Leighton’s MP Andrew Selous impressed future voters at Cedars Day nursery in Leighton Buzzard with his mud pie making skills as he opened the new garden there on February 1.

Extensive work has turned the large garden in Mentmore Road into a play and learning haven for the children of all ages with, for example, a bespoke mud kitchen, cobbled water runway and nature trails.

In officially opening the new garden, the MP for South West Bedfordshire, praised state-of-the-art facilities inside the spacious day nursery, with its imaginative age-appropriate play rooms, and the new opportunities now available to children in the large garden.

“It was a real pleasure to visit Cedars Day Nursery and amongst many exciting and enjoyable activities, I was particularly pleased to see opportunities for the children to make dens and grow plants, two activities which I think children often get particular enjoyment from.  I would like to thank all the staff for the excellent work they do,” he said.

Tools and equipment for building dens and castles, pumping water, and exploring nature ensure imaginative play in the new age-appropriate garden areas for Cedars children aged from six weeks to five years old.

Cedars Manager, Michelle Nokes, believes outdoor play is not only essential for young children in developing healthy lifestyles but is also vital to their development so the garden is in constant use whatever the weather.

“Den making is a great way for children and staff to interact as they transform poles and materials into a cave, castle or spaceship. Imaginative play is fundamental to a child’s learning in advancing skills of planning, co-operation and communication while at the same time increasing self-esteem, confidence and improving their social skills,” she said.

As with all activities at the nursery, mixed in with the fun are learning opportunities and a commitment to continual improvement like the plans to extend number of growing beds where children plant, tend and harvest flowers, herbs and vegetables learning valuable lessons in maths and science along the way.

Rural campaigners and astronomers are calling on ‘citizen scientists’ to take part in Star Count 2013 – a cosmic census which will help map light pollution across the country.

CPRE dark skies campaigner Emma Marringto said: ‘The survey will help us measure the extent of light pollution. We want to use this evidence to convince ministers and local councils of the need to take action to tackle it, for example by ensuring that the correct lighting is used only where it is needed and when it is needed. This would cut light pollution, reduce carbon emissions and save money at the same time. Some local councils are already taking action to tackle light pollution in their areas, we need more to do the same.”

You can take part on any night between Friday and next Saturday, February 16.

Locate the Orion constellation, which is in the southern night sky (the direction that satellite dishes face). The main area of the constellation is bounded by four bright stars. Your count should not include the four corner stars – only those within the rectangular boundary – but do include the stars in the middle known as Orion’s three-star belt – see illustration at www.cpre.org.uk

It is recommended that observations are made after 7pm so the sky is sufficiently dark. Try to do your count on a night when the sky is clear, with no haze or clouds. People should make a count of the number of stars seen with the naked eye (not with telescopes or binoculars) and then simply complete the online survey form: www.cpre.org.uk/starcount

Leighton-Linslade’s first Community Forum meeting is set to start tomorrow as the public unite with local authorities and groups to voice their thoughts on how to improve the town centre.

Andrew Selous MP will be chairman of Leighton-Linslade Town Council and Central Beds Council’s joint venture.

The theme of the first of three meetings throughout 2013 will be You and Your Town Centre, where attendees will be split into groups to discuss aspects within the town.

If you would like your views heard, visit the Leighton Buzzard Theatre on Saturday from 10am to 12noon.

> Get in touch to let us know how it went! Were your views heard? Email news@lbobserver.co.uk, call 01582798512 or tweet @LBOamanda

Cantamus Music in association with Grand Union Community Choir and South Beds Youth Voices are holding ‘Our Community Sings’ in Leighton on Saturday, February 16.

The event is an invitation to families, couples, friends, in fact anyone aged seven upwards, to join in and enjoy a day of singing together.

Whether youare rusty and haven’t sung for years, or are a regular singer , you’ll have a great time and learn new songs.

The fun starts at 9.30am at Hockliffe Street Baptist Church and runs until to 4.30pm.

The cost is adults (19+) £10, youngsters (7-18) £5.

For more details and to book your place visit the website www.ourcommunitysings.grandunioncommunitychoir.org.uk

The event is supporting the Leighton-Linslade Town Mayor’s Charities.

Accountants’ pay has risen by a whopping 7 per cent in the last year, according to a report.

Accountancy and finance recruiter, Marks Sattin, says the average salary in the number-crunching profession has risen by 5 per cent from £60,788 to £64,022.

When the average bonus of £11,012 is included, the total pay of accountants has risen even more.

Dave Way, managing director of 2013 Market Report author Marks Sattin said: “These figures are a huge boost for accountants and offer proof of the resilience of accountancy as a profession. In tough financial circumstances, companies have a stronger focus on their purse strings.

“Obviously accountants aren’t immune from the gloomy economic news, hence their understated bonus expectations, but the news is actually very good for them – these figures represent the third year in a row of solid, above inflation, pay growth.”

A Leighton man has been remanded in custody after he was charged over the abduction of a nine-year-old girl.

Derek Cyril Cheeseman, of Waterloo Road, appeared at Luton Crown Court today charged with one count of kidnap and one count of impersonating a police constable in November.

The 75-year-old will return to court on April 8 for a plea hearing and has a provisional trial hearing of May 13 at St Albans Crown Court.

@LBOamanda

It’s all very well for the government to be planning a ban on cinemas serving supersized fizzy drinks as part of a crackdown on the causes of obesity, but it doesn’t go far enough.

I very rarely go to the cinema these days and it’s nothing to do with the films, it’s the people.

Now I’ve got no objection to movie multitasking – I can quite happily tuck into supper on a tray while watching my chosen feature in the privacy of my own home. I might even have a glass of wine.

But I don’t expect other paying customers to put up with it, and the sounds of scoffing are just one of the everyday irritations that cinemas ought to be stamping out.

Talking is a no-no, as far as I am concerned. Whispered enquiries about who is doing what and why, or what that bloke was in with that other woman, are bad enough.

But what really gets my goat are the people who seem to think it’s entirely appropriate to have complete conversations about anything other than what’s playing out on the screen in front of them.

And conversations between two punters in the same cinema are only part of the problem – what about the phone junkies who can’t bear to turn off their lifelines at the door?

They’ll take a call, they’ll make a call, and even if they turn the ringtone to mute you’ll be constantly irritated by the glowing screen in the row in front as its owner maintains contact with friends, family and unknown social network followers for the duration.

Multiplex movie venues have enough screens at their disposal that they could easily set aside a proportion for the sole use of customers who are prepared to promise that they won’t use their phones, won’t slurp giant drinks, won’t rustle sweet papers and chomp confectionery, and won’t offend others with the stale stink of their popcorn.

A quiet screen might bite into the huge margins the cinema operators make on drinks and snacks, but it would draw disaffected moviegoers back to the box office.

Those with long memories will recall the days when every film was projected onto the big screen through a fug of smoke because virtually everyone in the audience was puffing away.

Then smokers began to be corralled into specific areas, or expected to go outside if they wanted to light up.

The same progress when it comes to feeding your face would produce similar dividends, and while a single quiet screen would be a start, it wouldn’t be long before it was the chompers and the chatters who were in the minority, and expected to make do with a filthy, smelly, noisy auditorium set aside for them and their kind while the rest of us were able to relax and watch the movie in blessed peace and quiet.

Firms that have rejected recession and thumbed their noses at economic downturn are wanted as entrants in a Bedfordshire awards scheme launched yesterday (Monday).

A host of county companies and organisations have thrown their weight behind the Bedfordshire Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) awards, including headline sponsor Barclays Bank, The Mansion House, My Incubator, Park Woodfine Heald Mellows solicitors and Mercedes Benz of Bedford.

Simon Wright, area business manager for Barclays in Luton and Bedford, said he was keen to be fully involved in the community and in supporting the start-up businesses, which will help the local and UK economy. He added: “I am hoping to see some unique ideas from companies using the new technologies and those with the best ideas for supporting their local communities.”

Head judge Charlie Smith, of the Bedfordshire FSB, told the award scheme launch, that the awards are a showcase for the small business community in Beds. He said: “I am looking forward to stories of companies growing despite the general economy and of people who have overcome personal difficulties.”

Premier Newspapers, publishers of a range of newspapers in the county and this website, are the media sponsors, Prizes include a £5,000 package of free advertising for the winner.

There are 13 categories to enter plus one for the overall business of the year. They include employee of the year, real life entrepreneur, innovation and service excellence.

Entries will close on April 25, there will be a judging day on May 2 and the awards ceremony will be held at The Conservatory at the Luton Hoo Walled Garden, on Thursday, June 6.

For more details, visit www.fsb.org.uk/beds-awards

A departed Leighton businessman has hit back at criticism that he struggled against the internet and says he became his own competition when he opened up another shop in Milton Keynes.

Owner of Chaineys Cycles, Matt Morton, 36, of Middle Green, Leighton, is determined to let people know business is booming since moving everything from his store in Friday Street into their other existing premises when the lease came to an end.

Matt said: “The internet has nothing to do with our departure whatsoever and to suggest that we have been struggling since the internet was invented? Come on, what a load of rubbish.

“Struggling is not the word used when all stock in the store is owned, all bills, employers tax, wages, VAT and corporation tax are paid with a profit at the end. To top it off, the staff have kept their jobs within the company!Hardly struggling is it?”

Although maintaining he doesn’t have to justify himself, Matt claims that his regular customers have followed him in his move to Milton Keynes and puts this down to the personal service he offers.

Matt added: “I built a large customer base at my Leighton store where I worked for 16 years. Many of my regular customers followed me to Milton Keynes when we took over in September 2008. Thus making myself my own competition.

“Leighton Buzzard is changing as a town and my time and money is better invested in Milton Keynes, so pushing that forward and freeing some valuable time up for my children is something that needs to be done.

“Time is something that no money can buy. I, after all, can only be in one place at a time. This decision will give me, my staff and my family many more benefits all round.

“We are excited about the future and what it holds for us all at Chaineys.”

@LBOamanda

The man who died after a collision with a car on Thursday evening (February 7) has been named as Kelly Dumpleton.

Mr Dumpleton, of Victoria Street, Dunstable, came into collision with a Ford Fiesta at about 6.30pm, 700m east of the Stanbridge Turn junction of the A505.

He was taken to Luton and Dunstable Hospital but died of multiple injuries.

Police investigations are ongoing.

A decision is expected to be made tomorrow at Central Beds headquarters as rival developers present their case to build retail parks in Leighton, which has left protesters fighting for their town.

In a report to the committee, planners are recommending approval but admit there might not be enough demand for both retail parks in Grovebury Road and, if both are built, one might end up vacant.

Neither scheme, by rival developers Claymore and Barwood, include a DIY anchor unit of comparable size to the town’s existing Homebase - but they may not be moving as Tesco has yet to announce any start date for its expansion.

Friends of the Earth has organised a campaign against the plans and will protest at the council offices tomorrow to make a last ditch attempt at halting plans for new retail parks in Leighton.

> See our website leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk for the decision, plus there will be live updates from @LBOamanda and @LBOnews on Twitter from the meeting.

A former Leighton Buzzard Observer photographer has seen his pictures of his original hometown of Linslade transcend the UK and be snapped up by an Italian magazine.

Carl Thomson was thrilled to announce that his photograph appeared in Vogue Italia as part of his portfolio.

The picture, that has been named The Stud, was used in Photo Vogue online and shows the misty scene of a woodland walkway in Linslade.

The newly-elected police chief who saved community bobbies announced Leighton is undoubtedly ‘on his map’ when he joined officers on the beat last Monday.

Following his walkabout with Leighton’s Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), Beds Police and Crime Commisioner Olly Martins spoke about his intentions to show how they support the town.

Mr Martins said: “Obviously I am aware of people’s concerns about how well served they are by the new police model and the station.

“I thought it was important to demonstrate that Leighton Buzzard is on my map and that there are PCSOs there in the town.

“There are some problems with anti-social behaviour, like many others in the county, but overall Leighton has a relatively low crime rate. People need reassurance and that is what PCSOs are trying to do.”

However, the chairman of the Beds Police Federation, Jim Mallens, who suggested fully warranted and trained police officers would offer a better service, said: “I recognise the contribution made by Beds PCSOs and the uniform visibility they offer the public.

“I do think that the residents of Beds would prefer to see fully warranted and trained police officers patrolling the streets. My members would have preferred for Mr Martins to retain some of the experienced and skilled police officers as opposed to PCSOs.”

@LBOamanda

Claymore’s proposed retail park for Leighton has been approved by Central Beds Council’s development control committee this afternoon.

In the vote, 13 councillors were in favour, with four against, and one abstention.

The debate is now turning to a rival scheme from developers Barwood, before a second vote takes place later this afternoon.

The meeting at Chicksands saw a strong turn-out from the public who watched on as the rival developers presented their cases to build their retail park in Leighton.

In a report to the committee, planners had recommended approval for both schemes, but admitted there might not be enough demand for both retail parks in Grovebury Road and, if both are built, one might end up vacant.

Neither scheme, by rival developers Claymore and Barwood, include a DIY anchor unit of comparable size to the town’s existing Homebase - but they may not be moving as Tesco has yet to announce any start date for its expansion.

Friends of the Earth organised a campaign against the plans and protested at the council offices ahead of the meeting in a last ditch attempt at halting the proposals.

See our reporter’s live updates on twitter from the meeting @LBOamanda and @LBOnews.

And see this website for further updates and also next week’s LBO for an in-depth report.

Leighton’s support centre for teens is celebrating ten years of giving the town’s young people a safe and secure place to talk about their problems.

Since opening its doors in 2003, the Teenage Advice Centre, Teenage Information Centre (TACTIC) has had over 70,000 young people visit the centre and wants to celebrate this by having an open event on Friday.

The centre, which is run by Leighton-Linslade Town Council, has a nightly attendance of between 50-70 young people who come to seek help with issues such as education, employment, relationships, finance, problems with your own or someone else’s drug use, sexual health issues, housing and homelessness.

The open event is an opportunity to walk around the centre, see the work that TACTIC do and meet the staff team.

Some refreshments will also be provided when the centre opens its door on Friday from 12pm to 2pm at 17 Hockliffe Street.

Barwood’s proposed retail park for Leighton has been unanimously rejected by Central Beds Council’s development control committee this afternoon.

In the vote, councillors voted against the scheme which was larger than a rival project from developers Claymore which was approved earlier this afternoon.

See our reporter’s live updates on twitter from the meeting @LBOamanda and @LBOnews.

And see this website for further updates and also next week’s LBO for an in-depth report.

What’s your verdict on the outcome? Send an email to news@lbobserver.co.uk

A Good Day To Die Hard

He’s back, and he’s old, and slow, and his wisecracks don’t crack so wise. Another needless instalment in a franchise that has already had a second coming.

The original Die Hard is the greatest action movie of all time. Period. Die Hard 2 is a bad movie. The second coming for the franchise came in the form of the rollicking Die Hard With A Vengeance which redeemed the whole shebang with wit, a great story and brilliant pieces.

Since then it has taken a serious nosedive into schlocky, derivative territory that no one comes out of favourably, and that includes the viewer.

This instalment is utterly preposterous, so much so that on the right night, with the right kind of audience and lubrication, it could be fun.

McClane is in Russia to try and help his son, in danger of going off the rails. Trouble is, he’s not off the rails, he’s as on the rails as they come, being a CIA operative and all, resulting in father and son attempting to foil a nuclear arms heist and save the world. Ludicrous.

The character of John McClane was fascinating as he grumped his way through situations that felt almost real or plausibly challenging.

Here, there’s no care for the characters or any interest in evolving the entertainment and empathy so clear in earlier films.

Beautiful Creatures

Another teen literary hit brought to the big screen to squeeze the young person’s wallet.

Searching for the next Potter, Twilight or Hunger Games has seen Warner put their chips on this romance about a young boy and girl who fall for each other, only for dark family secrets to threaten their love and their lives. Decent cast, but a bit too sprawling.

Like the Hunger Games but nowhere near as successfully, it tries too hard to attract fans of all characters in the book, rather than maintaining a strong, cinematic narrative. The film meanders and is never as effective as it could be as a result.

Blockbuster locations in Luton, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard will remain open despite the video rental giant announcing the closure of a further 164 stores.

A spokesman confirmed that the shops in Marsh Road, Luton, West Street, Dunstable, and Waterborne Walk, Leighton Buzzard had survived the latest re-structuring since Blockbuster went into administration last month.

The company had 528 locations across the country before appointing administrators Deloitte in January – that total now stands at 204.

Lee Manning of Deloitte said: “We have continued to review the performance of individual stores since our appointment a month ago and have concluded that further closures are necessary in order to restructure the company for sale.”

Ambulance chiefs are bringing in extra rigs and recruiting more than 200 staff in a bid to stave off criticism over its response times.

The move comes after MPs, police and the Fire Brigades Union hit out over delays by crews from the East England Ambulance Service (EEAS) which covers the Beds area at reaching 999 emergencies. The LBO highlighted concerns by Leighton firefighters on our front page in December.

Now EEAS is bringing an extra 15 ambulances into service and employing 75 new paramedics plus 124 care assistants.

Before the announcement Keith Handscomb, East Anglia FBU said: ““We applaud the skills and commitment of the professional paramedics and ambulance crews we work alongside but fire crews are telling us something is going seriously wrong with the 999 response of the East England Ambulance Service (EEAS).

“Fire crews tell us they and casualties are waiting longer and longer for the arrival of paramedics and ambulances. When a paramedic does arrive they are often on their own in a car or on a motorbike and are unable to take seriously injured casualties to hospital.

“Fire officers tell us of their desperate frustration at being told to wait in line when chasing up emergency requests for an ambulance – sometimes they are told the ambulance sent to their emergency has been redirected to another call due to there being no other ambulance available.

“For those who find themselves in medical emergencies, this is a matter of life and death importance.”

The driver of a car that crashed into the side of a house in Linslade took off with a missing front bumper after failing to report the incident.

A Beds police helicopter and dog carried out a search of the area in the early hours of Tuesday morning after the incident at a house on Stoke Road.

The owners contacted the police at 2.43am after being woken up by the collision and a structural engineer was called to look at the damage caused to the house.

The black Vauxhall Corsa was discovered a short while later on Rosebury Avenue, but there were no occupants in the car.

Beds Police say that enquiries are still on going and if anyone has any information about the incident, contact the non-emergency 101 number.