3rd November 2009

BOXING CLUB ONE YEAR OLD
It is twelve months ago since the late Barry Goodwin formed Heath & Reach Ameteur Boxing Club, since then the club has gone from strength to strength with high attendance at its sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7pm - 9pm at Bryants Lane Sports Ground. To celebrate the clubs birthday they have now taken stock of a purpose built boxing ring as many youngsters are now ready for going into competition. The ring which cost £2000 was erected last Wednesday in the Pavilion at Bryants Lane Sports Ground and will be permenantly up unless HRSA take bookings for hall hire. the ring will benefit the club hugely allowing youngsters to learn ring craft techniques.Thanks go to resident coach John Kaye who has taken over as Chairman for the club. Would you like to be involved in a local committee? Heath & Reach ABC are looking for committee members to help in the smooth running of the club, it wouldnt take up too much time but they require a members secretary and a treasurer. You do not have to be a boxer or attend sessions just to help in the back ground. For more information contact John Kaye on 01525 220709 or Sara Crann on 07794 249193

SHED BURGULARY

a Shed Burglary took place in Leighton Road, in Heath and Reach, overnight on the 18th to the 19th of October. The offender has gained access to a shed in the grounds, and cut a padlock from the door. A brand new, Yellow and Green coloured, John Deere, Ride on Mower, and a Wooden based, trailer, were taken from the building. If you have any information that could help the police please call Leighton Buzzard Police Station.


FREE FIREWORK DISPLAY
The Axe & Compass will again this year be holding its free annual firework display in its grounds, the firework display will take place on Saturday, 7th November from 6.30pm. Food will be available through out the evening.

BRYANTS LANE FLOOD LIT ALL WEATHER COURTS
Do you run a local sports team / club and are looking to hire a flood lit all weather facility? Why not consider booking Bryants Lane Sports Ground (near the Cock Hotel) at only £15 per hour it is by far the cheapest in the area for such facilities. For more information please contact Heath & Reach Sports Association Secretary - Sara Crann on 01525 375706

EVENTS AT ST LEONARDS CHURCH
On Saturday, 14th November 7.30pm the church have organised a Quiz Night and Fish & Chip Supper in the church hall. Admission is via ticket from Rosemary at a cost of £8 which includes fish & chips, to book your ticket or for further information telephone 01525 377047.
An advance date for your diary is the hughly popular Christmas Fayre which will take place in the church hall on Saturday 28th November from 1pm. St Leonards School will be singing some modern Christmas songs plus plenty of stalls to give you some gift ideas for Christmas.
The monthly Coffee Morning will take place in the Church Hall on Thursday 12th November from 10am - 12 noon and everyone is welcomed to attend.

NEWS FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

*Police Report – PC Dady reported *

September – 1 attempted distraction burglary at Thrift rd, two smartly dressed men, no access gained. 3 shed burglaries, 2 street cautions for cannabis, 1 arson (not endangering life). Outstanding vandalism for Bryants Lane and street signage.

Speeding motorcyclists on the A5 – PC Dady is working with the Traffic Management Dept and other agencies to try and deal with the speeding bikes that are coming from the A5 and into the village. A meeting is also planned with Thames Valley police, speed checks have been carried out on a regular basis on the A5 since April. It was pointed out that carrying out speed checks in the winter will not show true readings as the bikes are a problem in the spring and summer when the weather is dry / warm. 101 tickets were issued between Hockliffe and Heath & Reach
*Heath Village Barn* – Chairman of the barn committee Nigel Strofton reported that the cow briar had now become detached from the barn and is now a safety issue. Grant attempts to restore the briar had failed and if the briar was taken down only remedial works would need to be carried out to the main barn. The committee have budgeted £1500 for the remedial works and informed the parish council that the cow briar needs to come down as a matter of urgency, the council agreed due to the health and safety implications. Cllr Humber requested Nigel Strofton provided a list of the organisations that the committee had applied to for grants. For information the planning application to resurface the car park and erect gates was refused by the planning department at CBC because of highway safety.
*Parish Plan* - information on the progress of items raised in the Parish Plan are available on the communtiy website by visiting www.heathandreach.org.uk. Part of the Parish Plan was to collate information on the history of Heath & Reach. The Parish Council would like to hear from residents who have an interest in the history of our village and who would like to join an informal group of residents who would like to carry out some research and collate the information so that it can be put on the village website and other printed materials. If you would like further informaiton or to register your interest please contact the Parish Clerk on 01525 375706 or Tricia Humber on 01525 381184.

DOG FOULING AT THRIFT ROAD RECREATION GROUND

Complaints have been received from residents about dogs fouling on the recreation ground and also dog owners throwing dog waste bags in the hedgerow of the footpath that runs from the side of the British Legion to Stockgrove. Dog walkers are reminded that Thrift Road is a play area which is used by families with children and people playing football. A dog waste bin is on site, please kindly use this bin to dispose of your dog foul as many dog walkers are considerate and use the bins provided and just a handful dont show any respect for the area and health of children / players who use the area..

Cycle Routes / Stands for the village
Parish Councillor Neil Lewington is working with Leighton Buzzard Go Cycle to create a scheme of cycle routes and the erection of cycle stands in the area to try and encourage people to stop using cars and getting on their bikes to enjoy the village. More information on the proposed routes and cycle stand areas can be found on the community website by visitng www.heathandreach.org.uk

ADVANCE EVENT NOTIFICATION
Stockgrove Country Park has set up an events and fundraising group and will be orgainising a Christmas Fair on Sunday, 6th December from 11am - 3pm. The event will offer craft stalls, entertainment and seasonal refreshments. Stalls will be charged £10 pitch fee as an introductory offer on a discretionary basis and an entrance fee of £1 per adult (children under 12 free) will be charged for the fair based in the dog free area.** This is just one of many events planned at Stockgrove.

NEWS FROM ST LEONARDS LOWER SCHOOL

CHANGE4LIFE WEEK

On the last week of half the Autumn term the school enjoyed Change4Life Week, the children have already enjoyed a ‘stunning start’ when Eugene the Magician from Bedfordshire Healthy Schools performed a Magic Show. On Wednesday Norah Collor, the Schools’ Dietetic Assistant, visited the school to work with the children on living happy, healthy lives. The children presented their work that they completed at the Awards Assembly.

More stories regarding Heath & Reach can be found at the Leighton Buzzard Observer / Citizen Website.