AS Tel: 01582 666403

MondayBreastfeeding brasserie: 12.00 - 1.30pmPop In: 1.00 - 3.00pmFirst Monday of every month -Baby weighing and Health Visitor available for advice.Baby Play: 1.00 - 3.00pmEvery Monday - Self baby weighing, explore & play

TuesdayBaby Maestros 10.30 - 11.30am0-12 months WednesdayMusic Makers 10.00 - 11.00am(term time only)

ThursdayBudding Explorers 1.15 - 2.45pm

FridayMini Movers 9.15 - 10.45am For more information, please request a copy of the What’s on Guide.


Play day 2019This year’s National Play Day event is on Wednesday 7th August from 11am till 3pm, along with the regular bouncy castles, slip & slide and art and crafts we are planning to have new activities to keep the whole family entertained. Entry and all the activities are free and there is room to have a picnic, alternatively there is a reasonably priced BBQ to enjoy along with ice cream, candy floss and popcorn. Come along and enjoy this great, free day out – don’t forget a towel and spare clothes! Contact us for more details on 01582 666403 No dogs except assistance dogs

Our programme of summer activities will be available at the beginning of July, please check our Facebook page or pop into the centre for details.

Dunstable South Children’s Centre Oakwood Avenue LU5 4AS

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St Augustine’s Church

For further information about news and events please visit our website: http://www.dunstableparish.org.uk/st-augustines-church/

St Augustine’s Church

We continue to support the Foodbank with a distribution centre every Thursday morning from 9.30am – 11.30am. Foodbank vouchers can be obtained from the Downside Neighbourhood Centre (next to St. Augustine’s Academy).

To arrange a christening (baptism) or wedding at St Augustine’s Church please contact Revd Ricky Turner on 01582 528485 or drop him an email [email protected] Or to arrange a christening (baptism), wedding or funeral at The Priory Church please contact Jackie Roberts (the Parish Administrator) on 01582 477401.

Rooms for Hire St. Augustine’s Church rooms and kitchen can be hired for a variety

of functions and needs, from small meetings and regular activity groups to larger parties and

special events. We have what you need!

For more information about booking Please contact Andrea Haughton tel: 01582

660974 or email [email protected].

Please join us for our regular services: Sunday Worship10.30am: Holy Communion with Sunday School 4th Sunday of the month 10.30am: All Age Service led by our Worship Group; Tuesdays and Thursdays 4.00pm: Evening Prayer Wednesday Worship 10.30am: Holy Communion and a chat with tea/coffee

We have a variety of groups that use our Church rooms: Bounce on Saturdays 9.00am–10.am, Mondays 8.00pm-9.00pm, Tuesdays 7.00pm-8.00pm, Wednesdays 8.00pm-9.00pm, Thursday 6.00pm-7.00pm. U3A Yoga: Monday 9.30am-11.00am Flexertone: Mondays: 11.15am-12.15pm Ladies Guild on the last Tuesdays of the month 7.45pm Altzheimer’s Society on 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month 10.00am – 1.00pm Four Square Church (most) Saturdays 6.00pm – 8.00pm Get Fit with Leon: Fridays 6.30pm-7.30pm and Saturdays 7.30am-8.30am

Young Disciples Calling all young people! Children come together regularly every Sunday morning (except the 4th Sunday of each month when they join us for the All Age Service) at 10.30am. They begin with hot chocolate, marshmallows and the all-important chat about their past week. A variety of activities are planned by the leaders including crafts, DVDs and resources such as ‘Godly Play’ which is all about telling stories using figures. The children find the sessions a great, fun way to learn about God’s word. Please come along and have a chat with a leader to find out more one Sunday.

Budget Cooking Project this autumn: We are delighted to announce that we have secured a bid for £376 from Skillsmax (a grant giving programme). This will enable an exciting new project to begin which aims to support and give guidance to those in the community who want help with using food economically. There will be 10 sessions which include cooking and budgeting held on one Thursday morning in the month to coincide with the Foodbank distribution centre here at St. Augustine’s Church.

Please come and join the fun with lots on offer.

Bric-a-brac, tombolas, raffles, food and entertainment!

There is something for everyone.

NOT TO BE MISSED!

6 www.downsidemagazinedunstable.co.uk

Dunstable Town Council

Friday 2 August: Inflatable Day in Grove House Gardens 12 noon to 4.00 pm. Unlimited use wristbands £6, single use tickets £1.50 each. Suitable for children aged 4+. Wednesday 7 August: National Play Day at St Augustine’s school playing fields 11.00 am to 3.00 pm. FREE eventMonday 12 August: ‘It’s a Knock Out’ inflatable team challenge game, £5 per team entry, apply through DTC website. Bennett Memorial Recreation Ground 12 noon to 4.00 pm.

Thursday 16 August: B-Fest at Beecroft School playing fields 11.00 am to 3.00 pm. FREE entrance to this family festival.

Thursday 22 August: Art Attack in Priory Gardens 11.00 am to 3.00 pm. Loads of arts and crafts to make and take. Free for adults, £4 wrist band for children, suitable for ages 5+.

Friday 12 July: Super Hero tots picnic, 11.30 am to 1.00 pm at Brewers Hill Recreation Ground. SOLD OUT!Saturday 13 July: Caddington Grove, London Road, Summer Fayre 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm.Sunday 14 July: Downside Fun Day, Downside Recreation Ground (next to Downside Community Centre), 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm. Bouncy castles, face painters and more!Monday 15 to Friday 19 July: Family treasure hunt in the new adventure playground at Bennett Memorial Recreation Ground 10.00 am to 6.00 pm. Visit the Splash Side Café for your entry forms during this week.Monday 15 July: DJ and Burgers outside Grove Corner 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm for 13 to 18 year olds. Plenty of good sounds from DJ Big Man and FREE burgers to enjoy in the new enlarged outdoor space.Tuesday 16 July: Over 55s ‘Pamper in the Park’ at Brewers Hill Recreation Ground 10.00 am to 12 noon. Tips and treats for looking and feeling good.

Wednesday 17 July: Football Fun in Bennett Memorial Recreation Grounds 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm contact James Slack (01582) 891433 or email [email protected] for more details.Wednesday 17 July: G & Tea on the terrace at Priory House and Garden 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm. Try out some different gins and fantastic G & Tea cocktails. Drinks will be chargeable, but the ambience and light entertainment is free!Thursday 18 July: Mini Tennis at Bennett Memorial Ground tennis courts 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm for 5 to 10 year olds.Friday 19 July: Family Assault Course Challenge, test your time and compete against family and friends. 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm Olma Road Recreation Ground.

Activities may be added so visit www.dunstable.gov.uk or Dunstable Town Council facebook page for up to date information.

For more information and to keep up to date with your summer activities programme for 2019 please visit www.dunstable.gov.uk or Dunstable Town Council Facebook Page.

Dunstable Town Council are delighted to be taking part in Love Parks Week again this year. We are busy getting an exciting programme together for you all to enjoy.

Summer Activities 2019: Dates for your diaries!

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Dunstable Town Council continue to offer free coffee mornings throughout the year in various locations across Dunstable. Below are confirmed dates:Tuesday 9 July 2019 10.00 am to 12.00 noon Dunstable Cemetery, West St, Dunstable, LU6 1PATuesday 10 September 2019 10.00 am to 12.00 noon Beecroft Community Centre, Westfield Rd, Dunstable, LU6 1DLTuesday 12 November 2019 10.00 am to 12.00 noon Holts Court, Edward St, Dunstable, LU6 1HRTuesday 11 February 2020 10.00 am to 12.00 noon Grove Corner, 76A High St N, Dunstable, LU6 1NF

If you would like more information on these, please contact Jack Adams-Rimmer on 01582 513000 or [email protected]

Would you like to join the Friends of Dunstable Cemetery as a volunteer?Dunstable Cemetery is a Green Flag Award Winning Cemetery which was first open to public burials in 1861. The Cemetery has grown over the years and has a rich history. The older part of the cemetery is the last resting place of some notable local people along with some beautiful old memorial stones as well as a wide variety of wildlife including over 25 species of birds.A new friends group for Dunstable Cemetery has recently been established and membership is now beginning to grow. The friends are a small but friendly group of people who enjoy coming together for volunteer work days. In future the group would like to fundraise to repair

some of the older memorials and research and share some of the life and family stories of those buried in the cemetery.Membership is free, so if you would like to get involved and become a Friend of Dunstable Cemetery or just find out more about the group please contact: Mary Dobbs, Cemetery Manager on 01582 891428 or email [email protected]

Friends of Dunstable Cemetery

Coffee Mornings 2019Aged 55 + ? Looking to socialise? Looking for more information which could prove useful?

There are many more events planned for this Summer – Party in the Park, Priory Pictures, Dunstable Live and more. Visit www.dunstable.gov/whatson for more details.

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Following James 1st’s death in 1625 after a long and unpopular reign, with the succession of his son, Charles 1st, people hoped things would improve. But in fact, they got worse. Like his father, Charles considered himself to be “divine”; he continued to ignore the ancient laws; he continued to ignore Parliament (even dissolving it for 11 years from 1629 to 1640 after it had refused his wishes); he levied very heavy taxes (and also enforced “loans” from his wealthier subjects) in his continuing pursuit of disastrous wars against France, Spain and Scotland. These taxes and loans seriously affected the businessmen of Dunstable and generated a great deal of resentment.

In addition, he forced the hated Ship Tax upon inland areas like Bedfordshire. This tax was supposed to be raised to aid defence in coastal areas which could face seaborne aggression – but certainly nowhere like Bedfordshire. Consequently, there was considerable protest and a refusal to pay. What is more, he attempted to personally control the militia and the judiciary; he sold titles and peerages to the highest bidders; and he spent vast sums of the nation’s money in building up his personal art collection.

If these manifold accusations were not enough, he had also come under the influence of the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop Laud, who was VERY high church: he has been described as an anglo-catholic who was much more catholic than anglo and who victimised “reformist” preachers all over the country. For example, Dunstable’s popular minister, Zachery Symmes, was forced to flee to America in 1632

with others from Bedfordshire in order to escape persecution (at a similar time to that of the “Pilgrim Fathers” by sailing on the “Griffin”). As an aside, it is interesting to note that in the state of Massachusetts there is a Bedford, an Ampthill, a Woburn and a Dunstable as a consequence to this forced migration.”

It is true to say that, amongst the general public, feelings were running very high indeed and that there was considerable unrest and disgust with both the established Church and the monarchy. Although Charles can be said to be intelligent, artistic and sophisticated, he was also lazy, humourless, conceited, untrustworthy (having reneged on numerous political agreements) and deluded in his divinity. He had NOT given the majority of ordinary folk what they wanted regarding religious services and he had also offended many people holding high civil, military and judicial office.

Furthermore, it was strongly felt that he was dominated by his French born wife, Henrietta Maria - a devout catholic. It is suggested that Charles was, in fact, a “closet catholic”. It appeared to many that if he were allowed to continue unchecked, this sorry state would get even worse since it was only catholics, “high” Anglicans and large land owners (fearful of what they might lose) who were truly behind the king. The great majority of the people in Dunstable,

From the Tudors to the Stuarts Part 2 By Paul Heley


The Griffin ShipArchbishop LaudKing Charles I

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for example, were in total opposition and considered that enough was enough :- they did not respect what he stood for; they did not like his associates; they did not trust him; and they could not tolerate his presence any longer and that he had to go... Such pent up feelings throughout the country led, inevitably, to:The English Civil WarApart from extremist hotheads on either side, nobody really wanted an out and out civil war as such. A quote from Bulstrode Whitelocke in July 1642 said:

“It is strange to note how we have insensibly slid into this beginning of a civil war by one unexpected accident after another; and we scarce know why. But from paper combats we are now come to the question of raising forces and naming a General and officers for an army”.

The “paper combats” referred to in the quote were the many attempts to reconcile King and Parliament, and the various pacts, agreements and concessions which were devised but, sadly, were reneged upon by Charles if they didn’t suit his purpose. He felt that since he was “divine”, he didn’t need to compromise his position in any way. Some people have described him as a megalomaniac.

Eventually, there was no way out of the impasse and the war began on 29th August, 1642 when Charles “raised his standard” at Nottingham and the two sides retreated into their respective lairs to prepare for the inevitable.

The opposing factions were:a) the Royalists (nicknamed the “Cavaliers” because of their often flamboyant style of dress). This side favoured the king and consisted of royalty (led by Charles 1st and Queen Henrietta); much of the nobility; many of the aristocratic families; “high” churchmen of senior rank; large land holders; some clergy; and all Catholics. Their headquarters was at Oxford.

b) the Parliamentarians (nicknamed the “Roundheads” because of the round helmet they wore). This side consisted of any disaffected nobility, aristocracy or clergy (of whom there were a few); “low” Anglican churchmen who felt the established Church had gone too far; Puritans, Independents, Quakers and other “protestant” religious groups; most “ordinary” people. Their headquarters was at Newport Pagnall.

So, a very unfortunate episode in English history was about to begin and from the outset it is seen that Dunstable was “piggy in the middle” between these two opposing camps and was often raided by either side for provisions. Also, any man over the age of 16 ran the risk of being press ganged into whichever army was raiding at the time. It was not a good time to be a young man in Dunstable!There are two quotes from the time which sum up the uncertainty as to the eventual outcome:“There is a strong possibility that a royalist victory would end moderation and would see the return of Archbishop Laud and of Church domination” and“Even if Parliament were to win the war, it might well not win the peace since there would certainly be a struggle for power among rival groups. One fairly confident prediction is that a Parliamentarian victory would turn out to be truly Pyrrhic”

The second quote turned out to be very prophetic!

Dunstable Town Guides

dunstabletownguides.co.uk

For local history walks and talks visit


Rhoda is 92 years old and was part of the second family to move into a new build house on Downside 64 years ago! We met with Rhoda to find out more about her.She remembers, “When we moved in, there were houses only on one side of our road. We had a concrete path leading up to the house but there was a hole between the houses waiting to be filled. In the end we had to fill it in ourselves. Our road was just a big building site.”

Their back-gate lead directly on to the Blow’s Downs and she mentioned how lovely it was to live here. The closest shop was in town and you had to catch either a London bus on Watling Street or walk all the way down to Great Northern Road to get the local bus. Rhoda grew up in Luton, her dad was a builder, a partner in Daniels & Sons. She attended a night school to learn shorthand writing. She worked in a Hat factory in Luton until the war, then she got a job at SKF’s in Leagrave. While at SKF’s Rhoda remembers: “I heard a big bang while at work, so I ran to my manager’s office to ask if he’d heard it, but he hadn’t. Later we found out that it was the Germans bombing the Commer Car Factory not far from us.” *

She met her husband in church. He was from Dunstable and they got married 5 years before they moved to Downside. “We put our name on the list for a council house and went to live with my husband’s parents. The house was quite overcrowded and that helped us to get our house on Downside quicker.”

“There was a skating rink between Great Northern Road and Downside, a Rubber Factory stood where the Holiday Inn stands now. The closest pub was The Wagon and Horses, now the Froth and Elbow.”

“We did get local deliveries like a milkman and a baker. The baker used to leave the bread on the doorstep so when I got back from work it was full of insects”, she laughs.

She still worked at SKF’s when they moved into their house and had to go to Church Street to catch a bus. She also attended a ladies group running in the old St. Augustine’s Church.Later in life she worked in the kitchen in St Mary’s School and her children attended Downside school and the Manshead Academy.

When we asked Rhoda what she thinks of Downside now she replied: “Our street is very nice, and I hear no sounds. I am up late every night and when I look out of my window it feels like I’m the only person awake. This is how quiet it is.” Then she continued: “There used to be a few drunks making noise in the night, but it has stopped and now it’s just quiet.”

We would like to thank Rhoda for her time and for sharing her story with us.

Note:* At 9.50am on Monday November 6th 1944, a single V2 rocket detonated in the Commer car factory canteen block in Biscot Rd, killing 19 people, injuring 196 and damaging 1,524 houses. The explosion caused a crater 30ft wide and 12ft deep.

Meet Rhoda, the longest Downside Resident

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Downside Community Centre

Are You Looking To Improve Your Sugar Modelling Skills?

Join me in class at Downside Community Centre and I will show you how to make these

amazing sugar cake toppers which will give your cakes that WOW! factor.

BOOK YOUR CLASS NOW to avoid disappointment as spaces

are limited for this Sugar Modelling Class One on one sessions also available….

For more info go to www.anitascakebakery.com/smc

Youth ClubAges: 12-18 years oldMeeting every Monday

6pm to 8pmFree for all!!

Suffolk Rd, LU5 4ESFor more information on the activities below please contact Teresa 07725 586390

Monday Youth Club(12-18 yrs*) 6pm - 8pm

TuesdayAfter school club 3.45pm - 5.30pm

Scouts group 5.45pm - 8.30pm

ThursdayPerforming Arts(Christina 07525

850232)6.15pm - 7.15pm

Friday

Community Coffee Morning

2nd & 4th Friday of the month

9.30am - 11am*

Forever young Seniors group 11am - 1.30pm

SaturdayChurch Service 11am - 1pmCreative Church 11.30am - 1pm

Community Lunch 1pm - 2pm

SundayPerforming Arts(Christina 07525

850232)9am - 12noon

Monday to

ThursdayLeon Fitness

(07446 824550)Call Leon for

times of day & evening classes

For more information, contact Mohammed Miah,

Youth Worker on [email protected]

or 07702 532328.

2019

DON’T MISS OUT!

A time for the whole family (especially kids!) to meet, learn, craft,

share, make friends and eat!

EVERY SATURDAY 11:30am - 1:00pm(except school holidays)

FREE ENTRYFREE LUNCH AT 1:00pm

For more information, please contact Teresa 07725 586390

DOWNSIDE COMMUNITY CENTRESuffolk Road, Dunstable

LU5 4ES*te

rm tim

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How can my child join?Scouting is open to all boys and girls, aged from 6 to 18 years. Why not let your young person come along and try scouting for free for a couple of weeks to see if they like it. We have no waiting lists so you can join straight away. For more details do contact me at the email address shown below.

Graham WebbGroup Scout Leaderemail: [email protected]

Which of the following are true?● St. George killed a dragon● St. George is the patron saint of England● St. George is the patron saint of ScoutingThe last two are certainly true. Whether he killed a dragon may be open to debate, but St. George is the patron saint of Scouting as well as of England.The parade from Priory Gardens up Church Street and across the crossroads to St Mary’s Catholic church in West Street is an important date in the Scouting calendar. We are proud to show that Scouting is active and thriving in Dunstable.The weather deities smiled on us. After a chilly start to the day,

the afternoon was dry and the wind had dropped. The parade left through the Priory Gate right on time and made its way up to St Mary’s where the guests on the saluting base were ready to greet us.

The theme of the celebration this year was Outdoor Activities and the young people enjoyed the giant inflatable footballs bouncing around the church. As well as the outstanding service awards presented to some of our adult volunteers, a number of members of Dunstable Scouting were at Windsor Castle to receive their Queen’s Scout Award, the highest in Scouting.

Downside Pre-schoolDownside Pre-school believe that children learn through play in a safe and secure environment and with adults that understand their needs.

Visitors are welcome at any time! Please contact Mrs Julie Russell, Downside Pre-School manager. Our telephone number is 01582 660 833 or visit www.downsidepreschool.com

Downside Pre-school offers high quality education and care for children from 2-5 years of age. We are open 5 days a week from 8.45am to 3.15pm and offer 15 hours funding for eligible 2 year old children. We also offer 30 hours funding for eligible 3 and 4 year olds. There is 15 hours of funding available for children of 3 and 4 years. If you are not eligible for 2 year old funding our prices are £4.30 per hour.

Places available at Downside Pre-school

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Are you a tenant of Central Bedfordshire Council? Did you know that you can report repairs, pay rent and report estate issues via the tenant app? It’s quick and easy to use, so save yourself a phone call and log in today.

Find out more and download the app via www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Central Bedfordshire Council

Central Bedfordshire Council Housing will be at the Asda Car Park on Friday 28th June, between 10:30 and 13:30, and the Houghton Regis and Leighton Buzzard Carnivals on Saturday, 13th July. Come along, talk to us, and help us deliver a better service.

The Hay Field, nearest entrance, Jeans Way, LU5 4PW

Thursday 22 August 10.30am - 12.30pm

£3 per child (accompanying adults free)

The Wildlife Trust on Blow’s Downs Nature Reserve

Join us to discover some of the amazing creatures that live on Blow’s Downs. Borrow

an explorer backpack full of equipment that will turn you and your family into nature detectives.

Make your own mini-beast to take home.

For more information or to book a place contact: Sarah Cowling on: 01525 874317

[email protected]

NATURE DETECTIVES POP-UP FAMILY WATCH

Thursday 22 August 1pm - 3.30pm

Wildlife Surveying and Practical Conservation Event

WILDLIFE RANGERS


Community Litter PicksAs part of this town wide campaign, two community litter picks took place in two areas in Dunstable. One being in the Beecroft area and the other Downside.Both were supported by a number of fantastic organisations including Beecroft Residents Association, Dunstable North - The Beehive Sure Start Children’s Centre, Signposts, Downside Residents Association, Meaningful Education Ltd. CIC (Junior Wardens), Downside Neighbourhood Centre, Dunstable South Children’s Centre, Central Bedfordshire Council and Dunstable Town Council.Thank you to all those who took part in both events, a total of 38 bags were collected. All making a difference in their local communities.

The Great British Spring Clean

St Augustine’s Academy NewsThe spring term was full of excitement at St. Augustine’s Academy. Our children have

taken part in a wealth of inspiring activities to enhance their learning and we have been delighted to have been able to support a range of charities including Autism Awareness, CHUMS and Comic Relief. Our Curriculum is always full of experiences to help bring our children’s learning to life. Recently, pupils took part in a ‘Great Fire of London’ workshop and learnt about the skills and trades of people that lived in 1666. Some of our pupils are also taking part in the CHILL (Children’s Health in London and Luton) project which is focussing on how the air quality in our area affects our children’s breathing and lung development. This exciting initiative hopes to provide information which will help to cut pollution and ensure that our children grow up in a healthy, clean environment.Also this term, our Junior Wardens have been nominated for a High Sherriff’s award for the work they have been doing on ‘Dignity’.

Two of our pupils have also been chosen to be ‘Dignity Ambassadors’. It is vital that we help our children to grow up to be good community citizens, who can help to make a positive change to the community, country and world that they live in.The Easter period was a lovely time at our school and our pupils had many opportunities to explore the Easter message. The children took part in engaging Easter activity days which were organised and led by St. Augustine’s Church. They learnt about the four stages of the cross and thoroughly enjoyed the range of activities and stimuli that were provided for them. We would like to thank all of the wonderful members of the church who gave of their time and provided such inspirational activities for the children.If you would like to find out more about out school, please visit our modern, vibrant website. The website provides a wealth of information about St. Augustine’s and gives you a flavour of life and learning at our school. The website address is www.staugustinesacademy.co.uk .

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St Augustine’s Academy News St. Mary’s Pre-School

Take a look at our website for more info www.stmarysprimary.org.uk

Give us a call or pop in for a look round 01582 602420

St. Mary’s Pre-School are proud to provide quality care for 2, 3 and 4 year olds. We are open from 8am to 5.30pm daily during term time.

We are happy to offer: 15 hours a week funded places for eligible 2 year olds

or 30 hours for eligible 3 & 4 year olds.

A safe and creative environment for all our happy learners

Make the most ofSummer!

Get inspired for Summer days outand activities that don’t require a car.

Travel Choices can help you plan your Summer with ideas for places youcan get to by train and bus, the best picnic spots, family friendly cycleroutes and things you can do in your own back yard!

Talk to us also about:

Personalised cycle routes Free bike security marking Free cycling lessons Re-cycled bike events Organised walks Organised cycle events Personalised travel plans

Visit our website and follow us on social media to stay up to date with allour news and events or pop in to see us at 1, Ashton Square, Dunstable, LU63SN. Tel. 01582 813018.

We’re open Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm. We’d love to see you!

Dunstable Good NeighboursWould you like to volunteer with Dunstable Good Neighbours or receive some help from us?

Volunteers provide occasional help with small tasks around the house or garden, assistance with form filling, occasional lifts to the doctors, shops etc. or friendly visits to those who are lonely or isolated.… please call our Good Neighbours number on 07913 426046 (temporary number) between 9am and 5pm

All of our volunteers are police checked, and our visits are freeSupported by Bedfordshire Rural Communities CharityServing communities across Bedfordshire

Dates For Your Diary

Special thanks to the following sponsors for their contribution

Police contact

As always, if you need us: in emergency please dial 999 in non-emergency call us on 101

We take great care to ensure all information in the Downside magazine is correct at the time of going to press. However, we would advise everyone to phone and check details prior to making a long trip ... or promise!

Dunstable Town Council’s Love Parks Week events, Summer activities and other information please see pages 6 and 7.

JUNE7&21 Community Coffee Morning 10am - 12noon, St Augustine’s Church11 Job Fair 10.30am - 12.30pm, Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre19 WG&D Residents’ Association meeting 7.15pm, Downside Community Centre, Suffolk Rd14&28 Community Coffee Morning 9.30am - 11am, Downside Community Centre28 CBC Housing will be at Asda Car Park between 10:30 and 1:30, see p.13

JULY3 Job Fair 2pm - 3.30pm, Bedford Square Community Centre, Houghton Regis5&19 Community Coffee Morning 10am - 12noon, St Augustine’s Church7 Downside Litter Pick 2pm - 4pm - Meet outside Mayfield shops, (organised by WG&D)12 Community Coffee Morning 9.30am - 11am, Downside Community Centre13 CBC Housing will be at the Houghton Regis and Leighton Buzzard Carnivals, see p.1314 Downside Fun Day 2pm - 4pm, Downside Community Centre, see front page17 WG&D Residents’ Association meeting 7.15pm, Downside Community Centre, Suffolk Rd

AUGUSTThere is no Woodfield Green & Downside Residents’ Association meeting in August2&16 Community Coffee Morning 10am - 12noon, St Augustine’s Church7 Play Day 11am - 3pm, Dunstable South Children’s Centre, see front page22 Nature Detectives – Pop-Up Family Watch 10.30am - 12.30pm, The Wildlife Trust, see p.1322 Wildlife Surveying and Practical Conservation 1pm - 3.30pm, The Wildlife Trust, see p.13

SEPTEMBER6&20 Community Coffee Morning 10am - 12noon, St Augustine’s Church13&27 Community Coffee Morning 9.30am - 11am, Downside Community Centre18 WG&D Residents’ Association meeting 7.15pm, Downside Community Centre, Suffolk Rd

June, July, August & September 2019 Downside Fun Day...

Documents

Transcript of June, July, August & September 2019 Downside Fun Day...