One of the world’s most popular fast-food restaurants, Nando’s has unveiled a new menu today and fans may be surprised to see it’s a bit more beefy.

Customers will soon be able to order a fillet steak and chargrilled vegetables in either a pitta bread or a wrap as the chain moves away from thighs and drumsticks.

Other new menu items include beef steak marinated in house peri-peri sauce and flame-grilled, with chargrilled vegetables and garlic mayonnaise, fillet steak in a prego roll and a side of chargrilled vegetables with peri-peri sauce. Chicken drumsticks have also been added in either a side or main portion.

The news will be great for fans looking for a bit more variety as they frequent the traditionally chicken-based eatery.

The South African chain is worldwide, but Nando’s has a special place in Britain’s heart. Even though it serves a huge number of customers in Australia and the USA, we boast the largest number of branches in the world at 339, while Australia has 264, and it’s home territory, South Africa, comes in third with 259.

The last present a 79-year-old widow was bought by her late husband has been stolen by a thief.

Thames Valley Police is investigating the theft which took place at around 11.30am on Monday, when the woman was walking along Rothchilds Road, close to the junction of the A418, in Wing.

A female ran up behind the victim and spoke to her asking for directions to the hospital.

The thief then placed a poor quality gold chain around the woman’s neck, and then put another gold chain in her pocket, before running off.

The victim returned home and found that a silver necklace with a blue stone was taken from around her neck.

The offender is an Asian female, about 5ft 4ins, wearing a multi-coloured head scarf, a short brown coat and black leggings.

PC Ian Carter said: “This is the theft of an irreplaceable silver necklace from the victim, which was the last present her late husband bought her. It has huge sentimental value to her.

“I would ask anyone who may have seen a woman matching the description of the offender, approaching and talking to an elderly woman in the street to come forward.

“I would ask anyone who may have been offered a silver necklace with a blue stone to also contact us.”

Call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with information.

Autumn is here, the temperatures are dropping, the nights are fast drawing in – and soon it will be time to turn the clocks back.

The time changes at 2am on Sunday, 25 October as clocks should be set back an hour, giving us an extra hour in bed, so don’t miss out on your extra sleep.

How do I remember which direction to change the clocks?

An easy way to remember is using the old phrase: “Spring forward, fall back” (Though this does mean you using the American term for autumn).

When the hour changes, we’ll be shifting from British Summer Time (BST) to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

The clocks always go forward an hour on the last weekend in March in spring, and go back on the last weekend of October in autumn.

Why do we change the clocks?

Experts remain divided over the benefits over changing the clocks.

Reasons given in favour are that it saves energy, reduces accidents and crime, and is good for business.

Those arguing against say there is no clear, decisive evidence it saves energy, and point to potential health risks.

Will my phone change automatically?

If you have an iPhone, iPad and Mac they automatically change between daylight savings.Check you have your ‘Date and Time’ settings for ‘Set Automatically’ turned on.

Android phones will adjust too as long as time settings are on “automatic”.

TalkTalk’s chief executive has apologised to its customers after a “significant and sustained cyber attack” on its website left millions of people potentially at risk of having had their credit card and bank details stolen.

Dido Harding defended the firm for not revealing the security breach until Thursday night, despite it taking place on Wednesday morning.

She admitted the firm does not yet know how many of its four million customers had been affected by what is the third in a spate of cyber attacks affecting TalkTalk customers in the last eight months.

In August the company revealed its mobile sales site was hit by a “sophisticated and co-ordinated cyber attack” in which personal data was breached by criminals.

And in February TalkTalk customers were warned about scammers who managed to steal thousands of account numbers and names from the company’s computers.

Ms Harding told ITV’s Good Morning Britain the three attacks were “completely unrelated”, adding: “We moved as fast as we possibly can, on Wednesday lunchtime all we knew was that our website was running slowly and that we had the indications of a hacker trying to attack us.

“I can’t even tell you today exactly how many customers have been affected. We have tried to come public as fast as we can once we have got a reasonable idea of what potential data has been lost.

“I really appreciate the frustration and the worry and the concern that this causes customers - I am a customer myself - and I am very sorry for that. We are rushing to try and get that information to our customers as fast as we possibly can.”

She added: “This is a crime, a criminal has attacked TalkTalk systems and we are not the only ones, whether it is the US government, Apple, a whole host of companies. Cyber crime is something we all need to get better at defending ourselves against.”

Action this weekend in the Premier Division supported by Sportsform section sees all of the leading four clubs have home advantage.

At their Playing Field headquarters league leaders Renhold United will be looking to extend their 100% home record to five games and unbeaten ways to nine games when called upon by a Sharnbrook side who will come in search of their first away point of the season.

Whilst at Church Lane, second place AFC Oakley M&DH go in search of win number six on the bounce against the visiting bottom of the table Eastcotts AFC who are currently on a seven game losing run.

Over at Hillgrounds, third place AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College willl be looking for their fifth win on the bounce when they entertain second from bottom of the table Elstow Abbey who will make the short journey looking to end a run of five consecutive defeats and secure their first away point.

Whilst fourth place Flitwick Town who still hold down a perfect 100% home record at their Football Centre base and now unbeaten in their last seven starts welcome fifth place Ickwell & Old Warden who themselves are still holding down a seasons 100% perfect away record.

Over at Woburn Road it will be local derby action between sixth place hosts Ampthill Town Reserves, now on a four game unbeaten run, against eighth place Cranfield United who will seek to avoid their third consecutive defeat.

Whilst at their Playing Field base seventh place Marston Shelton Rovers go into home action against Sandy and just down the road at Jubilee Playing Fields, Wilstead look to take their unbeaten ways up to three games against visitors Caldecote who will be looking for just their second win of the season.

The final game comes at Hitchin Road, the venue at which tenth place hosts Shefford Town & Campton look to repair the damage of three consecutive defeats when called upon by 12th place Pavenham.

There is no mistaking where the top game of the Division One supported by Wests Citroen Bedford action will come this weekend as the top two sides meet each other when at their Playing Field headquarters league leaders Stevington still unbeaten this season and on a five game winning run are visited by second place AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Reserves who themselves are on a three game winning run and still 100% on the road this season.

For third place and still unbeaten this season Sundon Park Rangers it’s a trip on the road to Mill Lane to be hosted by Potton Town who are currently on a three game losing run.

Whilst fifth place Westoning now winners of their last three games hit the road for a Miller Road outing against seventh place hosts Meltis Albion.

Elsewhere, over in Allen Park sixth place Queens Park Crescents will look to maintain their seasons unbeaten home ways when the host Henlow side who will hit the road now losers in their last three outings.

At Gold Street, hosts Riseley Sports will be in search of their first home win of the season when called upon by bottom of the table AFC Oakley M&DH Reserves who come in search of their first win of the season.

The final action coming at Moore Crescent, the venue at which second from bottom of the table Houghton Athletic entertain Shefford Town & Campton Reserves who will be in search of their first away point/points of the season.

The spotlight for the lower division sides this weekend falls upon the 16 ties that form round two of this season’s Bedfordshire FA Junior Cup. This of course presents chances for a spot of giant-killing and of the eight all Bedfordshire County Football League clashes just one is between sides from the same division when at Groveside on current division four league form second from bottom of the table hosts Henlow Reserves will start the game second favourites to make it into the hat for the last 16 draw when visited by fourth place Stevington Reserves.

So where will the giant-killing come? Well in round one division four Caldecote A topped the list with their win over division two Elstow Abbey Reserves, this weekend despite have home advantage at Harvey Close their task looks even more daunting as they are paid a visit by the division three league leaders Wixams who are still unbeaten this season.

Whilst fellow division four side AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College A who netted a round one win over division three AFC Dunton find the visitors to face them on the 3G surface at Hillgrounds are current division three fourth place Wilstead Reserves. So perhaps we need to look elsewhere for those giant-killers this time around.

Perhaps Whiston Crescent, the venue at which division three Clifton play hosts to a division two Marston Shelton Rovers Reserves side who are yet to win on the road this season or even back at Harvey Close where division three Caldecote Reserves might well fancy their chances of getting the better of division two Bedford United.

The other three all Bedfordshire County League clashes look likely to go the way of the higher division side. At Cutler Hammer, Kempston Hammers Sports will be expecting to progress at the expense of division three visitors and yet to win on the road Renhold United Reserves. Whilst for division four Flitwick Town A and Westoning Reserves despite having home advantage you would expect their division two visitors to progress. The Town at their Football Centre base being called upon by Cople & Bedford SA and at Greenfield Road, Westoning Reserves receiving a visit from Clapham Sports.

For seven other sides it’s ties against opposition from another league. Five of these games are against Luton District & South Beds League opponents. Of the quintet just one will enjoy home advantage when at Crawley Road Cranfield United Reserves welcome Brache Sparta (2015) Reserves as the other quartet make tracks into Luton. Heading to Leagrave Park are White Eagles to take on Luton Leagrave FC, whilst for Mid Beds Tigers the destination is Kent Athletic to face FC Polonia Luton.

Meantime, FC Koran will host Flitwick Town Reserves in Lewsey Park and Luton Aces play Meltis Albion Reserves at Icknield Recreation Ground. The final two ties see Sandy Reserves have home advantage at Bedford Road Recreation Ground against Aylesbury & District League outfit FC Spandits and in Jubilee Park, Atletico Europa play hosts to North Bucks League side Southcott Village Reserves.

With all this cup action taking place this weekends division two league action is reduced to just two games. At Pirton Recreation Ground, third place Lea Sports PSG will look to return to winning ways when visited by ninth place Kempston Athletic now losers of their last three outings.

Whilst at The Warren, bottom of the table Elstow Abbey Reserves search out their first point when they welcome second from bottom of the table Wootton Village who themselves will be looking for their first win of the season.

Likewise it’s just a programme of two games in division three. At Rectory Road, eighth place Shefford Town & Campton A will be looking to maintain their seasons 100% home record when called upon by second place Sundon Park Rovers who themselves are still unbeaten on the road this season.

Whilst for third place Dinamo Flitwick its a trip to Horseshoes Close in search of win number four on the bounce against the hosting fifth place AFC Dunton who seek to retain their seasons unbeaten home ways.

To complete a full set it’s also a programme of two games in division four. For Polonia Bedford that means a chance for them with Mid Beds Tigers away on cup duty to top the table should they as expected collect a point or more from their visit to face bottom of the table Lidlington United Sports at Hurst Grove.

Whilst for third place Staughton the requirement to also jump above the Tigers is the haul of all three points from their Woodlands away encounter against the hosting Bedford Albion.

Eagle-eyed dog walkers in Leighton Buzzard were intrigued by a mysterious archaeology van spotted between Hockliffe and Vandyke roads.

But those hoping to find buried treasure, the Ark of the Covenant or an Anglo-Saxon burial ground will be rather disappointed, as it turns out it was a routine job and that Time Team’s Tony Robinson won’t be visiting anytime soon!

“We were doing pre development testing for a proposed housing development,” said Michael Tierney of Headland Archaeology.

Andrew Davie, Central Bedfordshire Council Development Infrastructure Group Manager, added: “This archaeological dig is part of the east Leighton Buzzard development, which will provide 2,500 homes.

“It is a routine requirement of the developer.

It is part of the recently approved outline planning permission, and digs will need to be completed at various locations ahead of the submission of more detailed applications and commencement of any development.”

Luton Airport has launched an online vote in its search find to find its next charity partner.

The airport’s partnership with Sue Ryder in 2014 and 2015 has raised in excess of £100,000 thanks to the determination and commitment of an airport team that got stuck in and volunteered, baked, biked and quizzed to reach the impressive total.

Six charities have now been shortlisted to be airport’s next charity partner – Barnardo’s, Beanstalk Charity, East of England Air Ambulance, Global’s Make Some Noise, Keech Hospice Care, Noah Enterprise

The poll is open until November 30 and the public, together with airport staff, are invited to cast a vote for the charity they’d like to see the airport partner with for the next two years.

Visit www.london-lutoninthecommunity.co.uk/charity-partnership and click to vote. The winner will be announced in January 2016.

Pictured: A recent charity event with Sue Ryder (the current charity partner)

Ah, Kronplatz! Sounds like a big square in Berlin or Munich, or perhaps Vienna... except that it’s not.

It’s a highly regarded, but little known in the UK, Italian alpine ski area - and maybe I can help make it just a little better known...

With the style and charm of the Italians, the friendliness and efficiency of the Austrians, combined with the stunning scenery of a UNESCO World Heritage site, it sounds like a winning combination - and you can find it all in the Kronplatz ski area of the Dolomites.

The main resort town of Kronplatz/San Vigilio looks mostly Austrian, but feels very Italian – the mixture reflecting the long and complicated history of this area of the Alps, going way back to the pre-First World War Austro-Hungarian Empire and ending with Italy in charge since the end of the Second World War. But there’s a third vital ingredient at work here, helping to make these high, snowy Alpine valleys unique... Ladin.

Ladin is a remarkable language and culture that harks directly back to Roman times, and brings with it its own traditions and way of life that is embraced by just four Sud Tyrol valleys. Ladin seems to add an extra charm and spice to the area and its people, which is reflected in the warmth of the welcome, the fine wines and the genuinely delicious food.

The Italians take their food at least as seriously as they take their skiing, but more of that later – this is a ski resort, so what’s the skiing like? Well, I’m pleased to report that it’s actually pretty good, and with links to the famed Sella Ronda and the whole of the massive Dolomiti Superski, which claims to be Europe’s largest ski area with 1200 kilometres of piste, there’s more than enough for any level of skier.

The Kronplatz/Plan de Corones ski area is basically one big panettone-shaped mountain, offering some 116 kilometres of piste served by 31 swift and efficient lifts. Topped by the impressive Concordia Peace Bell, weighing 16 tonnes and rung at midday, Kronplatz is an intermediates’ paradise with most of the beautifully-groomed runs being long, cruisey reds and blues. There are a couple of long blacks that drop from top to bottom, and beginners are well catered for on the Miara ski area on the other side of the town.

But if you are a big mileage skier the delights of Kronplatz may only keep you occupied for two or three days – and this is where the links to the rest of the Dolomiti Superski area come in. An easy train link will take you from the Kronplatz pistes to Dolomiti di Sesto and a vast array of ski opportunities on the massive Dolomiti Superski area that will keep the most demanding of skiers happy.

On my brief weekend stay I actually took a minibus to Corvara to have a crack at the legendary Sella Ronda – a 42 kilometre circuit of the stunning Sella massif mountains and taking in the four Ladin valleys of Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Val di Fassa and Arabba. I was fortunate to have great snow and a glorious sunny day for the circuit, which can be done clockwise or anti-clockwise (as I did) and should take no more than five hours of fairly brisk skiing and a leisurely lunch stop. My route included a couple of friendly black runs but was mainly blues and reds and well within the scope of a reasonably fit and confident intermediate skier. If you get the chance, do the Sella Ronda – it’s great fun and the chance to tick off one of the iconic ski experiences from your list!

When the skiing’s done and it is time to relax, Kronplatz can offer a few pleasing restaurants and bars – but if you are after wild après ski you’re in the wrong place... Ischgl, Sauze d’Oulx or Val Thorens it most definitely is not! Which suited me just fine, as I like my après ski fairly quiet and sedate, and with an accent on good food – the quiet and comfortable Hotel Majerei, where I stayed, offered an excellent buffet evening meal with many dishes highlighting the region’s culinary delights.

I was also fortunate enough to enjoy a meal at the four star Hotel Emma just above the town, which boasts a wonderful six course evening menu bursting with Sud Tyrol and Ladin specialities – sweet paprika ravioli filled with Chamois meat or Val Badia suckling pig with home-made spatzle, anyone? I can vouch that both are delicious...

As I mentioned earlier, the Italians take their food seriously and this was manifest not only in the meals I sampled in the evening after the lifts had closed, but also in the many mountain hut restaurants dotted around the mountains for a suitable lunchtime break.

In addition to great food and great skiing, Kronplatz has other strings to its bow, one being that it is in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage site – make time to visit the town’s superb museum which graphically illustrates the beauty, history and extraordinary wildlife of the area.

And while you are out skiing you now have the opportunity to visit the extraordinary Messner Mountain Museum, literally at the top of the Kronplatz mountain – the brainchild of the legendary Italian Sud Tyrol mountaineer Reinhold Messner, renowned for, among other things, making the first ascent of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen. I had a sneak glimpse of this singular structure (mostly built inside the top of the mountain) while it was nearing completion, but what I saw was enough to convince me that the original, unconventional and controversial museum should be well worth a visit.

Kronplatz may be a little-known ski resort in the UK, but I think that is going to change over the next few years, so if you want to sample the delights of this Ladin gem, now is the time to visit. After all, great skiing, great food, spectacular scenery and environment – before everyone else finds out, what more could you want?

Jan Henderson travelled to Kronplatz with Crystal Ski Holidays.

For more information about Kronplatz and other Crystal ski resorts and holidays in Europe and North America, visit crystalski.co.uk

A specialist teacher who hails from Leighton Buzzard has been highly commended in the national Shine a Light awards, organised by Pearson in partnership with The Communication Trust.

Cordula Hastings, 53, of Hartwell Crescent was praised for her commitment in the Communication Champion category at the glittering ceremony hosted by comedian David Baddiel.

The German-born grandmother-of-one, who works at Charles Warren Academy in Milton Keynes with children who have speech, language and communication needs, said: “It’s an honour to be recognised but I was very, very surprised. There were hundreds of entrants and I didn’t think I’d have a look in.”
She added: “The award reflects our dedication as a school to benefit our wonderful and enthusiastic children.”

Many of the youngsters Cordula works with have been permanently excluded from previous schools because of their challenging behaviour. She supports each one individually and her structured and creative approach ensures their progress.

She was particularly applauded for running the school allotment with her pupils. The children have visited other classes to speak about what they’ve learned, increasing their confidence and communication skills.

Cordula – a Leighton resident for 23 years – described David Baddiel as “very nice, very funny and very relaxed.”

Film and theatre fans can now have easy access to Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre’s listings from their phone after the launch of a free new mobile app – just in time for the half-term break.

The theatre, a 170-seat auditorium in the library building, hosts events on most days, ranging from film screenings, stage plays, music, comedy, kids’ shows and more.

There are also special events such as daytime parent and baby film screenings; relaxed screenings – designed to welcome those on the autism spectrum – plus London West End shows and premieres, beamed live from the capital and in high-definition to the large auditorium screen.

The easy-to-use app, created by my-theatre.com, allows customers to see what’s on, view trailers, select events and book tickets easily, all from a compatible mobile device, at any time of the day or night. Customers can download the free app by searching for ‘Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre’ via either the iTunes app store or Google Play.

Once downloaded, customers can use the app to book tickets for a wide variety of events including two special half-term screenings to keep the kids entertained during their break from school.

First up on Friday, October 30 at 2pm is Disney Pixar’s animated Inside Out (run time 102 mins) – a story about the colourful emotions that live in a young girl’s mind. There is also a relaxed screening of the film on Wednesday, October 28, at 2pm.

On Saturday, October 31, there is a Halloween-themed story time in the library at 10am, limited to 25 tickets, followed by a special showing of Frankenweenie at 11am upstairs in the theatre, with a full allocation of tickets available. Directed by Tim Burton, Frankenweenie is an energetic stop-motion horror movie spoof with lovingly crafted visuals and a heartfelt, oddball story for kids and adults (run time 87 mins). Fancy dress is optional - however old you are.

Tickets for both screenings are £5.45 (£4.20 concessions) or £4 for the front row.

Customers without a mobile device on which to download the app can still book tickets and view all of the other current theatre listings on our webpage at: www.leightonbuzzardlibrarytheatre.co.uk. Or, alternatively, further information and assistance is available by phone on 0300 300 8125 or email at lbtboxoffice@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

McDonald’s franchisee Ismail Anilmis and the crew from his Leighton Buzzard and Hockliffe restaurants joined forces with Keep Britain Tidy to carry out litter picks in Hockliffe, Tebworth Village and Stockgrove Park last month.

The clean-up events in Hockliffe and Tebworth saw 17 volunteers from the Hockliffe restaurant clear litter from the hedgerows leading up to both villages.

The volunteers, were joined by three local Cub Scouts and MP for South West Beds Andrew Selous on the litter pick. The group collected 14 bags of rubbish in total.

Earlier in September, 15 volunteers from the Leighton Buzzard McDonalds joined together to clean up debris and litter from Stockgrove Park.

Ismail, who owns 10 restaurants across Beds, Herts, Oxon and Warks, said: “It was great to see everyone come together to complete this work and I’d like to thank everyone involved for all their hard work.

“As a business, we understand the important role we play in making the area a better place.”

As the English National Ballet brought two productions to Milton Keynes Theatre this week, reporters Bev Creagh and Stewart Carr went along to give their verdicts.

CREAGH SAYS: There was something for all balletomanes at MKTheatre this week – a sumptuously staged production of Romeo and Juliet for lovers of traditional classical ballet and the immensely powerful and rightfully award-winning Lest we Forget for those – like me – who prefer a more modern approach.

Lest We Forget comprises a trio of works created to mark last year’s centenary of World War One. The three - No Mans’s Land, Second Breath and Dust – are an absolute tour de force: poignant, compelling, original and thought-provoking.

The stark lighting emphasises the underlying menace and sense of foreboding that haunts each one. The scores are a triumph – dramatic and uplifting.

No Man’s Land by Liam Scarlett is perhaps the most sympathetic, its bleak set doubling as a bombed out building, and a factory where flurries of yellow munitions powder create an eerie glow around the almost robotic workers. Soldiers march bleakly, exhausted, worn down and weighed down by war.

The final scene is particularly emotional . . . a woman dances with her homecoming hero but is he flesh and blood, or merely a figment of her imagination?

Second Breath by Russell Maliphant is almost hypnotic as swaying dancers move in semi-darkness.

Dust won Best Modern Choreography for Akram Khan. It opens with the back view of a tortured soul writhing and twisting centre stage. His pain is visceral. There is menace in the factory workers making weapons of mass destruction. But there is also passion, love and loss.

An outstanding evening of dance from English National Ballet.

CARR SAYS: I confess to being totally blown away by The English National Ballet’s touring performance of ‘Lest We Forget’ on Tuesday, performed in three parts with their own choreographers.

The first, Liam’s Scarlett’s No Man’s Land is the most direct allusion to the First World War. We see the men in their cannonfodder brown uniforms, bound for the western front, and the women in blue factory garbs complete with yellow-tinged fingers.

It’s a wonderful ode to longing and separation. Only briefly do the men and women dance all as one, and a ghostly encounter between a woman and her lost love brings the scene to a poignant close.

I also loved Russell Maliphant’s abstract Second Breath. Creepy and subversive, it appeared to my eyes a take on the twisted outcome of war, with the monotone voices of survivors melding with the orchestra as the dancers writhed and threw themselves across the stage.

And of course, Akram Khan’s award-winning Dust formed the final segment of No Man’s Land. Outstandingly arranged, we saw the contorted movements of a muscleman as he slowly rose from the ground and formed a human chain with other dancers.

As men slowly ascend and disappear over the hill, the remaining women performed a feisty, combatitive number as the orchestra rose to a crescendo. In the end only two dancers stood their ground, James Streeter and Tamara Rojo, who sparred with each other in the show-stopping finale.

With the bar set so high, the company’s performance of Rudolf Nureyev’s classic Romeo And Juliet had a lot to overcome but it still managed to dazzle, mainly for its sheer luxury.

In complete contrast to Lest We Forget, everything about Romeo and Juliet is rich and sumptuous, from the costumes and scenery to the number of dancers taking centre stage in epic Verona street fights.

Perhaps the weakest parts were those featuring Romeo and Juliet alone, with a distinct lack of chemistry between the two. But with a changing cast of principal dancers over it’s three day run, perhaps Saturday night’s performance of Romeo and Juliet with two different leads might create some sparkle.

Romeo and Juliet plays at Milton Keynes Theatre tonight. Book here for tickets.

A range of new courses are being held to support Leighton Buzzard’s would-be entrepreneurs and those looking to develop their employment skills.

The courses in IT, social media and business start-up/enterprise are running up until the New Year and are designed to support your career or help you start a business.

The Consultancy Home Counties (TCHC) will be running the courses which are funded by ESF and the Skills Funding Agency in conjunction with BASCL, Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council.

The courses are: Essential IT, which will give a great grounding in the software packages most employers require; social media, which shows how to utilise it for job searches and business purposes; understanding enterprise, which looks at the essential skills you need to start a business.

Successful completion of a course can lead to a nationally recognised qualification.

The first course, Essential IT, starts on October 29 at the Astral Park Community Centre.

Dale Morgan, CEO of TCHC, said: “Being able to support the local community through offering a range of courses to enhance people’s personal development is at the heart of everything we do at TCHC.

“Building strong local skills, whether this is to help someone start a new career, or get their own business off the ground, is essential to the community and the local economy.”

If you are interested in any of the courses please contact TCHC for further information by calling 01923 698 474 or emailing courses@tchc.net. Find out more at http://tchc.net/services/business-start-up-support/bedford.

Celebrating Magna Carta, Leighton Buzzard Music Club welcomed a different sort of music with the arrival of Joglaresa, and the change of style was better suited to a different venue.

Sadly, the well-known, mediaeval heating system of St Barnabas’s Church, Linslade, was in one of its grumpier moods for what proved nevertheless to be an exhilarating evening of medieval music on Saturday, October 17.

This is the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, and the concert Joglaresa gave reflected that period when, if you were ruling class, you were still a Norman speaking French; if you were a cleric you spoke Latin and if you were a peasant you spoke an English a century older than Chaucer’s.

If you had gone on Crusade you - or your accompanying serfs - might well have picked up the rhythms and cadences of the Arabic songs heard there. The evening’s entertainment contained all these things crafted into songs about, inter alia, what a rotten activity crusading is, Robin of Sherwood, Marion (and her other boyfriend), the seasons, the state of the roads, greedy barons and how beastly it is to be poor.

The rhythms were delicious; the melodies and harmonies played and sung teased the ear in a more complex way than one might perhaps expect. And, conversely, the simpler laments just wrung the heart.

After the interval performers and audience demurred at returning to the chilly church and we all made ourselves comfortable in the modern hall. Smiles all round. The gut-stringed instruments were particularly grateful.

Judi Moore

Our article last week about the Sandhills Community House said the petition to keep it open was presented to the town council.

In fact the petition was presented to Central Beds Council who run the facility.

A classic children’s book adapted into an award winning theatrical version is coming to Milton Keynes Theatre next week.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which has won five Tony awards and seven Olivier awards, visits Milton Keynes for the first time from November 2 to 7.

Fifteen year old Christopher has an extraordinary brain - while he is exceptional at maths he struggles to interpret the business end of everyday life.

When he falls under suspicion of killing his neighbour’s dog it takes him on a journey that upturns his world and propels him into some terrifying new experiences.

But Christopher is made of stronger stuff than anyone might initially have expected.

Based on the award-winning novel by Mark Haddon, adapted for the stage by Simon Stephens and directed by Marianne Elliott, this stunning National Theatre production makes a much-anticipated visit to Milton Keynes Theatre next month.

This production, with its unique and innovative staging draws the audience into Christopher’s mysterious world and offers a remarkable insight into what it means to be ‘different’.

The set is designed by Bunny Christie with movement by Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly.

Starring Joshua Jenkins as Christopher and an ensemble cast that includes Geraldine Alexander, Stuart Laing, Roberta Kerr and Lucas Hare.

Performances start at 7.30pm each night. There are matinee productions starting at 2.30pm on the Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday during the week of the show.

Tickets for the show cost from £11.50.

These can be booked by calling the box office on 0844 871 7652 or alternatively by visiting www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes.

Leighton Buzzard lost their third league game in a row on Saturday as they were edged out by Newbury Blues 15-9.

Leighton’s tough recent run has seen them play, and lose to, three of the top four sides in South West 1 East, dropping to seventh place in the process.

In an evenly balanced opening 10 minutes, both sides had penalty kicks to their name as the scores were level at 3-3.

However Newbury were beginning to use the conditions to their advantage, kicking long and accurately.

Leighton conceded two more penalties with Newbury’s Trevakis doing the business to see the home side lead 9-3 at the break.

Leighton started the second half well and had a period of sustained pressure in the Newbury 22.

The scrum was increasingly powerful, consistently pushing the Newbury pack back and pressure finally told with a Dan David penalty to bring the score within three.

Buzzards dominance continued but a missed penalty after 18 second half minutes meant the chance to draw level had passed.

Encouraged by the large and vocal home crowd and seemingly motivated by going down to 14 men after a yellow card was awarded for a high tackle, Newbury kicked two further penalties to take control at 15-6.

Although the conditions were making the ball very difficult to handle, Buzzard’s bravely played their running game. Once again, and despite pressure, their only reward was a Lee Walker penalty to make the score 15-9 with seven minutes left.

Despite a frantic final few minutes neither side could make a further breakthrough as Leighton fell to their third defeat of the season.

A man was cut free from his van after by firefighters after a road accident in Leighton Road, Hockliffe on Saturday.

Crews from Dunstable turned out at about 8.25am to released the man from his vehicle that had collided with a tree in a field adjacent to the road.

They used hydraulic rescue equipment to free him and he was then treated by paramedics.

> Crews were called to a kitchen fire in Mongomery Close, Leighton Buzzard on Sunday.

Firefighters from Leighton arrived at about 6pm to find the fire was out.

It had been caused by a toaster on top of an electric cooker and had caused the kitchen to become smoke logged.

Firefighters cleared the smoke using positive pressure ventilation and the incident was closed after 20 minutes.

It’s easy to think that you will never be affected by flooding, but the fact is that you could be.

Flooding takes many forms – from surface water flooding to rivers bursting their banks – and can happen at any time.

To make people aware of the potential risks as well as how to be ready if flooding does happen, Central Bedfordshire Council is supporting an action campaign being run by the Environment Agency.

Taking place from 2-13 November, it encourages people to check if their home is at risk of flooding and asks whether you would know what to do in a flood, and what you can do now to save time, money and worry if flooding did happen.

Councillor Tony Brown, Deputy Executive Member for Community Services, said: “Flooding won’t necessarily happen when you are at home or awake, so talk to your family now about where you will go if your house is affected by flooding and how to contact each other. Make a list of all your important contacts and keep it handy. Put them into your phone and include contacts for your insurance company.

“That’s just one of the simple steps you can take to prepare in case the worst should happen. And by taking a bit of time now, it will ensure that you and your family are safe and that you won’t lose valued possessions.”

The Environment Agency’s website www.gov.uk/floodsdestroy has links to its maps which will show if you are at risk of flooding. You can also check if free flood warnings are available for your area, and there is simple guidance about creating a flood plan for your home or business.

There’s also plenty of advice and information available on the council’s website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/flooding, including a link to a Flood Guide.

Follow the council at letstalkcentral on Twitter and Facebook too for more handy tips during the awareness campaign under the #floodaware hashtag.

Poor defending cost Town dearly last Saturday when visiting Northwood took all three points in a 3-0 win at Bell Close.

It took the visitors just nine minutes to take the lead when Nico Muir was sent clean through on goal, coolly slotting home the opener.

Town responded with a couple of half chances, but they came to nothing.

And they’d be made to pay as Northwood were gifted the chance to make it two.

Given a free kick on the edge of the box, Louis Stead struck the ball up and over the wall to make it 2-0 to the visitors.

Town rallied and both Ben Gallant and Russell Bull went close and an excellent save from Northwood keeper Lawrencin preserved their two goal cushion.

Aaron Bufton in the Leighton Town goal made a great save at the start of the second period but on 65 minutes he was once again beaten by another superb free kick from Stead.

Leighton had a good spell and James Hatch went close on a couple of occasions but Northwood always looked dangerous and missed a couple of relatively easy chances to extend their lead further, but it would remain 3-0 until the final whistle.

The result leaves Mark Eaton’s side down in 18th in Evo-Stik Division 1 Central, picking up just five points at Bell Close out of a possible 21 so far this season.

Town will be very disappointed with this poor performance but should be boosted by the return of Alex O’Brien and Aaron McKee their two strongest midfielders for the FA Trophy game at Enfield Town next Saturday.

Their game at AFC Rushden scheduled for Tuesday has been postponed as Rushden have an FA Cup Replay.