A student who complained about a slave auction being held by the University of Bedfordshire Psychology Society was told to remove her comments from the internet as the society did not want bad publicity.

The slave auction is being held this Friday, auctioning off students and staff ‘to make them do what you desire’.

Second year student Nelly Estrela wrote to the Psychology Society president voicing her concerns and was told there was no problem as the Student Union activities president and University had both approved the event.

Nelly said: “This is disgusting. This trivialises slavery and makes a mockery of ongoing suffering implicated by racial prejudice and discrimination. These people can attend the event, pretend to be ‘slaves’ and go home and forget all about it, meanwhile, freed slaves were segregated from public places, such as schools and parks, forced into ‘ghettos’ and forced into poverty.

“For people to overlook this and to palm it off as ‘just a joke’ is inexcusable. Luton is supposedly a place of great diversity, but the things I’m seeing greatly contradict that.”

Nelly, a broadcast journalism student, said her classmates were also offended by the event.

An Psychology Society spokesman said to Nelly: “I appreciate your concerns however the SU activities president has passed this event. The event is about making your lecturer make a fool of themselves so don’t be alarmed.”

They then asked her to take down any comments she had written on the internet, saying “As my society is the most successful and largest at the entire University of Beds and we do not want bad publicity. Feel free to attend the event as the poster indicates all students are welcome.”

A University of Bedfordshire spokesman has been contacted for comment.

>What do you think?

Nothing as trivial as a bout of pneumonia – not even one requiring hospitalisation – was going to stop the man affectionately known as the ‘people’s priest’ from attending his own Mass of Thanksgiving.

Father Bernard Hughes, 74, who celebrates his 50th anniversary in the priesthood this month, was absolutely determined he would be fit to don his white vestments for the service at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Gardenia Avenue this evening (February 26).

The Bishop of Northampton, the Rt Rev Peter Doyle, will be principle celebrant at the ceremony which will be attended by more than 20 priests, members of Father Hughes’ family and hundreds of loyal parishioners.

Father Bernard, who still has a twinkle in his eye in spite of being disabled in a recent accident and suffering from Parkinsons, said: “My twin sister will be there.

“She always said it was just as well I became a priest because no-one else would have had me.”

He came to Luton newly ordained in 1964 to discover most of his flock hailed from the Emerald Isle.

“I realised if I wanted to be any use, I’d have to get to know Ireland,” he said. “And I’ve been going backwards and forwards ever since.

“In those days people came to their priest if they had marriage problems, now they go to the divorce courts.”

He remembered visiting one home and almost being hit on the head by a shoe as he came through the door.

“I asked the husband: ‘Was that meant for me or the wife?’ and told him he didn’t have a very good aim.

“I’m pleased to say they sorted themselves out and are still together today.”

Peterborough-born Father Bernard – whose late brother John was also a priest – spent three years in Langley, near Slough, before returning to the Sacred Heart in Stopsley as assistant priest.

He was asked to co-ordinate the building programme at the Holy Family Parish in Marsh Farm which opened in 1983.

He recalled: “I had a fair amount of experience in school buildings because I’d been involved with Cardinal Newman in 1968.”

He’s also been chaplain at Keech Hospice Care, Luton & Dunstable Hospital and the TA where he came out a major.

“My father would have said ‘a major disaster,’” he quipped.

Like many of his parishioners, the people’s priest enjoys a singsong and has a pleasant tenor voice which was used to good effect on Mother Theresa – a song specially written for him by Luton musician Tommy Christie.

Tommy said: “It raised a lot of money for the hospice and was a big hit in Ireland.”

The dynamic duo will be entertaining the congregation at a bit of a do after the service of thanksgiving.

Father Bernard – a keen footballer, long distance runner and rugby player in his day – has rubbed shoulders with royalty and met the Queen and Princess Anne.

But he’s happiest in his specially-adapted Limbury bungalow where neigbours are always dropping in to check up on him.

“Luton is my home,” he said. “And I hope there’s a space for me at the Vale when the time comes.”

> Now watch Jane Russell’s video on www.lutontoday.co.uk

Young, old and people from different communities came to support the Luton in Harmony’s fourth birthday celebrations on Saturday, at Central Square in The Mall Luton. 
Tropical FM’s DJ Lee Drummond was the MC for the event and led Luton in Harmony organisers and volunteers and members of the public in singing Happy Birthday followed by Council leader Cllr Hazel Simmons cutting the birthday cake. The theme for the event was Youth in Harmony and a number of young people took to the stage to show off their amazing talents including singer Tasfia Talat from Bhati Ghor, dance groups, Street Dance Crew and Rhythm Junkeys, 15-year-old singer Angee Massiah accompanied by her brother, Levi, on the guitar; singer Megan Crocker with guitarist Iqua Malik both 16 years; as well as singers, Samara, Hazel Brunt and Megan Crocker.

For more information about the Luton in Harmony campaign visit www.lutoninharmony.co.uk

A childcare charity in Toddington was targeted by vandals days after the village’s Scout HQ was almost destroyed by yobs.

Staff at Childcare in Manor Road found toys thrown across the playground, rude words and drawings on the children’s blackboard and a canopy torn down, on Friday morning.

On Thursday, extensive damage to the Scouts HQ in Station Road was discovered including graffiti, smashed windows and smoke damage.

Childcare manager Fiona Greatorex said: “They had ripped down a canopy in our outdoor area which protects the children from the sun. They then rubbed it along the fence to cause as much damage as possible.

“They also ripped the children’s vegetables they had planted out.

“We are a not for profit organisation, the same as the Scouts. The damage is reflected on the local community. It’s not as bad as what happened to the Scouts though. I saw the picture on Luton Today and was horrified.”

The Scouts had been fundraising for a new hut but had recently decided to refurbish the current hut instead as they couldn’t afford a new one.

Now they face spending the hard-earned funds on demolition or extensive repair work.

Scouts Group Leader Karen Calder said: “It’s almost cruel. You can’t imagine anyone would want to do this.

“There are rude words we don’t want the children to see and they’ve lit a fire to keep themselves warm but they didn’t put it out when they left so there is smoke damage. They have destroyed it. I just can’t understand it, it’s heart-breaking.”

Villagers have rallied round the Scouts and Childcare and offered to raise money for repairs.

Sweet Perfection in Toddington is running a name the bunny competition at £1 a go with all proceeds going to the Scout Hut.

The Play Stop Gym in Toddington and AJ Autos have both offered to donate money.

If you would like to help please go to http://www.toddingtonscoutgroup.org.uk/

The horrors of the holocaust from a child’s perspective provide the central theme for a sombre release that has to fight for attention this week against a couple of flashy and forgettable thrillers.

The Book Thief was a worldwide bestseller beloved of reading groups, and its translation to the big screen has been tackled with serious purpose.

It’s all about a book-loving girl bonds with a young Jewish refugee in Nazi Germany.

Sophie Nelisse and Ben Schnetzer are the young leads, while Emily Watson and Geoffrey Rush are the principal grown-ups.

It’s a solid piece of work from director Brian Percival, best known for directing episodes of Downton Abbey.

Ever since Liam Neeson got himself earmarked as an action man, the quality of his thriller output has been hit and miss. There’s no shortage of them, though, and here comes another.

Non-Stop casts him as a US air marshal confronted by a mysterious threat that a passenger will die every 20 minutes unless he can sort out a giant stash of cash for his foe.

Lots of twists and turns at 40,000 feet, nothing new to puzzle the popcorn munchers, but expertly exploiting a winning formula.

Ride Along features Kevin Hart and Ice Cube in what’s optimistically described as an action-packed buddy comedy. It’s all about a smart-mouthed security guard who wants to be cop just like his intended’s brother. He joins the doubtful law enforcer on a training day and, what do you know, it all goes wrong. Loud, crass and obvious, and a second instalment is apparently already in the works.

The Speaker of the House of Commons is the new Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire, it was announced on Wednesday.

The Rt Hon John Bercow MP will succeed Baroness Ros Howells, who completes her five year term this spring.

Mr Bercow will formally take up the appointment in June.

As Chancellor, Mr Bercow will represent the University on special occasions, confer degrees at graduation ceremonies and preside over meetings of the University Court.

Mr Bercow said: “I am hugely honoured to accept this role. The fundamental principles of social mobility, internationalism, intellectual curiosity and achievement are close to my heart. I hope that I am able to support, and represent, the University’s commitment and ambitions across these areas, and beyond.

“Having visited the University recently, I was impressed by the world-leading research that is taking place, the commitment to developing students as citizens, and the shared commitment to realise the potential of all students no matter their background.

“I am already looking forward to my formal installation, and playing my part in supporting the University’s work.”

Mr Bercow is a constituency neighbour of the University’s main campuses (Luton and Bedford), and in particular its newest location, University Campus Milton Keynes.

His installation as Chancellor was approved by the University Board of Governors’ Nominations Committee and will formally take place at a graduation ceremony in June.

Bill Rammell, Vice Chancellor, said: “We are delighted that John Bercow has agreed to be our new Chancellor. John will be a tremendous ambassador for the University and our mission to transform lives and communities.

“I know that students, staff and others across the University community will share my delight in welcoming John Bercow as the newest member of that community.

“Baroness Howells will be a tough act to follow. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ros for her dedication, friendship and commitment to the University, our students and our mission. I’m delighted that she has agreed to continue to support the University as Pro-Chancellor.”

The announcement of the new Chancellor follows other recent exciting news at the University, including the award of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for research, and the internationally significant work of Professor Stephen Bax in ‘decoding’ the Voynich manuscript.

Irresponsible landlords renting out sub-standard homes face a £20,000 fine if they do not adhere to new housing licensing rules.

Luton Borough Council introduced the new rules for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) which are homes or flats shared by unrelated people who share facilities such as bathrooms or toilets.

It is estimated that there are more than 2,000 HMOs in Luton and every one now requires a licence.

Landlords renting out properties which are damp, cold, dirty, insecure, too small, unsafe or don’t have the appropriate number of bathrooms are required to bring them up to a suitable standard before a licence is issued.

Pam Garraway, corporate director for housing and community living, said: “The licence allows us to stop irresponsible landlords taking advantage of tenants by renting out sub-standard homes. We have already seen an improvement in the standard of many HMOs which is why we will take action against any landlord not complying.

“Our officers are working hard to identify every property affected by these changes but we would still like landlords to come forward themselves and apply online.”

The cost of an HMO licence will vary depending on the size and number of bedrooms. A full breakdown of the fee structure is listed on the council’s website.

The scheme is being introduced in phases. The current phase requires one or two-storey properties occupied by at least five people, forming two or more households, to be licensed.

Landlords registered to Luton’s Landlord Accreditation scheme are eligible for a discount.

For information and to license a property visit www.luton.gov.uk and search ‘HMO’. Alternatively, call 01582 54 72 22.

To mark the completion of the first lodge at Woburn Forest, Center Parcs has this week revealed a time lapse film of the lodge build and fit out, alongside photographs of the first fully completed lodge.

The film shows the entire construction process, from foundations and wall panel installations, to interior fit out of the recently completed accommodation.

The Woodland Lodge is the first of 625 lodges at the village to be completed ahead of the opening of Center Parcs Woburn Forest.

During the fit out on the remaining lodges, Center Parcs will be laying out 634 rugs, hanging 625 chalk boards, fluffing 7,348 pillows and 6,356 cushions, as well as placing 1,875 board games in lodges for families to enjoy.

There are four types of accommodation to choose from at Woburn Forest, the Woodland Lodges, plus Executive Lodges, Exclusive Lodges and a 75 room hotel.

Guests can now book summer breaks. Spring breaks are soon to be released. More details at www.centerparcs.co.uk/woburn

Several people were involved in an affray in Luton town centre on Tuesday morning.

Five people were arrested following the disorder in Manchester Street at about 2.40am.

One man suffered serious facial injuries including a broken cheek bone.

Investigation Officer Oliver Kotis said: “Clearly there were a number of people who had been out for the night in the town

when this disorder broke out. Luton town centre is a great place to socialise and we want it to remain a safe environment which everyone can enjoy. We need those people to contact the police and help piece together the background to this incident and help stop this kind of behaviour from reoccurring.”

Two women both aged 23 years, two men aged 18 years and a man aged 30 were arrested in connection with the incident.

The 30-year-old man was taken to hospital for his serious facial injuries.

Anyone with information relating to this crime can contact IO Kotis at Luton Police Station, in confidence, on 01582 394357, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011, or email oliver.kotis@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk.

A driver was threatened with a knife by a man who flagged him down in Henley Rise last night.

He was driving his blue Ford Focus RS at 8.15pm when two men flagged him down and one of them opened the driver’s door.

The would-be robber demanded the car and threatened the victim with a knife but he drove off, leaving the offenders in the street.

The first offender is described as a white man, about 25, who spoke with an Irish accent and the second was similar but with slightly longer hair. Call 101 with information.

A 12-year-old Luton schoolgirl’s results in a recent Mensa test has put her in the top 1 percent of the population.

The youngster notched up 161 on the Cattell B scale - 13 more than the 148 needed to join the elite society for those with a high IQ (intelligence quotient).

She also rattled up an impressive 159 on the Culture Fair scale – the Mensa benchmark is 132. This is a non-verbal test designed to assess intelligence without relying on knowledge specific to any individual cultural group.

Her proud mum said: “I knew my daughter was very bright from early on. She spoke early, and read and wrote early.

“She’s always enjoyed puzzles and thought the Mensa test would be fun to do.

“I thought it would be useful for me to know too, so that I could support her and see that she gets the right mental stimulation.

“She was thrilled with the result but is quite shy and wouldn’t want anyone to know how well she’s done. I’d hate her to be bullied or teased at school.”

Mensa boss John Stevenage said: “Her score shows that she has great potential.”

Police will not investigate Barnfield College for criminal offences, it was announced this morning.

A government report into the Barnfield Federation was referred to Hertfordshire Police to determine whether “financial irregularities” warranted a criminal investigation.

A Herts Police spokesperson said: “Officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit have reviewed all of the material referred to them and can confirm that the information does not warrant any criminal investigation. The matter has been referred back to the Education Authorities.”

The Department for Education and Skills Funding Agency reports are now expected to be published imminently.

More than 400 people attended a residents’ meeting in Barton to discuss burglary concerns with Beds Police on Wednesday.

The packed meeting with Sergeant Andy Rivers followed a day of action by the local policing team who visited 1134 houses and spoke to 513 residents about crime prevention.

They left home security information packs at each home and listened to people’s concerns.

Sgt Rivers said: “The event in Barton was a thoroughly enjoyable one and I am delighted that we have been able to contact so many residents and leave them with crime prevention packs.

“The organisers of the evening meeting were only expecting around 80 people so to have 400 residents turn up who clearly care about their community was really positive. It did mean that we had to direct people into a local pub to wait for the first meeting to finish but I’m sure that the landlord didn’t mind.”

The event had to be split into two parts so that everyone could attend and put forward questions that they had to Sgt

Rivers.

Sgt Rivers said: “As a result, we had two very interesting meetings as well as a number of people signing up to Neighbourhood Watch and a lot of people declaring an interest in establishing Street Watch in the village.

“I’d like to thank all of the members of the Local Policing Team who took part in the operation as well as the residents of Barton who were so receptive to the advice that was given out and gave me the opportunity to answer their questions during the public meeting.

“The overall response has been amazingly positive and members of the public have already started to take on board the advice that we gave out which is brilliant and it proves that the smallest steps lead to the big accomplishments.”

If you have any information about crime in your area please contact Bedfordshire Police on the non-emergency 101 number, or text information to 07786 200011.

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

Fact-based drama THE BUTLER (12: Entertainment In Video) has an all-star cast, but the film would probably have worked better as a small-screen mini-series.

There’s an underlying TV-movie ambience to the story of Cecil Gaines, whose position at the White House lasted 30 years.

Director Lee Daniels picked up a best screenplay Oscar in 2010 for Precious, although his next film, steamy thriller The Paperboy, was less well received.

He would appear to be on safer ground with this ‘inspired by a true story’ tale covering Gaines’ service to seven US presidents, from Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1950s to Ronald Reagan in the 1980s.

But it’s a sprawling, soapy affair with Forest Whitaker portraying the butler as a Forrest Gump-like figure, standing stock-still while significant moments of 20th century history (the civil rights movement, the Black Panthers, the Vietnam War) swirl past him.

On the plus side, there’s a certain pleasure to be gained from the casting of Oprah Winfrey as Gloria Gaines, Robin Williams as Eisenhower, John Cusack as Richard Nixon and Alan Rickman as Reagan (with Jane Fonda as Nancy).

>The special effects dazzle throughout in sci-fi adventure ENDER’S GAME (12: Entertainment One), which has the ring of Harry Potter in space about it.

The action takes place in a future where Earth is under threat from alien attacks and the military grooms genius children with exceptional computer gaming skills to man interplanetary weapons.

Recruiting colonel Harrison Ford discovers wunderkind Ender Wiggins (Asa Butterfield). But do his clashes with authority and fellow cadets mean he’s too sensitive to lead a team of his peers into life-or-death battle?

Ford and veteran soldier Ben Kingsley add gravitas, but the assured Butterfield is the true star as the reluctant teen who carries the survival of humankind on his shoulders.

> Crime thriller BAD COUNTRY (15: Sony) tells the tale of Louisiana detective Bud Carter (Willem Dafoe) who busts contract killer Jesse Weiland (Matt Dillon).

He convinces Jesse to become an informant and rat out the South’s most powerful crime ring. So when the syndicate orders Carter’s death and Weiland is identified as a snitch, the two team up to take down the mob and the crime boss (Tom Berenger) who ordered the assassination.

Set in 1983, there’s a hit list, a body count and a number of exploding cars.

Bad Country was the directorial debut of Chris Brinker, who died suddenly in February 2013 at the age of 42 while the movie was in post-production. With its mysterious plot, shifting allegiances, moody music and moustachioed men with agendas, it’s a fitting tribute to late 1970s and early 1980s-era cop flicks.

> Box office bomb PARANOIA (12: Momentum) was universally panned by critics on its cinema release and I can understand why. A man fired from a technology corporation is caught still using his company credit card and faces being charged with fraud. His former boss offers to ignore the crime if he will infiltrate a firm run by a rival tycoon and steal secret information.

Starring Liam Hemsworth, Gary Oldman and Harrison Ford, it’s cliched, unoriginal and lacking in thrills.

A damning report into the state of Barnfield College has revealed governors were kept in the dark about the parlous state of its finances.

Former principal Sir Peter Birkett also comes under fire after staff told investigators the culture at the college meant he could not be challenged.

A letter from the Department for Education to the Barnfield Federation asks for a new interim CEO to be appointed and for all options for the future to be considered, including splitting the academies from the College before September 2014.

The letter from Lord Nash and Matthew Hancock MP said: “The investigations identified significant financial irregularity, together with breaches of the College’s Financial Memorandum, the Academies Financial Handbook, Academies’ Funding Agreements, Charity Commission regulation and the Companies Act 2006.

“These breaches are underpinned by substantial concerns on overall governance and accountability across the Federation.”

The SfA report had been referred to Hertfordshire Police who today decided it did not warrant a criminal investigation.

The Skills Funding Agency report reveals improper use of college funds, funding claims for students the college had no record of teaching, poor management and “lack of oversight” by Governors.

The report said that when Sir Peter, founder of the Federation, resigned, he was given two lump sums of money, an additional month’s holiday pay and a company car – an Audi Q5 – which was not part of his contractual entitlement.

The report says: “We do not believe that the Board properly and diligently negotiated the former Principal’s final payment on leaving the College, mistakenly allowing an expensive motor vehicle to be transferred to him and, in addition, paid him above that to which he was contractually entitled. This was not proper use of College funds.”

It is noted that “the culture of the College under the former Principal as described by many of the staff we have spoken to was one which, in our view, led to a lack of challenge, particularly to the former Principal.”

A Funding Assurance review was carried out following allegations made in September last year about “ghost” students against whom funding had been received. As a result of this the College was recommended to reduce their funding claims for 16 to 18 year olds and adults by nearly £1million because they could not prove enrolment of the students and the required learning hours did not reconcile with attendance registers.

The report also criticised “inadequate business planning” around certain projects such as the Harpenden Hair Academy, which was not successful and cost £450,000 to close.

Dame Jackie Fisher has now been appointed as interim CEO of the Federation and the DfE will “closely monitor and assess” progress.

If this is not adequate, the College could still be placed into Administered College status and academy funding agreements could be terminated.

A Barnfield Federation spokesperson said the Federation has been working for some months to address the issues raised by the SFA investigation, and are putting in place a set of actions which address those issues.

They said: “We are determined to put Barnfield Federation at the forefront of local education provision. We are proud of our education record and we are determined to maintain and exceed those standards for future generations of students and their parents.”

Dame Jackie said: “We are tackling the issues raised by the report with the single aim of ensuring that Barnfield is a strong, fit-for-purpose education provider that puts its students, parents and staff at the forefront of its thinking and actions. Our efforts over the next few months will be to identify and deliver the best possible shape and structure for the Federation, the college and our academies.”

In light of the issues, the Barnfield Federation does not have capacity to take on sponsorship of Sandy Upper School and this relationship was terminated when the letter was sent on February 14.

Sir Peter Birkett has blamed “human errors” for the issues identified in two government reports into the Barnfield Federation.

The damning Skills Funding Agency report, published today, showed improper use of college funds, funding claims for students the college had no record of teaching, poor management and “lack of oversight” by Governors.

Sir Peter said the report identified human errors often found in large complex and dynamic organisations such as Barnfield and said many of the key findings were known about and planned for.

He said: “It was my understanding through management reporting and audit outcomes that the college was solid and ready to move to the next level - although the reports identified some surprises it also confirmed that the college is financially healthy with £21.5 million reserves. In academic year 2012/13 the college’s academic results are still to be announced as potentially the best in its history. The Academies were also described as financially sound with reserves.

“The Barnfield Federation grew in an agreed and measured way with constant legal advice from a number of law firms.”

Sir Peter said the Education Funding Agency report, also published today, confirmed that they “did not find any expenditure that would be considered as profligate”.

However, it did find expenditure that is “considered irregular and improper”.

This included £2,124 spent on three marble plaques to commemorate Sir Peter’s knighthood, more plaques installed in two academies at a cost of £5,790 plus VAT, and approximately £10,000 on annual staff parties of which nearly £2,000 was spent on alcohol.

The EFA also found inappropriate use of corporate credit cards for the period of August 2010 to 2013.

THis included one account with a limit of £75,000 being used by four people and one account with a limit of £100,000 being used by seven people.

The spending on these two accounts was generally between £5,000 and £17,000 a month but the management control for paperwork supporting the credit card statements was not “robust”.

“Potentially inappropriate” items such as alcohol for end of term drinks, significant quantities of chocolate, gifts for staff leaving, gifts for staff getting married and the purchase of gift cards were also bought.

The SfA report said that when Sir Peter resigned, he was given two lump sums of money, an additional month’s holiday pay and a company car – an Audi Q5 – which was not part of his contractual entitlement.

Sir Peter pointed out that the South and West Academies continue to be successful, rising to first and third positions in the Luton GCSE league tables in academic year 2012/13, from the bottom of the Luton league table when they joined Barnfield in 2007.

Sir Peter said: “Amongst its many accolades Barnfield again in 2013 secured Investor in People Gold champion status and at a ceremony in London in November 2013 won the “best school operator” national award.

“I am pleased that the lengthy investigation has come to an end allowing Barnfield to continue to provide great opportunities for the students, business and the community of Luton.”

>For more on this story see the Luton News next week

A childcare charity in Toddington was targeted by vandals days after the village’s Scout HQ was almost destroyed by yobs.

Staff at Childcare in Manor Road found toys thrown across the playground, rude words and drawings on the children’s blackboard and a canopy torn down, on Friday morning.

On Thursday, extensive damage to the Scouts HQ in Station Road was discovered including graffiti, smashed windows and smoke damage.

Childcare manager Fiona Greatorex said: “They had ripped down a canopy in our outdoor area which protects the children from the sun. They then rubbed it along the fence to cause as much damage as possible.

“They also ripped the children’s vegetables they had planted out.

“We are a not for profit organisation, the same as the Scouts. The damage is reflected on the local community. It’s not as bad as what happened to the Scouts though. I saw the picture on Luton Today and was horrified.”

The Scouts had been fundraising for a new hut but had recently decided to refurbish the current hut instead as they couldn’t afford a new one.

Now they face spending the hard-earned funds on demolition or extensive repair work.

Scouts Group Leader Karen Calder said: “It’s almost cruel. You can’t imagine anyone would want to do this.

“There are rude words we don’t want the children to see and they’ve lit a fire to keep themselves warm but they didn’t put it out when they left so there is smoke damage. They have destroyed it. I just can’t understand it, it’s heart-breaking.”

Villagers have rallied round the Scouts and Childcare and offered to raise money for repairs.

Sweet Perfection in Toddington is running a name the bunny competition at £1 a go with all proceeds going to the Scout Hut.

The Play Stop Gym in Toddington and AJ Autos have both offered to donate money.

If you would like to help please go to http://www.toddingtonscoutgroup.org.uk.

Residents who use community centres in Luton earmarked for closure are invited to give their views on the proposals.

With further budget cuts imminent, Luton Borough Council says it cannot afford to keep all 11 of the town’s community centres open, so conducted a review of the centres. The review revealed huge repair bills at Saints Community Centre and low usage of the Park Town centre.

As reported in the Luton News in January, the Saints centre has a high level of asbestos in the roof, as well as needing a new boiler and heating system, which together will cost £400,000. The site in Solway Road North is worth an estimated £215,000 but combined with the adjacent ‘mothballed’ Milan Day Centre could sell for £450,000.

Pam Garraway, corporate director for housing and community living said: “We have far less money to provide our service and as budget cuts are ongoing the review was important in establishing which of the town’s community centres are the most essential.

“There are a lot of potential options for the future use of Park Town Community Centre so it is important we get as much feedback as possible.

“While options are rather limited at Saints given the current state of the building, the consultation is still vital in determining the best options for current users of the centre.”

There is a private nursery operating at Park Town Centre and high demand for additional children’s services in Park Town, so the council is considering turning it into a centre for children or making it a shared community and children’s facility.

A 90-day consultation is now under way.

More information and an online survey is available at www.luton.gov.uk/currentconsultations. Paper copies are available from libraries and affected community centres, or by calling 01582 547131, and face-to-face consultations with groups are also planned.

“One small fact: you are going to die. Despite every effort, no one lives forever. Sorry to be such a spoiler. My advice is when the time comes, don’t panic. It doesn’t seem to help.”

Those are the opening words of Death (yes, as in The Grim Reaper) as it is he who narrates the unhappy tale of The Book Thief in this big screen adaptation of the heartbreaking and much-loved novel by Markus Zusak.

Meet poor young Liesel Meminger (Sophie Nélisse), being taken by her mother to be handed over to adoptive parents due to the crackdown on communists by Hitler’s rising regime.

Tragedy strikes when her younger brother dies during the grim journey.

It is at his pauper’s burial that Liesel finds a book dropped by his graveside called The Gravediggers Handbook.

This cheery tome is the book with which she learns to read when foster parents Hans (Geoffrey Rush) and Rosa (Emily Watson) Hubermann discover that she is illiterate.

This is a story of death, fear and loss at one of humanity’s darkest hours, seen through the lens of one young girl’s experience.

The novel is a gripping exposition of a hopeless situation that somehow stirs the emotions and resonates in a timeless fashion.

Alas, the movie is a hollow shell that lacks the heart of the book, and leaves you wondering why a film so long and slowly paced still feels rushed and lacking in any lasting emotional impact.

Of Liesel’s small German town inhabitants, her only friends are schoolmate/neighbour Rudy Steiner (Nico Liersch) who wants to be legendary Olympic athlete Jesse Owens and Max Vandenburg (Ben Schnetzer), a Jew who the Hubermanns decide to shelter – Max is the son of the man who saved Hans’ life in the First World War.

Much of the film centres on the ‘will he/won’t he survive’ dilemma of Max, who puts the Hubermanns in danger and then gets ill from having to hide away in the damp cellar below the house.

I wanted to care more than I did – I really loved the book – but somehow the scenes of Liesel trying to help Max recover by reading to him just didn’t capture any of the poignancy that Zusak rustled up.

The Book Thief deserved to be a better movie than this. However, the message that reading can save you should be taken to heart and treated as a call to action – just read the novel instead!

An Autistic man was allegedly injured by police officers who mistook him for a robber as he put his bins out in Whitby Road.

Now the family of Faruk Ali are holding a community meeting in Bury Park tomorrow to discuss what they call “a savage attack”.

Beds, Cambs and Herts Professional Standards Department have launched an investigation into the incident which will be supervised by police watchdog the IPCC.

Kodor Ali, Faruk’s brother, said: “The police said they thought he was going to rob the house. That’s the only explanation given. Every Thursday, Faruk would wake up early to take the bins out for collection and would help the bin man to bring them back to the neighbours’ doorstep. He has been doing this for a number of years and all the neighbours are very well aware of his kind, innocent and friendly nature. I don’t understand how this character could be mistaken for a person who is trying to rob a house.”

Husna Begum, Mr Ali’s sister, said she was awoken by banging noises and the sound of Faruk screaming ‘no’ on the morning of February 20.

She said she jumped out of bed and saw a man dragging him across the floor and punching him which she says neighbours also witnessed.

Mr Ali has a moderate learning disability and is Autistic.

A Bedfordshire Police spokesperson said: “Bedfordshire Police is sorry for the distress Mr Ali and his family feel regarding the actions officers took due to their concerns for Mr Ali’s wellbeing on February 20.

“This incident is being taken seriously and an investigation has been launched. A senior officer from Luton Police Station has spoken with the Ali family directly to reassure them their concerns are being fully addressed. They will be continually and fully updated as the facts of what happened are established.

“Bedfordshire Police is aware that concerns from the wider community have also been made and will form part of the investigation. Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact 101 in confidence.”

The spokesperson said all front line officers receive Disability Awareness training in order to assist them when interacting with vulnerable people.

Any findings from this investigation will be incorporated into the on-going development of officers and a review of the wider safeguarding measures available to the family is also underway with other statutory care providers and partner organisations.

The two officers involved have been placed on restricted duties whilst the investigation takes place.

The community meeting will take place at Bury Park Community Centre in Dunstable Road at 6.30pm and will be chaired by Cllr Naseem Ayub, a member of Luton Borough Council’s executive committee.