Houghton Regis News Desk

Concern has been raised that signatures have been collected in Tithe Farm Road, Houghton Regis, under false pretences.

A petition was raised by concerned residents to combat a proposal to put parking restrictions around the school in Tithe Farm Road.  On the dunstabletoday.co.uk web site, it is stated that resident Tania Allman, who drew up the petition, was due to have handed it to the Central Bedfordshire Council on Friday (July 26).

Tania is quoted on the web site as saying “It’s going to be difficult to find somewhere else to park if the council don’t put in additional parking for the residents. We’ve had about 200 signatures.”

But in the Facebook group "Houghton Regis ......Whats Occurring in our Community???" one lady wrote, "there was a lady who came to our door today getting people to sign a petition about double yellow lines being placed all way down tithe farm road, we signed it. only to fined out we had been mislead as hubby went to library and got plans and …

Facebook doesn't send you everything, so here's a place to catch up with what you may have missed.

20/7 - The Houghton Regis North 1 Planning Application No: CB/12/03613/OUT is due to be considered at a Special Development Management Committee on 28 August. Plans at http://tinyurl.com/hrn1-plans

20/7 - Promotion: This weekend at the Kings Arms Houghton Funky town disco Friday and The Broadway Twisters on Saturday. [post seen by 799, No likes]

20/7 - Promotion: Party in The park. [post seen by 50, 9 LIKES]

19/7 - report of closure of Mepershall care home.

18/7 - promotion : SHOW UP, SHOW OFF, Central Bedfordshire’s 2013 Talent competition
NEAREST LOCAL VENUE: 7th August Pioneer Centre Manchester Place Dunstable, LU6 1HT
Entries close: 21st July 2013
Finalists masterclass 21st September
Grand final 5th October 2013
If you’re aged between 12 & 18 years old, and have a talent to share, go to http://www.showupshowoff.co.uk/ and register.
More info, including terms & conditions o…

Local author, Carrie King, visited the Houghton Regis Carnival yesterday to promote her books, and offer signed copies. You can find Carrie's books on Amazon. 




When she was eight, her family moved from Sharpenhoe to Bidwell, and was educated in Dunstable. On her Amazon Page she write, "Wrote first Play at eight and forced siblings to act in front of Parent's House Guests."

As a young married woman with three daughters, any dream of becoming a doctor was soon left behind.

Carrie later wrote for television, encouraged by Christopher Walker, Head of Drama for Central Television and Pam Francis, Journalist for the Independent. In 1997 she began writing The Life in the Woodwith Joni-Pip for her Great Niece, three-year-old Joni Philipa. The novel evolved into an adventure for much older children.

WHAT OTHERS SAY: The American Chronicle: "Carrie King has written a brilliant book, (The Life in the Wood with), Joni Pip, that can stand beside the likes of Catcher in the Rye, T…

Did you witness Houghton Regis assault?

Police officers in Houghton Regis are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a 16 year old girl was subjected to a sexual assault as she was walking her dog in Houghton Regis.

The incident happened in Windsor field, just off Windsor Drive, on July 2 at approximately 1.30pm. The victim was approached by a man on a silver mountain bike.

The man began a conversation with the victim and during the ordeal kissed the victim and grabbed her inappropriately before exposing himself.

The victim managed to leave the scene and was able to run home where she reported the incident.

The man is described as black, 5’4” tall, 20 – 25 years old with an average build and a short black beard. His hair was black and in cane rows which met at the top of his head – giving a pineapple appearance. He wore a light blue polo shirt and light coloured jeans.

The officer in charge of this investigation, Detective Constable Phil Raikes is keen to trace anyone who may ha…

Locals, Eden Chimwe and Maria Mupayah are among the winners of a commemorative medal and certificate to thank them for their efforts in the School Crossing Patrol service.

A presentation ceremony was held to thank them for their service. Cllr David Bowater, Vice Chairman of Central Bedfordshire Council also presented book tokens to the winners of a school crossing banner competition.

School Crossing Patrols were formally recognised in Britain by the School Crossing Patrols Act in 1953. This year is the Diamond Jubilee for school crossings.

Schools with patrols were invited to enter an art competition showing their school’s patrol in action. Four winning entries were chosen to be printed on banners and displayed outside schools. 

The winners were: Ellie Gajewski from Totternhoe Lower School, Eden Chimwe from Thornhill Lower School, Maria Mupayah from Hawthorn Park Lower School and Ethan Valenti from Beaudesert Lower School.

Cllr Budge Wells, Deputy Executive Member for Sustainable Communiti…

Bedfordshire continues to stand up against crime as calls rise once again.

The charity, Crimestoppers, have revealed that year-on-year more and more information is being passed to police in Bedfordshire. Information passed on has grown by 21% in the past year.

Now in its 25th anniversary year, Crimestoppers charity continues to influence the fight against crime.
The charity guarantees anonymity to people who pass on information. The growth of information passed on shows that Crimestoppers is trusted.

Ann Scott, Eastern Regional Manager for Crimestoppers, said, “We are delighted that more people are choosing to put their trust in Crimestoppers with their information. Bedfordshire is one of the safest places in the UK to live.  The majority of the information was drugs related, but we also got lots of information about theft, drink driving, immigration offences, wanted people, burglary and fraud."

David Biles, new Chair of Bedfordshire Crimestoppers, added: “We've been incredib…

Poynters Road  -  Road Closure  Bus Services From 8th July for 11 weeks
Bus services in Dunstable, Houghton Regis and surrounding area will be affected by the closure of Poynters Road for 11 weeks. Buses are likely to be affected by expected congestion in the area. Arriva Arriva have chosen to operate with variations to routes and timetables, because of the additional journey times and maintain the same number of vehicles on the road. These are  detailed below: 24 (Dunstable  Katherine Drive  Lewsey Farm  Leagrave  Barnfield College  Luton. This will not operate between  Dunstable and Lewsey Farm. (except for a few peak journeys this college term). It will operate Lewsey Farm - Luton. A special service 24A will serve Katherine Drive  see below. 24A. Special service. Dunstable  Ridgeway Avenue  Duncombe Drive - Katherine Drive shops  Woodford Road  Dunstable (Mondays to Fridays  not evenings). 31 (Dunstable  Luton Road - L&D Hospital  Luton). This  will operate every 15 minutes inste…

Central Bedfordshire Council are proposing to introduce a number of parking bays for disabled badge holders only in:

Houghton RegisCemetery Road
Cumberland Street
Fensome Drive
Fenwick Road
Plaiters Way
Trident Drive

Others14 Church Mead, Studham

DunstableAlfred Street
Allenby Avenue
Chiltern Road
Churchill Road
Graham Road
Park Street
Victoria Street
The Public Notice will  be formally published on 3 July 2013 and can be viewed here.  

Proposals are formally published today for a variety of road restrictions in Houghton Regis and Dunstable. The Public Notice can be viewed here . If implemented, no waiting, no stopping, and limited waiting may be applied.  

Objections: should be sent in writing to the Transportation Manager, Bedfordshire Highways,
Woodlands Annex, Manton Lane, Bedford MK41 7NU or e-mail
centralbedsconsultation@amey.co.uk stating the grounds on which they are made by 26 July 2013.

The roads affected are:
Houghton RegisDouglas Crescent
Hilborough Crescent & Sundon Road
Hillborough Crescent
King Street & Queen Street
Parkside Drive & Brentwood Close
Tithe Farm Road and Camp Drive
Tithe Farm Road
Trident Drive

DunstableKingscroft Avenue
Borough Road & Howard Place
Brewers Hill Road & Drovers Way
Edward Street
Frenchs Avenue & Peppercorn Way
Frenchs Avenue
Humphrys Road
Southfields Road & Watling Gardens
Lancot Drive
Linden Close
Oakwood Avenue
Park Road
Princes Street
Staines Square
Totternhoe Road and …

New Tender Opportunity - Refurbishment of Parkside Family Centre
01-07-2013  - Parkside Family Centre
Closing date for Expressions of Interest is Monday, 8 July 2013
Closing date for receipt of tenders is 12.00 noon Friday 9 August 2013
Central Bedfordshire Council is seeking an experienced and competent  contractor, with a proven track record, wishing to be considered to tender for the above project at Houghton Regis.

Early expressions of interest are encouraged. 
http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/supply-the-council/default.aspx

Central Bedfordshire Council has learnt today that it has received support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund for the ‘Houghton Hall Park - Renaissance and Renewal’ project.

A development funding grant of £215,100 has been awardedto help Central Bedfordshire Council and its partners progress their plans to apply for a full grant in 2014.

Local ward councillor and supporter of the bid, Cllr Susan Goodchild, added: "I was absolutely delighted to hear this news! The local community have already been a part of the bid and we really hope that they will be involved going forward too. The plans would really give the area a sense of place, giving the opportunity for people to work in both traditional skills and also as educational volunteers. But it's not only about bringing together the people in our town to celebrate our heritage - we also hope that it will attract visitors to our area."

The project at Houghton Hall Park will seek to create a vibrant pa…