British Transport Police (BTP) officers are appealing for the public’s help to identify two men they would like to speak to in connection with the theft of a car from the car park at Leighton Buzzard railway station.

Officers are investigating the incident which took place at around 6.30am on Sunday, 18 May 2014.

PC Robert Hagan, investigating officer, said: “Two men entered the lower ground floor of the station car park and forced their way into a blue, Volkswagen golf car before driving off in the stolen vehicle.

“Enquiries have been ongoing to identify the men responsible for the theft of the vehicle but to no avail.

“I am now in the position to release CCTV images of two men they would like to speak to as they believe they will have key information which can assist the investigation into the theft.”

Do you know the identity of either man, or their current whereabouts?

Anyone with information is asked to call British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016. Alternatively the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

In all calls, please quote incident reference MSUB/B3 of 09/07/14.

Eaton Bray pet-sitting company Nina’s Nannies for Pets has received a business boost from TV’s Dragons’ Den star Theo Papitis.

Nina Cole and her husband Doug, of Cantilupe Close, started the business in 1998 after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and she suffered a brain haemorrhage six months later.

Nina, 58, said: “Our life- changing events spurred us to follow our dream of working with animals. I formed the business to enable pets to stay within their own homes while their owners were away and as an alternative to kennels and catteries.”

Nina took to social media to tweet Theo about her business during Small Business Sunday, an initiative set up by the entrepreneur.

He re-tweeted her message and as a result Nina’s Nannies has gained more than 7,000 followers on Twitter and has been profiled on a new website, www.theopaphitissbs.com, exclusively for Small Business Sunday winners.

Nina said: “It is important to have support from Theo. We are over the moon to be recognised for our hard work.

“I hope the recognition will help promote animal welfare and encourage more people to adore their pets.

“We cover the south of the country and have just expanded to include the Devon area as well as Dorset, Hampshire, London, Sussex, Surrey and the Home Counties.

“We are always looking to expand our busy team, who are mainly retired people and couples.”

Oh, if only we could be sure that the title was a guarantee – this week’s big blockbuster release is Transformers: Age of Extinction, and we can only hope they will keep their word.

But as long as punters rock up to buy tickets and popcorn, this franchise will keep pumping out the metal mayhem.

Mark Wahlberg, Kelsey Grammer and Stanley Tucci are among the human beings overshadowed by the shape-shifting robots in Michael Bay’s latest migraine-inducing movie, the plot is peurile and the dialogue dreadul – but fans don’t care.

They want to see incredible CGI-generated machines bashing each other to bits, and Mr Bay is only too happy to meet that need even if he falls short in every area that could contribute to credible cinema.

Keira Knightley goes low budget and romantic in Begin Again, in which her expat singer/songwriter is talent-spotted by washed-up producer Mark Ruffalo in a New York bar.

He hatches a novel plan to record an album and overcome complications in her private life – her ex (Adam Levine of Maroon 5, making his acting debut) is already a chart-topping star.

It’s billed as a witty, moving and romantic hymn to the healing power of music from John Carney, the writer/director behind cult hit Once, which covered the same sort of territory.

Inevitable sequel time: the first instalment was a bit of a charmer and much-praised as well as profitable, so here comes How To Train Your Dragon 2.

Voice talent includes Gerard Butler, Cate Blanchett, America Ferrera and Jonah Hill, and we pick up the story as our hapless hero Hiccup the Viking and his less than terrifying dragon sidekick have to go on the front foot to tackle a new villain and his ice cave full of menacing wild dragons.

There are few surprises in this amiable animation, cranked out in time for the summer holiday market and a fair follow-up to the Oscar-nominated original.

Homeless Cats Rescue Bedfordshire are looking for homes for two of their moggies.

Seven year old Millie (bottom right) is a friendly, loving cat who would like a quiet home without young children, but she loves to say hello to visitors.

She is spayed and chipped and would like a home with a garden, away from any main roads.

Three year old Robbie (top right) is neutered and chipped, he would like a home with a garden, and no other cats or dogs.

He is shy at first but loves lots of strokes and fuss.

If you are interested in re-homing these cats, or can offer a home to a moggie, please visit www.homlesscatrescuebedfordshire.weebly.com or call 01582 529009.

The House of Coffee’s new coffee range, Get In The Mood, is receiving international attention.

The Peacock Parade store has been in businesses for over 30 years and launched the new range earlier this year.

The coffee shop has teamed up with local design and marketing company Be A Tiger to market the new range of coffees.

Nick Stagg, managing director said: ‘We have got this far by having confidence in our product and by keeping an optimistic eye on the future.

“By far the most dramatic positive shift in this business has been as a consequence of our partnership with local design and marketing company Be a Tiger.”

The new range of coffees are Partied Out Panda, Hectic Hamster, Intrepid Baboon, Brilliant Raccoon and Fancy Cat, all the coffees are different strengths.

Paula Lain, managing director of Be a Tiger, said: ”It is a marketing and design dream to have the opportunity to work on creating a new brand and even more rewarding to see it start to create impact in what is a very competitive market place.

“Within just a few months of launch, The House of Coffee is receiving orders from as far afield as USA and China and recently took an enquiry from a distribution agent who is interested in launching the range in Egypt, very exciting times for the team.

This month the current President of the Rotary Club of Leighton Linslade, Tom Nicols, stands down and the new President, Ian Stephens, will take over.

One of the pleasant tasks that the outgoing President performs every year is to distribute the profits raised during the Club’s various fund raising events through the year.

These events include the May Fayre, the Brain of Leighton quiz and also the carol singing on Christmas Eve.

June 23rd saw representatives from local & national charities come to Tilsworth Golf Club where they were presented with cheques for their organisations. Over £6,000 has been given to local charities or schools; with the remainder given to national causes such as the Somerset Levels flood relief and also ShelterBox and Aquabox the organisations that send supplies to disaster areas around the world. Macmillan Cancer support & Willen Hospice have also receive funds. Each year the current President nominates a charity that he would like the Club to support during his year. This year we had two: Bedfordshire Young Carers and Victim Support.

To find out more about the Rotary Club and what they do please visit our website at www.leightonlinsladerotary.com.

The oldest building in Leighton Buzzard, the church of St Mary’s at Old Linslade, dates from 1166 one hundred before All Saints in Church Square.

It was the parish church of Linslade for nearly 700 years until the building of St Barnabas to cater for the much larger Victorian town built with the coming of the railway that is the core of Linslade today.

The church was nearly declared redundant in the 1980s but saved by the Friends of St Mary’s who voluntarily maintain the church and the churchyard.

The old church in its pretty setting is now popular for weddings.

The picture is one of the earliest known images taken before the Victorian restoration to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee of 1897.

It was taken on a bleak mid-winter day and shows a churchyard wall close to the tower.

On Wednesday, July 16, there is a rare opportunity to learn about the history of this Norman gem and some of the Tudor nobility buried in the Chancel. For more than 300 years the Corbet family were Lords of the Manor and their emblem, the raven, is still to be seen over the door of Linslade Manor.

In the 17th century, Sarah, the widow of Sir Vincent Corbet, who fought for the King in the civil war, was created Viscountess Linslade by a grateful monarch.

A tour of the church and talk on its history, starting at 7pm, has been arranged by the Leighton Buzzard and District Archaeological and Historical Society. Entry is £2 towards church upkeep. Old photographs of the church including this shown here will be on sale.

Popular building toy Lego has featured in several small-scale DVDs, but now it’s been taken to a whole new level.

THE LEGO MOVIE (U: Warner) is every bit as imaginative, colourful and cleverly constructed as its plastic inspiration.

Directed at breakneck pace by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who also made the excellent Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs, the action is block-busting and the gags come thick and fast.

Emmet (voiced by Chris Pratt) is a chirpy, rule-abiding construction worker for whom life is simply “awesome”. That’s until he’s chosen by a rebel group of master builders to stop President Business (Will Ferrell) executing his plan to keep the Lego populace exactly where he wants them.

Ferrell enjoys the most memorable role and there’s terrific support from Morgan Freeman, who plays a blind seer, and Will Arnett, as a dour Batman. Not forgetting Anthony Daniels and Billy Dee Williams, who pop up to voice their Star Wars minifigure alter egos.

> Speed-freak extravaganza NEED FOR SPEED (12: Entertainment One) is loosely based on the video game and aimed fairly and squarely at the Fast & Furious crowd.

But don’t let its pedigree put you off. You’ll forget the whole thing five minutes after it’s finished, but it’s entertaining enough in a lowbrow way.

Aaron Paul plays Tobey, fresh out of prison for a crime he didn’t commit and looking for revenge on the fellow racer (Dominic Cooper) who framed him.

He gets his chance when both enter souped-up cars in an illegal cross-country road race run by mystery millionaire Monarch (Michael Keaton). While the characters are cornily cardboard, the vehicles are unquestionably super and the racing rather exciting.

> The historic conquest of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953 has been documented many times before. But BEYOND THE EDGE (PG: Metrodome) works wonders in bringing one of modern history’s greatest achievements vividly to life by pacing it like a thriller.

Instead of talking heads, Kiwi director Leanne Pooley uses audio interviews to provide a soundtrack to the visuals – a skilfully assembled blend of still photos, old 16mm film and stunningly shot re-enactments, with New Zealand’s Southern Alps standing in for the Himalayas.

Although the focus is on Hillary and how by a mixture of luck and determination he ended up being chosen ahead of his fellow British team members to make the final journey to the summit, the contributions of Norgay and the rest are not forgotten.

The wealth of detail provided about what now seems very primitive equipment further reinforces what a ground-breaking expedition this was.

> ‘Muscles from Brussels’ Jean-Claude Van Damme heads the cast in ENEMIES CLOSER (15: Anchor Bay).

A forest ranger and former Navy SEAL is plunged into survival mode when a drug cartel forces him to retrieve a package. Trapped in the wilderness with no communication with the outside world, he finds himself face to face with a man who has a personal vendetta against him.

The two enemies must either put aside their past and work together or die at the hands of the drug runners.

A teenager was kicked, punched and had his head smashed against a window by a gang demanding cash and his mobile phone.

The 17 year old was attacked between 8.30pm and 9pm in Driver’s Court, Meadow Way on July 9 when he was approached by three men.

The offenders demanded the victim hand over cash and his mobile before he was kicked, punched and his head was pushed against a window.

The victim suffered bruising during the assault and the offenders left the scene empty handed.

The first offender is described as a black man with an average build and approximately 19 years old. He wore a black baseball cap with a silver strip under the peak, a thick blue woollen scarf over his face, a grey hooded top, black tracksuit bottoms and blue Nike air training shoes.

The second offender is described as a white man, 5’9” tall with a large build. He wore a white hooded top, blue jeans and black training shoes.

The third offender is described as a white man with a skinny build, approximately 6’1” tall.

He wore a black bandana over his face which had a tear drop design on it, a dark hooded top and black tracksuit bottoms.

PC Ben Stone, investigating, is keen to trace anyone who witnessed the incident or anyone who can help identify those responsible.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact PC Stone, in confidence, at Luton Police Station, on 01582 394471, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively you can contact the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers,

anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Leighton -Linslade P3 is leading a guided walk In the Footsteps of Leighton–Linslade’s Great War 1914–18 on September 10 from 10am to 12 noon.

It will explore the town’s contribution to Britain’s war effort during the conflict andthe pivotal role it performedduring this period.

Start at the Memorial Park, MentmoreRoad. Booking essential: please call01525 234260.

Families United Network charity is holding a fundraising Barn Dance on Friday July 25, from 7.30pm in Leighton Buzzard at the Brooklands Residents Association.

The fantastic Oddsox (with an expert caller) will provide the jigs, reels and folk songs.

Tickets are £13.50 call 01852 470999.

or email info@familiesunitednetwork.org.uk

The managing director of the region’s leading housebuilder says that a 28 per cent increase in the number of house completions in the first six months of the year is fuelling further employment opportunities across the region.

Richard Oldroyd, managing director of Persimmon Homes Midlands welcomed news that the business legally completed 6,408 new homes in the first six months of 2014, a 28 per cent increase on the same period last year, when the housebuilder completed 5,022 new homes.

“Every extra home we build leads to more employment, both directly at Persimmon Homes Midlands as well as with our diverse range of suppliers across the region,” said Richard.

“We have a robust recruitment programme in place to bring new people into the business, whether that is trained professionals or apprentices and trainees and, with the second half of 2014 set to be just as busy as the first half, we are looking forward to welcoming more new people to the business in the coming weeks.”

Total revenues have increased for Persimmon by 33 per cent to £1.2 billion, compared to £0.9 billion for the same period in 2013.

Persimmon will open 100 new sites in the second half of 2014 across England, Wales and Scotland. In the Midlands region, which covers Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, the business aims to launch developments in Rushden, Bicester and Brackley.

Richard Oldroyd said the company was now turning its attention to the second half of the year: “Everybody knows that there is a shortage of new housing and we’re working hard to deliver homes into the communities where they are most needed.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank local people for their continued support, which we aim to repay by creating new jobs and driving the local economy forward.”

With the school summer holidays almost upon us, and more drivers using its roads, the Highways Agency is urging road users in East region to check and maintain their vehicles this summer – as figures reveal that 1,315 of incidents on the region’s roads last summer were potentially preventable.

It is also using data from previous years to analyse popular routes and times in the East – allowing drivers to better plan their journeys.

Agency figures show that out of 22,461 incidents in the East last year during the summer months, 1,315 of them were potentially preventable – with 1,265 tyre-related breakdowns and 50 out-of-fuel breakdowns.

Simon Sheldon-Wilson, Director of Traffic Management, said:

“We’ll be doing all we can during the summer to ensure road users get to their destinations smoothly and safely. Our traffic officers will also be on hand to clear incidents from the roads and get traffic moving as soon as possible.

“It’s vital that people check and maintain their vehicles before setting off. A single preventable breakdown can cause chaos for thousands of people – and congestion costs the economy an estimated £3bn every year.”

“Inevitably there will be times where routes become congested, and many people will be driving on unfamiliar roads, so we ask road users to help themselves by planning ahead to avoid peak times, using our journey planning tools and allowing enough time for their journeys.”

Chief examiner of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, Peter Rodger adds:

“A major cause of breakdown is running out of fuel. Check that – and while you’re doing it, water, oil and tyres – and you will be well on the way to preventing a breakdown that could make your summer getaway an unpleasant experience instead of the brilliant one you hoped for.”

The Agency is publishing a list of potential hotspots on its roads, which – along with its summer travel advice – will help people as they travel this summer.

The Agency has analysed traffic information from the last three years for two key summer periods – the first weekend of the school holidays for many areas (18 to 20 July) and the August bank holiday weekend (22 to 25 August). For each of these periods, they have identified routes that can become busy.

Journeys to Cambridge, Great Yarmouth and Stansted Airport can become busy at specific peak times on 18-20 July and 22-25 August. The Agency will be suspending or completing the as many roadworks as possible during the bank holiday period to help road users.

Drivers can check planned roadworks on motorways and major A roads in advance on the Agency’s website. Just before they set out they can get up-to-date information about incidents and congestion hotspots on the road network by calling the Agency’s helpline on 0300 123 5000 or by checking Twitter.

Information about the Agency’s road network is available on the Traffic England website and drivers can download a live traffic info app to their smartphone so they can check on current road and traffic conditions while en-route. But remember it is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving.

Families United Network charity is holding a Fundraising Barn Dance on Friday, July 25, from 7.30pm at the Brooklands Residents Association. All money raised will go to the FUN projects. Tickets are £13.50 and it’s for over 18’s only, call 01582 470999.

All 160 Buckinghamshire infant and combined schools will be ready to receive a nutritious school lunch from the beginning of the new school year in September.

And Buckinghamshire County Council has achieved this within the Government’s £1.1 million capital grant.

Eighty Buckinghamshire infant and combined schools already serve meals every day thanks to an innovative ‘hub and satellite’ arrangement: seven hub kitchens, strategically placed around the county, serve 80 satellite schools with a 45 per cent pupil take-up. These have been given extra capacity to handle additional demand.

Martin Grant Homes has submitted an outline planning application to Aylesbury Vale District Council to develop new homes on Land off Meadow Way, to the north of Wing.

The proposed development, located off Meadow Way, provides for up to 52 high quality new homes, a children’s play area, significant areas of open space and an important direct connection to the amenity and wildlife site, Long Spinney.

Thed plans can be seen at council offices.

Children across Central Bedfordshire can spend their summers with fantastical creatures from the world of legend and mythology thanks to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.

Libraries across the area are gearing up for the annual Challenge, which encourages children to read six or more books over the summer to collect prizes.

This year the theme is Mythical Maze created by top illustrator Sarah McIntyre. It challenges children to find their way around a labyrinth that introduces them to creatures from the world of legend and mythology, collecting stickers of each character along the way.

The Post Office is modernising Stanbridge Road Post Office, Leighton Buzzard, to create a new local-style open-plan branch with significantly longer opening hours for customers.

Post Office local is a new concept for delivering Post Office services and the new Stanbridge Road Post Office will have two open plan tills at the retail counter where Post Office products and services will be available alongside retail transactions during shop opening hours, instead of from separate screened counter.

Post Office customers will benefit from opening hours being extended to 90 hours a week as the new branch will be open Monday to Friday: 06:00 – 20:00; Saturday and Sunday: 08:00-18:00. This offers customers and extra 43.5 hours of Post Office service a week including all day Sunday and Saturday afternoon.

The branch also opens significantly earlier every day and will close much later.Stanbridge Road Post Office will close for refurbishment on Monday 21 July at 17:30 with the new look branch scheduled to open on Tuesday 29 July at 13:00.

The summer holidays are fast approaching and fortunately for parents concerned about how to occupy their children, Central Bedfordshire Council has put together a handy guide to the holiday schemes in the area.

The ‘School’s out’ booklet 2014/15 contains information on a variety of holiday schemes and activities, including those for children and young people with additional needs, enabling families to balance work commitments with the school holidays.

You can pick up a copy of the ‘School’s out’ booklet at any library or find it on the council website - www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/schoolholidayschemes. For more information and top tips of how to have a great Central Bedfordshire summer go to www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/summer

Work on the first solar farm in Central Bedfordshire started on Friday. The 11-hectare site will generate enough electricity to power 1500 homes in the Parish of Caddington.

The beginning of this project was marked by a ground-breaking ceremony, attended by the Chairman of Central Bedfordshire Council, Cllr Caroline Maudlin.

The solar farm is expected to start generating electricity from September 2014. The 5 megawatts of power that will be generated by the 11-hectare site will be fed into the National Grid via the sub station in Caddington, providing enough electricity to supply 60 per cent of households in the two parishes.

Over 25 years, operating at capacity, the solar farm will contribute £437,000 for the two Parish Councils, which equates to a potential £17,500 a year. Some of this income could help fund domestic solar panel installations and other energy efficiency measures, making these communities even more sustainable.

The solar farm is within the emerging Neighbourhood Plan for the Parishes of Caddington and Slip End which has an ambition to be technically self-sufficient in green energy by expanding provision to include other technologies and measures over time.

Cllr Kevin Collins, Vice-Chairman of Caddington Parish Council, said: “This solar farm is another example of the two Parishes working closely together within the framework of the Neighbourhood Plan. Not only does this development send a signal of our concerns for the environment but it will help both Parishes to provide new, better and of course greener services and amenities for our residents.”

Central Bedfordshire Council has advised on the planning aspects of the farm, and pledged their support in light of the social, economic and environmental benefits.

Cllr Richard Stay, local Central Bedfordshire Councillor said: “Renewable energy is the future and it is fantastic to see this come to Central Bedfordshire. Solar farms like this are clean, safe and easy to maintain, and have little to no impact on the landscape. When we put first spade in the ground at the site on 11 July, we will be making the first step towards making Caddington and Slip End truly green communities.

“The solar farm is also a powerful educational tool—having it close at hand will enable residents to learn about environmentally friendly, clean, and renewable forms of energy at a time when this is an increasingly important issue. Developing sources of sustainable energy will preserve our world for generations to come.”