Luton Council has opened a book of condolence to express the town’s solidarity with the people of Barcelona following yesterday’s appalling act of terrorism.

This is available to sign in the Town Hall reception and online at www.luton.gov.uk

Leader Cllr Hazel Simmons said: “We were devastated to have followed the news yesterday of another horrifying incident targeting innocent people. This was an unprovoked and cowardly attack, and our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families and friends and everyone affected.”

A minute’s silence will be held at the start of the North Area Community Festival in Futures House, Marsh Farm tomorrow (Saturday) – supported by Luton in Harmony.

Everyone is invited to show their solidarity for the communities affected by this atrocity, by joining in this minute’s silence outside Futures House, The Moakes, Marsh Farm at 12noon.

A man has been prosecuted for dropping a cigarette from his car.

Jerzy Partyka of Park Street, Luton, appeared before Luton Magistrates on Tuesday, August 8.

Luton Borough Council successfully prosecuted him under S87(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Partyka, aged 35, pleaded guilty to the charge of intentionally dropping a cigarette from the vehicle he was driving on 2 February 2017.

Luton Council’s environmental enforcement unit charged Partyka with the offence of littering after two of the council’s neighbourhood enforcement officers witnessed him drop the cigarette on Stuart Street, Luton.

In mitigation he said he was driving and didn’t intentionally drop it on the road.

He apologised for the offence.

The magistrates imposed a Band A fine for the offence and stated that it would have been £120 fine, but as he had entered an early guilty plea this was reduced to £80 plus victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £300 to be paid in seven days.

Councillor Aslam Khan, Portfolio Holder for Place and Infrastructure, said “Under section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, it is an offence to throw down, drop or otherwise deposit, and then leave, litter.

“At Luton Council, we are committed to making sure that people who deliberately drop litter in the street are prosecuted for doing so. Cars have ash trays in them, so there is absolutely no excuse for littering Luton’s streets in this way. Our message is clear, if you are caught littering, you will be prosecuted.”

Parents hand down the same 29 nuggets of wisdom to their children that their own parents did - including ‘get an education’ and ‘always try your best’.

A study of 2,000 adults, commissioned by Skipton Building Society, revealed two thirds find themselves churning out the same old clichés that have been passed down through generations.

The favourites are ‘you don’t get something for nothing’ and ‘put money aside for a rainy day’ and ‘if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all’.

Financial advice features often with phrases like; ‘never spend money you don’t have’, ‘look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves’, ‘ put money aside for a rainy day’ and ‘always have two months’ rent/mortgage saved’.

‘Always wear clean underwear’ and ‘never let your petrol tank go lower than a quarter full’ are among other tips from parents.

Seven in 10 adults admitted they often catch themselves mid-sentence and think they sound like their mother or father, while a further 36 per cent frequently think they’re turning into their own parents.

But perhaps that’s no bad thing, with a whopping 72 per cent of people admitting they do still live by the advice their parents gave them when growing up - and as such still try not to eat cheese before bedtime, always use a hand cream, and try to eat with their mouth closed.

Stacey Stothard, Skipton Building Socieyt, said:: “It’s great to see so many people admit to living by the advice given to them by their parents.

“Passing on life lessons and philosophy should never be underestimated, for many people they directly attribute this to getting into the discipline of planning and saving for their future.”

Here are the top 50 nuggets of wisdom parents around the country are passing on to their kids:

TOP 50 WORDS OF WISDOM

1. Always try your best

2. If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all

3. Get an education - no-one can take that away from you

4. Never spend money you don’t have

5. If you don’t ask, you don’t get

6. Eat with your mouth closed

7. Put money aside for a rainy day

8. Never take sweets from strangers

9. Do your best - nothing else matters

10. Keep your elbows off the table

11. Never swim on a full stomach

12. Treat people with respect

13. There’s no such word as can’t

14. You never get something for nothing

15. Don’t put shoes in the table

16. SMILE

17. Practice makes perfect

18. Look after your pennies and the pounds will look after themselves

19. Courtesy and compassion cost nothing

20. Treat others how you wish to be treated yourself

21. You only get out of life what you put into it

22. ‘I want’ never gets

23. Mind your p’s and q’s

24. Manners maketh the man

25. Always wear clean underwear

26. Don’t stare at people, it’s rude

27. Watching too much TV will make your eyes go square

28. Be true to yourself

29. Always hold the door open

30. Never leave the house with wet hair

31. Never drink on an empty stomach

32. Never go to bed on an argument

33. Look up things you don’t know the answer to

34. Never go under a ladder

35. Never give up

36. Receive compliments gracefully

37. Don’t wear your coat indoors

38. Mum knows best

39. The grass is never greener

40. Always eat your breakfast

41. Life’s too short to be unhappy

42. Always have 2 month’s rent/mortgage saved

43. Don’t eat cheese before bedtime

44. Give compliments easily

45. Use a hand cream

46. Don’t eat in the street

47. Never offer a stranger a lift

48. Don’t smoke in the street

49. Never let your petrol tank go lower than a quarter full

50. Men are very different creatures to women

Preferring Pepsi to Coke or McDonald’s to Burger King could doom your relationship, according to new research.

‘Brand compatibility’ is more important than shared interests or personality traits when it comes to finding the perfect match, suggests the study.

A person who is dominated by their other half’s consumer choices is likely to become miserable - leading to feelings of resentment and ‘death by a thousand cuts’, say scientists.

The phenomenon has been triggered by the growing obsession with brands, they say.

And it is so strong the drinks and burgers of choice should be included on dating websites like match and eharmony.

Marketing expert Professor Gavan Fitzsimons said liking Coke when your partner chooses Pepsi may not appear a big deal. But it can be the most important factor affecting our happiness.

He said: “People think compatibility in relationships comes from having similar backgrounds, religion or education.

“But we find those things don’t explain how happy you are in life nearly as much as this notion of brand compatibility.”

Fight the low power

The study “Coke vs. Pepsi: Brand Compatibility, Relationship Power, and Life Satisfaction” found participants with ‘low power’ - those who don’t feel they can shape their partner’s behaviour - end up with a brand they don’t like as much.

Co author Danielle Brick, a PhD student now at the University of New Hampshire, said: “If you are lower in relationship power and have different brand preferences than your partner, you’re probably going to find yourself stuck with your partner’s favourite brands, over and over again.

“This could lead to a death-by-a-thousand-cuts feeling. Most couples won’t break up over brand incompatibility, but it leads to the low power partner becoming less and less happy.”

Experiments tracking individuals and couples for up to two years used brand preferences in fizzy drinks, coffee, chocolate, beer and cars.

The results were combined with findings on relationship power and happiness and the finding was always the same - whatever the type of product.

‘Robust effect’

Psychologist Prof Grainne Fitzsimons, also of Duke University, said: “It’s an extremely robust effect, we found it over and over and over again.”

Ms Brick said it is likely these effects have steadily gained strength as brands have evolved to play a bigger role in the daily lives of consumers.

But they aren’t given the same weight as other relationship influencing factors because they are not seen as significant.

She said: “If you are a different religion than your romantic partner, you know that if this is an issue you can’t work through, then the relationship isn’t going to last.

“Conversely, if you like Coke and your partner likes Pepsi, you are probably not going to break up over it.

“But 11 years into a relationship, when he or she keeps coming home with Pepsi, day in and day out, it might start to cause a little conflict.

“And if you are the low-power person in the relationship, who continually loses out on brands and is stuck with your partner’s preferences, you are going to be less happy.”

Dating dilemmas

The team said their study published in the Journal of Consumer Research has implications for individuals and firms.

Prof Fitzsimons said: “People who are looking for love should maybe consider including brand preferences on their dating profiles.

“There’s also an opportunity for marketers to seek to be the family brand. Even if two partners have slightly different brand preferences, if they can adopt a joint brand that both are happy about, that might increase happiness for a partner who would otherwise feel unsatisfied.”

He said family branding isn’t currently commonplace.

Prof Fitzsimons added: “Some brands are marketed as family oriented, but that’s not the same as reaching out to everyone in the family.

“It is tricky, but firms that get it right can have their brand associated with happiness and harmony - and there’s nothing better than that.”

A glass of wine or pint of beer a day can help people to live longer, according to new research.

The study suggests that light-to-moderate alcohol consumption - classed as less than 14 drinks a week for men, and seven for women - may have “protective” health effects and can reduce the risk of dying young.

Experts said the findings show that for most older people, the overall benefits of light drinking “clearly outweigh” the possible cancer risk.

Heavy drinking has been linked to a host of health issues - including heart disease, but alcohol in moderation is widely recommended.

But, despite these recommendations, previous studies of the risk of dying among light-to-moderate drinkers were inconsistent in their findings.

For the new study, researchers examined the association between alcohol consumption and risk of mortality from all causes, cancer and cardiovascular disease in the United States.

They studied data from 333,247 participants obtained through the National Health Interview Surveys from 1997 to 2009.

The study participants were surveyed regarding their drinking and patterns of use.

They were divided into six groups, based on their drinking patterns: lifetime abstainers, lifetime infrequent drinkers, former drinkers and current light (less than three drinks per week), moderate (more than three drinks per week to less than 14 drinks per week for men or less than seven drinks per week for women) or heavy drinkers - more than 14 drinks per week for men or seven per week for women.

Protective effects

Study lead author Doctor Bo Xi, associate professor at Shandong University School of Public Health in China, said: “Our research shows that light-to-moderate drinking might have some protective effects against cardiovascular disease, while heavy drinking can lead to death.

“A delicate balance exists between the beneficial and detrimental effects of alcohol consumption, which should be stressed to consumers and patients,”

Throughout the length of the study, 34,754 participants died from all-causes. Of those, 8,947 deathss were cardiovascular disease-specific, and 8,427 mortalities were cancer-specific.

Researchers found that male heavy drinkers had a 25 per cent increased risk of mortality due to all-causes and a 67 per cent increase in mortality from cancer.

The increases were not significantly noticed in women. There was no association found between heavy drinking and cardiovascular disease mortality.

Mortality decrease

Moderate drinking was associated with a 13 per cent and 25 per cent decreased risk of all-cause mortality, and 21 per cent and 34 per cent decreased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality, respectively, in both men and women. Similar findings were observed for light drinking in both genders.

Study co-author Doctor Sreenivas Veeranki, assistant professor in preventive medicine and community health at University of Texas Medical Branch, said: “We have taken rigorous statistical approaches to address issues reported in earlier studies such as abstainer bias, sick quitter phenomenon and limited confounding adjustment in our study.

“A J-shaped relationship exists between alcohol consumption and mortality, and drinkers should drink with consciousness.”

Doctor Giovanni de Gaetano, director of the Department of Epidemiology and Prevention at IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed said the findings show younger adults should not expect considerable benefit from moderate drinking.

But he added: “For most older persons, the overall benefits of light drinking, especially the reduced cardiovascular disease risk, clearly outweigh possible cancer risk.”

A charity which matches specially trained volunteers with families with children with complex heart conditions or feeding issues is asking for more people to help.

Lagan’s Foundation recruits and trains voluntary home support workers who are then matched with a family in need of assistance to provide at least two hours a week support and care.

Their service is in demand due to the high number of complex health children being discharged from hospital with still very limited support and knowledge in the community.

The foundation says there are families in the Luton area on their waiting list and in need of support but at the moment they do not have the volunteers to match them with.

The foundation covers all expenses incurred when attending its training sessions and also expenses incurred when matched with a family, for example, mileage to and from visits.

For more information of how you can help by volunteering or making a donation contact charlotte@lagans.org.uk. Visit www.lagans.org.uk

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has offered 10 young people including one from Houghton Regis and another from Sandy, new roles with Thameslink, Great Northern and Southern, after they graduated from a work experience scheme the rail operator runs with The Prince’s Trust.

The 10, who have struggled to remain in consistent employment, have graduated from a four-week course – The Prince’s Trust ‘Get into Railways’ programme – and will start in their new roles across the GTR network in the coming weeks.

Jack Field, 20, from Houghton Regis, will be joining Great Northern. He said: “I enjoyed going into a workplace that made me feel at home. It was great working at GTR, it really felt like I was part of the family.”

Danny Ryder from Sandy is also joining Great Northern.

The Prince’s Trust and GTR graduates celebrated their success at an awards ceremony with friends and family, before starting their roles.

According to new research by price comparison site uSwitch.com, two thirds (63%) of drivers make simple errors which can leave them out of pocket should they need to make a claim.

And a quarter (25%) of those surveyed admitted they didn’t realise these small errors could result in car insurance providers not paying out, with an additional third (37%) of drivers admitting they simply forgot that such behaviour might impact on an insurance claim.

Top 10 mistakes drivers make that may invalidate your car insurance:

1. Wearing high heels or flip flops when driving (25%)

2. Leaving car unlocked (24%)

3. Putting off car maintenance when required (21%)

4. Forgetting to renew car MOT on time (16%)

5. Letting pets roam free in the car (15%)

6. Lending car to a friend or family member (14%)

7. Not updating details after changing jobs (9%)

8. Attaching fluffy dice, or another object, to rear view mirror (9%)

9. Forgetting to renew vehicle tax on time (9%)

10. Underestimating mileage travelled everyday (8%)

Rod Jones Insurance, expert at uSwitch.com, said: “We know the British public are increasingly time poor, so it’s unsurprising that motorists can be forgetful when it comes to locking up their cars or renewing their car MOT and taxes on time.

“With claims now running into the thousands of pounds, people can’t afford to make a careless mistake that could invalidate their cover and leave them out of pocket.

“It is therefore really important that drivers note down their key renewal dates, and avoid making the easy to forget mistakes to ensure they are covered should they ever need to make a claim.”

A solar eclipse is expected tonight (Monday), with some parts of the world seeing a TOTAL eclipse as the moon passes in between the Earth and the sun.

A total solar eclipse is due to bring parts of North America into darkness, giving 12 million people a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness this spectacular celestial event.

The total eclipse, where the moon covers the sun, will take place on Monday 21 August and will be at its peak in parts of America with the residents of Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina being in the ‘path of totality’, therefore getting the best visibility.

So what are our chances here in the UK?

Outside of the 110km path of the eclipse, sky-watchers will see a partial eclipse with decreasing percentages of the sun’s surface covered the further away you get from the ‘path of totality’.

Unfortunately the UK won’t see a perfect alignment of the moon and the sun, but the country is still expected to see a partial eclipse, where the moon partially covers the sun.

In areas of no cloud, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales should see the partial eclipse on Monday 21 August at 19:35. Those in northern parts of the country are expected to have the best visibility.

Because of the UK’s distance from the ‘path of totality’, only four per cent coverage of the sun is expected to be visible.

If that sounds underwhelming, NASA will be live streaming the total eclipse online, so you can witness the phenomenon for yourself.

Failing that Brits will need to wait a while longer for the next big eclipse as the UK’s next total eclipse isn’t expected until September 23, 2090.

Tesco is recalling jars of one of its own brand cooking sauces because of allergy fears.

Tesco’s own Creamy Leek and Bacon Cooking Sauce contains egg which is not mentioned on the label. This means it is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to egg.

The product recall applies to 470g jars with a best before end of July 2018 and batch code number 7031.

Anyone who purchased the product and has an allergy or intolerance to egg should not consume the sauce but return it to Tesco where they will receive a refund.

KeechFest is back by popular demand with a fun-filled day of back to back live music acts and family entertainment.

The beautiful Alan Titchmarsh garden at Keech Hospice Care in Great Bramingham Lane, Luton, will be rocking as the charity hosts its summer festival on Sunday 10 September.

Liz Searle, CEO at Keech Hospice Care, said the adult and children’s hospice is throwing open its doors.

“Who says you can’t party at a hospice? Come along, listen to some great live bands and realise why Keech Hospice Care is a hospice full of life! Look around our new Courtyard Garden, designed by Gardener’s World presenter Adam Frost, which is a real oasis. Don’t just take my word for it, come and see it for yourself!”

Getting the party in full swing on the KeechFest Main Stage is Lawrence Hill from ITV’s The Voice, swinging rock n’ roll band The Wilsons as well as a worldwide successful tribute act to Neil Diamond and other professional bands playing music from the 1960s right through until today’s best hits.

They’ll also be plenty of children’s entertainment – including a Big Top Circus and entertainment zone for children, a retail village, and a bar and BBQ.

“I understand why some people might think hospices are sad places and the last place you’d party the afternoon away, but Keech Hospice Care celebrates all that is great about life and KeechFest will prove it,” said Liz.

“By coming to KeechFest you’ll not only have a great afternoon but raising vital funds to support seriously ill adults in Luton and South Bedfordshire and children across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes. As a charity, we rely on the community to raise 70 per cent of our funding, so there has never been a time when your support has been needed more.”

Due to the popularity of the event, tickets are selling fast and are limited. Entry is by admission only. KeechFest runs from 11am to 4pm and tickets are available from Keech Hospice Care’s reception, by calling 01582 492339, or at www.keech.org.uk/keechfest. Adult tickets are £5, children aged 6-16 are £2.50 and infants are £0.50.

On the day shuttle buses will run from Barnfield Technology College in Enterprise Way, Luton, every 15 minutes and travel to the hospice. You can park for free at the college and travel to Keech Hospice Care by bus. Limited disabled parking is available at the hospice and must be pre-booked by calling 01582 707940.

Do you want to be part of a team that can help save lives?

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is running a recruitment campaign to add full-time (also known as whole-time) Firefighters to its crews.

The recruitment period opened on 18 August and runs for three weeks.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service operate a 24 hour shift system with Firefighters having 24 hours on-duty followed by 72 hours off duty. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community and is particularly keen to employ more women and people from under-represented sections of its community.

To be a full-time Firefighter you should live in Bedfordshire, or within 10 miles of its border, be fit, 18 or over, have four GCSEs or equivalent, be able to swim and have a full driving licence (with no pending issues).

The Service is looking for individuals who possess a range of personal qualities to work in the local communities, these include:

>Being keen to contribute to a safer community

>Committed to equality and fairness

>An understanding of their role with regards to health, safety and welfare.

>Highly motivated

>Effective team member

>Effective communicator

>Flexible approach to undertaking new initiatives.

Successful candidates will be required to serve at any community fire station within the Bedfordshire area. Candidates will be required to gain Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) clearance and pass a Service Medical.

An application form, job description and personnel specification, together with other relevant details may be obtained from www.bedsfire.com where the advertisement will be published under ‘Careers and Recruitment’. 

Closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Friday 8 September 2017. After this date the shortlisting process will take place and those selected will be invited to undertake the first stage of the selection process. The recruitment process can be lengthy and the final, successful candidates will begin their thirteen week training course in June 2018.

A former Bedfordshire police officer has been jailed after pleading guilty to possessing indecent images of children.

Jamal Hassan, 36, admitted three charges of making indecent photographs of children, possession of an extreme pornographic image, outraging public decency, four counts of misconduct and perverting the course of justice.

Hassan, who was dismissed without notice for gross misconduct at a Special Case Hearing held earlier this month, was sentenced to a total of six years at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday. He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) lasting 15 years and was put on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely.

Bedfordshire Police was notified that his online activity indicated he may have a sexual interest in children on 16 May. An investigation was launched and officers from Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) arrested Hassan at his home address in Luton the following morning. Hassan was immediately suspended from duty.

Searches of Hassan’s home revealed almost 7,000 indecent images and videos of children stored on various devices. Further examination revealed inappropriate videos Hassan had made of himself at various locations including while in victims’ homes dating back to 2006 and 2009.

Evidence was also gathered which showed Hassan had destroyed other storage devices in a bid to cover his tracks.

When sentencing, Judge Sean Enright described Hassan’s actions as a ‘gross abuse of his position of trust’.

T/Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Sebire said: “The actions of Jamal Hassan were absolutely abhorrent and have no place in policing.

“We are here to protect vulnerable people from harm and he has let down every single one of his colleagues with his conduct. People who worked alongside him are disgusted by his behaviour and were completely unaware of the secret life he was leading.

“While there is no suggestion Hassan committed any ‘contact’ offences, we are still investigating his actions over the past decade and would urge anyone who has concerns regarding his conduct to contact us.

“It is also important to stress that online offending is not a victimless crime. People who view these horrific images are effectively funding this type of crime which affects so many innocent children across the world.

“Victims are at the heart of everything we do, and we are working hard to ensure we identify vulnerability in order to protect and safeguard victims from harm. We are also working to educate officers and staff to ensure they report concerning or inappropriate behaviour so we can act quickly to take appropriate action.”

Detective Sergeant James Weston of Cambridgeshire Constabulary, said: “This sentence should send a clear message to offenders that you will be brought to justice irrespective of who you are or your position in society.”

A major UK supermarket could have infected thousands of people with a strain of hepatitis E through its pork sausages, says researchers at Public Health England (PHE).

The infection, which has seen an “increase in the number of non-travel cases” since 2010, is believed to have come from a British supermarket, only known as Supermarket X.

The discovery came after researchers found the consumption of ham and sausages from one particular supermarket to be the common denominator in people infected with the virus.

The infected pork is believed to have originated from Europe, most likely the Netherlands or Germany. The virus strain has not been found in British pigs according to the report published last month.

Includes ready-to-eat pre-packed sliced ham

Researchers Bengu Said and Professor Richard Tedder of PHE’s National Infection Service said, “The implicated products are pork sausages, which require cooking prior to consumption, and ready-to-eat pre-packed sliced ham.”

“Only Supermarket X, especially own brand, was significantly associated with HEV.”

The research paper discovered that as many as 150,000 to 200,000 people a year contract the HEV G3-2 strain of the virus from infected pork.

The researchers added, “The association with the supermarket does not infer any blame.”

Cook meats thoroughly

The HEV infection can cause flu like symptoms and result in liver failure, it can also prove particularly fatal in pregnant women.

An FSA spokesperson said that there is not a major risk of contracting the infection from meat though.

“The risk from acquiring hepatitis E virus (HEV) from eating thoroughly cooked pork or pork products is low.”

“As a precaution, the FSA advises consumers that all whole cuts of pork, pork products and offal should be thoroughly cooked until steaming hot throughout, the meat is no longer pink and juices run clear,” the FSA added.

Supermarket X

Although both the PHE and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) have refused to name Supermarket X, The Sunday Times have reported that it is Tesco.

In a statement Tesco said: “This particular research was carried out six years ago on a small number of people, and although it provided no direct link between specific products and hepatitis E we always take care to review research findings such as this.

“Food quality is really important to us and we have in place an expert team to ensure the highest possible standards at every stage of our supply chain, as well as providing clear information to customers on how to handle and cook pork in the home to minimise the risk of hepatitis E.”

Tesco has recalled a huge list of items and products, including chocolate bars and quorn mince.

The supermarket has said that anyone who has bought one of the many items up for recall should bring them back for a full refund.

Customers do not need to bring a receipt for their items in order to be granted the refund.

Cooking sauces, haggis, protein bars and mints are just some of the many items that Tesco has recalled.

The reasons for the numerous recalls range from glass being found in some products or incorrect allergy labelling.

Here is a list of all the products that have been recalled.

Tesco Creamy Leek & Bacon Cooking Sauce 470g

Its best before end of July 2018 and its batch code is 7031

Tesco have identified a manufacturing fault with the product where a single batch may contain egg which is not declared on the label. This means the product is a risk to customers intolerant or allergic to egg.

Customers have been warned to not consume the affected date code of this product if they are intolerant or allergic to egg.

Various Peter’s Premier Slices

Peter’s are recalling affected date codes from customers due to possible glass contamination.

These include Peter’s Premier Chicken Tikka Slice (Barcode: 5011187104295 Use by: 20 August 2017), Peter’s Premier Cheesy Bean Slice (Barcode: 5011187104103 Use by: 20 August 2017), Peter’s Premier Steak Slice (Barcode: 5011187104318 Use by: 20 August 2017)

Macsween of Edinburgh - Various Haggis and Black Pudding

“Routine testing detected high water activity in a limited number of the products which raises concerns about the company’s procedures in place to control Clostridium botulinum. Clostridium botulinum has not been detected in any product and this action is purely a precautionary measure.”

Products affected Macsween of Edinburgh Haggis, Macsween of Edinburgh Vegetarian Haggis, Macsween of Edinburgh Black Pudding, Macsween of Edinburgh In a Hurry – Haggis, Black Pudding and Vegetarian Haggis, Macsween of Edinburgh Delicious Every Day Haggis Gluten Free 454g, Macsween of Edinburgh Haggis Canapes, Macsween of Edinburgh 3 Bird Haggis

All with use by dates up to and including 18/08/2017

Clif Builder’s Chocolate Mint Protein Bar 68g

Its best before end is April 5 2016 to April 23 2018.

Tesco said: “Clif Bar & Company have identified that a single batch of Clif Builder’s Chocolate Mint Protein Bar may contain undeclared peanuts and tree nuts including almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, walnuts and coconuts.

“As a precautionary measure, Clif Bar & Company are recalling the affected date code from customers allergic or intolerant to the undeclared allergens. No other Clif products are known to be affected.”

Do not consume the affected date code of this product if you are allergic or intolerant to the undeclared allergens.

Galaxy Milk 4x42g multipack bars

Tesco said: “Mars Chocolate UK has announced the voluntary recall of the following products detailed below due to the potential presence of Salmonella.

“Batch codes: 719G1SLO00, 719G2SLO00 Best before: 06/05/2018

“Please do not consume the product with the affected best before dates.”

Maltesers Teasers 35g bar

Tesco said: “Mars Chocolate UK announced the voluntary recall of the following products detailed below due to the potential presence of Salmonella.

“Batch codes: 720C1SLO00, 720D2SLO00. Best before: 13/05/2018”

Please do not consume the product with the affected best before dates.

Quorn Chilled Cocktail Sausages 180g

Use By Date is June 7, 2016.

Tesco said: “This product is being recalled as it contains Milk and Barley, which are not mentioned on the label due to a labelling error.

“For anyone with an allergy to Milk or Barley Gluten, this makes the product unsuitable and should be avoided.

“As a precautionary measure, Quorn are recalling the affected date code from customers. No other Quorn products are known to be affected.”

Uncle Joe’s Liquorice & Aniseed Extra Strong Mints 35g (tin)

Best Before End is June 30, 2018 – Lot code: TC16015

Tesco said: “William Santus & Co. Ltd has identified a manufacturing fault affecting a single batch of product that may contain small pieces of metal.

“As a precautionary measure, William Santus & Co. Ltd are recalling an affected date and lot code from customers. No other Uncle Joe’s branded products are known to be affected.”

Lipstick Pens 2PK

Model #: MF986479, Lollipop Pens 4PK, Model #: MF986829

Tesco said: “Amscan International Ltd has advised that the caps on both pens do not comply with the required safety standards and as such may pose an asphyxiation hazard if swallowed accidentally. There have been no reports of injuries with either of these products.

“As a precautionary measure, Amscan International Ltd are recalling affected pens from customers. No other Amscan products are known to be affected.”here a full refund will be given. No receipt is req

Lindt Excellence Dark Extra Fine Easter Shell Egg 220g

Best Before End October 2017, Batch code: LS7018

Lindt Lindor Strawberries & Cream Shell Egg 285g

Best Before End July 2017 Batch code: LS6334

Tesco said: “Lindt & Sprüngli (UK) Limited has identified a packing error whereby the wrong eggs have been packed in the wrong outer box. As a result, the allergen labelling is inaccurate and the products are a risk to consumers who are allergic or intolerant to barley.

“As a precautionary measure, Lindt & Sprüngli (UK) Limited are recalling affected date codes from customers.

No other Lindt & Sprüngli (UK) Limited products are known to be affected.”

Tesco Oriental Chicken Chow Mein

Tesco said: “We have been made aware by our supplier that due to a manufacturing error Tesco Chicken Curry has mistakenly been packed in Tesco Oriental Kitchen Chicken Chow Mein packaging. The Chicken Curry contains, milk, egg, mustard & sesame and as such product packed as Chicken Chow Mein will have the incorrect allergen information on the packaging.”

Pack size: 400g, Use By Date: 19/03/17, Batch Code: L069F

Kids II Oball Rattle

Tesco said: “Kids II UK Limited has identified a manufacturing fault. There is a chance that small parts can release from the chamber. These small parts may pose a choking hazard for children under three years of age.

Model number: 81031, “T” date codes: T3065, T0486, T1456, T2316 and T2856.

Lotus Biscoff Crunchy Biscuit Spread 380g

Tesco said: “Lotus Bakeries UK Ltd has identified a manufacturing fault affecting 6 batch / date codes of Lotus Biscof Crunchy Biscuit Spread that may contain small pieces of metal.

“As a precautionary measure, Lotus Bakeries UK Ltd is recalling affected batch / date codes from customers. No other product in the Lotus Bakery Spreads range is affected. As a precautionary measure, Lotus Bakeries UK Ltd is recalling affected batch / date codes from customers. No other product in the Lotus Bakery Spreads range is affected.”

Batch code / Best Before End

7005109 – 05/02/2018

7011209 – 11/02/2018

7019109 – 19/02/2018

7030309 – 28/02/2018

7039109 – 08/03/2018

7046109 – 15/03/2018

Quorn mince (frozen) 300g

Tesco said: “Quorn has identified a manufacturing fault affecting a single batch of Quorn mince (frozen) that may contain small pieces of metal.

Best Before End 31/8/18, Batch code: 136331.

Wooden alphabet pull-along

Tesco said: “We have been made aware that the pull along cord on one batch code of this product may become frayed and unravel causing a potential hazard.”

Recalled Batch Code: 161101

New Covent Garden Soup Co. Skinny Goan Spiced Chicken 700g

Tesco said: “New Covent Garden Soup Company are recalling this product because it contains undeclared mustard. Use by all dates up to and including 19 February 2017.”

What do Oakman Inns, Waitrose, Barclays, BAe and the Co-Op all have in common?

Oakman Inns & Restaurants, which operates hugely popular pub restaurants in Northants, Bucks, Beds, Herts, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and beyond is among the 40 recipients of The Princess Royal’s Training Award, organised by the City & Guilds Group.

Recipients cover the full spectrum of HR responsibilities including public and private sector businesses and are from industries that include hospitality, healthcare, finance and manufacturing.

The exceptional award-winning businesses, selected from a list of 116, will be honoured by HRH The Princess Royal at a ceremony due to take place this autumn. The award recognises Oakman Inns for creating a lasting impact by successfully linking their skills development needs to business performance. Each of the 116 applications were assessed against three Hallmarks of Excellence by the Princess Royal Training Awards Commission, which comprised of HRH The Princess Royal and seven leading figures in the business and training community.

Chris Jones, chief executive of the City & Guilds Group said: “From household brands to leading charities, employers of all sizes across the UK are seeing real and tangible benefits of training and developing their people. The Princess Royal Training Awards provide both recognition and the opportunity to share best practice and its impact. I congratulate the 40 successful organisations who achieved the standard required by the Award in 2017. They are worthy recipients of this prestigious and rigorous royal award and we are delighted to be able to deliver it through the City & Guilds Group.”

Now in its second year, the Princess Royal Training Awards honours employers in the UK who have created outstanding training and skills development programmes which have resulted in exceptional commercial benefits. The Princess Royal Training Awards recognise the achievement of a standard of excellence rather than selecting overall winners.

Applications were assessed against three Hallmarks of Excellence:

Training and learning and development is integral to business performance

The programme is delivered efficiently and effectively

The programme has an impact on the success of the organisation and its people

Oakman Inn’s HR director, Jill Scatchard, said: “This is a recognition of the time and effort that Oakman Inns has invested in creating our in-house online training academy – Oakmanology – which involves everyone. Its skill development modules are taken by everyone from the main board down and since we introduced it four years ago, it has helped reduce our staff turnover by 43%.”

Oakman’s CEO, Peter Borg-Neal added: “We are thrilled to discover that we are the only pub group recognized by the Awards Commission. We are a people business and employ an average of 40 at each of our sites. We want them to be passionate and proud of what they do and having just completed on our 20th pub, we are committed to continuing the development of our range of training schemes so that we not only produce the managers of the future but give each one of our team members an opportunity to ‘learn a living’.”

Oakman Inns’ HR training and career development programmes were recognised earlier this year in the Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For in which they are the highest-ranking hospitality company at 8th position.

The company, which was founded by Mr Borg-Neal in Tring with it’s first establishment The Akeman, also has the Kings Arms, Berkhamsted, Banyers House, Royston, Beece House, St Albans, The Red Lion at Water End Hemel Hempstead across Herts and runs the White Hart at Ampthill in Beds, Beech House in Beaconsfield, Dog & Badger at Medmenham, The Akeman Inn in Kingswood and Betsey Wynne in Swanbourne as part of its Bucks portfolio.

Oakman also runs the The Navigation at Thrupp Wharf, Cosgrove, Northamptonshire, The Crown & Thistle in Abingdon, the The Old Post Office, Wallingford and the Blue Boar, Witney, as part of its Oxon venues as well as The Globe in Warwick and the Four Alls, Welford on Avon, in Warwickshire.

The highly-regarded company has pub restaurants in the West Midlands, Berkshire and Essex and will soon add Beech House in Amersham and Cherry Tree, Olney, Milton Keynes to its Bucks operation.

Classic car enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that The Mall Luton will have two classic cars parked up in the shopping centre on Saturday.

The Vauxhall Cavalier and Chevette Club will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of Cavalier Mk1 production at the Vauxhall Luton Plant by bringing two of their Cavalier Mk1’s to Central Square, and are hoping to meet some of the people that were involved with the production and design of the cars.

One of the cars is an ex Vauxhall Press Vehicle that launched the Cavalier Mk1 in the UK in 1975, it has featured in TV, film, radio and magazines. The second car is the Vauxhall Heritage Centre’s very own Cavalier Mk1 which has also featured in films and magazines.

Club chairman Kevin Bricknall, will be at the event, he said: “The 26th August 1977 was a special date for Luton and Vauxhall.

“The launch of the UK built Cavalier Mk1 and also the 1.3 engine marked a turning point for Vauxhall and guided them on to their future successes not just with the Cavalier Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3, but on to where they are now with the New Vauxhall Insignia. We’re hoping to meet a fair few people that were involved with the production and design of these cars and would like to make a special request to anyone that was involved and is still in the Luton area to come down and speak to us.”

Lavinia Douglass, marketing manager at The Mall Luton, said: “We’re very excited to celebrate the Vauxhall Cavalier and Chevette Club 40th anniversary with two of their classic cars right here in The Mall.

“The cars will be with us all day so make sure you pop down to Central Square to take a look at these beautiful vehicles.”

The owners of a missing 14-week-old puppy from Luton are continuing to appeal for information to help find him.

Baymax, a black Labrador cross, has been missing since Monday, July 24, and his family are hoping that someone knows where he is.

Owners Carly Leonard, 28, and partner Craig, 30, last saw him in their garden in Malvern road, Luton. The family believe Baymax, who is microchipped, may have been stolen.

Carly’s 17-month-old son became attached to Baymax in the three weeks that they had him before he went missing.

She said: “We all really miss him, especially Alfie, he keeps calling out B, that’s what he called him.

“Whenever we go out and see a dog he calls out B thinking it’s him, we had to put the dog bed away because Alfie kept getting in it and calling for him.

“We had him since he was eight weeks old but it felt like we had him much longer, he was part of the family. Him and Alfie had such a special bond.

“He was the first dog I have ever had and he stole my heart, he stole Afie’s too. If anyone has seen him, or knows where he is, or has bought him, please bring him home where he belongs with his loving family, we all miss him so much.”

Family friend, Janet Bussche, said: “His family have been desperately seeking information about their missing puppy since that day, they just want Baymax back home where he belongs. Hopefully someone will recognise him and come forward with information about where he is.”

Bedfordshire Police are investigating. A spokesman for the force said: “We can confirm that we are still investigating this incident and anyone with information is asked to call the Police on 101 quoting reference number C/31520/2017.”

If anyone has seen Baymax contact Carly on: 07851 081162 or email: farls8996@gmail.com.

Thirteen members of staff from Luton and Dunstable hospital’s Children’s ward are doing a skydive on Saturday, August 26, to raise money for the Woodlands unit.

The team taking on the 12,000ft tandem skydive at Hinton Airfield is a mix of doctors, nurses, ward clerks, a general manager and play leaders who treat and care for the children in the unit.

A spokesperson for the team said: “We all feel passionate about our unit and the children in our care and we want them to have the facilities to make their stay as comfortable as possible. We want them to have the best equipment, toys and facilities possible during their stay.”

To make a donation visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/childrenswardskydive.

Three people have been arrested after Operational Sentinel officers executed a drugs warrant at a Luton betting shop in George Street on Friday.

The raid was carried out at BetFred in response to intelligence gathered by the force. Two men aged 18 and 19 were arrested at the scene on suspicion of drugs offences.

After further investigation, both men received cautions for possession of a class B drug, the 19-year-old was charged with possession of a knife.

A 17-year-old boy was also arrested and later charged with using threatening or abusive words or behaviour.

PC Horan, who led the warrant, said: “This warrant highlights the importance of intelligence-flow from the public and our partners, and illustrates how we can act on information in order to bring about results.

“The cautions will lie on these individuals’ records and sends a message to criminals that their activity does not go unnoticed.

“Drug crime affects communities and we are committed to tackling it using a variety of means and powers available to us.”