Motorcross bikes and cash were stolen during a burglary at a Totternhoe home in the early hours of Monday morning.

Thieves forced entry to the house in Church Road between 2am and 4.30am on 27 April while the occupants were asleep.

They then rampaged through the downstairs rooms and garage before making off with a blue and white Yamaha Yz250F bike and an orange and black motorcross bike, as well as money.

Detective Constable Matt Shepherd said: “This burglary was particularly distressing for the occupants of the home as it took place while they were inside.

“I am appealing to anyone who has any information about the break-in, or comes across these bikes, to contact me immediately so that we can find the offenders responsible.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police immediately using the non-emergency number 101 or text 07786 200 011.

Drivers beware - Beds police will be targeting speeding motorists this month.

During the THINK! campaign which starts today (May 1) police will be out in force looking for motorists breaking the law.

Insp Mark Rogers said: “Those who speed put not only their own lives at risk but also the lives of others.

“The faster you drive the less time you have to react. Speed remains one of the biggest factors in fatal collisions.

“Throughout May we will carry out targeted patrols to enforce speed limits.

“I would urge anyone who drives to help us protect road users by reducing your speed and driving to the conditions of the roads.”

Motorists are advised to:

• make sure you leave plenty of time for your journey, taking into account traffic

• watch out for changes in the speed limit

• drive to suit the conditions and the layout of the road

• don’t let peer pressure encourage you to break the law

Choosing to have his stag night the day before his wedding was a huge mistake for Douglas Woodbridge.

The bridegroom could not make it to the wedding because he was in police cells accused of driving his car at a police officer and driving while drunk.

A court heard the wedding had to be put back a week, and now 36-year-old Woodbridge is at risk of being sent to jail, having been found guilty of dangerous driving.

Woodbridge, of Hockliffe Road, Leighton Buzzard had pleaded not guilty to the charge at Luton Crown Court but admitted driving with excess alcohol and failing to stop for a police officer.

Judge Philip Bartle QC remanded him on bail for reports to be prepared but told him: “Your driving that evening was appalling and you should be under no illusion that you may be given an immediate sentence of imprisonment.”

He will be sentenced later in May.

During the five-day trial the jury heard how he went out for drinks with some friends and relatives on October 10 last year. He was due to marry fiancée Kelly the following afternoon. She had driven him to the Clay Pipe pub in Appenine Way, Leighton Buzzard and after three pints and a couple of shots, they decided to move on.

His fiancée drove them into town about 9pm, but he only drank one more pint in the following three hours, he said.

But prosecutor Robin Miric said when the defendant called his fiancée to pick him up after midnight there was confusion about where he would be. When they did meet up the jury heard differing accounts of what happened next.

The prosecution alleged he was angry with her, and one of two men who saw what was happening was afraid for her safety and intervened.

Then Woodbridge did a badly executed three-point turn almost knocking one of the men over and drove off.

Police had been called and saw him travelling at excess speed and weaving across the road. When an officer attempted to stop him he accelerated towards him and the officer had to jump out of the way.

He was eventually stopped and a breath test showed he was one-and-a-half times over the legal alcohol limit. He was taken to Luton police station in a police van and had to be restrained when officers tried to search him.

He was kept in custody overnight and interviewed on the day he should have been getting married.

Woodbridge told the jury he had never intended to drive that night, but when his fiancée arrived he thought she was more drunk than him.

He moved the car because it had been left in a precarious position and claimed he was then assaulted by one of the men. He then drove off again trying to find his fiancée who had wandered off, but denied his driving was dangerous or that he had aimed the car at a police officer.

He later told them he had been concerned for his fiancée, adding: “It was not my best driving but I was in perfect control.”

A grieving son received a clinical negligence settlement from Luton & Dunstable Hospital after accusations they failed to care for his 92-year-old mother.

Barry Holland, 65, took legal action against the hospital after his mum was permanently paralysed during her stay there.

Barry, of Plantation Road, Leighton Buzzard, said: “The way my mother was treated was terrible and it should never have happened.

“She didn’t deserve to be treated like that and I hope it never happens to anyone else.”

Barry’s mum, Joan Holland, had spent six weeks in hospital after being admitted in October 2011 with an infection.

Within just two days, Joan suffered a catastrophic spinal injury after falling from a commode, leaving her permanently paralysed.

She then endured five days of agony as nurses attempted to get her to walk, before the spinal injury was detected by an MRI scan.

Mrs Holland was later moved to a care home on December 12, 2011, where she developed horrific bedsores and a fractured upper arm after falling from her bed. She later moved to another care home, where she died on April 21 2012.

Her son added: “I just wanted someone at the hospital to hold their hands up and say sorry, but that hasn’t happened.

“It’s just so wrong and my wife Denise and I feel very angry and let down by the hospital.”

Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS Foundation Trust denied liability for the fall but agreed a settlement in a claim brought by Lincoln-based Langleys Solicitors on Mr Holland’s behalf.

Joan Holland had lived at St George’s Court sheltered accommodation in Leighton Buzzard for 12 months before going to hospital. She was a munitions factory worker during the Second World War and later worked at well-known ERG components factory in Dunstable.

Luton & Dunstable Hospital failed to comment before the LBO’s deadline.

With the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s second child due any day, many parents will be questioning whether to follow in the royals’ footsteps by adding to their brood. In anticipation of the discussions the royal baby is likely to spark amongst couples, Relate Bedfordshire and Luton has come up with a list of things to consider before committing to more kids.

Relate family counsellor Chris Akers said: “The decision to have your first child is arguably the biggest commitment you’ll ever make, but choosing when to have your second can be equally daunting. It’s totally normal for couples to be raring to go one minute and then have cold feet the next. Often one partner feels desperate for another baby whereas the other is content with the way things are.

“Kate and William have chosen to have a second baby within two years of giving birth to George, but there is no right amount of time to leave between offspring. Relate can help couples who are considering having more children to assess the potential impact on them and their relationship, have difficult conversations and explore options.”

Relate Bedfordshire and Luton’s five things to think about before having a second child:

>Is this something you both want?: It might seem obvious, but it’s important to make sure you’re on the same page when it comes to having a second child.

>The costs involved: If you’ve already got a child, you’ll know that being a parent can be expensive. Although you can save money this time through hand-me-down clothes and baby equipment, you’ll still have to budget for food and childcare, and is there enough room for you all at home?

>Going back to work: Consider how you feel about returning to work after your second child is born and how long a break you want. Due to recent changes in the law, parents can now apply for shared parental leave, which may not have been an option with your first child.

> Support available: Do you have the same support network available as when you had your first child? Perhaps your parents have retired now and have more time to help or maybe you’ve broken up with your partner and are now a single parent. Speak to your nearest and dearest about if and how they might be able to lend a hand this time around.

>Your family setup: When you introduce a second child, the family dynamic will inevitably change. This can be great: your first child will have a sibling to play with and confide in but it will also mean more demands on your energy and less alone time. Relationship Counselling can be a good way of preparing for a big change.

Chris Akers said: “When parents have decided they want to go ahead and try for a second baby it is important to consider how this may impact on their first born child.

There are lots of ways that parents can introduce the idea of another child into the family, such as involving them in choosing a name for the new baby. When spending time together as a family, it also works to have one parent looking after the baby so the other can focus on the needs of the older child.

“Some parents worry that they may not love their second child as much as their first but there is always more love to go round and they needn’t be concerned.”

Relate Bedfordshire and Luton offers information, advice and counselling for all stages of your relationships, including family counselling which can include support when preparing for and adjusting to the arrival of a new baby. Call us on 01234 356350 or visit www.relatebedsandluton.org.uk for more information.

Matt Adcock reviews Spooks: The Greater Good (certificate 15)
“I was in MI5 long enough to realise that you can do good. Or you can do well…”

After a hefty 10 series of twisty plotted espionage action Spooks bursts onto the big screen.

Director Bharat Nalluri (who directed the first and last TV episodes) brings a valiant and exciting spy-em-up that will please long-term fans and may well win over some new ones too.

When the CIA’s most wanted terrorist - Qasim (Elyes Gabel) – escapes from custody in the UK, the fallout sees MI5 torn apart as veteran baddie catcher Harry Pearce (Peter Firth) takes the blame.

But all is not what it seems and Harry has to enlist the young agent whose career in the service he cut short - Will Holloway (Kit ‘Game of Thrones’ Harington), in order to try and find a high level traitor.

Cue lots of running about, sneaking, double-crossing and the occasional gunfight as the team try to avert a massive terror attack on the UK. The film plays like the best ever extended episode, with the obligatory ‘keep you guessing’ character deaths and plenty of slick action / tension.

The cast all look like they’re having a good time, and girl power is brought into the mix by the likes of Jennifer ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ Ehle as Geraldine, Tuppence ‘The Imitation Game’ Middleton as June and Lara ‘ Edge of Tomorrow’ Pulver as Erin.

As the body count mounts, all bets are off as the British agents battle to try and serve ‘the greater good’. There are fun Easter Eggs to be spotted too such as a very 007 baddie white cat in one suspect’s house that leads Will to quip that they have definitely ‘got their man’.

So Spooks: The Greater Good delivers a good time for viewers and even holds its own up against competition from the likes of Mission Impossible and Bourne . It’s also a huge improvement on the spin off effort Spooks: Code 9.

The terror attack plot feels very relevant and Harry gets to kick ass on behalf of middle age blokes who always wanted to be James Bond everywhere! This Spooks is a fun big screen romp that has wide appeal.

Leighton Buzzard Writers meet tonight, Tuesday, May 5 at the Friends Meeting House, North Street, at 7.30pm, with a break for tea and biscuits.

It will be a workshop run by Tom Tresham called The Bland Leading the Bland, where a bland scenario provided is in need of creative improvement. It will be a chance to flex your creative muscles and share ideas in what promises to be an enjoyable evening. The meeting is free for members of Leighton Buzzard Writers and £2 for non-members.

Creative children from a village school have declared their love for their local area in an art competition.

Taylor Wimpey South Midlands teamed up with High Ash C of E Primary School in Great Brickhill to launch the competition. Pupils taking part were encouraged to design posters expressing their admiration for the area, with the winning entries having the honour of being displayed in the Willow Lake Sales Centre.

A creative entry by Year 2 pupil Phoebe Wilford was chosen as the overall winning work of art, while the second and third placed winners were Emily Turner and Juno Canning, both also in Year 2, respectively.

Phoebe was presented with a £60 toy voucher, with Emily and Juno each winning a £20 voucher.

Steve Rolt at Taylor Wimpey South Midlands said: “We already know that this part of Buckinghamshire is a fantastic place to live, but the pupils from High Ash C of E Primary School have really opened our eyes to even more things which make it such a great place.”

Leighton Buzzard 3rds continued their useful start to the season with their second victory on this occasion away against Wolverton 3rds.

In cold and windy conditions Town lost the toss and were invited to bat first for the second Division 7 game of the season.

They made a steady start with a 61 run opening partnership between skipper Brad Gates and Jacob Turley (21) before the latter was caught. Gates played some good shots as his confidence grew.

With Matt Gurney (17) playing the anchor role Gates moved quickly to his half century and then reached 98 which included 13 fours and one six.

Having almost reached the magical 3 figures he charged down the wicket, missed and was stumped to leave his team on 150-2 off 35 overs.

Alex Brown (25) kept the tempo going and a breezy 23 not out from Antony Bell at the end saw Leighton post a respectable total of 201-6 from their allotted 44 overs.

Sam Roberts then gave the visitors the best of starts with a wicket with his second delivery bowling Garrini.

However Wolverton began a recovery with a useful second wicket stand worth 88 runs between King (33) and Barnes(43).

When the score had reached 89 an excellent diving catch at mid wicket by Gurney removed Barnes off the bowling of Bell and in the same over Turley took a good catch to remove Kiani for a duck.

King quickly followed, another good catch by Gurney, and Leighton had picked up 3 quick wickets for just 10 runs.

However the home side bounced back again with Hobson cracking a rapid 39 runs.

With 10 overs remaining a draw seemed the likely outcome but Scott Clark had other ideas.

In the space of five overs he took five wickets which included two catches for wicketkeeper Mark Roberts and another for Turley.

Sam Roberts picked up the key wicket of home captain Pichowski (10) and Leighton were home and dry with just seven deliveries of the match remaining.

For Leighton Clark took 5-13, Bell 3-39 and Roberts 2-14 and they take 30 points for their efforts.

Also in Division 7, Ivinghoe & Pitstone 2nds came up agonisingly short against Edlesborough 2nds.

Edlesborough set 175-7, with Tom Lowes taking 4-42, but in reply, Ivinghoe came up a run shy of the target on 174-6 in 44 overs, having to make do with a losing draw.

Big runs at the top of the order for Eaton Bray helped them to victory in Division 1 over Buckland & Aston Clinton.

Wes Hosking (80) and Paul Harris (70) got things going for Bray as they piled on 252-4 from 38 overs. In reply though, Buckland were skittled for just 103, as Bray took the points.

Jillani Ghulam’s devastating 4-15 gifted Eggington Foresters a win over Bromham in Division 2. Restricted to just 67-8, Bromham had little chance to defend their total, with Eggs running home in style (68-1) in 6.4 overs.

Milton Bryan (149-9) batted bravely to rescue a losing draw against North Crawley 2nds (246-6).

In Division 3, Westcroft brushed Ivinghoe & Pitstone aside by 119 runs. Philip Badrick took 3-82 as the pick of Ivinghoe’s bowlers, but they’d end up chasing 269-6. It was too much though as they were all out for 150.

Eggington Foresters 2nds’ Division 4 game with MK 2nds went to the penultimate ball, but Eggs were on the losing end. Setting 181-8, MK reached 182-7 in 43.5 overs.

Jamie Westley’s 83 for Milton Bryan 2nds (173-6) wasn’t enough to help them to victory over Westcroft 2nds (175-3).

In Division 5, Richard Winchester’s 105 for Great Brickhill 3rds (271-4) helped them to a winning draw against Stewkley (233-8), but Eaton Bray 2nds (92) lost by 40 runs to Winslow Town (132).

In Division 6, Cublington 3rds were in total control against Lidlington. Chasing 185, Cubs lost just two wickets in the chase, ending on 187-2 to win by eight wickets.

Leighton Buzzard was set fayre for great bank holiday family fun as a popular annual event returned to the town.

The May Day Fayre, run by the Rotary Club of Leighton-Linslade, was split between the High Street and Parson’s Close Recreation Ground between 10am and 4pm.

The main attraction was the Portsmouth Royal Navy Field Gun Display and saw teams race to dismantle and reassemble field gun. Stalls lined the High Street, there were dancing displays and musicians, fairground rides, plus the traditional maypole dance performed by pupils of Mary Bassett Lower School.

> What did you think of the event? Email news@lbobserver.co.uk

> See a picture special in tomorrow’s LBO.

It has been a rollercoaster season for Leighton Town boss Craig Bicknell, but one he has learned a lot from.

From personal issues off the field, to footballing mistakes on it, Leighton Town eventually rallied to finish 18th in Evo Stik Division 1 Central.

It was a far cry from the countless success he enjoyed at Ampthill Town, and a challenge that proved much harder than Bicknell expected when he took over from Craig Wells at Bell Close last summer.

“Having won almost everything we entered at Ampthill, we thought we could do the same at Leighton,” Bicknell said. “I’d spoken to a few managers in the league, and we thought it’d be easier than it really has been,

“But with my court case looming at the beginning, I didn’t know whether I should be spending time with my family, or out on the field because I hadn’t done anything wrong.

“And then there were injuries, general unavailability, and a few mistakes on my part, tactically.

“Overall, it made for a much harder and interesting season than I thought. I’ve had a lot of success in my career, but I feel I’m a better manager for having survived a relegation struggle. But we don’t want to be part of that again.”

Key men at either end of the field were key though in helping Town beat the drop.

Danny Watson, playing often as the lone striker, ended among the league’s top scorers, while goalkeeper Zaki Oualah stepped in midway through the campaign to shore up the defence.

Bicknell said: “Danny has been magnificent all season, especially playing up front on his own.

“And the keeper too has brought about a huge change. He fell into my lap, and was tired of sitting on the bench elsewhere.

“He travels in from Reading for each game, and that just shows the level of dedication he’s shown.

“From losing games 1-0 and 2-1, we were turning things around.

“To be fair, the lads make a lot of sacrifices to play for this club.”

After finishing 18th in the table, Bicknell says there have been a lot of lessons learned from the season, and that Town will bounce back even better next time out.

“Everyone is so passionate about the club, and getting Leighton Town up through the leagues.

“We all want success, and we all want to see the club to well, and I hope we can continue next season as well.”

>> Next Saturday, May 9, Leighton Town are hosting their Player of the Year awards at Bell Close.

Fans are welcome to join in on the night, and to vote by emailing secretary@leightontownfc.co.uk

A Linslade mum has told of her family’s frightening ordeal when her four-year-old daughter ended up in intensive care with an “incredibly rare” case of pneumonia.

Despite being fit and healthy, Hannah Gibson’s illness was so acute that it would not respond to treatment.

Initially, Hannah was being treated at Luton and Dunstable Hospital, but as the day went on, the youngster’s condition quickly went downhill.

Mum Caroline, of Soulbury Road, recalled: “Her case of pneumonia was severe and wasn’t responding to the medication, which we were told is incredibly rare.

“Three days later, Hannah needed transferring to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

“Hannah was immediately put into the PICU – the Intensive Care unit – at GOSH. It was an extremely frantic and worrying time for us. Our little girl was just so poorly.”

With Great Ormond Street Hospital a two-hour drive away from home, the Gibsons were left to wonder how they would cope with the travelling and planning care for their son, Elliot, aged nine.

Caroline said: “We had to be away from our little boy so that we could be by her side.

“We weren’t sure what would happen. Where would we stay? What would we do for food? How long would Hannah be in for? So many questions raced through my head, it was overwhelming.

“Fortunately, we found out about The Sick Children’s Trust’s Home from Home’s scheme through the patient advice and liaison services and were offered a room at Rainbow House, just around the corner from GOSH.

“Staying in the house was a massive relief to us physically, emotionally and financially. We could just concentrate on being there for Hannah and not worry about the practicalities.

“The house was fantastic. It was modern, clean and it gave us somewhere to rest our heads. It also helped reassure our family back home as our son was staying with his grandparents, so it gave them peace of mind knowing that we could get some proper rest and if needed, he could always visit.

“We also found it helpful having other parents staying in the house. We talked quite a bit to a couple whose daughter was also in PICU with a similar condition to Hannah’s.

“It was helpful to chat in the kitchen to someone who wasn’t as emotionally close to the situation but completely understood it.

“What’s more, it was comforting to know that the ward had a direct line to our room especially at night – a line that would never be engaged. Luckily, it wasn’t used in our case.

“Hannah was unconscious for the majority of her stay in GOSH, but when she finally woke up, we were there, right by her side. Whether that would have been possible without the help of The Sick Children’s Trust, I’m not quite sure, but being within a few feet of her was great for us, and I believe it definitely helped Hannah’s recovery – I think she could sense we were there.”

Hannah is now fit and well after the frightening episode just before Christmas, although she will continue to be monitored by the respiratory team at Luton and Dunstable Hospital.

The Gibsons are now calling on other families to support the charity who kept their family together at their time of crisis.

This May, The Sick Children’s Trust hopes to raise £100,000 through its Big Chocolate Tea Party campaign that encourages supporters to raise at least £28 by hosting a party in their honour.

Caroline said: “We can’t thank The Sick Children’s Trust enough for the support they gave us over that fortnight; it really helped having a private and comfortable space away from the ward.

“That’s why this year we are asking everyone to join us in throwing a Big Chocolate Tea Party to raise £28 for the charity, which will help provide a room for a family in one of their 10 Homes from Home for a night.

> If you would like to get involved, simply visit www.sickchildrenstrust.org/bigchoctea or email chocolate@sickchildrenstrust.org

The weather Gods answered Leighton Buzzard’s prayers as the rain held off long enough to see the town’s annual May Day Fayre held in glorious sunshine.

The bank holiday event was run by the Rotary Club of Leighton-Linslade, and was split between the High Street and Parson’s Close Recreation Ground between 10am and 4pm.

See our video for some footage of the action in the High Street, and check out today’s LBO for a great selection of photos too.

Voting for the Parliamentary, unitary authorities, parish, and police referendum all take place on May 7, 2015.

The Parliamentary results are expected to be called first – mostly coming through overnight.

The Central Beds Council and Aylesbury Vale District Council election results will be counted on Friday afternoon, May 8.

Central Beds will then count its town/parish council votes with the result expected by 10pm.

Parish council counts in the Vale will take place on Saturday morn ing.

The police referendum for a mandate for a rise in the Beds Police precept is expected to be counted the following Monday, May 11.

Candidates for Central Beds Council:

Aspley and Woburn

HAREWOOD-LEE Robin Alexander - Green; WELLS Budge - Conservative.

Eaton Bray

ARCHER Ruth - Independent; JANES Ken - Conservative; SIBIYA Isaac Chikwakwanyi - Labour.

Heath & Reach

VERSALLION Mark Anthony - Conservative

Leighton Buzzard North

BISHOP Michael John - Labour; FERGUSON Ken - Conservative; HULL Jonathan Adrian - Green; JOHNSTONE Roy William - Conservative; MENNIE Rosalind - Liberal Democrat; PURVIS Ian Michael - Labour; SCOTT Daniel - Labour; SPURR Brian John - Conservative; WHITE Alan Roger - Liberal Democrat; WILSON Simon James - Green; WOODWARDS Gary - Green.

Leighton Buzzard South

ADAMS Paul Leslie - Independent; BERRY Ray - Conservative; BONE John Stephen - Labour; BOWATER Dave - Conservative; CHEESEWRIGHT Nichola Lynne - Green; DODWELL Amanda Louise - Conservative; GRAY Anne Elizabeth - Liberal Democrat; GUESS Anne Jennifer - Liberal Democrat; HEFFERNAN Adrian Peter - Labour; LAWRENCE Emily Anne - Green; LELLIOTT Garry - UKIP; NORTHEDGE Christopher Phillip Earnshaw - Labour; SNELLING Celia Mary - Liberal Democrat; SUMNER Kenton Roger Charles - Green.

Linslade

BARRY Ken - Gree; CARNELL Nigel Kenneth - Liberal Democrat; DARLING Parisa Francesca Rosina - Gree; GOODCHILD Russ - Liberal Democrat; E MABBOTT Tony - Gree; PALFREY Peter William - Labour; PERHAM Gordon - Conservative; PRICE Rebekah - Labour; REYNOLDS Ian Thomas - UKIP; SANDISON Gerald Alfred - Labour; SNELLING Peter John - Liberal Democrat; TUBB Gary David - Conservative; WALKER Benjamin Mark Ian - Conservative; WOODHOUSE Mike - UKIP.

Candidates for Leighton -Linslade Town Council:

Barnabas

CHEESEWRIGHT Nichola Lynne - Green; CURSONS Sarah Louisa - Conservative; FREEMAN Mark - Independent; GOODCHILD Russ - Lib Dem; OSBORNE Patrick - Green; OWEN Stephen Henry Martin - Lib Dem; PERHAM David James - Conservative; PRICE Rebekah - Labour; SANDISON Gerald Alfred - Labour; WOODHOUSE Mike (UKIP); WOODWARDS Gary (Green).

Brooklands

BONE, Jennifer - Labour; BOWATER Dave - Conservative; DODWELL Amanda Louise - Conservative; LATHAM Joanne Elizabeth - Lib Dem.

Grovebury

ADAMS Paul Leslie - Independent; BONE John Stephen -Labour; DAVIES James - Conservative; DENNISON Richard - Conservative; HULL Jonathan Adrian - Green; JOHNSON Colin Keith - Independent; KHARAWALA Farzana - Conservative; NORTHEDGE Christopher Phillip Earnshaw - Labour; RAHMAN Syed MD Mohibur - Conserative; SNELLING Celia Mary -Lib Dem.

Leston

COTTER Steve - Conservative; MABBOTT Tony - Green; MINOR Keith Richard - Labour.

Planets

BISHOP Michael John - Labour; FERGUSON Ken - Conservative; JONES Stephen Andrew - Conservative; WHITE Alan Roger - Lib Dem; WRIGHT Rosemary Anne - Green.

Plantation

BERRY Ray - Conservative; FOSTER Anthony - Labour; MENNIE Rosalind - Lib Dem; MORRIS Tony - Conservative; PURVIS Ian Michael - Labour; REDWOOD Caroline - UKIP; SPURR Brian John - Conservative; WILSON Simon James - Green.

Southcott

BARRY Ken - Green; BRANDHAM Alan Ronald - Conservative; CARNELL Nigel Kenneth - Lib Dem; CURSONS Karen - Conservative; GRAY Anne Elizabeth - Lib Dem; GUESS Anne Jennifer - Lib Dem; LAWRENCE Emily Anne - Green; PALFREY Peter William - Labour; PALMER Clive Alistair - Conservative; PERHAM Gordon - Conservative; REEDY Frank - Labour; REYNOLDS Ian Thomas - UKIP; SNELLING Peter John - Lib Dem; STEVENS Martyn Anthony - Green; SUMNER Kenton Roger Charles - Green.

St George’s

DOYLE Paul - Green; LAYDEN Kate - Green; PERHAM Carole Ann - Conservative; SCOTT Daniel - Labour; WALLACE Ewan - Conservative; WOODMAN Jane Mary - Labour.

Candidates for Aylesbury Vale District Council:

Edlesborough

Poll Chris - Conservative

Great Brickhill and Newton Longville

Blake Neil - Conservative; Everitt Ben - Conservative; Howard Deborah - UKIP; Welch Tim - Green.

Pitstone and 
Cheddington

Adams Robyn - UKIP; Evershed David - Lib Dem; Hodgskiss Mary - Green; Jenkins Sandra - Conservative; Town Derek - Conservative; Wheeler Jo - Green.

Stewkley

Blake Janet - Conservative; Lett Hannah - Green; Sharman Amethyst - UKIP.

Wing

Glover Netta - Conservative; Walton Barry -UKIP.

Wingrave

Cooper Peter - Independent; Griffin Nick - UKIP; Wheeler Mark -Green; Withey Richard - Conservative.

An operation in Leighton Buzzard led by Bedfordshire’s Special Constabulary turned out to be the end of the road for three motorists.

Their cars were stopped, seized and loaded on to a recovery truck when officers uncovered motoring offences including driving with no insurance.

The offences were identified with the help of sophisticated Automatic Number Plate Recognition Equipment (ANPR) and the offending vehicles were towed off bearing bright yellow stickers that read: “No insurance means no car!”

The initiative, called Operation Himalia, took place in Leighton on Monday, April 20, and was part of the force’s wider efforts to gather intelligence and identify those who may be involved in more serious offending too.

The force says the aim is to make the county’s roads a ‘no-go’ area for criminals.

Those motorists who committed more minor traffic offences were given advice by the six Specials, who were praised for their proactive work by some drivers.

The Special Constabulary is the UK’s volunteer police force, made up of volunteer members of the public who wear uniform on duty and have full police powers.

Insp Jim Hitch, who oversaw the operation, said: “This operation was resourced entirely by Special Constables, and I’m really grateful to them for giving up their time to protect people and fight crime.

“This was a successful operation and we had some really positive feedback from members of the public. It also gave us an opportunity to gain vital intelligence regarding a variety of local issues ranging from drugs supply to motoring offences.”

The force will continue to hold similar operations across the county throughout the year.

Bedfordshire Police currently has almost 240 Specials, but has ambitious plans to more than double that number by Spring 2017. Special Constables need to be over 18 and prepared to volunteer a minimum of 16 hours a month – although many enjoy it so much they do more.

To find out more about the Special Constabulary, visit www.bedfordshire.police.uk

Before a crowd of 300 AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College became the 39th club to engrave their name on the Britannia Cup when a goal from Ryan Smith eight minutes into the second period took them to a 1-0 victory over Wilstead -losing their second consecutive final.

Centenary Cup Final Great Barford 1 Meltis Albion 2

The pre-match opinion of who were the favourites to lift the cup was as divided as the forthcoming general election. Was it Great Barford, currently sitting one place above the Albion in the league standings and recent Bedfordshire FA Intermediate Cup beaten finalists or the Albion, who despite taking four of the six points from Great Barford in their league encounters this season coming into the game having only won one of their last 10 league outings. Only one thing was known for sure, it was going to be close encounter and that’s how it turned out with the Albion somehow holding out during the second half onslaught from the Villagers to make up for their disappointment of losing last seasons Watson Shield final.

Before a crowd of 185 under the Ampthill Town’s floodlights all of the goals were to arrive in the opening 14 minutes. With the game just four minutes old Great Barford took the lead via David Mulvihill, referee Robert Wheldon being thankful to his perfectly placed assistant Jack Giles to confirm despite the desperate attempts of the Albion defence that Mulvihill strike had indeed crossed the line ( who needs video technology when you have assistants like Jack) but their lead was to last just another four minutes before the Albion levelled.

Barford goalkeeper George Ripley rushing off his line to upend the inrushing Alexis Kamenan and see referee Wheldon pointing to the penalty spot from which Craig Damon made no mistake to bring up a 1-1 scoreline. What turned out to be the winning goal was to arrive just six minutes later and again it was Damon who was the Albion goalscoring hero.

Play was then held up for a good 10 minutes just prior to the half-time break when Albion’s Kamenan dislocated a shoulder, yet the crowd’s wait for play to resume after Kamenan was stretchered off was far less than that of the players wait for the called ambulance which took all of an hour to arrive.

The only question many were asking at the final whistle was how did Barford not score in the second half , the answer lies somewhere between some woeful finishing, the heroics of Albion goalkeeper Luke Pell and perhaps lady luck being an Albion supporter.

Jubilee Cup Final Stevington 2 Westoning 0

Stevington kept their season’s treble dreams alive when before a near 200 crowd at Shefford Town & Campton’s impressive Hitchin Road complex the Jubilee Cup was added to go alongside the already won Bedfordshire FA Junior Cup.

Following a goalless first half Stevington took the lead just two minutes into the second period when Jordan Wright netted from close range but Westoning were far from out of the contest until Kieran Souter headed home goal number two just nine minutes from time. The closing moments seeing Westoning goalkeeper Tony Mcnally twice prevent Stevington adding to the scoreline, firstly with a flying save to deny Tom McGirl and then needing his legs to keep Souter at bay.

Premier Division supported by Sportsform

The lone Premier Division supported by Sportsform action of the day saw Marston Shelton Rovers run out 4-3 home winners over Ickwell & Old Warden who will now finish the season on the bottom of the league table. Jamie Cerminara netting twice alongside Dale Makiw and Jim Burraway for the Rovers against Ickwell replies via Marko Tobzdic twice and Andrew Vallom once.

Division One supported by Wests Citroen Bedford

It was a case of the day after the Lord Mayor’s show for both of the Centenary Cup finalists, winners Meltis Albion losing 4-3 at Marabese Ceramics in a game played on their own Miller Road pitch, the victory for the Tilermen being their first home league win of the season and with them winning the reverse fixture back in October they will end the season in having won more games at Miller Road during the campaign than at their own Ickleford base.

The victory also ensured they will not end the season in the drop zone. Romano Marabese with a brace plus James Tizzard and Michael Darnell on their scoresheet against Albion replies from Asa Garlick, Dan Taylor and Craig Damon.

For beaten finalists Great Barford the news was even grimmer failing to raise a side to travel to face Sundon Park Rangers thus handing the three points to the Rangers who with a point or better from their last game of the season at Marabese Ceramics on Monday will now finish the season in third spot above Henlow.

Now certain of a place in the bottom two are both AFC Harlington and Bedford SA. AFC Harlington going down 6-1 at Queens Park Crescents where Shahinur Rahman with a brace plus Shazed Sattar, Daniel Rasol, Ben Griffith and Fabio Sattar were on the scorsheet for the Crescents against a lone reply from Stephen Garner. Whilst Bedford SA are now without a win from their last 14 outings after being held to a 3-3 draw at AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Reserves who themselves have failed to win any of their last seven outings. Jonti Neal twice plus Michael Stevenson on the scoresheet for the Town against replies via Tom Marwood with a brace plus Daniel Lupton.

Division Two

Division Two action saw FC Houghton climb into second spot in the league standings with a 4-1 home victory over Renhold United Reserves. Sam Martin and Ali Mohiyaldeen both netting twice against a lone United reply from Michael France.

Finishing the season on a high are Bedford United who made it five away wins on the bounce with a 3-0 win at Meltis Albion Reserves. Aaron Van-Home, Rory Cochrane plus an own goal marking their scoresheet. Whilst Wootton Village ended the season by losing their last five away games even though their final game a 4-2 defeat by Elstow Abbey Reserves was played on their own pitch. Dean Leydon, Shaun Cafferty, Jermayne Taylor and Andy Klein netting for the Abbey against Village replies via Sahil Hanza and Tinashe Chibanda.

Enjoying better fortune on the road were Moggerhanger United, for them it was a return to winning ways for the first time in five outings with a 3-2 win at Wilstead Reserves who are still to win at home this season. Luke Rudd netting twice and Lee Adams once against home replies via Luke Prietzel and Callum Evans. Whilst Kempston Athletic were also away winners 4-1 at Marston Shelton Rovers Reserves. Sean Lawrence with a brace plus Billy Mills and Richie Andrews netting for the Athletic against a lone Rovers reply from Gary Russon.

Division One supported by Wests Citroen Bedford

Sundon Park Rangers took their winning ways up to eight games to ensure they would finish the season in third spot by winning 5-3 at Marabese Ceramics. Joe Fallano twice and Lewis Littlechild on the Tilermen’s scoresheet against Rangers replies from Shaka Anderson with a hat-trick and a brace from Nash Bennett.

Division Two

The fight for the Division Two championship will now go down to the wire after Westoning avenged their Jubilee Cup defeat at the weekend with a 2-1 home win over Stevington thus ending the visitors’ 10 game winning away run.

Sam Roberts and Glenn Cooksley netted the goals to take the home side to their ninth home win on the bounce, with the Stevington reply coming from Aaron Hewitt. The visitors then missing from the penalty spot just four minutes from time which if converted would have landed them the league title.

Elsewhere, FC Houghton gave up their slim chance of a top two finish when they failed to raise a side to travel to Clapham Sports who were duly awarded the three points. Whilst Kempston Athletic netted win number three on the bounce with a 7-5 home victory over bottom of the table Wilstead Reserves.

Sean Lawrence, Richie Andrews and Tom Knight all netting twice alongside a single strike from Nicholas Ememe against Wilstead replies via a Sam Ward hat-trick plus single goals for Luke Pursey and Hani Thiarra.

Two people were cut from their vehicle by firefighters after a crash in Leighton Road, Stanbridge near Leighton Buzzard Rugby Club.

Crews were called at 7.38pm yesterday (Monday, May 4) and when firefighters arrived they found a car in collision with a tree and a man and a woman, trapped in the front of the vehicle.

Firefighters used hydraulic equipment to release the woman who was taken to hospital by ambulance.

They then removed the roof of the vehicle to allow paramedics better access to assess the condition of the male driver. He was then freed from the crashed vehicle and then taken to hospital in the air ambulance.

Brave swimmers from Linslade Crusaders took to the open waters to compete in the first of the ‘Mass Start’ series events at Box End Lake.

The temperatures had dropped drastically over the course of a week, falling from a chilly 14 degrees, to a positively breathtaking 10.

Amy Pepper and Charlotte Baxter swam in the 1500 metre event, while Bailey Danskin, competing for the first time, swam in the 750 metre race.

The swimmers all set off together, with around 50 participants swimming in total.

The challenge of the mass start event is that all of the competitors start together, regardless of distance, which can make the competition just as mentally demanding as it is physically.

This made the results of the races even more impressive with Amy Pepper taking victory, Charlotte Baxter came 3rd (only just behind Amy), and Bailey Danskin 4th.

Coach to the swimmers, Adele Danskin, said: ‘The race was a brilliant start to the open water season, well done to all three of them for braving the very cold conditions!’

Linslade Crusaders train at the lake throughout the season, with more competitions to follow.

If you want to find about more about Crusaders, visit us at www.linsladecrusaders.com

The former chair of Billington Parish Council woke up on Monday morning to find nine sheep grazing on the grass in her front garden.

Lorraine Mawer, of Little Billington, was cooking her breakfast when she noticed the sheep with brown fur and black faces looking at her.

She said: “It was quite a shock to see that in my garden.

“I have no idea how they got in, they are not the usual sheep you see round here.

“We shut our gate because we did not want them wandering out on to the road.

“When I looked again about an hour later, four had escaped and there were only five left.

“I have no idea how they escaped because we locked the gate.”

She opened the gate, to let the sheep wander back to their home, and went to the May Fayre and when she returned all the sheep had gone.

Lorraine added: “They left behind such a mess, I have never seen so much poo and mess in my life and the smell was horrendous.

“We spent over an hour cleaning it all up.

“I still have no idea how they got in the garden or where they came from.”

Sam Johnson’s swashbuckling century fired Bedfordshire to their first Trophy win of the season on Monday.

He smashed nine boundaries including five sixes in an unbeaten 106 off just 96 balls against Cambridgeshire in the MCC Unicorns KO Trophy Group 2 clas at Luton Town & Indians CC.

Beds had been set a target of 228 for victory at Wardown Park - and it was a total that looked a long way off when they were pegged back to 38-3 and then 74-4.

But an 86-run partnership between Johnson and Andy Reynoldson (48) steadied the ship.

Johnson then hit the winning runs with eight balls of the innings to spare.

Earlier the Beds bowlers had done a good containing job on their visitors.

Reynoldson took 3-37, including removing both openers cheaply, as no Cambridgeshire batsman made it beyond 40 in their 227-8 total.

Colin Griggs took 2-48 off his 10 overs with George Bacon, James Middlebrook and George Thurstance picking up a wicket apiece.

It made amends for Sunday’s defeat in a rain-affected fixture against Suffolk at Dunstable.

Beds won the toss and put their visitors into bat.

Suffolk had reached 126-3, off 24 overs, before the rain arrived and play was stopped.

Opener Kyle Coetzer, who played for Scotland at the recent World Cup, was unbeaten with 64 off just 65 balls.

When play finally resumed Bedfordshire were set a revised target of 157 in 20 overs.

But openers Charlie Thurston (1) and Luke Thomas (2) were sent back to the pavilion early on and Bedfordshire’s innings never really recovered.

Reynoldson’s unbeaten 
62 off 52 balls was the highlight of the innings but nobody was able to hang around with him for long and the side ended on 121-9, 35 runs short.

Bedfordshire visit Norfolk for their next Trophy fixture on Sunday.