Houghton Regis News Desk

LET YOUR BABY BOOM ON A BUDGET AT NCT DUNSTABLE & DISTRICT NEARLY NEW SALE The rising cost of living and tough economic climate mean many families are having to tighten their belts. Recent NCT research showed that one in two new parents (50%) had bought second hand baby or toddler items in the last six months and the majority were more likely to buy things such as baby or toddler clothes, toys, prams and high chairs second-hand rather than new. Cash-strapped parents and parents-to-be in Dunstable and District can find all the top quality baby clothes, toys and equipment they need at an upcoming NCT Nearly New Sale, and save around 70% on what they would cost brand new. Well-established and trusted by over 200,000 parents who visit them every year, NCT Nearly New Sales represent the best sales of excellent quality used baby and children’s items. NCT Dunstable & District Branch Nearly New Sale is on Saturday 28th September 2013 at Watling Lower School, Bullpond Lane,

Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire are working in partnership with Central Bedfordshire Council, Aragon Housing and their residents group (ROAR) together with the Older Peoples Reference Group (OPRG) to host this year’s Festival for Older People. UK Older People’s Day which falls on the 1st October with this special event. The Festival for Older People will be held on - Thursday 10th October 2013, at Flitwick Village Hall starting at 10.00 until 14.30. This year the focus for the day is about sharing the skills and experience between different generations. Encouraging people to prepare well for and enjoy a positive later life benefits each of us individually and society as a whole. The day therefore celebrates later life and the huge contribution older people make to their communities. Everyone has a parent or grandparent, colleague or friend who they look to for advice and to learn from - Older People’s Day is all about bringing older and younger people together to create bette

Bedfordshire Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a pizza delivery driver was attacked and robbed by a gang of youths in Houghton Regis on Saturday night (September 14). The incident took place at around 9pm as the victim was making a delivery in Trident Drive. As he made his way down an alleyway to the front of the house, he was approached by a gang of around ten males – all in their mid to late teens - who demanded that he handed over the order and any money he was carrying. One of the group then assaulted the victim before they fled with two large pizzas, two side orders, drinks and around £20 in cash. The main offender is described as being a black male, between 15 and 18 years old, five feet four inches tall, wearing a black hooded top, black tracksuit bottoms and black gloves. Detective Constable Mandy Godfree, who is investigating the incident, is keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the attack or may have information about the offenders. If

A new term of Inspiring Music starts this week at four music centres across Central Bedfordshire. Residents in Houghton Regis have a choice of travelling to Ampthill, Biggleswade, Dunstable or Leighton Buzzard  for Musical Sessions when the venues throw open their doors from this Saturday (14 September). Activities will cater for all ages and instruments, including early years and beginners. There’s a huge range of musical instruments and different activities on offer, including African Drumming , Rock bands , Jazz groups , Ukuleles and much, much more. The Saturday morning sessions take place between 9.15am and 12.30pm during term time and Inspiring Music staff will be on hand to offer and advice and answer questions. Venues · Ampthill Music Centre - Redborne Upper School, Flitwick Road, Ampthill MK45 2NU · Biggleswade Music Centre - Biggleswade Academy,Mead End, Biggleswade, SG18 8JU · Dunstable Music Centre, Barnfield Vale Academy, Wilbury Drive, Dunstable, LU5 4Q

Only a few places are left on a young people's driving course! Get advice, drive on a skid -pan or even learn about rallying! The driving courses are open to young drivers from across Central Bedfordshire and Luton Borough Council areas, and the Councils are funding them. The courses run on 22 September 2013. 16 to 24 year olds living in the area should sign up by writing to roadsafety@amey.co.uk . MORE 16 is aimed at 16 year-olds to provide their first experience of driving. Parents are encouraged to participate to receive advice on choosing a driving instructor and how to help their teens when practising. A high-speed passenger ride with a Millbrook pro-driver with competition history in motorsport such as rallying or racing is available to all parents that attend. MORE Drive offers 17 to 24 year olds , who have already passed their driving test, the chance to drive on a skid-pan and experience ABS braking systems, as well as practising emergency stops at speed to demons

10% of people tested have blood pressure that is too high, warns East of England Air Ambulance e Service .

Imagine reading outside in bright sunlight on an e-reader!  The new Paperwhite from Kindle allows you to do just that. The Paperwhite features a higher-contrast display, a built-in light, a powerful new processor, and the latest touchscreen technology. The new devices are dedicated to reading.  Perhaps surprisingly, unlike a tablet, Kindle Paperwhite will not get heavy as you read. And you won't get annoying pop-up messages to tell you that your Aunty Flo has just fed the pigs on Apple Farm! It won't interrupt your story with e-mails or other alerts, and the battery lasts ages, not hours. And, you can carry on reading outdoors any time the sun suddenly brightens up your world from behind a cloud. Kindle Paperwhite was built without compromise to deliver the ultimate reading experience, and is available for only £109. Reading has never been so enjoyable.  Kindle Paperwhite 3G also comes with free 3G wireless no hunting or paying for Wi-Fi hotspots, no annual contracts or m

Central Bedfordshire Press Release For Immediate Release PR 1682 05 September 2013 OUTLINE PERMISSION FOR DEVELOPMENT NORTH OF HOUGHTON REGIS A major residential, commercial and community development on land north of Houghton Regis has today been granted outline planning permission by Central Bedfordshire Council's Development Management Committee. The scheme put forward by the Houghton Regis Development Consortium, comprises 5,150 homes and 216,200 sqm of buildings supporting employment, retail, leisure and community facilities including a care home. The new development will create 2,500 jobs within the new retail and industrial provision and a further 2,500 jobs during construction. Forming part of the larger Houghton Regis North extension proposed in the Council's emerging Development Strategy, the permission will deliver a big proportion of the 7,000 homes identified for this area to meet growing local housing and employment needs and will take some

FREE COURSE FOR 16years-20years old  BIKERS: Young adults planning to travel by moped, scooter or motorbike can visit http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/training/take-control to book onto a Take Control course with a local instructor. Each course lasts for four hours and is made up of a majority of  on-road riding and a small amount of classroom work (usually involving a cup of tea and a chat about bikes!), the main focus of the course is to provide riders with the skills and knowledge to make better decisions on the road. Our instructors will assess your riding and will be able to help with any areas of riding you want to work on. To take part just contact one of the local training bodies who are supporting the scheme; 1 on 1 Rider Training – call Martyn on 01525 631 006 Bedford Motorcycle Training – call Sue on 01234 766590 Chiltern Motorcycle Training – call Dave on 07806 601180 Assured Motorcycle Training – call Audrey on 01582 877338 CAMRider Motorcycle Training call Davi