NCT Nearly New Sale - 28th September

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, Dunstable, LU6 3BJ from 11.15am – 12.30pm. NCT members can gain early entry with a valid membership card at 11am. Find out more online www.nct.org.uk/branches/dunstable or on our Facebook page

Your local NCT Nearly New Sale offers an affordable alternative to trawling the high street for pricey baby products. Meanwhile, families with baby goods they no longer need can ensure they go to a good home and make some cash at the same time. Items must be in excellent condition, and sellers keep up to 70% of the proceeds while the rest is returned to fund NCT’s work.

NCT Nearly New Sales, sponsored by Persil Non-Bio and Comfort Pure, are the charity’s largest fundraiser, raising over £1 million every year to help support parents in their communities and through UK wide projects. They help NCT branches provide face-to-face support to parents on their doorsteps, as well as funding national helplines, breastfeeding counselling, training antenatal and postnatal teachers and many more services.

Sally Thurbon, NNS Coordinator, NCT Dunstable & District Branch, says: “NCT Nearly New Sales are a simple idea, with so many benefits. Some parents sell items they no longer need, others hunt for bargains, and whether you’re buying, selling or both you can be sure you’re helping to support other parents in the Dunstable area by funding NCT charity’s vital work. The Sales are open to everyone, not just NCT members, so we hope to see you there!”
ENDS

For more information contact Sally Thurbon on 07932 669287 or email nnsdunstable@yahoo.co.uk

Notes to Editors:
• NCT Nearly New Sales are sponsored by Persil Non-Bio and Comfort Pure.
• NCT is the UK’s largest parent charity. Each year the charity supports millions of parents through their first 1,000 days, offering expert information and trusted practical and emotional support through its website, helpline, the nationwide network of over 300 local branches, antenatal and postnatal classes, breastfeeding counselling and peer support schemes. For more information call NCT on 0300 330 0770 or visit www.nct.org.uk.
• The survey was done for NCT by One Poll.  It surveyed 1000 parents of 0-3 year olds, online, between 28 February 2013 and 4 March 2013. It also revealed that the main reason for buying things for their child second-hand was to save money (67%) as well as being able to get more for their money (34%) and being able to buy more expensive brands at lower costs (29%).
• For more information on the NCT survey on second hand baby goods contact press@nct.org.uk or tel: 020 8752 2404

Minister Opens Houghton Regis Dunstable Luton Busway

Festival for Older People - 10th October 2013

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 better understanding and respect.

Statutory and voluntary organisations and local groups who offer advice and information about local services for older people, such as social care, health, housing, leisure activities, holistic services and much more, will be invited to take a stand and exhibit at the event.

Entertainment throughout the day will include a magician, belly dancing and physical activities.

If you would like to take a stand at the Festival please contact Nikki at info@healthwatch-centralbedfordshire.org.uk by 27th September 2013. In order to secure space at the Festival there is a small charge to exhibit; details are available from Nikki at the above email address.  Or call 0300 303 8554.

Pizza Delivery Man Robbed In Houghton Regis

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 you have information relating to this incident, contact DC Godfree, in confidence, on 01582 394443, 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.

Curious about becoming a Musical Star?

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 4QP

· Leighton Linslade Music Centre, Vandyke Upper School, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 2AE

Costs

Full membership (for attendance for the full three hours each week) costs £76.50, part-time membership (for attendance for one and a half hours each week) costs £51.

For more information about Inspiring Music activities, visit the service's website, http://www.inspiringmusic.co.uk

Age 16-24? FREE Driving Courses In Luton and Central Bedfordshire

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 demonstrate varying stopping distances.

Five workshops, covering driving skills, maintenance, what to look for when buying a used car and distractions and safety, will be run by the local authorities, Bedfordshire Police and Three Shires Driving School.

Your Blood Pressure Is Too High!

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

Exciting Kindle Reader Deals

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 monthly fees for only £169. 

OUTLINE PERMISSION FOR DEVELOPMENT NORTH OF HOUGHTON REGIS

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 20 years to complete.

The development will also make a £45m [contribution] towards the construction of the A5-M1 Link Road and will help to deliver the new Woodside Link road which are both much needed to relieve congestion in the local area. As well as serving the development, the new A5-M1 Link, a 2.9 stretch of dual carriageway north of Dunstable and Houghton Regis, has wider strategic importance. By relieving traffic congestion - particularly in our town centres - and providing quick links to the motorway network it will support the regeneration of both Dunstable and Houghton Regis and make the area even more attractive to business.

The contribution to the Link Road and other community facilities that the development will provide will be subject to a 'Section 106' planning agreement. Councillors granted outline planning permission subject to the completion of this planning agreement and referral to the Secretary of State.

Because the development site is designated as Green Belt land, the application needs to be referred to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, for a further decision on the planning permission. He will have the choice of allowing the application to be determined locally or requesting a 'call in', prompting a planning inquiry overseen by an independent planning inspector.

Cllr Nigel Young, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities (Strategic Planning and Economic Development) says: "This decision marks a significant milestone in our plans to meet identified housing needs for the next generation and to stimulate economic growth across southern Bedfordshire cementing our position as a great location for innovation and opportunity and will create thousands of new jobs.

"The principle of promoting growth through an extension of Houghton Regis was first established ten years ago and this has informed our planning assumptions that this application has followed. There has been a lot of consultation with residents both on the principle and detail of this development and we have worked hard with the developers through the Environmental Statement and the Planning Agreement to ensure the best deal for those living nearest to the development and for the wider community."

In addition to the Section 106 agreement, the developers have produced a plan to take account of and manage the impacts of the development. At least 78 hectares of the 260 hectare site - 30 per cent- will be open space. In addition, the developers will have to agree to construction controls and the provision of necessary community facilities and infrastructure.

Councillor Young adds: "The developers have emphasised that they are also fully committed to working in partnership with the Council and local community to ensure that the development 'comes out of the ground' in the right way over its lifetime."

The application is expected to be submitted to the Secretary of State by the end of this month. He will then have 28 days to decide how he wants to proceed.

The proposed North of Houghton Regis development stretches south to north from urban area of Houghton Regis up to the route of the A5-M1 Link Road and east to west from the M1 to the A5120 and Bidwell village.

Decision:
HRN1 Outline Planning Permission Granted. Details of Planning Application - CB/12/03613/OUT

Find out more at www.hrn1.co.uk (site not always available)
January 2013 - Over 900 Responses to 'Woodside Connection' Consultation For Houghton Regis Bypass
January 2013  - Green Field Sites Around Houghton Regis Set For 5150 Homes
November 2012- NEW DEVELOPMENTS FOR HOUGHTON REGIS
August 2012 - Houghton Regis Northern Developments
15th April 2013 - Luton Borough Council's response to Central Bedfordshire Council‟s Pre-submission Development Strategy consultation January 2013 and matters relating to the Sustainable Urban Extension Houghton Regis North 1 (HRN1) planning application consultation
28th August 2013 LATE PAPERS - DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE – 28 August 2013 
December 2014 - Luton Borough Council had challenged the decision by the Secretary of State to permit development, in the courts, but their challenge was dismissed by the judge in December 2014 who said, "It is most unfortunate that this project, which will deliver much needed development and nationally important infrastructure, has been delayed by a challenge lacking in legal merit."[Judgement]

Free Biking courses for Young Adults

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 David on 01234 490492