Police have detained six suspected illegal immigrants at Toddington service station after officers received a distress call from a person in the back of a lorry.

This morning Essex Police put out an appeal to trace a white lorry which had entered the country at Kent and had driven into Essex and along the A414 at North Weald.

Police had received a call from someone in a distressed state, who claimed they were in the back of a vehicle.

At around noon officers detained six people at the Toddington service station on the M1.

Investigations are ongoing.

With the General Election only days away, we asked the candidates for the seat in South West Beds why they wanted your vote

Andrew Selous (Conservative)

It’s only by having a strong economy that we can continue to provide the jobs and good public services we need.

Managing the economy well has enabled us to cut unemployment by over two thirds in South West Bedfordshire constituency over the last five years.

Cutting income tax further will continue to reward work.

We have delivered two million new apprenticeships and want three million more and 200,000 starter homes and Help to Buy extended.

A strong economy has meant that for the first time in a decade ambulances are based in the town and we now have new railway station lifts.

Work on the A5-M1 link has begun, after decades of waiting.

A strong economy is delivering the rebuild of Central Bedfordshire College, has provided a University Technical College and is delivering an Engineering and Construction skills training centre on the Vinci site and the long overdue flood defence works on the east of the town.

A strong economy is enabling a £150m rebuild of the Luton and Dunstable Hospital and will enable us to continue to increase the state pension and protect pensioner benefits.

I will fight for fairer funding for Bedfordshire Police and to get police officers locally based again.

Daniel Scott (Labour)

It’s a privilege to be standing as the Labour parliamentary candidate for South West Beds. Like many people of my generation I moved to Leighton Buzzard because of the crippling cost of housing in the south east and my family and I have been fortunate to find a great community to live in.

I appreciate the challenges this constituency faces over the next few years particularly the need to accommodate essential additional housing in the most suitable locations, with adequate infrastructure including employment, healthcare provision and sufficient school places.

What has also been clear to me however is that this country cannot afford another five years of Conservative government. People are on average £1,600 worse off than in 2010, and the benefits of the recovery have not been evenly shared. On top of that the national debt has continued to grow. Labour believes in a simple truth, that Britain only succeeds when working people succeed. We have a plan to reward hard work, share prosperity and build a better Britain. One that will also protect the NHS that we all rely on.

Labour has always stood up for the majority in this country. Wherever I have lived I have been an active member of the community, and as your Labour MP I promise to fight for the constituency inParliament and to make this country a fairer place for us all.

Stephen Rutherford (Lib Dem)

I have lived and worked in Bedfordshire for the last 15 years, and am delighted to put the case for the Liberal Democrats.

Five years ago we moved from being a party of opposition to a party of government. Since then Lib Dem ministers have delivered.

We said we would increase the point at which people started paying tax. It used to be as low as £6,500. It is now £10,600.

Five years ago we promised we would increase school funding for the poorest pupils. That’s happened.

Five years ago we said we would create jobs and make Britain greener.

We’ve done both. There are now more than 1.6 million extra jobs than in 2010. Britain is producing more than 20% of its electricity from free, green, renewable sources.

We now have another choice.

On the left, you have a set of parties that want to ignore the deficit and pile up the debt. On the right, you have parties that want to clear the deficit almost entirely through cuts.

Only the Liberal Democrats will eliminate the deficit fairly, through a balanced mix of sensible savings and taxes on wealth.

This means we can maintain the recovery, protect education spending and increase health spending.

So for a stronger economy and a fairer society please vote Liberal Democrat

John Van Weenen (UKIP)

I come to UKIP as a fresh face to the world of politics, motivated by concern, after observing the three main parties’ lack of honesty with the electorate.

I am not alone in my thinking, for millions of British people feel the same way. All three leaders have been telling us constantly this election is the most crucial for years – and they are quite right but they overlooked in their desire for success at the ballot box, the overwhelming need for ‘change’. I have spent the last 30 years as a volunteer working in the charity field. My endeavours have taken me from initially assisting British migrants in Australia, to raising a vast sum for cancer research here in Great Britain. In 1991 I formed the British charity ‘Task Force Albania’ and led 86 humanitarian missions to Eastern Europe.

I saw UKIP’s leader Nigel Farage like a breath of fresh airbursting onto the political scene.

He spoke with honesty and said what most ordinary people were thinking, but what others dare not say.

My job, should you elect me, will be to serve you and your families here in our constituency.

To that end – I give you my word.

The candidates for parliamentary elections in the Vale have been announced.

The Buckingham constituency, which covers numerous villages in LBO, has three candidates.

The nominations for the parliamentary elections are:

Buckingham: John Bercow (The Speaker seeking re-election); Dave Fowler (UKIP – Scrap HS2); Alan Francis (Green Party).

The small number of candidates in Buckingham is in stark contrast to the last election, when 11 candidates, including several independents, stood. Mr Bercow won that election with 47.3% of the vote.

The verification and count for the parliamentary elections will be held at the Gateway, Aylesbury, starting at 10.30pm on Thursday, May 7.

Here the candidates have their say...

JOHN BERCOW: SPEAKER

For 18 years I have had the honour to represent the Buckingham constituency in Parliament.

First and foremost, I am a constituency MP, and I have always sought to be a hard-working and efficient representative for our area who stands up for, and with, local residents. Whether it is a concern about home-school transport, problems with the HMRC or fighting for the provision of care for our most vulnerable residents, I have always tried to be on hand to help. I have taken on thousands of individual cases and have always attempted to resolve them wherever possible. I have been outspoken on the issue of HS2, which would be all pain and no gain for the large portions of the community which it blights. Each successive Transport Secretary has met with me in Speaker’s House to discuss our concerns. I am quite clear in these discussions: we are against this proposal.

On the issue of local planning, I am against the creeping threat of speculative developments. In the last six months alone I have submitted objections to applications for developments in areas such as, although by no means limited to, Newton Longville, Haddenham, Princes Risborough and Ivinghoe. I am, and will remain, opposed to putting profit before people.

I would like to close by saying that it has always been a privilege to be an advocate for our area, and I very much hope that the electors of the Buckingham constituency will permit me to continue in this capacity.

DAVE FOWLER: UKIP

UKIP is the only national party to campaign against HS2 – they have done this from the start and will continue to do so. The pathetic contributions made by our Vale MPs John Bercow and David Lidington have been at best “Low Key” and at worst breathtakingly arrogant.

But make no mistake HS2 is far from a “Done Deal”. It’s still on amber/red alert as far as Government spending is concerned. Funding from the Chinese seems to have backtracked and every single enquiry into this massive White Elephant has concluded that there is no business sense, no economic sense and no environmental sense. In short, it’s bonkers. An idea dreamt up by our elite bonkers politicians. HS2 will cut off village from village, farm from farm and decimate communities. It will be like driving a stake through the heart of England.Born in Waddesdon (where I still live to this day) I’m a countryman who supports hunting, shooting and fishing. I’m a strong supporter of our Armed Forces and believe the first priority of Government must be the defence of the realm. We must never leave our forces unprepared and starve them of resources they need to operate effectively. I’ve always been interested in politics but became more serious when John Major returned from Brussels having signed the Maastricht Treaty stating it was a good deal for Britain. It was like Neville Chamberlain coming from Hitler saying we had peace in Europe and I’ve never forgiven 
the Tories since.

ALAN FRANCIS: GREEN PARTY

This is a very unusual election.

Buckingham voters have the choice of just three candidates, Mr Bercow (Speaker), the Greens and UKIP. While we have one local issue in common – we all oppose HS2 – there is a chasm between us on everything else. Mr Bercow and UKIP are on the right of politics and the Greens are on the centre/left.

The Greens are the only party standing in this seat who want an end to austerity measures and to tackle the urgent problem of climate change.

The Conservatives have imposed cuts on the most vulnerable in society, those who are sick, disabled, poor, young or old.

They are being punished for the mistakes made by the rich bankers and politicians. Greens want a more equal society where everyone has a home and can afford to eat and stay warm. That will require increased taxes on big corporations and the wealthiest members of society.

If you want to protect public services, keep the NHS in public hands, scrap tuition fees, increase pensions, end the austerity cuts, introduce a living wage for all, build more council houses, renationalise the railways, improve bus and rail services and cut fares, protect the environment, support small businesses and farms, electoral reform, ban fracking, and tackle climate change, then you have only one choice and that is to vote Green. The Green Party offers a fresh alternative with policies for the common good.

www.greenparty.org.uk/we-stand-for/2015-manifesto.html www.aylesburyvale.greenparty.org.uk

Ahead of Thursday’s election we gave the leaders of the main political parties on Central Beds Council the chance to explain why you should vote for their party.

James Jamieson (Conservative)

Judge people not by what they say they will do but by what they do.

The Conservatives have frozen Central Bedfordshire’s council tax for five years, saving an average household £220 per year, while at the same time improving services and progressing town improvements.

We all want the best for our children and are investing over £100m on new and expanding schools, including Leedon Lower, Clipstone Brook Lower, Greenleas Kestrel Way Lower, and expansion of Vandyke.

Elsewhere the Library Theatre and Tiddenfoot leisure centre have been refurbished.

Astral Park has opened and is proving a great success.

We are investing in infrastructure with the new M1-A5 link providing a direct link to the M1, resurfacing of many major roads, broadband roll out and critically we are seeing real growth with 7,000 extra jobs.

Conservatives will continue to deliver better services and value for money to residents , not false promises.

Roger Pepworth (Labour)

All in all, Conservative Central Bedfordshire has a pretty poor record;-

Education – Slow to provide schools for new estates – and then built them too small!

Finance – They claim to have frozen council tax - but only by scrapping school crossing patrols and then closing public toilets and asking town councils to pay for them but not passing on the rate support grant to those same town councils.

A double whammy.

Homes – Central Bedfordshire have let developers get away without providing affordable houses.

Budget management – Central Beds spent two and a half million of taxpayers’ money on a Bedfordshire ‘energy and recycling project’ only to abandon it! Then there’s the aquatic centre that sank into a gravel pit.

The list goes on.

Vote Labour for a real alternative.

We know the value of money but we know the value of people as well.

Our consultations will be genuine.

Nigel Aldis (LIB DEM)

Over the last four years the Liberal Democrats have sought to challenge and question the policies of the majority group to ensure that they are fair to all sections of the local community.

Whatever size of the group after the election the Liberal Democrats will continue to champion the cause of the most vulnerable members of the community getting the very best deal which is available for them. We will seek to ensure that policies are clear and presented to residents.

In our local communities we will support and champion residents who have issues with the council to give them our support in meeting with staff and finding the best way forward for them.

We will respond to our resident’s concerns to ensure that the local environment including grass cutting, road and pavement maintenance, street cleaning and removal of fly-tipping is of a high standard along with all the other services which are provided by the council. We will continue to inform residents and work all year round to serve the local community which elected us.

Professional golfers employed at Leighton Buzzard’s Plantation Road club are giving up their time to manage free lessons to anyone thinking of taking up the sport.

The programme got underway on Saturday and a further five hour-long sessions are being held during May to encourage people of all ages to get into golf, a sport where basic well-coached skills last a life-time and where the handicap system based on individual results enables players of all abilities to be competitive with each other.

The sessions are being held on Leighton’s practice ground as part of the National Golf Month, with club professionals Will Tebbs and Wayne Hugo managing the taster sessions on May 9, 10, 16, 23 and 24.

The coaching sessions start at 1.30pm except for those on May 10 and May 24, which begin at 2pm. Call the Prop Shop on (01525) 244815 to book your free lessons.

“The free lessons are open to anyone who is thinking of taking up golf for exercise, enjoyment or the friendships which are forged at clubs like Leighton Buzzard,” said director of golf Maurice Campbell.

Simon Goodall and Chris Yirrell are the new holders of Leighton’s Captain’s Cup. Their 41 point haul gave them a five-shot winning margin over Past Captain Derek Lindley and Peter Burgoyne.

Leighton Seniors continued their five-match unbeaten run with a 7-1 victory over Beds & County followed by a 6-1 scuppering of Stowe. Skipper Terry Wright and Kelvin Young, Denis Leitch and Rob Tate, David Hack and Danny Nairne, George Darbyshire and Victor Albertella, Ron Dickinson and Mike Bluett, Terry Lingham and Eddie Mehew and Robbie John and Keith Camp all returned winning cards against Beds & County.

But Captain Wright and Ernie Piper were the only Leighton losers as the home club beat visitors Stowe 6-1. The early setback was reversed with a succession of victories by Steve Shepherd and Victor Albertella, Denis Leitch and Danny Nairne, Harry Adam and Andy Lock, John Halstead and Mike Bluett, Morley Smith and David Newby, Keith Oddie and Martin Broadley and Robbie John and Kelvin Young.

Ladies Captain Debbie Pollard-Barns was joined by Freya Daniels, Niki Clark, Val Berry, Angela Samuels, Barbara Bradley and Margaret Osborne as the Leighton team registered a 4-3 Shield match victory at South Beds. Debbie, Angela, Sandra Bellis, Beryl Wood, Avril Simpson and Norma Stevens-Hack teamed up to beat Mount Pleasant 6-1. But Leighton’s ladies lost their friendly against Aylesbury Vale 2-1, with one match halved.

Joan Waples topped the table in Leighton Ladies Challenge Cup qualifiers and is joined by Vicky Pratt, Angela Samuels, Niki Clark, Alison Shirville, Lila Garrod, Rosie Hartnell and Barbara Rickard in the matchplay knock-out stages.

Lila Garrod was top scorer in Leighton Ladies April stableford, winning overall and the Bronze “B” table with 41 points; Oonagh Russell won the Bronze “A” top spot with 34 points, one clear of Paula Cox, while Lorraine Leaver won the Silver Division with 36 points, three clear of Ladies “vice” Angela Samuels.

Paul Ellam, Stephen Richardson and Sam Messenger won to earn Leighton a 3-2 Mid-Handicap League victory over Stockwood Park.

Former Leighton club Captain Brian Carter won the Bedfordshire Captains’ Spring meeting at Aspley Guise with 40 points, while 37 points was enough for former Seniors Captain David Hack to win the Rushmere Society match at Tadmarten Heath.

Josh Rowles won the Leighton Captains “away day” at Ashridge with a 45 point haul which helped his playing colleagues Scott Douglas, Mark Vincent and Steve Boud to a 130-point winning team total.

Team runners-up were Peter Townley, Brian Wilson, David Roberts and Dave Evans with 125 points; Simon Rossiter was the individual runner-up with 41 points and Phil Coumbe claimed the nearest-the-pin prize.

The Leighton Buzzard Observer will be working through the night to bring you the election latest as it happens.

Along with colleagues across Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes we are running a live blog of events, which you can follow by going to {http://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/live/event?1216434|this page|Take me there}.

Voters heading for polling stations across the town will be asked who should represent them in the House of Commons, Central Beds Council and in their respective town and parish councils.

Central Beds Council results are expected to be announced at 6pm on Friday, while town and parish results will start at 10pm.

Four hundred homes in Leighton Buzzard have been sent letters aimed at preventing a repeat of the sewer blockage which left Adams Bottom submerged in faeces.

Wipes, nappies and left over cooking fats were the cause of a problem which left the park covered in filth. March’s incident saw Anglian Water clear the blockage and then its engineers cleaned up the site.

Rachel Dyson, who manages the Anglian Water’s Keep It Clear campaign, said: “This flooding was caused by a large volume of wipes and fat blocking part of the sewerage network.

“We are writing to all local residents to advise what we can all do to help prevent these ‘avoidable’ incidents and the misery and inconvenience they cause.

“Many residents are unaware that one of the biggest causes of sewer pipe and pump blockages are wipes, sanitary waste and other household material flushed down toilets and drains.

“Even the products marked ‘flushable’ do not break down in the sewer like toilet paper. These items often stick to used cooking oil, fats and grease that are poured down sinks and toilets which then build up over time to block sewer pipes and pumps, stopping them from working.

“When these blockages happen, sewage can back up into homes and streets or cause pollution in local rivers and waterways.

“Pumping stations and sewer pipes play a vital role in pumping sewage and used water away from our homes and businesses to be safely treated at Water Recycling Centres.

“Unblocking sewer pipes and repairing or replacing pumps blocked with wipes, fat and other household waste can add considerable expense to everyone’s water bill too – expense that could be avoided.

As well as the letter, residents have also been sent a leaflet showing simple steps to avoid blockages.

For more information and tips visit http://keep-it-clear.co.uk

Leighton Buzzard Bowls Club has shown it has a heart by raising money for Luton and Dunstable Hospital’s Cardiac Unit.

Each year the president of the club chooses a charity and last season it was chosen by the then president, Roger Clarke, after his wife Maureen had a heart attack.

Roger said that he and Maureen are very grateful to the staff of the unit and were only too happy to help raise money for them. He presented the cheque for £452.96 to operational leader cardiology Joanne James.

Speaking after the presentation, Roger said that he was also inspired by his friend and mentor Harold Gibson, who died a short while ago. Harold had a heart attack some years ago and following successful surgery founded Zippers, a nationwide bowls club of people who underwent heart surgery.

They raise money for cardiac units around the country by playing bowls at clubs all over England. Harold was a life-time member of Leighton Buzzard Bowls Club and so Leighton became the spiritual home of the Zippers. To date Zippers have raised over £2,000.

A former Bedfordshire Police officer is due to appear in court today (Friday) charged with a string of sex offences against teenage girls.

Mohammad Arshad, 35, of Ferndale Road, Luton, will appear at Hatfield Magistrates’ Court charged with 17 counts, on recommendation of the Crown Prosecution Service.

They include 10 counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, four counts of grooming, two counts of sexual touching of a child and offering to supply cannabis.

The charges relate to 11 alleged victims who were aged between 13 and 15 at the time. The charges cover October 2012 until December 2014.

Arshad was an officer with Bedfordshire Police between April and November last year. He was suspended after the allegations came to light in October.

Families United Network is holding a Ladies Night to raise money to support the charity’s work.

The event, billed as “a little bit of naughtiness” takes place at the Brooklands Club in Garden Leys, Leighton on Friday, May 22 from 8pm till late.

The entertainment is for over 18s only and will feature drag queen Tiffaney Wells, male strippers and a disco.

Tickets are £12.50 and can be obtained on 01582 470999 or see familiesunitednetwork.org.uk for more details.

FUN works to support children, young people and families living with disabilities throughout Bedfordshire.

Celebrate Spring with a visit to Leighton Linslade Cancer Support Group’s coffee morning on Friday, May 15.

The event will be held at the Salvation Army Hall in Lammas Walk between 10.30am and 12.30pm.

There will be tea and coffee to drink and friends to chat to, plus a cake stall, David’s Pancakes, a ‘nearly new’ clothes rail, a stall full of surprises and a special Memory Tree where you can write a special message to a loved one.

Conservative Andrew Selous tightened his stranglehold on the South West Beds constituency when he increased the considerable majority he had gained back in 2010 .

The returning MP polled 28,212 votes (17,813 majority) on a 65% turnout – and that was more than 1,500 votes up from his victory five years ago.

Trailing behind was Labour’s Daniel Scott with 10,399 votes, followed by UKIP’s John van Weenen with 7,941, Stephen Rutherford of the Liberal Democrats on 2,646, and Emily Lawrence (Green Party) 2,106. There were 244 ballot papers rejected.

Constituents were made to play a waiting game for the result however following polling day on Thursday.

The result didn’t come through until around 8.30am on Friday, much later than had been anticipated.

> More than 1,000 people spoilt their ballot papers in the Buckingham election.

And re-elected MP John Bercow, who is Speaker of the House of Commons addressed the issue directly in his victory speech.

Because Mr Bercow is Speaker, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives will not stand against him. This effectively means that more than 70,000 constituents cannot vote for the three main parties, and some claim that is stifles democracy.

Mr Bercow, whose constituency includes Wing, Wingrave, Edlesborough, Cublington, Stewkley, Aston Abbotts, Cheddington, Soulbury, Pitstone and Ivinghoe, said: ““I think it would be almost surreal not to mention the number of spoilt ballot papers. And the evidence and widespread base of concern that exists about the treatment of the Speaker’s seat.

“It wasn’t devised by me ladies and gentlemen, it’s not my convention, it wasn’t dreamt up for the benefit or disbenefit of the Buckingham parliamentary constituency, it’s a very long-standing convention.

“I know some people, a lot of people don’t like it and they think it denies them an adequate choice.

“Last time I said I would ask the house to look at this matter, and to consider alternatives, to weight up the pros and cons and see if we could fashion an arrangement that satisfied constituents and serve effectively the house.

“It is actually a lot easier to criticise the existing system , which you can do almost with a slogan, than it is to identify a credible and satisfactory alternative to it.

“That doesn’t mean however that effort shouldn’t be made and I certainly will ask my parliamentary colleagues to weigh in the balance the views that have been expressed by local people in spoiled ballot papers.”

The vote was John Bercow (Independent) 34,617, Dave Fowler (UKIP): 11,675, Alan Francis (Green Party) 7,400.

> Returning with a vastly increased majority for a third term in office was Mid Beds MP Nadine Dorries.

The Tory MP who covers Woburn, polled 32,544 votes, almost 4,000 more than her 2010 victory.

Second was Charlynne Pullen for Labour with 9,217.

Other candidates polled: Gareth Ellis, Green 2,462, Tim Ireland, Ind, 384, Linda Jack, Lib Dem 4,193, Ann Maria Kelly, The Offical Raving Loony Party, 294 and NIgel Wickens Ukip 8,966. There were 228 spoiled ballot papers.

The turnout for Mid Beds was 74 per cent, against 72 per cent in the 2010 General Election.

Opponents were left feeling blue on Friday evening as the Conservatives took all nine available Central Beds Council seats across Leighton and Linslade.

Leighton Buzzard North saw Conservatives Ken Ferguson (3,663 votes), Roy Johnstone (3,509) and Brian Spurr (3,640) elected. Unsuccessful candidates were Michael Bishop (Labour) 1,614; Jonathan Hull (Green) 737, Rosalind Mennie (Liberal Democrat) 734; Ian Purvis (Labour) 1,331; Daniel Scott (Labour) 1,438; Alan White (Liberal Democrat) 674; Simon Wilson (Green) 713; and Gary Woodwards (Green) 671.

In Leighton Buzzard South, the seats went to Conservatives Ray Berry (2,823), Dave Bowater (2,862) and Amanda Dodwell (2,999). Missing out were Paul Adams (Independent) 401; John Bone (Labour) 1,302; Nichola Cheesewright (Green) 543; Anne Gray (Liberal Democrat) 559; Anne Guess (Liberal Democrat) 481; Adrian Heffernan (Labour) 1,046; Emily Lawrence(Green) 474; Garry Lelliott (UKIP) 1,163; Christopher Northedge (Labour) 929; Celia Snelling (Liberal Democrat) 452; and Kenton Sumner (Green) 361.

Over in Linslade, the Conservatives triumphed again with Gordon Perham (2,935) Gary Tubb (2,814) and Benjamin Walker (2,418) elected.

Missing out were Ken Barry (Green) 834; Nigel Carnell (Liberal Democrat) 958; Parisa Darling (Green) 667; Russ Goodchild (Liberal Democrat) 1,027; Tony Mabbott (Green) 541; Peter Palfrey (Labour) 1,068; Rebekah Price (Labour) 972; Ian Reynolds (UKIP) 930; Gerald Sandison (Labou) 914; Peter Snelling (Liberal Democrat) 1,333 and Mike Woodhouse (UKIP) 770.

Other contested Central Beds seats from LBO land saw Budge Wells (Conservative) poll 2,012 votes to defeat Robin Harewood-Lee of the Greens (735); Ken Janes (Conservative) elected with 1,225 votes in Eaton Bray ahead of Ruth Archer (Independent, 943) and Isaac Sibiya (Labour, 242).

Whilst the majority of election results for Central Bedfordshire Council have now been counted and announced in a few remaining wards further information was required before the process can be completed. The count has therefore been suspended until Saturday morning.

The election results for town and parish councils will not be announced now until Monday, May 11.

Raise a glass to the Black Lion, which has been voted the best pub in Bedfordshire by local CAMRA members.

The hardworking landlords of the Leighton Buzzard pub, Nikki Brodin and Stev Stipanovic, will be formally presented with their award on May 31.

They beat extremely stiff competition in the form of the multi-award-winning Engineers Arms in Henlow and the much improved Sun in Felmersham.

Since taking on pub last year, Nikki and Stev, who previously worked at the famous Merchants Inn in Rugby, have turned the Black Lion around from a struggling and 
run-down boozer into a welcoming and thriving town centre pub.

Last summer they held a festival with 40 different ciders and perries to try and intend to make this event even bigger this coming July.

The Black Lion will now go up against the other five East Anglian county winners from Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.

The winner of the regional title will be announced in 
August.

It’s 25 years since Bedfordshire Scouts in Leighton took part in a humanitarian aid programme for 160 children flown to the UK from Kiev for a three-week holiday.

They were all from Chernobyl and its surrounds, a town that had been devastated by the world’s worst nuclear accident in April, 1986.

Scout leader Catherine Roots was behind a scheme to offer 10 of these youngsters hospitality with five Scout families in the town.

She recalled: “We’d organised everyting from a time-
table of outings to money, food, clothing and equipment.

“But information about our visitors was scant. We were told they were orphans and they were from one-parent families; that they were aged between 12 and 16 and were suffering from the fearful effects of over-exposure to radiation.

“Perhaps everyone was expecting the worst, but when they arrived, the boys looked fitter and healthier than anyone imagined, even if many of them were subdued and looked decidely lost.”

One member of the party was certainly happy to be there; interpreter and English teacher Vladimir who had been dreaming of coming to England for more than two decades. Their arrival was the start of a wonderful three-week holiday which laid the foundation for some lasting friendships.

The initial meeting between host families and guests took place at Trinity Methodist Church where a mountain of Tom and Jerry cartoons proved that laughter knows no barriers of race or language.

The programme got under way the next day with a visit to Boss Trucks, where the children were presented with gift packs, shown the skid track and gave the go-karts a good workout.

Catherine said: “That was the first of many outings. In fact by the end of their all-too-short stay, the boys – and Vladimir – had enjoyed everything from fire fighting to fish and chips, archery to abseiling, cycling to sight-seeing – not to mention gliding, bowling, climbing, canoeing, camping and a canal trip.”

The first weekend highlight was a birthday barbecue for Catherine which turned into a double celebration as a young boy called Vitaly 
confided it was his birthday too.

Catherine remembered the sun shining, the sausages sizzling and the youngsters beginning to mingle and play together as only children can, in spite of the language difference.

A full programme of events followed when the boys went to London, took to the saddle with 50 others for a bike ride round Milton Keynes, and enjoyed a demonstration, in the pouring rain, of Leighton Fire Brigade’s fire-fighting equipment.

They were then totally bemused and bewildered by Scout antics during a four-day stay at Buzzards Scout HQ in Grovebury Road.

They also spent six action-packed days at Bromham camp site, which culminated with a visit to Great Barford where boys and host families got stuck into climbing, abseiling, rafting and canoeing.

During the second week they toured the BBC TV Centre, Kempston Police HQ and RAF Chicksands.

Catherine said: “By this time the boys were certainly sleeping well, often in the coach on the way home.

“They smiled much more than when they arrived and formed close attachments as not all of them knew each other before the holiday.”

There were many more exciting outings, including a visit to Brighton, an invitation to the London Gliding Club and Whipsnade Wild Animal Park, as well as a civic reception at South Beds District Council in Dunstable.

Even on their last day, the presents kept coming, the final gifts fittingly presented to the the boys and Vladimir by Leighton Lions Club at the Market Cross.

That evening everyone got together for a final farewell party where Vladimir made a moving thank-you speech and concluded: “We hope that our friendship will continue, not only now but always.”

Catherine said: “At Heathrow it was easy to see how much the boys had enjoyed their stay in Bedfordshire, and the affection between grinning guests and the five host families who had welcomed them into their homes.

“There was no need for words – it was clear that strong links had been forged between English and Ukrainians of all ages.”

By the time ‘dasvedanya’ – departure – drew near, emotions were running high and tears were shed on both sides of the barrier as Vladimir and the boys disappeared into the departure lounge to clear customs and wait for their Aeroflot flight back to Kiev.

At the beginning of the project, Catherine had said: “The challenge is that they will go away with smiles on their faces and laughter in their eyes, knowing that 
however far away they are, there are people who care for them.”

She and everyone involved in the project can rest easy, knowing they met that challenge wholeheartedly.

Craig Bicknell will be Leighton Town manager again next season after he was offered the position by the club’s committee on Saturday night.

Having led the club to their strongest season in three years last time out, finishing 18th in Evo Stik Division 1 Central, Bicknell was delighted to announce he would be staying at Bell Close at the Player of the Year awards night.

While there are still the finer details to sort before the season begins, the manager said he cannot wait to get going again.

“I’m buzzing to be staying,” he said. “When I took over, I didn’t have one single player or coach left from the previous season.

“I’ve had to rebuild everything. I signed 48 players, I’ve had to sign new coaches and physios and I’ve got sponsorship deals in place.

“But we’ll come back next year with a lot more stability and we’re really looking forward to it already.”

The committee told Bicknell the job was his at the awards night, topping off an emotional evening for the manager.

Tyrone Taylor hung up his boots at the end of the season after 10 years playing under Bicknell, and picked up two awards - Manager’s Player of the Season and Supporters’ Player of the Season.

But bidding Taylor farewell was something that had Bicknell choked up.

“I did have to stop because it all got a bit heavy!” he said. “Tyrone has played for me for 10 years, and hasn’t played for anyone else. I was as surprised as he was when he picked up the award from the fans. It just shows how much he means to them as well.”

Danny Watson won Player’s Player of the Year, and Aaron Morgan won Coaches’ Player of the year.

Leighton Buzzard’s return to Cherwell League Division 1 ended in a derby stalemate with neighbours Great Brickhill.

Having returned to the top flight after a year in Division 2 last time out, Buzzards welcomed Brickhill back to Bell Close, but quickly lost their hospitable nature as the visitors set out their stall.

A new opening partnership of Nelson (43) and Armstrong (12) made a bright start for the visitors but both were removed by Jack Kempster. When Carter (13) was caught off the bowling of Sam Roberts the match was evenly balance with score at 90-3 off 21 overs.

However the scoring rate increased rapidly with the arrival of Aris at the wicket. Chancing his arm he played attacking shots all round the wicket. Some indifferent fielding from the home side gifted runs to him as chances to dismiss him were missed.

However he continued to play with freedom and duly reached a century which included 16 fours and a six. Aris was eventually clean bowled by Kempster for 107 receiving useful support from Hammond(15) and Morris (34).

At the end of the allocated 51 overs Great Brickhill had scored 272-6. Kempster bowled well to take 4-62 with 1 wicket each for Sam Roberts and Lee Selfe.

Leighton made a dismal start as Chris Thompson (1), Tom Light (2) and Antony Francis (3) were soon back in the pavilion with the scoreboard reading 26-3 off 11 overs. Phillip Whatmore (21) and Adam Culley (17) began to build a response and steady but modest progress had been made when the former was bowled. Culley and Dave Roberts were playing well when the former was unnecessarily run out.

This brought Dan Scott to the wicket to join Roberts and Leighton now enjoyed their best part of the game with a partnership worth 65 runs.

Roberts (54) was given out lbw in the penultimate over of the innings but Scott (40no) and Kempster were able to bat out the overs to secure a draw for the home side.

For the visitors Blackwell took 4-33 with 1 wicket for Jhala.

This outcome was probably the best that Town could have expected after those early loss of wickets giving Leighton 5 points and Great Brickhill take 17.

In Division 4, Leighton 2nds made the short journey to Great Brickhill 2nds but came away second best.

The home side won the toss and asked Town to bat first. They made a disappointing start losing the top three batsmen for 32 runs in the first nine overs, all falling victim to Aldridge. Ben Smith (23), Alfie Ruston (15) and Rob Scott (28) tried to steady the ship with patient innings but Aldridge came back for his second spell and took three more wickets. Leighton closed on 134 all out with Aldridge taking 6-30.

Leighton took an early wicket when Priestley bowled Prasad(16) but Webb was in fine form with a run-a-ball 64. McDonald reached 31not out with 5 fours as the home side closed on 135-3 with overs to spare.

A woman was treated by firefighters for smoke inhalation after a cooker fire on Saturday, May 9.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service are urging local people to take extra care in their kitchens following the incident.

Firefighters were called shortly before 1pm to Dudley Street, Leighton Buzzard, to extinguish a cooker fire.

They found the cooker grill on fire, a woman was treated for smoke inhalation using oxygen therapy.

The fire service have issued some advice for residents:

Take care when leaving the kitchen whilst cooking,

Take pans off the heat or turn them down to prevent overheating and catching fire,

Turn saucepan handles to prevent accidents,

Take care if you are wearing loose garments,

Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob,

Take care when cooking hot oil.

If a pan of oil catches fire, you should leave it where it is, turn off the heat when it is safe and ring 999. Water should never be thrown on burning oil, it will create a fireball and spread the fire and cause serious injury.

A confident team of 27 Leighton Buzzard Canoe Club paddlers competed at this years Bedford Hasler.

The team ranged in age from 10 to 60+ and in ability from the young Lightnings, through to competitors in Division 9 up to Division 3.

LBCC would have had paddlers in every division but for an assessment race held at Elmbridge where their top paddlers fought it out to gain places for international squads.

LBCC’s young Lightnings gave a great performance as usual.

In the Under 12 Girls Katy Dixon took top honours winning confidently, Linzi Curtis was not far behind crossing in fourth.

For the Boys it was a harder fought race with rough and tumbles along the way. Both Ben Collins and Adam Baker held on well to finish second and sixth respectively.

In the single K1 divisional races success was dominated by the girls.

Newcomer Hannah Hook in Div 9 raced confidently along the 6.8km course to take 3rd place in the largest group of the day and gained herself promotion to Div 8.

In Div 8 another strong paddle by Bethany Morris won convincingly to gain herself promotion to Div 6.

Returning to form in Div 6, racing 12.9km, it was second place for Lydia Oxtoby which also earned her promotion to Div 5.

Junior Eloise Hall in Div 5 had a great race and was in the lead pack from the start. Working the group well Eloise pulled it out of the bag with a sprint finish to take the win.

For the doubles in K2s, it was a very pleasing win for new pairing of Bryan Handsley and Ashley Townsend in Div 7 racing 6.8km. Hot on their heels were Fiona Barber and Amanda Morris in third who are determined to narrow the difference next time.

Overall team LBCC took second place on the day which makes them currently third in the Eastern Regional Hasler Competition with three races to go.

Linslade Crusaders have been competing against the best swimmers in the East region of the Country this bank holiday weekend and once again have held their own and returned with an impressive medal haul.

Eight swimmers, Cameron Manley, Joe Talbot, Daniel Hill, Tom Pickering, Victoria Sanderson, Annalise Wright, Megan Bunyard and Lauren Avis have all competed at the Youth Regional Championships at Luton Inspire pool.

Crusaders were swimming against clubs from as far a field as Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire as well as the great and good of Bedfordshire.

Cameron Manley took the bronze in the 16yrs boys 50m Breastroke final before bagging another bronze in the boys 16yrs Butterfly final. Annalise Wright took the bronze in the female 15yr 50m Breastroke final.

Other finalists included Joe Talbot battling hard in the boys 200m Breastroke final, Cameron Manley in the 16yrs boys Backstroke final and Daniel Hill in the in the 16yrs 50m Breastroke final.

Megan Bunyard Annalise Wright, Lauren Avis and Victoria Sanderson competed in the girls 14/16yrs 400m Medley Relay and the 14/16yrs 400m Freestyle Relay and achieved new club records in both events.

Not to be out done, Cameron Manley, Daniel Hill, Tom Pickering and Joe Talbot achieved the same feat in the boys 14/16yrs 400m Medley relay and the 14/16yrs 400m Freestyle relay.

Headcoach Adrian Smith said: “I am extremely proud of the swimmers, they have represented Crusaders swimming club in a very positive way, both in and out of the pool. No one should under estimate what they have achieved this weekend.”

The 14yrs and under Regional Championships takes place in Norwich on the weekend of May with Crusaders having four of our younger swimmers qualifying; Finn Bunyard, Walter Hackett, Amber Hill and Ellie Matthews.