In little more than a month’s time voters will head to the polls to vote for a Police and Crime Commissioner to oversee policing in Bedfordshire for the very first time.

But how much do you really know about the new role and who you’ll be voting for?

November 15 is the day that Bedfordshire votes for its first PCC, a new role which will see a sole individual responsible for hiring and firing Beds Police’s chief constable, determining policing priorities, setting force budgets and reporting on progress. The role replaces that of the current Bedfordshire Police Authority which will cease to exist.

Firstly, you need to ensure that you are registered to vote. Households in Luton should have received an annual canvass registration form in the post over the last two months – it must be returned by October 31.

Trevor Holden, Electoral Registration Officer for Luton, said: “We estimate that 10,700 households in Luton have not returned their forms. I am urging all those eligible to vote in Luton to return their form as soon as possible.”

With Friday’s deadline for candidate nominations looming there are five figures in the frame for the post.

Co-vice chairman of the British Freedom Party and English Defence League figurehead Kevin Carroll announced that he will stand for election back in July. He says he will put an end to “political correctness” and “two-tier policing”.

Lutonian Saundra Glenn is seeking donations to help fund her nomination. Independent candidate Saundra wants to “put people first”. If you wish to help Saundra call 07747 592006 or email: support@saundraglenn.org.

A former youth worker, Liberal Democrat candidate Linda Jack aims to focus on resisting further budget cuts and getting young people away from crime.

Labour’s Olly Martins says that he will fight police privatisation and coalition funding if he wins the public poll. The former Victim Support worker aims to safeguard police presence on our streets.

Policeman, postmaster, politician – the man chosen as Conservative nominee for the post, Jas Parmar, cites 33 years of public service as his inspiration behind seeking the new role. Mr Parmar had a “very very broad experience” with the Met Police in the 1980s.

> Those who have not received, or lost, the form can call the Council’s electoral registration office on 01582 510380 or print off a registration form at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk. For more information on the PCC election log onto http://www.policecrimecommissioner.co.uk.

The Conservative candidate to oversee policing in Bedfordshire has welcomed a shake-up of community sentencing by the government.

Jas Parmar is the Tory nominee for the role of Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner which will be elected next month to oversee policing across the county.

He welcomed the Community Remedy scheme, which he said would offer victims of anti-social behaviour and low-level crime the right to choose a Community Payback punishment for the perpetrator of their crime. Police and Crime Commissioners will provide a menu of punishment options so that the victim of crime can choose an appropriate punishment.

Mr Parmar said: “It’s time to put victims first. Anti-social behaviour can blight communities and cause misery, but often the perpetrators seem to get off scot-free and the victim feels let down.

“The new Conservative Community Remedy means that the victims of anti-social behaviour will be able to choose the punishment for the offender of their crime.

“Community sentences cannot be a soft touch – they need to be a tough punishment. If I am elected in November I will make sure they are and always put victims first.”

A taxi driver was threatened and robbed by two men in Luton last Tuesday.

The incident happened at around 1.10am in Russell Rise as the 51-year-old taxi driver collected a fare from the location. As the driver waited, he noticed three men nearby. Two of the men got into the vehicle, threatened the victim, took his keys and demanded that he handed over money. The driver tried to call for help over the radio system but one of the offenders smashed it. The driver then managed to get out of the vehicle and run away while the offenders fled towards Russell Street with a small sum of money.

The first offender is described as being a mixed race male of medium build with short dark hair. He was wearing a black jacket and carried a screwdriver. The second offender – who sat in the front passenger seat, demanded money and smashed the radio - was a short black male, with a skinny build and wearing a black hooded jacket. The third man – who didn’t enter the taxi - was also a black man.

A 31-year-old man was hit over the head and punched during an attempted robbery in Luton.

The incident happened on Sunday, October 2 between 11.15pm and 11.50pm in Clarendon Road, when the victim was walking home from work. He was using his phone when a man struck him over the head and demanded he hand over the mobile. He was then threatened and punched in the head before he could shout for help. The offender then ran from the scene empty handed.

He is described as a white man, aged 28 years, with a stocky build. He wore a navy hooded pullover and grey tracksuit trousers.

Anyone with information should call Beds Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A man standing for a new role overseeing policing across Bedfordshire was arrested on Saturday, according to reports.

Kevin Carroll is the English Defence League (EDL) candidate to become Police And Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Bedfordshire in next month’s election.

It is claimed that he was one of 53 EDL members arrested at the weekend, along with party leader Tommy Robinson, aka Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.

The reports appeared to be confirmed by the EDL’s official Twitter feed.

Responding to one Twitter-user who posted “Is it true about Tommy and Kev getting arrested today ???” the EDL site replied: “It is true.”

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “On the afternoon of Saturday, October 20, MPS officers arrested 53 people at various locations on motorways on the outskirts of London.

“The arrests formed part of an intelligence-led, pre-event investigation into a planned disturbance in east London on the same day.

“All 53 were males and they were arrested for conspiracy to cause public nuisance before being taken into custody at various locations in central and south London.

“Today, October 21, those arrested are being bailed pending further enquiries, on the condition they do not enter east London to demonstrate for a stipulated period of time.”

Mr Carroll is one of four candidates for the newly-created commissioner role.

The PCC will replace Bedfordshire Police Authority, and will scrutinise policing across the county.

Their powers will include being able to appoint and dismiss the chief constables setting out a five-year police and crime plan after their election, and publishing an annual report.

The Exorcist is perhaps regarded as the ‘daddy’ of all supernatural horror films – but even this mighty head-spinning, dread-inducing masterpiece couldn’t muster more than two lacklustre sequels.

Paranormal Activity, however, is a modern day horror phenomenon, one that effectively energised the ‘found footage’ subgenre and is going strong into its fourth movie.

However, if we’ve learned anything about horror franchises, it’s that part four is often a weak effort – so can Paranormal Activity buck the trend or is the curse of the fourth movie about to strike again?

The first film broke new ground with its intimate ‘the horror is right in your home’ gimmick, part two still delivered on the scares and even part three upped the ante by showing why all this paranormal activity was kicking off in the first place.

But now something has gone badly wrong. This entry feels weak, rushed and lacking in any real scares other than the occasional ‘jump’ moment.

If you’re a Paranormal Activity fan, you need to seriously lower your expectations because while part four brings back many of the original components and characters, the creeping dread has gone AWOL along with the inventiveness.

The story takes place five years after the events of the second film, beginning with a brief recap of how possessed Katie went on a murderous rampage, killing her sister Kristi and disappeared with baby Hunter. Got all that?

The action then switches to 2011 where young teen Alex (promising newcomer Kathryn Newton) and her boyfriend Ben (Matt Shively) start to notice strange things going on after a weird kid and his mum move in across the street. Might they be Katie and Hunter?

As usual the level of ‘paranormal activity’ escalates slowly to a crazy last two minutes which raises more questions than it answers.

Laptops and webcams form most of the surveillance footage this time round.

The new family are basically here to do nothing but wonder about the odd kid and then probably die while the plot stumbles along, failing to move the brand into anything new or even interesting.

It would be tragic if the series ended on this damp squib after starting so strongly, but unless the creators manage to pull off a feat of staggering supernatural resurrection with part five, all the activity has not led up to much.

Essential roadworks are taking place in Dallow Road between Dunstable Road and Butlin Road during October half term.

The works will take place in the daytime starting Monday October 29 and are scheduled to last for seven days.

Dallow Road will be closed between Butlin Road and Dunstable Road on these days between 8am-6pm.

A diversion will be in place via Dunstable Road and Hatters Way, and drivers are asked to plan their journey.

Youths loitering in a notorious crime alley are set to be hit with a dispersal order if the council approves the recommendation tonight (October 22).

Residents living near Montrose Path in Biscot have been plagued by anti-social behaviour for years, with at least two residents moving out as a result of the problems.

Purdil Khan, who has lived next to the path on Carlton Crescent for five years, said he often has sleepless nights thanks to the trouble in the alley.

Mr Khan said: “They have broken my fence about four times, I’ve put a brick wall up and they’ve broken that as well. There are always problems, every night they go there and take their drugs, and sometimes I can’t sleep because of the noise. I have four children and they are not happy about it either.

“They will be there from 5 or 6pm every night and will stay until after midnight. I’ve called the police many times but nothing is done.”

A dispersal order would mean a group of two or more people in the Montrose Path area between the hours of 9pm and 6am could be moved on by a police officer if the officer believes their presence may result in members of the public feeling intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed.

They can ask the group to disperse, ask them to leave the locality if they don’t live there, and could also prohibit them from returning to the area for a period of 24 hours.

One resident who did not wish to be named for fear of reprisal said: “It’s noise mainly that’s the problem, but I know they’ve also broken down fences and walls.

“Sometimes you can just hear them all chatting and that’s OK, but sometimes they are doing drugs or causing trouble. They are there every night in the summer and it’s usually a group of teenagers, all males I think.”

Problems reported to the police include criminal damage to fences, grafitti, starting fires and throwing fire bombs into residents’ gardens, drinking alcohol, verbally abusing residents, and making threats towards residents.

The anti-social behaviour has escalated in seriousness and frequency this year.

A Carlton Crescent resident who also did not wish to be named said: “I think a dispersal order would make a difference if they had a good police presence. I do see police about round here so I think it would work.”

The dispersal order is part of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 and would be exercisable for a period of six months.

> If you are affected by anti-social behaviour, call Bedfordshire Police on 101.

Screaming fans, being mobbed on public transport, and people camping outside their hotel are becoming the norm for Union J now they’re on X Factor – and it’s only week three.

Stopsley lad Jaymi Hensley and his group Union J stepped up their game on Saturday night’s show, and their performance not only got them enough public votes to go through to the next stage, but also received a great reaction from the X Factor judges.

Former Putteridge High School student Jaymi found time in his hectic schedule to catch up with the Luton News yesterday.

Jaymi (pictured) said: “X Factor has been absolutely amazing so far, but it’s really hard work. That’s the biggest eye-opener; the 14 hour days, always working, but we can’t complain because it’s what we’ve always wanted and it is incredible. It’s everything I thought it would be and more.”

When Jaymi spoke to the Luton News he was about to be driven back to the X Factor hotel by his dad because he can’t take public transport any more without being mobbed by fans.

He said: “We have about 300 fans camped outside the hotel every night, and we have to hide getting in and out of cars otherwise we get absolutely mobbed. It’s just weird. We haven’t had much time to read the papers and things as we’ve been so busy but when we do see ourselves in them it does feel strange.

“We’re in this little X Factor bubble and it feels like we’re just in a local talent show, you kind of forget you’re actually on national TV because it’s so surreal.”

Union J performed Leona Lewis’ Bleeding Love mixed with James Morrison’s Broken Strings on Saturday for the ‘love and heartbreak’ themed episode.

After disappointing comments from the judges in the first live show for their poor song choice, the group were relieved by the feedback on Saturday.

Gary Barlow said he saw a “total transformation” in the group and Nicole Sherzinger said: “If you keep growing and performing like that, you’re going to be selling out the O2 one day.”

Jaymi said for the next show the group want to put their own take on a song again.

He said: “We want to show we are credible artists in the competition, up there with the likes of James (Arthur) and Lucy (Spraggan). I think Ella is so talented – she is like my little sister on the show. I don’t think I have ever met anyone so incredibly talented beyond her years. Ella, Lucy, James and Jermaine (Douglas) – to be up there with those five would be amazing.”

Proud parents Jackie and David Hensley and younger brother Aaron Hensley, 17, were in the audience for the show on Saturday.

Jackie said: “We could hardly hear the singing or the judges’ comments because of the noise in the studio – the fans were screaming so loudly.

“We’re so proud of Jaymi and it’s all been fantastic so far. We got to go backstage and meet their mentor Louis Walsh – who immediately asked Aaron if he could sing, too!”

Before Saturday’s show Union J were given advice by X Factor alumni One Direction, who have sold millions of records worldwide since their time on the show.

Jaymi said: “We were standing there thinking wow, you’ve had all this success and you’re here talking to us, it’s just amazing.”

Follow Jaymi and the boys on Twitter: @UnionJWorld.

> And Luton born Bond actor Colin Salmon (pictured above) is still going strong in Strictly Come Dancing.

The 6ft 4in actor impressed the audience and the judges with his Viennese Waltz on Saturday.

Conservative vice-chairman Alok Sharma came to Bedford on Thursday (October 18) to back to Jas Parmar in his bid to be the first Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Bedfordshire.

Mr Sharma, MP for Reading West, went canvassing with Mr Parmar, before the two Conservatives met with local party members at the campaign headquarters ahead of next month’s election.

And he described Mr Parmar’s CV as ideal for the role of PCC.

Mr Sharma said: “If you look at the attributes that are needed to be a PCC, you need someone who understands how the police work, you need someone who understands how policing works, you need someone who understands local communities, and you need someone who has real experience of running things.

“Jas has all of that in spades. He’s been a police officer. When you talk about frontline policing, he’s been in the frontline. He understands how police think, and that’s important.

“He’s been a local councillor. He’s been a Parliamentary candidate. And he’s a successful businessman.

“It’s a unique mix that no other candidate in Bedfordshire has. That’s why people should support him - so that they have a PCC who understands the issues and who is absolutely connected to the local community.” .

Currently police forces across the country are overseen by police authorities, made up of a mixture of councillors and government-appointed members.

According to the Home Office website, they are being phased out as “The government is committed to replacing bureaucratic accountability with democratic accountability”.

PCCs will appoint and be able to dismiss chief constables, will set out a five-year police and crime plan after their election, and will publish an annual report.

Mr Parmar said: “People want to see someone in the job who knows what they’re talking about, and who understands their concerns. I understand those concerns.

“I live in the community, my children go to school locally, and I understand Bedfordshire.

“I want offer effective management and leadership, and that is what people are looking for.”

Pop singer-turned-TV star Michelle Heaton will be visiting ZSL Whipsnade Zoo on Wednesday (October 24) to launch Hullabazoo – the Zoo’s brand new adventure play centre.

The Liberty X star, along with nine-month-old daughter Faith, will be given a sneak peek of the animal-themed play centre set to open to the public on Saturday (October 27) – just in time for the autumn half term holiday.

Each element of Hullabazoo has been specially designed around different habitats, including the jungle and Antarctic, where little ones can to pretend to be penguins sliding down ice, primates swinging from branches, or bees buzzing from their hive.

The entire experience becomes a sensory journey through the world of animal play, allowing children to run, climb and slide – getting them active while having fun.

Michelle said: “My little girl, Faith, is just learning to crawl so we are constantly looking for fun, active things to do with her.

Hullabazoo is brilliant - the colourful, animal-themed equipment will entertain kids for hours and being in the heart of ZSL Whipsnade Zoo makes a great family day out even better!”

Hullabazoo is suitable for children aged up to 12 years old and is open 364 days of the year. Grown-ups haven’t been forgotten about either, as comfortable seating and a selection of food and drinks will also be available to enjoy.

Whipsnade’s Laura Duffy said: “During their trip to the Zoo, families experience a sense of adventure, wonder, nature, freedom and escapism. We hope Hullabazoo indoor play will replicate that.”

A man needed stitches to his face and staples to his head after an attack in Luton on Sunday (October 21).

The incident happened at around 3am as the victim and a female were walking along Colin Road, Luton, having spent the night celebrating his 30th birthday.

The pair saw two men who were laughing at them and an argument took place, before the male victim was attacked, forced to the ground and beaten by one of the offenders leaving him with a long gash to his forehead and a large wound to the back of the head.

The offenders then fled the area heading towards Ridgeway Road, leaving a glass behind as they did so.

Det Con Gill Cowley said: “This was a very serious assault which has left a young man with some very nasty wounds. It is vital that we find the people responsible and stop them from committing any further offences. Given that the offenders left a glass behind after the assault, there is a strong possibility that they may have attended a party in the area some time before the offence took place so if anyone knows who these men are then I’d urge them to get in contact.

“I’d also like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the assault or anyone else who may have information – however small or insignificant they think it is – that could help us. Don’t dismiss your information as unimportant – even tiny details which don’t seem relevant now might become useful later on in the investigation.”

The two offenders were both white males, in their mid 20s and believed to have been eastern European.

The first offender was around five feet seven inches tall, of stocky build with short blonde hair and wearing a black jacket with a silver zip up the front. The second offender was around six feet tall, of average build with short black spiky hair and also wore a dark jacket.

If you have information contact DC Cowley, in confidence, on 01582 473210, the non-emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011. Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Help me out here, people. I honestly don’t understand and perhaps you can explain. What, exactly, is the deal with Hallowe’en?

I know what it’s supposed to be about, of course, but my confusion comes because it just doesn’t seem to be happening.

There’s a complete disconnect between what’s being rammed down our throats by retailers and what’s actually happening out on the streets, and I just wonder how much long it is going to go on.

The issue came to the front of my mind last week when I popped into a well-known discount retailer – you know, the place where everything is a quid but the till staff have to scan every purchase and always seem pleasantly surprised that, for example, the five items in your basket produce a bill of precisely a fiver – in search of some stationery.

The range on offer was sadly limited, and for a specific reason – it seemed that about half of the floorspace had been turned over to Hallowe’en stock.

There were fancy dress items, party bits and pieces, banners and balloons in the familiar black and orange, false fangs and skeleton masks – you’d have thought we were in Mexico City on the run-up to the Day Of The Dead.

Now I’m a live and let live sort of guy, and if people want to buy this sort of tat I have no objection to big names on the high street filling their boots even if it does irritate regular customers legitimately looking for more everyday items.

But this stuff just wasn’t shifting. Nobody was browsing, nobody was buying, and in my experience there wasn’t going to be a rush any time soon,

Every year there’s a rash of recipes for Hallowe’en recipes on TV cookery shows, bags of fun-sized sweets sprout by supermarket checkouts to feed the trick or treat market, po-faced police spokespeople sound warnings to the younger generation about going easy on the eggs, thinking of nervous old folk and generally holding themselves back.

But on the night itself – and it’s still more than a week away, if you’re looking around in vain for signs of Hallowe’en fever – the whole thing is a damp squib.

Mrs Dee, a soft soul, always lays in a goodly supply of miniature choc bars with which to fob off the little monsters who knock on our door with their veiled threats – but last year we had just one pint-sized phantom, in a pretty pathetic costume and with a parent in tow, waiting out on the footpath.

Nobody I know hosts a Hallowe’en party, the streets around my way are not transformed with pumpkin lanterns and the like, and while I’m happy to accept that I’m just out of the loop on this continuing attempt to foist an American celebration on to the national consciousness when we’ve got a perfectly good Fireworks Night just around the corner, I don’t think that’s the case.

So how long will it be before the cartel of big business, the media and the devil himself have a conference call and admit: “We’ve given it a good go, it’s not working, let’s try and fleece them with something new.”

And more to the point, what will their next scam look like?

A HUGE cannabis haul with a street value of £259,000 was discovered in an underground car park in Luton at the weekend.

Thirty-four kilos of the Class B drug was seized by police on Saturday morning in the car park in Holly Street, of Castle Street.

Three people were arrested at the scene, including a 57-year-old man from Walsall who was released on bail while enquiries continue.

Two others were charged with conspiracy to cupply Class B Drugs.

Kamran Parvaz, aged 29, of Kennington Road, Luton and Shahid Subhani, aged 28, of Ascot Road, Luton, both appeared before Luton Magistrates Court and were remanded and bailed respectively.

They are both due to appear at Luton Crown Court on November 6.

Anyone with information about drug dealing can contact Bedfordshire Police in confidence on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

A man standing in the police and crime commissioner elections will be unaffected by his arrest, according to a statement made today (October 22).

Kevin Carroll, the British Freedom candidate for Beds Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), was arrested on Saturday and has been bailed until November 30.

Mr Carroll is a senior member of the EDL, and it was initially thought he was among the 53 EDL members arrested on their way to east London on suspicion of conspiring to cause a public nuisance on Saturday.

A Brtish Freedom Party statement on their website said: “In contradiction to earlier reports, we can confirm that Kevin was not among EDL supporters stopped by police on the M1, but was arrested later whilst driving to his home. The police have no evidence against Kevin Carroll because he has committed no crime; their action appears to be a clumsy effort to discredit him in the run-up to the PCC election on November 15.”

Mr Carroll is one of four candidates for the newly-created commissioner role.

The PCC will replace Bedfordshire Police Authority, and will scrutinise policing across the county.

Their powers will include being able to appoint and dismiss the chief constables setting out a five-year police and crime plan after their election, and publishing an annual report.

One of Luton’s best loved characters has died.

Arnold Barnett – better known to legions of well-coiffed women as ‘Mr Arnold’ at Cresta Ladies Hairdressers, later The Cutting Corner – passed away suddenly on October 13. He was 83.

His son Jez, who’s followed in his hairdressing footsteps, said: “My Dad was such an innovator.

“When he started everyone was using massive shears but he swapped to smaller scissors for the precision cutting that became the rage in the 1960s.

“He was also one of the first to use a hand-held hairdrier and he introduced unisex salons to Luton.”

Arnold was responsible for perming the hair of Nottingham pop group Paper Lace. The cover of their hit Billy Don’t be a Hero shows the quartet sporting Arnold-style Afros.

Jez said: “Dad loved everything about the business. He loved his clients, his team and the work.

“He used to do wig parties and demos for Women’s Institutes after hours. He often stayed at the salon until 11pm on a Friday night. His philosophy was ‘If you’re busy you work longer hours – just be grateful you can earn a living.”

Arnold stayed on as consultant when Jez took over Cutting Corner in 1985.

In later life he took to taxi driving for Five Twos where he was known as a genial joker.

“If you got in his cab, he always wanted you to smile,” Jez recalled.

“His proudest moment was winning the Luton Table Tennis Singles championship as a young man.”

Arnold is survived by his widow Daphne and sons Jez and Lee, 48, an accountant. Another son, Michael, died in 1998.

He also leaves five grandchildren.

Jez said: “We will all miss his support. He lived for his family.”

A baby received life-threatening injuries in a car crash in Dallow Road today (October 23).

The 11-month-old girl was a passenger in her mother’s silver Daewoo Matiz when it collided with a blue Skoda Superb at the junction of Dallow Road and Kingsway. She was taken to Luton and Dunstable hospital for treatment to a head injury. The driver of the Skoda was unhurt.

There is traffic congestion currently around Dallow Road while the Collision Investigation Unit have the roads closed to recover the vehicles and examine the scene of the crash.

Dallow Road is closed at the junction with Marlow Avenue and with Ferndale.

Anyone who may have seen any part of this incident or the lead up to it, is asked to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on the police non-emergency number 101.

A Luton groom and his blushing bride have had to look at alternative wedding venues after they were branded ‘unsuitable’ by their first choice – Buckinghamshire country house hotel Stoke Park which has featured in two Bond films

Paul Carty, 51, and Pauline Bailey, 27, hit the headlines when they went public with an email stating they were not the type of guests the five star establishment would want to accommodate.

It was inadvertently sent to Ms Bailey, who allegedly burst into tears.

Subsequent investigations revealed the law graduate is also a TV glamour model given to appearing in revealing underwear while inviting viewers to call in for an ‘adult chat.’

Known as ‘Rachel T,’ she can be seen on Red Light Central TV and Playboy TV Chat channels.

The couple, who share a Luton semi, initially believed they were given the brush-off because of Mr Carty’s eyebrow piercing, his two small ear-rings and their age difference.

But it would appear Ms Bailey’s extra curricular activities could have played a part, although a hotel spokesman denied this.

The drug and alcohol counsellor became a part-time model five years ago when she was a student. She decided to continue because it was “financially viable” and claims her Ministry of Defence fiancé is “fine” with her additional career.

The venue row blew up after Stoke Park wedding planner Michele Connelly sent an email to her boss, Carlo Zoccali, requesting his advice.

She wrote: “This probably doesn’t sound very nice but I am trying to put this wedding off as I don’t think they are the type of people we would want to have at Stoke Park.”

The future Mr and Mrs Carty will now celebrate their nuptials at Parklands, a 17th Century mansion on the Essex and Hertfordshire border.

> Do you think Stoke Park was right? Our contact details are on page 2.

Skyfall

He’s back, which of course you know, unless you have been living on Mars, although I reckon even Curiosity will have downloaded the teaser trailer by now. Yep. James Bond returns for the 23rd time, four years on from the mauled outing that was Quantum of Solace.

And in the hands of Sam Mendes, all thoughts of how un-Bond that film was – though I think it’s criminally underrated – are blown to smithereens.

However, this is no run of the mill Bond adventure. Mendes and the screenwriters have more interesting questions in mind for the iconic character.

They play with the history of the franchise and also try and get to the core of this complex creation – while also ensuring there is a return to the sex, violence and coolness we have come to expect.

Daniel Craig, for one, seems to have blossomed under Mendes’ tutelage – the director worked with Craig before on the superb Road To Perdition – and he takes to the dark side of the role with almost sociopathic glee.

Bond is on the way out, it seems, the character much like the franchise, spending a large part of the story struggling to keep up, looking out of touch and out of shape, until he is forced back into the centre of the ring when a nasty, brilliant baddie, fixes on his boss, M, brilliantly played again by Dame Judi, who persuades (manipulates) Bond to protect her, giving him purpose again, and reminding him of his cruel calling.

It’s bold, intelligent, entertaining, classic filmmaking. It rounds off the first three Craig Bonds beautifully, and cements the idea that finally, the world may have a true rival to Connery for the most popular and greatest 007 title. More like this please.

Halloween

With all the rubbish horror movies around, it’s a welcome sight to see a real classic back gracing the big screens. Park Circus have done another wonderful job of restoration here, and the digital version of John Carpenter’s shocker looks as good as the film is scary. And it’s still, really scary.

It’s easy to forget how groundbreaking this film was in the slasher genre, and also easy to blame it for the poor cycle of films it spawned, but that’s to miss what is an absolutely supreme piece of genre filmmaking. Peerless.

Room 237

Believe that Kubrick’s The Shining is actually about the holocaust? Or that it’s Kubrick’s apology for his role in faking the moon landing footage? Then this is the film for you. It’s a brilliantly bonkers doc about the power of cinema and the curse of having too much time on your hands.

Vauxhall has started seeking the views of people living near its Chaul End site on proposals to build hundreds of homes there.

The company no longer needs the 60-acre storage site, and submitted its proposals to Central Bedfordshire Council over the summer to be included in the authority’s news housing growth strategy.

Yesterday (Weds) representatives from Vauxhall and communications firm PPS will meet with local councillors and residents from Chaul End village to ask their opinions on what should be built on the site, which is opposite Caddington Golf Club.

Vauxhall European real estate manager Julian Lyon said: “We went for 450 homes – you could fit 600 to 700 on there if you were just squeezing them in.

“It is a question of finding out people’s priorities and concerns, rather than just saying, ‘We’ve teamed up with a house builder and we’re going to get 600 houses on there’.

“But the key thing is that the community should have their say.”

Juilan Seymour from PPS said: “Vauxhall have a long history of working in the town and are trying to make something which everyone would be proud of.

“We are starting from the point of view of what could be on the site, and then asking people what their aspirations are and what they want to see there.”

Mr Lyon said the Bushwood Green proposals for 5,000 homes on land adjacent to the Vauxhall site were “inconvenient” because “there is a feeling that (the Vauxhall proposals) are a wedge in the door”.

“But this is a discrete site contained within its own environment, whereas Bushwood was an extension of Luton,” he said.

Vauxhall has used the site since the 1950s, first as a testing track and then to store vehicles from its Luton manufacturing plants.

Mr Lyon said the company’s production approach had changed from manufacturing vehicles and storing them to “ideally finding buyers and then making the vehicles”.

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