Have Your Say on Dog Poop!

Houghton Regis News Desk · 1,247 like this.
Friday, 29 March 2013 at 20:30.
£75 Fixed Penalty Notice for Dog Poop!
Bag it and Bin it!

Dog owners are being urged by Waste Services and Community Safety to bag and bin their dogs’ waste to keep the area clean.

Dog mess poses serious health risks. It can carry roundworm – containing the parasite Toxacara canis which can cause blindness, epilepsy, asthma and infections. So it’s vital to reduce dog fouling to protect others, particularly children.

Failing to clean up after our four legged friend when in a public space is an offence, and the Council will issue a £75 Fixed Penalty Notice. Dog wardens are already monitoring areas across Central Bedfordshire. If you’re walking your dog please take a doggy bag, pick up after your pooch and use the dog waste bins provided.

Remember you can also use normal litter bins for bagged dog waste, so there are no excuses!

For more information contact Ian McMurdy, Waste Awareness Officer CBC on 0300 300 5418.
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Karen B..., Tamsin...., Michelle.... and 5 others like this.
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Lee .... Hope the dog owners that use the alleys around Houghton Lower take note as we are constantly on poop watch when we walk to school!
Friday, 29 March 2013 at 20:35 (15 hours ago) 
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Sandra ....Wish this was the same for cat litter 
Friday, 29 March 2013 at 20:44 (15 hours ago)
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Helen .... and Houghton Hall.. it makes me so angry that my kids can't walk through the woods without getting it on their shoes. Its just like a giant shite field out the back of my house!
Friday, 29 March 2013 at 20:46 (15 hours ago) 
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Emma .....  Thank god for this the pavements in grove road are covered in it,I go mad I tell ya if I ever caught some1 lettin there dog do it and walkin away they would be gettin a mouthful and I would pick it up follow them home and post it threw their letter box,I am sick of it !!!!!!!!! Rant over lol x
Friday, 29 March 2013 at 20:53 (14 hours ago) 
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Jenny .... can it also happen in Leighton Buzzard
Friday, 29 March 2013 at 21:38 (14 hours ago) 
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Sam .... Damn Right - my number one pet hate! I'm fed up clearing poo from my buggy wheels!!!!!
00:55 (10 hours ago) 
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Karl .... Good to hear, there's really no excuse for all the people walking their dogs in Houghton Hall park who just ignore their dog's poo despite there being bins everywhere.
08:34 (3 hours ago)

twt Follow this story online at https://www.facebook.com/houghton.regis.news.desk/posts/10151336374942944

Houghton Regis Road Works ... How We Roll

Houghton Regis News Desk 
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 18:09  
The roundabout at High Street/ Bedford Road junction was patched up today. The work extended beyond the usual 3pm curfew on road works in the area, and resulted in longer delays than usual.

FBUser #18 It often goes beyond 3pm! 
Or at least seems it!
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 18:13 

FBUser #19 thought traffic was bit heavy coming from duns at 3-45.
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 18:16 

FBUser #11 yea patched why not done properly it will be bad again in no time what a waist of time
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 18:18 

FBUser #20 longer delays as usual you mean !
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 18:19  

FBUser #13 Yh its been an absolute nightmare driving thru ....also a few lit bollards wouldn't go amiss....so u can see where ur actually going...!! X
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 18:20 

FBUser #11 please someone tell me why we pay road tax??? cos thats not the only bad bit of road in houghton there is holes everywhere
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 18:25 

FBUser #21 Really can't please some people! Moan thats it's in a bad state then moan when it's patched up properly in time for the major resurfacing in May!
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 18:27 

FBUser #22 shouldnt have got in that state anyway and certainly shouldnt have been left unrepaired for so long. major resurfacing in May? bit like the major resurfacing of side roads in houghton regis that took place in october! are potholed to hell! and to this day are still caked in loose stone chippings. councils a joke when it comes to repairing roads. shouldnt have spent the budget fitting 300 speed humps along houghton road, its bumpy enough as it is.
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 18:40 

FBUser #20 and no clearly cant please some of us why did it take so long for it to be fixed in the first place seen better roads abroad and thats saying something !
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 18:47

Houghton Regis News Desk The whole of the High Street is due for resurfacing at the end of May, when the works to footpaths etc are completed. That's why it's only a patch for now. The speed bumps in the High Street and Bedford Road are all temporary, and will be removed when the junction raised tables are installed. The alteration works are all at the expense of the supermarket developers, not public funds. 

The other major trouble spot for a significant number of pothole complaints is Poynters Road, and that, too, is scheduled for major resurfacing works after the Houghton Regis High Street area is finished.
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 19:20 

FBUser #11 wohoo
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 19:17 

FBUser #20 tithe farm road is terrible at the min for potholes too
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 19:18   

FBUser #22 oh perfect. so not only are we putting up with months of temporary lights while they mess around with the paths but its going to get worse when they actually do the road?. I also love the fact its due for major works at the end of may and yet they still spanked money on putting in a poor quality roundabout and numerous speed humps when this could have been done when the major resurfacing takes place??????!!!
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 19:19 

FBUser #11 yea and the bus stops they spent a fortune on they were a great idea all smashed to bits already
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 19:20 

Houghton Regis News Desk FBUser #22, the removal of the traffic lights and cabling could hardly have been done after resurfacing. FBUser #11,  a major troublemaker has an ASB order against him now.
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 19:26  

FBUser #22 no but all the work could have been carried out within the same time period or are there only  5 guys at amey who do things bit by bit? why have they put the humps in if they knew they were doing the road? why did they put extra humps in when they realised they spaced them too far apart and people could avoid them instead of rectifying the roundabout?? complete waste of time and money. lets hope they put some effort in rectifying the shambles of a road layout by asda too!!
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 19:28 

FBUser #23 It isn't just houghton right by where I live it's pot hole hell!!! Sick of swinging in the road to avoid potholes.
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 19:39  

FBUser #24  I was told that articulated trucks come through there WITH trailers on in the wee hours of the morning, and that some of their wheels are virtually turning on the spot. Hence the ground up surface suffered at the roundabout. Here's hoping that when the raised tables are put in, these will stand up to that sort of treatment.
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 19:45 

FBUser #24 Central Beds Council have come up with a new reporting tool to help you report pot-holes. It's at https://myaccount.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/myforms/fms-34405.aspg 
But, it's worth noting that the criteria for fixing them is that it should be a hole that is "a minimum of 50mm deep and 150mm in diameter with vertical sides". This information comes from a Freedom of Information request.
Highways Report It Application
myaccount.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
You can use this form to report problems associated with our roads - such as potholes, broken street lights or faulty traffic signals.
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 19:44

FBUser #17 Anyone driven through Toddington recently?
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 20:29 

FBUser #25 King Street/Queen Street in Houghton Regis is dreadful. First you have to navigate your way thru the 'new car park' for the Alfa Romeo car dealer, who uses the road as an overspill for parking his vehicles during trading hours. Then when you turn right into Queen Street, the whole road looks like a war zone. These roads need major re-surfacing too!
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 22:07  

FBUser #26 About time they did it. I can drive that way again now. Don't have to risk my tyres that cost £150 each.... 
Thursday, 28 March 2013 at 23:01   

FBUser #6 Ur telling me MISSED my doctors appointment took 1,1/2 hours so NO medication for all.over the weekend Gonna be in cronic pain and possibly have to go into hospital as DIABETIC and have MS and no painkillers or insulin SORT IT OUT for gods sake !!! 
02:55 

FBUser #6 Houghton to Dunstable hour and a half MENTAL
02:58 

FBUser #5 I'm glad it's done, but did you see the queue that went back up Poynters Road?
09:22  

Houghton Regis News Desk FBUser #17 ... A5120 Dunstable Road, Toddington, Central Bedfordshire
28 March — 01 April
Delays likely Traffic control (multi-way signals)
Works location: O/S No38
Works description: Break Out & Patch Footway To Improve Levels & Remove Depression Where Water Holding Causing Potentia...
13:59   

955 people saw this post

source: https://www.facebook.com/houghton.regis.news.desk/posts/10151336361312944?comment_id=25456827
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Alan's Winter Wonderland

24th March 2013, in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire

TEN More in this set

New Funding Opportunities

This week in Funding opportunities, consider:

Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards: The application deadline for Elderly People, Adults and Children with Disabilities is Sunday 31 March 2013.

The Woodward Charitable Trust. The deadline for applications is Monday 1 April 2013. 


Community Grants Co-Financed through the European Social Fund and Skills Funding Agency. The deadline for submission is Friday 19 April 2013


The Inspired Facilities scheme, part of Sport England's Places People Play programme. The closing date for applications is deadline is Friday 29 April 2013. 

CLICK HERE For more information and links  on the above opportunities.

GET FUNDED MARCH 2013 - some hints and tips and info about various funds including Heritage lottery fund, Big Lottery Fund, Voluntary & Community Action, 


TEN TOP TIPS (from NCVO)

• Never ask for anything. Sell an investment opportunity
• Understand funders' strategic aims and objectives - that means don’t apply if you don’t qualify.
• Get very clear on your own strategic objectives. At the start state clearly who you are and what you are about.
• Get very clear on your own operational plan
• Success sells more than sympathy
• Share frustrations too
• Tell a story
• Wherever possible make a personal appeal
• Don't make an application, develop a relationship
• Finally: Fundraising is hard

Get Funded: 3 page pdf file


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Plus Net

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Tithe Farm - 80 year old woman assaulted in her Home.

This story has been removed from our Facebook Page as some of the comments made were indicative towards a certain individual. Those comments have been passed to police to look into. Thank You for those. If you have further information, please refer it to the Detective's number below.

Detectives in Houghton Regis are asking the public to help identify a man who assaulted a woman in her home during the early hours of this morning, March 18.

The incident happened at a property in the Drury Lane/St Andrew’s Lane area of Houghton Regis at approximately 1.15am when the 80 year old resident, who was watching TV at the time, was disturbed by a knock at her front door.

The victim asked who was at the door and a man responded asking if she was alright. The victim thought that the caller was a neighbour and opened the door before the unknown man barged in to her home, pushed her to the ground, hit her and indecently assaulted her.
It is believed the man was in the property for approximately 45 minutes before leaving the scene in an unknown direction.

The officer in charge of this investigation, Detective Constable Colin Knight, is keen to trace anyone who may have seen a suspicious man in the area during the early hours of Monday morning or in the days leading up to the incident.

The offender is described as a white man, in his mid-20s, 5’10” to 6’ tall with a slim build and spoke with a local accent. He wore dark clothing and a baseball cap.

DC Knight said: “The victim is now receiving support from friends and specialist officers but she has clearly been traumatised by what has happened to her.

“We have also received a report of a man with a similar description shouting obscenities at an 18 year old girl who was walking in Hillsborough Crescent, Houghton Regis at 12.40am. This incident may not be linked to the assault but we need to speak to anyone who witnessed or saw a man in Hillsborough Crescent or anyone who can help identify the man responsible for the assault.”

Although this type of offence is extremely unusual police are advising residents to ensure they do not open their door to any callers they are not expecting and to look out of a window or through a spy hole to confirm the identity of any visitors.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact DC Knight at Luton Police Station, in confidence, on 01582 394069, or Bedfordshire Police on 101 or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Source: http://www.safer-beds.org/rmwebportal/replytomesg.aspx?mesg_id=b920691b-284d-4ddf-a726-d1f8eaaf5a17&email=-1&web=-1%22

UPDATE WEDNESDAY 20th March
Man Pleads Guilty to Houghton Regis Assault

A man arrested on suspicion of assaulting an 80-year-old woman in her own home during the early hours on Monday morning in Houghton Regis appeared before Luton Magistrates Court this morning, March 20.

Darren Emmerson, aged 40, of Parkside Drive, Houghton Regis had been charged with the sexual assault against the elderly victim and also a Section 4 Public order offence against an 18 year old girl in alleyway which also happened on March 18.

He had been remanded to appear at Luton Magistrates Court this morning (March 20) and pleaded guilty to both charges.

EMMERSON has been remanded in to custody and is due to appear before Luton Crown Court on Friday, April 12.

Wenlock Jug Sentencing

Wenlok Jug Sentencing

A man has been sentenced to over two year’s imprisonment in connection with the theft of a 14 th century jug from Stockwood Discovery Centre in Luton.

Ronald Nash, aged 23, of Pitwood Green, Tadworth, Surrey was charged with handling stolen property and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs after Bedfordshire Police launched a covert operation to retrieve the jug after it was taken from a high security display cabinet at the museum on Saturday 12 May, 2012.

He had pleaded guilty at Luton Crown Court on February 11 and was sentenced to two years three months for handling stolen goods and a further 12 months in relation to the drug offence. These sentences are to be served consecutively meaning Nash will serve a total of three years three months.

A second man, Louis Kybert, age 25, of Ferndale Road, Banstead, Surrey also pleaded guilty on February 11 before the same court to the possession of two stun guns and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs after being arrested by officers conducting searches for the jug.

Kybert was also sentenced today to five years imprisonment in relation to the stun gun offence and a further 12 months in relation to the drug offence. He will also have to serve a further three months in relation to a previous suspended sentence. These sentences are to be served concurrently.

Nash was arrested and charged following an in depth investigation which included an appeal on BBC’s Crimewatch programme, the Wenlok Jug – which is made of bronze, stands is 31.5cm tall, weighs 6.1kgs and is decorated with coats of arms, badges and is inscribed with the words “MY LORD WENLOK” and valued at £750,000.

A third man, aged 47, was arrested in connection with this investigation but he was released without further action.

Detective Inspector Martin Peters, who led the investigation to trace and recover the jug, said after the sentencing: “This was a high profile case which involved the theft of a national treasure and attracted a lot of public interest. The amount of evidence gathered by officers has meant that the offenders had no alternative but to plead guilty.

“I am pleased that justice has now been done and that these men will spend a significant time behind bars..”

He continued: “The reduction of burglary remains a priority for Bedfordshire Police and this case illustrates what lengths the force will go to in order that stolen property is recovered and offenders are brought to justice and this includes those who handle stolen property.”

If you have information about those committing burglaries or those who handle stolen property in your area you can contact Bedfordshire Police, in confidence, on the non-emergency 101 or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Houghton Regis Town Centre Pot Hole Concerns

View this story on Facebook.

There is great concern in Houghton Regis about the state of the roundabout at High Street and Bedford Road junction. Whether it be on Facebook groups, representations made to councils, or common chatter at the supermarket checkouts, people are talking about the effect it's having on their vehicles. 

All Pictures: ©A D Winter 2013

The road is certainly bumpy going on these pictures taken this morning. But "bumpy" may not constitute a pot-hole under the guidelines. Central Bedfordshire Council's criteria is that repairs are made to all potholes in the road that meet the council’s intervention level within 24 hours of inspection. The intervention level is a hole that is a minimum of 50mm deep and 150mm in diameter with vertical sides. This information comes from a Freedom of Information request available to read here.

The HRTC Highways Rep, Cllr Alan Winter, and others, have asked the Highways Authority for Central Bedfordshire to urgently review the area.

Meanwhile, the contractors working on the High Street deny that work on the roundabout would be down to them. A spokesman said, "It is down to the Highways Authority".

High Street works by contractors, Miletree, have continued today without the use of traffic lights that has caused much day time traffic delays in recent weeks. Those works will continue next week, and are scheduled to continue until the end of May. When complete, the scheme, a Section 278 agreement, for road works in conjunction with Morrison's new supermarket, will provide 8 new zebra crossings, two new half bus lay-bys and improved footpaths.  

Blog 10 Feb: Alan D Winter - Zebra Crossings: My Passion for Central Refuges twt

GPs to Do Spot Checks at L&D

PARLIAMENT: In the wake of the "Report of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry", local MP Andrew Selous has said that GPs will be doing unannounced spot checks at the Luton and Dunstable hospital. Mr Selous was speaking in the " Accountability and Transparency in the NHS" debate in House of Commons yesterday, 14 March.

Andrew Selous, MP, said, "I am pleased that in Bedfordshire clinical commissioning group, the excellent Dr Paul Hassan has told me that there will be unannounced GP visits to the wards of the Luton and Dunstable hospital and other hospitals to which Bedfordshire sends its patients. There will be private TripAdvisor-style patient reports coming back—not report forms handed by a sister to a patient and filled in while the sister is leaning over them, but done genuinely in privacy so that GPs can get a proper report of what is happening. There will be real-time alert buttons on the keyboards of GPs and clinicians so that they can flag it up immediately if things are going wrong. That is excellent. That is the way to get an early indication of what is going wrong."

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2013-03-14a.514.0 twt

Work Experience For Electrical Recycling

Central Bedfordshire Council PR 1429 13/03/2013

Recycling the past, taking care of the future

For the last nine months Central Bedfordshire Council have been working with local company MASV Ltd to recycle unwanted electrical items at the same time as providing a valuable work experience program.

Working in partnership with the council MASV Ltd refurbish used electrical items left at the councils’ four Household Waste Recycling Centres managed on the council’s behalf by Viridor Waste Management Ltd.

MASV Ltd, who launched in 2012, have re-used more than 10 tonnes of electrical waste - or the equivalent of five recycling centre containers - since the project began with the council. This includes:

* 800 vacuum cleaners re-used
* the refurbishment and re-use of over 5 tonnes of Hi-Fi equipment
* around 200 SKY boxes re-used in the last three months alone

All profits are ploughed back into the project which invests in the local community through their work experience program. Damion Miller, the Founder of MASV Ltd said: “By mentoring our staff we aim to encourage, empower and equip them with the necessary skills for long-term employment, create sustainable and healthy lifestyle patterns within their day to day experience as well as making positive impacts on the environment.”

Councillor Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities, said: “We are delighted to support this fantastic scheme. Old electrical items are refurbished and re-used rather than thrown away and staff gain essential experience to help get them back in to the workplace.”

Remember to take all your waste electrical items to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre so they can be re-used or recycled. There are four in Central Bedfordshire: Ampthill, Biggleswade, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard. For more information on these sites visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/recycling
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Who's Who in Local Policing

Houghton Regis Police Station, Sundon Road, Houghton Regis LU5 5LN Monday to Friday 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm Closed on Saturdays and Sundays 

Dunstable, Houghton Regis and Rural Local Policing Team Dunstable Police Station, West Street, Dunstable LU6 1SJ 7am – 10pm daily

e-mail: LPT.DunstableHR&Rural@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk 

www.bedfordshire.police.uk

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Houghton Regis Craft Fair

Selected images from the Craft Fair held at Bedford Square Community Centre, Houghton Regis on 8th March 2013.

Next Fair on 12th April. Details and Bookings: see Houghton Regis Craft Fair

Events For March Outside Houghton Regis

This is a short round up of events in Bedfordshire, some a bit further afield than we normally look at. Certainly some interesting options for those who love the outdoors. Looking for more? Visit http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/leisure/whats-on/default.aspx

Nordic Walking

Date: Tuesdays 12,19,26 March 2013 Time: 9:30am - 10:30am
Sundays 17,24,31 March 2013 Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Nordic Walking burns more calories than normal walking and uses all the major muscle groups in the body. Once the technique is perfected it feels easier than conventional walking.

Participants join 6 x 1 hour sessions to learn the various techniques. A session or two can be missed and can be picked up quite easily.

Wear clothing and footwear suitable for the ground and weather conditions.

Cost: for 6 sessions £20 if paid in advance (£16 for friends of the Forest Centre) or £6 per session (£5 for friends)
Advance booking essential -contact Dennis Simpson on 07508827279 or email fortytwa@virginmedia.com
Venue: The Forest Centre, Marston Vale Millennium Country Park, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford. MK43 0PR Phone: 01234 767037 Fax: 01234 76260
Email: info@marstonvale.org

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Little Lambs Mum and Toddlers Club

Date: Every Thursday, term time only Time: 10:00am – 12:00noon

A crafty fun club for toddlers at Dunstable Downs. Suitable for children under 5yrs

Enjoy a chat with other mums as the kids enjoy some creative play! They will get to make all sorts with us, as you relax and watch. The children can try different craft activities every week and listen to stories!

Cost: Free of charge (a donation towards materials would be appreciated) Venue: Dunstable Downs, Chilterns Gateway Centre, Whipsnade Road, Dunstable, Beds LU6 2GY Tel: Call 01582 500920 for details and to book

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Easter Egghead Hunt

Easter Egg Hunt on Dunstable Downs
Date: 23rd, 24th, 29th, 30th, 31st March and 1st April 2013 Time: 10:30am - 4:30pm

Exciting egg hunt sponsored by Cadburys. Explore the Downs and win a yummy Cadburys chocolate egg!

On Easter Monday, join in the free Egg and Spoon races every half hour from 11am till 3pm. There will be lots of family Easter fun happening too, all in the glorious surroundings of Dunstable Downs.

Booking advisable. Normal National Trust admission charges apply.

Venue: Dunstable Downs, Chilterns Gateway Centre, Whipsnade Road, Dunstable, Beds LU6 2GY Tickets: All Tickets £2 (for trail and chocolate prize) Contact: Chilterns Gateway Centre Shop Telephone: 01582 500925 Email: dunstabledowns@nationaltrust.org.uk
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Female of the Species

Dates: from Friday 15 to Saturday 23 March 2013 Time: 7:45pm

Venue: Dunstable Rep @ The Little Theatre, Dunstable Tickets: Box office opens 4th March 2013 for booking Tel: 07940 105864 Email: dunstablerepboxoffice@gmail.com

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Conservation Task

Date: Sunday 16 March 2012 Time: 10:15am

Join our volunteer team to do something for the environment, get some exercise and have fun. We carry out a variety of practical projects throughout the Vale. Wear old clothes and bring lunch if you want to stay all day. We provide tea and biscuits.

Meet at the Forest Centre (Marston Vale Millennium Country Park, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford. MK43 0PR) - finishes about 4.15pm. Places on this task are limited so please let us know if you wish to attend. For further details contact stephen.gascoyne@marstonvale.org or 01234 762614.

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Blows Down Litter Pick

Date: Sunday 17 March 2013 Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm

Come and help the Blows Downs Conservation Group to keep this local nature reserve looking beautiful.

Event: Outdoor Activity
Location: Blows Downs Nature Reserve, Dunstable. Meet near to the Half Moon Lane entrance
Price: Free. Just Turn Up On The Day
Audience: Everyone Welcome: Children must be accompanied by an adult
Contact: Ruth Sneath for further information Tel: 01525 874317
Email: ruth.sneath@wildlifebcn.org

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Blows Down Community Open Day

Date: Sunday 24 March 2013 Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm

Come along and find out more about this local nature reserve at Blows Downs

Event: Activities for Adults and Children Location: Blows Downs Nature Reserve, Dunstable. Meet near to the Half Moon Lane entrance Price: Donations gratefully accepted Audience: Everyone Welcome: Children must be accompanied by an adult Contact: Ruth Sneath for further information Tel: 01525 874317 Email: ruth.sneath@wildlifebcn.org

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Easing the Fear of Crime

A new "Houghton Regis Community Safety Action Group" has been set up. The group consists of Councillor and staff representatives from the Town and Central Bedfordshire Councils, Bedfordshire Police, Anti-Social Behaviour Team, housing officers, youth workers, community workers and Street Watch. The Action Group also want local people to play their part.

Actual crime statistics show no overall increase.  In the period from 1st November 2012 to 31st January 2013 there has been a 12 per cent reduction in anti-social behaviour compared with the same period last year. But greater awareness of crime through social networking media has heightened concerns.The group aims to help reduce ASB, and ease the fear of crime.

By working together:

• The Police and the ASB team have obtained an interim ASBO against a local youth and are currently evaluating evidence against another.

• Five young people from the Sandringham Drive area have signed up to Acceptable Behaviour Contracts and enquires are continuing with other young people.

• Local residents with support from Aldwyck housing association and the council’s ASB team and Crimebeat Co-ordinator are also working on proposals to give young people more activities to do and are planning the set up of a youth facility in the Sandringham Drive area.

Local people can play their part:

• If an incident is happening there and then and it is a crime, like criminal damage, then people should ring 999.

• If the incident has already happened, call the Police on 101.

• If you know who is responsible for anti-social behaviour let the ASB team know on 0300 300 8302 so that they can start to build up evidence against individuals.

Information Meetings this week for Adoption and Fostering

The Adoption and Fostering service is organizing special drop-in meetings this week.

To help celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender week information evenings are to be held on Tuesday the 5th at Chicksands, Shefford SG17 5TQ 6.30pm to 8pm; and Thurs 7th March from 6.30 p.m. to 8 pm at Bedford Borough Council, Borough Hall, Bedford MK42 9AP.
Meetings are open to all, but if you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, you are particularly welcome.

To find out more call the service on 0300 300 8181.

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Local Youth To Perform Bugsy Malone

A hit musical will play at the local theatre later this year. And local youth is invited to come and perform in it.
Auditions for a new performance of Bugsy Malone to be performed at Grove Theatre take place later this month. Any young person who is interested in performing is invited to attend one of the sessions.
Saturday 16th March at Dunstable Leisure Centre from 2pm until 3.30pm ages 8 to 12. From 3.30 to 4.30pm ages 13 to 21.
Monday 18th March at Grove Theatre Dunstable from 4.30pm until 6pm for ages 8 to 12. From 6pm until 7.30pm for ages 13 to 21.
More info email info@rareproductions.co.uk

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Low Cost Composting Equipment

Central Bedfordshire Council has teamed up with www.getcomposting.com to help you beat the price increase at the start of April. Get composting this Spring and save a little more. As Spring approaches and our thoughts turn to our gardens, make sure you take advantage of a limited offer to get a discounted compost bin. Composting is a great way to help our gardens bloom and more than a third of household waste is made up of organic material which can be composted at home. Grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, unwanted plants, fruit and vegetable peelings, tea bags and even the contents of the vacuum bag are all ideal for composting.

Cllr Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities Services at the council said, “We want to encourage you to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfill. Composting selected kitchen and garden waste is an easy and effective way of recycling some of the waste we produce every day, while putting nutrients back into our gardens and the wider environment. It is simple to get started and you may be surprised at how empty your black bin is when you compost at home and use all the recycling services.“While the new deal will still offer superb value, I’d encourage anyone thinking of getting into composting to buy a bin before the end of March to save that little bit extra!” Prices for compost bins start at only £9 with a £5 delivery charge and a range of accessories to choose from. There is also a ‘Buy one get one half price’ offer for residents with larger gardens.

For further information about these products, call 0844 571 444 and quote reference CBC01L. Alternatively, you can order your home compost bin and composting accessories online: www.cbc.getcomposting.com

Recommended Gypsy & Traveller Sites and timetable

At Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 28th February at Central Bedfordshire Council, 7 sites were approved for recommendation for Gypsy and Traveller Sites, and 66 pitches.


The recommended sites and number of proposed pitches on each are:

• Land West of A6, South of Faldo Road and West of Barton-le-Clay – 10 pitches
• Land South West of Park Corner Farm and South of Dunton Lane – 10 pitches
• Land East of Potton Road and South of Ram Farm – 10 pitches
• Land South of Fairfield and West of Stotfold Rd – 10 pitches
• Land East of M1, Tingrith – 4 pitches
• Land E of Watling Street and S of Dunstable – 9 pitches
• 1 Old Acres, Barton Road, Pulloxhill – 5 pitches (and authorisation of the current 8 unauthorised pitches already there)

Kennel Farm Holdings, to the east of Biggleswade, was recommended separately as a site for accommodation for Travelling Showpeople.

The committee also recommended to the Executive that the Council look to plan for a total 157 Gypsy and Traveller and 22 pitches for Travelling Showpeople in the period up to 2031. The council will look at means of meeting the outstanding allocation required.

The committee recommended that the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan – which was consulted on in September last year – would be approved for publication too. The recommendations will now go before the council’s Executive and then full Council.

Cllr Nigel Young, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities (Strategic Planning and Economic Development) said: “We’re acutely aware of the significance of this debate for both the settled and the traveller communities and this was reflected in the numbers of people who attended yesterday’s meeting. Identifying a shortlist of sites has not been easy and the recommendations that the committee made to Executive have been based on the three waves of assessment, visits we’ve made to each site and comments and feedback we’ve received from the community. It was important to us to listen to as many representations as we could and we’ve also received more than 3000 written representations beforehand as well.

“These sites will provide 66 pitches and will help fulfil our requirements for appropriate accommodation for the next ten years. The Council’s Executive will look at these recommendations before full Council and then we will open it for full public consultation later in the spring.”

An extract of the morning's tweeting:

https://www.facebook.com/houghton.regis.news.desk ..._comment

An extract of the afternoon's tweeting: https://www.facebook.com/houghton.regis.news.desk...comment_id=25193008


TIMETABLE
May 2013: Formal consultation on Draft Development Plan Document which includes list of preferred sites.
Aug -Sept 2013: The Plan will then go through to a Publication stage.
January 2014: Submission of Plan to the Secretary of State.
April 2014: An Inspector for the Secretary of State will then hold Examination Hearings where objectors can expand on their objections.
June-July 2014: The Inspector’s Report, based on his findings following the consultation and the Examination Hearings and including his recommendations, anticipated.
September 2014: Adoption of the Development Plan Document

Previously on Houghton Regis News Desk...
FEBRUARY 2013
G & T Meeting Limited to 180
Bidwell Scores Highly As A Potential G&T Site
Two Weeks to Go To Find Out Which Gypsy and Travel...

JANUARY 2013
Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan
Gypsy and Traveller Sites Consultation Later This ...

2012
Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan For more information on the gypsy and traveller plan visit: http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/planning/strategic-planning/gypsy-and-traveller-plan.aspx

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