Ampthill News
Your source for all news stories relevant to our Town
Ampthill News - Contents
Warren Woods Center Parcs to Open in 2013 | The Limes - An Eyesore | Gala Day 2010 | AmpRocks 2010 | Town Twinning Signing | New Mayor of Ampthill | Woolnough Trail Launch | Ampthill Christmas Lights Switch On 2009 | Nissan-Lez-Enserune visit to Ampthill | Ampthill Castle Archaeological Dig | Ampthill Festival Gala Day 2009 | Ampthill Park Proms 2009 | Result of the Ampthill & Millbrook Ward Election to Central Beds Council | Welcome Central Beds Council, Farewell Mid Beds District Council & Beds County Council | Church Meadows Application for Long Stay Car Parking & Associated Housing is Approved | Mid Beds District Councillor Stands Down | Central Bedfordshire Agree a 2.5% increase in Council Tax for 2009/10 | Center Parcs Clears Another Hurdle | Life in Ampthill Disrupted by Heavy Snow Falls | Recycling Update | Carols Around the Christmas Tree | Ampthill Christmas Tree Festival 2008 | Ampthill Fire Fighters stage Christmas 'Drink-Drive' Collision Demonstration | Ampthill Twinning with Nissan-Lez-Enserune
Warren Woods Center Parcs to Open in 2013 The Center Parcs holiday village planned for Warren Woods near Ampthill could open by summer 2013. The company delivered its Reserved Matters Application to Central Bedfordshire Council on Thursday 26th August 2010 and expects the project at Warren Wood to get approval by the end of the year. The application includes the detailed master plan of buildings and landscape as well as local sourcing, employment strategies and green travel plan. Center Parcs had originally hoped that what will be its fifth centre in the UK would have opened this year but it has been dogged by a series of setbacks. In 2007 Mid Beds District Council rejected the planning application but it was overturned by the Government. There then followed a dispute over the diverting of a number of footpaths. Now the company hopes to give Bedfordshire a massive shot in the arm within three years by providing an investment of around £200m which should produce up to 1,000 jobs, bringing 300,000 guests a year into the county, who in turn will plough £4m into the economy. The 340 acre development will comprise 700 forest villas, two main centres including a swimming pool, restaurant a 75 bed hotel and spa, outdoor sports and leisure facilities and lake. On Wednesday 4th August and Thursday 5th August 2010 hoardings went up along Dunstable Street infront of 'The Limes' (the old offices of Mid Beds District Council). Not exactly in keeping with Ampthill's Conservation Area! What an eyesore!
From Storey Homes:
This exceptional development will be launching this Autumn! Phase 1 will consist of the conversion of the existing office building to 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and new, modern office facilities. This scheme also includes penthouses on the top floor offering exceptional views of the surrounding countryside. Phase 2 will consist of a range of 2 to 4 bedroom family homes and 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. This unique development is situated in a leafy, predominantly residential area, yet is only a few minutes walk from the town centre. All homes will have a full NHBC 10 year warranty and will be finished to Storey Homes high exacting standards. Each home will also be finished to a high specification and will benefit secured, allocated parking. Off plan sales to commence shortly. Make sure you don't miss this unique opportunity, register now by clicking on the link opposite or for more details call us on 01908 363411. Website: www.storey-homes.co.uk/limes.php
Ampthill Festival Gala Day 2010
The 30th Annual Ampthill Festival Gala Day took place on Sunday 27th June 2010, with temperatures soaring and large crowds attending. The theme of the festival was 'Let's Party' and quite a few thousands dis just that and were entertained by the likes of 'The Knights of the Crusades and a plethora of local bands on the music stage.
Ampthill Festival celebrated its 30th Anniversary in June 2010, with the addition of AmpRocks on Friday 25th June 2010. Therefore Ampthill Festival stretched over 3 days for the first time in its history, with Ampthill Park Proms on Saturday 26th June & Ampthill Gala Day on Sunday 27th June.
This video of the event includes a clip of one of the opening acts, The Nimblewits and several numbers from the headliners, Pauline Black (formerly of Ska Legends, The Selecter)
Ampthill Town Twinning Ceremony between Ampthill (UK) and Nissan-Lez-Enserune
On Friday 25th June 2010 a ceremony took place at the Old Courthouse, Church Street, Ampthill to officially mark the twinning of Ampthill with the French town of Nissan-Lez-Enserune.
Ampthill Town Twinning Ceremony - Part One - Ampthill Mayor's Speech
The footage contained in this video includes Mayor Margaret Wilson's speech of welcome to our French visitors
Ampthill Town Twinning Ceremony - Part Two - Nissan-Lez-Enserune Mayor's Speech
The footage contained in this video includes a speech by Nissan-Lez-Enserune Mayor Pierre Cros.
Ampthill Town Twinning Ceremony - Part Three - The Signing of the Twinning Agreement
The footage contained in this video includes the signing of the twinning agreement by Ampthill Town Mayor Margaret Wilson and Nissan-Lez-Enserune Mayor Pierre Cros.
Ampthill Town Twinning 2010 Ceremony - Part Four - Twinning Committee Chairman's Speech
The footage contained in this video includes the speech by the Dave Ratcliffe, the Chairman of Ampthill Town Twinning Committee.
At the Annual Meeting of Ampthill Town Council on Wednesday 19th May 2010 Councillor Magaret Wilson was elected as Mayor of Ampthill for the coming year. Margaret is the wife of the late John Wilson who was a previous Mayor of Ampthill on two occasions.
Councillor Sally Bacon was elected as Vice-Chairman of the Council.
Launch of the Woolnough Trail in Ampthill Park
On Saturday 3rd April 2010, Richard Woolnough (formerly of the Greensand Trust, returned to Ampthill to open the trail through Ampthill named after him (in recognition of his contribution he has made to Ampthill Great Park)
Ampthill Christmas Lights Switch On 2009
Ampthill Christmas Lights were switched on at just after 4.30pm on Sunday 29th November 2009 in front of a large crowd amassed on the Town Square. The Christmas Lights & Tree are provided by the 'Friends of Ampthill Christmas Lights' (a sub-committee of Ampthill Town Council, including Councillors & interested residents of the town).
A Funfair in the Town Centre Car Park entertained the many children that turned up for the festivities from 2.30pm. Whilst the previous evening the 'Friends' held a very successful fundraising Concert at St. Andrew's Church that included performances from Ampthill Town Band, Ampthill & District Choral Society, Quintessential and pupils of Redborne, the Firs & Russell Schools.
Nissan-Lez-Enserune visit to Ampthill
Civic Dignitaries from Nissan Lez Enserune paid a visit to Ampthill from 6th to 8th November 2009. The video above shows the Civic Reception at the Offices of Ampthill Town Council on Friday 6th November 2009.
Ampthill Castle Archaeological dig in Ampthill Park - Learn more & take part
During July 2009 an archaeological dig will be taking place in Ampthill Park near to the newly renovated Katherine's Cross. The Ampthill Castle Community Archaeology Excavations are a partnership project and involve the Central Beds Council Archaeologists (from the Conservation and Design Team), English Heritage and the Ampthill and District Archaeological and Local History Society (ADALHS). This group have appointed Northamptonshire Archaeology to lead the archaeological excavations.
This group are working on behalf of Ampthill Town Council and the Greensand Trust who have secured a fund of £19,250 to pay for the project. Ampthill Town Council received £10,000 from 'Awards for All' and the Greensand Trust have received £9,250 from the English Heritage Regional Capacity Building Fund.
The first objective of the project is to characterise and define the nature and extent of the archaeological deposits relating to Ampthill Castle, a scheduled monument within Ampthill Park. This mansion/palace was the home of Katherine of Aragon during her divorce from Henry VIII and at one time a sumptuous dwelling. There are earthworks on the site that have always been assumed to be the remains of the palace but recent geophysical survey work by the ADALHS suggest that the site may in fact be on a different alignment and that there may be the remains of an earlier motte and bailey castle on the site as well. There will be a maximum of 4 trenches excavated at different locations at the site to try and answer the questions raised by the geophysical survey and to try and provide greater information about the site that can be used to promote the history of the Park and Town.
The second objective is to encourage community participation in the project. Volunteers from the ADALHS, Greensand Trust, Ampthill Town Council and local community will be working alongside the archaeologists. The site will contain a series of constantly updated information boards, daily talks will be held to inform the public of the latest finds, an Open Day will take place at the end of the works, a poster display with the results will be created for the early autumn and a public presentation will take place at the end of the project.
The Important dates and times are as follows:
· Excavations will be taking place between Monday 13th July and Saturday 25th July
· The working hours will be 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday. No work will be taking place on the weekend of 18th/19th July
· The Daily Talk will take place at 4pm each day from Thursday 16th July. There is no need to book interested people can just turn up.
· The Open Day will take place on Saturday 25th July between 11am and 3pm. It coincides with Aragon Day and the inauguration of the newly repaired Katherine's Cross. Tours of the trenches will be undertaken by Northamptonshire Archaeology and start at 11am and will continue on the hour until 2pm. It is not necessary to book for any of these tours and Archaeologists from CBC and English Heritage will also be around on the day to answer questions. Members of ADALHS will be providing information on the history of the landscape park and giving demonstrations of geophysical survey techniques..
Volunteering for the Dig
Volunteers are needed between 15th July to 24th July to help with the excavation and finds processing.
No experience is needed and training will be given to all volunteers. Volunteers must be over 18 and need to bring sturdy footwear and sensible clothing.
There is a maximum of 10 volunteer places available per day.
The dig will take place between 9am and 5pm (weekdays only).
If you are interested in volunteering please ring the Greensand Trust on 01234 743666 to book a place - you can book in for one or several days.
Ampthill Festival Gala Day 2009
On Sunday 28th June 2009 Ampthill Festival Committee staged their 29th Gala Day for the benefit of the residents of the town and further afield. The day began with a walking procession to Ampthill Park, where festivities began at 1pm and lasted until 7pm. This years Gala Day was blessed with beautiful weather unlike last years which was a near washout. The Gala Day was the result of a years planning on the part of Ampthill Festival Committee and should you be inspired to get involved in planning Ampthill Festival Gala Day 2010 (the 30th Anniversary) then do not hestitate to contact Mark Smith on 01525 402560 or email info@ampthill.org.uk
Saturday 27th June 2009 saw the staging of Ampthill's first ever 'Ampthill Park Proms', an event staged by the volunteers of Ampthill Festival Committee. The Proms starred Ampthill Concert Orchestra (in association with the students of Redborne Upper School), Ampthill Town Band, Quintessential and Gaynor Keeble (Mezzo Soprano). This video footage shows that the event took place against the backdrop of a passing thunderstorm (with associated lightening). A backdrop that money could not buy! Plus not a drop of rain fell! Over 800 people attended, which means that in all likelihood there will be an Ampthill Park Proms 2010. Should you wish to be a part of Ampthill Park Proms 2010 either as a volunteer or sponsor contact Ampthill Festival Committee at info@ampthill.org.uk
Links: Slide Show of Ampthill Park Proms from Bedford Today Website (Times & Citizen)
Result of Ampthill & Millbrook Ward election to Central Beds Council
- Garry Summerfield - 971 - Elected
- Paul Duckett - 855 - Elected
- Mark Smith - 840
- Carol Gibson - 633
- Ghislain Pascal - 548
- Michael Cottier - 418
- Chris Hayes - 417
- John Bingham - 177
- David Hogan - 76
- Mark Cant - 73
Who is contesting the Central Bedfordshire Local Elections for Ampthill & Millbrook on Thursday June 4th?
The answer is that 10 candidates will be vying for the two opportunites to represent the communities on the new unitary authority. They are: -
- John Bingham (Independent)
- Mark Cant (Labour)
- Michael Cottier (Liberal Democrat)
- Paul Duckett (Conservative)
- Carol Gibson (Conservative)
- Chris Hayes (Independent)
- David Hogan (Labour)
- Ghislain Pascal (Independent)
- Mark Smith (Independent) - access online campaign pages
- Gary Summerfield (Liberal Democrat)
You can download fuller details of all those standing, including those who nominated the candidates and who are standing in other areas by clicking here.
Welcome Central Bedfordshire Council, Farewell Mid Bedfordshire District Council & Bedfordshire County Council
A new unitary authority was born on Wednesday 1st April 2009, when the two councils that covered Ampthill, namely Mid Beds District Council and Beds County Council ceased to exist and were relpaced by Central Beds Council.
The last Council meeting for Mid Beds District Council took place on Thursday 26th March, at which this photo of councillors was taken. Mid Beds District Council had been in existence since 1974.
Elections for the Council will take place on Thursday 4th June 2009, when 2 candidates will be elected from the Ampthill and Millbrook Ward, to a Council that will comprise 66 elected members.
The new council can be contacted at Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Beds, SG17 5TQ. Tel: 0300 300 8000. Website: www.centralbeds.gov.uk. Visit: Citizone at Old Magistrates Court, Woburn Street, Ampthill
Church Meadows Planning Application (Car Parking and Housing development) is Passed by Mid Beds Development Control Committee against the recommendation of Officers and Ampthill Town Council
At the last Mid Bedfordshire District Council Development Control meeting (on Wednesday 11th March 2009) before the authority becomes Central Bedfordshire, the contentious application from Waverley Developments come up for consideration in respect of Aplication No. 08/01890/FULL - Land on the North Side of Church Street. Provision of a new long-stay town centre car park comprising 100 spaces and 38 new residential units (30 houses and 8 apartments). Officers from the District Planning Department and Ampthill Town Council had objected to the proposal on the grounds that the site is outside of the current Settlement Envelope and there is no live proposal to amend the boundary in this location. Indeed they pointed out that the Local Plan policy states that new residential development outside Settlement Envelopes will generally be resisted. It was also suggested that the proposal was premature in that there was a process in place to decide the best sites to bring forward - The Preferred Sites Option and Issues Consultation - which this application sought to-empt. Also the site was designated as an Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) and any development would appear as a significant extension to the urban area that would seriously damage the site's rural character.
The committee however heard compelling arguements that in this exceptional circumstance recognised planning policy should be disregarded, as the need for a long-stay parking in the town together (with a hollistic approach to tackling parking problems in streets surrounding the town centre) out-weighed these considerations. Thus the committee approved the proposal & the hope is that the towns parking problems will soon ease.
Mid Beds District Councillor Stands Down
Mid Beds District Councillor Mike Pearce (Liberal Democrat) for Ampthill & Millbrook stood down on Monday 2nd March. There will be no by-election as the Central Beds elections take place on Thursday 4th June.
Central Beds Agree a 2.5% increase in Council Tax for 2009/10
The Conservative controlled Shadow Central Beds Council has set a 2.5% Council Tax increase at their council meeting on 26th February 2009. This compares to the 0.9% increase put forward by the new Bedford Unitary Authority. The increase was also largely supported by the Liberal Democrat and Labour groups, but not by the Independent Group. Indeed a group of pensioners held a protest outside the chamber at the council offices at Chicksands calling for a 'zero' increase, in view of the current economic crisis and its effect on those less well off in the community. However, protests against the increase went unheeded. In the orginal bid for unitary status, it was stated that 'the creation of Central Beds will deliver the potential for new council tax to be lower than existing'.
Center Parcs Clears Another Hurdle
Center Parcs has cleared another hurdle in its bid to create their 5th Holiday Village at Warren Wood, just outside of Ampthill, as the Planning Inspectorate has allowed the order to divert Millbrook Footpath No. 1 and Bridleway No. 1.
The Holiday Village had orginally been due to start construction this year and be completed by 2011, but with the current economic downturn this timetable is likely to slip.
Life in Ampthill Disrupted by Heavy Snow Falls
Life in Ampthill and further afield came to a stand still on Monday 2nd January 2009 when 8cm* of snow fell on the town. However the town looked magical in the snow, as can be seen from the images above and below (of Ampthill Town Centre & the Alameda).
However further disruption was caused when a further 8.5cm* fell on Thursday 5th February and 9cm* on Friday 6th February. It was on Friday that there was rare sight (captured in the picture below), namely a snow plough!
Visit the Ampthill TV page for footage of the effects of the snow in Ampthill.
* Snowfall Source: Ampthill Weather Station
Some Residents recycling bins may not have been emptied today (6th January). this is due to a backlog at the processing facility at Elstow. Mid Beds District Council have apologised for any inconvience caused.
In further news, shortly the list of items that can be placed in your recycling bin will be expanded to include:
- plastic packaging such as food trays, yoghurt and margarine pots, cellophane wrap and carrier bags.
- aluminium foil and foil containers
- cartons (TetraPak)
- textiles that are unsuitable for reuse
Carols Around the Christmas Tree
At 6.30pm on a very mild Monday 22nd December 2009 night in excess of 100 Ampthill residents gathered around the Christmas Tree on the Market Square to sing a selection of Carols accompanied by Ampthill Town Band. This annual event is organised by Ampthill Town Council and this years event drew the largest crowd yet.
The event was also marked by the launch of 'Early Closing on Tuesday' (a fascinating chronicle of shopping in Ampthill through the 20th Century) by the late Jeanette Waller, at Bows. You can purchase the book from Ampthill Antiques Emporium or Pastiche Gift Shop for £10. You can find more details at www.earlyclosingontuesday.co.uk.
Ampthill Christmas Tree Festival 2008
Ampthill's 2nd Annual ChristmasTree Festival took place over the weekend of 6th & 7th December 2008, with 38 decorated trees from local clubs, voluntary groups, shops, businesses and schools. The above display was created by St. Andrew's Church Choir. You can find out more by visiting www.ampthilltrees.com.
Ampthill Fire Fighters stage Christmas 'Drink-Drive' Collision Demonstration
On the evening of Saturday 6th December, Ampthill Fire Fighters staged a demonin tration of how they would react in the event of a 'drink-drive' collision. The demonstration took place on Ampthill Market Square and three tenders were deployed as two willing victims were cut out of the wreckage. The demonstration is meant to highlight the dangers of drink-driving in the lead up to Christmas. You can view video of the event by visiting the Ampthill TV Page.
Ampthill Fire Station are looking for more Retained Fire Fighters to be available on weekdays. If you want to know more and are interested contact Station Commander, Simon Marlow at simon.marlow@bedsfire.com.
Ampthill Twinning with Nissan-Lez-Enserune
At Ampthill Town Council's meeting on 19th November 2008, the council heard of resident driven plans to twin Ampthill with Nissan-Lez-Enserune in Southern France. The plans are at an early stage. If you want to get involved contact info@ampthill.info.