First Capital Connect has announced all tracks at Luton are currently blocked after a person was hit by a train.
Network Rail says its is liaising with British Transport Police and emergency services.
For latest news on the situation check with First Capital Connect.
Homeless Cats Rescue Bedfordshire are looking for homes for two of their moggies.
Seven year old Millie (bottom right) is a friendly, loving cat who would like a quiet home without young children, but she loves to say hello to visitors.
She is spayed and chipped and would like a home with a garden, away from any main roads.
Three year old Robbie (top right) is neutered and chipped, he would like a home with a garden, and no other cats or dogs.
He is shy at first but loves lots of strokes and fuss.
If you are interested in re-homing these cats, or can offer a home to a moggie, please visit www.homlesscatrescuebedfordshire.weebly.com or call 01582 529009.
A bowel cancer survivor is set to take on one of the toughest stages of the Tour de France to raise funds for charity.
Richard Litchfield, 40, of Devon Road, was diagnosed with the disease in 2011 and underwent an operation shortly after, but was back on his bike again just six weeks after leaving hospital.
Inspired by his experience to raise money for the Beating Bowel Cancer charity, Richard will take part in the L’Etape Du Tour on July 20– a challenge which takes cyclists through one of the toughest mountain stages of the Tour de France just four days before the professionals tackle the very same route.
Richard said: “I decided that as soon as I was up to it, I’d ride in the L’Etape Du Tour to raise funds for the Beating Bowel cancer charity and to raise awareness of the symptoms.
“I really want to encourage people to get any symptoms checked out as soon as possible because the earlier cancer is detected the easier it is to treat and the higher the chance of survival.”
> To sponsor Richard log on to www.justgiving.com/Richard-Litchfield
Cutting the £1.6 million funding for Luton based UK Centre for Carnival Arts was a ‘difficult decision’, according to Arts Council England.
UKCCA, which now fully operates Luton International Carnival, was dealt a huge blow on July 1 when it was told that it would have its three-year £1.6 million funding from ACE cut off from March.
The decision came as part of ACE’s 2015-18 investment package, in which 670 arts organisations shared a a £340 million pot.
As a result UKCCA chairman Hopeton Walker exclusively told Luton News that next year’s town carnival will be scaled down reduce costs.
Mr Walker added that there would be no chance of it becoming a biennial event.
The organisation is now seeking alternative grants from a range of funding agencies, while sponsorship from London Luton Airport Ltd will soften the blow to the carnival.
ACE admitted that the decision was a tough one to make.
A spokesperson said: “UKCCA’s application was assessed as making a contribution to the Arts Council’s goals, however the programme was highly competitive and other applications were felt to make a stronger contribution.
“In light of the limited funds available, and when balancing the portfolio we have had to make some difficult decisions.”
Although UKCCA has been omitted from ACE’s list of national portfolio organisations, it may get a slice of an annual £500,000 ringfenced fund the national body is pledging to Luton.
The ACE spokesperson added: “We recognise that, as a result of this (July 1) decision, our investment into Luton will reduce.
“We propose to ring fence up to £500,000 per year to work with stakeholders and partners, including UKCCA, to think about how best to work together to respond to the needs of Luton to create and deliver an excellent, diverse, sustainable arts and culture.
“We value Luton International Carnival and want to ensure that this remains something that people can access and enjoy.”
Popular building toy Lego has featured in several small-scale DVDs, but now it’s been taken to a whole new level.
THE LEGO MOVIE (U: Warner) is every bit as imaginative, colourful and cleverly constructed as its plastic inspiration.
Directed at breakneck pace by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who also made the excellent Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs, the action is block-busting and the gags come thick and fast.
Emmet (voiced by Chris Pratt) is a chirpy, rule-abiding construction worker for whom life is simply “awesome”. That’s until he’s chosen by a rebel group of master builders to stop President Business (Will Ferrell) executing his plan to keep the Lego populace exactly where he wants them.
Ferrell enjoys the most memorable role and there’s terrific support from Morgan Freeman, who plays a blind seer, and Will Arnett, as a dour Batman. Not forgetting Anthony Daniels and Billy Dee Williams, who pop up to voice their Star Wars minifigure alter egos.
> Speed-freak extravaganza NEED FOR SPEED (12: Entertainment One) is loosely based on the video game and aimed fairly and squarely at the Fast & Furious crowd.
But don’t let its pedigree put you off. You’ll forget the whole thing five minutes after it’s finished, but it’s entertaining enough in a lowbrow way.
Aaron Paul plays Tobey, fresh out of prison for a crime he didn’t commit and looking for revenge on the fellow racer (Dominic Cooper) who framed him.
He gets his chance when both enter souped-up cars in an illegal cross-country road race run by mystery millionaire Monarch (Michael Keaton). While the characters are cornily cardboard, the vehicles are unquestionably super and the racing rather exciting.
> The historic conquest of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953 has been documented many times before. But BEYOND THE EDGE (PG: Metrodome) works wonders in bringing one of modern history’s greatest achievements vividly to life by pacing it like a thriller.
Instead of talking heads, Kiwi director Leanne Pooley uses audio interviews to provide a soundtrack to the visuals – a skilfully assembled blend of still photos, old 16mm film and stunningly shot re-enactments, with New Zealand’s Southern Alps standing in for the Himalayas.
Although the focus is on Hillary and how by a mixture of luck and determination he ended up being chosen ahead of his fellow British team members to make the final journey to the summit, the contributions of Norgay and the rest are not forgotten.
The wealth of detail provided about what now seems very primitive equipment further reinforces what a ground-breaking expedition this was.
> ‘Muscles from Brussels’ Jean-Claude Van Damme heads the cast in ENEMIES CLOSER (15: Anchor Bay).
A forest ranger and former Navy SEAL is plunged into survival mode when a drug cartel forces him to retrieve a package. Trapped in the wilderness with no communication with the outside world, he finds himself face to face with a man who has a personal vendetta against him.
The two enemies must either put aside their past and work together or die at the hands of the drug runners.
Striking teachers, firefighters and other public sector workers marched through the streets of Luton this afternoon in protest over pay and working conditions.
Around 150 people marched from Manor Park, down Park Street, Church Street, Guildford Street and through St George’s Square to Market Hill, where a number of speakers addressed the crowds.
Across the town many more teachers walked out– forcing the full closure of Chapel Street Nursery, Hillborough Junior, Bramingham Primary, Icknield Primary, Lady Zia Wernher, Norton Road Primary, Lea Manor High and Woodlands Secondary.
Most day centres were also closed due to the action.
Richard Howitt MEP defended teacher walkouts.
He told Luton News: “I’m a parent with two young children at school so my family is inconvenienced but I see that teaching assistants are being cost their jobs, that unqualified teachers are being brought in to replace qualified teachers and that fundraising needs to be done for basic essentials in schools.
“One day of inconvenience is nothing if we can win proper and fair investment in our schools and teachers.”
Luton North MP Kelvin Hopkins agreed that the action was needed.
He said: “There are bound to be people whose lives have been disrupted but the alternative to industrial action is to do nothing and have the government walk all over them (teachers).
“Everybody knows that industrial action is a last resort but to say that workers should never go on strike because they might upset someone is denying a basic freedom.”
Police have released a CCTV picture of a car that was taken from outside a house in Gilderdale, Luton, in June.
The white, three door Mini Cooper, registration number GX55 LKN, was taken between June 1 and June 2 but has since been spotted in the Luton area being driven by two men.
Crime Investigator, Claara Pidgeon, is keen to trace the car and the two men pictured in the image.
Anyone with information about where this car is or anyone who can help identify the two men driving it can contact Claara Pidgeon, in confidence, at Luton Police Station, on 01582 394442, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.
Alternatively you can contact the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
A man has been detained on suspicion of terrorism at Luton Airport while attempting to travel to Turkey yesterday afternoon.
The 22-year-old was arrested on suspicion of being involved in the preparation of acts to commit terrorism and is still being questioned at a south London police station.
Scotland Yard has confirmed a search has been carried out at an address in west London as part of the investigation.
The managing director of the region’s leading housebuilder says that a 28 per cent increase in the number of house completions in the first six months of the year is fuelling further employment opportunities across the region.
Richard Oldroyd, managing director of Persimmon Homes Midlands welcomed news that the business legally completed 6,408 new homes in the first six months of 2014, a 28 per cent increase on the same period last year, when the housebuilder completed 5,022 new homes.
“Every extra home we build leads to more employment, both directly at Persimmon Homes Midlands as well as with our diverse range of suppliers across the region,” said Richard.
“We have a robust recruitment programme in place to bring new people into the business, whether that is trained professionals or apprentices and trainees and, with the second half of 2014 set to be just as busy as the first half, we are looking forward to welcoming more new people to the business in the coming weeks.”
Total revenues have increased for Persimmon by 33 per cent to £1.2 billion, compared to £0.9 billion for the same period in 2013.
Persimmon will open 100 new sites in the second half of 2014 across England, Wales and Scotland. In the Midlands region, which covers Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, the business aims to launch developments in Rushden, Bicester and Brackley.
Richard Oldroyd said the company was now turning its attention to the second half of the year: “Everybody knows that there is a shortage of new housing and we’re working hard to deliver homes into the communities where they are most needed.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank local people for their continued support, which we aim to repay by creating new jobs and driving the local economy forward.”
A teenage boy returned to his Luton home to find a burglar ransacking it on Sunday evening.
The incident took place at around 5.15pm when the teenager returned to his home in Pomfret Avenue to encounter the offender inside the house.
The youngster quickly ran out of the property and hid while the offender fled with a number of carrier bags and a rucksack which contained a large collection of jewellery items and a number of laptop computers as well as a scanner and digital camera.
Detective Constable Scott Hannam, who is investigating the incident, is keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident and may have seen the offender leaving the house.
DC Hannam said: “There were quite a lot of residents out and about in Pomfret Avenue at the time of the burglary so I’m hoping that someone may have seen the offender who was a white man, in his forties and with a distinctive tattoo on the left hand side of his neck.
“This was a distressing incident for the youngster to have experienced and after the offender had left the area, the victim was comforted by an elderly couple who could see that he was extremely upset.
“I’m keen to locate this couple as well as they may have important information about what happened on Sunday evening.”
If you have information relating to this incident, contact DC Hannam, in confidence, on 01582 394353, 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.
With the school summer holidays almost upon us, and more drivers using its roads, the Highways Agency is urging road users in East region to check and maintain their vehicles this summer – as figures reveal that 1,315 of incidents on the region’s roads last summer were potentially preventable.
It is also using data from previous years to analyse popular routes and times in the East – allowing drivers to better plan their journeys.
Agency figures show that out of 22,461 incidents in the East last year during the summer months, 1,315 of them were potentially preventable – with 1,265 tyre-related breakdowns and 50 out-of-fuel breakdowns.
Simon Sheldon-Wilson, Director of Traffic Management, said:
“We’ll be doing all we can during the summer to ensure road users get to their destinations smoothly and safely. Our traffic officers will also be on hand to clear incidents from the roads and get traffic moving as soon as possible.
“It’s vital that people check and maintain their vehicles before setting off. A single preventable breakdown can cause chaos for thousands of people – and congestion costs the economy an estimated £3bn every year.”
“Inevitably there will be times where routes become congested, and many people will be driving on unfamiliar roads, so we ask road users to help themselves by planning ahead to avoid peak times, using our journey planning tools and allowing enough time for their journeys.”
Chief examiner of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, Peter Rodger adds:
“A major cause of breakdown is running out of fuel. Check that – and while you’re doing it, water, oil and tyres – and you will be well on the way to preventing a breakdown that could make your summer getaway an unpleasant experience instead of the brilliant one you hoped for.”
The Agency is publishing a list of potential hotspots on its roads, which – along with its summer travel advice – will help people as they travel this summer.
The Agency has analysed traffic information from the last three years for two key summer periods – the first weekend of the school holidays for many areas (18 to 20 July) and the August bank holiday weekend (22 to 25 August). For each of these periods, they have identified routes that can become busy.
Journeys to Cambridge, Great Yarmouth and Stansted Airport can become busy at specific peak times on 18-20 July and 22-25 August. The Agency will be suspending or completing the as many roadworks as possible during the bank holiday period to help road users.
Drivers can check planned roadworks on motorways and major A roads in advance on the Agency’s website. Just before they set out they can get up-to-date information about incidents and congestion hotspots on the road network by calling the Agency’s helpline on 0300 123 5000 or by checking Twitter.
Information about the Agency’s road network is available on the Traffic England website and drivers can download a live traffic info app to their smartphone so they can check on current road and traffic conditions while en-route. But remember it is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving.
A Dunstable mother has issued concern that her registered blind and autistic son is denied free peak travel with his bus pass.
Central Bedfordshire Council offer free bus travel at all times for the disabled and pensioners, but the same bus pass is only usable at off peak times at bus stops operated by Luton Borough Council.
Joshua Newman, 20, of Lover’s Walk has experienced problems due to this difference in policy on several occasions.
Joshua, 20, who is registered blind and suffers from autism, boards the bus in Dunstable early in the morning, in the jurisdiction of Central Bedfordshire Council, but has to change buses in Luton in order to get to Barnfield College, leaving him unable to use his pass.
His mother Brenda Brereton said: “The problems that its caused have been horrendous, the fact that they dont offer the off peak service has left my son stranded at the side of the road, and that puts him in all sorts of danger.
“Luton Borough Council need to look at the whole picture, and take the needs of the elderly and disabled into account.
“They need to consider those that have to get around at peak times for a reason.”
A spokesperson for Luton Borough Council said: “The previous 24 hour enhancements to the scheme, similar to those currently operated by Central Bedfordshire, were withdrawn in April this year in response to government funding cuts to enable the council to continue delivering sustainable key services for local people.
“Each local authority operates school and college transport schemes for pupils and students with special educational needs and disabilities.
“We encourage any parents and carers whose children have difficulty accessing school or college to contact the Council for home to school travel advice.
A man was left with cuts to his shins and bruising to his face after he was dragged from his car in Mulberry Close, Luton, on Tuesday.
The incident happened at approximately 1.30am when the 24-year-old victim was pulled from his car by the occupants of a silver VW Golf and a black Vectra.
The offenders, who are all described as being of Asian appearance, left the victim with cuts to his shins and bruising to his face.
Detective Sergeant Katherine Rivers, investigating, is keen to trace witnesses to the incident.
DS Rivers said: “I would appeal to members of the public who have any information which may help piece together exactly why this assault happened.
“I would urge anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area during the early hours of Tuesday morning to contact officers.”
Anyone with information about this incident can contact DS Rivers, in confidence, at Luton Police Station, on 01582 394009, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.
Alternatively you can contact the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Children across Central Bedfordshire can spend their summers with fantastical creatures from the world of legend and mythology thanks to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Libraries across the area are gearing up for the annual Challenge, which encourages children to read six or more books over the summer to collect prizes.
This year the theme is Mythical Maze created by top illustrator Sarah McIntyre. It challenges children to find their way around a labyrinth that introduces them to creatures from the world of legend and mythology, collecting stickers of each character along the way.
The summer holidays are fast approaching and fortunately for parents concerned about how to occupy their children, Central Bedfordshire Council has put together a handy guide to the holiday schemes in the area.
The ‘School’s out’ booklet 2014/15 contains information on a variety of holiday schemes and activities, including those for children and young people with additional needs, enabling families to balance work commitments with the school holidays.
You can pick up a copy of the ‘School’s out’ booklet at any library or find it on the council website - www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/schoolholidayschemes. For more information and top tips of how to have a great Central Bedfordshire summer go to www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/summer
Work on the first solar farm in Central Bedfordshire started on Friday. The site will generate enough electricity to power 1,500 homes in Caddington and Slip End.
The project was marked by a ground-breaking ceremony attended by the chairman of Central Beds Council, Cllr Caroline Maudlin.
The solar farm is expected to start generating electricity from September 2014. The five megawatts of power generated by the 11-hectare site will be fed into the National Grid via the sub station in Caddington, providing enough electricity to supply 60 per cent of households in the two parishes.
Over 25 years, operating at capacity, the solar farm will contribute £437,000 for the two parish councils, which equates to a potential £17,500 a year. Some of this income could help fund domestic solar panel installations and other energy efficiency measures.
The solar farm is within the emerging Neighbourhood Plan for Caddington and Slip End which has an ambition to be technically self-sufficient in green energy by expanding provision to include other technologies and measures over time.
Cllr Kevin Collins, vice-chairman of Caddington Parish Council, said: “This solar farm is another example of the two parishes working closely together within the framework of the Neighbourhood Plan. Not only does this development send a signal of our concerns for the environment but it will help both parishes to provide new, better and greener services and amenities for our residents.”
The council has advised on the planning aspects of the farm, and pledged their support in light of the social, economic and environmental benefits.
Cllr Richard Stay, local Central Beds councillor, said: “Renewable energy is the future and it is fantastic to see this come here. Solar farms like this are clean, safe and easy to maintain and have little to no impact on the landscape.
“The solar farm is also a powerful educational tool. Having it close at hand will enable residents to learn about environmentally friendly, clean and renewable forms of energy at a time when this is an increasingly important issue. Developing sources of sustainable energy will preserve our world for generations to come.”
Next week the PALS team from Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG) alongside other local PALS teams in Bedfordshire will be hosting a number of events throughout the county to help raise awareness of PALS.
Advisors will be on hand to help answer your questions about local health services at Leighton Buzzard market from 9am – 3pm on Tuesday 15 July. There will also be a number of events from NHS providers in Bedfordshire including:
· The PALS team at Bedford Hospital will have a stand outside the Swannery restaurant on site during the week.
· The PALS team at Luton and Dunstable Hospital will be in the hospital’s main reception from Monday to Friday.
South Essex Partnership Trust (SEPT) will be hosting a number of events across the week, including:
· Monday 14 July - 10-12 am – Crombie house
· Tuesday 15 July - 10-12 am – The Lawns (adult clinic)
· Wednesday 16 July - 1.30-2.30 pm - London Road Health Centre
· Thursday 17 July - 10-12 am - Charter House reception and Weller Wing reception 1-3pm
· Friday 18 July - 1-3 pm -The Lawns (OPMH Clinic)
To finish of the awareness week BCCG PALS team will be at the Bedford River Festival on the 19 and 20 July. Members of the team will be on hand at the Your Health in Bedfordshire marquee, to help raise awareness of the helpful service they provide to the community.
PALS works closely with staff within Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG) and other local NHS organisations to resolve concerns quickly and efficiently, provide information on NHS services and enable patients and the public to get involved in shaping local NHS services. They also offer information about local and national support agencies.
Peter Howard, BCCG’s Head of PALS, Complaints and FOI, said:
“Our PALS team are here to help. We offer free, confidential advice and support to relatives, carers and patients about their local healthcare system. We resolve concerns quickly and efficiently, provide important information on NHS services and ultimately enable people to get involved in shaping their local NHS.”
To contact BCCG PALS:
Phone: 01525 864405 (8.30am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday).
(A voicemail system operates at busy times and out of normal office hours; and PALS will try to return your call by the next working day).
Boyhood is something unique. A film that takes the everyday experiences of growing up and tracks one young man over 12 years, shooting scenes from each of his years from age six to 18.
It’s an incredible feat of cinematography that will resonate with every parent on the planet and invoke memories of their childhood for every male.
Director Richard Linklater uses four core actors led by the titular ‘boy’ Mason (Ellar Coltrane), Mason’s Mom (Patricia Arquette), Mason’s estranged Dad (Ethan Hawke) and Mason’s sister Samantha (Lorelei Linklater, the director’s daughter).
It’s a long film at almost three hours, but instead of dulling your senses like the overblown Transformers: Age of Extinction, Boyhood feels like an inside peek into a life worth investing some time in to see how it turns out.
Covering some harsh realities of life for many – including an abusive stepdad, a father who simply isn’t able to commit to his family, another stepdad that never quite bonds with Mason – be prepared for a heart-rending experience.
The way each of the father figures in Mason’s young life lets him down in one way or another is painful to watch – and leaves you intensely rooting for the young man.
Mason’s school life is caught in condensed snapshots – dealing with the widely experienced clichés of homework, crushes on female classmates, run-ins with bullies etc – but somehow they don’t feel overly contrived.
As the teenage years kick in we get ringside seats as Mason experiments with drugs, struggles with peer pressure and dabbles in first love as well as finding a passion for photography. There are often hints of danger and threat as Mason’s young naivety makes parents watching cringe, but the plot never gets too dark to bear.
There are some interesting interactions with religious step-grandparents (who buy Mason a shotgun and a bible for his 15th birthday) although this feels a bit tacked on.
Arquette and Hawke are consistently excellent and Coltrane gives a memorable lead performance. There is just so much to Boyhood – laughs, pain, romance and grief which you’ll get to empathise with and probably leave reminiscing over.
A man is in a critical condition with serious head injuries after a car mounted the pavement on Oakley Road, Luton, and collided with three pedestrians yesterday.
The incident occurred at the junction with Roman Road at around 11.20am when a gold Vauxhall Astra driven by a 79-year-old man was negotiating a roundabout when for unknown reasons left the road and struck three pedestrians.
One pedestrian, a man aged 33 from Luton, suffered serious head injuries and his condition is described as critical.
His wife, aged 25, suffered slight injuries and their friend– a 45 year old woman– suffered a broken leg.
The driver of the car was treated for shock while his wife, the passenger, was taken to hospital with leg injuries.
PC Dave Clarke from the Beds and Herts Collision Investigation Unit is appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw a gold Vauxhall Astra driving between Westbourne Road and the collision scene in Oakley Road.
If you have information relating to this incident, contact PC Clarke, in confidence, on 01438 757500, 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.
Kiera Tallow, aged eight, was presented with her reuseable bag, bearing her design, and a £50 Mall gift card, on Friday, July 11.
The Enviromall campaign was designed to encourage shoppers to reuse bags.