www.ampthill.org.uk - Welcome to the Historic Charter Market Town of Ampthill, Bedfordshire. The home town of the man that named New York, Colonel Richard Nicolls - www.ampthill.org.uk

Ampthill.Info launches 24th November

*Ampthill Pages*
Ampthill History	Ampthill Today	Ampthill Future Events	The Mayor's Blog
Shop/Business Directory	Ampthill Town Council	Local Government	Churches
Ampthill Festival	Ampthill Music Festival	Ampthill Cricket Club	Map of Ampthill
Schools	Ampthill Video Archive	Links to Related Web Sites	Volunteer in Ampthill
Images of Ampthill	Ampthill's New Market Square	Historical Images	More Historical Images
Ampthill Weather	Ampthill Rugby Club	Youth Matters	Local Quizzes
Ampthill Park	Get Involved in Ampthill	Clubs, Societies & Voluntary Groups in Ampthill
Community Safety (new)		Transport (new)
Council Services from Your Town, District & County Council		Mark Smith's District & Town Council Blog (New)
Ampthill Farmers Market (new)		Ampthill's Community Liaison Forum - 'Got Issues. Get Answers'
The Ampthill Plan - A Vision of the Future for Ampthill		Ampthill & District Good Neighbours
Contact Your Local Councillors with Your Issues
*Personal Pages*
Mark Smith's Homepage		Leukaemia/Health Site Links
Former Mayor's Blog 2005/6 (new)
'Put Up or Shut Up' Campaign - Greater Community Involvement
Mark Smith's Tribute to Shirley Nolan (Founder of the Anthony Nolan Trust)
*Learn How You Can Become a Bone Marrow Donor*

Remember a loved one this Christmas

Tree of Light

The Rotary Club of Ampthill and District in partnership with Ampthill Town Council invite you to dedicate a light on the Tree of Light in Ampthill Market Square in remembrance of a loved one or to honour a friend or relative.

You will find cards with which to make your dedication and donation in various shops and locations around Ampthill until 29th November.

We will also be in the foyer of:

Mortgage Store, 2 Church Street, (Market Square), Ampthill on Thursday 27th, Friday 28th and Saturday 29th of November from 9am to 12pm where you can write your card and leave your donation.

All donations will be paid to the Ampthill and District Rotary Club Trust Fund (charity no. 1030790) for distribution to the following organisations and charities: Ampthill Health Centre, Bliss, MacMillan Cancer Care, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Ampthill and District Good Neighbours, Autism Bedfordshire, Ampthill and District Rotary Club Trust Fund.

News

Planning Application: Car Parking and Housing development at Church Meadows, Church Street, Ampthill

To View the application visit: http://62.253.210.148/pap/index.asp & enter the case number: 08/01890

Ampthill Town Council discussed this application at their planning meeting on Wednesday 29th October & their recommendation to Mid Beds District Council's Development Control Committee (who will make the decision on the application was as follows:

08/01890/FULL

Land on the North Side of Church Street. Provision of a new long-stay town centre car park comprising 100 spaces and 38 new residential units (30 houses and 8 apartments).

Applicant: Waveley Developments Ltd

We are currently looking for the following volunteers to assist our vital community scheme:

Drivers - who are able to provide lifts to and from local hospitals, doctor�s surgeries, opticians, dentists and shops. (Your Mileage is repaid at 40p per mile).
Mobile Phone Holders - who are able to be part of a rota of volunteers who hold the schemes mobile phone (for a week at a time) and accept phone calls from residents in need and then arrange for a scheme volunteer to meet that need.
Steering Committee Members � we are looking for volunteers to join our steering committee and oversee and provide future direction for our vital service for our community.
Other Opportunities - in addition we are also looking volunteers that are able to collect prescriptions, undertake small household jobs (such as changing light bulbs, moving furniture, carrying out emergency minor repairs or doing occasional light housework), dog walking or other pet care (for example during holidays/illness), preparing emergency meals and snacks, befriending or gardening.

Don't be put off if you are working full-time or have a limited number of hours available. We would love to find hear from you whatever the amount of time you can give to the scheme. The reward is in the knowledge that you�re helping your �neighbours� in the community!

For more details on becoming a volunteer contact Mark Smith (Chairman of Ampthill & District Good Neighbours) for more details on 402560 (home) or 01234 354366 (work) or alternatively download a volunteer sign up form from the Good Neighbours page.

Ampthill & District Good Neighbours

Do You Need Help?

Then Call:

07833 314 903

To find out what help is available click here

Councillors Surgery

Held on the last Saturday bi-monthly (next one: 29th November 2008)

10.00 - 12noon - in the entrance to Waitrose, Bedford Street.

Town, District and County Councillors will be available to help you as much as they can with anything that is worrying you or that you would like to bring to the attention of the relevant authority.

County Councillor: Highways, Education and Social Services matters.
District Councillor: Waste, Planning, Leisure, Community Safety,
and Environmental Health matters
Town Councillor: Allotments, Ampthill Park, Coopers Hill, Kings Arms Path Garden, Charter and Farmers Markets and Burial Ground matters.

Please telephone the Town Council offices on 01525 404355 or call in to make a fifteen minute appointment. Councillors look forward to meeting as many residents as possible.

Ampthill Community Safety Forum

Find out what issues were raised at the meeting on September 2nd and what solutions were forthcoming. Visit the Community Safety Page. Next Meeting December 3rd @ Parkside Hall, Ampthill

Part of the family of Ampthill Sites

Ampthill Festival 2008

View Video Clips from a rain soaked Ampthill Park

Mark Smith - Mid Beds District Councillor - One Year On

Read how I assess my progress as a District Councillor, one year on from been elected by visiting My Blog

Waitrose �Community Matters� Funding Initiative

Waitrose in Ampthill is donating �1,000 a month to local good causes. Community projects in the town are set to benefit from �12,000 of funding this year thanks to a new initiative - Community Matters - which was launched on 19th August 2008.

Each month, Ampthill Waitrose Partners (i.e. employees) will choose three causes to benefit from a share of the supermarket's �1,000 regular donation.

Shoppers at the checkout will each be handed a green token which they can place into one of three labelled boxes at the store exit, allowing them to learn about and vote for the cause they would like to support. The more nominations a cause gets, the greater the share of the donation they will receive.

Shoppers can also join in supporting community projects by nominating causes that are important to them by simply filling in a Waitrose Community Matters leaflet at the welcome desk in the store. All types of causes such as senior citizen homes, local schools, voluntary groups, sports clubs and youth projects are poised to benefit from the scheme. Community Matters is a corporate and social responsibility initiative which will see all 190 Waitrose food shops across the UK donate money to local causes every month.

Talk to Mid Beds

Tell Mid Beds District Council where you think future residential & commercial development in Ampthill should & should not be located!

A little while ago landowners where invited to put forward parcels of land across Mid Beds for consideration for future development! This was your opportunity to make your views known on these potential sites!

Visit www.talktomidbeds.co.uk see what was proposed. The Consultation is now CLOSED!

New: Read Mark Smith's District & Town Council Blog

Flying the Flag for Ampthill

Future Events

The Premier place to find out what events are planned in the coming months in Ampthill

Christmas Tree Festival

St Andrew's Parish Church

Sat 6 Dec (10.00am to 5.30pm) & Sun 7 Dec (11.00am to 6.00pm)

Entry �2.50 14yrs and over, under 14yrs free entry. No charge for entry during Church services.

Refreshments, cards, gifts, books, decorations and raffle. Live music throughout the event.

www.ampthilltrees.com

Future Events

Nothing to do in Ampthill! Think Again!

Every Thursday	Ampthill Charter Market	Bedford Street, Car Park	8.30am - 2pm
Last Saturday Every Month	Ampthill Farmers Market	Behind The White Hart Hotel	9am - 1pm
Every Monday	Jazz at the White Hart	White Hart	8pm
20 - 22 November 2008	CANCELLED: Ampthill & Flitwick Dramatic Society: Perform "Ladies in Retirement� by Edward Percy and Reginald Denham	Parkside Hall	7.45pm
29 November 2008	Ampthill Councillors Surgery - more information	Entrance area to Waitrose Store	10am - 12pm
30 November 2008	Ampthill Christmas Lights Switch On (Switch on at 4.30pm, Funfair from 2.30pm)	Ampthill Market Square	From 2.30pm
3 December 2008	Ampthill Community Safety Forum - find out more	Parkside Hall	7.30pm
6 December 2008	Carols for Christmas by the Band and Songsters of the Leighton Buzzard Salvation Army - Programmes at the door �4	Ampthill Methodist Church	7.30pm
6 - 7 December 2008	St Andrews Christmas Tree Festival - ampthilltrees.com - see above for more details	St Andrews Church	All Day
15 December 2008	Ampthill & District Choral Society - Christmas Carol Concert	Firs School, Station Rd	7.30pm
21 December 2008	Christmas Celebration and Joint Carol Service with Ampthill Methodist Church	Ampthill Baptist	6.30pm
22 December 2008	Carols around the Christmas Tree with Father Christmas, Ampthill Town Band and St. Andrew�s Church Choir	Market Square	6.30pm
24 December 2008	Children�s Nativity Service	St Andrews Church	3.30pm
24 December 2008	Christmas Eve Carol Service	St Andrews Church	8.00pm
25 December 2008	Holy Communion	St Andrews Church	8.00am
25 December 2008	Sung Eucharist	St Andrews Church	9.30am
25 December 2008	Christmas Morning Celebration	Ampthill Baptist	10am
5 - 7 February 2009	Ampthill & Flitwick Dramatic Society: Perform "Ladies in Retirement� by Edward Percy and Reginald Denham (re-scheduled from November 2009)	Parkside Hall	7.45pm
15 February 2009	Ampthill Civic Service	St Andrews Church	3pm
16 February 2009	Ampthill Community Forum - come & quiz the 'powers that be'!	Baptist Church	7.30pm
19 April 2009	Ampthill Town Mayor's Charity Lunch	Masonic Hall, Church Street	12,30pm
16 May 2009	Ampthill & District Choral Society - Requiems by Brahms & Faure	St. Andrew's Church	7.30pm
27 June 2009	Ampthill Festival presents 'Prom's in the Park' featuring Ampthill Orchestra	Ampthill Park	tba
28 June 2009	Ampthill Festival Gala Day	Ampthill Park	1 - 7pm

For more details go to the Future Events Page

Ampthill�s Roll of Honour

Ampthill Town Council invites nominations to be considered for inclusion on their newly instituted �Ampthill Roll of Honour�. Nominees will be recognised for their outstanding contribution to the community of Ampthill, but will not be accepted if the candidate has been nominated solely for their political activities. Recommendations for admittance to the �Roll of Honour� should be supported by at least one other testimonial which should not be from a family member. Nomination forms are now available from the Town Council office at 66 Dunstable Street, and as much information as possible included - please use the reverse side of the form and attach extra sheets if necessary - to assist the Council in their deliberations and completed forms should be returned marked �Private and Confidential� to the Town Clerk by 31st January 2008. Up to a maximum of three awards may be given each year and will be presented at the annual Civic Service.

Should you wish to discuss the �Roll of Honour� before submitting a nomination please do not hesitate to contact the Town Clerk on 01525 404355.

The Mayor of Ampthill's Blog

Gary Summerfield

New: Find out how you can contact your local councillors

Here to Assist with any issues you may have!

2007 LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS

Find out who are your new Town & District Councillors

Waitrose - Now Open

Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 8.30am - 8pm, Saturday 8.30am - 7pm, Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone 01525 402277. www.waitrose.com/ampthill

Volunteering in Ampthill

There are plenty of voluntary and community groups crying out for volunteers in the town and in Mid Bedfordshire. To find out more visit the following:

Clubs, Societies, Voluntary or Community Groups in Ampthill Page

Volunteering in Ampthill Page

From the above pages you can find contact details of the many organisations that are based in the town & require new volunteers or members. Alternatively contact:

The Volunteer Centre Bedford - covers both Mid & North Bedfordshire and can assist you if you are looking to volunteer or if your organisation requires volunteers, in the following ways:

Volunteering Opportunities: by signposting you to Volunteering Opportunities with volunteer-involving organisations throughout the area.
Volunteers Required by Your Organisation: if your organisation requires volunteers we can publicise you needs via websites, newsletters, posters & regular mailings

Website: www.volunteeringbedford.org.uk (you can search for local volunteering opportunities a search box that simply requires you to enter your town/village name or your post code)

Email vb@bedfordvb.org.uk

43 Bromham Road, Bedford, MK40 2AA

Tel: 01234 213100

Ampthill Town Action Plan

This important action plan for the future of the Town has now been published. Click here for details & how to get involved in shaping this vibrant community's future

The implementation phase of Ampthill Town Plan has begun with a new Implementation Steering Group formed & headed by Nigel Milway (milway@btinternet.com). If you have an interest in joining one of the 5 implementation groups (Business; Infrastructure - Housing + Highways & Public Transport; Community - Sports, Social, Leisure & Entertainment, Youth & Community Facilities + Tourism + Education, Training & Employment; Services - Health & Social Services + Police, Other Emergency Services & Community Safety; Environment) contact Nigel. The Town Plan Implementation Group will be working closely with the Town Council to ensure that recommendations become a reality.

PARKSIDE HALL, Woburn Street Ampthill

Registered Charity No. 300000

For hire, a Function Room designed for any occasion.

Ample parking, Main Hall, Stage, Kitchen, Bar,

Small meeting room, Disabled access.

*********

Seating up to 250 for Conferences, Corporate events, and Public meetings

Seating for up to 180 for Dinner dances

Suitable space for Exhibitions

**********

*Conferences * Exhibitions * Public meetings *

*Dance groups * Jazzersize * Judo classes * Keep fit groups * Karate * Line Dance class * Salsa dances * Tea dances *

*Wedding receptions * Dramatic Society productions * Stage shows * Antiques fairs * Dog shows * Poultry shows * Animal charities * Concerts * W.I. * Blood donor sessions * etc. *

To Hire the Hall please contact Eileen on 01525 634215

CALLING ALL LADIES

Are you new to the area and want to make friends or, are you already resident here and want to try something different?

We, at Ampthill W.I. would love to see you and you can be assured of a very warm welcome. We meet on the second Wednesday of the month at Parkside Hall at 7.30pm where we have interesting speakers on a diverse selection of topics followed by coffee and a chat. We also run outings and competitions as well as events with other local W.I.�s

We also have a more serious side where we adopt resolutions annually, on a national basis, to put to Government in an attempt to improve life for residents of this country.

Come along and give us a try and we promise that you will not be asked to have any photographs taken for a calendar!

For further information please contact Jean Reeves on 01525 402487 or Diane Sanbrook on 01525 713931.

Council Services

New: Town, District & County Council Contacts - So often it is a complete mystery as to whether you should be contacting Ampthill Town Council, Mid Beds District Council or Beds County Council with a query. This new page hopes to draw together those contacts and demystify that process!

Houghton Close Surgery - New Website

Visit the new Houghton Close Surgery Website at www.houghtonclosesurgery.co.uk for information, news & even the ability to request repeat prescriptions online!

Also visit the nearby Oliver Street Surgery

New: Clubs, Societies, Voluntary or Community Groups in Ampthill

There are many clubs, societies, voluntary & community groups in the town, that are crying out for your involvement. Well know you can visit a new page on this site that lists them all by clicking here

Ampthill's Rich History has now been brought to life, with the launch of

www.ampthillimages.org.uk

This lovingly created website, by Ampthill resident John Day, contains over 2500 images of the Town.

Why not take a look!

*The People*
Population (2001 Census)	6897
Representing 5.7% of the Population of Mid Beds. 22.7% were under 16 years of age and 19.5% were aged 60 or over.
Households (2001)	2843
Eligible Voters (1998 County Council Estimate)	5357
*Economy*
Jobs (as at September 1998)	2100
(Representing 6% of the total number of jobs in Mid Beds)
Unemployment Percentage (2001 Census)	1.7%
*Land Use and Housing*
Area (in Hectares)	771
Average House Price (in 2001)	�151, 846
(this compares to the average in Mid Beds of �149,809)
Agricultural and Forestry percentage of land use in the ward	63.9%
Residential percentage of land use in the ward	11.5%
*Indices of Deprivation*
Indices of Deprivation Ranking 2000	7801
(out of a total of 8414 wards, where 1 represents the most deprived ward in England)
Car Ownership Percentage (Residents owning 1 or more cars)	82%
*Education and Learning*
Percentage Achievement of Results of Level 4 or above at Key Stage 2 (1998)	77%

Pro's	Con's

*A beautiful Georgian town, with a rich heritage.*	*Ridiculously overpriced houses that will deter first time buyers.*

*A good environment in which to live, including the fantastic asset of Ampthill Park.*	*The continuing decline in the influence of the town, with the recent loss of the magistrates court and the eventual loss of Mid Beds District Council's offices from the town.*

*A good range of clubs, societies and voluntary / community groups.*	A struggle for some groups to survive, as they struggle to attract new members and volunteers. This is perhaps down to the fact that Ampthill is essentially a commuter town and often seems to lack any community spirit! Additionally, youth services and amenities within the town have been lost over the past few decades, leaving the young people of the town with little to do.

*A good range of pubs (5) and restaurants (Italian, Indian, Mexican, Chinese, Thai).*	*Alcohol related problems (vandalism and anti-social behavior) in common with many towns up and down the country.*

*A positively good place to live, despite its faults. Then again, no where's perfect!*	A perception that a NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) mentality prevails in the town. For example, in the past decade, we have seen the emergence of such groups as Ampthill Against Ariel's, Ampthill Against Building in a Conservation Area, Ampthill Against Superstore and Car park and Campaign Against Rural Development.

Ampthill - Past, Present & Future

The Mayor of Ampthill's Blog