Center Parcs at Woburn was transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland at the weekend for the first time since it opened last year.

The popular holiday village Woburn Forest has been given an extreme makeover with the full festive treatment for the very first time and it was unveiled on Friday.

The Winter Wonderland experience has been a firm fixture at the holiday firm’s other four UK villages for a number of years with more than 190,000 guests attending each Christmas.

Aside from the usual raft of things to do at Center Parcs, the Winter Wonderland experience means there are also a host of seasonal activities to get families into the Christmas spirit.

While London is usually the nearest destination to be fully immersed in the run up to December 25th with the famous Winter Wonderland there, Woburn now offers the chance to ‘experience the festive period like never before’ with visits to Santa in his woodland workshop and even the chance to see real reindeer.

Kids can decorate their own stockings, join the Parc’s ‘Elf Academy’, take a festive carriage ride or even decorate their own Christmas pottery.

There is also a twice-weekly pyrotechnic and special effects show which lights up the night sky.

Being on the doorstep of the home counties Woburn’s Winter Wonderland offers a genuinely top class all-round experience that probably only Disneyland can match.

It isn’t a case of a few lights here and there and some decorations dotted around.

Some serious man hours go in to the magical transformation.

According to Center Parcs it usually takes 290 days to plan and create the Winter Wonderland and involves a team of 200 people.

A huge total of 3.36 tonnes of paper-based, biodegradable snow are used to decorate the five villages while a staggering 70,000 fairy lights are put on display on the trees and decorations around each village.

The Winter Wonderland theme is not a cheap gimmick and Wayne Matton, the Parc’s general manager hopes it will quite literally make people see the firm in a different light.

He said: “We have had an amazing first year of breaks and we’re thrilled to be able to bring Winter Wonderland to Woburn Forest for the first time this year.

“Some people out there who think that we are just about the summer but, for us, the winter is just as special.

“Christmas is typically a day families can really focus on each other, spending quality time together but this doesn’t just have to be limited to once a year. We ask, why wait until the 25th December?”

Being tucked away in the woods with loved ones surrounded by a plethora of Christmas events and having deers, squirrels and rabbits as your neighbours is a once in a lifetime experience.

Certainly holidaying at home during the festive season has never been closer or of a higher standard given that the firm retained its Hospitality Assured status following a rigorous assessment last month.

It also plans to add to its ever-growing empire with news that planning permission has just gone in for another village to be built over in Ireland.

Find out more about Winter Wonderland.

Leighton-Linslade Rotary Club’s first fireworks display went off with a bang at Brooklands School on Saturday night.

Thousands of people attended the town’s annual fireworks night, with all proceeds from the event supporting three projects of the Luton and South Beds NSPCC.

The Leighton-Linslade Rotary Club president David Plaster welcomed visitors and special guests, Town Mayor Ray Berry and NSPCC branch chairman Dick Johnson, to the fireworks display.

Ian Summerfield, Rotary Club member in charge of the display, said: “It was a great night, it went really well, our numbers exceeded our expectations, there were a lot of families.

“I think there were about 2,800 people there and they all seemed to really enjoy it.

“There were no incidents on the night and we were supported by the local constabulary.

“We had Dick Johnson from the NSPCC light the bonfire and we are pleased to support the charity.

“I am not sure how much we have raised yet but I know we have met our commitment for this year with the NSPCC.”

A display group, Fully Fused Fireworks, worked the crowds and set off £4,000 worth of explosives.

The money raised on the night for NSPCC will also go towards two projects: Protect and Respect and Letting The Future In. The first aims to protect children at risk of being potentially exploited and the second helps children who have suffered abuse and get their lives back on track.

The rotary club plans to organise the fireworks display again next year.

For a picture special see this week’s Leighton Buzzard Observer.

Bedfordshire Police is reminding businesses of important safety advice following a robbery at a Linslade betting shop on Sunday.

At around 6.30pm, two men entered BetFred in Wing Road, and grabbed a staff member before pushing him and forcing him to empty the till.

The pair then picked up a piece of electronic equipment from the desk and ran off, turning left out of the store.

One of the attackers is described as white, aged between 20 and 25, of medium build and 6ft 2ins to 6ft 3ins in height. He was wearing a blue hooded top with the hood up and a red and white striped bandana covering his face.

The second man was also described as being between 20 and 25 years old, and was around 5ft 10ins tall and of medium build. He was wearing dark-coloured hooded top with the hood up and a yellow and black striped bandana covering his face.

Det Insp Zara Brown said: “Putting innocent workers in fear in order to steal cash is completely abhorrent and unacceptable, and I am thankful that no-one was seriously injured.

“I would like to reassure the community of Bedfordshire that robbery is one of the force’s top priorities and we will thoroughly investigate every incident reported to us. The victims of this attack did the right thing in complying with the offenders’ demands and I would urge anyone who may find themselves in this situation not to retaliate.”

Police are revisiting commercial properties and betting shops in the county to provide reassurance and advice and are increasing patrols in affected areas.

Businesses are being urged to review their security measures and ensure they have CCTV in place and it is working. Staff can also keep a record of those acting suspiciously, and are encouraged to report such activity to police on 101.

> Enquiries are ongoing into the robbery and anyone with any information is urged to contact Det Insp Brown on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

It was a day of so close yet so far for both Caldecote and Pavenham as they made their exit from this season’s Bedfordshire FA Senior Trophy on Saturday.

Pavenham, trailing to a 20th minute goal at home to South Midlands League Ampthill Town, were to draw level via Tom Ellis just five minutes from time only to see the Town net the winner with the last kick of the game in injury time to emerge 2-1 winners.

Whilst at Forde Park South Midlands League Langford required a 4-3 penalty shoot-out success to see off Caldecote after the sides were deadlocked at the end of normal time 2-2. The opening 90 minutes saw Caldecote twice lead with a brace of goals from Nicky Thomas and end the game with 10 men following the red card of Cameron McCoy.

Elsewhere AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College ran out 6-1 home winners over Sandy. Ashley Windridge led the way with a hat-trick supported by a penalty from Tim Clarke and single strikes from Sundeep Gill and Joe Price against one in reply from Adam Grimshaw.

Whilst Flitwick Town were 4-1 home victors over Sharnbrook. Ritchie Bevan, Daniel Stafford, Will Scutt and Vinicious Doratratto all finding the back of the net against a lone reply from Luke Devine.

Joining these two clubs in the third round draw will be Ickwell & Old Warden who were gifted their passage when Renhold United failed to raise a side to meet them. Whilst AFC Oakley M&DH’s game at home to Kent Athletic was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Premier Division supported by Sportsform

Ampthill Town Reserves extended their unbeaten ways up to seven games to remain fifth in the league standings by sending bottom of the table Eastcotts AFC to their tenth consecutive league defeat 5-0 at Woburn Road. Phil Matthews netting four times and Ian Buckingham once to bring up the nap hand. Still sitting in sixth spot are Wilstead who took their unbeaten ways up to five games with a 4-0 home win over Marston Shelton Rovers. Colin Marshall with a brace joined on the scoresheet by Alex Russell and Michael Jones.

Elsewhere Shefford Town & Campton returned to winning ways with a 4-0 home win over Cranfield United. Jordan Cleghorn netting twice alongside single goals for Chris Clark and Joe Lewis.

Division One supported by Wests Citroen Bedford

With Stevington’s home game against Ickleford called off with a waterlogged pitch the new leaders of the division one supported by Wests Citroen Bedford league table are Sundon Park Rangers who retained their 100% home record and unbeaten ways by beating Houghton Athletic 3-1. Nash Bennett with a brace and Shaka Anderson netted the vital goals against one in reply from Ali Mohlyaldeen.

Whilst AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Reserves jumped above Ickleford into third spot by winning 5-4 at Riseley Sports, Taylor Bakogeorge and Michael Stevenson both netting twice and Abdoulay Diallo once to bring up the nap hand against home replies via Jack Healy twice plus Mark Darlow and Josh Poole.

Down at the other end of the league table AFC Oakley M&DH Reserves lifted themselves off the bottom of the standings by winning 2-0 at Potton Town who were suffering their fifth defeat on the bounce. Hayden Sohanta and Joe Atherton scored the vital goals. All of which means now sitting on the bottom of the standings are Henlow who have lost five on the bounce after having only a strike from Sam Crow to show for their 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Shefford Town & Campton Reserves who were winning for the first time on the road this season.

Westoning’s home game with Queens Park Crescents also fell victim to a waterlogged pitch at Greenfield Road.

Division Two

Cranfield United Reserves are now five points clear at the head of the division two league table and still 100% for the season after a lone goal from David Adderson ten minutes from time was enough to give them a 1-0 home victory over second place Lea Sports PSG who were thus losing their 100% away record.

Whilst the biggest win of the day in this section went to Clapham Sports who maintained their 100% home record with a 6-1 victory over second from bottom of the table Marston Shelton Rovers Reserves who are still looking for their first away point of the season. Neil Larham and Ryan Prior both netted twice alongside single goals from Ishmael George and Nathan O’Halleron against a lone Rovers reply via Sean McFarland.

The lone away win of the day saw Flitwick Town Reserves retain their unbeaten away form by winning 2-0 at Atletico Europa thanks to goals from Dean Gadsden and Ben Ralphs.

Whilst Wootton Village and Kempston Hammers Sports shared the spoils from a 1-1 draw, Aiden Medhurst on target for the Village against a Hammers reply from Chris Greene.

The Kempston Athletic v Bedford United clash at Cutler Hammer was waterlogged off.

Division Three

Wixams remain five points clear at the head of division three after they extended their 100% record to eight games with a 4-2 home win over Caldecote Reserves. Gareth White and Iain Hall both netted twice against replies via Andrew Spiers and Nicky Albone.

Whilst second place Sundon Park Rovers still remain unbeaten on the road after winning 2-1 at Clifton. Craig Barnes fired them ahead in the 20th minute and this was added to by Joe Zunguzah 16 minutes from time before Charlie Watson netted for the home side from the penalty spot three minutes later.

With AFC Dunton having their home game against White Eagles waterlogged off, now in third spot are Dinamo Flitwick who won 5-2 at bottom side Sandy Reserves. Dan Goldie with four goals and a single strike from Jack Fuller brought up the nap hand against home replies via Ricky Geers and Aiden London.

Also waterlogged off was the game Meltis Albion Reserves v Wilstead Reserves. Whilst Renhold United Reserves failed to raise a side to travel to face Shefford Town & Campton A.

Division Four

With Mid Beds Tigers sitting the afternoon out their lead at the head of the division four league table is now down to just goal difference after second place Polonia Bedford emerged 2-1 home winners over Flitwick Town A. Xbigniew Szyszka and Filip Otocki netted the vital goals against one in reply from Kevin Higby. Whilst third place Stevington Reserves were beaten 3-1 at Bedford Albion. Shaun Challi, Rhys Litson and Jack Brown on the Albion scoresheet against one in reply from Colm Lawler.

For AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College A it was a first home win of the season in beating Westoning Reserves 6-5. Gio Moscartiolo netting four times alongside Aaron Ram and Jack Connelly for the Town against replies via Josh Arthur-Kent twice plus Tom Mallams, Jake Shawe and Martin Murphy for the visitors. Elsewhere Caldecote A and Henlow Reserves shared the spoils in a 4-4 draw, James Whitmore and Keiran Patterson both netting twice for the home side against Henlow replies via Matt Wilson, Robbie Angell, Jack Vincent and Sam Juty.

A government foul up on proposed changes to the police funding model does nothing to improve Beds Police’s fortunes, PCC Olly Martins has said.

On Monday Police Minister Mike Penning was forced to admit to the House of Commons that there had been a “statistical error” with government’s proposed overhaul.

As a result of this planned changes to police budgets in 2016/17 have been delayed for an indefinite amount of time.

Beds Police had been in line to receive 0.9% of the national budget– exactly the same amount of funding it currently gets.

Though police and crime commissioner Olly Martins blasted the planned revamp– which he said showed the government had “chickened out of reforming the police”– he remains unhappy with the current level of funding his force receives.

He said: “The point for Bedfordshire is that the force is approaching the point of no longer being viable.

“The formula review should have been an opportunity to insulate the county from the impact of the Chancellor’s spending review, which is expected to cut overall police funding by anything from 25% to 40%, or anything between £21million and £29million for Bedfordshire.

“We deserve to be protected from further cuts because our urban policing challenges but our rural level of funding mean we are already the worst funded police force in the country.”

Fighting Mr Martins’ corner in Parliament on Monday were Luton South MP Gavin Shuker and former council leader Lord McKenzie.

In response to a question from the latter, Home Office minister Lord Bates conceded that Bedfordshire is a ‘difficult case’.

He said: “I am conscious that Bedfordshire has a particular case because it covers a large rural area and the centre of Luton.

“That makes policing and the allocation of the budget particularly difficult.

“Bedfordshire is a difficult case, which is one of the reasons why we proposed transitional funding arrangements under the old plan, but now we are back to square one and have to look at that again.”

Last week Mr Martins told the Home Affairs Select Committee that without additional government funding he would be forced to seek other means of income.

He is considering plans to permanently switch on variable speed cameras between M1 junctions 10 and 13.

Sponsorship of police uniforms and vehicles by ‘ethically vetted’ firms is also being weighed up.

A trio of top mirth makers will be out of provide a autumn warmer of laughter when the Barnstormers comedy club comes to the Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre.

Guest compere Simon Clayton will be on hand for the show at the Lake Street venue starting at 8pm on Saturday.

Among the performers is Christian Reilly, part of comedian Rich Hall’s Perrier Award winning team, the Black Liars.

Presenting his unique take on life and skilled improvisations, Christian’s comic songs, sharp wit and youthful energy delights audiences wherever he performs.

On TV, he has appeared alongside people as diverse as the likes of Jamie Oliver, Richard Herring and, of course, Rich Hall.

Also appearing is the versatile Rob Coleman. He is equally at home telling beautifully written gags or bantering with the audience.Rob is an established comic doing opening, middle, headline and MC work for a wide variety of provincial clubs.

He is primarily a gags-based act but is very comfortable working the crowd.

The final act is Northamptonshire-based comic Andrew Bird, who was inspired by memories of watching The Young Ones when he was eight,

He was later inspired by the likes of Billy Connolly and Lee Evans to move into stand-up comedy.

Tickets for the show cost £10 in advance or £12 on the door.

To book call the box office on 0300 300 8125.

For the past 16 years, the world famous Glyndeboune opera company has graced Milton Keynes Theatre as part of its annual tour and last night (Tuesday) it performed Gaetano Donizetti’s popular comic opera ‘Don Pasquale’ as the first of a trio of separate productions.

Directed by Mariame Clément, this opulent period staging catches the sparkling essence of the Italian composer and his tuneful tale which features an ageing bachelor whose romantic delusions see him outwitted and deceived by two young lovers.

Pasquale is superbly played by Portuguese baritone José Fardilha who has hopes of marrying a much younger woman with which to produce an heir… but his nephew Ernesto (played by Finnish tenor Tuomas Katajala) has other ideas after he falls for Norina (Romanian soprano Eliana Pretorian).

With cunning plans too numerous to mention, a trick marriage takes place while the plot thickens then twists back on itself.

Pasquale’s supposed friend Doctor Malatesta (John Brancy) assists Ernesto and Norina in a complex and increasingly vindictive deception in which the cunning medic gets Pasquale to marry his so called sister ‘Sofronia’ – but it’s really Norina – while the notary (a lawyer) is really a fake. However ‘Sofronia’ lands Pasquale with so many bills for hats and gowns that he soon wants to be rid of her, especially after she announces that she now owns half of everything he has.

Then upon discovering that Sofronia/Norina is about to secretly meet her lover Ernesto in the garden, Pasquale and the doctor try to catch the pair but the young male lover races away just in time.

But just as you would expect, it all turns out fine in the end with everyone back on good terms, Pasquale forgives the pair after he himself gets chance of marry another as her replacement!

Donizetti (1797-1848) was responsible for some 70 operas and in Don Pasquale, the witty musical score combines graceful lyricism in what is a rollicking comedy fuelled by the seductive rhythm of the waltz.

The singing by the leading four is powerful and flawless and with just six principals in the actual story – Timothy Nelson plays A Notary and Anne-Marie Sulllivan is Pasquale’s servant – the 38-strong Glyndebourne Tour Chorus also make an appearance all dressed white (with wigs to match) while the fabulous 57-piece orchestra under conductor Duncan Ward helps bring the whole production to life.

The clever set is based on a roundabout stage which rotates to take the audience into various rooms in Pasquale’s house – including a bathroom in which Norina climbs into a bubble filled bath.

With the opera company spending a week in Milton Keynes, it’s a huge logistical operation for beside all the props and costumes – and there are simply hundreds of them! – there are 18 principal cast members, another 38 in the Glyndebourne chorus plus four children, nine actors and six dancers along with those 57 brilliant musicians.

The whole show is sung in Italian but thanks to Ian Julier’s supertitles – which are displayed above the stage – the action is easy to follow even for a opera novice like me. In fact when I mentioned to my son-in-law that i was going to Milton Keynes to see the opera Don Pasquale, he said in all seriousness that he hadn’t realised that the squeaky voiced comedian Joe Pasquale could sing!

Tonight (Wednesday) it’s the turn of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s three-act opera ‘Die Entfuhrung aus den Serail’ (The Abduction from the Seraglio) while tomorrow (Thursday) Don Pasquale returns for a matinee performance at 2pm.

Then on Thursday evening there is another three-act opera, George Friderc Handel’s biblical drama ‘Saul’ while on Saturday evening at 7.15pm, Mozart’s ‘Serail’ opera gets another airing. Ticket can be booked by calling the box office on 0844 871 7652 or online at www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Britain’s Got Talent researchers will be coming to Milton Keynes in December to find great new talent for the next series of the show.

The researchers will be meeting local people and holding open auditions in various locations in the community.

They will also be dropping into MK clubs and groups to see showcases of their work.

Anyone hoping to audition or would like a representative to visit their group should contact Emily Smith on 0207 691 5138 or email Emily.smith@thames.tv.

All ages are welcome, but any under 18s will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Supermarket chain Lidl is recalling its Italiamo Italian Style Chicken Thighs after a mistake with the use by date.

Some of the 450g products have been incorrectly labelled with a ‘use by’ date of December 16, 2016.

Anyone who has bought the affected product should return it to a Lidl store for a full refund.

No other Lidl products are known to be affected.

Marshalls Coaches have recently purchased two new 53 seater executive coaches from Volvo Coach Sales.

The Volvo Jonckheere B11R’s, that cost just over £200,000 each, have a toilet, air-con, fridge, hot drinks machine, a DVD player and wi-fi installed.

Dean Marshall, a partner in the business, said: “As this is a significant investment for us we wanted to celebrate this and so had an official welcoming for the new coaches and invited the town mayor, Councillor Ray Berry, to cut the ribbon.

“The coaches are a great addition and will further improve and enhance the quality of our fleet and passenger experience.

“They will be used on our private hire work and London commuter services.”

A city Indian restaurant is set to become the first in the world to use a DRONE to deliver its takeaway curries.

The Don owner Aki Rahman has applied for a Civil Aviation Authority licence to fly his Phantom 3 all over MK to deposit customers’ dinners on their doorsteps.

“I’m determined to beat Google and Amazon and be the first to use delivery drones,” he said.

Mr Aki has found a thermal takeaway bag to fit securely on the bottom rails of the drone and has practised landing so softly that even the lightest poppadom stays intact.

“We’ve done a trial run to my grandmother’s house and it all went well,” he said.

The progress of the curry-drone will be tracked back at The Don restaurant and a specialist camera will even film its progress.

Enterprising Mr Aki plans to offer customers a copy of the film showing how their meal travelled to them.

He is keeping his fingers crossed that the CAA will grant him permission to fly over built-up areas where power lines can pose a problem.

“I’m 80 per cent sure I will be allowed. But if not, I will stick to delivering in rural, open areas – perhaps delivering to a park if people want a special occasion picnic.”

The Don, which is a few metres away from CMK rail station, opened four months ago. It prides itself on offering “real” Indian cuisine without colourings or additives to suit Western taste.

“These ingredients are not genuine. They are not what Indian people eat – and they would only provide more weight for my drone!” said 30-year-old Mr Aki.

Make sure you are registered to vote in Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner elections next year.

Over the last four months residents in Central Bedfordshire will have received an enquiry form to find out who within each home is eligible to vote.

Following this Central Beds Council sent any new electors an individual electoral registration form to complete. The forms can be returned in the pre paid envelope provided or you can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

All forms must be returned to the council’s electoral registration team - however the authority estimates 15,000 households have yet to return them.

If you move house, even if you are renting, you need to register at your new address.

Richard Carr, electoral registration officer, said: “Some people wrongly assume that paying council tax means you are registered to vote. I am urging all those eligible to to confirm their information as soon as possible.”

If you are not sure if you are on the register call 0300 300 8008 or email electoral.registration@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

LBO land has become the latest location to join the worldwide phenomenon of ‘parkrun’ – as 126 intrepid runners braved the wind and rain at the inaugural event at Rushmere Park on Saturday, November 7.

The free 5km event, which will now take place at the country park in Heath and Reach at 9am every Saturday throughout the year and is open to people of all ages and abilities.

The inaugural run was started by two-time Olympian and parkrun world record holder Andrew Baddeley, with participants completing a two lap circuit of the woods.

There was an even split of male and female finishers, with an age range spanning from 11 to 69.

Rushmere parkrun is coordinated entirely by local volunteers and has a strong community emphasis, with participants and volunteers encouraged to meet in the café after the run for a hot drink.

Participants register for free before their first run and print off a personal barcode that is recorded at the event. That barcode is then valid every week and can also be used at each of the 730 parkruns that take place across the world every Saturday morning. Everyone receives an individual results page on the parkrun website which allows people to monitor their improvements over time.

Event director Glen Turner from Linslade, one of around 20 volunteers who set up the event, said the aim of parkrun is to break down as many barriers as possible to people taking part in free regular exercise by creating a friendly, welcoming and inclusive environment.

He said: “I have been involved with parkrun for a number of years now and the best description I have heard is that it’s a run where you make friends. We offer a timed run – not a race – which means you are only competing against yourself.

“Every parkrun across the world is coordinated by local people for local people and everyone is welcome to be involved as a runner, volunteer or both. You don’t need any experience of either, just a smile.

“We are really lucky to have such a beautiful country park right on our doorstep, so what better way to kick off your weekend than a jog around the forest followed by a coffee with some mates.”

First-time parkrunner Kelly Blankley said the enthusiastic marshals cheering people along the course created a great atmosphere.

“As someone who is fairly new to running it was great to have the support of the wonderful volunteers. Thanks to them a wet early Saturday morning run was transformed into a bright, fun-filled community event. I will definitely be returning with family and friends.”

The first parkrun was held in London in 2004 with 13 runners and a handful of volunteers. More than two million people are now registered across 11 countries, with more than 10,000 people worldwide volunteering every weekend.

Registration is free at www.parkrun.org.uk/rushmere or email rushmereoffice@parkrun.com for information.

Primary school children are being invited to enter a competition encouraging them to write a new festive story to be included in a winter inspired book.

Sam Hay, author of the Undead Pets series of books, has teamed up with cartridgesave.co.uk for the competition.

Children aged between four and 11 can enter by writing a short story, less than 200 words, or poem inspired by winter or Christmas,

The top 50 entries from across the country will be published in a special e-book, released in December.

Sam Hay believes the competition can unlock children’s creativity, she said: “Writing books for children has given me the opportunity to meet and talk to many young people and I am always amazed and impressed by the stories they come up with.

“The season is a magical time and has so much potential for storytelling. I can’t wait to read the entries.

“I am passionate about encouraging children to read and write more.

“Harnessing the power of the imagination is a brilliant way of enhancing a child’s development, as well as being lots of fun.”

The entries will be judged by Sam Hay and a representative from cartridgesave.co.uk.

The overall winner of the competition will receive £1,500 for their school to spend on books or writing equipment, and a goody bag worth £50. The runners up will receive £250 and a goody bag.

Ian Cowley, managing director of cartridgesave.co.uk, said: “We like to encourage creativity across all age groups and are right behind the idea of children using their imaginations to come up with magical Christmas stories.

“Having the best entries collated into a beautifully designed e-book also gives parents and children a lasting memory too.”

The closing date for entries is Friday, December 4.

For more information about how to enter, go to: www.cartridgesave.co.uk/writechristmas.

Patrick Robinson will be swapping stethoscopes and sequins for Shawshank penitentiary in a gripping new play based on Stephen King’s novella.

The actor, who was a semi-finalist in the 2013 series of Strictly Come Dancing, appears alongside another former Casualty actor Ian Kelsey in The Shawshank Redemption.

It can be seen at Milton Keynes Theatre from Monday, November 16, to Saturday, November 21.

Despite protests of his innocence, Andy Dufresne is handed a double life sentence for the brutal murder of his wife and her lover.

Incarcerated at the notorious Shawshank facility, he quickly learns that no one can survive alone, but strikes up an unlikely friendship with the prison fixer Red, and things take a turn for the better.

Patrick said: “I play the character of Red in the film and the story is all about the friendship between these two characters of Andy Dufresne and Red.

“The show is based more on the original Stephen King story which I really liked rather than the film.

“I have to explain to people that I am playing a character Morgan Freeman played in the film rather than doing an impersonation of him.

“We have been getting very good feedback from people although it has been interesting, the reaction varies depending on which audience we are at. Some people have laughed at bits that other audiences haven’t.

“There have been some audiences who have applauded enthusiastically and others who were more muted because they were so caught up in the story.

“In a way, the ultimate challenge for all of us on the production is to make sure the audience is drawn into that world and are moved by that world.”

Patrick, who worked for eight years on Casualty across two separate spells, has been most recently seen on screen in Strictly Come Dancing.

He added: “In a way, I was sad to not reach the final of the show. I didn’t get to do to the Argentine tango but did manage everything else. But because I came back for the group dance the week after I never missed out.

“It is something that I really enjoyed doing. If I am going to go out to a night club, I will go to dance rather than to drink.

“As an actor, I think you look for new challenges and something that is a little bit different and then this opportunity came along and really loved doing it.

“There are a couple of things that I have planned at the moment. But nothing is confirmed just yet. I’ve just started working on Mount Pleasant for Sky which has been fun.”

Tickets for The Shawshank Redemption cost from £11. To book call the box office on 0844 871 7652 or visit www.atgtickets.co.uk/miltonkeynes.

With just six weeks until the big day, a school in Linslade is hosting a special Christmas fayre this evening to woo some earlybird shoppers.

More than 18 stall holders will be attending the event at Linslade Lower School, selling a range of toys, gifts, flowers, handmade crafts, handbags, books and Christmas decorations.

Besides some unusual gifts, shoppers can expect some deluxe beauty treatments, courtesy of hair and beauty students from Cedars Upper School.

They will be there on the night providing mini manicures, massages and facials, giving busy Christmas shoppers some time out.

Rachel Stamp, chairman of the school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA)said: “It’s going to be an indulgent night of retail and beauty therapy packed with serious shopping and the chance to put your feet up with a pampering session and a glass of prosecco.

“We’ve got some fantastic stalls attending with a really wide range of products to suit all tastes and pockets.

“Many of the products are not available on the high street so shoppers can expect to be able to find unique and unusual gifts for friends and family on the night.”

The event is one of a series of fundraising activities organised by the school’s PTA, with hopes the proceeds will raise much-needed funds for school projects.

The event starts at 6.30pm and runs until 9pm in the school main hall.

A Leighton Buzzard man is set to stand trial over allegations that he incited a child to engage in sexual activity.

Paul Ayers, 46, of North Street, appeared at Luton Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with five child offences.

Magistrates referred the case to Luton Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on December 8.

Mr Ayers– who was dressed in a grey suit, light blue shirt and dark blue tie– spoke only to confirm his name.

Between July 2013 and August 2014 Mr Ayers is alleged to have incited an underage teenager to engage in sexual activity.

He also faces three charges of possessing indecent images and videos of children.

The majority of these are said to be in the least serious category (426 images and 11 videos), but Mr Ayers is also alleged to have been in possession of 11 pictures and 8 videos which come under the most serious level.

Between November 2012 and March 2014 Mr Ayers was also allegedly involved in online discussions concerned with the distribution of indecent images.

Holiday company Tauck, which this year is celebrating its 90th anniversary, is also marking 25 years’ travel in Europe in 2016, with a new Baltics itinerary and significant enhancements to its European portfolio.

Perhaps better known in the UK for its European River Cruises, the US-based company is enhancing its bridges trips in Europe, the Americas and Africa, with a range of exclusive and exhilarating activities, designed to bring families closer together through shared experiences.

The 2016 Tauck Bridges brochure – http://www.tauck.co.uk/family-travel.aspx – is launched as the company sees strong growth across its 19 family excursions, with bookings up year-on-year and pre-season bookings for 2016 running well ahead of the same period last year.

Among the enhancements for 2016 is a special winter holiday departure of Tauck’s popular “Alpine Adventure” exploration of Switzerland, Austria and Germany, with the itinerary modified to take full advantage of one of the world’s most sought-after winter sports destinations. The eight-day itinerary begins in Zurich on December 19 with a cable car ride to the top of nearby Mount Pilatus.

Over subsequent days, guests will have the opportunity to pursue fun winter activities including sledding and tobogganing, downhill or cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even ice-climbing on the face of a frozen waterfall.

Other special experiences include a rail journey aboard the Glacier Express train to St Moritz, a visit to an Olympic ski jumping site, a horse-drawn carriage ride to fairytale-like Hohenschwangau Castle, and a five-course gala Christmas dinner.

The all-inclusive itinerary includes two nights at Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern, two nights at the Hotel Schweizerhof St Moritz in Switzerland, two nights at the Aqua Dome Hotel in the heart of Austria’s Otztal Valley, and a final night at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich, where guests will enjoy a farewell dinner in 15th Century vaults once used to store salt.

Elsewhere in Europe, Tauck has added new small group departures to two popular eight-day Bridges itineraries, “Italia Bella: Rome to Venice” (June 20 and July 12) and “Castles & Kings: London to Paris” (June 24 and July 18).

The four departures will average just 24 passengers each for a more intimate travel experience. Tauck has also added additional departures to two of its three Bridges European river cruises, “Blue Danube: Family Riverboat Adventure” and “Castles on the Rhine: Family Riverboat Adventure.”

Details on the entire portfolio of 2016 Tauck Bridges journeys are contained in a new full-colour 84-page brochure or see Tauck’s website at http://www.tauck.co.uk/family-travel.aspx.

As the American presidential election gathers pace, Tauck and the filmmaker Ken Burns, often described as the David Attenborough of America, have crafted a new itinerary to examine the history and explore the meaning of freedom in the USA.

In Freedom’s Footsteps, an 11-day tour, begins in Philadelphia, the birthplace of American liberty where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed, and it ends with a three-night stay at the historic Willard Hotel in Washington, DC, where Martin Luther King put the finishing touches to his landmark “I Have A Dream” speech.

The new itinerary includes visits to Amish country, Harpers Ferry, Gettysburg and Richmond, as well as Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate. The realities of plantation life in the antebellum South will be brought to life during a private lecture by Dr. Leni Sorensen, a scholar and African American Research Historian for the Thomas Jefferson Foundation. The itinerary also highlights early American life in Jamestown and Williamsburg, Virginia, and guests will visit Mt. Vernon, the home of George Washington.

While in Washington, Tauck guests will enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city’s landmark sites and, by special arrangement, will be able to avoid the crowds with exclusive early-admission to the National Archives. Here they will view America’s founding documents, which assured personal freedoms for some, while denying them to others. A visit to the Newseum, a 250,000-square-foot news and journalism museum, will provide an opportunity for guests to contemplate another freedom – freedom of the press – as they tour its exhibits.

The freedom tour is included in Tauck’s new 2016 USA and Canada brochure, featuring 38 itineraries, including exclusive trips to North America’s national parks which, next year, celebrate their 100th anniversary.

2016 prices are from £3,090 for 11 Days, plus air travel. To see the full itinerary, go to: http://www.tauck.co.uk/tours/usa-tours/southern-usa-travel/philadelphia-to-dc-tour-wb-2016.aspx or to find out more visit: www.tauck.co.uk

Narrow Boat Reflections by local artist Joe Stockton was one of three paintings that proved highly popular at Leighton Buzzard Art Society’s recent exhibition.

The other two were Liverpool 1 by Sandra Walker and Sunglasses by John Wilkinson.

The trio were among 53 that visitors voted as their favourites.

The winner will be chosen at the next Art Society evening on Thursday, November 19.
The weekend exhibition at Leighton Middle School featured 25 artists and showcased 111 paintings and sculptures.

The Mayor, Cllr Ray Berry, joined more than 200 art lovers who flocked to the display and to watch demonstrations by Bryan Sly, Trixie Dinn, Griselda Hall and Marion Macrae.

The raffle prize – a painting by Keith Hornblower – was won by Sarah Nigi.

Membership of the Society is open to anyone aged 18 or over. Meetings take place at 8pm on the third Thursday of each month.

> For more details email info@lbas.org.uk

If you and your toddler like getting down and doughy in the kitchen, you’ll love the new classes about to take place at Astral Park Sports and Community Centre.

Chef and food technology teacher Caroline Broomhall, 33, is running a series of Christmas workshops for pre-school children and their parents.

“We’ll be making mince pies, biscuits and Rudolf cup cakes,” she announced. “It won’t be total mayhem, just monitored chaos.

“I enjoy working with little children and it’s more a bonding session between parent and child.”

Caroline – mum to two-and-a-half-year-old Eloise and three-month-old Bertie – has form on the subject.

She has a degree in food and hospitality from Birmingham College of Food and ran similar classes in Brum before moving to Leighton Buzzard at the beginning of the year.

She’s currently on maternity leave from her food technology teaching job in Harpenden.

She met husband Mark – a former head chef at the Marchmont Arms in Hemel Hempstead – at catering college.

Little Eloise is already following in their foodie footsteps.

Caroline said: “She loves cooking and trying new foods. She’s allergic to dairy and egg so we practise lots of recipes for special dietary needs – and she loves making her own pizzas.”

Astral Park is used as a wedding venue and Caroline rates the kitchen equipment as top of the range: “The best I’ve ever seen.”

The four week course costs £30 which includes ingredients, a recipe card each week and an apron.

Classes are every Monday, starting on November 23 and concluding on December 14. They will run from 9.30am to 10.45am.

> More info on Buzzards Little Bakers Facebook page or email carolineocoy@hotmail.com