Archived News - Bellows Mill
What will mum do when they start swimming?
Charlotte, a broody hen from Stanbridge, is a real quacker!
For the second year running, the surrogate mum has come to the rescue of a feathery friend and successfully hatched four ducklings.
The duckling's mother. Patti, a call duck, was the victim of an attack by a strimmer whilst sitting on her eggs. She had made a nest in the long grass beside the millstream at the Bellows Mill Restaurant in Eaton Bray and as a result of the trauma deserted her eggs. Luckily, broody Charlotte was more than happy to take over the responsibility of incubating them.
When asked whether the ducks were destined for the table, Tom Hodge, the owner of the restaurant said that there was no chance of this happening as Patti and her ducklings were pets and would be kept well away from the kitchen.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 3 July 2007
Ice maiden melts hearts of judges!
A bevy of beauties from Luton, Dunstable and beyond have gathered at a hotel near Luton to find out who would be crowned Miss Bedfordshire 2006.
The top tiara was awarded to Karlene Vardy, of Grange Way, Houghton Regis, who beat 17 other contestants to win the chance to compete in the Miss England finals next week.
Karlene, who was sponsored by Earth Productions and Promotions, was presented on Monday with a bouquet and the winner's sash and will also enjoy a test photo shoot, a chauffeur-driver car ride, exclusive couture dress hire and a fashion shoot with Herald & Post sister paper the Biggleswade Chronicle.
Second place was claimed by Hayley Sams, from Swansholme Gardens, Sandy, sponsored by Urban Kutz, while third went to Jenna Harrington, of London Road, Luton, who was sponsored by the Holiday Inn at Luton Airport. They were presented with sashes, bouqets and champagne, and the chance to enjoy a test shoot with the official Miss Bedfordshire photographer and fashion shoot with the Biggleswade Chronicle.
The Miss Beds finals, held at Eaton Bray's Bellows Mill Hotel, saw entertainment provided by solo artist James Rooney, a cousin of football hero Wayne.
Singer James recently got through to the second round of popular TV show The X Factor.
After Monday's excitement, Miss Bedfordshire Karlene will go on to compete against more than 60 other regional finalists at Miss England 2006 in Leicester on Thursday, July 13 and Friday, July 14.
Source: Herald & Post, 6 July 2006
Kelly will host beauty show
A former beauty queen from Leighton will present this year's Miss Bedfordshire competition.
Kelly George, 26, from Springfield Road, Linslade, was crowned the county's beauty in 1999. She returns to the spot light on July 3 at Bellows Mill, Eaton Bray, to introduce the contestants and award the title.
Nursery nurse Kelly said: "There hasn't been a competition for six years, and organisers were so pleased to hear from me. Since winning the title I have had so many exciting opportunities and experiences offered to me."
And it's not just beauty that counts in the eye of the judges. Kelly explained that on the night the experts will be looking for personality, appearance and dress attire before choosing a winner.
The mum of two hopes her past experiences, which include taking part in a fashion show run by The Sun newspaper in London to promote clothing by 'Naughty', will launch her career back into modelling or promotional work.
"I have been inspired by my mum, Donna. She was a local beauty queen also, and was crowned Leighton-Linslade Carnival Queen," said Kelly.
This year's winner of Miss Bedfordshire will then go on to compete in the Miss England competition in Leicester on July 13.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 27 June 2006