Nothing to do in the school holidays? Come and join in the fun at Gathering on the Green on Wednesday 4th August, from 11am to 3pm. It takes place on Waveney Green, by Waveney Avenue/Avon Drive.

All activities are free of charge:

• Face painting
• Bouncy castles
• Carousel (for under 5s)
• Climbing tower
• Circus skills workshop
• Nail art and Mehndi
• Music workshop
• Magic show
• 5-a-side football

Plus demonstrations from Utopia Mas and Mike’s Line Dancing

This event is organised by Brickhill Parish Council with support from Brickhill Baptist Church, bpha, Bedfordshire Police and Bedford Boroughh Council (including the St Thomas More cluster of Extended Services).

The bpha Road Show is visiting Brickhill on Monday 26th July 2010. There will be childrens entertainment! If you would like more information about the Road Show, please then contact Jo Bennett on 791078. Look out for the bpha pink bus in your area:

 The bpha Road Show will give residents the opportunity to:

• Meet your housing officer
• Discuss your property repairs
• Report issues that are happening in your neighbourhood
• Put forward your ideas for your community

bpha - 20 years of building communities

During 2010/11 bpha are making communal areas a priority. bpha staff will be encouraging residents to keep their blocks clean and safe. They are looking for residents who may be interested in becoming a Communal Area Monitor. Ask a member of staff for an application form. bpha staff will be giving away free packets of seeds for growing herbs.

Borough Council play schemes and games schemes - Summer 2010

Bedford Borough Council is running a Summer Playscheme in Brickhill. It is for 5 to 8 year olds and will be at Brickhill Lower School, Dove Road, from 10am – 12noon from 2nd to 27th August. It will cost £1 per child per visit. For more information call Bedford 221700.

There are also Gameschemes for 9 to 13 year olds elsewhere, with the nearest being at Putnoe Heights Community Church.

The Borough is also running a wide range of Summer Sports Coaching courses for 9 – 15 year olds, ‘Street Schemes’ for 13 – 17 year olds and an extensive range of other sports and play provisions at Borough leisure facilities. For any more information on theses schemes or any other of our summer activities call Bedford 227276 or visit www.bedford.gov.uk/sport.

Please make a note in your diary now. The next meeting will take place at 7:30pm on 14th October 2010 at Sir William Harpur House, Clyde Crescent.

Police Safer Neighbourhood Team surgeries are being held on the following dates. If you have any issues or concerns that you would like to discuss or you would just like to pop by and meet your local Safer Neighbourhood Team please feel free to drop in.

St Mark’s Community Centre

Date: Every Wednesday, Time: 15:00 – 17:00
Location: St Mark’s Community Centre with Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association

Date: Every Thursday, Time: 17:00 – 19:00
Location: St Mark’s Community Centre

Places for People Agency Surgery
Dates: Friday 30th July, Time: 10:30 – 12:30
Location: 6 Leven Walk, Bedford

Woodlands Surgery
Date: Friday 30th July, Time: 11:30 – 13:30
Location: Bramley Way Bedford.

To contact the Brickhill Safer Neighbourhood Team, go along to one of their surgeries, ring Bedford 349179 or email SNT.Brickhill @ Bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk. If it is not an emergency, Bedford police can be contacted on Bedford 841212, while for emergencies always ring 999.

Brickhill Community Safety Forum, Brickhill Baptist Church, 15th July 2010

There was a useful meeting of the Brickhill Community Safety Forum on 15th July at Brickhill Baptist Church. There were reports from many agencies: Brickhill Parish Council, Bedford Borough Council, the Police, bpha, Brickhill Baptist Church, Neighbourhood Watch and Borough Councillor Charles Royden. Delia Shephard reported progress on the Brickhill Sustainable Community Plan.

Tim Gannon from Brickhill Baptist Church reported back on the very successful football sessions, held on eight Tuesday evenings on Waveney Green. Large numbers of middle and upper school aged children attended – normally over 100 per evening.

Special guest speaker was Dave Hodgson, Mayor of Bedford Borough. He spoke about his links to Brickhill, the challenges faced by the Borough Council at the moment and some of the work of the council.

The Community Safety Forum agreed its priorities for the next three months:

1. Anti-social behaviour on the Woodlands Park estate
2. Parking on verges
3. Parking near schools

The Borough Council will lead on the two parking issues and the police, with support from other agencies and residents, will lead on the Woodlands Park issue.

On Sunday 18th July, Colin Carpenter from the Community Tree Trust will be leading a session to collect wild flower seeds. All local residents are welcome. Children should be accompanied by an adult. Wear old clothes and bring any good secateurs if possible. Other guidance and equipment will be provided.

Meet in Hawk Drive by Beauchamp Middle School at 9:45am.

The Planning for Real instructions enabled residents to take part in the exercise with the minimum of fuss

There was a good turnout from residents at Anjulita Court in Woodlands Park on 12th July. They came to take part in the 2nd consultation session, where residents could add their ideas regarding the future of Brickhill on a giant map of the area.

Some suggestions were given to help residents think of issues - or they could write their own ideas

This process is called ‘Planning for Real’ and was co-ordinated by staff from Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity (BRCC) with support from volunteer members of the Brickhill Sustainable Community Plan steering group.

BRCC staff plus local volunteer review comments from residents

A big thank you to everyone who came along and gave their ideas – and thanks also to the staff and volunteers.

The next opportunity for residents to give their ideas will be at the Gathering on the Green on Waveney Green on 4th August.

As part of Brickhill’s Golden Anniversary celebrations, Brickhill Lower School is pleased to announce that the ‘big top’ will pitch up on Waveney Green on Saturday 25th September. Tickets cost £7 each or £25 for four. There will be showings at 1pm and 4pm. There are no animals in the show, which features crazy clowns, magical illusions, daring aerialists and more! 

Tickets are available from Brickhill Lower School in Dove Road or the Flower Gallery florists at Avon Drive shops.

Highfield are holding their Summer Fete on 17th August 2010. They would be grateful for any donations of the following: bric-a-brac, raffle prizes, tombola prizes, clothes (mens, ladies, childrens), home made cakes (on the day!). The Fete starts at 2pm.

Contact Natalie Koutsou, Home Manager at Highfield, for any queries.