M1 Motorway Disruption Bedfordshire 30 March to 9 April

Travel on the M1 will be disrupted during late March and early April in Bedfordshire while new bridges are constructed between junctions 11 and 12.

Traffic flow will be managed using temporary lane closures and a reduced 50mph speed limit. Over the period of the works, the speed limit will be in place and monitored by average-speed cameras.

Work has commenced on both carriageways.  Highways England will maintain a minimum of three lanes of traffic in each direction on the motorway. While the new junction is being built, the hard shoulder on the M1 will be closed between junctions 11 and 12 in both directions.  Three lanes will remain open during the day with traffic running on lanes 1, 2 and 3 with occasional overnight lane closures in place.   

The schedule below lists only road works which include full carriageway closures requiring diversions. All planned roadworks are subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.

1/4/2016: Change to plan - On 2nd April, the southbound carriageway will be closed and not the northbound

Please note that in the schedule the date given for a night time closure is the date on which the closure begins. For example, a night-time closure on 1 March between 11pm and 6am will begin at 11pm on 1 March and end at 6am on 2 March.

Clearly signed diversions will be in place.

2 April, 4-7 April and 9 April – closure of M1 northbound between junctions 11 and 12.

M1 northbound traffic should exit at junction 11 and turn left along the A505. Traffic should turn right at the junction onto the A5 and travel north as far as the signal-controlled junction with the A5120. There traffic should turn right and travel along the A5120 Houghton Road to the roundabout in Houghton Regis. Here it should turn left and continue on the A5120 through Toddington to re-join the M1 at junction 12.

30 March to 2 April  and 8 April - closure of M1 southbound between junctions 12 and 11.

M1 southbound traffic should exit at junction 12 and turn right along the A5120. At the roundabout in Houghton Regis traffic should turn right towards Dunstable. At the junction with the A5 turn left and head south. At the traffic lights with the A505 turn left towards Luton to re-join the motorway at junction 11.

Further information at http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/a5-m1-link-dunstable-northern-bypass/

​Man U's Rio Ferdinand Foundation to Set Up in Houghton Regis

Rio Ferdinand teams with Central Bedfordshire Council in bid to leave lasting Legacy in Houghton Regis

Former England captain Rio Ferdinand has today announced Government-backed plans to partner Central Bedfordshire Council and regenerate one of the most deprived areas in Houghton Regis with a world-class sports academy and education and community facilities to transform the lives of young people.

Legacy – the former Manchester United defender's regeneration company, set up in 2015 with footballers Mark Noble (West Ham United) and Bobby Zamora (Brighton) – will partner Central Bedfordshire Council to revitalise Kingsland area of Houghton Regis.

Set in the 22-hectare Kingsland site, this is an innovative pilot scheme which Legacy aims to roll out across the UK. It will see Houghton Regis benefit from a leading sports academy – with potential as the base for the Rio Ferdinand Foundation – while the former England international will personally coach aspiring young footballers. With sport at its heart, this will help engage young people and encourage them to better their lives and career prospects by linking education, leisure, sports and skills with new home.

Rio Ferdinand, chairman of Legacy, said: "We aim to help all young people develop to their full potential. My team-mates and I have seen at first hand the transformational effect that football can have on young lives. It transformed my life and I intend to use my platform to forge a legacy for young people everywhere. Legacy is building for people by responding to the needs of local communities and, by doing this across the UK, we will be building a brand and a long-term relationship with the people who live in our homes."

Today at MIPIM 2016 – alongside Rio Ferdinand and Housing Minister Brandon Lewis MP – Central Bedfordshire Council Leader Cllr James Jamieson introduced a six-month period of exclusivity with Legacy to develop the plans for the Kingsland project.

He said: "At Central Bedfordshire we're all about transforming communities, making places the very best they can be and enhancing life chances for residents, especially the young, by giving them the skills to change their futures.

"We are both proud and excited to be working with people who share these ambitions, colleagues from Central Government, our partners in Aviva and, of course, the inspiring and passionate advocate of social change, Rio Ferdinand. So it is with delight that we announce these plans for Kingsland as a statement of intent to regenerate 22 hectares of our land for this inspirational sport-led development, to be brought forward by Legacy."  

Rio Ferdinand is enthusiastic about working in Houghton Regis, saying: "Kingsland is a great example of the developments Legacy wants to roll out to key locations across the UK. We aim to start on site in early 2017 and to be delivering the first of our high-quality homes to a new generation of home-makers in Houghton Regis within a year of that date. Central Bedfordshire responded quickly to our request for sites, agreeing to work together to bring forward much-needed regeneration. The funding is in place via institutional and private equity, so we're up and running."

Cllr James Jamieson said: "We want to truly make Central Bedfordshire a great place to live and work. Kingsland will help further regenerate Houghton Regis".

Central Bedfordshire and DCLG will be working alongside the Legacy team on the Kingsland Houghton Regis development, which includes Aviva Investors, agents Colliers International and planning consultants Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners.

To keep up-to-date on this project as it progresses, go to www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/kingsland. For inward investment enquiries with Central Bedfordshire Council, go to www.becentralbedfordshire.com

• About Kingsland - Kingsland is a 22-hectare site in Houghton Regis. The site is approximately 50% unused green open space, already identified within the Houghton Regis North 1 (HRN1) development for redevelopment. The site includes various education establishments (University Technical College, Central Bedfordshire College, Houghton Regis Academy, Chiltern Special School, Academy of Central Bedfordshire, Priory Parkside, Kingfishers, the council's Adult Skills Service) and Houghton Regis Leisure Centre. 

• Photo credit: A D Winter, floodlights on disused playing arena on part of Kingsland site. 

2016, March: Charitable Funding Opportunities For Your Group or Organisation

 

			Funding E-Bulletin
	Newsletter				March 2016
		Voluntary and Community Action
	Welcome to the March 2016 issue of the Funding E-Bulletin from Voluntary and Community Action.
	ACT Foundation
	ACT provides grants to individuals and other charities, with the aim of enhancing the quality of life for people in need, (specifically the mentally and physically disabled). Applications can be submitted at any time. The Grants Manager, The ACT Foundation (ACT), 61 Thames Street, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1QW, Tel: 01753 753900 E-mail: info@theactfoundation.co.uk  Website: http://www.theactfoundation.co.uk/
	The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation
	Funding is available to not-for-profit organisations, including charities, companies and community trusts, for projects in the areas of culture and the arts that make a real and ongoing difference to people's lives in the UK. Applications can be made at any time. The Foundation aims to provide a decision within five to eight months. Sarah Miller, The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, Sydmonton Court Estate, Burghclere, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 9NJ, Tel: 01635 278 594, E-mail: sarah@andrewlloydwebberfoundation.com Website: http://www.andrewlloydwebberfoundation.com/
	ASDA Foundation
	The ASDA Foundation assists charities, people and projects within the UK that require financial assistance. The Foundation can only support a limited number of requests that have the direct support and involvement from ASDA colleagues. ASDA colleagues will support many local charities, local community groups, schools, playgroups, community centres and football teams. Applications may be made at any time. Enquiries, ASDA, Asda House, Southbank, Great Wilson Street, Leeds, LS11 5AD Website: http://your.asda.com/
	John Coldman Charitable Trust
	The scheme is intended to support local and other projects giving particular consideration to those involved with young people, the underprivileged and communities in need as well as medical research. Previous grants have been for between £250 and £20,000.   The application process is ongoing and interested applicants may apply at any time. Applications must be made in writing.   Enquiries, John Coldman Charitable Trust, Lockskinners Farmhouse, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 7NA, E-Mail: johncoldman@benfieldpartners.com
	Lennox and Wyfold Foundation
	Grants are available to registered charities in support of a variety of charitable causes. No fixed grants value although most grants are between £5,000 and £10,000 for project costs. Applications may be submitted at any time and are considered twice a year by the Trustees. Martin Betts, Lennox and Wyfold Foundation, RF Trustee Co. Limited, 15 Suffolk Street, London, SW1Y 4HG
	The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust
	Grants are available to charities for a range of projects. The project area changes each year. The Trust operates a three-year rotation of categories for applications. 2016: Children and Young People. There are two deadlines per year: 1 June and 1 November and grants are between £1,000 and £3,000 for project costs. Karen Frank, Administrator, The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust, PO Box 124, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL6 7YN, E-mail: admin@austin-hope-pilkington.org.uk Website: http://www.austin-hope-pilkington.org.uk/
	Boost Charitable Trust
	Grants are available to organisations helping disabled and disadvantaged individuals participate in sport. Grants of £500 are available for project costs and applications can be made at any time. Lucy Till, Building On Overlooked Sporting Talent (BOOST) Charitable Trust, 5 St Bride Street, London, EC4A 4AS, Tel: 020 7078 1955, E-mail: lucy.till@boostct.org Website: http://www.boostct.org/index.htm
	Charles Hayward Foundation
	The Foundation makes grants to charities under the following categories: Heritage and Conservation; Criminal Justice; Older People; Overseas; Youth at Risk (not currently accepting unsolicited applications). Small grants up to £7,000 and main grants up to £25,000 and applications may be submitted at any time. Dorothy Napierala, Foundation Administrator, Charles Hayward Foundation, Hayward House, 45 Harrington Gardens, London, SW7 4JU, Tel: 020 7370 7063 Website: http://www.charleshaywardfoundation.org.uk/default.htm
	Clore Duffield Foundation
	Grants are available to registered charities in support of the cultural sector. Support is also occasionally available to the health and social care sectors. Grants range from less than £5,000 to over £1 million and applications may be submitted at any time. Enquiries, Clore Duffield Foundation, Studio 3, Chelsea Manor Studios, Flood Street London, SW3 5SR, Tel: 0207 351 6061, E-mail: info@cloreduffield.org.uk Website: http://www.cloreduffield.org.uk/index.php
	D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
	Grants to charities in support of causes connected with the arts, medical welfare and the environment.  In particular, bursaries for arts education establishments, promotion of access, education and excellence in the arts, hospice care, autism, the deafblind, respite care and care for carers, preservation of the countryside and heritage conservation. Grants ranging from £1,000 to £50,000 are available and special consideration is given to lesser known charities. Mrs Jane Thorne, The Secretary, The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, 1 Savoy Hill London, WC2R 0BP, Tel: (020) 7420 2600
	Drapers' Charitable Fund
	Grant for charities to help improve the quality of life for people and their communities by targeting the disadvantaged and socially excluded, through grants in the fields of education and relief of need. Grants awarded are normally for sums under £10,000. Charities Administrator, Drapers' Company, Drapers' Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2N 2DQ, Tel: 020 7588 5001, E-mail: mail@thedrapers.co.uk, Website: http://www.thedrapers.co.uk/
	Hilden Charitable Fund - Summer Playschemes
	Grants are available to voluntary and community groups in the UK to help run summer play schemes for the benefit of disadvantaged children. Grants of between £500 and £1,500 are available for project costs of Organisations must have an income of less than £150,000 The 2016 deadline: Friday May 20th 2016. Applicants must send a copy of their most recent annual report and accounts which must include details of your Trustee Board/Management Committee. The Hilden Charitable Fund, 34 North End Road, London W14 0SH Tel/Fax: 0207 603 1525, Email: hildencharity@hotmail.com  Website: http://www.hildencharitablefund.org.uk/
	Peter Harrison Foundation
	Grants are available to charities within the UK running projects in the field of sport that support sporting activities and provide opportunities for people who are disabled or otherwise disadvantaged to fulfil their potential and develop personal and life skills. Applications may be made at any time. Enquiries, Peter Harrison Foundation, Foundation House, 42-48 London Road, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 9QQ, Tel: 01737 228000, E-mail: enquires@peterharrisonfoundation.org, Website: http://www.peterharrisonfoundation.org
	Phillips and Rubens Charitable Trust
	The Phillips and Rubens Charitable Trust offers grants to charitable organisations. The funding is intended to support organisations undertaking charitable projects, including the following areas: ·         Medical purposes. ·         Education. ·         The disabled. ·         The elderly. ·         Relieving poverty. ·         Sheltered accommodation. ·         The arts. Mr Michael Phillips, Phillips and Rubens Charitable Trust, 67-69 George Street, London, W1U 8L, E-Mail: psphillips@aol.com
	Portrack Charitable Trust
	The Portrack Charitable Trust offers funding to charitable organisations who are undertaking charitable activities. Grants are generally made for up to £2,000. Administrator, Portrack Charitable Trust, E-Mail: portrackcharitabletrust@gmail.com
	The Rank Foundation
	Grants for ​​ charities in the UK for developing leadership amongst young people, work with the elderly, the disabled and with young people, and the promotion of Christian principles. Small Appeals grants of up to £7,500 and applications to the Small Appeals programme may be made at any time. Rosamond McNulty, The Rank Foundation, 12 Warwick Square, London, SW1V 2AA, Tel: 020 7834 7731, E-mail: rosamond.mcnulty@rankfoundation.co.uk Website: http://www.rankfoundation.com/
	Rayne Foundation
	Grants are available to charities in the UK in support of work of national importance which helps society's most vulnerable or disadvantaged individuals, especially children, young people and the elderly. Areas of interest include arts, education, health/medicine and social welfare and development. Applications may be submitted at any time. Morin Carew, Grants Administrator, Rayne Foundation, 100 George Street, London, W1U 8NU, Tel: 020 7487 9656, E-mail: info@raynefoundation.org.uk Website: http://www.raynefoundation.org.uk/Default.aspx
	Rowing Foundation
	Grants to support rowing in Britain with preference shown to encouraging participation in rowing by the young or disabled through the provision of equipment. The Foundation's preference is to make grants of between £500 and £2,000. Pauline Churcher, Rowing Foundation, 2 Roehampton Close, London, SW15 5LU, Tel: 020 8878 3723, E-mail: applications@therowingfoundation.org.uk Website: http://www.therowingfoundation.org.uk/index.php
	RJ and AH Daniels Charitable Trust
	The RJ and AH Daniels Charitable Trust offers grants to charitable organisations to support general charitable purposes.   Previous grants have been for between £2,000 and £4,000. The application process is ongoing and interested applicants may apply at any time.   Trust Officer, RJ and AH Daniels Charitable Trust, c/o Kleinwort Benson Trustees, 14 St George Street, London, W1S 1FE
	The Ruth and Stuart Lipton Charitable Trust
	Grants are provided and administered by the Ruth and Stuart Lipton Charitable Trust and is available for voluntary and community organisations to support general charitable activities. Previous grants have been for between £50 and £12,500. The application process is ongoing and interested applicants may apply at any time. Enquiries, Ruth and Stuart Lipton Charitable Trust, Lewis Golden & Co, 40 Queen Anne Street, London, W1G 9EL, Tel: 020 7580 7313, E-Mail: Charity@LewisGolden.com
	Simone Prendergast Charitable Trust
	Grants for general charitable activities to support organisations undertaking charitable projects. Previous grants have been for up to £3,000. Contact the Simone Prendergast Charitable Trust for further information. Oliver Watson, Simone Prendergast Charitable Trust, Dixon Wilson, 22 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1LS, Tel: 020 76808100, E-Mail: oliverwatson@dixonwilson.co.uk
	Swire Charitable Trust
	Grant for voluntary and community organisations undertaking general charitable activities, supporting general charitable purposes. Mr MJB. Todhunter, Swire Charitable Trust, Swire House, 59 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AJ, Tel: 0207 834 7717
	W.G. Edwards Charitable Foundation
	Grants are available to registered charities providing care for older people. The average grant size is £5,000 and funding is mainly available for capital projects, although innovative schemes for ongoing care are also considered. The application process is ongoing and interested applicants may apply at any time. The Trustees meet in January, April, July and November each year. Mrs Janet Brown, Clerk to the Trustees, W.G. Edwards Charitable Foundation, c/o 123A Station Road East, Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0QE, Tel: 01883 714412, E-mail: janetbrown@wgedwardscharitablefoundation.org.uk Website: http://www.wgedwardscharitablefoundation.org.uk/
	The Woodcock Charitable Trust
	Grant for charitable organisations in England and Wales for general charitable purposes. The grant is intended to support groups that work in the following areas: ·         Children's projects. ·         Sport. ·         General welfare. Grants made do not usually exceed £5,000 and applications must be made in writing. Lucy Gibson, The Woodcock Charitable Trust, Harcus Sinclair, 3 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3AA, Tel: 020 7242 9700, E-Mail: mellytuk@yahoo.co.uk
	The Xerox (UK) Trust Grant
	The Xerox (UK) Trust offers grants to voluntary and community organisations. Funding is intended to support medium sized charitable organisations undertaking charitable projects, including those in the following areas: ·         Education and training. ·         Medical, health and sickness. ·         Disability. ·         Arts and culture. ·         Sport and recreation. ·         Animals. ·         Economic, community, development and employment. Priority is given to charities with strong links to Xerox (UK) Limited employees. Applications are to be made by sending a letter to the Trust providing details of the charity that is applying and the project for which it is seeking funding. Cheryl Walsh, The Xerox (UK) Trust Grant, Bridge House, Oxford Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 1HS, Tel: 01895 251133
	This funding bulletin is provided by the Information Service at Voluntary and Community Action. We are committed to strengthening the effectiveness of the voluntary and community sector in Bedfordshire by developing, enabling, promoting and supporting voluntary and community action. We seek to achieve this through advocacy; capacity building activities; enhancing the provision of volunteering opportunities; the exchange of information; the provision of training; advice and consultancy; and by working in partnership with others. To find out more visit our website at http://www.action-centralbeds.org.uk    Bossard House, West Street, Leighton Buzzard LU7 1DA , Tel: 01525 850559, Fax: 01525 376281 Registered Charity No. 1108879. Company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No.5386570

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M1 Diversions For Scheduled Work on Junction 11A

Bridge beam lifts are due to start this evening, 16th March, for the Luton Road bridge over the M1 at Junction 11A.

The main bridge for the new Jct 11a will follow on. The first six closures are for the Luton Road  Bridge. 

The overnight carriageway closures take place between 10pm and 6am, and are between junctions 11-12, and the diversion routes are:

Southbound:

M1 southbound traffic will exit at junction 12 and turn right along the A5120. At the roundabout in Houghton Regis, traffic will turn right towards Dunstable when reaching  the cross road junction adjacent to the National Tyres and Auto Care Centre diverted traffic will turn left and head south to the A505. 

Northbound:

M1 northbound traffic will exit at junction 11 and turn left along the A505. At the junction with the A5, diverted traffic will turn right and at the traffic lights adjacent to the National Tyres and Auto Care, diverted traffic will turn right towards Houghton Regis.

At the roundabout in Houghton Regis, traffic will turn left to Toddington to re-join the motorway at junction 12.

​​

​​

Contractors Sought for Waste Transfer Site at Thorn Turn

​Central Bedfordshire ​

Council is seeking to procure an arrangement for the management and operation of its Waste Transfer Station (WTS) to be built at Thorn Turn

​ in Houghton Regis.​

The facility has been designed to accommodate all CBC waste apart from green garden waste and HWRC recycling

​, and will mean that the Tidy Tip at French's Avenue can be decommissioned.​

​The Council are expecting that the new

 Transfer Station will be

​come​

operational

​by this time next year. 

The operating contract term

​will be

 14 years with a break clause at 7 years.

​ 

Closing date for the

 receipt of PQQ (Pre Qualification Questionnaire) 12 noon Thursday 21st April 2016, closing date for receipt of ITT (invitation of Tender) 12 noon Friday 17th June 2016.

​ More information from CBC website .

• ​Council's tidy tips​
  
  
•  
  ​Photo: The Thorn Turn Site, north of Houghton Regis Chalk Quarry; A D Winter​
  
  

Houghton Regis Central- Investigation of Land to Start Next Week

As part of the Central bedfordshire Council's plan to develop an Independent Living Scheme on the former Co-op site in Houghton Regis, a number of physical land surveys will need to be carried out in coming weeks.

The proposals to include some 170 apartments and shared community spaces and shops, are being drawn up and designed at the moment. Part of that process includes carrying out some archeological and land surveys ahead of submitting a planning application.

The first of these surveys will be carried out next week by Terrain Surveys Limited from Monday, 14 – Friday, 18 March 2016. The survey itself will be done from the street with no anticipated impact to residents but we wanted to keep everyone fully up to date. More will start on 21 – 24 March and 4 April respectively – again, with no anticipated disruption.

Planned Overnight M1 Closures for March

Road closures for 16 to 18 March 2016, 21 to 23 March 2016 and 30 March to 2 April 2016

There will be road closures on the M1 north and southbound junctions 11 to 12. These closures are to enable beam lifts to take place on the carriageway. 

The schedule below lists only road works which include full-carriageway closures requiring diversions. All planned roadworks are subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.

Please note that in the schedule the date given for a night-time closure is the date on which the closure begins. For example, a night-time closure will take place between 10pm and 6am - They will begin at 10pm on the first night and end at 6am on the last night.

16, 17 and 18 March

The M1 northbound will be closed between junctions 11 and 12.

21, 22 and 23 March

The M1 southbound will be closed between junction 12 and 11.

30 March to 2 April

The M1 southbound will be closed between 12 and 11.

This information is supplied by Highways England and may be subject to change.

For full details see

http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/a5-m1-link-dunstable-northern-bypass/

Quiz Will Help You Stay Healthy After 70 And Beyond

Living healthily in midlife can double your chances of being healthy at 70 and beyond

​.

Start Quiz!​

This week has marked the launch of 'One You', a ground-breaking new campaign to help adults across the country avoid future poor health caused by modern day life. Everyday habits and behaviours – such as eating too much unhealthy food, drinking more than is recommended, continuing to smoke and not being active enough – are responsible for around four in ten deaths in England. The 'One You' campaign aims to encourage adults, particularly those in middle age, to take control of their health to enjoy significant benefits now, and in later life.

The new campaign from Public Health England will help adults in Central Bedfordshire to be more active, eat well, drink less and be smoke free. One You will also provide information on how people can reduce 

​​

their stress levels and sleep better.

It is encouraging adults to start by taking a new online health quiz, called 'How Are You'. This innovative quiz provides personalised recommendations based on your results and directs people to tools and advice to help them take action where it's most needed.

Cllr Maurice Jones, Executive Member for Health at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: "Modern day life can make it hard for people to live healthily with bigger portion sizes for the foods we eat, having desk-bound jobs and long commutes to work.

"One You gives people the chance to think about their lifestyle choices, put themselves first and do something about their own health before it's too late."

Muriel Scott, Director of Public Health at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: "Reduced health in later life doesn't have to be inevitable. Older people can live as well as young people by making relatively small changes to their habits and lifestyles – it's never too late to get your health back on track."

For more information and to take the 'How Are You' online quiz, visit 

​​

http://po.st/OneYou_Central_Bedfordshire 

Bedfordshire Cyber Police Report Back After First 6 Months

Bedfordshire Police are claiming a proactive approach to tackling online crime.

Launched in 2015, the force Cyber Crime Investigation team provides support to inquiries taking place across the force as well as own cyber-dependent crimes.

In 6 months they have examined 870  laptops, phones, hard drives, USBs and cameras.

323 cyber crimes have been reported, 243 of those were for harassment, 35 for fraud, 18 for sexual offences.

42 crimes were resolved, with 26 resulting in a suspect being charged.

Interestingly, they reckon that the estimated height of data which can be extracted from a 1 terabyte hard drive – a standard on many laptops – if printed onto double-sided A4 paper sheets would be 11.25 miles high. That would a lot of trees!

Click for Further details

Thank you to those who Cleaned for the Queen

Thomas Whitehead Primary School, Houghton Regis

Across Central Bedfordshire, groups of residents, town and parish councils and local organisations turned out in force and with national pride to Clean for the Queen, the nationwide tidy-up event over the weekend (Friday, 4 March to Sunday 6 March).

There were 28 organised litter blitzes, which were mainly led by ward councillors and town and parish councils, whilst a number of spontaneous clean-ups also took place across Central Bedfordshire, in streets, parks and grass verges.

Altogether across the UK, more than a million people have been out and about clearing up the places where they live to help celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday in April.

The campaign, backed by organisations including the Women’s Institute, the National Trust and the RSPB, as well as businesses including McDonald’s, Costa, Greggs, KFC and Wrigley and anti-litter charities such as Keep Britain Tidy and the Campaign to Protect Rural England, was the biggest community-led clean-up the country has ever seen.

As part of the campaign, Central Bedfordshire Council assisted and promoted the events held by town and parish councils. The council also worked with its contractor, Biffa, to ensure that where requested all of the rubbish that the volunteers collected was picked up and disposed of after each litter picking event across Central Bedfordshire. The council also arranged with Biffa to have resources available during the weekend to assist with litter picking activities in towns, key areas and main routes, which will continue throughout March.

Councillor Andrew Turner, Executive Member for Stronger Communities, said: “Clean for the Queen is about everyone working together to give both the country and their own neighbourhoods a big spring clean ahead of Her Majesty’s birthday and I would like to thank all those across Central Bedfordshire who came out over the weekend and supported it.

“Volunteers willingly gave up their time to help improve their communities for others, and it is this kind of spirit which makes Central Bedfordshire a great place to live and work.”

Clean for the Queen campaign director Adrian Evans said: “On behalf of the campaign, I would like to say a big “thank you” to Central Bedfordshire Council and the people who live in Central Bedfordshire for supporting Clean for the Queen.

“They have been part of a campaign that has seen a million people stepping out of their front doors to make a difference to the way places look in every corner of the UK.”

For more information about volunteering in Central Bedfordshire, visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/volunteeringawards.

There you will find a link to the 2016 Central Bedfordshire Cheering Volunteering Awards – your chance to say thank you to those who give up their time to help others by nominating them for one of the six award categories. And you can also book free tickets to the celebration evening which takes place at the Grove Theatre, Dunstable on Tuesday 7 June.

2016, January - Latest Data From Local Police

Here is a brief summary of the crime information for the past two months:

	December 2015	January 2016
All crime	670	671
Anti-social behaviour	258	242
Bicycle theft	13	16
Burglary	81	76
Criminal damage and arson	52	73
Drugs	5	9
Other crime	7	2
Other theft	54	28
Possession of weapons	6	3
Public order	16	12
Robbery	0	5
Shoplifting	19	27
Theft from the person	2	4
Vehicle crime	90	78
Violence and sexual offences	67	96

Please visit https://www.police.uk/shape/moXeS1/ for more information including outcomes for these crimes and contact information for your local policing team.

The information and statistics displayed are for information purposes only and may be subject to change.

Although care is taken when processing and analysing the data, the detail is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system.
While the figures shown have been checked as far as practicable, they should be regarded as approximate.