Warden Hill WI members have come up with a unique scheme to help patients who find themselves staying in hospital unexpectedly and who have not brought a toiletries bag with the basic things needed to maintain their personal hygiene and dignity.

The WI group have been inventive and made use of their personal contacts in a couple of airlines to source travel-sized hotel samples of basics like shampoo, shower gel, soap and face flannels.

The ladies have provided the toilet bags and other items like toothbrushes and toothpaste.

A member of the group came up with the idea after talking to a friend. The ladies agreed that it would be embarrassing to have to stay in hospital but not have the ability to have a good wash and brush-up.

Not everyone has family members close at hand to bring these things immediately to patients and it seems a very practical way of helping others in the community, something the WI prides itself on.

The WI has already made up 100 emergency toilet bags which they are distributing to Luton & Dunstable Hospital. These are expecially useful for patients who arrive as emergency admissions and have not had the chance to prepare a bag of necessities for a hospital stay.

Group organiser Pat Catlin is liaising with the manager of Voluntary Services at the LEmergency &D, Karen Bush, who was delighted to receive the filled toilet bags.

The library at Stopsley High School was packed out with eager year 10 and 11 students when Sthe managing partner of a Luton law firm gave an inspiring career’s talk last week.

Sukh Saini, of Pictons, who has been practising law for 15 years, explained to his captivated audience all the different roles that are available in a law firm.

Those aspiring to work in the legal profession became aware of the many opportunities that are available, even if they don’t get the qualifications to become a solicitor.

Sukh said: “I was delighted that we had such a great turn out of students keen to come into the legal profession. Apart from the importance of studying at school, it was useful to let them know that work experience and supporting the community are just as important to us at Pictons as getting good grades. The wider range of work experience young people have had the better. One of our recent best candidates had worked in a betting shop and assumed she wouldn’t be right. Actually, it was the opposite. We want people with non legal work experience as you need a varied set of skills in a law firm, especially good communication and people skills.”

Pupils from River Bank Primary School enjoyed a special performance of Peter Pan from a visiting theatre company earlier this week.

The pupils got to go up on stage after the show to meet the actors and pose for a photo.

Helen Barnett, Chief Executive of the school’s founder Active Luton, thanked the Blenheim Crescent Baptist Church for the use of their community hall for the performance.

River Bank Primary is an Active Education Academy Trust Free School for boys and girls offering a broad and balanced curriculum, with a strong emphasis on physical activity, health and wellbeing. The school is founded by local leisure trust Active Luton.

The school opened in temporary premises in September to two reception classes. Additional year groups will be added each year with the school having the capacity to accommodate 840 pupils by 2018. The school will include a brand new building and state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated sports hall, which aims to inspire teachers and children to give their very best.

Villagers in Barton are holding a meeting to discuss crime and community safety following a few recent burglaries in the area.

Resident Emma Andrew set up the meeting using the village’s Facebook page after people started voicing fears over burglaries.

Sgt Andy Rivers from the local policing team will be in attendance to meet residents, talk to them face-to-face and reassure the community about how Beds Police is protecting Barton.

A Beds Police spokesman said: “This is a great opportunity for residents to meet Sgt Rivers, who is in Barton quite a lot, and discuss any concerns they have with him.

“They can ask questions and find out more about the work the local policing team does in the village.”

The local policing team are there to listen to residents’ concerns and act upon the issues that matter most to them, helping them to feel more confident in their community.

The meeting will take place at the Bull pub in Bedford Road on Wednesday, February 26 at 7.30pm.

Representatives from the parish council will also be there as well as Councillor Ian Shingler who lives in Barton.

>For more information and updates from Barton join the Barton village Facebook page.

“If this relationship is going to work out between us I need to feel free to party with a bunch of strangers whenever I feel like it... I will text you.” It’s not the sort of thing you would expect Batman to say, is it?

Are you the type of person who carefully follows the instruction sheet for each Lego model you own? Does the thought of a missing piece or a freestyle creation that is completely off the instruction sheet disturb you?

Or are you a ‘Master Builder’ who can see incredible machines, awesome vehicles and madcap gadgets in any given random pile of Lego bricks?

These are the two types of people who clash in The Lego Movie – and only one can win the day…

Meet Emmet Brickowski (Chris Pratt), an ordinary construction worker mini-figure in Lego City who is careful to follow the instruction sheet for his life. Everything is awesome for him until one day when he discovers that he is actually ‘the special’ – the Lego figure destined to save the world and thwart the evil tyrant, Lord Business (Will Ferrell).

Lord Business plans to glue every last piece of Lego into place, preventing any future deviation from the instruction sheets – and stamp out any creativity for all time.

Emmet is going to need all the help he can get and that gives the filmmakers licence to go wild with cameos from a host of Lego characters from across a wealth of franchises. Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, DC Comics, Star Wars, 1980s ‘classic Lego’ and more collide in a superb, surprisingly subversive and highly awesome adventure comedy for all the family.

The action is frenetic and the plot zips along at breakneck speed.

There are visual jokes and pop-culture references aplenty and the visuals are eye-popping throughout.

Morgan Freeman leads the AAA supporting cast that includes Elizabeth Banks, Channing Tatum, Alison Brie, Liam Neeson, and Billy Dee Williams (yes, playing his Star Wars Lando character).

It’s Will Arnet as Batman who steals the show – but props to Jonah Hill, hilarious as the Superman- bothering Green Lantern.

If you’ve ever played with Lego you will find something here to please you.

The clever screenplay from directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (who you might know from Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs) keeps this from being just a massive product placement. Don’t deny yourself this fun visual treat.

Candidates for the Farley by-election on March 13 have been confirmed.

The by-election is for one of Farley’s three seats on the authority, and the elected councillor will serve until May 2015, when the whole Council is up for election.

The statement of persons nominated is as follows:

* Paul Castleman, 10 Osborne Road, Luton LU1 5HJ – Labour Party candidate

* David Thomas Coulter, 37 Bosmore Road, Limbury Mead, Luton LU3 2TR – Conservative Party candidate

* Charles Samuel Lawman, 16 Lawford Close, Luton LU1 5ST – UK Independence Party (UKIP)

* Anne Mead, 95 Butely Road, Luton LU4 9EW – Liberal Democrats

* Marc Scheimann, 39a Stockwood Crescent, Luton LU1 3SS – Green Party

At full strength Luton Borough Council has 48 members representing 19 wards, and there are currently 35 Labour, eight Liberal Democrat and four Conservative councillors.

A full list of addresses in the Farley ward, and the appropriate polling station where electors can vote, is also available on the Council’s website, search ‘Farley by-election 2014’.

A special ceremony to pay tribute to a councillor and former Vice Chair of the Beds fire service was held at Stopsley Fire Station.

Roy Davies, who served as a councillor for more than three years in Wigmore, Putteridge and Stopsley, died in February last year.

He was actively involved in the building of the new fire station in Stopsley, which opened in 1984. He was an avid model ship maker, so in his memory, one of his models was donated to the fire service to be displayed at Stopsley Fire Station.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer Glen Ranger hosted the ceremony on February 15.

Roy’s wife Jenny and members of his family attended the ceremony to see the replica working model of the tanker LIS Terkol, built by Roy, unveiled in its display case at the Fire Station with which he was so closely linked.

Jenny said: “Roy was so proud to be the Vice Chair of the Fire and Rescue Authority, and he would be overjoyed at seeing this model ship displayed at the fire station.”

She thanked the Fire and Rescue Service for accepting the donation of the model ship that her husband had made.

Firefighters from Stopsley Green Watch and the Deputy Leader of Luton Borough Council, Sian Timoney were also present.

Mr Ranger said: “Roy’s commitment to the Fire and Rescue Service and the community was tangible, and is sorely missed”.

A drop in surgery aimed at cutting car crime is taking place at Pirton Hill Primary School on Sunday.

Luton’s North and West Community Policing Team are asking motorists to come along to have their vehicle number plates secured with tamper proof fixings.

Residents can also meet local officers pass on information or concerns they have and pick up crime prevention advice.

They will also be able to offer personal, property, home and car security advice.

Event organiser, PCSO Izzy Stone, pictured, said: “We are looking forward to meeting as many members of the public as possible, since it is only by working closely with the community that we can truly impact on crime.

“There has been a spate of vehicle crimes in this area recently and this is why we are holding the Operation Caps day.

“Most thieves are opportunistic and it is really quick and simple to take just a few moments to secure your vehicle and property against these criminals.”

Anyone who would like to contact the team before the event can call PCSO Izzy Stone on 01582 473473 and anyone wishing to contact the force’s Crime Reduction Team can ring 101 or email: crt@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk.

Private hire drivers from Luton held a peaceful protest outside Luton Town Hall this lunchtime.

Organised by Luton Borough Drivers Union, the protest is a last resort after “years of suffering” and “lack of positive response” from Luton Borough Council.

The drivers want to be allowed to use bus lanes, they want independent MOT stations and they would like pick up and drop off points in Luton town centre, among other things.

Mushtaq Ahmed, chairman of LBD union said: “The reason for this protest is because for many years Luton Private Hire trade has been suffering a lot. We have been doing dialogue with Luton Borough Council for many years. Unfortunately, we have had no positive response from them, hence why we reluctantly have to take this course of action.

“This peaceful protest is to let the council and public know that the Luton Private Hire drivers are united and they need resolution to these issues.”

A council spokesman said that the peaceful protest was aimed at providing information and demosntrating solidarity, and they are pleased that the trade is taking these matters seriously.

The spokesman said: “National and local private hire licensing regulations exist to ensure that both the general public and drivers can travel safely at all times and this is a priority for the council in Luton.

“The council has met the Luton Borough Drivers Union on a number of occasions and will continue working with its representatives to address the issues raised where appropriate.”

A request to use the bus lane in Church Street is alreayd being looked in to and thecouncil will consider reviewing private hire vehicle MOT test requirements after publication of the Law Commission’s draft report and bill in April. Information about permitted picking up and dropping off of passengers in the town centre has been clarified for drivers.

Two cars were set on fire in Faringdon Road in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A Vauxhall Zafira and a Ford Fiesta were engulfed in the blaze at about 2.20am and detectives are searching for the person responsible.

Det Con Gareth Suffling said: “Due to the proximity of one of the vehicles to the house the fire caused some damage to the gas main. Luckily the occupants of the house were still awake and due to their quick response the emergency services attended the scene and extinguished the fire. Thankfully no one was injured but this is clearly a very serious offence which could have resulted in a very different outcome.”

Anyone with information relating to this crime can contact DC Suffling at Luton Police Station, in confidence, on 01582 394317, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A pensioner’s Second World War medals were stolen from her home in Heywood Drive whilst she was away.

Five medals, which were awarded to the victim’s father, were taken from the property sometime between 3pm on February 19 and 10.30am on February 20.

The burglar forced open the door to the property when the 73-year-old was away and searched the premises before taking the medals.

Det Con Surfraz Hussain, is keen to speak with anyone who has been offered similar medals for sale recently and has released pictures of two of the medals which were taken.

Anyone with information relating to this crime can contact Det Con Hussain at Luton Police Station, in confidence, on 01582 394435, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Scouts are “devastated” after vandals caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to their hut in Toddington.

Yobs smashed all the windows of the scout hut in Station Road before entering the hut and painting graffiti on the walls.

They then attempted to set fire to the building, which caused more damage, before fleeing the premises.

PCSO Claire Young said: “The hut has been completely vandalised which has left the volunteers who run the scout group absolutely devastated and the youngsters without a location to hold their meetings.

“I would encourage anyone with information about this incident to come forward and speak with us so that we can find those responsible.”

The damage is believed to have been done between 10.30pm on February 14 and 8pm on February 20.

PCSO Young is keen to speak with anyone who may have seen anything suspicious at the scout hut during the times and dates mentioned.

If you have information relating to this incident, contact PCSO Young, in confidence, on the non-emergency 101 number or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

A Book Fortnight at Luton’s Bramingham Primary School was certainly something to write home about as youngsters enjoyed an action-packed two weeks.

Children heard stories in a magical large tent, they were visited by an author, they increased their love of books and knowledge about books, entered competitions, and on the final day had fun dressing up as their favourite book characters and seeing staff do the same!

On the final day of Book Fortnight, the school also said farewell to kitchen manager Kathy Simmons, who has been at Bramingham since the school opened more than 20 years ago. Headteacher Sharon Flowers said: “Not only have the school dinners been tasty and her special themed meals and Christmas dinners delicious, she has also been an amazing help supporting us with our children having special diets or needing their food mashed. Nothing has ever been too much trouble for her and we will all miss her greatly. She will always have a special place in our hearts.”

See the February 26 issue of the Luton News for more photos.

A man was found with head injuries and no memory of what happened to him in Connaught Road on Sunday.

A Good Samritan found the man, who is believed to be Polish, at about 12.30am and contacted the emergency services.

He believes the victim, 34, had flagged down a silver Vauxhall Insignia for help but these people, two men, left prior to the ambulance arriving.

Det Con Helen Toms said: “I would urge anyone who heard or saw anything suspicious between 11.30pm on Saturday night (Feb 22) and 12.30am on Sunday morning (Feb 23) to contact the police to help piece together exactly what happened to this man. I am particularly interested in tracing the two men in the Insignia as they were speaking with the injured man and they may be able to recall their conversation and may have vital information as to how the man was injured.”

Anyone with information relating to this incident can contact DC Toms at Luton Police Station, in confidence, on 01582 394091, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

A pensioner stopped a couple from stealing his wallet in Quantock Rise on Thursday.

The man, aged 79, was putting his shopping in his car at the Sainsbury’s Store at about 5.30pm when a man and a woman approached him.

The woman, who is described as Eastern European with blonde hair, asked the victim for directions and while she distracted him his wallet was stolen from his coat.

The victim realised something suspicious was happening and challenged the pair.

They returned his wallet and fled the scene.

Selina Bland, of the force’s Crime Service Team, is keen to warn other residents to take extra care if approached by strangers and would urge anyone who can help identify the man and woman responsible for this incident to come forward and assist this investigation.

Anyone with information relating to this crime can contact the Crime Service Team, in confidence, on 01234 842184, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

She’s a pint-size package of pure dynamite.

Age Concern Luton director Colette McKeaveney may be 5ft nothing in her stocking soles but there’s a pair of killer stilettos under the desk for when she wants to make an entrance and an impression.

The Belfast-born go-getter is the sort of person who believes there are no problems, only solutions.

And her positive attitude has transformed the charity into into an award-winning organisation with more than 360 volunteers and a staff of 60.

“We’re all very motivated,” she said. “We share the same values, we’re all prepared to go that extra mile.

“I’ve got great people around me, a terrific team. My volunteers are angels, the staff are awesome and we’ve got a wonderful band of trustees.”

Colette, 49, believes growing old is a privilege not everyone is lucky enough to enjoy.

“I’ve lost too many of my own family and friends at a young age,” she explained. “I want to make Luton the Eastbourne of Bedfordshire – a great place for senior citizens, even though many have retired on low pensions and are struggling.

“It’s a very transient community and there’s a problem with loneliness. One in three elderly people has no relatives living locally and is completely isolated.”
She added: “Ideally all old people should have a loving son or daughter nearby. But if they don’t, I want them to know they have us.”

Colette, who grew up in a large community-minded Irish family, has made a personal commitment to give her clients the help they need to enjoy the old age they deserve.

Age Concern Luton offers benefits advice and information, subsidised home help, a podiatry, hospital discharge and handyman services as well as a telephone befriending line to give extra support and keep people connected.

In addition there are lunch and social clubs and a team of voluntary drivers.

It also has charity shops in Birdsfoot Lane and Farley Hill.

Colette came to Luton in 1980 and began volunteering at the Vespa lunch club. “I thought I had all these talents,” she smiled. “And I ended up peeling potatoes. It was a real lesson in humility.

“But I started at the bottom and learned to relate to elderly people.”

When a programme of cuts was introduced in 1994, Colette and her colleagues looked at providing a service for senior citizens themselves.

“We started with a little shop in Manchester Street employing 12 home helps and we’ve never looked back,” she said.

Age Concern Luton celebrates its 20th anniversary this year - largely thanks to its inspiring director and her equally dedicated team.

A man was stabbed by a dog walker in a field in Woodside this morning.

The landowner, 39, confronted a dog walker who was on his land just off Manor Road at about 7.10am.

The offender, described as a white man in his 40s wearing a grey flat cap and waterproof trousers and jacket, left the scene.

The landowner managed to drive to a friend’s house and call the emergency serives and he was taken to the Luton & Dunstable Hospital.

His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Det Insp Iain Morgan said: “Officers are at the scene undertaking a search of the area. I would urge anyone who saw or heard the incident to contact officers as soon as possible and help piece together what happened this morning. I would also urge anyone who recognises the man responsible for this violent assault from the description given to also contact the police.”

The dog walker had a beard and was about 6ft 1 tall and was walking a small brown mongrel dog.

Call 101 or text 07786 200011 with information.

Alternatively contact the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Here’s your chance to join the 2014 Bedfordshire Star Count.

It’s taking place between February 26 and March 8 and involves the number of stars you can see within the four corners of the Orion constellation. Enter the information at www.cpre.org.uk/starcount where it will be used to highlight light pollution.

Sorry, but the pained protestations of the bigwigs at WH Smith that their punters just can’t be trusted don’t wash with me.

You may have heard that honesty boxes at selected branches of the all-purpose purveyor of greetings cards, stationery and the odd book or newspaper have been scrapped because customers were using them more as litter bins than receptacles for the correct change if they wanted to buy a paper but didn’t want to queue.

The tutting about falling standards of honesty and integrity was widespread, but misplaced.

If people are picking up newspapers and walking off without paying, who can blame them?

I’m afraid large sections of the population have little or no idea that newspapers actually come with a purchase price, and you can understand why.

If you travel by public transport in London or many other major cities, you can pick up a free paper to pass the time.

If you’re staying in a hotel, there’s usually a pile of papers for you to peruse – and these are the same titles that expect you to cough up if you want a copy elsewhere.

You might be travelling by air, and once again there’s usually a stack of papers piled up and just asking you to take your pick – and again these are papers which you’d be expected to pay for anywhere else.

And that’s without taking into account free newspapers that are delivered to your door, or available to pick up from supermarkets or other locations, and the huge amount of information that is available for free online.

Sometimes it seems that the only publication that comes with a purchase price is the Big Issue.

So you can understand why, confronted by an inviting display of national papers on a WH Smith stand, some people just help themselves to a copy and wander off.

But that’s not the real reason for many of these honesty boxes to be banished, is it?

Like any commercial organisation, WH Smith has a keen interest in squeezing as much cash out of customers as it can.

And that means it has no real interest in letting punters escape from the premises having only shelled out for one item.

If you have to join the queue to pay for your paper, there are opportunities galore to flog you more.

You may have only popped in for a paper, but they’d much prefer it if you also picked up a bottle of water, a packet of mints, a book of stamps, a birthday card for your nan, perhaps even a magazine or cut-price paperback – and that’s all before you finally reach the till to be offered giant bars of chocolate and other sundry special offers.

That makes an honest box an opportunity to maximise income missed, and that’s the honest truth.

Want to know more about osteoarthritis? Then come along to the next patient and public information evening hosted by the L&D’s rheumatology department.

It’s being held at a bigger venue - Barnfield West Academy - to accommodate the demand and will take place at 6pm on Thursday, March 20.

Everyone is welcome.