Latest News and Events in and around Heath and Reach
What’s happening…
Bedfordshire's Lost Orchards
Orchards East, an HLF-funded project covering the east of England (https://www.uea.ac.uk/orchards-east/home), is trying to survey as many as possible of Bedfordshire’s orchards via a parish-by-parish survey.
Many parishes are being covered but the attached map shows those that are currently missing a surveyor.
If you would like to volunteer please contact Howard Jones at Orchards East by email: Howard.Jones@uea.ac.uk
Posted: 25.1.2019
Posted: 5.1.2019
Posted 22.3.2019
Expires 31.5.2109
Click on the poster image above to download a copy of the Leighton Buzzard-Linslade Event Calendar for 2019.
Expires 31.12.2019
A few minutes of your time could help those affected by domestic abuse
Complete the survey by Friday, 31 May
We are asking people to share their experiences of domestic abuse through a short survey.
Domestic abuse can happen to anyone and can take many forms. That’s why we are asking as many people as possible to complete the survey – the feedback will help us think about how to improve services.
The current UK Government defines domestic abuse as “any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional.
The survey is completely anonymous and will take no more than ten minutes.
So, if you’re aged 16 or over, have experienced domestic abuse or know someone that has; or if you’re concerned about your behaviour towards your partner – we want your views.
You have until Friday, 31 May 2019 to complete the survey. Simply click on the image above to complete the survey. A new page will open in your browser.
Posted: 25.2.2019
Expires: 31.5.2019
Go that Extra Green Mile
From composters to water-butts, in conjunction with getcomposting.com. CBC has arranged with Straight Ltd, the UK’s leading supplier of recycling containers and water conservation products to offer a range of products at a discounted price.
We are not guaranteeing that these products are the cheapest you can find, but it’s a good place to start especially with the low rainfall we are all experiencing this year
Posted: 1.6.2018
Archived News – 2019
Flu Jab Reminder
The last batches of the vaccine were delivered to GPs and pharmacies across the country last week ahead of the flu season, which usually starts in December.
12,898 older people across Central Bedfordshire didn’t take up their jab last year, despite being most vulnerable to flu’s effects. Many of those will have caught the virus and needed NHS treatment as a result.
While flu is a common ailment and many people can get over it with rest and fluids, for some people in high-risk groups, such as the elderly and those with long-term conditions, it can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
Health chiefs believe that the new vaccine could reduce GP consultations due to flu by 30,000, hospitalisations by over 2,000 and prevent over 700 hospital deaths in England, alleviating some of the health burden that seasonal flu places on the population, workplaces and the NHS.
To find out if you’re one of the 22 million people who are eligible for vaccination head to www.nhs.uk/staywell
Posted: 10.12.2018
Expires: 31.3.2019
Job Fair Coming Up
Do you know anyone who is searching for employment? Recommend they come to our Job Fair on Wednesday 27 February at 10.30am – 12.30pm at Methodist Church, Ashton Square, Dunstable, LU6 3SN for an opportunity to meet local employers.
Posted: 20.2..2019
Expires: 27.2.2019
Green Bin Collection Service
kerbside garden waste suspension will take place between Monday, 10 December 2018 and Friday 1, March 2019 inclusive.
The service will resume as normal on Monday, 4 March 2019.
Posted: 17.10.2018
Expires: 4.3.2019
Posted: 5.2.2019
Expires: 13.2.2019
Have you applied for your child’s school place for September 2019?
Apply online
If your child is due to start school in September 2019, or transfer to the middle, secondary or upper school, applications are now open.
Your child is entitled to a full-time place in the September following their fourth birthday if that is your wish; though your child does not have to attend school full-time until the term after their fifth birthday.
If you are applying for a place to start school or to join a middle school, you have until Tuesday 15 January 2019 to make an application.
However, if your child is transferring to a secondary or upper school in 2019 then the deadline for applications is Wednesday 31 October 2018.
Our dedicated school admission web pages contain a wealth of other information including school catchment areas, deferred entries, making an application on religious/faith grounds and how places are allocated.
Parents and carers can also complete a paper application form – these are available from the school admissions team. Call 0300 300 8037, email admissions@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or write to School Admissions, Central Bedfordshire Council, Watling House, High Street North, Dunstable, LU6 1LF.
This information was received directly from Central Bedfordshire Council. on 4.9.2018
Expires: 15.1.2019
Garden waste collections resume on Monday, 4 March
All garden waste must be contained within either the wheelie bin or garden waste sacks we provide.
Any large branches, trunks and plants should be cut down to fit inside.
Please leave your bin out by 7 am on your collection day.
You can check your scheduled garden waste collection day on our website.
Alternatively, find out more about composting. If you fancy giving it a go, we offer subsidised compost bins and accessories to all residents.
Do you have excess garden waste?
Any excess garden waste can be taken to one of our Household Waste Recycling Centres in:
- Ampthill
- Biggleswade
- Dunstable
- Leighton Buzzard
All sites are open seven days a week from 9 am to 5 pm including Bank Holidays.
Please arrive at least 10 minutes before closing time to allow enough time to unload, no waste will be accepted after that time.
Posted: 22.2..2019
Expires: 4.3.2019
Have your say on changes to school admission arrangements
Consultation
We are consulting on proposed changes to school admissions arrangements for all Community and Voluntary Controlled (VC) schools in September 2020.
The admission policy for these schools sets out the criteria in which applications will be considered if the school is oversubscribed.
The current oversubscription criteria for most Community and Voluntary Controlled (VC) schools in Central Bedfordshire prioritises certain children such as those who are in care and children who live in the catchment area with brothers of sisters already attending the school.
The consultation proposes to add the following to the oversubscription criteria:
- Children who appear to the Local Authority to have been in state care outside of England, but are now adopted.
- Children of staff at Greenleas School, Southcott Lower, Heathwood Lower, Dunstable Icknield Lower, Fairfield Park Lower, Thomas Johnson Lower and Shefford Lower.
There is also a proposal to reduce the published admission number at Linslade Lower from 45 to 30. This was put forward by the school’s governing body in order to better manage class sizes and staffing.
You can have your say online at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultations until 5pm on 29 January 2019.
Posted: 8.12.2018
Expires: 29.01.2019
Christmas refuse and recycling collections
Posted: 13.12.2018
Expires: 5.1.2019
Central Bedfordshire Waste Service
At the time of posting this article, the Facebook page would appear to be fairly active and using their messenger service may get a quick response to a problem.
Posted: 7.8.2018
Budget 2019 - Have your say on council spending plans, savings and council tax
Take part in the consultation by 5pm on 29 January, 2019
With increasing demand on services and reduced funding from the Government the council is proposing to (subject to approval):
- continue to find ways to reduce spending by £14.8million through a range of saving measures, and
- increase council tax by 1% to contribute towards funding services, that’s 29p extra a week for an average (Band D) property
Taken together these measures would allow the council to cover the gap in funding it faces and provide the services we need.
Find out more, including where we plan to invest almost £94million in things like improving roads and building new modern care homes.
Click here to read more.
Posted: 3.1.2019
Expires: 29.1.2019
NYE Party for Villagers
The Barn, Eastern Way – from 9:00 pm
The Hall will be decorated, warm and welcoming…
Come on your own or bring friends and family, it’s free…
- Bring your own tipple
- Bring ‘nibbles’ for a sharing table.
- Bring lots of village bonhomie!
Take part in the village tradition of singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ at midnight whilst gathered around the Clock Tower and Pump House on Heath Village Green.
Sarah at ‘The Dukes‘ will welcome all with a glass of mulled wine after midnight.
Posted: 22.12.2018
Expires: 1.1.2019
Archived News – 2018 and before…
Carols on the Green
All are welcome…
Posted 19.11.2018
Expires 22.12.2018
A great way to promote your business
Further details are available by clicking on the image above.
Posted: 21.11.2018
Expires: 28.11.2018
Posted: 29.10.2018
Expires: 15.11.2018
Road Closure for Remembrance Sunday
– St Leonard’s Church, Heath and Reach
– Bird’s Hill, Heath and Reach
– Leighton Road, Heath and Reach
– Linslade Road, Heath and Reach
Posted: 4.10.2018
Digital Survey - there's still time to give your thoughts
Superfast broadband roll-out was launched in Central Bedfordshire in 2014 to meet the high demand for faster fibre connections for homes and businesses in the region. We’ve now connected more than 25,000 premises in hard-to-reach places that would not be able to get good broadband otherwise.
But we want to increase coverage of superfast and ultrafast broadband still further: our aim is for 97.4% coverage by March 2019, and greater levels beyond that.
We’ve seeking feedback to gauge perceptions of the current levels of broadband speed and coverage in the area. This survey will help us assess what our community wants and needs, and is open until 30 November 2018. You can have your say by answering our online market research questionnaires for residents; businesses and schools, or picking up a paper copy from your local library or leisure centre.
To compete the CBC survey – click on the following link
Posted: 30.10.2018
Expires: 30.11.2018
A lovely day in our Village
Village Party 2018
We have put together some photos of the lovely day had at our village party on 9th June.
These are hosted on YouTube, just click on the picture above to view them.
Posted: 9th July 2018
Bank Holiday Refuse Collection
Council services over the bank holiday weekend
Our offices will be closed on Monday, 27 August for the bank holiday.
- Our website has further information about council services over the bank holiday.
- Waste collections will continue as normal on Monday, 27 August
- Please leave your waste out before 7 am.
- Tidy tips will be open over the bank holiday weekend, including Monday, 27 August.
- They are open from 9 am to 5 pm. Please arrive by 4:50 pm at the latest to dispose of your waste.
Posted 22.8.2018
St Leonard's Church Jumble Sale
Posted: 27.8.2018
Expires: 15.9.2018
Proposed Speed Limit
Brickhill Road, Heath and Reach
We can report that a notice has been published by Central Bedfordshire with regards the ongoing issues of speeding vehicles through our Village. Just click n the speed limit sign above to view the public notice.
You can send your comments in writing to:
Traffic Management team
Central Bedfordshire Council
Priory House
Monks Walk
Chicksands
Shefford
Bedfordshire
SG17 5TQ
or by Email: traffic.consultation@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk by 31 July 2018.
Posted: 12th July 2018
Advance warning: A421 weekend road closure.
A421 Weekend Closure
The following information has been received from Central Beds News Desk
The A421 will be closed from 8pm on Friday 5th October until 6am on Monday 8th October. We need to close the road to ensure the safety of the workers and the public.
The closure will take place from the Eagle Farm roundabout to M1 Junction 13 in order to allow our team to carry out utility works and remove trees and hedgerows as part of the initial work ahead of completing the dual carriageway.
Please visit their website for diversion details. They apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Posted: 26.9.2018
Birds Hill Branch
Local Post Office Changes
We have received a letter from the Post Office regarding the Birds Hill branch advising on the possible changes to the service they provide. Click on the image above to view this letter.
Posted: 22nd June 2016
