Editorial

You may wonder why we have such a strange picture on the front cover of the magazine - this is to remind people to think before they park! Although that is an extreme case of inconsiderate parking, it does illustrate the problem encountered by pedestrians from bad parking. There are examples of people parking on the pavement or grass verges all over Shefford making it difficult for those with wheelchairs or motorised scooters to get about safely and without having to go onto the road. Bad parking also affects the partially sighted as they may not see the obstacle until they are upon it! There are also issues with ambulances and fire engines, particularly on estate roads, not being able to access or exit houses in a hurry as vehicles are badly parked thus endangering lives.
This is also the time of the year when I remind dog owners to clear up after their pets when out walking and please put the bag in the nearest dog bin or take it home to dispose of, don't leave the bag tucked into the hedge or hanging from a branch as someone else may have the job or removing it before they can tidy up the path or trim the hedge. This is an issue that was highlighted during the Town Plan Consultation.
Already with the lighter nights and longer days we are seeing an increase in vandalism with damage on the Millennium Green. It is so discouraging when a few destroy what others are doing to benefit the community. I know some of you think that there is not enough to keep the young people occupied in Shefford and would like to see more done, but there is only so much money and so few volunteers available to arrange anything extra. There are many groups and organisations catering for youngsters of all ages and only a small minority spoiling it for the rest of their peers. You may remember last year the police organised, a mobile skate ramp which was to be taken around various communities, including Shefford! Unfortunately it was damaged before it came to Shefford. The good news is that the ramp has been repaired and should be coming here soon. There will always be those who do not want to take part in organised activities, that is their choice, but that does not give them the right to destroy what others want to enjoy as this costs the whole community by way of the community charge and leaves less for new projects. If you do see acts of vandalism please report it, not only will you be helping stamp out the problem, you could stop some young person getting into real trouble by acting before things get out of hand!
Away from the moans, this is the Silver Anniversary of the Craft and Produce Show so get your schedules early and see if this year the community can muster record entries to make this a really special year for the team who put it all together for us to enjoy and remember, it isn't the winning it is the taking part that counts!
Don't forget the Summer Fayre, which enjoyed superb weather and record numbers last year, we wish the organisers even more success this year. In the last magazine there was an appeal for more volunteers and again in this issue groups are asking for volunteers. Whatever you plan to do, enjoy the summer and let's hope for long sunny days again this year to enable us all to get out and about. Don't forget for those who are new to the community or do not already have them, there is a set of Shefford Walks Leaflets which can be obtained free of charge from the Town Council, Library and some shops.
Jennifer

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Copy
All copy for consideration for inclusion in the AUTUMN 2004 issue of Newsline, should reach me, Jennifer Harrison at 4 New Street, Shefford, Beds. SG17 5BW by 4th JULY, 2004, for publication in AUGUST.