Three Bedfordshire war memorials have been listed to mark Armistice Day.

Caddington, Wrestlingworth and two memorials to brothers at Sharpenhoe and Whipsnade are among 50 which have been listed in the country this month.

The listings are the latest in Historic England’s pledge to protect 2,500 memorials by 2018, marking the centenary of the First World War. They have been recognised for their historic and architectural importance.

Eight Robertson Brothers memorials are at Sharpenhoe and Whipsnade in Bedfordshire and also Netley Park, Hydon’s Ball, Crowlink, Hindhead Common, Toys Hill, and Frensham Common,

There are eight memorials on National Trust land dedicated to Norman and Laurance Robertson. Norman died in 1917 in Germany and Laurance at the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

Their surviving older brother William left a bequest to the National Trust for land to be bought “within reasonably easy distance from London” as a memorial to them.

As a result there are nine different memorial sites; eight markers are obelisks with dedicatory plaques, the ninth is a wall plaque.

The Caddington War Memorial is in the churchyard of All Saint’s Church, Luton Road

John Neale, Planning Director for the East of England, said: “Whether we have relatives whose names are on local memorials, or who fought alongside those who died, we all have a connection with remembrance.

“I would urge everyone to make sure their local memorial is in good condition.

“If it isn’t, then Historic England, War Memorials Trust and the Heritage Lottery Fund all have grants and advice available.” 

Music promoter Sid Hudson is seeking to reassure people who have bought tickets for the Cali-R Christmas Special featuring the Stylistics that the event at Dunstable Leisure Centre on December 9 has NOT been cancelled.

Several people, particularly from Luton, have phoned Mr Hudson after seeing a poster for the event with a cancelled sticker across it.

But Mr Hudson said the poster had been fixed in error to railings outside McDonald’s at the Marsh Road/Bramingham Road roundabout in Leagrave.

In accordance with its policy of clamping down on fly-posting, Luton Council acted by fixing a deterrent sticker to the poster.

Mr Hudson said: “I can only apologise to Luton Council for the oversight.

“I’m aware of its policy on fly-posting and wouldn’t knowingly contravene it. The poster was fixed to the railings by mistake. It should have gone on nearby private land.

“I would also like to reassure people who have already bought tickets for the Stylistics or who are planning to buy them that the event is definitely still taking place.”

>For tickets go to http://www.cali-r.com/

Older, vulnerable and disabled Luton residents can book a garden visit from Green Aiders project, run by the community charity Groundwork Luton & Bedfordshire.

Interested? Then contact Christian on 01582 720147 or email christian.iszchak@groundwork.org.uk

Everyone’s invited to the L&D at 6pm on Thursday, December 1 for their Christmas tree lights switch-on, which will be carried out by young patients from the children’s ward. Each light is sponsored and the money raised will go to the NICU.

There’ll be light refreshments and music from Hadrian Academy Choir.

Thanks to the hard work of a team of energetic volunteers, Luton’s rough sleepers will receive backpack survival kits containing sleeping bags, blankets, scarves, food and other essentials.
The team took over the Al-Hira Centre car park last Saturday and spent six hours cleaning vehicles, raisimg £350 for the winter relief campaign.
Al Hira Centre spokesman Dawood Masood said: “It’s always great to see people coming together to help those in need in our community.

“Islam puts great emphasis on respecting your neighbours and looking after those less fortunate.”
Organiser Ashfaq Ahmed added: “The local community really came out to support us and I have to thank everyone who helped and got involved.”

Budget airline easyJet says it is committed to staying in Luton as the company sees profits drop by 28% .

Chief executive Carolyn McCall said it had been a year of “significant challenges” after terror attacks across Europe, Egypt and Tunisia, air traffic control strikes in France, political turmoil in Turkey, and intense competition in the sector.

The group posted a 27.9% drop in pre-tax profits to £495 million for the year to September 30.

It is also braced for another £90 million impact from falling sterling.

But this will be partly offset by lower fuel costs.

Ms McCall said the group had delivered a “resilient performance”, with a record 73.1 million passengers carried, although revenues still fell 0.4% to £4.67 billion after it cut fares.

The firm revealed plans for a group-wide review to make easyJet a “simpler, more efficient” company and to deliver “meaningful” savings.

More details are yet to be revealed, but the group said it was not about job cuts, with the firm taking on another 900 staff and more aircraft from 250 to more than 300.

Ms McCall said the review was a “redesign around using technology and artificial intelligence”.

EasyJet said nearly half of its growth will be in the UK in 2017. But it is setting up a new operating company in mainland Europe and applying for a new licence to continue flying within the EU after Brexit.

Ms McCall said easyJet’s headquarters would remain in Luton.

It plans to increase its capacity by 9% in the coming year, with “double digit” growth in London and other bases, such as Manchester, Venice and Amsterdam.

“In a tougher operating environment strong airlines like easyJet will get stronger, and we will build on our already well-established network,” Ms McCall said.

Cancer and NICU wards at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital have had a welcome transformation – thanks to a team of Nationwide volunteers.

The 10 personal banking managers gave a much needed new lease of life to the garden at the NICU parents’ accommodation, as well as sprucing up the balcony in the cancer unit.

L&D fundraising manager Sarah Amexheta said: “We’re very grateful to the Nationwide staff members who spent the day with us, helping to provide a much more welcoming environment for patients and visitors.”

Nationwide spokesperson Abir Miah added: “We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and it was a great feeling to leave at the end of the day knowing we had made a little difference.

“We’re always looking for ways to help support our local communities and this project really touched the hearts of the team involved, as many have benefitted from the wonderful service provided by the hospital.

“The greatest part of it all was walking away feeling a sense of not only positivity and accomplishment but also the feeling of satisfaction in giving back.”

> If you’re interested in volunteering, email voluntaryservices@ldh.nhs.uk

Here’s your chance to do something positive this festive season.

National charity FareShare London is searching for ‘Heroes against hunger’ to volunteer for three hours during the next Neighbourhood Food Collection. It takes place at Tesco stores – including Luton Metro – across the UK for the first three days in December.

Volunteers will spread Christmas cheer as they encourage shoppers to donate one or two long-life items such as packets of pasta, boxes of breakfast cereal and tins of tomatoes.

FareShare will redistribute the donated food to local charities including homeless shelters, children’s breakfast clubs, women’s refuges, and senior citizens’ lunch clubs, alongside a wide range of fresh produce that it receives from the food and drink industry.

Charity spokeswoman Rachel Ledwith said: “In just three hours, you could collect enough tins, cans and packets to provide 500 meals for people in need, so it’s a quick and easy way to make a practical difference and it can be a lot of fun too, especially if you round up your friends, family, colleagues . . . the more, the merrier.”

> People interested in volunteering can sign up either as an individual or as a team at www.fareshare.org.uk/heroes-against-hunger

Luton Borough Council have confirmed they have contacted Luton Town over their plans for Newlands Park after their strategic planning team registered ‘significant concerns’ last week.

The club recently submitted planning applications for a new stadium at Power Court, plus the mixed scheme on the land adjacent to Junction 10 of the M1, which would include offices, retail space, a hotel and leisure amenities.

The advice of the council’s strategic planning team was published on their website earlier this week, in which they raised a number of issues with the plans received.

In a statement released by council today, it said: “There are elements of the planning applications, as they currently stand, that need to be evaluated more specifically.

“The planning team is working closely with 2020 Developments to address key areas, for example regarding the impact a retail development at J10 might have on the town centre.

“We have also approached the club to seek clarification over certain aspects of the applications, which is always the case in applications of this magnitude.”

The council was also quick to insist that no decision had been reached as to whether Luton would get the go ahead on both applications yet, as the statement added: “Luton Borough Council wishes to emphasise that no decision has been made in relation to the LTFC planning applications.

“As is the case in any planning application the council does not hold a predetermined view on the outcome and the applications will be considered on their merits.

“The applications are being processed by council officers in the normal open and transparent manner and are scrupulously assessed against the relevant legislation, national and local policy and all other material planning considerations.

“Members of the public and interested parties have been invited to comment on all aspects of the applications and their observations are recorded and form part of the procedure.

“The councillors who sit on the planning committee will have a great deal of information to consider before making their decision.

“Reports are produced by specialist officers who deal with planning applications.

“Not only are these applications very large in their scope but they have attracted a huge level of interest throughout the town and beyond.

“It is only by continuing to work together with all parties that councillors will have at their disposal all the information they need to make a decision that is in the best interest of the town.”

Luton’s Labour councillors brought food items to their last meeting to be donated to Luton Foodbank.

Councillor Jennifer Rowlands – who sits on the Foodbank’s governing board – suggested the initiative to mark the week when the government’s latest reduction in the benefits cap comes into force.

She said: “Many Luton families will be finding it difficult to make ends meet this week, and will be reliant on Luton Foodbank to see them through.”

> The benefits cap reduction will take £2 million out of the local economy in the coming year.

Calling everyone who’s left doing their Operation Christmas Child shoebox to the last minute - you better crack on if you want to be included in this year’s collection.

Tomorrow is the deadline and the Herald&Post will not be accepting any more after close of play at 5.30pm.

One Luton woman who has been following the campaign with interest lives in St Thomas Road.

She popped in to help at the charity’s warehouse this week and revealed that as a child, she had been a recipient of one of the lovingly-filled boxes.

She can still recall the awe, joy and gratitude she felt when she realised that the gaily-wrapped package and all the gifts it contained really were meant for her.

“It was such a positive experience,” she said. “And it’s good to be able to give something back now.”

The local Operation Christmas Child warehouse is gearing up for a busy time as shoeboxes are delivered from various drop-off points to be checked and packed for distribution.

And it’s amazing what an impact these small boxes can have – what goes in is fun but what comes out can change a child’s life forever. Be part of that change by creating your own gift for a needy child.

Luton Town chief executive Gary Sweet wasn’t unduly worried by news that the Luton Borough Council’s strategic planning team have registered ‘significant concerns’ over the club’s plans to build a mixed used scheme at Newlands Park.

The Hatters recently submitted planning applications for a new stadium at Power Court, plus the scheme on the land adjacent to Junction 10 of the M1, which would include offices, retail space, a hotel and leisure amenities.

The development is absolutely crucial to Luton’s bid to build a new stadium at Power Court, with Newlands Park funding most of the new costs for the ground.

However, the advice of the council’s strategic planning team was published on their website earlier this week, in which they raised various concerns with the plans received.

When asked if he was worried by this latest development, Sweet, speaking exclusively to the News/Gazette, said: “No, not at all. As previously mentioned, the officers responsible for our applications sit in Development Control not Strategic Planning.

“Many people, including the press, seem to think these comments have stemmed from those assessing our applications – they’re not.

“It’s not surprising in the least but maybe a little disappointing that those policy planners haven’t given greater consideration to the detail of our supporting evidence submitted with our planning applications.

“We’re also surprised more consideration hasn’t been given to the weight of public support that has accompanied our two applications and seen this as a bigger, better and more ambitious development for the greater good of the town.”

Sweet admitted the negative response from the strategic planners after the double applications for a new 17,500 all-seater stadium at Power Court and Newlands Park were submitted in August weren’t totally unsurprising either.

He continued: “No, their comments were not entirely unexpected. Firstly, it’s worth explaining that the Strategic Planning team are not responsible for assessing our applications, that job belongs to Development Control.

“Strategic Planning would have been one of the many statutory stakeholders consulted by Development Control.

“Their principle responsibility is to progress the Council’s Local Plan and their role is to challenge all applications that may have an impact on the Plan”

“The emerging Local Plan is currently being reviewed by a Government Inspector and within that process we have made representations where we disagree with certain elements of it.”

Although the club are planning to respond to the issues, Sweet won’t be discussing any of the points with the strategic planners themselves, or local councillors either, as he said: “No. Our point of contact is with the Development Control team, everybody in this process feeds into them, including Strategic Planning.

“We will certainly be responding on the points raised and pointing to the evidence that, we firmly believe, supports our position beyond doubt.

“No we haven’t (discussed the developments with councillors) as that would not be appropriate at this stage.

“The Councillors that sit on the Development Control Committee must be very careful to come to their own independent opinions without undue influences from neither the developer or any objectors. Likewise, one of our key cornerstones is to conduct our business – on and off the pitch you could say – in a sporting spirit of respect and fairness.

“We want to reach our ambitious targets knowing we’ve achieved them fully and properly.

“We see that as one of the characteristics that identifies us as a club and a business.

With some supporters naturally worried about the latest developments this week, having seen previous moves away from Kenilworth Road fail to materialise in the past, Sweet insisted they shouldn’t lose sight of what 2020 are trying to achieve.

He added: “As every Hatter has frequently needed to remind themselves in the past, ‘keep the faith!’

“In many instances the questions raised are entirely legitimate. We are though confident that we have answered them fully in what has already been submitted. It is unfortunately the nature of the beast that an initial focus is always on potential issues and concerns.

“Be assured though that the fact we are regenerating a major contaminated site in the heart of the town, bringing the River Lea back to life and creating thousands of valuable jobs in the process is most definitely a positive in our favour – amongst the many other benefits we believe our two schemes can deliver.”

The personal details of hundreds of millions of users of adult meet-up websites have been exposed following the hacking of AdultFriendFinder and related sites.

The total of 412 million accounts includes 5.2 million UK email addresses, as well as associated information which could prove useful such as purchasing data.

The security breach occurred in October at the site’s parent company, California-based Friend Finder Networks. Other sites which may have ben affected include Cams.com, Penthouse.com, Stripshow.com and iCams.com.

The total includes information from 15 million accounts which had been deleted by users but which remained on the company’s servers and could stretch back as far as 20 years.

The latest leaking of personal data is a reminder of how vulnerable websites can be to attack, emphasised by the revelation that close to a million of the users whose data was compromised had used ‘123456’ as their password, with similar numerical combinations as well as ‘password’ and ‘qwerty’ also in the top 10.

ActionFraud - the UK’s national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre - offered the following advice:

If you use the same password for AdultFriendFinder.com anywhere else on the internet, then change it immediately. Use three words which mean something to you but are random to others - this creates a password that is strong and more memorable.

The data taken in the breach includes email addresses and usernames, which could be used in future for phishing attempts. If you receive unsolicited emails never reply with personal details and don’t click on any links as you could end up downloading malware.

Be wary of anyone calling asking for personal information, bank details or passwords. If in doubt, just hang up.

For online safety advice visit www.getsafeonline.org and www.cyberaware.gov.uk.

Luton chief executive Gary Sweet has refuted claims that development of a mixed use scheme at Newlands Park will be like creating a new town centre.

In a document published by the Strategic Planning team on the Luton Borough Council’s official website this week, it stated that Town’s plans for a site that contained offices, a hotel and leisure amenities, would take business away from such other areas as the Mall.

It read: “Along with the retail, this will mean that the development effectively becomes a destination of a scale and function similar to being a new town centre that will draw trade, footfall and investment away from other locations.”

However, when asked for his reaction to the statement, Sweet said: “Well, firstly, we have already provided evidence to show that there is no impact. But the key point here is that Luton needs more retail development and it begs the question, can our town centre attract new, higher-end, aspirational retail brands? It simply can’t, as we know.

“On the other hand, Newlands Park will be an iconic gateway development which will genuinely attract brand new retail into our town.

“We like to view it as next generation retail and genuinely think it will be considered as one of the most unique and the best places to shop in the country – but it will be distinctly different to our town centre therefore it will not replace it.

“Our retail offering will differentiate by competing at a different level for spending that already largely leaks from Luton to other locations.

“Indeed, we think Newlands Park will be complimentary to Luton town centre because we want to keep that spending power within our Borough and that will greatly support our overall economy.

“Likewise, the offices where we are already in talks with some blue-chip companies for space that is not otherwise available in the town – without the retail element those first-class brands would simply not think about relocating to Luton.”

The council’s strategic planners also raised their concerns over the amount of jobs, thought to be 1,728, created at Newlands Park and the impact that will have on traffic in the surrounding areas.

However, Sweet continued: “The level of office jobs proposed for Newlands Park in our applications is much closer to the original plan that their comments suggest.

“Just like retail, what we are proposing would be different to Butterfield or Century Park and we have evidence to support that view in the form of statements from two of the leading experts in the fields of economics (KPMG) and commercial estate agency (Lambert Smith Hampton).

“Our transport assessments submitted as part of the planning applications take full account of all this and give no cause for concern.”

Meanwhile, the planners also commented on a new ground at Power Court negatively affecting the flow of traffic in the town on a match-day too.

But Sweet once again reiterated his comments made to the News/Gazette last month, as he added: “We care passionately about our town centre and to prove it we want to relocate there and help its heart beat. Let’s be frank about this potential impact, we’re talking about no more than 19-20 Saturdays per year, and only about one hour on each of those match days and, even then, many of those games may well be very low key.

“Compare that to the added vitality we will bring to the town not to mention the additional benefit of adding some car parking for 346-plus more days per year!

“Our detailed transport assessments submitted along with the Power Court plans assess both these issues and the conclusion is positive.

“It is important to bear in mind here that, for the vast majority of time the car park facilities at Power Court could actually be utilised for the benefit of the wider town.

“You will also have the other aspects of Power Court that will contribute significantly to bringing life and colour back into the town centre.

“We have been at Kenilworth Road for well over a century and really hope to be based at Power Court into the next millennium so we really do care as much about ensuring the town centre is successful as anybody else out there.”

Bedfordshire Police have had to scrap their Islamophobia Awareness logo, after it was considered to be similar to a symbol used by ISIS.

On Tuesday, the force declared its support for the awareness month, aiming to encourage the reporting of hate crimes against the Muslim community.

However, just one day after their announcement, the force made an apology, stating that their ‘pointing finger’ logo looked similar to that of the terrorist group.

The logo was used to illustrate social media posts surrounding the Islamophobia Awareness Month.

A spokesperson from Bedfordshire Police said: “The logo was produced by a national organisation and was used in good faith.

“As a consequence and to avoid offence, Bedfordshire Police has deleted these posts and will not tolerate Islamophobia or any other form of hatred or discrimination.”

To support the week, Hate Crime Sergeant James Hart has been busy setting up an Islamophobia Working Group, in conjunction with the Luton Council of Mosques.

They have been working with Lantern, a local women’s group, which aims to support and amplify the voices of Muslim women in the community.

Former Leighton Buzzard Athletics Club stalwart Kate Owens has just completed her sixth marathon, clocking up a personal best of 3:01:24.

She was also first British female finisher in the New York event.

Kate – who now lives in Horley, Surrey, and works as cabin crew from Gatwick Airport – has to fit in training with her busy shift patterns. She runs almost every day, usually early in the morning or late in the evening.

The 35-year-old has raised thousands for good causes but the New York marathon was extra special – she was running for her American family’s charity Coach Ed, set up to raise money for cystic fibrosis in memory of her cousin Edward who died of the condition when he was only 22.

Kate said: “He accomplished amazing things, even with such a difficult illness. In short he was a legend and thinking of him motivated me to pound the pavements.”

Her next challenge is the Chicago race in October next year. Sponsor Kat at www.crowdrise.com/new-york-marathon-for-coach-ed

The combined quick action of Bedfordshire Firefighters and a closed door averted a potential fatality at a serious fire last night (Tuesday 15 th November) in Houghton Regis.

Fire crews from Dunstable and Toddington were called to the blaze at a terraced bungalow in Brentwood Close, Houghton Regis at 8.50pm. 

They were alerted by passers-by who noticed that the property was alight.

Firefighters reached the property within six minutes and tackled the fire which resulted in significant fire and smoke damage. 

The crews discovered that there was a woman suffering from smoke inhalation, in the bedroom. 

The closed bedroom door had protected her from the worst of the fire and smoke. 

She was rescued handed into the care of the Ambulance Service who then took her to hospital where she is recovering.

Group Commander Ade Yule said:  “This was potentially a fatal situation as a woman was semi-conscious in her bed due to smoke inhalation when the crew found her. 

“The closed door to the bedroom could have saved her.  We advise making closing internal doors part of your home fire escape plan.  Doing this may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Also install and check smoke alarms in your home.”

The incident was closed at 21.58 and an investogation into the cause is underway.

“Boy racers” caused carnage to homes and cars in Luton on Monday night after speeding up and down a road.

Householders at Dunstable Road in Luton were disturbed by three speeding cars on Monday night as they tore through the street.

Shortly after 11pm, nuisance turned to disaster after thedrivers lost control and collided into a row of homes and parked cars.

Resident Kay Winton said: “There was this horrendous noise outside. I thought a bomb had gone off!

“I went downstairs but I wasn’t able to open my front door because my car was crushed up against it.”

Mrs Winton left the house thorough a side exit and saw the scene outside.

A suspected drugs den in Luton has been shut down thanks to the efforts of Beds Police.

Luton Magistrates Court granted the closure of a flat in Ruthin Close, Luton, yesterday after hearing evidence from police of it being used to supply drugs.

Two men, aged 19 and 37, were arrested and bailed pending further enquiries.

Sgt Richard Cunningham said: “This is yet another success for our team. Since the launch of Op Sentinel the team have clamped down on numerous locations used for drug supply and as brothels.

“We want to send a strong message that we treat anti-social behaviour seriously and won’t tolerate it in our neighbourhoods.”

Anyone with information in relation to the supply of illegal drugs can contact police, in confidence, on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A “persistent beggar” said by police to have posed as homeless has been given his marching orders from Luton town centre by magistrates.

39-year-old Gavin Lockyer – regularly seen around Luton with his two large dogs – has been banned from the town centre for three years after a criminal behaviour order (CBO) was imposed on him.

On Monday, November 7, Bedfordshire Police successfully applied to Luton Magistrates Court to secure the order against Lockyer.

A Beds Police spokesman said the force had received “numerous complaints” from people in Luton town centre.

He added: “The man was posing as homeless and taking advantage of people’s goodwill.”

Lockyer, of no fixed abode, had previously been convicted of possessing crack cocaine and heroin during a hearing at Luton Magistrates Court held on September 19.

The imposed CBO forbids him from entering the town centre for three years, except for pre-arranged appointments with a doctor or a solicitor.

Additionally Lockyer, who served in the Royal Navy for five years, is banned from causing harassment, alarm or distress to anyone in Luton.

PC Hollie Nicholson, who applied for the CBO, said: “We will not tolerate those who threaten or intimidate the public in Bedfordshire.

“This action is sending a clear message that we will fight anti-social behaviour to create a safe and peaceful county for our residents.”

In 2012, Luton Today reported that Lockyer was sleeping in a cemetery after council officers allegedly refused to grant him accommodation due to his refusal to part with his dogs. A fundraiser was organised for him by friends earlier this year.

Bedfordshire Police’s Operation Sentinel was launched to tackle anti-social behaviour including nuisance youths, street drinking, drug dealing and sex trade. You can contact the team at opsentinel@bed
fordshire.pnn.police.uk.