Houghton Regis News Desk

Understand your relationship with your business – FREE Taster Session22nd October 2014
1:30 – 2:30
If you’re struggling with pricing, you’re not confident with your brand, or your income isn’t matching your expectations, then you might enjoy this refreshing new approach to finding some answers. You’ll gain clarity and a whole new understanding about why certain areas of your business just aren't working the way you’d like.
Contact Sandra Swan 01582 413 013 to reserve your place or email on the 'Book Here' button.
FREE to attend.  Book HereUnderstand your relationship with your business
– Full Workshop6th November 2014
10am  - 12pm
Contact Sandra Swan 01582 413 013 to reserve your place or email on the 'Book Here' button.

Quote "CBCUYR" to Receive Your Discounted Rate. Discounted Rate £35 plus vat.

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) has received confirmation from trade unions that members will be taking part in industrial action starting at 7am on Monday (13th October). The action will take the form of a strike between 7-11am and is part of a national dispute over NHS pay.

At the moment, the Trust does not know how many staff will take industrial action but it is likely that the service will experience a reduction in its available workforce during these hours on Monday.

Steve Wheaton, Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer for Resilience and Specialist Operations said: “A considerable amount of contingency planning has taken place in preparation for this strike.  We have been working closely with our union colleagues to ensure that those who need an emergency ambulance response get one.”

He continued: “However, there is likely to be some disruption to the 999 service and as always we are urging the public to think about using alternative services especially durin…

A fresh application for a "proposed development of 12 x 1 bedroom flats arranged in 3 blocks of 2 storeys with parking and all ancillary works" goes before Houghton Regis Town Council tomorrow evening (Monday) evening for local councillors to make their comments.

The applicant's site is at The Dog And Duck, Parkside Drive, which is currently undergoing major refurbishment of the commercial premises downstairs, and 1 large upstairs flat is being converted to three smaller flats.

The 12 new flats would be built on the present car parking area. 21 parking spaces for visitors to the commercial premises would be provided on land at the northern side. Local people have long regarded the northern side as public amenity land, but it does in fact form part of the applicants site. On the southern edge of the applicant's site is a car park owned by the Town Council which is heavily used at weekends by visiting football teams.

The application can be viewed online at  http://www.…

New Work Clubs launched to boost employment and skills

New Work Clubs for adults who are looking for jobs, training, further learning or volunteering, have launched.

The free clubs, run by Voluntary and Community Action in partnership with Central Bedfordshire Council have qualified advisers at every session to help with job searches, preparing a CV or job application, interview preparation, and exploring career options or volunteering as a way of getting into work, changing career or developing skills and interests.

The Work Clubs are open from 9.30 to 12.00pm and 1.00pm to 3.00pm at the following local locations:

 *   Houghton Regis Kingsland – every Tuesday morning at the Kingsland Skills and Enterprise Centre, Parkside Drive LU5 5PY
 *   Houghton Regis Town Centre – every Monday afternoon at Houghton Regis Library (Meeting Room), Bedford Square, Tithe Farm Road LU5 5ES
 *   Dunstable Town Centre – every Tuesday at Grove Corner, 76a High Street North LU6 1NF


              *Work Clu…

Bedfordshire Police launched a major crackdown on burglary across the South of the county this week. Working with local authorities and partners Operation Albiorix, which runs throughout October and November, aims to prevent and reduce the seasonal increase in burglaries during this period. The Police will be focusing on South Bedfordshire’s burglary hotspots to detect crimes, deter and arrest offenders and reassure residents they are fighting crime, and protecting the public.

Chief Inspector Tania Coulson explains: “It is well known that burglary increases each autumn as the nights draw in, with offences peaking in November just as people prepare for Christmas. Operation Albiorix aims to improve intelligence, increase the detection and deterrence of already identified offenders, step up support for victims and inform residents of the best ways to protect their home and property.
“With Operation Albiorix we are trying something different, both with our partners and with our approach; us…

Houghton Regis Town Council's Pride of Houghton Awards were held at All Saints Academy on Wednesday.

Pictured here are the three award winners.

The Right Track Community Café for "Always putting 100% effort to make the café work every week, with a huge smile on their face".

Sally Langford for "A ray of sunshine, always ready to help give her time and energy to making everyone feel special".

Adeyinka Akinrinade for "Invaluable member of Art Town, always showing a keen interest to learn, always wanting to lend a hand". Making the presentations was Town Mayor, Councillor Laura Ellaway.

Guests were welcomed by Town Clerk, Clare Evans, followed by a speech by the Town Mayor. Cllr Ellaway told the audience that her nomination in 2008, before she was a councillor, was a winner, and never thought that she would one day be in a position to present the awards to local people herself. Mr. Hunt, a long term resident of the town, gave a talk of the 'Variances …

There was a burglary at Westminster Gardens on Sunday the 5th of October, between 3:30 p.m. and, 8:15 p.m. The offenders have gained entry by smashing glass in the rear door, and have made a messy search. Various items were taken. Crime Reference: J D / 3 8 6 3 7 / 2014. 
There was an attempted burglary at Enfield Close. Offenders have attempted to forced open the garage shutter. No entry was gained, damage has been caused. Crime Reference: J D / 3 8 6 0 4 / 2014.
Crime Reduction Advice Check that all doors, windows and side gates are locked at all times. Ensure that security lighting covers the building. Make sure that any connecting doors in the house are secure at all times. Consider fitting a garage alarm; valuable property can be secured in a cage or bolted to the ground. Make your boundaries difficult or impossible to climb over. Keep doors and windows locked at all times. Remove all keys from the locks and keep them in a safe place out of view. Keep hallways clear of valuables li…

Coming up at The INCUBA:1-2-1 Advisory – Free to attend
21st October 2014, 18th November 2014
Receive advice on anything including business start-up plans.
To book contact Dawn Bell 01582 433 700.
Connect.ed Networking - £15+VAT 
13th October 2014, 10th November 2014 and 15th December 2014
9am – 10:30am Bring local businesses and community groups together to make meaningful and useful connections.Help to develop business growth,Aid collaborations and raise profiles and understanding of those organisations attending.Provide a learning element within each session.Add value by giving new ideas and skills to business owners / managers
To book: Click hereOr call 01582 343810 for further information.

T he Bedfordshire and Luton Casualty Reduction Partnership is going to be running a free winter skills training event to help riders feel confident on the roads throughout the colder months.
The event takes place  on Sunday 19 October at Dunstable Community Fire Station. Riders will learn about the hazards of  riding in the winter months, suitable clothing,  and what to do if you are first on the scene of a collision.
R iders will have the chance of  a slow riding skills training session from a qualified instructor. A  Senior Observer at the Herts and Beds Advanced Motorcyclists organisation will attend.
Chief Inspector Hann of the Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire Road Policing Unit, said: “Winter presents a number of new challenges to motorcyclists, particularly when the weather is poor and the temperature drops. This course will really help to give riders confidence and teach them skills that will help to ensure they are safe.

“We want to help local people and motorcyclists to be…

Please find link below for this weeks’ projects and opportunities :- https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0ByQBCAHt4M8scVF4RHU0UWlWa0k&usp=sharing