‘The Reformer’, the wine from Warden Abbey Vineyard’s first harvest since BRCC and Shuttleworth College took it on in 2010, is now available to purchase. Limited to an edition of just 1,200 bottles, this English Quality white wine - commended at this year’s International Wine Challenge - is the perfect way to celebrate Christmas. Support a local charity while raising a glass to Bedfordshire!


As Jane Markham, Warden Abbey Vineyard Project Manager, explains:

“The Reformer is a nod to Cardington’s famous resident and prison reformer, John Howard, who is featured on the label. The name also links the vineyard’s medieval origins as part of Warden Abbey, dissolved under the English Reformation, and its latest ‘re-formation’ as a vineyard for the local community.”

In the run up to Christmas, you can drop into our offices at The Old School, Cardington to taste and buy the wine (cash or cheques accepted) at the following times:

Taste and buy, with festive nibbles:
Thursday, 8th December, 2011 | (2.30pm – 6.30pm)

Taste and buy:
Friday 9th December, 2011 | (10.00 am – 2.00pm)
Saturday 10th December, 2011 | (11.00am – 1.00pm)

You can pre-order by contacting Janet Ridge on 01234 832611 or at janetr@bedsrcc.org.uk.

‘The Reformer’ is competitively priced at £11.99 per bottle, and there are discounts for vineyard volunteers and case purchases. Special gift-wrapped and presentation bottles will also be on sale, along with the BRCC 2012 Calendar (see below). Sales contribute to the vineyard project and BRCC’s support for community initiatives.

The Warden Abbey Community Vineyard project is still looking for volunteers and community groups who would like to be involved. To join our mailing list and receive the very latest vineyard news, or if you are interested in joining us as a volunteer, please email info@wardenvineyard.org.uk, phone Jane Markham on 07981 113714, or visit www.wardenvineyard.org.uk.

BRCC has produced a 2012 calendar, which you can buy directly from Southill Stores or from BRCC’s office in Cardington (either drop in to one of the above tasting events or send a cheque to:

The Old School, Cardington, Bedford MK44 3SX.

Priced at just £4.99 there are 13 months for the price of 12 (as January 2013 features too)!

(NB: Click on the above image to view a low-resolution version of the BRCC 2012 Calendar.)

Children and those still young at heart - come and visit Santa in his grotto on Saturday 10th December 2011 on the Marston Vale line. Special decorated trains are being run between Bedford and Bletchley. Santa and helpers will be on board together with a face painter and a balloon modeller. (Refreshments will also be available to buy on the three trains.)

The Marston Vale Santa Specials depart Bletchley at 10.01 | 12.01 and 14.01. From Bedford at 10.55 | 12.55 and 14.55.

Normal ticket prices apply: £6.20 (adult return), or £3.10 (for child return) and with GroupSave three or four people travel for the price of two, and up to four children travel for just £1. (Tickets can be purchased on the train – join at any station along the route.)

For further information ring 01234 832 645.

You can read about this year’s Ghost Train on Hallowe’en in an article published by the Times & Citizen, “Ghouls and witches take over train”

Local residents are poised to launch a Good Neighbour scheme in Biggleswade. The scheme is there for anyone in Biggleswade without close family or friends nearby and who might need occasional help. For instance, help with shopping, collecting prescription medicine, dog-walking, or practical assistance around the home.

Would you be interested in joining Biggleswade Good Neighbours? Is there some way Biggleswade Good Neighbours might be able to help you out. If so, then give Terri Anne a call on 01767 313610 or contact Justine Hunt at BRCC on 01234 832648 for more information on the scheme.

It’s not often that you get something for nothing, particularly in these cash-strapped times. However, BRCC’s Creative Services team has produced two informative guides that we hope will be useful to individuals and businesses seeking to engage a graphic designer/s or improve their photography skills.

Free to download from the links below: (NB: click image/s.)

There is still time to apply to the Greensand Ridge Rural Development Programme if you have a project that helps to develop the rural economy across this part of Bedfordshire. However, all funding must be spent by the end of 2013 at the latest.

This story was featured in the Biggleswade Chronicle on 18th November, click here to read the article.

For further information on the Programme please visit: www.greensandrd.wordpress.com

As you can tell from receiving this e-bulletin, staff at our Cardington office are once again able to communicate by email.

Apologies if you have not heard from us over the last few weeks while our broadband line has been down.