Mollivers


Activity centre and campsite in Bromham
mollivers@bedsguiding.org.uk

Molivers Lane, Bromham, Bedford, MK43 8LD

Grid Reference:  Landranger Sheet 153 — 008518

Activity centre

The Activity centre consists of a large hall with parquet flooring, tables and chairs; 2  bedrooms for 24 children sleeping in bunkbeds (16 + 8); 2 rooms suitable for leaders – one sleeping up to six (three beds with pull out under-beds) the other up to four (one bunkbed and one bed with under-bed). There is also a First Aid room with wash-hand basin and bed.  The kitchen is fully equipped with stainless steel units.  There are 3 toilets and showers in the children’s washroom together with five small wash-hand basins and two single shower/toilet-rooms; one of which is suitable for people with a physical disability. There is a picnic area with 4 picnic tables/benches. There is a defibrillator in the building. Large car park.

Campsites

The two Campsites — one large and one small — are set in 2 acres on the edge of 8 acres of woodland.  They can be reached through the woods from the Molivers Lane entrance. There is a padlocked gate to the bridle path, which is alongside 54, Woodland Drive, which can be unlocked if needed.  The Camp Store has toilets and showers, including a toilet and shower suitable for people with a physical disability.  In the Camp Store there are 2 fridge-freezers, 2 sinks, 2 electric kettles and a microwave.  Equipment is available to hire for both sites — the list of equipment can be requested. There is a flagpole on the smaller site near the Camp Store.

When arriving and departing please use the Molivers Lane entrance and walk through the woods. It is possible to drive a car down to the campsites but the state of the path / fallen branches would need to be assessed for suitability at the time. Cars should not be left by the camp shelter but parked in the Activity Centre car park.

General  information

Times of arrival and departure can be arranged with the booking secretary.  Your site may be inspected before you leave.

Keys: If you are within Bedford Division, please borrow the appropriate keys from a key holder, or telephone the Booking Secretary.  If you are outside Bedford Division, information will be sent to you on receipt of the balance of your payment.

Departure Checklists are kept in the Activity Centre and Camp Store.  Please complete one before you leave. Please take particular care to ensure all lights, heaters and taps are switched off before leaving.

There are two campfire sites and several small (patrol) fireplaces in the woods. There is access to an outside toilet and water tap at the centre.

The Guide Shop can be opened by arrangement. There are souvenirs and Mollivers badges for sale.

Coaches are not allowed through the main gate — the road is unsuitable.  They should stop near the corner of Springfield Drive and turn there, backing up to the gates.

Amenities

Local groceries (10 mins walk): 

One Stop Convenience Store, off  Molivers Lane, Bromham.  There is a Cash point machine in the wall and a Post Office in the shop.  There is also a pharmacy and a Fish and Chips Shop alongside — (you can book online).

Supermarkets: 

Budgens, Northampton Road, Bromham

Sainsburys, Clapham Road, Bedford

Walk in Centre: 

The Walk-In Centre is open daily to all NHS patients 365 days a year. The opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 2:00 pm. Weekends and Bank Holidays are 8:00am to 5:00pm.
93 Queens Drive, Putnoe, Bedford, MK41 9JE   Tel : 01234 319992

Hospital: 

Accident and Emergency Department, Bedford General Hospital, South Wing, Ampthill Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ — 01234 355122

Travel:

It is possible to go into Bedford by bus from the bus stop near the Molivers Lane end of Springfield Drive, Bromham.  Enquiries: Stagecoach, The Bus Station, Allhallows, Bedford — Tel: 01234 220030, Website: www.stagecoachbus.com/bedford

Activities on or near the site

Archery:  book via Beds County Guides. http://www.bedsguiding.org.uk

Games Equipment:  There are various Big Games in the Activity Centre lobby and a rounders bat in the Camp Store.  Please bring your own balls.

Geocaching:  There are caches in Bromham but also 4 around the woods. Instructions in both the Camp store and Activity Centre

Parachute:  There is a parachute with instructions in the Camp Store.

Table football: Available in the Activity Centre.

* Bromham Scout Campsite (Leslie Sell Activity Centre) is opposite Mollivers Activity Centre entrance — 01234 824080, often manned during office hours, with 24 hour answerphone,  www.lsac.org.uk. Check their website for activities they can provide.

Activities within walking distance

Bromham Water Mill, Bridge End:  surrounded by meadows, just north of the old road bridge over the river — limited opening www.bedford.gov.uk

Bromham Lake Nature Reserve:  on right at far end of Lower Farm Road —   Open all hours.

Stevington Windmill:  www.bedford.gov.uk

Activities further afield which require transport

The Kempston Outdoor Centre, Hillgrounds Road, Kempston, Bedford —You must book in advance. https://www.fusion-lifestyle.com

Box End Water Park – http://www.boxendpark.com

Bunyan Meeting and Museum: Mill Street, Bedford — www.bunyanmeeting.co.uk

Harrold‑Odell Country Park: www.hocp.co.uk

Higgins Museum: www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk 

Marston Vale Millennium Country Park:  Marston Moretaine — www.marstonvale.org

Moot Hall, Elstow:  houses a collection illustrating the history of Elstow, the home of John Bunyan — www.moothall.weebly.com

Priory Country Park: www.bedford.gov.uk

Shuttleworth Collection:  Old Warden — vintage airplanes and cars — www.shuttleworth.org

Snozone Xscape. Milton Keynes real snow skiing and tobogganing —  www.xscape.co.uk

Swimming at Oasis Beach Pool:  Cardington Road, Bedford —  This is a fun pool with waves and chutes. Other pools also in the area, see www.bedford.gov.uk

The Swiss Garden:  Old Warden —  www.shuttleworth.org

Whipsnade Wild Animal Park: www.zsl.org

Wicksteed Park:  Kettering — boating lake, entertainments, steam railway — www.wicksteedpark.org

Willington Dovecote: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Woburn Abbey: www.woburn.co.uk

Woburn Safari Park: www.woburnsafari.co.uk

There are leaflets in the Activity Centre and Camp Store with detailed information for your convenience.

The Camp Store

Various items are kept in the Camp Store for the use of all campers, and there is no charge for their use, including:

Folding chairs and stools

Folding tables
A variety of sizes of pots and pans / cooking equipment

Trolley with pneumatic tyres

Several toilet tents, for practice pitching, unless required by First Aid use. Several chemical toilets

Spade, broom, sweeping brush

Stepladder

Altar fires, ash buckets and shovels

Tool kit:  glue gun and sticks, hammer, hand woodsaw, pliers, screwdriver, sharpeners, small saw and blades

Fire extinguisher just inside the doors

 

You may collect dead wood from the woods.  Please do not cut live wood from the trees.

Bookings

Bookings secretary
Email : Mollivers@btinternet.com

Outdoor activities adviser:

Mrs Liz Rix

97, Putnoe Street

Bedford, MK41 8JB

Telephone:  01234 363607

Email: elizabeth.rix1@btinternet.com

Brownie residential adviser:

Dr Caroline Mathew
41, Chestnut Ave

BEDFORD MK43 8GD

Telephone:  01234 826190

Email: carolineeeles@yahoo.co.uk

For further information on booking, please download the information booklet available here.

Booking forms are available here.