The Baldock Blog

Mea Culpa

2007-02-01T03:17:00.000-08:00

Have meant to update this, but over the past few months I have been busy and the more time goes by, the more difficult it is to restart. I do feel that this blog should be a team effort, although I will try and kickstart it again this year.

Apologies

Paul

Christchurch event

2006-05-13T05:14:00.000-07:00

The following is an event organised by Christchurch in Baldock:

You are invited to a full English breakfast

Vijay Menon will speak on

"Why I gave up religion!!"

Saturday 20 May
08.30 at Central Methodist
(Junction of Norton Way Sth/ Pixmore Way, Letchworth)

Cost - £4 RSVP 683064/ 674776 by May 19

Well if you are intrigued by the talk and like a full English breakfast then by all means come along. I strongly suspect that I will!

Baldock Festival

2006-05-13T03:42:00.000-07:00

(North Hertfordshire District Council)

Apologies for the delay again, but as you probably know, I have recently been involved with the local elections and spend what blogging time I have on my personal blog, which I use as a campaigns blog.
In any case, the annual Baldock Festival is now underway, with daily events. I had hoped to go to the "Seeing Stars astronomical event" last Thursday, but got held up at the last minute. This Saturday, however, will be seeing a "Fire Station Open Day" at Baldock Fire Station (Sat, from 12-4PM). A Craft Fair at St John's Roman Catholic School (Sat from 10:30-3:30PM), A Jazz Concert at Knights Templar School (7:30PM), A Night at the Races at Baldock Community Centre (Sat 8PM).

A Mild Shock

2006-04-10T01:46:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, I was at Baldock Train Station on the way to work, when there was this enormous bang, and the sound of bottles smashing.
Could only mean one thing. Someone had tried to drive a lorry under the bridge next to the station and got stuck.
Due to the lack of foresight and attention, a no of us had to swiftly call for taxis and there was a train delay at the station for up to an hour, whilst they tried to sort out whether the bridge was safe.
What irritates me is the lack of judgement shown by the lorry driver in question. As someone said to me who used to drive lorries, it's ideal to knock off six inches of the height of any bridge a lorry driver is considering going under, that way you can't go wrong.
But thankfully no one was injured and life swiftly returned to normal, and thank God for the bypass!

Palm Sunday

2006-04-10T01:41:00.000-07:00

(BBC Online)
This Palm Sunday saw Baldock Methodist Church worshipping with our Anglican bretheren at St Mary's Church, Baldock.
I had wanted to set off earlier, so as to catch the procession from Clothall Common, but events conspired against me, and those of us waiting in Church were spared the sight of Sally the Pony, who was going to make an entrance into the Church, but seemed to be tto tired to do so at the last minute.
In any case it was a good service, although very liturgical. Nothing wrong in that, although it is something I am not altogether used to. That said, it was a good service, with the children performing a scene from the Passion.
They also had plenty of hot cross buns with tea and coffee afterwards, and then home, when, with some time to spare, I watched a DVD of Keeping Mum, starring Rowan Atkinson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Maggie Smith, and Patrick Swayze. An enjoyable black comedy set in a small picturesque village of Midsomer Murders proportions, involving a shy Vicar, a frustrated housewife, a nymphomaniac seventeen year old, a sleazy golf pro, and a motherly housekeeper with homocidal tendencies!
Suffice to say that the phrase "I'll just put the kettle on!" is now enough to rather unnerve me! ;)
BTW I came across this photo of worshippers at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City, taken earlier today. The Church is believed to be where Christ's body was buried.

The Baldock bypass

2006-03-21T01:37:00.000-08:00

First of all, my apologies for not keeping up to date with this. Christmas and New Year saw me at a busy time and then the longer I left it, the more easy it was not to update this blog. A lesson in there I am sure.
Anyhow, the Baldock bypass has finally opened and it has made a heck of a difference to the traffic in the town. Instead of seeing blocked traffic at key parts of the day, everything runs more smoothly and there is more of a relaxed feel to the town.
Let's hope it lasts and that things improve.

Christmas Tree Celebrations

2005-12-05T04:51:00.000-08:00

(St Mary's Church, Baldock)

Yesterday evening I went along to what is probably the most bizarre Christmas service yet.
It concerned a dedication of Christmas trees.
Put basically there has been a recent idea for people and organisations within Baldock to take part in a Christmas tree competition at St Mary's Church. 'Churches Together in Baldock', (an ecumenical organisation which involves nearly all the Churches in town liasing together for various things, and of which I am Secretary) put forward a tree, and the winner was to be announced at the service (The judges would be the public, who would visit the Church during the weekend and look at the trees on display, which were in rows by the various pews).
Suffice to say we did not win, I have even (to my shame) forgotten who did and if anyone involved is reading this, please could they remind me!
The service was also packed (which was good) and full of couples my own age with small children (which I didn't expect and which made me feel old :/).
But all in all it was great fun.

Christmas bazzar

2005-11-20T06:11:00.000-08:00

(www.twgoose.freeserve.co.uk)

I am usually a stickler for the proper ways to celebrate Advent/Christmas.
That means I refuse, point blank to buy any Christmas presents before the first Sunday in Advent, that I cannot abide to see any decorations put up before then etc.. etc..
Of course I am fully aware that I am being somewhat unreasonable here! To organise for a succesful Christmas, generally speaking, we need to get ready fairly early, and I do speak as someone who has the luxury of being single and yet not living on my own, so I don't suffer from some of the stresses that many people have in preparing for Christmas.
But all of that said, it was yesterday morning, as opposed to next Sunday (27th Nov), that it all seemed to start for me. Baldock Methodist Church were having their Christmas bazzar a week earlier than planned, so as not to clash with the Baldock United Reformed Church's Christmas bazzar, and I had to be there to help take part.
This meant getting up slightly earlier than usual on a Saturday morning, and having time to appreciate the morning frost (so much so I committed the extra personal heresy of putting on a 'Best Christmas Album in the World...' CD on, so as to appreciate such a sunny winter morning),and finding at the very last minute, that I forgot to put the scones out to defrost the night before (Although nothing that couldn't be handled with a slow heat, with foil on top, in in the Chruch oven).
Then it was helping to make teas and coffees all morning, plus washing-up afterwards. More people than usual and well over £100 raised from what I have heard.
Roll on Christmas! Although I find that once you put on a Christmas CD, it is difficult to get out of the habit. I am currently listening to the glorious musical offering known as 'Merry Christmas Everybody' by Slade.

Talking of Christmas..

2005-11-13T07:58:00.000-08:00

(twgoose.freeserve.co.uk)

Baldock Methodist Church are holding a Christmas bazzar this coming Saturday. Admittedly this is a bit early, but it is so that it doesn't clash with the United Reformed Churches event the following Saturday.
The bazzar will be from 10AM to 12:30AM, and the Church, for those of you who don't know, is in Whitehorse Street, opposite the 'Rose and Crown'.

Christmas at St Mary's

2005-11-09T16:03:00.000-08:00

Well in this case the tree event ;-).
The poster opposite gives the basic info, but anyways St Mary's Church are hosting a Christmas Tree festival and Christmas Fair. This will be on the 3rd-4th December from 10AM to 4PM on Saturday, and from 12 Noon to 6PM on the Sunday. You can bring your own tree and decerations as well, the more the merrier (No pun remotely intended)
It will cost £1 for adults and it's free for children.
Definetly worth a look-in

The Long and Winding Road

2005-11-07T16:19:00.000-08:00

Some of you will have noticed that my blog entries here are infrequent. This is for two reasons at the moment. The first is that I am hoping for outside contributions to take precedence over my own, as I feel this should be a blog that is more representative of Baldock. The second is that I am currently fighting a by-election and I want to therefore (tied in with first reason), avoid bias where I can on this blog.
That said, I thought I would mention a road which I discussed with one Clothall resident this evening, and that is the road at Orwell Hill.
It has never, to be honest, a road I have felt safe on. Not even at 4:45AM, on the way to Stansted Airport, when there is no traffic about. The reason for this is that I am generally wary of country lanes being used as race tracks by the irresponsible, added to the fact that the two lane A603 has some pretty sharp bends.
So I was pleased to read some of my concerns being mentioned in the 'Royston Crow' today, where several hundred heavy vehicles travel daily on the A603. Not only that but the article mentions that the road is an accident spot for speeding motorists. Again, the racetrack syndome amongst some drivers. To be fair a speeding camera has been set up, but last week someone set it on fire.
This is an issue that local villages around Baldock in the Weston area can petition on, but I think it is clear that something more substantial needs to be done than having a speed camera.

Strange mail

2005-11-02T06:59:00.000-08:00

This morning was a bit of a One Foot In the Grave moment, when we got a birthday card through the letterbox for a 'Gary Shaw'. It looks like there is a card inside and is c/o'd to our address. None of us know a Gary Shaw, so if any of you know of someone with that name in the Baldock/Ashwell area, please let us know.

Forthcoming events at Baldock Methodist Church

2005-11-01T01:54:00.000-08:00

(Bygrave Handbell Ringers/Bible Society)

The Baldock Society Action Group are inviting people to join their 'Coffee Morning and Bring and Buy' at Baldock Methodist Church. This will be on Wednesday 9th November from 10:00AM to 12 noon. All are welcome.
Not only that, the Bygrave Handbell Ringers will be performing at Baldock Methodist Church, on Thursday 8th December at 7:30PM. Admission £3.00, children under 11-free.
The proceeds will be going to the Church Window Restoration Fund.

Baldock Graffiti

2005-10-16T10:35:00.000-07:00

(Comet Newspapers)

Was saddened and disgusted to hear that vandals have already been having a go at the Baldock Bypass
After ten years in preperation, and with it due to be open early next year, ahead of schedule, it is unfortunate that the stupid acts of a few individuals cause difficulties for those who want this to go ahead!
The cost of clearing this up is £100,000.
The bypass will help ease the traffic problems which Baldock faces and, so long as there are proper contingency plans, help business in the town.
Which is far more of a positive contribution to the community than these individuals have made. How much in money have they contributed to the good of Baldock?

So Farewell then....

2005-10-16T10:28:00.000-07:00

(North Herts Liberal Democrat Councillors)

Geoff Hollands, the Liberal Democrat Councillor for Baldock East has decided to quit, following his move to Milton Keynes.
He served his Ward for two years, after narrowly beating Les Wilshire in 2003.
The Baldock Blog wishes him well and looks forward to the forthcoming by-election.

Baldock Community Centre

2005-10-10T14:20:00.000-07:00

There will be a 'Spanish for Beginners' course starting on Nov 5th at the Community Centre in Simpson Drive, just off the High Street. It will be on Saturday's from 10-12am. A four week taster course will cost £30
To find out more, contact Ana Del Rio on (01462) 490967

Quiz Nights..

2005-10-04T10:12:00.000-07:00

Within the first two weeks of each month, on a Sunday night, at about 8PM. The Whitehorse Pub host a quiz night.
I sometimes take part myself and last Sunday five teams were involved.
The questions can be tough and to have a team you need friends who know a variety of subjects, and the quiz is popular. The most teams I have known to be involved are ten, and they are of varying ages.
So if you are in the vicinity on a Sunday night, during the first fortnight of the month, have a look and join in!

Licencing laws Pt 2!

2005-09-20T14:56:00.000-07:00

I have heard further criticisms, from local residents, concerning the proposed licencing laws affecting Baldock!
Apparently this will be addressed at a forthcoming council meeting. I will keep you informed on how this goes!

More on Elmwood Court jumble sale!

2005-09-20T06:53:00.000-07:00

I have been told that they raised £650.
Many thanks for those of you who attended.

Elmwood Court

2005-09-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

At last. First piece of news given to the Baldock Blog!
Elmwood Court are hosting a jumble sale at 10:30AM on Saturday 17th September.
All are welcome

Baldock and Fame

2005-09-06T11:04:00.000-07:00

Was browsing through Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia and I found that Baldock has an entry. I have copied it here below:

Baldock
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Location within the British IslesBaldock is a town in Hertfordshire, England on the River Ivel. It is in the local government district of North Hertfordshire.

Baldock was founded by the Knights Templar (also the name of the town's secondary school) in the twelth century, indeed the word Baldock is believed to be a corruption of Baghdad, which the Templars would have visited during the crusades (However, some have suggested that the name is more likely to be derived from "Bald Oak", meaning a dead oak, and that Baghdad was not, in fact, visited by the Crusaders). The modern layout of the town, and many buildings in the centre, date from the sixteenth century.

The town grew up where the old Great North Road and the Icknield Way crossed. Even though the Great North Road, later the A1 no longer passes through the town centre (since the construction of the A1(M) motorway in 1970), the town is still a major traffic bottleneck. This should be relieved before 2006 when the new bypass removes the A505 road (old Icknield Way) from the town. Due to its location, the town was a major staging post between London and the north, with many old coaching inns still operating as pubs and hotels, and has a surprising number of pubs considering its size.

The number of pubs becomes less suprising once the adjacent, much larger town of Letchworth is visited. Letchworth has very few pubs (only two plus the hotel bar up until the mid 1990's) for it's large population who have for many years visited Baldock for refreshment.

There has been human activity on the site well before the modern town was founded. Many Roman remains have been discovered during building work in and around the town, and the site of the Roman settlement is located near the Hartsfield Primary School in the town. Earlier Iron Age remains have also been uncovered, as well as a medieval leper colony, located on Clothall Road (formerly Pesthouse Lane).

An authoritative history of "Baldock's Middle Ages" (ISBN 0 905858 97 2) was complied by Vivian Crellin, a former headmaster of the Knights Templar secondary school.

Baldock was formerly the location of a film studio, the Art Deco facade of which still stands—converted to a supermarket in the late 1980s. Another notable building in the town is the fourteenth century Baldock Parish Church of St Mary. Malting and brewing were formerly major industries in the town, but apart from some light industry, today it is mostly a commuter town.

grid reference TL247337
[edit]
Nearby villages
Ashwell
Bygrave
Caldecote
Clothall
Hinxworth
Newnham
Radwell
Wallington
Weston
[edit]
External link
Information about the town

This English location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldock"
Categories: England geography stubs | Towns in Hertfordshire
------------------------------------

Encouraging to know really ;)!

Licensing laws!

2005-09-06T11:01:00.000-07:00

(Comet Newspaper)

One of those occasions when, what makes the national news also affects Baldock.
The following appeared in The Comet this week:

Residents fear that Baldock could be turned into a paradise for drinkers, increasing problems of vandalism, rowdy behaviour and noise as town centre pubs get permission to stay open later.

They are concerned that locals could be joined by a flood of others from outside the town for drinking sessions which get out of hand.

They expressed their fears at the licensing session for The Engine and White Hart pubs on Tuesday, heard by North Herts district councillors.

I have to say that I totally agree, even speaking here as an individual member of the Labour Party!
The ideas behind the licensing laws are wel-meaning, but misguided. They don't take into account that in Europe there is a different drinking culture. For example a bottle of wine usually accompanies a meal, but that bottle lasts the whole day, not during lunch!
I also believe however, that those pubs which will not take advantage of the new licensing laws, will have the support of many people within the Baldock area.

Chavtowns

2005-08-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

My sister has spotted a website called Chavtowns, where people mention a town they think is full of chavs.
Now apparently the name chav is an old gypsy term, but recently it seems to have taken off as a form of abuse towards a certain group of people. For example, the character of Vicky Pollard in the BBC Comedy series 'Little Britain' is referred to as a Chav!
Stevenage and Letchworth have been put forward, and Hitchin has been mentioned as a 'posh' chavtown.
Thankfully though, Baldock hasn't been mentioned, which was somewhat of a relief!

Baldock bypass

2005-08-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

According to the Baldock Mail the bypass is making some good progress, and it is hoped that the target of finishing by November will be reached.
Which is good, especially given the problems we have in Baldock without one, and I look forward to the day that I am not in a car going down Ickneld Way and having to face a minor traffic jam!
But there are fears from some people that it will not help small business in Baldock.
Those are realistic fears and, whilst the bypass will do a lot of good for Baldock, we need to work at helping to build-up the town and making a success of it!

Some relatively recent local history!

2005-08-14T14:05:00.000-07:00

As some of you know, one of the post-war claims to fame that Baldock has, is the fact that the 70s BBC sitcom, 'Porridge' did some of it's location filming here!
It is where the prison allotment scenes were made.
Unfortunatley the building (just outside the town) where they filmed these scenes burned down in the 1980s, but some locals remember it well.
According to one friend of mine, she once saw Richard Beckinsale leave the 'George and Dragon', as it was where he stayed during filming.
Another example of a small world.