A duo is taking to the road tomorrow in memory of a brother who was killed in a roadside accident.

Henry Wellbelove is cycling the 225km Coast2Coast in memory of his brother Archie, alongside friend Jamie Rawstorne, to raise funds for the Bedfordshire based Road Victims Trust.

Archie, a former pupil of Bedford School was killed on December 7 2012. The duo will complete the Whitehaven to Sunderland route on 10th and 11th August 2014.

The Road Victims Trust, a support service has been immensely helpful in providing solace to Henry and his family in the aftermath of the accident.

To date Henry and Jamie have raised over £14,000 for the Trust. If you would like to donate please visit Henry and Jamie’s justgiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/Henry-Jamie-C2C/

This unique service is provided throughout Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire totally free of charge.

If you have been affected by road death or serious injury and would like support please contact the Road Victims Trust on 01234 843345.

To find out more about the work of the Road Victims Trust and how you can help please visit the website on www.rvtrust.org.uk

The CLA is warning its members to keep their dogs within sight and kept in a secure location this summer to cut the chances of being a victim of thieves.

A total of 217 dogs were reported stolen in the CLA’s eastern region during 2013, including 19 from Bedfordshire and this figure is expected to rise because the animals can often be sold quickly – and not easily traced.

CLA Eastern Regional Director Nicola Currie said: “The temptation on a hot day is to let your dog go unattended into your garden, or out on your land, to find some cool shade. It’s also easy to let it run free and go out of sight while you are on walks.

“Unfortunately, this offers thieves a golden opportunity to take your animal.

“Many dogs are targeted by thieves because they can make money selling them on, often for breeding or for fighting. By leaving a valuable and much-loved animal in your garden in sight of a road or a public right of way gives thieves a chance to monitor your movements and security arrangements with a view to possibly stealing it to order.”

DogLost.co.uk, which helps reunite owners with lost animals, has noted a dramatic increase in the thefts of gundogs nationally since the laws surrounding metal theft were tightened in December 2012.

Half of all stolen dogs in 2013 were gundogs according to the website, which reports that 160 labradors, 97 cocker spaniels, and 80 springer spaniels were registered as missing in the first quarter of 2014.

“Gundog owners should always be aware of where their animal is while they are on a shoot and make sure it is never out of the sight of guns, beaters or pickers-up,” said Mrs Currie.

The CLA is recommending that dog owners cut the risk of theft by ensuring their animal is microchipped and wears a collar and ID tag, which should offer your full contact details.

If your dog is stolen, you are recommended to report it to the Police immediately, asking for a crime reference number, and contact your local dog warden. You should also check local animal rescue centres and consider using a website such as DogLost.co.uk and social media to circulate details of your dog as widely as possible

New research from TSB reveals that only a tenth (11%) of people think having life protection is a top priority when buying a new home.

Whilst purchasing home insurance is a top priority with 81% of people ranking this as one of their top 3 priorities, furnishing the house (78%) and redecorating (76%) are deemed more important than worrying about having life protection in place (33%).

Twice as many people think having protection in place is a top priority when buying a new home (11%) rather than ensuring you have extra TV channels installed (5%), but it is worrying to see that nearly twice as many again would rate furnishing the home as a top priority (20%).

The house buying process prompted just three in ten (29%) consumers to buy life protection: with more men (32%) than women (26%) opting to purchase protection.

According to the research, just over half (53%) of respondents worry about what would happen to their loved ones if they were hit with a critical illness, yet despite this only two fifths (39%) have protection in place. Of those who do not currently have life protection cover, a third (32%) think taking out a policy is too expensive, almost a third (31%) do not think they need life protection yet, however a seventh (15%) do not think life protection is important at all.

TSB’s research shows that the younger you are the more likely you are to care about your loved ones with almost three quarters (71%) of 18-24 year olds saying they would be worried about what would happen to their loved ones if they became critically ill. Having life protection in place peaks when Brits hit the 35-44 age bracket with just under half (47%) having the protection in place.

With three fifths of respondents (61%) saying they do not have protection in place, The TSB claims there is potentially a ticking time bomb if mortgage holders were to die or become critically ill.

It may seem like a world away. But the present conflict in Gaza should concern us all. In the week we commemorate the start of World War One, it’s a powerful reminder of how armed struggle is not merely a twentieth century phenomenon.

The firing of rockets into Israel by Gaza based militants cannot be justified. But in their most recent assessment of this present conflict, the UN estimate that at lease two-thirds of Palestinians injured or killed in Gaza have been civilians. Indeed, one in four is a child.

No right minded person can fail to be angered by the scenes of destruction in the modern day prison camp of Gaza over the past month. It is why I have been clear: the Israeli incursion into Gaza is both wrong and unjustifiable.

It is wrong because despite the history of provocation from Hamas, it has led to the killing of so many innocent men, women and children. It will fail to act as a deterrent or as a solution for rocket attacks precisely because it will recruit of a whole new generation of Palestinians to the cause of Hamas.

As Ed Miliband has rightly said, the Prime Minister is wrong not to have opposed Israel’s incursion into Gaza. I believe that his silence on the killing of hundreds of innocent Palestinian civilians caused by Israel’s military action will be inexplicable to people across the UK.

That is why, when this conflict first reawakened into violence, I first wrote to both the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to urge them in the strongest of terms to push for immediate ceasefire and to condemn the disproportionate action by Israel.

That is why I challenged the Prime Minister directly about the legality of Israeli action in the House of Commons.

Through my work as Shadow International Development Minister, with responsibility for the region, I work to hold our government to account for their actions in this conflict. Indeed I had hoped to travel to the region last month, but this trip has had to be delayed until later in the year due to the deteriorating security situation.

This has been an awful month in the middle east. At some point it will close in ceasefire. But the anger felt at long running injustices must be met with a commitment to peacemaking from all, including in our town.

The South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (SEPT) is holding a Council of Governors meeting in Luton next week.

Members of the public can attend the meeting on Tuesday August 12 from 5.30pm at Stockwood Discovery Centre, Stockwood Park, London Road, Luton.

The meeting is an opportunity for members of the Trust and the public to hear about the latest developments in the provision of mental health and community services from across Bedfordshire, Essex, Luton and Suffolk.

SEPT provides integrated care including mental health, learning disability, social care and community services.

As an NHS Foundation Trust, SEPT is run locally, not by Government, and works closely with the local community to develop services in a way that best suits the needs of local people.

Anyone living in Essex, Bedfordshire, Luton or Suffolk over the age of 12 can become a member of SEPT. Members elect Governors to represent their localities. You can become a member by calling the membership office free on 0800 023 2059 or by logging on to www.sept.nhs.uk

Residents will have the chance to tell the council which services they value the most, and which could be cut, this week.

Luton Borough Council will be setting up a stand in The Mall, as part of it’s consultation on next year’s budget, from Monday, August 11, till August 15, from 10am till 4pm, with a councillor present to discuss issues from 11am till 2pm,

Shoppers will be asked to take part in the We Need To Talk budget consultation survey, which will also be online at www.luton.gov.uk/currentconsultations.

Over the last four years the council has made savings of around £72 million, but over the next two years it has to identify further savings of £33 million.

Councillor Hazel Simmons, leader of the council, said: “There have been some incredibly difficult decisions in order to save £72 million so far.

“Unfortunately we know there will be more crucial steps to take in the foreseeable future and these cuts affect everyone in one way or another. That is why it is vital that we hear from as many Luton people as possible.”

Romance seems to be reserved for a single lonely day of the year: 14th February, leaving many couples struggling to keep their relationship exciting. To relight the fire in our hearts, strategically 6 months after Valentine’s Day, is Rekindle Romance Week! Everyone knows that juggling a relationship between work, finances and family life is hard but Rekindle Romance Week is all about recognising that they don’t have to be a Hollywood whirlwind to be romantic. Whether it’s taking a luxury holiday together or simply making the other a cuppa in the morning – who said romance was dead!?

Nevertheless, it’s not just for couples in a slump, it’s for those who may have let their love lives fall by the wayside. Many singles admit they often choose their careers over relationships and in doing so abandoning their love lives, begging the question: Is love really worth it?

Research shows that 75% of couples admit to eventually losing the spark all together after finding ‘the one’, and 16% confessing to losing it within the first few months! Don’t go blaming anyone just yet - this is (in most cases) perfectly normal. After all, Serotonin (the ‘love’ chemical) generally only lasts around two years, hence the term ‘Honeymoon Period’.

But we cannot blame our biology for why romance dwindles… A brave 57% of couples have admitted that they took each other for granted, while 64% claimed daily life just simply got in the way.

So what can we do to rekindle romance? This week aims to inspire those desperate to inject some fiery passion, while giving advice for singles whose DOA love lives might be in need of an urgent resuscitation! In the words of The Beatles, all you need is love…

For those already in relationships; how about taking a weekend away in a couple’s only resort? Cooking a home cooked meal for two can often speak louder than words. They say after all that the best way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. Switch off those work emails and put some time into other aspects of life!

For all the hopeful singles out there, have you tried online dating? It’s not for the divorced and desperate anymore, hundreds of young professionals are signing up to dating websites and apps such as Tinder every single day. In fact, a study claims that seven in 10 couples will meet online by 2040.

Organiser Alice Hayes explains why this week is so important, “There’s no reason why the spark has to fizzle out in relationships - we all need to be told that we are special to someone. I’m not saying that I want chocolates and flowers everyday but a little nudge to know I’m loved is always nice, and that’s what Rekindle Romance Week is all about!”

Rekindle Romance Week runs from the 11th to 17th of August 2014, for more information please visit www.rekindleromanceweek.co.uk

For extra facts and fun tips follow us on twitter @RomanceRekindle #RekindleRomance

Road safety charity the IAM is offering weekly motoring tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. This week, he is advising on dealing with vulnerable road users.

Look well ahead so you see joggers, pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists early.

Look for signs of distraction - are they wearing earphones? If so, they may be distracted by the noise.

Give them plenty of room – especially if they are distracted.

Be prepared for them to make unexpected changes of direction without looking first (expect the unexpected!)

Remember they may not hear you (their music may be too loud) so sounding a horn is not necessarily going to alert them to your presence.

In country roads remember there may be runners just round any bend – so drive in a way that allows you to deal with that safely and considerately.

IAM chief examiner Peter Rodger said: “With good weather and longer days, we often find that more people are out and about on the roads. Make sure you give those enjoying the outdoors extra space and consideration.”

Local charity, Keech Hospice Care are appealing for volunteers to sign up as marshals for its upcoming Star Walk. The charity needs to find 145 volunteer marshals to help out at the popular annual event, which is to take place on Saturday 6th September.

As well as finding willing walkers the hospice needs people to help out along the route, making sure the walkers stay safe.

Martina Haugh, Event Fundraiser from Keech said:

“Our Star Walk is one of our most popular events and always draws hundreds of women from across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes who walk through the night to support the hospice. The 10-mile walk is always loads of fun with the ladies dressing in fancy dress outfits and proves to be one of the best girls night out of the year.”

“If walking is not your thing, we still need you! Marshalling is also a lot of fun and is a great way to take part without breaking a sweat! Marshals are very important to the running of the evening and volunteers would be saving us a lot of money by donating their time.”

The Star Walk is one of the largest events for the hospice. Beginning and ending at Barnfield College, New Bedford Road, the walk raises money to fund care and support for those with life-limiting illnesses in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes. Last year the event managed to raise an incredible £60,000 which goes directly to supporting the patients and families in the local area.

Keech Hospice Care is the adult’s hospice for Luton and South Bedfordshire and the children’s hospice for Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes.

If you would like to sign up to be a volunteer marshal please contact Claire McInally on 01582 497839 or cmcinally@keech.org.uk

Supermarket giant Morrisons says it is “not surprised” its plans for a new store in Dallow Road, Luton, have been recommended for refusal as council officers “appeared to be set against it” from the start.

In December Morrisons submitted a joint application with B&Q to sub-divide its existing DIY store in Dallow Road, to create room for a new supermarket.

Under the plans B&Q wouid be scaled back to the smaller half of the building on the western side, while Morrisons would refit the larger east portion for a sales floorspace of just under 4,000sq metres.

The car park would be retained for shared use.

Originally the council planned to determine on the application by April 17, but this was pushed back and it will be heard on Wednesday.

Morrisons and B&Q have been dealt a blow ahead of that decision as council officers have recommended that councillors reject the proposal.

In a report councillors have been advised that the plan would have a “significantly adverse” impact on the vitality and viability of the town centre.

The report adds that Morrisons failed to consider “two sequentially preferable sites” closer to the centre of Luton – Power Court and the Bute Street surface car park.

It reads: “(Bute Street) was identified in the letter sent out by the council to the four major foodstore operators as being potentially available for foodstore development.

“In the emerging local plan the wider site is earmarked for widespread regeneration.”

Concerns were also raised over the applicant’s “failure satisfactorily assess the effect of the proposal on the local highway network’.

Reacting to the recommendation, Morrisons development executive Richard Haynes told Herald & Post: “Whilst we are very disappointed with the recommendation, we are not surprised as it has been clear from the outset that despite all the benefits of our scheme, officers appeared to be set against it.

“We have tried very hard to engage with them, providing solutions to their concerns, as is typical with the planning process, but their minds were made up.

“Despite this, we are quite sure that our scheme will be good for Dallow and Luton.

“We now hope that councillors will be more willing to weigh up the pros and cons of the scheme and arrive at a considered decision.

“If they do, we are confident that they will vote to approve the application, agreeing not only with us but with well over 90% of the local community who have made clear to us in their hundreds that they want this scheme for Dallow Road.”

A sponsored 5k run/ walk is taking place on Saturday, August 16, to raise money for the Save The Children charity and the children in Gaza. The event is £5 to enter and will take place at Stockwood Park from 9.30am.

To enter, contact mujaahidparkar@live.co.uk

Two women were assaulted in separate incidents in Luton town centre in the early hours of Sunday.

Now detectives are appealing for the second victim to come forward after arresting a man.

The first incident happened between 3.20am and 3.50am after officers were called to MacDonald’s in George Street where a 19 year old woman had been assaulted and suffered facial bruising.

The offender had left the scene and it is believed assaulted another woman outside the BHS store before being arrested.

DC James Wildman, investigating, is urging the second victim to come forward.

DC Wildman said: “Officers arrested a 20 year old man from Luton in connection with this incident and he has been released on police bail pending further investigation.

“In order to further this investigation we need to trace the second victim or anyone who witnessed this incident and I would urge them to contact officers as soon as possible.”

Call 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.

Luton Borough Council have developed an online services directory which allows residents to search for over 1,200 local services.

There are sections for adults, families and young people.

To access it go to directory.luton.gov.uk.

Users can get detailed information about a wide range of services, what they offer and how they can be accessed.

The adult services section provides details on hundreds of different local services which support older and vulnerable people to get the most out of life by having fun, keeping fit and healthy and staying safe.

The family section contains information about local childcare, school holiday and leisure activities, education, health and support services for families with children up to the age of 19.

There is a dedicated area for families of children with disabilities or special educational needs up to the age of 25.

The youth area includes health and wellbeing services, counselling and jobs and training advice, as well as dedicated services which support young parents, those in care and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender young people.

A range of recreation and social activities for young people are also listed in the Things To Do area.

Councillor Hazel Simmons, leader of the council said: “I’m delighted to be able to launch Luton’s most comprehensive online services directory. More and more people are using technology to manage their lives and this sophisticated website will ensure residents have useful information at their fingertips 24 hours a day.

“Whether you are looking for a childcare provider or nursing home, looking to take up a new hobby, or want some CV or debt advice but don’t know who to contact, the online directory will help you with all of this and so much more.”

The service is also available on smart phones and tablets.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man tried to take a child from The Mall on Monday, August 4. The 29-year-old woman was with her two children in Footlocker, when a man walked into her two year old daughter, he grabbed her arm and asked her to leave the shop for an ice cream. The mother challenged him and he left, the child was unharmed. Call 101 with information.

The man is described as black and approximately 31 years old.

DC Jabbar Khan said: “The man left the scene and the child was not harmed during this incident but we do need to trace the man so we can find out the full circumstances of what happened.”

The Netherlands is known for its delicious cheeses and the Dutch are often affectionately referred to as ‘cheese heads’ as the average citizen eats around 33 pounds of it a year.

Holland’s history of cheese making extends back to the time of Julius Caesar. Indeed, it seems the number of dairy animals in Holland may rival the number of tulip bulbs in the fields.

The Dutch have integrated flowers and various types of cheese into their lives, entwining them with festivals all year round. Cheese making and cheese carrying guilds have had a solid spot in Dutch life and the Dutch economy for centuries.

Most people have at least heard of Gouda and Edam cheeses, if not tasted them. These two hard, mild cheeses are named for the towns in which they were originally made and from which they were sold. But other Dutch cheese types are just as integral to Holland’s healthy cheese export economy, and have some interesting differences in flavor and texture. Some of the other major types of cheeses in Holland include the following:

Maasdammer – this nutty cheese has large holes and a domed shape. Try a Leerdammer or a Maasdam when at the cheese shop.

Boerenkaas – This raw milk cheese is, by law, an artisanal cheese: at least half the milk used needs to come from the farm’s cows, and the rest from no more than two other farms.

Goat’s Cheese – Goat’s cheese in Holland comes in two types: the soft, fresh cheese and a semi-hard, cured version that is much like Gouda. It’s pale with a bit of a tang and a melted texture.

Smoked Cheese – This cheese is made, melted, smoked, and then remolded into a sausage shape. Often sold by the slice.

Frisian Clove Cheese – Low-fat milk, cumin, and cloves give this firm cheese a hard, dry, and tart taste.

When visiting Holland, tourists are encouraged to try the cheese. Stop by the cheese markets in Alkmaar, Gouda, or Edam for a reenactment of a medieval cheese market. Take a tour of the outlying farms, some of which come with a cheese tasting. Or just stop by one of the many cheese shops and try some yourself. When visiting Amsterdam, stop at the award-winning Reypenaer Tasting Room to learn about the many cheeses the Reypenaer company makes and their histories.

Cheese has probably been made in Holland back as far as 200 BC—even Julius Caesar mentions Dutch cheese in his logs. Cheese production took a major role in Dutch life by the middle ages when they began exporting.

Cheese markets grew and towns that were granted weighing rights got special status in the country. The town of Gouda has the Waag weigh house, which is one of the most beautiful in Holland.

There are elaborate weigh houses, where goods were scaled, priced, and traded in every major Dutch city. Holland cheeses are the most exported in the world, and the Dutch dairy industry is worth about seven billion euros a year.

The average Dutch citizen eats about 15 kilos of cheese (that’s about 33 pounds) a year, and Holland cheese varieties are known throughout the world for their balance of sharpness with sweetness. Most cheeses are named for the towns where they are made, such as the well-known Gouda and Edam.

Limburger, Maasdammer, and several varieties of goat’s milk cheese are also popular. Cheese festivals and other attractions dot the countryside; medieval-style cheese markets and auctions are still run in Alkmaar, Hoorn, and Edam for the benefit of the tourists, and modern cheese markets are located in Woerden and Gouda.

Visitors to Amsterdam should definitely stop at Reypenaer’s Tasting Room on the Singel canal (near the floating flower market) and try the artisanal Gouda.

It’s won Supreme Champion at the Nantwich International Cheese show twice. Dutch cheese is a true delicacy of this country that is not to be missed, nor is the opportunity to try it where it is manufactured. When planning a trip to Holland, taste some cheese.

The Gouda cheese market is held during spring and summer in front of the Gouda City Hall and the Cheese weighing building. Gouda is known for its quintessential Dutch cheese.

Gouda cheese represents about 60% of Dutch cheese production. The Gouda cheese market is one of the few true cheese markets left in the country (along with the Edam market).

While it is dressed up for the tourist market, it still fulfills its original purpose: an outlet for local farmers to get their cheese to market.

During the spring and summer, the Gouda cheese market still runs in the traditional manner: cheese is brought in, tested for quality, weighed, priced, and sold. The weighing house offers other fun things to do as well.

Cheese is used for a measure of weight to weigh visitors, there is information (and a quiz) to test your knowledge of cheese, and of course cheese sampling. Tourists can also visit the cheese museum located on the premises. A tour of the building takes about two hours.

The market in Gouda is open from the beginning of April until the end of August, and takes place every Thursday morning. Be sure to visit the local crafts market at the same time when you are visiting the cheese market: traditional crafts as well as delicate cheeses.

Local tours are available throughout Holland and include the cheeses of the regions, and if you are interested in local culture at all, understanding the food is a good start.

The ticket office at Luton train station will be closed from Monday, August 11, till Sunday, August, 17, due to improvement works.

Customers can purchase their tickets from the ticket machines located in the main ticket hall and near the gateline to platform five.

Residents living close to the sites of two proposed solar farms are being invited to have their say.

The proposed farms on land north of Chiltern Green Road and Plummers Lane, Harpenden, will generate enough energy to power more than 7,500 homes say developers Lightsource Renewable

Energy.

The initial designs for the proposed solar farms have already been sent out to residents and Lightsource hopes the community will get involved and share their local knowledge to refine the plans.

Two Community Information Events will be held to discuss the proposals, the first on Monday August 18 to discuss land north of Chiltern Green Road and the second will be held on Wednesday August 20 to discuss land east of Plummers Lane.

Both sites have been carefully selected, say developers, as they are well-contained by existing vegetation which will keep potential views into the site to a minimum. Lightsource plan to bolster screening with the planting of new trees and hedgerows on the boundaries of each solar farm wherever needed. The new planting around the sites will also have the added benefit of strengthening wildlife foraging habitats.

Lightsource’s planning team is working alongside ecologists to create bespoke Biodiversity Management Plans for each site to ensure that native species benefit from planting, seeding and habitat creation.

Lightsource is currently discussing plans to graze sheep on both sites.

Conor McGuigan, Planning and Development Director at Lightsource, said: “Once installed, a solar farm is remarkably passive in nature which allows plenty of scope for diversification.

“As the solar panels would occupy less than 30 per cent of the site, the rest of the land can be used for a variety of agricultural uses. Biodiversity enhancements on the sites can also encourage and protect local wildlife - such as wildflower seeding to encourage bees and insects, log pile habitats for reptiles and amphibians, as well as bird, bat and barn owl boxes to encourage nesting and roosting in the area. It’s still early days for the plans, but there are many ways people can get involved.”

Designs for the solar farms are now available to view online on Lightsource’s web based Community Portal:

The Chiltern Green Road meeting is at East Hyde Village Hall on August 18 from 5.30-8pm and the Plummers Lane meeting is on August 20, again from 5.30-8pm at The Memorial Hall,Marford Road, Wheathampstead.

A driver was taken to hospital with head injuries after his lorry collided with a roundabout on the A505 yesterday.

The road was closed as emergency services cleared the area.

The driver’s injuries were said to not be life threatening.

The council received an award for its work to promote physical and mental wellbeing in the workplace at an event at the East of England Local Government Association and Public Health England.

They joined other public sector organisations to explore workplace health-related topics such as local government policy, reducing sick absences, engaging with employees and the link between employment and good health.

Luton has signed The Public Health Responsibility Deal, a pledge to protect the health of its employees and support their wellbeing.

Dame Carol Black, the department of health’s expert advisor, said: “We are all living longer. Therefore extending working life and maximising healthy life as a proportion of total life is a desirable goal for individuals and society. We must all work together to achieve this goal.”

Councillor Aslam Khan said: “A healthy and productive workforce means everyone’s a winner. Our employees have been enthusiastic about various ‘health ideas’ such as fun walks at lunch times and extra support for staff seeking to give up smoking.”

The people of Luton barely had time to register that war had been declared before the first casualties were announced.

The sinking of HMS Amphion on August 6 1914, saw two Lutonians lose their lives.

Percy James Pinnock, born in Old Bedford Road was only 20 when the Amphion was struck by a mine from a German minelayer they had helped sink the previous day.

Ironically the Amphion had rescued 46 of the crew of the Königin Luise as it laid mines off the Thames Estuary.

Percy’s mother and step father, Mr and Mrs Chambers of Boyle Street, Luton, contacted the Admiralty immediately they heard of the sinking.

Six hours later they received a telegram saying he was missing.

“Mr and Mrs Chambers were greatly distressed by the news and hoping almost against hope that their son would be found alive. He was their only son. The following Monday he was reported killed”, reported the Luton News.

Also on board was Private George Stokes, aged 38 who had been born in Guildford Street. He had been planning to leave the services before war was declared.

Hearing the news of his death his wife wrote to his sister in Luton. “I have lost the best of husbands and the children a good father.”

Around 150 men died on the ship.

An appeal went out to the patriotic women from the British Red Cross and the Womens Voluntary Aid detachment for new recruits. A series of lectures were being arranged to enable women to qualify for Red Cross work at The Modern School, Park Square, Luton.

The first practice match by Luton FC was to be held on August 15 due to the exceptional circumstances of the war. All proceeds were to go to the Prince of Wales Fund.

Remarkable scenes of rioting were reported in Dunstable.

The victim of the outrage was Mr Mowse, a grocer of High Street North, Dunstable who was accused of raising his prices too early.

A crowd gathered outside the shop for a while singing patriotic songs, before a brick was hurled through the window, followed by a shower of stones, which were in plentiful supply as the road was being refurfaced.

Police arrived but by this time there were more than 1,000 people in the crowd and not a pane of glass left in the building.

The rioting went on into the night. The paper reported the shop remains boarded up after the incident.

Luton’s mayor Cllr Primmett, cut short a three week motor tour of the Isle of Bute when war was declared but could not get back in time for the departure of the territorials.