Updated 26th February 2024

All Saints Church

United in Faith Welcoming All

Welcome to the Post Easter season which will take us through to the season of Ascension and Pentecost.

The services have been planned for April and are as follows:

Sunday 7th April 11.00am

Morning Prayer Robert Heley

Sunday 14th April 11.00 am

Holy Communion Fr Paul Messam

Sunday 21st April 11.00am

Holy Communion Revd Steve Marsh

Sunday 28th April 11.00 am

Holy Communion Revd Mike Stewart

We have our Monthly Coffee Morning on Wednesday 17th April from 10.30am onwards in the Chapter House.

We are not having a Church Fete as such in the summer as we haven't the people to help with it on the scale we had some years ago. We are planning a smaller event with usual stalls and we are inviting people to bring their own stalls with a small charge and they keep the profits they make. There will be lunches supplied by our usual team of ladies and a raffle. This event will be held in June on a Saturday to be decided.

Robert Heley

Wilstead & Wixams Community Art Group

As an Art Group we meet just to enjoy painting or drawing together with others. It has a strong social element and those who come usually go away happier than when they came! If you're interested in art and would love to try out your talent, why not join us? To make it clearer, we do not have a resident art teacher but from time to time we may invite a guest artist. Our members are always glad to advise where they can and to encourage you in whatever medium you choose to use. You need to bring your own materials, but we can provide some equipment, easels and paints etc. Your first session is free and, if you decide to continue and become a member, it will be £3 a session when you're able to come. We usually meet in the Village Hall on Mondays from 2pm-4pm. We don't meet on Bank Holidays. Our group has members of all abilities, using a variety of mediums. You might like sketching in pencil, charcoal, pen and ink, whatever. You can also paint in watercolour, acrylic or even oil or in a mixed media. Do whatever you like. We'd love you join us.

Enquiries: Michael Bradley: Mobile 07526 939164.

Email: revmichael14@outlook.com

Climate change – a free talk

Are you concerned about where the world is heading? Almost every day the news and the media talk about climate change. Should we be worried or is there hope for the future? What does the science point to? Does the Bible have any answers?

You're invited to come and listen to Prof Steve Taylor from Liverpool University as he addresses these issues. Steve is a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, a Bible-believing Christian and an engaging speaker.

The talk, Climate change: is there hope for the future? will be on Saturday 27th April at 7.00pm in Wilstead Village Hall. Everyone welcome, free of charge, hosted by Wilstead Evangelical Church.

Wilstead Endowed Charities

Tea Party

It is hoped to have this year's Tea Party in the last week of June. (I don't think we can continue to call it the New Year Tea Party this time).

The date will be confirmed in next month's Newsletter which will also contain the tear-out form saying 'I would like to come to the Tea Party' and it will also have a place to indicate if you need a lift to the Party.

So if you are over 65 fill in a form and come along. Please fill in the form to say you are coming along. It really helps to know how many people are coming.

Now all that is left is to organise the entertainment, sort out the food and organise the famous Tea Party Raffle!!

I don't know if we will be able to match previous Tea Party Raffles organised by our late Treasurer Barry Huckle, which due to his efforts and the generosity of villagers and village organisations, mean that every one of the around 100 people who came to the Tea Party got a prize. We shall try.

Charities Expenditure

The income from the Charities investments is spent on three areas.

Viz a viz

· Education. As usual Wilstead School will receive around 40% of the Charities income.

· Church. Again 40% of the Charities income will be given to the Church

· Poor. The remaining 20% will be spent on the Tea Party. (It was difficult identifying the 10 poorest residents! So over 20 years ago we started the Tea Party)

Nigel Jacobs

Wilshamstead Endowed Charities

Wilstead Players News

We are well on the way now with rehearsals for our new production of two one-act plays. The plays, 'Last Respects' by Colin Calvert and 'The Actor's Nightmare' by Christopher Durang, will be performed on Friday and Saturday, 10th and 11th May in the Village Hall at 7.30pm.

Tickets will cost £10 plus a small booking fee from Ticketsource and will be available for our Patrons from 8th April and for the general public from 11th April. Just go on to our website and click on 'Tickets'. If you have any problems with this please contact our Chairman Colin West on 01234 743752.

Both plays are comedies, with the former being written by a local well-known playwright and the latter being a representation of a very recognisable nightmare experienced by anyone who has ever acted onstage… 'What play is this?…I don't know my lines!… HELP!' We have a few newcomers to the Players in these plays so do come along and enjoy a laugh with us.

We were very saddened to hear of the death of Ray Terry whose funeral was last month. Ray and his first wife Sheila were founder members of the Players along with several couples who moved into the new houses in Morgans Close in 1970.

In the early days, under the guidance of Derek Smith (no 15), Ray (no 1) did much work behind the scenes, stage managing, set building and taking charge of sound and lighting. Later, he was caretaker of the Village Hall and took great pride in his job.

His second wife, Jane, took on the Box Office for us for several years. The whole of Wilstead will miss him and we send our condolences to Jane and the family.

Jackie Tanswell

News from Wilstead Primary School

Many thanks

A warm hello from everyone at Wilstead Primary School! We love our place in the Wilstead Community, and are embracing opportunities to take part in village life in any way that we can:

On 27th March, we celebrated the musical achievements of our students with the 'Musical Extravaganza' festival at Wilstead Village Hall. We had a great time with parents watching and see that the children's talents have developed since last year through their continued dedication to their instruments.

We spent a few weeks visiting Bowls Club. Year 4 learnt from the wonderful members of the Wilstead Bowls Club. A great time was had by all and they learnt a sport that they had never tried before. Sincere thanks to the volunteers for their time and instruction.

At the end of March, we made the short trip to All Saints Church to celebrate Easter. This is something that we always look forward to, and our singing and recital rehearsing really paid off, the children were great and we enjoyed our time in this beautiful church. Father Paul also kindly agreed to visit us too at school, and taught us the message of Holy Week in the run up to Easter.

In school, we are excited to welcome some of the members of the WI to teach us about knitting in our newly formed knitting club. They have had a lot of interest from the children, and I am looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.

If you have a talent that you would like to share in school, or have any ideas about how we could further involve ourselves in our local community, then please let us know!

Miss Brown

Headteacher

Spring Lamb Day

Thankyou!

Sunday 17th March saw Spring Lamb Day at Manor Farm. The day was a huge success despite the endless rain and the mud!

People came from all over to see the newly born lambs and experience a day at the farm.

This event would not have been possible, if it wasn't for David and Barbara Seamark. They kindly opened their home to everyone, at one of their busiest times of year.

Heartfelt thanks goes to them both, and appreciation for their support in organising the event.

We would also like to thank everyone who donated and supported the event including:

Herrings Green Bird of Prey Centre, Openreach, Friendly Nettle Café, Parents from Cotton End Forest school, Alison and Gordon Redman, Shortstown Air cadets, all the staff from Cotton End forest School for giving up their time on both Saturday and Sunday to make the event a success, Mike Catchpole for giving his time for free and all his hard work with the preparations.

We would also like to thank Evans Butchers and The Cottage Bakery for supplying the meat and rolls for the BBQ.

Everyone who came had a lovely experience and we raised funds for the school which all of the children will benefit from.

Thank you all for supporting such a fantastic day!

Cotton End Forest School

Wilstead W I

At our last meeting we had a very interesting and amusing talk by Robert Brewer on his time as an extra in films, soaps and adverts.

Our next meeting is on Thursday 4th April in the Village Hall at 7.30pm. This will be our AGM and a members evening, a chance for a cuppa and a chat. Everyone is welcome.

Our trip to the Springfields shopping centre in Spalding on Thursday 18th April is still available. Cost is £18.00 and there are some splendid shops to visit - Mark's and Spencer, Radley handbags Pavers shoes and many more. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants for lunch.

We will be leaving Wilstead at 9.00am, this is an excellent opportunity to treat yourself. You do not have to be a member of the WI. Further details from Karen Cook on 01234 403936 or email me karencook3@btinternet.com.

Thankyou everyone

Karen Cook Vice President

Wilstead Pre school

Quiz Night

Friday 19th April 7:30pm

Wilstead Village Hall from 7.00 pm

Questions will start at 8.00pm

Bar available, raffle and a fantastic fun evening awaits you with our super quiz master Sammy.

£5 per person entrance, up to 8 people per team.

Bring your own nibbles.

To book at table text 07948565992 or phone 01234 742546. Please book early as this event sells out quickly!

Wilshamstead Parish Council

Bedfordshire Police Inspector Visit To Wilstead

Inspector Russell Goldsmith with be attending the Parish Council meeting on Monday 15th April. Everyone is most welcome to come and raise any items with Russell who is the Inspector for the North Rural Community Team at Bedfordshire Police which covers Wilstead and surrounding village areas. If you are unable to attend in person but have any comments, questions or items you would like raised on your behalf please let a Parish Councillor know, or contact office@wilsteadparishcouncil.org then Lizzie the Clerk will also pass this on.

Summary Of Local Items Parish Council Updates:

· New and improved signage for Jubilee Way as well as the local facilities off Jubilee Way ordered

· £1,500 grant awarded to Wilstead School PTA to enhance outside learning environment

· Additional Christmas lights coverage for along Cotton End Road agreed in principle

· Funding of additional supplies to support Wilstead Wombles litter picking work

· Whitworth Way play area annual inspection report received, to inform planned improvements

· Through social media engagement, expressions of interest from local companies received for quoting for Jubilee Centre MUGA pressure washing work

· Support with various resident highway concerns relating to: road name signs, potholes, road drainage – reported to Highways Helpdesk who inspected, actioning work to be programmed in. Send any concerns directly in to highways.helpdesk@bedford.gov.uk

Littleworth Lighting – Feedback From Comments Received

The Parish Council were very grateful for the feedback received from local residents on this matter included in the last article. They considered and discussed the comments at the most recent Parish Council meeting, with comments from two households received objecting to more lighting, so on balance with just one proposal it was agreed to not proceed any further with this. It was most helpful to understand viewpoints such as impact on rural character, light pollution, disturbance to wildlife, budget implications as part of the feedback on why this will not be taken forwards.

Large Planning Application In Neighbouring Parish For 1,000 New Homes

The Parish Council have collated and submitted a response to this application for up to 1,000 residential dwellings at Land Off Canberra Road, Shortstown, which can be viewed on the Borough Council planning portal. To view the Parish Council response and/or the supporting documents do search with the application reference number of 23/02783/EIA

One of the planning consultants working for Stantec who are managing the application on behalf of their client Gallagher Developments has responded to confirm they have seen the Parish Council comments. They are keen to ensure that the Council feedback on the development is thoroughly considered and therefore, they will be in further contact with the Parish Council once they have received responses from all relevant parties, including Highways, Education, and other key stakeholders.

Parish Council – Why Not Join Us?

Please remember you are more than welcome to join the Parish Council, there are presently two vacancies and with so many projects and pieces of work on the go, if there was an increase in Councillors it would be hugely beneficial to help keep these important items moving forwards at a good pace.

There are lots of ways new Councillors are supported, with training available plus experienced Councillors and the Clerk able to assist as much or as little as you would like. Please do get in touch as it would be great to have you with us.

Bedford Borough Local Plan Latest

As previously reported there has been dialogue between Bedford Borough Council and the Planning Inspector who is managing the inspection of the Local Plan, the document for strategic growth planning in the local area through till 2040, after the Inspector found the Local Plan to be unsound at the end of 2023.

Footpath Group

Meetings

The next Footpath Group meetings will be on Saturday 6th April and Saturday 1st June. These meetings will be at 10.00am in the Village Hall, small hall.

Each of the 17 Public Rights of Way are surveyed and the reports of these surveys are reported at the meeting or if a serious problem is found then this is addressed sooner.

Come along if you would like to know more about joining in and helping to look at the condition of one of the seventeen paths.

Working Parties

The most recent Working Parties have been on

a) the Bridleway which goes north from Hooked Lane (BW15),

b) the Footpath which runs from Luton Rd and to the side of the school and up towards the Woods (FP5) and

c) the Footpath which runs from the west of Bedford Rd toward Houghton Conquest (FP3).

This work included installation of new waymark posts, adding new waymark discs to waymark posts and clearing undergrowth and overgrowth in order to widen the paths and make them easily usable.

If you find any problems on the paths which prevent you going along the Footpath or Bridleway or something that makes them more difficult to use then contact the number below and the Group will try and sort the problem out.

If the work is too large for the Group then we will contact Bedford Borough Rights of Way team to request their support to resolve the problem.

There are Working Parties every two months or on 'an as and when required' basis. So if you fancy coming along and helping, then get in touch

After each meeting a list of jobs to make the path more usable is generated and a date(s) set to tackle these.

Walks

Again the weather effected the latest walk in March. It was intended to again try and walk around Streatley but the paths had still not recovered from recent rain so an alternative walk was arranged around Priory Lake and Park in Bedford.

Good weather meant that a shorter 3.5 mile walk was able to be taken around the perimeter of the park, passed the Olympic canoe slalom course, the lock and the finger lakes. The optional post wander drink was at the Priory pub.

The remaining 2024 walk are provisionally planned for Sunday 14th April 2.00pm, Friday 10th May 6.15pm, Friday 7th June 6.30pm, Friday 12th July 6.30pm, Friday 9th August 6.15pm, Sunday 8th September 2.00pm, Sunday 19th October 10.30am, Sunday 24th November 10.30am. These walks will be 4-5 miles long . Meet at Whitworth Way Car Park.

All are welcome on these walks and if you are coming along please wear stout shoes or walking shoes/boots.

Keep an eye out for posters, detailing the walks, which will be on the Village Hall and Crossroads noticeboards. We may try and walk around Streatley (3rd time lucky?) or perhaps somewhere not so prone to flooding

Nigel Jacobs

01234400733

Wilstead Bowls

Hoping you have had a good Easter break.

Subscription evening on 8th March was very busy. We are glad to report we have gained both new playing members and new social members.

The lawn mower has been serviced and grass cutting has started. A schedule of work is being put together for ongoing outdoor maintenance which will run from now until mid- September. Hopefully we will have an army of volunteers. We start to play on the green at the end of the month, the exact date depending on the weather.

Wilstead Primary School Year 4 have been with us for 3 sessions during March and have enjoyed trying out indoor shortmat bowls. There was a number of budding players amongst them.

Our Rummage & Brunch event in March raised £425 for Club funds, with the bacon and sausage rolls going down extremely well. A big thank you to all who supported the event.

April Calendar Dates

Short Mat Presentation Evening Thursday 4th April.

Ladies annual lunch on Tuesday 9th April.

The next Coffee Morning is on Wednesday 10th April, 1030am to noon. Tea/coffee and cake/scone £2.50. Come and join us in the Clubhouse.

In the next newsletter we will have details of upcoming events to encourage new bowlers, all ages welcome. But you don't have to wait for these dates to come and 'have a go'. You only need flat shoes, we have bowls you can borrow.

If you haven't done so visit our website (currently being revised) www.wilsteadbowlsclub.co.uk

If you need any club information or would like to 'have a go' please get in touch.

Sue Marchant

Club Secretary

07716676383

sue@marchantonline.com

Elstow Cricket Club

(Local cricket club for Wilstead, Wixams, Elstow, Kingsbrook, Cauldwell and other surrounding areas)

Planning is well under way at The Warren for the start of the season. We have already had our first successful event with the Cheese & Wine Tasting evening. Thanks to Wisson-Hill Wines for this thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Our AGM was also held in March and we are delighted to announce that we have a full team of officers & support staff to make up our Development Committee. A huge thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help the club in the upcoming season.

Despite the wet March we have made a start on setting up the ground. Lots of volunteers came to the #GetSetWeekend to help put up the nets, build the covers and make a start on all the other pre-season jobs (pitch rolling, grass cutting) and preparing the tearoom and changing rooms for the upcoming season.

We are delighted to say that we have been successful in our fundraising over the winter. This means that our proposed works to improve the tearoom, bar area and changing rooms, in conjunction with Elstow Abbey FC and the Elstow Playing Field could start as early as April 2024.

The Indoor Season is complete and whilst we haven't managed any silverware this year we have got through another season with four open age teams, one in each of the Beds Indoor Cricket leagues four divisions and the Elstow Belles have completed another season in the Bedfordshire Ladies Indoor League. A huge thank you to our very own Tom Wisson who is the Chairperson of the Bedfordshire Indoor League.

Elstow Cricket Club Needs You

Elstow Cricket Club is a friendly club with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. With a thriving junior section and competitive men's and women's teams, the club continues to evolve into one of Bedfordshire's most forward-thinking cricket clubs.

We are looking for new members to come forward and help support the rapid growth of our club including:

· New players - all genders, ages and ability are welcome.

· Scorers – this is a paid position and official training will be provided if needed.

· Umpires – this is also a paid position and again training is available if required.

· Coaches – training course fee's will be covered for anyone who fancy turning their hand at coaching.

· Volunteers - to help with running the bar and serving refreshments.

For more details on All Stars please visit www.ecb.co.uk/play/all-stars or contact us at the Cricket Club.

Season Diary

First Sunday home fixture will be Sunday 28th April when our 1st XI takes on Stoney Stratford at the Warren.

First Saturday home fixture will be on Saturday 4th May when our 2nd XI takes on Ickwell.

Vice Presidents & FECCers Day is planned for Saturday 27th July when our 1st XI take on Buckden at the Warren. Look out for information on the theme for the day which will no doubt include one of Elstow CC's famous hat raffles.

Our End of Season Party is booked for Saturday 7th September and will coincide with the 1st XI penultimate game of the season against Blunham CC.

Useful Information

Please get in touch by emailing us at elstowcricketclub@hotmail.co.uk or by calling one of our current committee members as follows:

Jim Tanswell – Chairperson 07775 668123

Fiona Tanswell – Treasurer 07855 758696

Geoff Couling – Youth Development Manager 07577 609399

Ranvir Thiarra – First Team Captain 07590 375172

Matt Stevens – Groundsman 07811 105822

Nicola Wisson-Hill – Belles Co-ordinator 07789 586671

Alternatively, visit our website elstowcricketclub.co.uk for more information.

Gardening Like a Royal

At the April meeting the Wilstead Garden Club are delighted to welcome Mike Stewart, a very experienced horticulturalist with some interesting stories about the famous gardens he has worked in. We can't promise any secrets will be revealed but we are sure there will be some insights to keep us entertained, even about the gardens!

Entry to the meeting will unfortunately increase from the April meeting to £3 because of changes of letting at the Village Hall. There is an optional raffle at £1 per ticket. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday 16th April at 2.30 pm in the Village Hall. Everyone is welcome.

Our March meeting welcomed back Susie Lickman who over the past year has been increasing her knowledge of houseplants by exploring orchids. 34 people enjoyed her first talk on the plants and we again learned how to keep them happy by not watering them too much.

The entertaining talk featured Columbo and Midsummer Murders and some stories of plants being taken into showers with owners! More relevant information was about the different needs of orchids for soil or not, whether to cut finished flower stems or not, the management of orchids in terrariums and what to do with those out of the pots roots. Who knew those roots acted like leaves on other plants and photosynthesised and should be green.

We are looking forward to our Plant Swap in May. This is open to everyone so if you are sowing seeds, dividing perennials or even have small shrubs, think about finding new homes for your surpluses at the Garden Club in May.

We hope to welcome you at our next meeting on Tuesday 16th April at 2.30pm.

Wilstead Garden Club Committee Maralyn, Lynda, Mary, Viv, Julie, Annette and Chris

wilsteadgardenclub@hotmail.com

Reader's Letter

The family of Ray Terry would like to thank everyone who attended Ray's funeral on 12th March at All Saints Church and for the support they have given them during this sad time. It has been very much appreciated. Also thank you for all the donations received for Sue Ryder - St John's Hospice.

Jane and family.

North Bedfordshire Ramblers

Come and join us for a walk. We walk every Saturday afternoon approximately 6 miles and Saturdays twice a month in morning for approximately 12 miles.

April Walks

Saturday 6th April pm Little Staughton,

6 miles

Saturday 13th April am Pegsdon 13 miles,

or pm Sherington 6.5 miles,

Saturday 20th April pm Clapham Park

7 miles

Saturday 27th am Unlock Church London 7.5 miles or pm Bromham 6 miles

Contact; Margaret Sawyer 07780933729 Facebook; North Beds Ramblers

www.ramblers.org.uk/north-bedfordshire

Readers Letter

Please……………

Please will the person/people stop turning the Car Park sign, situated at the corner of Castle Close and Cotton End Road, to point the wrong way. The sign is meant to be pointing into Whitworth Way to encourage cars to be parked in the Village Car Park instead of at the roadside. This village suffers enough with cars parked roadside, sometimes causing problems for emergency vehicles to get through. If you see these people defacing any road signs, please point out the error of their ways and that it is illegal to do so.

Many thanks.

A concerned resident

(name and address supplied)

Wilstead Village Hall Management Committee

Annual General Meeting

Thursday 16th May 2024 at 7.30pm in small hall

The position of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer should be nominated at least 10 days prior to the meeting to the Chairperson or Secretary.

Chairperson – Sandra Spinks

sanschambers@hotmail.com 07853395939

Secretary – Angela Fosbrook

angela.fosbrook@ntlworld.com 01234294692

Please Come Along And Support Your Local Facility And Consider Becoming A Committee Member. New Members Are Needed With New Ideas About How To Keep The Hall Running Smoothly.

Wilstead Village Hall

Great news!

For those who have not been in the Hall recently, in March we had Air-conditioning fitted by Prime Air Services and are very pleased with the installation team and the system. There are units to cover both halls and the system will cool the area required on hot days (with the doors closed), or heat up the area required if the temperature drops too much. An ambient temperature will be set but please speak to Brian at the beginning of your hiring about the system. The WVHMC wishes to thank the Parish Council and Marc Frost's Ward Funding, for their contributions to the cost.

On Thursday 16th May at 7.30pm in the small hall, the Hall is holding its AGM. Please do come along and consider putting yourself forward to be on the Committee. We need people with new ideas about how to run and maintain the Hall. Please see the AGM notices and posters, and contact Sandra or Angela for further information.

Don't forget if you are hiring or about to make a booking to use the hall, that from 1st April 2024, the rates of hire are not increasing BUT payment to hire the hall starts from the moment the hirer steps into the Hall and up to the moment it is vacated. There will not be any 'free'time from that date for preparation or clearing away. Only our regular hirers will have a special arrangement.

To find any information about the hall, T's & C's, rates of hire, to make a booking via the On-line Diary etc, please visit: wilsteadvillagehall.org.uk.

Chairperson – Sandra Spinks – 07853395939

Secretary – Angela Fosbrook – 01234 294692

Wilshamstead Parish Council

Bedfordshire Police Inspector Visit To Wilstead

Summary Of Local Items Parish Council Updates:

· New and improved signage for Jubilee Way as well as the local facilities off Jubilee Way ordered

· £1,500 grant awarded to Wilstead School PTA to enhance outside learning environment

· Additional Christmas lights coverage for along Cotton End Road agreed in principle

· Funding of additional supplies to support Wilstead Wombles litter picking work

· Whitworth Way play area annual inspection report received, to inform planned improvements

· Through social media engagement, expressions of interest from local companies received for quoting for Jubilee Centre MUGA pressure washing work

Littleworth Lighting – Feedback From Comments Received

Large Planning Application In Neighbouring Parish For 1,000 New Homes

Parish Council – Why Not Join Us?

Bedford Borough Local Plan Latest

The latest communications relate to:

8th March 2024 The Council has written to the Inspector with an update to their initial response (ED80) to the Inspector's Post Hearing Letter. (ED79). The Council's recent letter can be viewed at ED81 in the Examination documents.

13th March 2024 The Inspector has replied to the Council's letter (ED81) requesting a pause in the Examination in order to complete further work. The Inspector's letter can be viewed at ED82 in the Examination documents.

If you would like to read the latest exchanges then head over to:

https://www.bedford.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/local-plan-2040-examination/examination-latest-news

Contacting The Parish Council

The best way to contact the Parish Council is to email Lizzie (the Parish Clerk) at:

office@wilsteadparishcouncil.org.

Alternatively, you can call 01234 743152 or write to PO Box 1548, Bedford, MK44 5AX.

Please note the Parish Office (at the rear of the Village Hall) is open most Mondays, 9.00am to midday. It is worth ringing in advance to ensure it is open.

The next Parish Council meetings are planned for Mondays, 15th April, 13th May, 10th June and 22nd July. As always, they will be held at 7.00pm in the Small Hall of the Village Hall. Members of the Public are always welcome to attend and to raise any issues of concern during the 'Open' part of the meeting.

Reader's Letter

My name is Cal and I'm currently running a public health project supported by Bedford Borough Council: Street Tag.

Street Tag is a fun, free smartphone app that turns physical activity into a game and rewards you for moving.

Users run, walk or cycle and collect virtual tags through the app, giving them Street Tag points and then help their team move up the leaderboard.

We have a Community Leaderboard and a Primary school leaderboard to join. It essentially turns Bedford Borough into a giant virtual playground.

This campaign project aims to increase mental and physical health first and foremost. There are also financial prizes with up to £150 for the first-place community team all the way down to £35 for 20th.

I am hosting Park Bonus (meetups), livestreams, interactive social media challenges and so much more as part of the community building aspect. Everything we offer is free of charge to support our community.

More info at

www.beactivebeds.co.uk/

Kind regards,

Cal