Houghton Regis News Desk

A dog groomer who offers ‘royal ‘treatments to many loved pooches in Houghton Regis, Dunstable and the surrounding area is the second business owner to lease premises in the soon-to-be-opened Farmstead at new village Linmere. Sarah King, who has been pampering pets for the past three years from a purpose-built cabin in her garden in Houghton Regis, says the move to the community hub in February will enable her to expand her services to the area's new canine residents. Royal's Dog Grooming fits in perfectly with Linmere's wholesome outdoor vibe and its focus on encouraging residents to get out and about and engage in a healthy lifestyle. Customers will be able to pop into the neighbouring café for coffee, cake or a nutritious meal, many of which are created from produce grown on its own allotment. The developers, who are encouraging local businesses to move in and employ staff living on their doorstep, hope other enterprises will be among the stores to open their doors la

Local MP, Andrew Selous, has marked Holocaust Memorial Day (January 27). This week, Andrew Selous MP signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment, in doing so pledging his allegiance to Holocaust Memorial Day and honouring those who were murdered during the Holocaust. He also paid tribute to the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people today. Mr Selous, who represents South West Bedfordshire, said: "This year we are marking 77 years since the liberation of the concentration camps of Europe and the end of the Second World War. On the 27th January [today], the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, people across the globe will remember. "In the lead up to and on Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events were arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. "The theme for this year’s commemo

A debate at Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) took place today on the future use of Houghton Regis Community Centre at Bedford Square. Councillors voted in favour of dual-use of the community centre until Central Bedfordshire College can find an alternative venue later this year. The Community Centre was closed to many community groups last summer without consultation. The space was reallocated for educational use. The consultation about the future of Houghton Regis Community Centre was published on the CBC’s website on 13th October 2021 and can be downloaded  here through Houghton Regis News Desk. A covering report  is also available to download. The consultation ran from 13th October 2021 to 8th December 2021. Local residents were encouraged to comment on the proposal by completing a short online survey. In total, 130 responses were received for the consultation questionnaire:  How far do you agree or disagree with the proposal that the community centre will be used by

Bedfordshire Police are investigating after two people died in a road traffic collision on Tuesday of this week. At around 3.20pm a black Vauxhall Corsa was involved in a collision on Toddington Road near Tebworth. Five people were thought to be in the vehicle at the time of the collision. Ellie Ogden-Hooper, 19, from Leighton Buzzard, and Reece White, 23, from Luton, died at the scene.  Ellie’s family said: “The loss of our beautiful Ellie is Heaven’s gain. We are so grateful for the time we had with her. “Words cannot express the sadness of not being able to spend just one more minute with her. Love you Ellie.” Reece’s family said: “We are devastated at the loss of Reece. He was a much-loved son, brother and grandson. “He made an impression on everyone he met and leaves a hole in the family that will never be filled. He will be missed forever.” Two men and a teenage boy have subsequently been detained on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by d

Consultation opened: Wednesday, 19 January 2022 Consultation closes: Wednesday, 16 February 2022 Central Bedfordshire Council is asking residents to look through detailed information on a new community facility at Kingsland, Parkside, Houghton Regis and to provide their opinions by answering questions and leaving comments on an online feedback form. Residents can also make suggestions for a name for the new facility. >> Look at the information and respond here. A consultation and engagement event will take place on: Saturday 29th January between 11 am and 4 pm in Bedford Square close to the community library. The event will allow residents to meet members of the project team, look at the plans, ask questions and provide feedback. Given the ongoing pandemic, the event will be in the concourse to enable better ventilation and will observe the latest COVID-19 guidance. People planning to visit are kindly asked to take a lateral flow test beforehand and not to attend if they have

Levelling Up: East of England — [Esther McVey in the Chair] – in Westminster Hall at 9:30 am on 18th January 2022. Andrew Selous The Second Church Estates Commissioner  10:07 am, 18th January 2022 It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms McVey. I congratulate my hon. Friend Peter Aldous on bringing this much-needed debate. Sometimes gratitude is in slightly short supply where the Government are concerned, so  I start with a thanks before I come on to my shopping list, because the town of Houghton Regis in my constituency received £19.9 million for a new community wellbeing centre hub, which I am very pleased about . It is much needed. We have a new one in Dunstable, and the local authority just committed to a new one in Leighton Buzzard, so this completes the piece. I am extremely grateful. An enormous number of new homes are being built in my area. Around 14,000 are going up—about 8,000 north of Houghton Regis and around 6,000 to the east of Leighton Buzzard. My partic

Motorists risk their vehicles being stolen if they leave them running and unattended while their windscreens defrost. The warning has been issued by the tri-force Road Policing Unit (RPU) for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, as overnight temperatures continue to dip below zero.   PC Grant Duke, from the RPU, said, “No-one looks forward to defrosting their windscreen on a cold morning but everyone must stay with their vehicle while they do so. If you leave your vehicle running and unattended, you make it an easy target for criminals. Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous individuals out there who will be on the lookout for these opportunities on icy mornings.” It is also important that motorists defrost their windscreens fully before setting out on a journey. A frozen or partially defrosted windscreen makes it difficult to see properly, putting lives at risk. Motorists caught driving with obscured vision can receive a £100 fine and three penalty points for careless dr

The first residents of Linmere in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, are being encouraged to take part in the RSPB's annual Big Garden Birdwatch later this month as part of the development's wider focus on enhancing the natural environment across the new village. The annual event asks householders to record the number and type of birds visiting their gardens or local park, with more than a million taking part across the UK last year. The Linmere initiative is part of its month-long ‘Love Garden Visitors' drive aimed at highlighting the numerous natural attractions of the new development and its surroundings. Linmere's community ranger Richard Eltringham from national charity the Land Trust is responsible for looking after more than 190 acres of natural habitat and green space across Linmere. And he will be distributing information about the Birdwatch through letterboxes as part of his campaign to involve the community in engaging with the nature on their doorstep. As well

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) has launched a consultation on its proposals for Service delivery and its Budget and Council Tax requirements for 2022/23. BFRS is engaging with the local community to seek views on its priorities and proposals to increase contributions to its funding from council tax. You can view the full consultation document here. If you haven't already responded they would really appreciate your feedback. You can take part in the consultation here. The Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) which you can view here , sets out how BFRS propose to focus its efforts on delivering next year. The Fire and Rescue Authority is currently considering a council tax increase of 1.99% , increasing the Band D charge to £104.45 per annum or an increase for a Band D property of £2.04 per year or just under 4 pence per week . BFRS would like your views on whether this increase is reasonable or not. They would also like to hear any ideas you have for future savings

LIH Linmere time-lapse Apr-Nov 2021 from Aeroviews on Vimeo . The Farmstead will be the heart and soul of Linmere; a lively destination where residents, locals and visitors are welcome. Set adjacent to beautifully landscaped grounds and Linmere Park, The Farmstead consists of three barns arranged around a central courtyard and a nature-inspired children’s adventure playground.  The premises will be overseen by a dedicated Estate Manager who will also organise events, activities, workshops and gatherings for – and with – the local community. An independent café with its own in-house bakery has become the first business to set up shop at the soon-to-be-opened Farmstead at new urban village Linmere, next to Houghton Regis. Café in the Park, which will use ingredients from local farms and suppliers, will open its doors in the New Year. The family-friendly cafe will be the focal point at the Farmstead, the new village's community hub, which will also offer a hall available for

A place to meet?  Photo: ©Sally Gray The seating has "Linmere" etched in. Photo: ©Sally Gray The first of several parks to be created at the new development village of Linmere next to Houghton Regis has opened to the public for the New Year. Sally Gray has been to have a look at the site and took the photographs on this page. Fencing has been removed from the three-acre Linmere Park South , providing access for Houghton Regis and Linmere residents - and anyone else living, working or relaxing in the area. The opening follows a programme to install new seating, plant 80 trees and create wildflower areas. The 11-acre Linmere Park North is due to open in the spring, once the planting has become more established. Fences removed to open up a new path beside Ouzel Brook. A5 dual carriageway in the background . Photo: ©Sally Gray Linmere Park includes a 100-metre running track, a 500-metre perimeter track and a cycle pump track, designed for use by people of all abilities. The p

Schools in Central Bedfordshire will receive £19 million in extra funding this year, as part of a £4 billion funding boost from the Government across the country.   Funding per pupil will increase nationally by five per cent in real terms from this year, giving significant increases for every pupil in every school. A record £1 billion extra will be spent to support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, so that all young people can reach their full potential.  Andrew Selous MP has welcomed the news that schools in Central Bedfordshire will receive £254 million in funding this year, a boost of £19 million as part of the Government’s £4 billion increase in spending for schools across the country.  The £4 billion extra funding for school delivers on the Prime Minister’s commitment when entering Downing Street, when he pledged to level up school funding by pledging over £14 billion for primary and secondary schools by 2022-23.  The £19 million extra funding can use for