Houghton Regis News Desk

Houghton Regis Town Council met on Monday evening and got through a wide range of topics.

EXCREMENT A concerned senior resident of the town reported that he had noticed human excrement on several paths around Dog Kennel path, and Orchard Close footpath near a children's playground. Roy Houghton asked the Town Council for support in getting the Central Bedfordshire Council to tackle this problem. He also expressed concern that cars were coming from Foster Avenue through to Cemetery Road, and asked for support to get some bollards reinstated.

MAYOR Town Mayor, Chris Slough reported that he had attended a Holocaust memorial service in Luton that had been very moving, and called upon councillors to support him at forthcoming events, a Buffet and Bowling evening on 17th February and a Quiz Night and Shepherd's Pie Night on 10th March at St Vincent's Social Club.

HOUGHTON HALL PARK Cllr Tracey McMahon gave an update on activities at Houghton Hall Park, mentioning that the posit…

Luton and Houghton Regis champions are looking forward to defending their titles in this year’s Bedfordshire Food and Drink Awards.

The overall title in last year’s tournament was won by GO Houghton bar restaurant in Houghton Regis.

Entrepreneur Kishor Patel, of GO Houghton, in Parkside Drive, is hoping to go from strength to strength in 2017.

"Winning the title was a huge boost to the staff at GO Houghton," said Kishor. "It also played a big part in getting more and more people to hear about what we have to offer.

"People come from all over Bedfordshire to this part of Houghton Regis for our multi-cuisine range of wholesome foods, from American burgers, to Italian pizzas, a tasty curry or British fish and chips.
"Last year our customers were good enough to nominate us and if they choose to endorse us again, we will be going out to defend our title!"Khaled Ahmed, of Meah's Curry Sauces, in Sundon Park, Luton, won the title of Independent Food Producer…

​ W​e have a  growing population​. We have an aging population. ​We have m ore people living with long term health​ ​ challenges, such as diabetes and arthritis, that cannot be cured but can be effectively managed.​  The quality of healthcare that people receive ​varies throughout our region.  ​We have  workforce shortages​. We have  significant financial pressures.​ How are we tackling these issues.?
​W​ orking in partnership with the Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire, are hosting an event to invite feedback from key stakeholders, service users and the public on the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP's).  Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP's) have been developed across the country to look at how NHS Health and Social Care services can work more closely together to provide affordable, high quality services for their local communities. The recently published BLMK STP Public Summary document (…

Cyber Threat Awareness and Guidance Event takes place at Putteridgebury on Thursday 2 February 2017.

This  event is FREE, (free parking, free food and refreshments) with top speakers from across the country.  Ranging from ethical hackers, hostile social engineers, banking, local police on current threats, advice from national leads, plus companies that can support business in achieving cyber essentials or ISO27001.  Businesses and directors will learn the requirements to protect their data.  An excellent opportunity to network and learn.

The aim will be to provide business with an understanding of current cyber threats.
Presentations include how hackers work, active hostile social engineering, recent regional threats; plus advice on how to protect your company. Then assistance and opportunities for SME to learn about Cyber Essentials, ISO27001 and the forthcoming GDPR legislation
The target audience will be local SME, larger corporations, and Government organisations.  
All welcome to atte…

Central Bedfordshire Council has launched a new Supported Lodgings Scheme, to help 16 and 17 year olds leaving care to make the step from dependence to independence.

It is similar to fostering but a much less formal arrangement, so open to more people. For example, foster carers need to be able to drive whereas those interested in this scheme do not.

Carers need to provide a bedroom for the young person they are helping, and they will also share their facilities and provide practical and emotional support, depending on the young person’s needs, such as teaching them how to cook or improve their budgeting skills.

In return, support and training are available from the council’s fostering team and you will receive an allowance of up to £192 per week.

Councillor Carole Hegley, Executive Member for Social Care and Housing, said: “No 16 and 17 year olds should have to face the world on their own, but unfortunately thousands face that prospect nationally.

“That’s why we are appealing for peo…

BY ALAN WINTER

At last night's Houghton Regis Town Council (HRTC) Environment and Leisure meeting it was revealed that Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) have it in mind to develop Windsor Drive Recreation Ground for housing needs.

The site is thought to have originally been designated for education when "Area 5" of Houghton Regis was first plotted. It has been an open space over the years, but the site is ultimately owned by CBC. Permission was granted for a Sports Pavilion to be built on the site in 2007/8 when South Beds District Council's planning committee gave it the go-ahead (See LUTONTODAY), despite a 40 signature petition presented against it. That Sports Pavilion development did not materialise.

The ground was mentioned in the Houghton Regis Town Council Plan 2011 - 2015, as being a public space it would continue to support and improve. On the Town Council's website it is still mentioned as "Currently an area of informal open space, it is enjoyed …

Cheering Volunteering is an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to those who give their time to help others in Central Bedfordshire.

The third annual Cheering Volunteering awards and celebration event will be held during National Volunteers Week, on the evening of

Tuesday 6 June at the Grove Theatre, Dunstable.

Nominations are now open in the seven award categories:

Young Volunteer of the Year - This award is for individuals aged 18 or under who have made a positive impact on their community through volunteering.

Volunteer of the Year Award - This award is for individuals aged 19 or over who have made a positive impact on their community through volunteering.

Volunteer Group of the Year Award - This award is for a group or organisation that has demonstrated an outstanding volunteering contribution in Central Bedfordshire.

Outstanding Contribution Award - This award is for an individual that has made a difference to you or someone you know, and has had a very definite, positive impact by going…

​​​ ​Community Voluntary Service Update   |  11 January 2017 CVS are offering two one-day training courses, starting at just £30 per delegate:Business Planning - Tuesday 7 February - A one-day course designed to help participants from voluntary and community sector groups to formulate and write a business, strategic or operational plan. Click here.Supporting, Developing and Managing Volunteers - Wednesday 22 February - A one-day course exploring how organisations can both support their volunteers effectively, and provide effective learning and development for volunteers, leading to increased volunteer retention. Click here. EVENTS AND COURSESFree Safeguarding Awareness Training - Tuesday 7 February, 10am-1pm, Moggerhanger. A free session will enable those working or volunteering in small voluntary organisations and community groups to understand what is meant by safeguarding. Click here.Traineeship Taster Days, 20 January and 3 February, Biggleswade. 'If you're aged 16-24 and wa…