This weekend sees a two great bands at The Wheatsheaf in Leighton Buzzard starting off on Friday, June 27, with The Informers, pictured.

This passionate, hard working band deliver a great range of ska, rock, new romantic, new wave and punk covers from the 70s and 80s.

Heralding from Herts, Beds and Bucks, The Informers always produce a great evening at the Wheatie with popular covers including from The Jam and Madness and a few slightly more obscure!

Saturday night (June 28) sees a slight change of tone to a more soul and blues rock from the Curvy Love Dogz.

The Curvys, a three-piece group, were formed in 2005 and are MK and Leighton Buzzard-based featuring Colin Kempster on vocals and base, Richard, a highly versatile rhythm guitarist and the fabulous Steve ‘Rockstar’ Wright at the back on the drums.

The set will cover a mix of taste from The Police, TRex and U2 through to Steelers Wheel, REM and Coldplay, with a touch of more recent Scissor Sisters, Kiser Chiefs and Maroon 5 to dance along to.

Music starts at 9.30pm on both evenings and entrance is free.

Many think the antiques world is dry, dusty and staid and certainly not a place for career driven, intelligent and entrepreneurial young people.

Not so! In fact, there are many more than you’d think – and as well as being the future of the trade, they’re thriving!

Robyn Alston, 40 is an antiques trader from Stewkley Road in Wing, who manages Off The Wall Antiques situated at Pages Industrial Park in Leighton Buzzard.

Robyn is currently in the final stages of a new competition called Antiques Young Guns that aims to promote the trade to the next generations.

She said: “ The competition is a a fantastic opportunity to gain publicity for our businesses, network with other dealers and share knowledge.”

Robyn believes that it is very important to keep the trade alive despite popular demand for modern, cheap furniture.

“Antique shops offer all kinds of unique items for a range of price. The hard work of generations past deserves to be celebrated rather than forgotten.”

Antiques Young Guns has gained a lot of interest since its launch in 2013 due to the involvement of several senior members of the trade.

The competition will be judged by a number of well-known antique personalities including TV presenter, Judith Miller and journalist, Anna Brady.

This year’s final will take place on July 4 at Alfies Antiques, Marylebone, London.

Eight lucky winners will also have the chance to set up shop at Lorfords Antiques in Gloucestershire.

Over a period of three months each dealer will have the opportunity to display and sell their items to the public alongside some of Europe’s most eminent decorative dealers.

Robyn is passionate about her business and hopes to see it thrive in the future. She added: “I aim to encourage and support young people entering the trade, as it is the only way to keep it going.”

Singers rarely perform with composers, but local choir Danesborough Chorus will be performing Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light: A Requiem on Saturday, June 28 at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church, Woburn, with the composer himself conducting.

The concert will also include Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna, and the choir will be accompanied by Milton Keynes City Orchestra, who will play Britten’s Simple Symphony.

The soloists will be Bethany Seymour (soprano) and Jonathan Gunthorpe (baritone).

“In celebration of mid-summer, we have chosen light as our theme for this concert,” said musical director Ian Smith. “And to complement our commitment to the great composers of the choral classics of the past, we are singing modern choral works written less than 20 years ago. Even better, we will be conducted by one of the composers, an enjoyable privilege for the both the choir and the audience!”

Well-known as a composer of TV themes tunes and a seasoned media presenter, Howard Goodall is one of Britain’s most versatile modern composers. In 2008 he became Composer-in-Residence with Classic FM radio, and in 2009 he was named Composer of the Year at the Classical BRIT Awards.

He received a CBE for services to music education in 2011. Unusually, his requiem, Eternal Light, first performed in 2008, is intended to provide solace for the grieving, addressing their suffering through English poems as well as the Latin Mass.

Morten Lauridsen has been equally recognised and honoured in his native United States: in 2007, he received the National Medal of Arts ‘for his composition of radiant choral works combining musical beauty, power and spiritual depth that have thrilled audiences worldwide’.

Influenced by Gregorian chant, he has been described as the only American composer in history who can be called a mystic. Lux Aeterna (eternal light) was first performed in 1997, and comprises five movements based on sacred Latin texts.

To complete the summer combination of light and music, the audience is invited to bring their own strawberries and champagne for the traditional extended concert interval on the beautiful lawns around Woburn Church.

Tickets priced £20, £16 and £10 (including a free programme) are likely to sell fast, so don’t miss this unique and enjoyable event; contact the choir box office on 01908 583460, or via www.danesborough.org.uk.

“My job is to hunt terrorists. I don’t negotiate. Within three days, I will find you. You can start counting.”

Meet Ethan Renner (Kevin ‘Man Of Steel’ Costner) – a grizzled, wrinkly CIA hit man who is one of the best out there despite his grey hair.

The black ops and ‘wet work’ for his country have taken their toll on his family life, though – his estranged wife Christine (Connie ‘Gladiator’ Nielsen) has virtually given up on him and his teenage daughter Zooey (Hailee ‘Enders Game’ Steinfeld) can no longer bring herself to call him ‘dad’.

What’s a man to do? Well, when diagnosed with terminal brain cancer Renner decides to put the killing behind him and try to make up with his family.

Alas, ultra vixen CIA operative Vivi Delay (Amber ‘All The Boys Love Mandy Lane’ Heard) has other ideas and tempts him to take a final assignment – to kill an arms dealing scumbag known as The Wolf in exchange for an experimental drug that might just extend his life…

That’s all you need to know about the plot, because even before the opening credits 3 Days To Kill has delivered a superb gun fight, some nasty kills and a botched ‘happy birthday’ phone call.

And the action doesn’t really let up thanks to this coming from the team behind Taken and being written by Luc ‘Leon: The Professional’ Besson.

Director McG isn’t known for bringing sensitive fare to the screen but he surprises here. This is his first non Hollywood flick and he manages to blend the disparate elements of family drama and brutal torture and killing effectively.

The glue that holds the car chasing, beating and shooting together with the adjusting to help a teen daughter with her social life is a sharp vein of dark humour.

Costner is good value in the lead – the dangerous dad role suits him even more than it did Neeson in Taken – and the bad guys include a rent-a-psycho albino (Tómas Lemarquis) and of course The Wolf (Richard ‘Casino Royale’ Samuel) along with many disposable henchmen which it is fun watching Costner stylishly dispatch.

Then of course there is Amber Heard, who sizzles every time she’s on screen, and Steinfeld who gives good teenage angst.

3 Days To Kill delivers a fun, action packed cinematic thrill ride – it’s perfect Friday night is movie night material.

New research from Churchill home insurance reveals a growing trend for converting downstairs rooms into bedrooms in British residential properties.

In a survey of UK estate agents more than half said they have increasingly seen new downstairs bedrooms being created in the past few years.

More than one in ten of Brits say they have either recently created, or plan to create, an extra bedroom on the ground floor, with nearly three-quarters of those who have converted or are planning to convert, expecting the value of their property to increase as a result.

However, they could be extremely disappointed as only a fifth of estate agents say that converted sleeping space on the ground floor adds to the value of a home.

They see the main effect is a rise in potential rental income, with an average increase of 16 per cent for swapping living space for an extra bedroom.

Although nearly a quarter of bedroom converters say that increased property value is the primary reason for the change, the reasons for this trend are not just financial.

Many homeowners are looking to help out their family, by making best use of the space they already have in their home.

A fifth wanted to create a spare bedroom for occasional guests and 13 per cent wanted the extra space for an adult son or daughter who was moving back home.

More than one in 10 converted sleeping space on the ground floor for their elderly relatives and an equal amount converted it for someone who was unable to climb the stairs, or for making extra room for a child that had outgrown their previous bedroom.

Churchill home insurance boss Martin Scott said: “Putting in a downstairs bedroom can be a very practical solution for homeowners, whether they may be finding space for a growing child, helping to care for elderly relatives or making visiting friends feel more comfortable.

“The cost of converting a downstairs room is likely to be significantly less than moving home, so whilst high property prices continue to be an issue, homeowners are making sensible changes to what they already own.”

“Increases in the number of bedrooms or occupants within the household could affect home insurance cover and policy limits. Therefore, it is important homeowners make their insurer aware of changes to their properties.”

By Sarah Marshall

I’ve given and received some weird presents in my time, but none quite compare to a dried-up lama foetus.

Spindly and alien-like, the dehydrated carcass would be a more appropriate gift for an enemy, but it forms the key component for an offering to goddess Pachamama; mother earth to Peru’s Quechua people.

Practised in South America’s Andean regions, the despacho ceremony is used to connect with the environment and ask for good fortune, often in August when crops are harvested.

But Daniel, a shamen from Peru’s Sacred Valley, is performing this particular ritual to welcome me to the cloud forests of Machu Picchu, the “hidden” Inca citadel where it’s difficult not to worship nature’s beauty.

In the past, Incas would have slaughtered lamas for sacrifice, but today people rely on natural miscarriages. Still, not a pleasant thought to dwell upon.

After blowing a conch shell to summon the mountain spirits, Daniel asks me to help him make kintu - fans of three cocoa leaves stuck together with thick, gloopy lama fat. He raises these to the various peaks, praising Apu Machu Picchu, Apu Wayna Picchu and even, endearingly, Apu Ben Nevis.

I don’t have the heart to tell him I’m not from Scotland.

Finally, he wraps our gift - a surreal collection of corn kernels, sequins, jelly babies, car-shaped biscuits (apparently a good addition if you’re looking for a new car) and dollar bills - in the kind of garish, rose-covered, foil wrapping paper you might find at Clinton Cards.

Before heading into the forest to burn the offering, Daniel pours some ceremonial tipples onto the earth - wine, chicha (corn beer) and that prized beverage, Coca-Cola - and wafts an eagle feather dipped in water up and down my spine.

Celebrating nature and Peru’s cultural heritage is central to the ethos of eco-tourism company Inkaterra, so the despacho is a fitting activity to offer guests at their Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel in Aguas Calientes, where I’m staying. Some even use it to renew wedding vows.

Starting out in 1975 as a lodge and research centre in the Southern Peruvian rainforest, Inkaterra now operate five boutique and characterful properties in the Amazon, Cusco and Machu Picchu, with profits invested in research, conservation and social programmes.

The Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel was originally a campsite for backpackers, but now the palm leaf-roofed casitas (lodges), hot tubs and first class restaurant offer much greater comfort.

The ideology, however, remains the same, and visitors who come initially to visit Machu Picchu end up, often unexpectedly, spending more time enjoying the flora and fauna in the hotel’s extensive grounds.

Hot air from the Amazon collides with cool air from the Andes to create a biodiverse environment where orchids grow from crevices in trees, and hummingbirds drink from heliconia flowers.

I settle my magnifying glass on a 4mm orchid, one of the 372 native varieties that grow in the hotel’s gardens, some with amusing names, such as Donald Duck or Lama-faced.

Over time, the team of naturalists have discovered ten new species, and Inkaterra’s founder, the coolly charismatic and inspirational Jose Koechlin, has also published a book on the subject.

Behind the orchid garden, I follow an overgrown path to the hotel’s spectacled bear sanctuary where, being one of only two organisations operating in Peru, half the South American bear population resides. These bears, whose markings make them appear to be wearing spectacles, famously inspired Michael Bond’s Paddington Bear character.

With the help of Stephen Fry and a BBC team, Yogi was the first of the five bears to arrive here after being rescued from a 1.5m x 1.5m cage where he was kept by local villagers as a pet. Others, saved from the circus, could once only jump and dance, but have since learned how to climb trees. Sadly, though, few will ever be able to survive fully in the wild again.

Inkaterra’s NGO arm, Inkaterra Association, invites school children to the sanctuary and aims to educate them about respecting the environment - an idea which is key to the Inca ideology.

Walk through the ruins of Machu Picchu and it becomes obvious that nature formed the basis of belief systems; temples were built with mathematical precision to capture the sun’s rays, mountain peaks were used for worship, and animals such as the condor and puma symbolised strength and greatness.

I climb to the top of Cerro Machu Picchu mountain, sweating as I clamber over granite boulders and through canopies of ferns to reach the 3,000m peak. I’m stood in a cloud, but when the mist momentarily clears to reveal a lost city in the sky, I understand why Inca emperor Patchacuti chose to establish his short-lived kingdom here in the 15th century.

The Spanish never made it to the citadel, but many of the artefacts were looted by local farmers, with Hiram Bingham scooping the last lot after discovering the site in 1911.

Some pieces have been returned from America to the new Casa Concha museum in Cusco, the former Inca capital, a four-hour train ride from Aguas Calientes.

A heady 3,400m above sea level, the mountain-fringed city is a fusion of Inca and Colonial architecture and art. Fine examples include Coricancha (the Temple of the Sun) where an 18th century Dominican church sits on top of large granite blocks once covered in gold, or paintings inside the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, depicting triangular Virgin Marys inspired by sacred mountains.

Many buildings have been well preserved, including Inkaterra’s 11 suite La Casona hotel, a restored 16th century colonial house, on land once used as a training ground for the Inca army. The peaceful courtyard and antique-filled corridors offer much needed respite from the frantic activity outdoors.

Cusco thrives on tourism, and the narrow hilly streets, where Inca aqueducts can still be found, are filled with women in colourful, embroidered Quechua dress, all hoping to pose for photos in exchange for a few coins.

I ask one girl the name of a baby lamb she’s cradling. She rolls her eyes with teenage insouciance, flatly replying, “baby lamb”, then uses her thumb to force the poor animal’s top lip upwards into a smile. I duly give her some money and she runs off to buy an ice cream.

Despite the show put on for foreigners, though, it’s still possible to find pockets of authentic local life in Cusco. In San Pedro market, vendors sell large discs of flat chuta bread and sacks of dusty potatoes, some of the 3,000 varieties grown in Peru.

Many are transported from the Sacred Valley, where Inkaterra plan to open a new hotel later this year, with a food and drink focus. Guests will be invited to collect vegetables from farmers working in the area, and pink salt from nearby mines, all for use in cooking classes.

Standing on the porch of the semi-completed building, I enjoy uninterrupted views of mountains covered in forest and wild flowers.

It’s easy to see why Inkaterra chose this location for what they hope will be a wellbeing retreat; like the Incas, they fully appreciate the power of Pachamama.

TRAVEL FACTS

:: Sarah Marshall was a guest of Cox & Kings (020 7873 5000; www.coxandkings.co.uk) who offer an 12-day/10-night private tour to Peru, from £2,195 per person, including flights with Air Europa, transfers, return train tickets to Machu Picchu, excursions and accommodation with breakfast daily.

:: A two-night stay at the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica is priced from £660 per person. An one-night upgrade to the Inkaterra Machu Picchu costs from £125 per person, and a one-night upgrade to the Inkaterra La Casona in Cusco costs from £125 per person. For more information, v isit www.inkaterra.com

Liam Neeson has found a niche with leading roles in solid, workmanlike thrillers. There’s the usual non-stop action in, erm, NON-STOP (12: Studio Canal) in which he’s a veteran air marshal on a flight from New York to London.

He suddenly receives a text message telling him a passenger will die every 20 minutes unless $150million is transferred to a secret account.

Tasked with finding the killer among his 200 fellow passengers, and helped by frequent flyer Julianne Moore and plucky flight attendant Michelle Dockery, Neeson plays a cat-and-mouse game above the Atlantic while trying to keep the body count to a minimum. But his investigation is threatened when he’s framed as being the mastermind behind the plot.

The premise is intriguing and some claustrophobic thrills are delivered, but the film struggles to sustain momentum. It’s not Neeson’s most convincing action-hero performance and he’s not helped by a script that lays on the hammy dialogue a little too thick and stretches credulity to breaking point.

> More undemanding action entertainment is provided by RIDE ALONG (12: Universal), a routine buddy cop caper that offers some cheap laughs. Ben Barber, played by stand-up comic Kevin Hart, is a wimpish high school security guard and wannabe police detective.

His other ambition is to marry Angela (Tika Sumpter), but first he has to get the blessing of her brother James (Ice Cube), a hardcase Atlanta cop.

James insists that Ben ride along with him on a nightmare shift where their main focus is hunting down a vicious criminal (Laurence Fishburne). James also contrives to throw Ben into other hairy situations to break his spirit.

Fairly obvious slapstick action ensues, often with violence as a substitute for a decent punch-line.

Ride Along is efficient rather than inspired and although watchable enough, it’s unlikely to make a big impression.

> The publicity blurb for THE PRETTY ONE (15: Sony)describes it as “a coming-of-age comedy about identity and loss and a wallflower who finally learns how to break out of her shell”. Now where have I heard all that before?

In a balancing act of a performance, Zoe Kazan portrays twins Laurel and Audrey, most poignantly as a relationship blooms with her new neighbor (Jake Johnson).

As Laurel begins to slip into the life she has always wanted, but never thought was possible, she must decide between continuing her life as Audrey and revealing herself as the perfect fraud.

> Elliot (Mark Webber) is a bright, yet meek, social services worker drowning in debt and desperate because he’s about to marry the love of his life in 13 SINS (15: Entertainment One).

Upon receiving a cryptic phone call informing him that he’s on a hidden camera game show where hje must execute 13 tasks, he learns he will be on his way to winning a multimillion dollar cash prize if he quickly follows through with his first two instructions – swat the fly that is currently bothering him and then eat the fly.

Although thousands of dollars are suddenly appearing in his bank account, Elliot remains suspicious, yet comforted by the knowledge that he can stop playing at any time if only to lose every penny that he’s won.

As he leaves a path of destruction behind him and runs away from the law (Ron Perlman), Elliot’s need to complete the game escalates as the tasks grow increasingly sinister, to a devastating point of no return.

Scouts have 100,000 reasons to celebrate. UK Scout membership has grown by an impressive 100,000 in the last 10 years due to a rise in female interest.

Bedfordshire has followed the trend which saw a 15% increase in girls last year, the biggest rise in female young people since 2008.

With adventure at its core, Scouting helps young people achieve their full potential as responsible members of the community.

Andy Goddon, District Commissioner for Leighton Linslade, said: “We had a 22% increase in teenage Scouts this year. Overall our female teenage membership has doubled in the last 10 years.”

Chief Scout Bear Grylls added: “Being a Scout empowers people. I am so excited to see Scout numbers continue to rise across the UK.

“People don’t want to miss out and Scouting brings them all together, empowers them and allows them to make a positive impact.”

Leighton’s Red Lion pub plays host to rock/blues band The Bluestormers on Saturday, June 28.

The following Saturday (July 5) it’s the turn of Johnnys’ Cash Band to take the stage – as you might have guessed, they are a Johnny Cash tribute band!

Then on Friday, July 11 it’s the long-awaited return ofJohn Verity, the main man of the band Argent. The following night it’s singer Matt Roberts.

Leighton Buzzard sit 19 points clear at the top of Cherwell League Division 2 after seeing off Challow & Childrey by eight wickets on Saturday.

Since their relegation from Division 1 last season, Leighton have picked up five wins and just a single defeat from their opening seven matches, and look in good shape to bounce back to the top flight at the first attempt.

The home side were forced into making three changes to the side which beat Aston Rowant last week though - with David Roberts, Kirk Brazier and Simon Halhead who was playing his first game of the season coming in for Chris Thompson, Jack Kempster and captain Phil Whatmore.

n glorious sunshine acting skipper Tom Light won the toss for Town and decided to bowl first .Dan Scott is demonstrating some excellent bowling form at the moment and he was amongst the wickets again as early as his second over when he trapped opening bat Penrose (5) leg before wicket . He soon followed this with another wicket when Dave Roberts swooped low to pick up a smart catch in the gully removing Bryan (4). Alan Priestley then induced Kent (1) to edge the ball to wicket keeper Tim O’Leary and the visitors were 39-3.

Opener Gordon (26) had managed a few lusty blows with 5 fours but Scott brought about his downfall with another lbw decision. At the first drinks break the visitors score stood at 67-4 off 17 overs.

Town’s 2 spinners Lee Selfe and Tom Light now came into the attack. The former was soon celebrating success with Hill (3) dismissed lbw.

Challow now took the attack to Leighton with visiting keeper Warboys in particular aggressive mood.

His first seven scoring shots included 4 fours and a six although Selfe did spin the ball past the edge of his bat leaving him looking bewildered at times.

With his batting partner Whitehead playing a supporting role the partnership was worth 43 and was looking threatening .

Light then decided to introduce Simon Halhead into the bowling attack. With Warboys on 49 he tried to swat a legside delivery from Halhead’s first over but was neatly stumped with a smart piece of work by O’Leary.

This was a much needed wicket for Leighton and the score now stood at 120-6 from 37 overs.

Having looked little troubled during his innings Whitehead (21) was the next lbw victim falling to Selfe and this dismissal now exposed the tail. Jones (2) was Selfe’s third lbw victim and Bond (1) was clean bowled by Light.

Visiting captain Harris (8) then charged down the wicket at Selfe, missed the ball and was duly stumped by O’Leary.

So after 46 overs of effort the visitors had been dismissed for 139 runs. Selfe took 4-36, Scott 3-16 and one wicket each for Priestley, Halhead and Light.

Leighton now had 54 overs to reach their target and began in a particular aggressive mood with the scoreboard rattling along at a run-a-ball. Light in particular struck 5 excellent cover drives which ended up crossing the boundary rope. Antony Francis (16) was the first home wicket to fall edging left arm spinner Harris to keeper Warboys. Light (25) soon followed trapped lbw by Jones to leave Town on 47-2.

Adam Culley has had little opportunity to bat so far this season so he was keen to spend as long as possible in the middle. Scott joined him but they became becalmed for a while scoring just 10 runs from 7 overs as the visitors bowling attack gained the upper hand. However this did not last long as both batsmen grew in confidence with some quickly run ones and twos. These were supplemented by a series of boundaries from both batsmen including one huge six from Scott. The partnership was worth 92 runs with just one needed for victory. This came from a wide with Scott on 44 not out which included six fours and Culley on 30 not out with five fours.

Leighton get a maximum 25 points which maintains their position at the top of Division 2.

Dan Scott was the Harpenden Building Society man of the match for his bowling and batting efforts.

Half centuries from Phillip Webb and Adam Goldberg helped Cublington to an excellent win over Horspath.

Batting first, Cubs lost their opening trio cheaply, bringing Webb to the crease much earlier than he’d have expected.

Goldberg joined him in the middle shortly afterwards, and the pair sought about rescuing the innings.

Webb fell on 54, and Goldberg remained in the middle, aided by Will Rodnight (17) and Ben Orchard (23 not out) on his way to an unbeaten 55.

The rescue mission saw Cubs end the innings 203-6.

While the Horspath top order got off to a good start, Ollie Fairhurst (1-32) and Jono Waugh (2-48) saw off the openers before Greg Jenkins took over destructive duties.

His fine spell of 5-33 skittled the Horspath middle order, with Kit Gordon-Stuart adding 2-32 to take out the visitors for 179, ensuring a 24 run victory.

Division 1

Great Brickhill climbed to third in the table after a nail-biting finale against Twyford.

The home side made a decent start, with David Fanghanel-Powles hitting 31 and Shahid Mahmood top scoring with 69.

But as wickets tumbled, four of which fell to George Humphries, Twyford showed few signs of resistance, though number six Jake Kubinek’s 42 helped them to 197.

In reply, Michael Baker and Anton De Beer continued their excellent opening partnerships before De Beer was out for 48.

But with overs running out, Baker continued his fine recent form and paced his innings brilliantly to end up with 83 not out to give Brickhill victory with an over to spare.

Division 4

After a good win last week Leighton were looking to gain some momentum in their attempt to move up the Division 4 table from their visit to play Witney Mills. Town won the toss and decided to bat first. By the end of the second over the score had advanced to 4 and both openers were back in the pavilion. The only stand for the visitors then developed between Alfie Ruston (30) and Riaan Krynauw (27) worth 58 runs but they then lost 4 wickets in 3 overs for the addition of no runs. The bowler doing the damage was Swindells who created mayhem for Town’s batsmen claiming the last 7 wickets to fall.

Leighton’s dismal effort was worth just 83 runs from just 22 overs with Swindells finishing with 7-20 from 7 overs.

With such a modest total to defend there was little that the visitors could do and although they took 2 wickets there was never any doubt that the home side would win.

Town take just 2 points from a performance which was simply not good enough.

Great Brickhill 2nds lost to Chearsley by 38 runs, slipping below their opponents to seventh in the table.

After a poor first half from the bowlers, Brickhill found control and accuracy from Ahad Kahn (2-27 off 12 overs) and Sam Brightwell (2-44 off 16 overs) to keep Chearsley to 218-7 off 53 overs.

In reply, Pat Prasad batted very well for 83 runs but was unable to find support as the team were all out for 180.

A brilliant opening partnership between Andrew Norris and Paul Harris put Division 1’s Eaton Bray on the front foot from the off against Thurleigh as they won by 76 runs.

Norris hit 85, and partner Harris added 70 at the top of the order as Eaton Bray declared on 229-4 after 42 overs.

Thurleigh’s top order too got off to a decent start, but after Christopher Wood (42) and Edward Humphreys (35) fell, there was little left in the tank.

Jaco Jacobs was the pick of the bowlers for Eaton Bray, taking 4-23 as Thurleigh were bowled out for 153.

Eggington Foresters’ tough time continued in the top flight continued with an eight wicket defeat against New City.

Aqib Ali hit 35 at the top of the order, but with Brijesh Valambhia, Arshad Mahmood and Viral Shah taking three wickets apiece, Eggington were reduced to 113.

Opener Dharmesh Mistry hit an unbeaten 54 for New City to put them in pole position from the off, and they barely looked back as they cruised to victory (114-2).

Division 2

Peter Young’s 65 not out helped Milton Bryan to a comfortable six wicket win over North Crawley 2nds.

Gavin Knight took 4-30 to reduced North Crawley to 182. Carl Wright and James Bailey got Milton Bryan off to a good start before Young’s knock put them over the line (186-4) with plenty to spare.

Division 3

Pitstone & Ivinghoe collapsed to a 99 run defeat at the hands of Printers.

John Lowe, Philip Badrick and Darren Badrick took two wickets each as Printers scored 195-8.

But Pitstone collapsed to just 96.

Eggington Foresters 2nds were thumped by Westcroft by nine wickets. Reduced to just 131, Westcroft (132-1)comfortably saw off the total.

Division 4

Wing with Wingrave were met with a great batting display by Drayton Parslow, losing by nine wickets. Adam Raspass was run out on 68 as Wing scored 149.

But William Croft scored 83 not out for Drayton Parslow (150-1) to see them home.

Milton Bryan 2nds (146) were thumped by 130 against Olney 2nds (276-7), and Stewkley Vicarage (151) lost by 55 runs to Milton Keynes 2nds (206-6).

Division 5

Eaton Bray won their game against Thurleigh, who conceded.

Division 6

Cublington 3rds’ Ian Williams hit 53 to help his side to an appropriate 53 run win over Wing with Wingrave 2nds.

Williams, batting at seven, rescued the innings for Cubs as they were eventually bowled out for 166.

In response, Simon Winman took a brilliant 5-17 as Wing slumped to 113 all out in less than 33 overs.

Division 7

Brilliant bowling from Ivinghoe & Pitstone 2nds helped them to a comfortable eight wicket win over New City 3rds. Jack Cowley took 3-29, while there were two wickets each for Tom Lowe, Rhys Carey and Aiden Blackmore reduced New City to just 72.

And it took Pitstone (75-2) just 13.4 overs to see off the total.

Leighton Linslade Concert Band has two major concerts to play this summer – at July 13 Grove House Gardens, Dunstable, and August 10 at Parson’s Close, Leighton Buzzard.

Both are Sunday afternoon concerts starting at 3pm; the latter is part of the Picnic in the Park/ Proms in the Park day.

Later on in the year they will be playing at the Harvest Festival in Pitstone for The Chapel Fellowship, plus several potential Christmas concerts and carol concerts – LB Christmas Festival, Pitstone (Chapel Fellowship), Sacred Heart LB, Carrington House Care Home LB, Redhouse Court Care Home, Houghton Regis and Milton Keyes (Middleton Hall).

Hatters boss John Still will stick to his tried and tested routine when the players return for pre-season training next Monday.

The Town chief, who has been in management for over 30 years now, told the club’s official website: “It’ll be business as usual.

“It’ll be the same format, the same pattern. We’ll get the players used to how we want them to play. Nothing changes.

“I’m sure we’ve all enjoyed this summer but it’s all about getting back to work.”

With Hatters will be preparing for life in League Two, Still is continuing to look at strengthening his squad for the challenge ahead after making just two signings so far in Curtley Williams and Ross Lafayette.

He continued: “Last year we knew we needed players that could compete in the Conference.

“I personally believe the gap between the two divisions isn’t that big, but that’s not to say we’ll be going for players that have exclusively experience of just League Two, or just of the Conference.

“You don’t always know how players are going fair, but my experience tells me if you have a gut feeling about a player then act on it.

“In both Curtley and Ross’ cases the key factor was their hunger and their ambition to do well for themselves.

“Sometimes I can just smell the hunger and desire on a player and sometimes it’s enough to tip me over the edge one way or the other. With these two it was a positive tip.”

Hatters will start their campaign at Carlisle United, a side who were relegated from League One last season, but Still wants them to approach the new term with confidence.

He added: “I said when I first came here it was about small steps, and these are just a few small steps for this football club.

“We’ve got to make sure we take these steps steady and cleanly, and at one at a time. We’ve moved up after a fantastic season last year: now is not the time to take two steps back.”

Leighton’s Under 13 team received a very late invitation to compete in the Jubilee Shield Competition at Ascott House on Saturday.

They could only muster 10 players due to the late call but they won the competition and the two individual awards with a five star team effort.

There were three other teams competing from Olney, Bletchley and Dinton Cricket clubs.

Each team could bat for 14 overs with batsmen required to retire when they had scored 30 runs and no bowler could deliver more than three overs.

Bletchley were Town’s first opponents and were duly dispatched.

In the final Leighton played reigning champions Dinton. The Bucks side batted first and scored 66 runs ,restricted by some excellent fielding from Leighton’s youngsters. All catches were taken with Ben Turley hanging on to three. He also took 2-4 from three overs. Alex Axford and Connor Hickman also took wickets.

When it was Town’s turn to bat they changed the order, opening with Alex Axford. What a revelation he was as he raced to 30 runs with a series of fours and he had to retire but had put Leighton into a good position. Ben Turley then took up the challenge and he too was in a good form with 23 not out when the winning run was scored with 3 overs still to go.

Alex Axford won the batting award and Ben Turley took the bowling award.

I call them marshmallow jobs – the sort of tasks that you think won’t take long and will give you some simple domestic satisfaction, but instead turn out to leave you feeling decidedly queasy after only a few minutes, and anxious to quit. You know, like you think a packet of marshmallows is going to be delicious but after just a couple you feel quite sick. No? Just me, then?

But we’ve all got them. Every so often the current Mrs Dee attacks the airing cupboard, carefully folding every towel, sheet and stray valance and then going on about it for the rest of the week. It’s one of her marshmallow jobs.

Cleaning the oven is another – not hers, not mine, which is why it turns out to be such a pain when we finally accept that it has to be done.

But these are repeated, if irregular tasks, and you pretty much know what you’re letting yourself in for.

Far more depressing are the one-offs, jobs that you’ve been meaning to get around to for years but always found to an excuse to avoid.

Which brings me to the cable box.

When successor civilisations cast their eyes over the wreckage of our way of life and wonder where it all went wrong, I predict that cables and connectors will loom large in their thinking.

How, they will wonder, did this people spend so much time and effort creating this stuff when it was apparently never used?

The cable box, in case you don’t have one, is the capacious crate into which every stray bit of technical linkage that has made it over the Dee threshold has been dumped in recent years because, well, you know, it might come in handy.

In a fit of domestic duty linked to the imminent arrival of a weekend guest, I undertook – not willingly, mind you – to sort it out.

And by sort it out, Mrs Dee – still full of righteous wrath after another bout in the airing cupboard – made it clear that she did not mean moving in into the garage and ignoring it for the rest of the decade.

There were phone connectors, of course, and those little sets of headphones that seem to come gratis with almost everything you buy these days.

But there were also power leads still sealed in their cellophane packing, and little indication of what they would ever have connected to the mains.

Now that almost everything comes with a wireless option, this forlorn spaghetti of spurned technology was an object lesson in obsolecence.

After a fruitless half hour trying to work out which bits we really needed to keep, which went with items which were thrown out long ago, and which were ripe for recycling, I firmly announced to the household at large that all the cables would be available for viewing, and rescuing, in the garage for the next week, after which they would be conveyed to the dump.

They’re still there – just six more years to go...

Leighton Buzzard Canoe Club were being represented across Europe last weekend.

Sam Plummer was carrying the flag for his country as he competed at the European Championships in Slovakia.

The university student left for the continent the day after his exams paddle for Great Britain at the marathon kayak European Championships.

It was Sam’s first race for GB in the Under 23 category having competed last year as a junior.

The sun shone and it was extremely hot but fortunately there was a cooling breeze as well. The race was over 26km with seven and half laps including a run of 125m on all but the first lap.

Sam started well but lost position on the first portage as a result of having to empty his boat of water. The race settled down with a group of seven at the front and Sam was dominating the third group of four paddlers. Sam’s group stayed together and he tested them at each portage making them work to catch him each time. On the last portage he conclusively dropped two of the four. This left only the Frenchman who Sam then beat convincingly in a sprint finish for twelfth place.

While Sam was competing in the European Championships other paddlers from the club made the trip to the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham to race in the third of five Regattas this year.

Holmes Pierpoint is now the home of the British Canoe Union and National coaches, trainers and selectors were in evidence.

The 2 day events sees clubs from across the country enter over 300 possible races over distances of 200m, 500m and 1000m. For this regatta there was also a 5K race for Mens A and Ladies A paddlers.

The weather always impacts on results at this course and promise of sunshine was very much hoped for but didn’t materialize, paddlers however were happy enough with little wind and light showers.

Most success for LBCC came from the under 12 Lightning team who all compete in same type of boats and race by ability in either group A or B.

Newcomer Adam Baker, Bethany Morris and Max Pickering made up three quarters of the K4 who took 3rd place in Lightning A over 500m.

Bethany followed that with another 3rd place in a K2 with her partner from Ealing. In Lightning B Adam partnered up with another Ealing paddler to make it a hat trick of 3rds over 500m.

Bethany raced up and joined Izzie Pickering in a Girls D mixed K4 over 1000m and achieved 2nd place.

A pleased Josh Westswood joined with a Falcon paddler to take 3rd over 200m in the Boys A/B K2 race.

Laura Hussey was the only Leighton competitor to take on the 5K which involved 2 laps of the race course. Consistent and focused paddling led Laura to cross the line in a well deserved 2nd place.

Top honours again went to coach, and 200m specialist, Steve Tingay who had a fantastic K1 race and easily took 1st in Masters A.

This victory was followed by another 1st in Masters A K2 when he joined forces with his usual partner David Battershill from Wey.

New dog control orders could soon be introduced in the Leighton area by Central Beds Council.

The authority has just launched a consultation on measures to cover a number of offences, including fouling, dogs on leads, areas where dogs are not allowed and people taking more than the maximum numbers of dogs onto these areas.

Councillor Amanda Dodwell said: “We know that the vast majority of dog owners are caring and considerate, but the few that aren’t have an enormous impact on others. One of the key areas we want to tackle is not cleaning up after your dog – not only is it very noticeable and unpleasant, it also has potential health implications. And those using our countryside sites and footpaths have told us that dog fouling is one of the biggest problems for them.”

“We want to strike a balance between the interests of those in charge of dogs and those affected by the activities of dogs, bearing in mind the need for people to have access to dog-free areas and the need for those in charge of dogs to have areas where they can exercise their dogs.”

You can have your say online at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultations up until July 28 or we requested a questionnaire by calling 0300 300 5639.

Any orders made will come into force in October 2014.

Signs will be erected to advise those in charge of dogs of the relevant restrictions in their locality. Enforcement would be carried out by authorised council officers, dog wardens, and countryside site managers and park rangers.

Officers from British Transport Police (BTP) officers are reminding commuters who cycle to and from railway stations to ensure their cycles and locks are as secure as possible as efforts continue to deter thieves who target bikes locked at stations.

BTP officers regularly team up with colleagues from other police forces and Train Operating Companies to hold cycle surgeries offering safety advice and bike security marking for commuters across the country.

The latest surgery will take place tomorrow, Wednesday June 25, at Leighton Buzzard rail station between 4pm and 7pm.

The event coincides with the latest Op Wiggins national day of action. Op Wiggins is a national initiative launched in September 2013 by BTP to combat cycle crime. More details can be found at http://www.btp.police.uk/latest_news/operation_wiggins_launches.aspx

While many commuters heed the advice and take extra steps to prevent themselves becoming victims of crime, the officers’ work sometimes falls on deaf ears and some commuters continue to use poor locks and even leave their bikes at stations for several days or weeks, making them more attractive to thieves.

Now, with the help of abandoned bikes - which have been sprayed bright green to attract attention - officers are determined to spread the cycle security message to more commuters at Leighton Buzzard, Rugby, Coventry and Canley stations in the coming months.

Insp Chris Casey, from BTP Milton Keynes, said: “The brightly-coloured bikes, which also have posters attached to them warning police operations are ongoing, are designed to catch the eye.

“The bikes and the posters are designed to act as a deterrent to thieves and also make cyclists think twice about how good their locks and security measures are when they leave their bikes unattended at railway stations.”

At the surgeries, officers will be handing out leaflets and crime prevention advice to commuters, as well as offering security marking for commuters’ bikes and advice on how to register on national cycle security databases.

Unfortunately, cyclists who leave their bikes at stations for long periods of time can find themselves the victims of theft - but measures such as the regular cycle surgeries and initiatives such as the sprayed bike, help cut the number of incidents.

Insp Casey added: “There are a number of steps cyclists can take to help prevent themselves from becoming victims of crime. Getting their bike registered on the national crime-fighting database at our cycle surgeries is completely free of charge.

“Getting your bike registered helps police return any recovered stolen cycles to their owners more easily - and it makes your property less appealing to would-be thieves.

“Also, I cannot highlight strongly enough the importance of using a good quality D-lock to secure your cycle and also to lock both wheels as well as your frame. It will act as a deterrent to thieves and reduce your chances of becoming a victim of crime.

“Don’t use poor quality wire locks which are easy to snap.”

“In the meantime, BTP is stepping up the number of plain clothes patrols, using tracker bike deployments, holding cycle surgeries with SusTrans to improve bike security, and working with train operators to conduct security patrols and improve CCTV at locations where cycle racks are in place.”

ADVICE FOR KEEPING YOUR BIKE SAFE AND SECURE:

Bicycles are a popular target for thieves. Here are some simple tips to ensure your cycle remains secure:

Always lock your bicycle whenever you leave it at a designated cycle rack area. Lock the frame and both wheels to a cycle stand.

Consider using more than one lock to secure your bike and ensure that you use a recognised security standard lock. D-locks, extension cable or heavy chain locks are certified locking mechanisms. It is important to ensure that yours are up to date.

Make the lock(s) and bike hard to manoeuvre when parked by ensuring little room between the stand and the bike.

Do not allow your lock(s) to come into contact with the ground, where they are viewed as more vulnerable.

Take a photograph of your bike and record your frame number and key details. This will be crucial in recovering your bike if it is stolen.

Mark your frame with your postcode in two separate locations, one of which should be hidden. Attach a ‘Coded Cycle’ label to reduce the risk of making your bike a target for theft.

Do not ride with valuables in open baskets or panniers.

Register your bicycle at www.immobilise.com or www.bikeregister.com

Each competitor from Leighton Buzzard Swimming Club broke at least one PB each at the final round of the SPILLS competition last week.

SPILLS stands for Swimmers Performance Improvement Linked Leagues.

Competitors gain points towards their team’s total not only for top six finishes in their races, but also by how much they improve.

The competition is spread across four rounds.

Every year it is a close competition and this year was no exception with many of the final positions been separated by just a couple of points when they were counted up at the end.

The whole club swam incredibly, with with every single swimmer achieving at least one PB in the final round of the season.

Overall, the club achieved a stunning grand total of 480 PBs throughout the four-round SPILLS competition.

A spokesman from LBSC said: “Congratulations to all swimmers that competed.

“And a massive thank you to the parents and volunteers that helped with the running of the SPILLS 2014.”

If you are interested in joining Leighton Buzzard Swimming Club or want more information, please contact Kate Faulkner on mrfaulkner@btopenworld.com

Fewer than one in 10 properties for sale in the East of England are affordable for the average working family looking to buy their first home, new research from housing charity Shelter shows.

The asking prices for thousands of properties for sale in the East of England on a given day were compared with the mortgage that families, couples and single people on average wages could afford as first time buyers.

In most of the region – 85 per cent – fewer than one in ten of the suitable homes on the market were affordable for a typical family, even assuming that they were able to save an 18 per cent deposit – the average size deposit for a first-time buyer.

The situation is even worse for those hoping to buy with a smaller deposit.

The charity’s research found 96 per cent of homes for sale in the East of England are unaffordable for families with a 95 per cent loan, as higher monthly mortgage costs push even more homes out of reach.

This means that the government’s Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme is unlikely to improve the outlook for first-time buyers, says the charity.

The results paint an alarming picture of the East of England’s affordability black spots, where the chances of finding a suitable property were near zero. These included Watford, Chelmsford and Stevenage.

Shelter is calling on the government to put the prospect of a stable home back in reach of ordinary working people by committing to plans to build more homes.

These include investment in a new generation of part rent, part buy homes, and making sure that smaller house builders can find the finance and land they need to build.

Nationally more than 80 per cent of properties for sale are unaffordable for the average working family looking to buy their first home, showing that England’s chronic shortage of affordable homes is widespread.

Single people in the East of England have the least chance of getting a foot on the property ladder, with only three out of every 100 homes on the market affordable for someone on an average wage.

But the research found that even couples without children who have two full-time incomes could still find it a struggle. More than three quarters of homes for sale in the East of England (76.7 per cent) are unaffordable for a couple without children on average wages.

Recent figures from the government show that average house prices in the UK have risen by 9.9 per year in a year to £260,000 – higher than their pre-crisis peak in 2008.

With soaring housing prices and the lack of affordable homes beginning to take effect, official figures published earlier this year showed that homeownership in England has fallen to its lowest level since 1987.

Shelter chief executive Campbell Robb said: “When a family looking to buy their first home searches a whole town for a place to live and finds nothing they can afford, it’s clear we’re not just facing a housing shortage any more: it’s a full-blown drought.

“As the pool of affordable properties shrinks ever smaller, thousands of people are being forced to wave goodbye to their dreams of a home of their own – even those who’ve been able to put aside a large deposit. It’s a bitter pill to swallow when we know that politicians can turn the tide on our housing shortage in a single parliament.

“Our failure to build more homes is leaving a whole generation of young people with no choice but to remain trapped in expensive and unstable private renting, or stuck in their childhood bedrooms for years to come, no matter how hard they work or save. The only way to bring house prices back within reach is to fill the gap between the homes we have and the homes we need.

“Help to Buy or tweaks to planning rules will only ever be sticking plaster solutions. Bringing a stable home back within reach will take bolder action like helping small local builders to find the finance they need to get building, and investing in a new generation of part rent, part buy homes.

“What we need right now is for politicians to roll up their sleeves and make stable homes for the next generation a top priority.”