Sue Ryder - a local hospice in Bedford offer a Christmas tree recycling service to raise money for the invaluable care services they offer. All you have to do is register on their website, leave a donation and they will collect your tree, which will be chipped. Their website is www.sueryder.org

I’m sure we all know that Oil Seed Rape (OSR) is used for cooking either as a cooking oil or as an ingredient in salad dressings etc. Indeed it’s a healthy option too, as it contains the lowest saturated fat content of any oil – half as much as olive oil!
Here are a few more interesting facts about this versatile plant that you may not know:

1. OSR is a brassica - part of the cabbage family.
2. As well as looking attractive the vibrant yellow OSR flowers are full of nectar so bees love it.
3. The oil was originally produced as a lubricant and is still used in chainsaws to help minimize friction in the chain.
4. Rape seed oil can also be used as bio diesel in specially adapted cars or heating systems.
5. The high protein by-product left after processing rape seed oil can be fed to livestock.

Five people die on UK roads every day, so why do we still think it’s OK to speed? Every time we driver faster than the speed limit or too fast for the road conditions, we increase the risk of a crash and the chance that someone we love will be killed or hurt on a road. Find out out you can become involved at Brake - a road safety charity. #RoadSafetyWeek
Bedfordia support a local road safety charity called Road Victims Trust - to find out more visit their website.

It promotes what British farming is and raises awareness of the vital work farmers are doing to the wider public, whether that be feeding the nation, protecting our environment or providing millions of jobs. 

Farming is also fundamental to our well-being, connecting us with our beautiful countryside and the rural communities within it. 

For more information, have a look at their website.

The team dressed in and ate all things pink yesterday to raise money for Breast Cancer Now Awareness month. For every pound we individually donated, Bedfordia have pledged to treble it! Everyone was very generous and we will let you know how much we collected shortly.

The children were excited to be back at Forest School where they can have hands-on experiences of woodcraft in a beautiful setting. It’s a great time to be amongst the trees when the leaves are changing colours and the mild weather is a real bonus.
As well as the ‘obligatory’ tree climbing, Harley and his students have already completed natural art, tree identification and learnt a square lashing to create stick animals.
 

This year Breast Cancer Now are focusing on raising awareness around secondary breast cancer, which is when breast cancer spreads around the body.  Currently it can be treated but nor cured but they hope that their research will help buy more time so people can live their lives to the fullest for as long as possible. For more details please visit Breast Cancer Now

We will be supporting this important initiative by hosting a coffee/cake event at Bedfordia offices with everything pink on Wednesday 18th October! Everyone will be asked to make a contribution that will be matched by Bedfordia.

Lets bake!
 

Given the tricky weather and high moisture levels, everyone had to work very hard to get this done. The team celebrated with dinner at the Queens Head in Milton Ernest, where a good time was had by all.

It's Back British Farming Day on Wednesday September 13. This year marks the eighth Back British Farming Day and the NFU is aiming to make it the biggest yet. If you love British food, and our iconic countryside, find out more at their website Countrysideonline