We keep getting told that we must look to small businesses to bale us out of the swamp in which we find ourselves.

We can’t look to the state, big business is broken – our only hope of salvation is people who have a bright idea and are prepared to work hard to make it happen, creating jobs and prosperity along the way.

Put to one side the lingering suspicion that the only new businesses opening up on our High Streets are nail bars, coffee shops and cheap loan merchants – everyone agrees that we need bright business brains to save our bacon.

And what example do we offer to young people hoping to stand on their own two feet rather than bag a job for life with some giant concern that will put food on their table for their entire working life? The Apprentice. Oh, come on.

I’ll accept that being required to jump through hoops by a rude no-nothing dinosaur who keeps banging on about his successes back in the day is an unhappy fact of life in many workplaces, and it’s good to know that and to be prepared for it.

But my big issue with The Apprentice is not with Lord Sugar but everyone else who wants to be on it.

Let’s be honest, none of these self-obsessed, over-styled suits on legs has any interest in being an apprentice, learning a job from the ground up over a period of years and probably earning a pittance for the privilege.

The programme should really be called something like The Management Trainee – not as sharp a title, but more accurate. Management trainees, in my wide experience, are never at the top of my list of people I would allow to make me a cup of tea, in the unlikely event of them offering to put the kettle on.

These people don’t want to do the graft, no matter what they say in their posturing self-publicity.

They’re looking for a short cut to the stars, and despite all the evidence to the contrary they’re willing to take the risk of humiliation in front of millions of viewers or, perhaps worse, having to work for the peevish peer after winning the thing, on the million-to-one chance that they will turn 15 minutes of fame into something more lucrative.

Let’s be honest, if the contestants chosen to compete in this car crash actually had much about them as business leaders, they’d be far too busy to devote weeks of their time to diverting the nation.

Once it used to those who could, did while those who couldn’t, taught.

Now those who can’t are more likely to be seen preening on the small screen, telling everyone how marvellous they are while demonstrating all too clearly that they shouldn’t really be trusted with sharp objects. Budding business moguls, do watch The Apprentice – and do exactly the opposite to anything these muppets may advise.

After a long wait, a new vicar is set to arrive at St Mary’s Church in Luton.

The Rev Mike Jones will take over at the beginning of July, moving from his current post in Shropshire, where he looks after two parishes.

The father-of-two was appointed vicar in September, but decided to wait until daughter Alex, 15, had completed her GCSEs before making the move to Luton.

The last vicar at the 850-year-old church was Rev Canon Nick Bell, who retired at the end of 2011 after 20 years at St Mary’s. Since then the congregation has been led by the church wardens, ordained members and local clergy involved with the church’s oversight group.

Mr Jones, 45, said: “We are really excited to be coming to Luton and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone in due course.

“Luton is a very vibrant place and the church is at the centre of the town. My work will be to love God and to love Luton. The church seeks to be a part of the town, to be a blessing to Luton and follow Christ.”

Originally from Bracknell in Berkshire, Mr Jones trained in Portsmouth and worked with his wife, Ruth, in Greece before taking up his current role of vicar for the parishes of of St John’s, Muxton and St Michael’s, Lilleshall in Telford.

Asked what he would be doing to help Luton’s troubled image, he said: “Cohesion is something that churches can help with, and I am trained in awareness of other cultures and religions.

“I was at the conference where Justin Welby gave his first sermon as Archbishop of Canterbury and it was on facing conflict.”

“Escalating friction” between gangs is behind the increase in gun crime in Luton, one of Bedfordshire’s top cops says.

Assistant Chief Constable Andrew Richer said armed police patrols, extra investment in intelligence and increased stop and search powers were being used to “impact on the psychology of offenders”.

Officers normally need to have reasonable grounds to stop and search members of the public, but the force is currently invoking Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, meaning they can search any individual without suspicion.

Beds Police has ramped up its response following the 16th firearms incident in the town this year.

A 16-year-old boy was shot in the back in Thricknells Close, Marsh Farm, in the early hours of Saturday morning. He is currently in hospital in a serious condition with what detectives are calling “life-changing injuries”.

“We think there’s some friction between loosely affiliated groups of youths and young men and that’s led to some violence, which has escalated,” said Mr Richer, adding: “Our intelligence indicates there are disputes between groups, and we will be targeting these individuals.”

The murder of Paul Foster in Lewsey Farm on April 9 appeared to be “generally linked in” to the situation, he said, and again appealed for the community to help bring offenders to justice.

“Often these offenders are quite young and they really need protecting from themselves. I appeal to mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters to pass on information in their own interests to prevent them from going down that road.”

Mr Richer said he understood public concern over the frequency with which shootings were occurring.

“I do accept the last incident has increased the threat level and public concern and we are devoting substantial resources into deterring people from carrying weapons,” he said. “Obviously we are concerned that there could be further incidents and we are doing everything we can do to prevent it.”

The crackdown was costing the force a lot of money he said, but insisted the response was “sustainable”, adding: “It’s got to be top priority for us at the moment.”

The owner and manager of a shisha cafe in Leagrave Road were both fined for allowing people to smoke in an enclosed marquee.

Mohammad Sohel and Anam Miah refused to comply with the law regarding Anando Mahal Limited and were fined £355 in total.

Miah was fined £75 with an additional £15 surcharge, and the business was fined £250, plus a £15 surcharge.

Councillor Aslam Khan, the Council’s tobacco free champion, said: “While smoking shisha is legal, it is still subject to the same smoke free legislation as cigarettes and other forms of tobacco smoking.

“The law is clear – you cannot allow people to smoke inside public premises. If we catch you, we will take action.”

The minimum legal requirement is to have at least half of the premises open to the air.

Luton Stop Smoking Service offers support and advice for anyone wanting to quit smoking. For more information, call for free on 0800 013 0845 or go to www.tobaccofreeluton.co.uk

The owner and manager were fined at Luton Magistrates Court on April 22 April.

A Milton Keynes company that runs bars and nightclubs in Luton and Bedford has called in the administrators.

Atmosphere Bars and Clubs, based in Seebeck Place, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, runs the Chicago’s bar in Luton and Modello’s in Bedford, which will continue trading while the adminstrators seek to save the business.

The business has 75 full-time and 418 part-time employees.

Daniel Butters and Adrian Berry of Deloitte, the business advisory firm, have been appointed today joint administrators to Atmosphere Bars and Clubs. The company’s estate includes 19 Chicago’s Bars, three Modello bars and two nightclubs.

Daniel Butters, joint administrator and partner at Deloitte, said: “Unfortunately, as a consequence of cash flow problems, the decision was taken by the directors of Atmosphere Bars and Clubs to place the company into administration. We are continuing to trade the business and all venues remain open whilst seeking a sale as a going concern.”

Men who stole two safes during a robbery at a garage on Monday night (May 13) threatened two mechanics and a customer with a knife.

The incident happened at around 7.30pm at a garage in Frederick Street, Luton, as the two workers were finishing work on a vehicle while the customer waited.

Two men threatened them before forcing them into an office, then removed two safes containing cash, loaded them into a van and drove off.

One of the offenders was of Asian appearance, around 6ft tall and wearing a white or grey ski mask, and the other was white, around 5ft 9ins tall and wore a black balaclava.

Witnesses should call 101.

A 30-year-old man had his mobile phone stolen as he walked through a park on Thursday (May 9).

He was stopped by four men of Asian appearance in Kingsway recreation ground, who punched him in the face before stealing the phone.

An event to inspire people to help change the face of local government has been described as an ‘experiment’ to be learnt from.

Just 30 members of the public turned out to discover How To Be A Councillor at Central Beds Council in Chicksands on Monday evening.

Councillor David Bowater, who has been elected as vice chairman of Central Beds Council, said: “The leader of the council, Mr Jamieson, said to us all that it was an experiment. We have learnt lessons and we will do better next time. You can’t get it spot on first time.

“I was quite delighted with the event. I was just there as a foot-soldier to offer help if anyone needed it.”

The event was to encourage a more diverse range of people to stand as a councillor, but was met by criticism that meetings are held during the day.

Paul Scoins, political reporter for BBC Three Counties Radio, was asked to attend as a special guest to share his personal views about his audiences’ attitude to politics.

“They have to be commended for trying it. They have got food for thought now about what they could do next time. It is encouraging that the council wants to do this, they’re one of the few who have.”

Cllr James Jamieson said: “It was really encouraging to see so many members of the public there.

“Being a councillor is hugely rewarding and you have real power to influence decisions on a variety of issues - anything from planning to social care.

“We always need new people and more diverse we are as councillors the better we’re able to represent all our residents. All you need is a determination to make things better, the drive to get things done and a dedication to your community.

“I hope people were inspired to look into it more.”

For more information about becoming a councillor, visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/beacouncillor

@LBOamanda

Armed officers, dog units and local policing teams are patrolling Marsh Farm and Lewsey Farm in an attempt to reassure the community following the latest gun crime on Saturday.

A 16-year-old boy was shot in the back in Thricknells Close at about 4am and is in hospital in a serious but stable condition, with “life-changing” injuries.

He is the victim of the ninth shooting in Luton this year, out of 16 gun-related incidents.

Beds Police are determined to crack down on gun crime in the town, and the Luton News joined armed officers and dog units on patrol yesterday to observe the work they are doing in the area.

Officers said they hope their increased presence will reassure the public, particularly the tight-knit Marsh Farm community where the teenager was shot.

Detectives believe it is a “small minority” of criminals who are involved in gun crime in the town.

At the operation briefing yesterday, Det Supt Dave Boyle said: “I don’t want to underplay the anxiety felt in the community, particularly in Marsh Farm, following Saturday’s events.”

Officers were briefed on the information and intelligence relating to the case so far, and given background and context of the situation.

Det Supt Boyle said: “We are looking for certain individuals and are interested in finding out their locations, and speaking to other individuals they have been involved with.”

Police are offering a £1,000 reward to anyone who gives police information that leads to the arrest and conviction of any offender who is involved in gun crime in the town.

They have also released CCTV footage of a man wanted in connection with the shooting on Saturday.

The footage shows a man leaving the area at the time of the shooting, and detectives are keen to speak him as he may have information that could help the investigation.

A Beds Police spokesperson said: “Investigators are taking the unusual step of releasing CCTV footage...this man may have information that could help this investigation and officers need to speak to him urgently.”

The man is described as white, in his mid-teens, wearing a blue top and blue denim jeans.

Call Beds Police in confidence on 101 or text information to 07786 200011.

A man wanted in connection with the shooting of a 16-year-old boy on Saturday is shown on CCTV footage released by police today (May 15).

The footage shows a man leaving the area in Marsh Farm at the time of the shooting, and detectives are keen to speak him as he may have information that could help the investigation.

The victim was shot in the back in Thricknells Close and remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition, having suffered “life-changing injuries”.

A Beds Police spokesperson said: “Investigators are taking the unusual step of releasing CCTV footage...this man may have information that could help this investigation and officers need to speak to him urgently.”

The man is described as white, in his mid-teens, wearing a blue top and blue denim jeans.

Police are offering a £1,000 reward to anyone who gives police information that leads to the arrest and conviction of any offender who is involved in gun crime in the town.

Call Beds Police in confidence on 101 or text information to 07786 200011.

The demolition of a block of flats in Luton has been postponed for at least two years so the council can fulfil its obligations to homeless families.

A spokeswoman said: “We have been using the Purley Centre flats since 2012 for homeless households with a local connection to Luton and where the council has a legal duty to provide accommodation.”

She added: “This building will be used until we are ready to demolish it prior to redevelopment of the site for new secure permanent housing.

“It is difficult to put a timescale on this as planning approval for our proposals has not yet been sought.

“Our best estimates are that we will be looking to demolish no earlier than the early to mid 2015.”

The 1960s block in Marsh Farm has been refurbished “to acceptable standards” for the duration of its use.

It is currently home to 57 families.

A further 40 families have been housed in a hotel at a monthly cost of £50,000.

More than 100 new homes will be built when the redevelopment goes ahead.

The Luton News understands that private landlords are being invited to bid for a four year temporary accommodation contract worth more than £28 million.

> What do you think of the council’s proposals? Contact details are on page 2.

A man who drove a stolen BMW at a teenage cyclist was found guilty of the murder of his former friend at Luton Crown Court today (May 15).

Kyle Beckford, 22, of Waleys Close, killed 19-year-old Delaney Brown in September last year, by mounting the pavement in Vincent Road in the stolen BMW and deliberately knocking Delaney from his bike, causing fatal injuries.

Beckford, who was part of a ‘rival crime group’ to his former friend, pleaded not guilty to murder, but offered a guilty plea to manslaughter.

Speaking after today’s verdict, Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Collin, said: “It is always sad to see a family lose a young person in such violent circumstances and my sympathies remain with Delaney’s family.

“Delaney and Kyle were both friends when they were at school but as they became adults they grew apart. With information received from the public we now know they became involved in opposing groups of young men who were involved in crime.

“We believe the motivation for this incident was brought about by the personal contempt that grew between Kyle and Delaney. After several incidents involving the two publicly showing contempt towards each other, Beckford deliberately took this opportunity to kill Delaney and now he is facing

the consequences of his actions. He is now 22 and facing a lengthy sentence, which means he will be middle aged by the time he is released – he will have lost the best years of his life because of the choices he made.”

Det Chief Insp said it had been “a difficult case” from the beginning, and thanked the key witnesses who showed “bravery and courage” by coming forward to make formal statements, without which the result would not have been possible.

Beckford will be sentenced shortly.

Two schoolboys were robbed in Axe Close, Luton on Friday, May 10.

They were walking across a basketball court at about 1.10pm when they wererobbed of money by four males: one slim white 15/16-year-old with short, spiked blonde hair, one medium-built white 16/17-year-old short dark hair, one fat 5ft 9ins male of Asian appearance, and a muscular 5ft 6ins 20-year-old with olive skin – possibly Turkish.

Call 101 with information.

The killer of 19-year-old Delaney Brown has been told he will serve a minimum of 24 years in jail.

Judge Richard Foster handed Kyle Beckford the life sentence after a jury this morning found the Marsh Farm 22-year-old guilty of murder.

Beckford, of Waleys Close, killed 19-year-old Delaney in September last year by mounting the pavement in Vincent Road in astolen BMW and deliberately knocking the teenager from his bike, causing fatal injuries.

Beckford, who was part of a rival gang to his former friend, had denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Speaking after today’s verdict, Det Chief Insp Stephen Collin, said: “It is always sad to see a family lose a young person in such violent circumstances and my sympathies remain with Delaney’s family.

“Delaney and Kyle were friends when they were at school but as they became adults they grew apart. With information received from the public we now know they became involved in opposing groups of young men who were involved in crime.

“We believe the motivation for this incident was brought about by the personal contempt that grew between Kyle and Delaney.

“After several incidents involving the two publicly showing contempt towards each other, Beckford deliberately took this opportunity to kill Delaney and now he is facing the consequences of his actions. He is now 22 and facing a lengthy sentence, which means he will be middle aged by the time he is released – he will have lost the best years of his life because of the choices he made.”

Det Chief Insp Collins said it had been “a difficult case” from the beginning, and thanked key witnesses who showed “bravery and courage” by coming forward to make formal statements, without which he said the result would not have been possible.

The grandfather of murdered Delaney Brown says he feels “no great pleasure” in seeing the teenager’s former friend sentenced to life in prison for the killing today (May 15).

Kyle Beckford, 22, of Waleys Close, was given a minimum of 24 years in prison for murdering the 19-year-old in September last year.

Luton Crown Court heard how Beckford had deliberately mounted the pavement in a stolen BMW, knocking Delaney from his bike in Vincent Road and causing fatal injuries.

Delaney Brown senior said at a press conference today: “It is very sad to know that Delaney’s life was extinguished for no jusitfiable cause, and his full potential not realised, by the hand of someone he once called a friend. Although the right justice has been served, it gives us no great pleasure to see a young man in incarceration for a long time, and we hope that one day he can show remorse for his actions.”

Beckford was part of a ‘rival crime group’ to former school friend Delaney, and police believe the motivation for murder was “personal contempt”.

Assistant Chief Constable Andrew Richer said it would be “foolish” not to anticipate more violence in the upcoming days, as police believe the murder of Delaney’s uncle Paul Foster in April and the shooting of a 16-year-old on Saturday are linked to the Delaney Brown case.

Mr Brown senior said: “We need to come together to show our young people that we will not stand for lawlessness on the streets of Luton.”

Armed police and dog units are patrolling Marsh Farm and Lewsey Farm which Mr Richer said will continue for as long as police feel is necessary.

They are gathering intelligence and mapping crime in the area as part of investigations into the recent gun crime wave.

Det Supt Jeff Hill said although there were “brave and courageous” key witnesses who made formal statements in the Delaney Brown case, there were some people who chose not to help, due to “misguided loyalty.”

He said police are now in a similar situation with the investigation into the murder of 46-year-old Paul Foster,

There are people who can provide vital information who have still not come forward, and Det Supt Hill asked: “What is it you are scard of?”

He said: “If you have concerns for you and your family, then talk to us. We have measures we can put in place to address these fears and anxieties.

“Carrying a gun does not make you a man. Bigger men stand up and are counted.,, Stand up for what is right. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. When you find that courage, my office is waiting.

“If you don’t, when you look at yourself in the mirror, know it is your lack of action that is preventing your community from being a safer place.”

+Two people are currently on bail for the murder of Paul Foster.

+There have been 16 gun-related incidents in Luton so far this year, including nine shootings.

+ Police have made 11 arrests for gun crime and confiscated two fire arms.

A woman was taken by helicopter to a London hospital after colliding with a motorcyclist in Luton town centre yesterday evening (May 15).

She was crossing Stuart Street at about 6.10pm when she collided with the vehicle, suffering a suspected broken leg.

Police were forced to close the busy road in both directions so the air ambulance could land and take the woman to Royal London Hospital.

Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

A police investigation is underway.

>see www.lutontoday.co.uk for updates.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a teenager was shot in Luton.

A 19-year-old man is being questioned by the Beds, Cambs and Herts Major Crime Unit.

He was stopped yesterday afternoon (May 15) by armed officers patrolling Marsh Farm.

The 16-year-old victim was shot in the back in the early hours of May 11 in Thricknells Close, Marsh Farm.

His injuries are described as ‘life changing’, but he remains in a stable condition.

Det Con Inspector Dave Quarmby said: “While this arrest shows significant progress in relation to this incident we still need the people involved to put pen to paper in order that we can detect and bring to an end this increase in violence that the town is currently experiencing.

“By co-ordinating all the firearm related investigations in this way we continue to build better intelligence and information about who is carrying guns and intensify our resolve to arrest and bring to justice those involved. As you know, we will do this much more quickly if we have the support of our local community.

“I will remind everyone that we have measures in place to assist those in coming forward if they feel scared or vulnerable. A cash reward also remains in place for anyone who can give information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in gun crime.”

As reported in this week’s Luton News, armed police are currently patrolling the Marsh Farm area in response to a number of recent shootings.

A government minister praised a Luton company for “showing the way” for British manufacturing during a visit to open the first phase of a much-needed modernisation programme.

High tech pump maker Hayward Tyler, in Kimpton Road, is putting in place an £800,000 modernisation programme, including the first significant spending on machinery in something like 20 years.

Lord Green, a minister of state for trade and investment, during a 45 minute tour this afternoon (Wednesday), said: “Britain needs companies like Hayward Tyler.” He praised the company, which employs 170 people in Luton and another 130 across sites in the USA, China, Scotland and India, for its strong position in international markets. He told lutontoday that the firm is “showing the way”.

This week is Export Week and Lord Green, speaking to a shopfloor gathering, said Hayward Tyler is “one impressive company” not least for exporting more than 80 per cent of its output for power stations and oil and gas rigs around the world.

Ewan Lloyd-Baker, Hayward Tyler’s chief executive, said to a gathering of the workforce: “I would like to thank each and every one of you for being part of the team making the changes we see today.” He sees the visit as being the opening of a new chapter in the history and “continuing evolution” of Hayward Tyler and a way to thank the workforce.

Hayward Tyler has been through a rough patch and its manufacturing section in Luton has been losing money. However, it has seen a record first three months of the year, bringing in £15million of new business and is increasingly confident of being around not only for its 200th anniversary in 2015 but for a lot longer.

The first speed tests on the £89 million Luton and Dunstable guided busway took place this morning (May 16).

Local councillors and representatives from main contractor Bam Nuttal experienced the journey on a stretch of the 12.4km busway, with the vehicle reaching speeds of up to 50mph.

The vehicle was a standard Arriva bus, with extra wheels attached in order to guide it along the busway, so it can drive both on the busway and on standard roads.

The final 700 concrete beams of the 4,700 needed will be laid at the end of this month, and bus services are expected to start in ‘late summer’, three months later than planned due to bad weather.

Councillor Dave Taylor, portfolio holder for transportation said: “Our busway will be the second-longest in the world, and the longest in an urban environment. Once open, it’s no exaggeration to say it will revolutionise bus travel in Luton, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, with a superb, smooth ride quality and dramatically reduced journey times by up to 50 per cent.”

The journey today took place from the White Line Retail Park in Dunstable and the council’s Kingsway depot, a distance of 5.6km.

Test runs along the entire busway are due to begin on June 3, and will be used to verify expected journey time calculations so operators Arriva, Centrebus and Grant Palmer can finalise their bus timetables.

There will be seven main stops in Houghton Regis at Portland Ride, in Dunstable at the White Lion Retail Park, and in Luton at Stanton Road for the hospital, Kenilworth Road, Luton station interchange, and near the airport parkway and the airport.

The scheme is currently £500,000 over budget, says Luton Borough Council, which is also struggling to find the £5 million it needs to contribute to the mostly government-funded project.
Contractor BAM Nuttall also built the Cambridge guided busway, which opened in 2011, two and a half years late. The firm and Cambridge County Council are now caught up in a legal battle, itself costing millions, with each party suing the other over delays and cost overruns on the project.

Fire completely destroyed two stables at a riding school in Warden Hill Road last night (May 15).

Emergency services were called to Sunshine Riding School at 11pm, where the two stables filled with hay were on fire.

It is the second fire in six weeks at the riding school; two horses were rescued in the previous blaze on April 3.

A Beds Police spokesperson said: “We are treating this as suspicious and we are looking at whether there is a link with the previous arson.”

The manager of Sunshine Riding School declined to comment.

Call Beds Police on 101 with information.