Scope and Content
Letter from Headmaster to Chief Education Officer; 'On February 20th this year I reported that a large portion of a perimeter wall on the old school playground had broken away and needed urgent attention in case an accident to the children occurred through further decay. I omitted to mention ...that the wall belonged to a Miss Eastwood, whose property is adjacent to part of our playground. Since informing you of the damage, Miss Eastwood has requested urgent attention being paid to this matter as her property is now in the process of being sold'; 7 May 1975
Further letter; 'On 20th February 1975 I first reported that a section of brick wall, belonging to a person whose property backs on to our playground, had, over a period of time, become somewhat of a danger to the children. It is possible that our children were partly to blame for its condition. It was agreed to erect a temporary boundary fence and an order was sent to H F Gibson of Clophill on 5 May 1975. As minor building repairs have been executed by F Saunders of Shefford since about that time, I assume that the order has been overlooked. I would appreciate your arranging for the repairs to be carried out as soon as possible, as the situation has deteriorated since last year and there are several loose bricks in danger of falling'; 11 November 1976
Letter from County Architect; 'A brick wall forming the boundary between the property on the Ampthill Road and the school playground is deteriorating to an extent that the wall has fallen down and a large section is a hazard to the children. I believe that the owner of this wall is a Miss Eastwood, the Old Bakery, 55 Ampthill Road [later corrected to 53a Ampthill Road], Shefford. This lady has made representations to the Headmaster of the school stating that it is the Authority's responsibility to reinstate this wall as children have caused the damage. My Area Building Surveyor has inspected the wall and feels that because of lack of maintenance and the complete lack of adhesion in the mortar joints between the bricks that this wall would have collapsed anyway and that the attentions of the children would have made not a great deal of difference. However, as this appears to be a case of a shared responsibility, would you please ascertain from the lady if she would be prepared to accept a percentage of the cost of reinstatement of this wall'; 14 December 1976
Letter from County Treasurer to County Architect; 'As the lady has not yet made a claim against the County Council I am unable at this point in time to refer the matter to the County Council's Insurers. Also bearing in mind that your Area Building Surveyor feels that it was the condition of the wall rather than the attentions of the children which has caused it to collapse, I feel the Insurers would initially repudiate the claim on behalf of the County Council. The problem is no doubt complicated by the lady's age and the County Council would not wish to press her to reinstate the wall. Therefore I feel that somebody must make the decision as to whether or not the wall should be reinstated and if the wall should be reinstated then a decision would have to be made as to whether or not the County Council bore the cost itself to protect the pupils at the school or whether some attempt be made to obtain a contribution from the lady concerned'; 2 March 1977
Memo from County Architect to Chief Education Officer; 'With reference to the security requested to louvre windows fitted over two windows in the Group Room ...I am pleased to inform you that the architects, Charter Building Design Group, have informed me that a window lock has been fitted onto the timber frame inside the Group Room which will prevent any person from opening louvre windows from the outside. I trust that this will prove to be satisfactory in operation, and relieve the Headmaster further anxiety'; 10 October 1975
Report on inspection by Fire Service; 3 February 1976
Report by Chief Fire Officer following inspection 9 March 1976
Letter from Headmaster to Chief Education Officer; 'I wish to make initial enquiries about the possibility of having a brick wall built at the edge of the playground in the new school, in order that the children have a surface to bounce or kick their ball against, away from the main building. I have made arrangements for several willing and one qualified parent to help with its erection in the event of your permission being granted'
Suggested dimensions are Length 12 feet, Height 6 feet, Thickness 9 inches; 24 May 1976
Memo from County Architect; 'I have no objection to this work being carried out as specified. We have a similar structure at Holmemead School at Biggleswade and provides a useful addition to playground facilities'; 22 June 1976
Letter from Headmaster to Chief Education Officer; 'I am concerned about the unsatisfactory state of the fencing bordering the drive to the new Lower School building. It was erected two years ago by the contractors to protect the children from their lorries, but some form of fencing is still necessary as there is no pavement to the path leading to Bloomfield Drive, which is extensively used by our children. I assumed, at the time of its erection, that the fencing was a temporary measure, to be replaced by something more suitable at a later date. At present, the fencing has deteriorated so as to prove a danger to children using the path as well as a hazard to motorists using the drive'; 22 September 1976
Two letters from Headmaster; 'I wrote on 18th May 1976, asking for a door-stop to be fitted on a door {in the Wet Activity Area] which was found to be dangerous to children, particularly on windy days. I have yet to hear the decision of the County Architects Department concerning this matter, which I feel is now one of some urgency because of the likelihood of increasingly bad weather this term'; 15 October 1976
and 'I refer to my letter of 27 May 1976, pointing out that the upper handle on the front exterior door of the Nursery Unit was too high. Following my first request I was visited by the Buildings Surveyor who thought that rather than alter the handle, a step should be provided outside the main entrance. I have to report that I am still waiting for the four paving slabs to be fitted outside the door with consequent discomfort to the parents and staff'; 15 October 1976
Memo from Chief Education Officer; 'I have recently been informed by the Headmaster ...that he is concerned that children have to step from the path into the road to skirt a 5ft tall brick pillar which blocks the path from the pavement outside the school. Now that the new Nursery Unit has opened, this problem has become more acute and more cars are using the drive at the time when these children are leaving school. Before stepping into the Main Entrance drive they are unsighted and this could cause considerable problems in the future. I should be grateful if you would kindly let me know whether the removal of this brick pillar has been programmed and, if not, whether the work could be carried out in the near future'; 5 January 1977
Letter from Headmaster; 'I am concerned about parents' and other cars being parked in the narrow driveway leading to the car park at the rear of the new Lower School. This situation has arisen since the opening of the Nursery Unit in September and has progressively deteriorated, causing a hazard to the children who have to cross the drive at the point where the cars tend to park, near the Nursery Unit's entrance. In order to point out this danger to every driver visiting the school, I would appreciate your arranging to have a sign fixed under the School nameplate asking drivers not to park in the main drive'; 11 January 1977
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'The Headmaster has requested permission to erect fencing and fence posts at the rear of the school in order to enclose an area for the keeping of small animals. The work is to be entirely financed by the school, and I should be grateful, therefore, if you could visit and advise on the technical aspects of this proposal'; 28 April 1977
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'I have recently received a letter from the Headmaster requesting that the Secretary's and Staff Room doors at the schools be exchanged. The School Secretary's Room is, apparently, very draughty as it faces the main entrance to the school, but the door is kept open so that the Secretary can greet visitors. If the glass-panel Staff Room door was fitted to the Office the Headmaster feels that the difficulties involved would be resolved'; 23 December 1977
Reply; 'I agree that the proposed changing of one door for the other would greatly improve the lot of the Headmaster's Secretary. Both doors are of the same size and are hinged and swinging the same way, therefore I estimate the cost of carrying out this item as being approximately £10'; 23 January 1978
Memo from County Architect to Chief Education Officer; 'I have investigated the problem of the internal paintwork as requested in your memorandum dated 17 October 1977, and write to inform you that the nature of the problem as expressed by the Headmaster is an internal decorating matter and as such, under the present economic conditions, we are unable to issue works orders in order to put this right. There is no objection, however, should the Headmaster produce details to a self-help scheme for this area'; 25 January 1978
Memo from County Architect to Chief Education Officer; 'It has been brought to my attention that during the recent half term holiday, electric heaters in the external toilets were not switched on nor the water supply turned off. A freeze up in the old school office was discovered during the first week-end of the holiday but was not reported until two or three days later when the pipes burst. The water in this instance was not turned off either. Considerable damage was done to the office ceiling and I feel sure that had the heaters been working and the water switched off in the external toilets, time in freeing frozen pipes could have been saved. I feel it would be an advantage if caretaking staff were refreshed on the procedures to take at this time of the year in order to prevent frozen pipes during periods of vacation'; 27 February 1978
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; I have received a request from the Headmaster for washbasins to be provided in the three outside toilet blocks in the old building. He states that two of the toilet blocks have drinking fountains installed and that it would be a simple conversion to exchange the fountains for washbasins. I should be grateful if you would kindly arrange to investigate this matter and if you find that the conversion would in fact be a simple matter, please proceed charging the cost to the contingency fund'; 12 July 1978
Reply; 'I have investigated the possibility of installing washbasins in the outside toilets as requested. Before proceeding with this work I must inform you that the estimated cost of carrying this out would be £387. You may find this sum greatly in excess of the amount you anticipated'; 9 November 1978
Reply; 'At the present time the amount involved in converting all three units appears somewhat excessive and I should be grateful if you would kindly provide an estimate of the cost of doing each block separately'; 29 November 1978
Reply; Boys and Girls Toilet: Supply and fit 2 drinking fountains and two wash-basins, including wastes and water supply etc., £150 each section
In the Boys Toilet, which is a building on its own, to supply and fit washbasin £84
'This would mean to supply and fit a wash-basin would cost £84 and to supply and fit a drinking fountain would cost £67.50 per item, including services and drainage'; 9 January 1979
Reply; 'There appears to be some misunderstanding as to what is required at the school. Your memorandum refers to the cost of installing washbasins and drinking fountains, when in fact all that is required is the conversion of the existing drinking fountain in the boys and girls toilets to washbasins. I should be grateful, therefore, if you would kindly let me know the cost of supplying and fixing two washbasins in place of the existing drinking fountains. With regard to the boys toilets, I should be grateful if you would proceed with the installation of one washbasin, the cost of which I understand will be £84. This should be charged to the Education Contingency Fund 1978/79'; 22 January 1979
Reply; 'I confirm that we supply and fix the two extra washbasins as required at a cost of £84 each as per the original estimate'; 18 April 1979 Reply; 'I confirm that it will be in order to install the two washbasins, charging the cost to the Education Contingency Fund 1979/80'; 24 May 1979
Letter to T P Roche & Company Ltd, Piccotts End, Hemel Hempstead, informing them that their tender for Renew Boundary Fences at St Andrew's School, Biggleswade, Henlow Lower School, Shefford Lower School and Arlesey Youth Club, had been unsuccessful; 18 July 1978
Letter to the Havering Fencing Company, 253 Chase Crossroad, Collier Row, Romford, informing them that their tender for the above for £4,934 had been accepted; 18 July 1978
Memo from County Architect to Chief Education Officer; 'It has become necessary to supply and install replacement heating in the Bristol Building. Before spending a considerable amount on this project, would you indicate to me the expected life and usage of this building'; 6 April 1979
Reply; 'The expected life and usage of this building is likely to be approximately 5 years'; 12 April 1979
Quotation from Eastern Gas for making a supply available to the above 'Lay 32mm diameter supply to proposed meter position in store room. Fix one 200 cfh capacity meter complete with governor and filter. Test. (Outlet supply to be provided by others). Our quotation does not include for any permanent reinstatement to the trench on private property'; cost £115.56; 29 March 1979
Memo regarding the canteen; 'Further to Mrs Gotham's telephone conversation with Mr Coleman on 1st December 1978, the bad smell still persists in this kitchen. Could the cause of this be thoroughly investigated and remedied as a matter of urgency'; 11 May 1979
Letter from Headmaster to Chief Education Officer; 'I feel that I must draw your attention once again to the extreme discomfort caused to the class teacher and children of Class 2 [new building] during cold or windy weather conditions. I do appreciate the present economic situation and the difficulty of providing money for minor building projects, but the teacher concerned is suffering considerable discomfort by the prevailing winds which makes her classroom far colder than any other in the school as well as disturbing papers and movable objects every time the exterior door is opened. Being an open-plan school means also that other adjacent classes are similarly affected. The Staff and parents feel strongly enough about the situation to have suggested trying to help, if need be, by raising a proportion of the cost of building a porch, if approved by County Architects'; 25 September 1979
With drawing of school layout showing Mechanical Ventilation [no scale] with proposed location for covered porch [extension to Home Base 4]
Letter from County Architect to Chief Education Officer; 'There appears to be three options available:
A porch purely to act as a windbreak; such a construction could be made in timber and glass and would cost approximately £100 - £150. Its size would be door width x say 4' long. This type of building would provide a windbreak but its purpose would be defeated if a class had to pass through it together
A porch to be big enough to hold a class; this type could also be timber and glass. Its size would be approximately 12' x 8' and would enable a class - or most of the class of children to enter the porch and close the door behind them before the door to the classroom is opened
A porch for Class 2 and adjoining class. The teacher of Class 2 would prefer some sort of "conservatory" type building which would enable both classrooms to use the area for storage and for some other activities, i.e. woodworking. Such a building would be approximately 15' x 30' and cost in the region of £3,000.
All of the sizes are approximate and the costs have been based on the school providing a certain amount of labour involved from interested parents'; 20 June 1980
Further letter; 'Whilst agreeing with the principle of such a scheme and the undoubted improvement in occupant comfort, I feel that I cannot justify its implementation at this time. The approximate cost would be in the region of £2,500 and whilst I cannot comment on the amount the school are prepared to contribute, a substantial amount would have to be provided from the Energy Conservation Budget. These monies are not available at this juncture, and the project would not be cost effective. Additionally, it is proposed in the Capital Programme for 1982/83 to construct the next phase of the school. The porch would, I feel, clash with the overall design plan of the building, and if constructed, would certainly be removed to allow building works to proceed. The porch, I feel, could be incorporated in the design of the next phase of the school'; 26 September 1980
Letter from Headmaster to Chief Education Officer; 'Before Mr Coleman, Building Surveyor, resigned his position, he was in the process of arranging for the architects department to suggest the most appropriate way of treating the swimming pool surface. As the children were deprived of their swimming last summer, I am anxious that this project is completed as soon as possible. Could you please inform me whether the pool is likely to be treated this summer, or whether, because of financial stringency, the pool maintenance is to be suggested as a self-help project'; with pen note 'specification prepared and sent for pricing'; 27 February 1980
Letter to Marlows Structural Protection Limited, 34 Cemmaes Court Lane, Hemel Hempstead, and D I G Flooring Contractors Ltd, 1 Corncrake Close, Luton, informing them that their tenders for Renewal of internal surface to swimming pool had been unsucessful; 12 June 1980
Letter to Remcrete Ltd, 23 Old Park Road, Hitchin, informing them that their tender for the above for £1,596 had been accepted; 12 June 1980
Letter from Mrs D Corney, Correspondent to the Governors, to Chief Education Officer; 'I am writing to express [the School Governors] concern over the long delays involved in the completion of the swimming pool. Apparently the Headmaster has been given several verbal promises and assurances of work being carried out, mainly by the County Surveyor at the time. To date, these items of work are still outstanding (i.e. the handrail being replaced and the concrete surround being made safe). The Governors would appreciate it if the County Architect could detail, in writing, exactly when the work will be carried out. As you will appreciate, the children have been unable to use the pool for the last two summer terms, and the Governors are anxious to ensure the pool will be fully operational for the Spring/Summer Term 1981. I did telephone Mrs Miller of your department prior to the recent Governor's meeting. She kindly made enquiries with the County Surveyor and advised me that the work was "in hand". However, the Governors feel that something a little more definite is called for'; 3 November 1980
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'I write to advise you that the single Willett temporary hut, which is due to be demolished during the Summer holidays, is no longer being used, and, as such, arrangements can be made for the electricity to be disconnected. I should be grateful if you would also arrange for one of the heaters to be transferred to the Bristol hut, as their capacity is greater than those in the Bristol hut. The blackboard, cloak fittings, fluorescent lighting and lamps should also be removed as they could be used elsewhere'; 13 May 1980
Reply; 'To install one of the heaters in the Bristol building would require two of the existing heaters being removed and new wiring distribution boards and circuitry being installed at a cost of £200. Due to the high cost involved I must point out that if the heater is installed, the classroom would still be underheated. If you wish me to proceed with the work, no doubt you will confirm with a cost allocation. If you decide not to proceed, I shall be able to use the heaters as replacements at various other schools; 4 June 1980
Reply; 'I understand from your colleague, Mr Curtis, that the heaters in the Bristol building are functional and there do not appear to be any problems. In the circumstances, I would be unable to justify the expenditure involved in transferring the heaters from the Willett classroom. Perhaps, therefore, you could make use of the heaters at other schools where there are heating problems'; 31 July 1980
Report from Chief Fire Officer following inspection on 25 April 1980; 15 May 1980
Letter to Pace Heating Company Ltd, 6 Park Road, Sandy, informing them that their tender for Renewal of Heating Boiler had been unsuccessful; 24 July 1980
Letter to Topham & Eaton, 60 Spruce Walk, Kempston, informing them that their tender for the above for £2,037.52 had been accepted; 24 July 1980
Letter from Mrs D Corney, Correspondent to the Governors, to Chief Education Officer; 'One of the Governors reported that on her recent visit she was very concerned about the excessive amount of movement in some paving slabs outside the hutted classrooms. They are laid on a slope and are so uneven a child could easily trip up. Perhaps you would be good enough to have these paving slabs inspected and attended to. The other point observed is that the paintwork in the old school building (including the hutted classrooms) has flaking patches. The stark contrast between the new building and the old wing is considerable, and if we could at least keep the paintwork free from flaking, it would help to improve the appearance of the old wing. Is it possible to have the damaged paintwork attended to in the near future?'; received 13 February 1981
Letter from Headmaster to Chief Education Officer; 'It has become very apparent during the prolonged spell of wet weather this month that a second line of paving slabs is required to widen the existing path next to the Bristol hutted classrooms. It is the main thoroughfare linking the two areas of the school and the path is at present inadequate to take two-way traffic'; 9 April 1981
Letter from Mrs D Corney, Correspondent to the Governors, to Chief Education Officer; 'You may recall, back in December, I wrote to you regarding the pathway and driveway at the school. Both had large holes in the tarmac and were in need of attention and repair. You advised me in December that the pathway had been used by the Contractors during the building work at Robert Bloomfield School and was awaiting tarmac finish, together with a number of other small areas still outstanding. The pathway has been attended to, but there is still a rather large uneven area on the driveway that has not been touched at all. It is about half way up the drive, between Robert Bloomfield School and the Lower school. As it seems to have been overlooked when the remedial work was carried out to the other areas, it would be appreciated if the driveway could be made good'; 27 May 1981
NIC EIC Inspection Certificate regarding electrical installation at Shefford Lower School Nursery; 3 July 1981
Letter from Williams & Company, Solicitors, acting for Messrs V G Green & Sons Limited; 'We act for the above named Building Company who are currently developing a site adjacent to the school. Our clients are concerned about the state of repair of the boundary fence, which we believe belongs to the school. We understand the boundary is partly fencing and brick wall and is in a dangerous condition. Our clients would like the boundary repaired so as to prevent any future possibility of damage to the properties being developed on the site, and also any possibility of injury to the children whilst in the playground area'; 9 July 1982
Letter from Headmaster to Chief Education Officer; 'It has been brought to my notice by Messrs V G Green & Sons, Builders, Ampthill Road, Shefford, who are developing the area between the Ampthill Road and the school boundary, that part of a brick wall has cracked and could fall into our play area. There seems to be some doubt in their minds whether they or the County Council are responsible for the maintenance of this boundary fence. I would apppreciate your solving this legal problem and arranging for someone to repair or replace the existing wall'; 9 July 1982
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'In order that I may reply to both the Headmaster and Williams and Company, it would be most helpful to receive your comments on the condition of the boundary wall and to learn whether any urgent repair work can be undertaken should the maintenance of the wall be the responsibility of the Authority'; 23 July 1982
Reply; 'My Area Building Surveyor advises me that he visited Messrs V G Green and Sons Limited, advising them that the boundary wall is not the County Council's responsibility; they have accepted this and will act accordingly'; 16 September 1982
Memo from County Architect to Chief Education Officer; 'It is proposed to upgrade a small area of flat roof at the school using a sprayed polyurethane foam. The BRS are at the moment carrying out monitoring exercises on this type of roof and have requested to monitor this particular installation. I have no objections to this as we will be able to gain useful information on the performance of this type of insulation. The monitoring equipment takes up very little space and would be installed approximately one week before the work commences, which it is hoped will be in the next 3-4 weeks'; 12 August 1982
Letter from Building Research Establishment; 'We have installed our monitoring equipment on the thermally upgraded flat roof on the older building. We experienced some teething troubles with the data logger, but appear to have overcome these by using mains power from the school. This power cable was installed during the school's Christmas break, and since then the quality of the data has improved significantly. We can therefore look forward to collecting some useful data during the next few months, after which we should be able to make some kind of estimate of the saving in heating costs provided by this insulation. Subsequent monitoring over the next few years should detect any deterioration of the insulating layer, and hence lead to a more informed estimate of the pay-back period'; 14 January 1983
Further information from County Architect; 'Heating Oil 19.2p per litre, Cost of Foam £908, Cost of Flashing around edges £493'; 25 January 1983
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'The Headmaster has informed me that during the recent spell of wet weather, two of the ladies working in the school kitchen have slipped and fallen on the plywood ramp attached to the outside door of the canteen. I should be grateful if you could investigate this matter and let me know whether it is possible to replace the ramp with a safer construction or whether it is possible to make the existing ramp safe'; 17 November 1982
Reply; 'My Area Building Surveyor has carried out a modification to the existing ramp which will eliminate any future problems'; 7 January 1983
Letter from Williams & Company, Solicitors, acting for Messrs V G Green & Sons Ltd, regarding Bakery Mews housing development, Ampthill Road; 'There is an access road which runs adjacent to the development site leading to the Primary School. We have no information regarding the ownership of this strip of road but we understand that it has been tarmaced in the past. We shall be grateful if you can give us any information regarding the possible future adoption of the road by the local Highway Authority - is this likely? Could you also please confirm that you have in fact assumed responsibility in the past for the tarmacing of the surface of the road'; 15 March 1983
Memo from County Surveyor to Chief Education Officer and County Architect; 'The access road referred to in the letter is not maintained by the Highway Authority, and therefore, I would be grateful if you could give me any information as to the ownership'; 17 March 1983
Reply from County Architect; 'We are unable to provide any information regarding ownership of the access road referred to, and suggest that you contact the Valuation Department'; 24 March 1983
Letter from Headmaster; 'It was noticed during a visit by Mrs Thompson, County Inspector, that the playground surface in the new school is breaking up badly and needs resurfacing, while several paving slabs making up the path to the playground need re-setting'; 8 December 1982
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'In order that I may advise the Headmaster on these matters, I should be glad to receive your comments on the condition of the playground surface and to learn whether it is possible for any resurfacing work to be carried out. It would also be helpful if the paving slabs on the pathway could be re-laid'; 20 December 1982
Letter from Headmaster; 'At a recent inspection of our electrical apparatus arranged by the Authority, the Baby Belling Cooker, supplied as initial equipment for our "new" school in 1974, was found to be defective and was "not fit for further use". I am quite prepared to pay for a replacement cooker out of school funds if necessary but would prefer a slightly larger model. I would appreciate your arranging for an inspection to be made of the existing cooker power point to see whether it is suitable to take a larger power supply, and to inform me whether or not the Authority are in a position to help pay for a proportion of the overall cost if it is felt necessary to change the wiring'; 10 March 1983
Reply from County Architect to Chief Education Officer; 'I would confirm that the existing cooker circuit will, without modification, be adequate to cater for such a unit'; 5 May 1983
Letter from Mr J Williams, Correspondent to the Governors, to Northern Area Education Officer; 'The Governors asked me to draw your attention to the condition of classrooms in the old school which will remain in use until completion of extensions to the new building. In their report, the Visiting Governors (for the Summer Term) considered that the lighting levels were inadequate and that there is a need for some redecoration as the paintwork is chipped and peeling. They were apprehensive on account of the age of the building, that some paintwork may be lead based. It is appreciated that for the three or four years the old school is expected to remain in use, it may be difficult to justify the allocation of funds, but the Governors are concerned for the welfare of the children and would like to be satisfied that adequate standards of lighting will be provided and that there is no health hazard from obsolete paintwork'; 20 July 1983
Reply from County Architect to Chief Education Officer; 'I would confirm that the levels of illumination in the teaching areas are below the required standard. I have accordingly arranged for the relighting of these areas to be included in the 1984/85 Relighting Programme, subject to your consideration in relation to the relighting priority list which will be agreed with you in due course. In the meantime, I can see no reason why the teaching areas cannot be redecorated as planned'; 14 October 1983
Memo from County Planning Officer, Forestry Section, to Chief Education Officer; 'My Forestry Officer has inspected the trees in the old playing field. These trees overhang the property of Mr A D Cochrane of 67[?a] Ampthill Road who has complained about the shading and deposition of leaves in his garden. There is a small Scots Pine which is causing no particular trouble although it is a very poor specimen. The other two trees are much larger; one an Ash overhangs the wall of the garden but is a rather well shaped specimen and I would therefore recommend only minimal pruning to reduce the overhang into Mr Cochrane's garden. The Birch tree which is adjacent to the old entrance to the school is a very poor specimen and shows some signs of rot in the crown. I would therefore recommend that this tree be felled. This work should alleviate the problem to some extent but I can see no justification at this stage for removing the Ash tree altogether'; 13 December 1983
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'A further tree, namely an Acacia, has been drawn to my attention and following an inspection by the Forestry Officer, he has recommended that that the tree be felled to ground level but that the stump be left in the ground to re-shoot'; 14 February 1984
Letter to Betts & Brittin, 94 Bedford Road, Rushden; Morgan & Spencer, 4 Latchmore Close, Hitchin; Gibson Brothers, 59 Clophill Road, Gravenhurst; and Dawsons (Shefford) Ltd, Victoria Road, Shefford, informing them that their tenders for Repairs and Redecorations at Various Bedfordshire County Council premises in Shefford and Campton had been unsuccessful; 10 January 1984
Letter to H J Webb & Son, Decorators, 25 Cambridge Way, Langford, informing them that their tender for the above for £26,636 had been accepted; 10 January 1984