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Burials suspended January 2013 An extraordinary meeting of Arlesey Town Council took place on 11th December to discuss the future of the new Arlesey cemetery in Hitchin Road. The cemetery had been closed to burials, late November, due to waterlogging. Consultant Mr Justin Smith stated that the cemetery site was “not suitable”. Options to remedy problems were: • raise land by 2 metres • to drain or de-water land – the cost would be prohibitive • cremated remains can be interred • 4/5 burials per year at the site, arrange burials at other cemeteries. In 1996, when the cemetery was established, the guidelines were not as stringent as they are now, and that regulations now would probably not allow the site to be used. New guidelines were drawn up in 1999 and these were reviewed in 2008/9 by the Environment Agency. In a Q & A session by Councillors it was established that no part of the cemetery is more than 1 metre above the water table. Outside the guidelines laid down by the Environment Agency. Councillor David West requested the matter be open and transparent and that it not hidden behind closed doors or on ‘pink paper’. Cllr. Holloway was adamant this matter should be dealt with swiftly and that the situation is urgent. It was agreed that he and Cllr. Caffrey were to take on this issue and make sure it was acted on promptly, with a view to trying to keep the cemetery open in the future. It was revealed a survey of the cemetery was made in 2010 and the council discussed this in the Q & A, details of this survey were not disclosed. £3,000 was spent on 6 bore holes to determine soil and water structure. In conclusion it was decided that burials will be suspended at the cemetery, the future of the site be investigated as soon as possible as to whether it could re-open for burials, and that the family of the man unable to be buried there at the end of November given financial assistance. In a statement from Arlesey Town Council it stated: “the Town Council resolved to suspend full interments in the cemetery until further notice. This is due to the fact that the cemetery suffers seasonally high water tables and for Groundwater Protection, burials must not take place in groundwater”. “Until groundwork tests and advice on all possible mitigation options have been investigated the Town Council very much regrets that they have had to make this decision. The Town Council sincerely apologises for any inconvenience and distress this may cause to residents”. “In the meantime, the cemetery remains open for visitors and interments of cremated remains. Cllr Nick Daniels Chairman Gothic Mede Lower School: January The end of the Autumn Term always comes in a cloud of glitter and tinsel as the children make cards and presents for their families. Following a successful Christmas Fayre, PFGM generously donated money towards purchasing some Ipads for the school. Father Christmas was on hand to deliver this early present. Amid the panto and parties enjoyed at the end of term, our Year 4s found time to make their annual trip to sing to our friends at Chase House. We also sang in the Community Christmas Concert. Parents and other relatives joined us in school for our Christmas concerts and helped us begin our fund-raising for Great Ormond Street Hospital, our charity for this year. People were very generous and we have already raised over £300 from our exit collection. We have other fund-raising events planned over the rest of the year for this worthy cause. The new year sees us make our steady journey towards Academy status. This is a great opportunity to formalise some of the excellent work we carry out with other schools in our local community, particularly those who are part of BEST/ BEMAT. For the Community at large the school will appear the same. As a large number of schools in Central Bedfordshire are converting to Academies we do not expect this to happen much before September 2013. We are always keen to work with the community. Twice a term we have enrichment afternoons where the children can learn a new skill. If you have a skill or a hobby you would like to pass on to the next generation please contact the school via the office on 01462 732002. We are particularly looking for gardeners to help with a lunchtime gardening club in school! Finally, from all at Gothic Mede, we wish you a happy and prosperous New Year!! Derek Archer Head Teacher 2 012 saw the continuation of some, and start of other big changes for Arlesey; a consultation on the proposed expansion, a second travellers site approved with more pitches added to the existing site and construction underway, the platforms at the station extended and a new footbridge over the railway near the Mill Pits. 2012 will also be remembered for the cemetery having burials suspended and the day PM David Cameron visited the town. But lets not forget that Arlesey Town Football Club got to the first round of the FA Cup for the second successive year and the town was decked with bunting and flags for the Diamond Queens Jubilee celebrations. Lets hope that 2013 is fantastic year for all and we put the town on the map for the right reasons. We would like to wish all our readers and advertisers a very happy and prosperous 2013! Steve Maddox – editor Published by: on the button, 32 Stotfold Road, Arlesey, Bedfordshire. SG15 6XT When responding to an advert please let advertisers know that you contacted them through ‘on the button’. Editorial Please send any letters or articles, before 18th January, to ‘on the button’ email: [email protected], or write to us at the address above. Advertising Please call for advertising rates on 01462 834265 or visit the website: www.onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk and click on advertising rates. All copy and payment to be received by 18th January, for inclusion in February issue. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this publication on the button cannot accept liability for any statement or error containe d herein. 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