A leading food psychologist has revealed ways to beat our favourite cravings like salt, cheese and coffee - with a series of healthy substitutes.

Dr Christy Fergusson answers why so many Brits can’t resist everyday temptations - and how to conquer them.

She claims that by providing the body with quick solutions it IS possible to lower the amount of unhealthy food consumed and stop these cravings in their tracks.

The doc says cravings like carbs and sugar can be avoided by munching on healthier options such as fruit, water and turkey.

Dr Christy, working with Seasonal Berries, says sugar and chocolate cravings can be beaten by eating fruit - particularly berries.

Cravings for salt like pretzels, nuts or crisps can be trumped with Himalayan pink salt of Celtic sea salt and filtered water.

Carbohydrates yearnings can be driven away by eating turkey, fish, chicken, quinoa, buckwheat, nuts, seeds, beans, and pulses.

Cravings for coffee can be staved off by an intake of tyrosine-rich foods such as bananas, meats, fish, eggs, nuts, beans and oats.

And Dr Christy says cheese lovers can beat their addiction by eating foods such as nuts and seeds, as well as oily fish such as tuna, salmon and trout.

Sugar

The craving - Most Brits crave sugar when trying to eat healthily, but snacks such as chocolate bars and cakes simply serve to send us on a blood sugar rollercoaster - which means we ride high and then crash soon after. Fergusson says that the body needs essential glucose for energy.

The cure - to ensure the body is fed glucose every three to four hours, folk should be stocking up on strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries as these fruits contain fructose (fruit sugars) which are released slowly into the bloodstream. Eating these regularly will keep moods consistent and energy levels steady throughout the day. Fresh berries are one of the best foods to snack as they are loaded with antioxidants and highly nutritious. You could say they are nature’s brain food. They pack a serious nutritional punch for every calorie consumed. This makes them the ideal way to supercharge your system with nutrients, without escalating your blood sugar levels.”

Salt

The craving - Fergusson claims that what the body actually wants is minerals. The body needs minerals such as calcium, sodium, magnesium, and zinc to stay healthy - if you are deficient in any of these you will think you want salt. Similarly, craving salt can be a sign of dehydration, as sodium works by keeping water in the body to hydrate cells.

The cure - Rather than opting for pretzels, salty nuts or crisps which are sprinkled with table salt, opt for Himalayan pink salt of Celtic sea salt which are rich in minerals. And always drink plenty of filtered water.

Carbohydrates

The craving - During the dark winter months the lack of sunshine leaves most of us deficient in our feel-good brain chemical serotonin. As our serotonin levels drop, our brain seeks balance and we crave carbs. Refined carbohydrates - such as white rice, white bread or white - spike our blood sugar levels causing amino acids to get shunted out of our cells giving tryptophan gets a free ride across our blood/brain barrier. This gives a temporary boost in serotonin. The problem is that refined carbs are often nutrient deficient and lack the building blocks we need to create serotonin. So when our blood sugar plummets again, the craving comes back, but what the body really wants is serotonin.

The cure - to keep your brain brimming with serotonin without spiking your blood sugar levels, you need to eat good quality protein such as turkey, fish, chicken, quinoa, buckwheat, nuts, seeds, beans, and pulses to provide your body with a good supply of amino acids including tryptophan. Avoid serotonin sabotages such as caffeine, nicotine, and artificial sweeteners. These deplete the body of nutrients essential for converting tryptophan to 5-HTP to serotonin.

Coffee

The craving - If you struggle to start the day without a strong cup of coffee, your body might need a boost of catecholamines - adrenaline and dopamine which help to energise and motivate. This means the body really wants Tyrosine - as this supports the production of catecholamines.

The cure - rather than drinking coffee you could increase your intake of tyrosine-rich foods such as bananas, meats, fish, eggs, nuts, beans and oats.

Cheese

The craving - although delicious, eating a cheese board every night isn’t ideal, but if the body is craving cheese this could be a sign of an essential fatty acid deficiency. These are good fats which the body can’t manufacture itself - omega 3 and omega 6.

The cure - rather than tucking into a block of Edam, Fergusson recommends eating foods such as nuts and seeds, as well as oily fish such as tuna, salmon and trout.

Dr Christy Fergusson, a food psychologist for Seasonal Berries, said: “Serotonin is our feel good happy brain chemical which keeps our moods high and our cravings at bay.

“As the dark nights roll in and our serotonin levels plummet, we can find our energy drops, our moods turn and the sugar cravings kick in. Relying on high sugar foods, biscuits and crisps to keep us going can leave us riding the blood sugar rollercoaster.

“We feel buzzed for a spell but soon our energy, concentration and mood can plummet. If you find yourself losing focus and the brain fog descending as the afternoon wears on, bust out a punnet of fresh berries and the antioxidants will help sharpen your mind.”

A police officer stopped at Luton airport after failing to declare en excess of duty free goods has been sacked.

Police Constable Susan Best was dismissed following a Special Case Misconduct Hearing held on Friday by the Metropolitan Police Service.

PC Best, attached to the Roads and Transport Policing Command, was alleged to have breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in relation to ‘Honesty and Integrity’ and ‘Discreditable Conduct’.

The Chair heard, that on 14 July 2016, upon arrival at Luton Airport, the officer failed to declare a quantity of alcohol and tobacco which exceeded the applicable duty free limit.

PC Best was stopped by a Border Force Officer, the goods were seized and the officer was issued with a warning.

PC Best was placed on restricted duties while an internal misconduct investigation took place.

Matt Adcock reviews Alien: Covenant (15), directed by Ridley Scott

In space, no-one can hear you sigh.

Alien Covenant is the fifth film in the classic sci-fi horror series and its events follow ten years after the ill-fated Prometheus mission whose crew ran into hostile xenomorphs (as well as lots of ponderous semi-religious hokum).

This time we join plucky Ripley wannabe Daniels (Katherine ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them’ Waterston) awakened many years early - Passengers style - from her hyper-sleep when the Covenant is hit by a solar flare. With the lives of the 2,000 colonists on board in jeopardy there is no time to at least be grateful that it’s a life endangering spaceship crisis rather than a creepy planned space date by Chris Pratt.

The crew who include Captain Oram (Billy ‘The Flash’ Crudup), Pilot Tennessee (Billy ‘Watchmen’ McBride), Sergeant Lope (Demián ‘The Nun’ Nájera), Sergeant Hallett (Nathaniel ‘Rush’ Dean) and synthetic Walter (Michael Fassbender) bicker and then decide to stop off and investigate a nearby ‘earth like’ planet rather than continue to their original long haul destination.

From then on it’s kinda Aliens business as usual as the crew discover that the planet is home to the a range of acid-blood, face-hugging, people-eating nasties. Director Ridley Scott amps up the action quotient and effectively throws in many Alien series nods (they mostly come at night, the gestation cycle varies on the importance of the character, the crew must use unorthodox methods to try and battle the slimy foes) but there is very little that feels ‘new’.

It all looks cinematically stunning and the aliens look great, plus there are some very nasty deaths and inventively mean situations engineered. The main problem though is that the plot can’t help but become another ‘let’s get off this planet’ escape-em-up and we’ve seen this before.

Waterston and Fassbender are both good, Fassbinder in particular gives his all and carries the movie through some dubious plot points that feel unnecessary. The rest of the crew are pretty interchangeable alien fodder though and don't even get any memorable lines.

If this was the first Alien film released it would score better but it stands in the shadow of the original Alien (and Aliens) both of which are truly excellent, and doesn’t even have the distinct ‘feel’ of the other entries. So Covenant delivers a good but not great addition to a series which really needs a world-class revival next time or the series risks drifting off into space losing viewers in the process.

A “dirty” Leighton Buzzard care home has been slated as ‘Inadequate’ by the Care Quality Commission after its latest inpection.

Swiss Cottage on Plantation Road caters for 65 elderly people, many of whom suffer from dementia.

An previous analysis in August 2016 found a number of problems and a surprise inspection on February 21 this year found that many of the issues raised had not been addressed.

The report stated: “On our arrival, the reception and office areas smelt clean and fresh. This was quickly replaced by unpleasant odours in the main corridors.

“Whilst walking around the building we noted that there were rooms with stained and wrinkled carpets. Bathrooms and shower rooms were dirty and untidy.

“The bathrooms were often being used as storage areas for hoists and wheelchairs.”

The inspection noted that residents had mixed reactions to the food served at the home. They also did not always receive the correct medicines they were prescribed, and there was insufficient staff on site to care for their needs.

The report found that people’s privacy was not always respected, with open bedroom doors allowing people passing in the corridors to view residents in their beds.

According to records, there had been six deprivation of liberty safeguards – when a person is taken into care for their own wellbeing under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. However, correct procedures had not been followed, with a failure to gain lawful consent from next of kin as well as failing to notify the Care Quality Commission.

When pressed, inspectors noted that staff seemed unsure of the requirements under the Mental Capacity Act.

A Roseberry Care Homes spokesman said: “We acknowledge the report produced by CQC and have been working hard to address the Regulatory concerns. We have met with families and staff and shared our action plan. Significant improvements have been made since the inspection in February, and we are confident that our next inspection report will reflect these improvements. The health, safety and well-being of our residents remains our priority and we will continue to have a senior management presence at the home to monitor the home closely and support the team and the new Home Manager to sustain the improvements made to date and drive the service forward.”

“We wanted to see more competition. We wanted to see more people able to switch between energy users [sic], that, over the last three or four years has not happened. This is a market that is not working perfectly and therefore we are intervening to make markets work better.”

Michael Fallon, defence secretary and former energy minister, speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, on April 24

The Conservatives are expected to outline an election pledge to introduce a cap on energy prices in their manifesto. The reason – as outlined by Michael Fallon – is that not enough people are taking advantage of cheaper energy prices from alternative suppliers.

The Conservative Party press office pointed The Conversation to recent government figures to back up their claims about what are known as “sticky customers”. A spokeswoman said: “Whilst we have started to turn around falling numbers of people switching since 2013, approximately 70% of people still don’t switch and the level is below what it has been recently.”

So, how many people are actually switching? The most recent figures from Ofgem, the energy regulator, show that the number of domestic consumers switching their gas or electricity supplier has increased rather than fallen over the last year or so: 30% of domestic consumers switched in 2016, up from around 24% in 2015. The number of people switching from one of the big six energy companies to small suppliers who tend to be new entrants to the energy market increased from a tiny percentage in 2010 to 41% in 2016 for both gas and electricity respectively.

So the picture painted by Fallon is wrong. People are switching – not everyone, but an increasing minority, and they are often moving to new entrant companies.

But what is a high enough level of switching? A 2015 survey of domestic consumers, conducted as part of a lengthy Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation into the energy market, compared the energy sector with other major markets. It found that 27% of consumers changed electricity supplier between 2012 and 2015, compared with 52% who had changed their car insurer. However, only 24% had changed their mobile phone provider, and only 12% had changed their mortgage or current account. So why aren’t the Conservatives also thinking of intervening in the mobile phone market or other markets, where consumer engagement is lower than energy?

Ofgem published a league table of major suppliers’ energy tariffs allowing consumers to check the sort of savings they might make if they switched. But some people simply don’t want the hassle of switching. Others may not be driven by price in relation to their energy bills – for example, they may prioritise buying renewable electricity rather than the cheapest electricity. More information is unlikely to have much of an impact on these consumers.

Capping energy prices on some or all of the available tariffs would tend to level the playing field between different energy suppliers, so reducing price differentials and therefore any incentive to switch. In other words, the two policy measures would not seem to fit together and a cap on energy prices could actually see a drop in switching.

Verdict

Fallon’s claim that people aren’t switching enough is wrong on the basis of the most up-to-date figures. Energy markets aren’t perfect, but intervening to cap energy prices and encourage switching are like rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic.

Competition may help make energy more affordable, but relentlessly driving down prices is not the way to encourage investment in new energy capacity or the development of more sustainable ways of producing and using energy. The focus on energy caps and switching is too narrow and too short term to contribute to the development of a sustainable energy system.

Review

Michael Waterson, professor of industrial economics, University of Warwick.

There is much here to agree with. More people are indeed switching energy supplier, and small and medium-sized suppliers are finally making an impact. Capping energy prices is not a good way to encourage switching. However, it is clear that many people are not engaged with this market and, at the same time, spend considerable amounts on energy, making it a political issue. But politicians’ headline-seeking “solutions” are unlikely to create workable outcomes. Really we need to understand more how to encourage consumers’ active search in products where the link between what you pay and the services you get for that payment is opaque.

This article originally appeared in The Conversation

Our 12-point promise to bring you the highest standard of journalism.

To coincide with Local Newspaper Week, this title and its sister newspapers across the UK today launch a Readers’ Charter.

The publication of a 12-point commitment to our readers follows an industry-wide #TrustedNewsDay on Friday which celebrated the values at the heart of your local newspaper and its website.

In an age of fake news, spread indiscriminately on social media, local newspapers are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism.

The establishment of a Readers’ Charter – which covers everything from accuracy to holding decision-makers to account – sets the seal on our determination to be your most trusted source of news, advertising, and information.

Unveiling the Readers’ Charter which all Johnston Press titles will embrace, editor-in-chief Jeremy

Clifford said: “Local newspapers and their websites are the most trusted providers of information and news in Britain today.

“They are subject to some of the toughest regulation in the world and they set for themselves some of the highest standards of professional training.

“As we celebrate the annual Local Newspaper Week, which shows how newspapers make a real difference to the communities they serve, it is wholly appropriate that we renew our commitment to our readers and advertisers to always put them first.”

The Charter states:

This newspaper is built on a tradition of accuracy and fairness, giving you the information you need to understand our world, holding power to account and exposing injustice.

Our trusted brand means we are the only place where you can read and participate in honest debates. We are committed to giving a voice to those who struggle to be heard as well as those whose profession is crafting an argument. We will engage with you, ask your opinions and give you the platforms on which your views can be expressed.

We are committed to reporting, informing,debating, entertaining and reflecting the values of our communities.

We therefore promise …

1. To report accurately and fairly stories in the public interest

2. To treat our readers with respect and to report news they can trust​

3. To campaign on behalf of the communities we serve and be their voice​

4. To hold decision-makers to account

​5. To listen to our readers and answer their queries and complaints within a clearly published timeframe

6. To offer investigative and opinion-rich local journalism, contributing to the quality of debate in our communities

7. To support no political party but to encourage all those who seek the best for our community

8. To accept that sometimes we make genuine mistakes and to seek to correct them at the first

Opportunity

9. To be the eyes and ears of readers by covering the activities of public bodies

​​10. To ensure our coverage does not discriminate against anyone especially on grounds of religious belief, ethnicity or sexual orientation

11. To present content in a manner that is suitable for entire families

12. To uphold the Editors’ Code of Practice

A mum-of-four watched on in horror as her car dramatically went up in flames just minutes after her eight-year-old son discovered smoke coming from the vehicle.

Although distraught that her pride and joy – a Nissan Pathfinder Adverturer DCi – became a burnt-out wreck last Sunday morning (May 7), shaken Faith Stephenson, 49, says the story could have had a much more tragic ending.

Faith, from the Clarence Road area of Leighton Buzzard, had used the 57-reg car the previous day and parked it up at about 6pm oblivious to the drama that would unfold at 9.45am the following morning due what she suspects was an electrical fault.

She recalled: “It was Sunday morning and I was going to take my older son to work and then do a car boot in Aylesbury but I had a cold.

“I was about to get dressed then my eight-year-old Jack came into the house and wanted his scooter. It was in the car so I gave him the keys. He came back and said ‘mum, the car’s full of smoke’.

“My older son Laurence, me, and my neighbour Fred ran out. The neighbour opened the front passenger door and the car was full of brown smoke which was billowing out from under the dash.

“My neighbour ran to get a fire extinguisher and tried to get rid of it, but it kept coming and coming.

“My older son got a washing up bowl of water and threw it in, as the fire extinguisher had finished and wasn’t working.

“We got well back and called the fire brigade and then in the space of two minutes it was engulfed. Fortunately it was a diesel car so it didn’t explode. There was absolute shock in the street. Most just kept out of the way.”

Faith said she could hardly bear to watch her prized possession go up in flames.

She said: “I bought it with money left to me by my aunt who passed away. It was my dream. It was expensive to run, but I loved it. I’d had it a year-and-a-half, it was my baby and to see it go up was absolutely heartbreaking.

“But when you sit down and think about it, it could have been so much worse. My son had been to the car moments early, and also it was parked on the road away from properties as I was planning to go out early to the car boot and didn’t want to disturb people – otherwise it could have taken other cars and the houses here have wood panelling too.

“I have been fortunate that I wasn’t driving it, parked in a busy car park or shopping centre, or at the car boot sale surrounded by people and other cars.”

And she said she wasn’t impressed by Nissan’s response to the incident. “Nissan said they couldn’t be held responsible because they don’t know what work has been done to it,” she said.

“I bought it second-hand from a dealer, but I don’t blame them. Due to the state of the car, the fire service say it was hard to say exactly what had happened.”

Wishing to warn other motorists of her story, she called for car manufacturers to do more: “With all this technology in cars why are they not fitted with smoke alarms? If there had been an early warning I could have called the fire brigade sooner. I’m not after a new Nissan. I don’t ever want a Nissan again! I will get another car as the insurance will pay out.”

A spokesman for Beds Fire and Rescue Service said the cause of the blaze was still under investigation, but added “it could be an electrical fire”.

A Nissan spokesman said: “We can confirm that this customer’s vehicle had a recall completed in November 2012 and that there are not any other recalls outstanding on this vehicle.

“We have recommended that the customer completes a claim with her insurance company as per the normal process and we have nominated a specific case worker to assist her with this process.

“We are committed to the safety of our customers and have taken all the necessary actions in this case.”

We are four weeks into a seemingly never ending General Election campaign, one which is only creating excitement among avid players of political bingo.

Although, until last week’s Chuckle Brothers-esque leaking of the Labour Party manifesto, the countdown to June 8 has been a dull fest, there has been plenty for political geeks to tick off their score cards.

We’ve had the car crash interviews, the endless rhetoric, the awkward photo opportunities (something which our Prime Minister appears to specialise in) and the battle buses.

But one of the key narratives of the first month in the race to Westminster has been the disconnect between the politicians and the electorate. While this is nothing new, much has been made about the ignorance of those who are being asked to choose a parliamentary representative in three weeks.

There have some journalists who have taken to social media to mock the lack of understanding from those who care little about the machinations of Government. One reported on social media how a woman he interviewed said that ‘politics isn’t my thing - I think I voted for Labour at the Referendum’. This prompted much harrumphing from those who expect their fellow Brits to take the same level of interest in party politics that they do.

Nick Robinson, the BBC’s former political editor who now presents the corporation’s flagship current affairs programme, Today, has taken to the road to meet real voters.

Last week he was in Halifax to interview a group who identified themselves as working class and it was clear that politicians couldn’t be further away from their world.

One demonstrated how little he had been paying attention over the past 11 months when he asserted that Theresa May clearly doesn’t want us to leave the European Union. I don’t know how many times she has to say the words ‘Brexit means Brexit’ for it to sink in but his rather odd take can be explained.

It isn’t, as some snobs have suggested, evidence that there is a sub class who only care about chicken nuggets and Keeping Up With The Kardashians but is further proof that the ruling classes are unable to communicate with a large rump of the electorate.

The major complaint about this campaign is that it is one of the most stage managed in history, a campaign where journalists are kept at arm’s length from the PM and her cabinet members. And we’ve all heard the ones about some reporters being asked to submit their questions before press conferences and briefings.

Even David Dimbleby looks more bored than he usually does and if the journalists aren’t engaged, what hope is there for the rest of the British public? What this election really needs is a senior cabinet member smacking a man with a bad mullet on the nose. Unlikely, I admit.

It is easy for someone like me to sit on my sofa and blame the nationwide outbreak of apathy solely on the politicians. The media needs to play its part too and I think more pressure should have been heaped upon Mrs May to encourage her to take part in a head to head debate with Jeremy Corbyn.

While both leaders will be quizzed the cameras in the immediate run up to the election, they won’t share the stage. It promises to be tepid at best.

As long as this campaign shuffles along at its current pace, millions of voters will continue to live in ignorant bliss.

Vox pops made up over one-third of all election news sources on the UK’s nightly television bulletins in the first week of the 2017 election campaign, our study has found. While politicians made up the majority of appearances, 36.4% of sources were members of the public expressing their views about the election.

That matters because research has shown that citizens tend to be represented apolitically in television news. Members of the public are used to respond to political elites rather than contribute to policy debates. Our study of election coverage so far broadly reinforces this picture, but we also found citizens articulating clear party political preferences without supporting evidence.

Vox pops – meaning voice of the people – are a longstanding television news convention designed to give a flavour of public opinion. They are, in this sense, illustrative. They are not a scientific tool to measure public opinion. As the BBC guidelines state:

Vox pops should be used as “a spread of opinions, reflecting, in a balanced way, the different strands of argument, OR, where appropriate, present an accurate and proportionate reflection of those whose opinions we have sought”.

However, in campaign coverage so far, people’s party political perspectives have often been conveyed in vox pops without necessarily balancing a range of voters’ views.

The character of Jeremy Corbyn has often been the focus of attention, along with Labour’s election prospects and, to a lesser extent, its policy positions. As one Channel 4 vox pops colourfully put it, “I still believe in Labour [but not] plonker Corybn”.

Representing Corbyn

Of course, opinion polls may support many of the views articulated in vox pops. But we found very few polls referenced so far in campaign coverage. Those that were almost entirely centred on the horse race between parties rather than people’s policy preferences.

Since vox pops may generally reflect the dominant views expressed in opinion polls, one could argue they are being well used to illustrate the public’s views about the parties and their leaders. But without referencing systematic public opinion data, there is a danger that vox pops could be reinforcing conventional wisdoms about “the public mood”. In doing so, the complexity behind people’s political opinions may become distorted, as is often the case when vox pops focus on Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour party.

Yes, Corbyn’s personal rating are one of the worst for party leaders in polling history. The Conservatives’ strategy to focus on Theresa May’s “strong and stable leadership” and Labour’s reluctance to push for a live TV leaders’ debate signal Corbyn’s electoral weakness.

But when the public are polled about Labour’s policy positions, conventional wisdom about Corbyn being out of touch with voters is challenged. According to a ComRes poll, for example, a clear majority of public supports raising the minimum wage and increasing the top rate of tax to 50p from 45p – two key Labour pledges. Another ComRes poll also found a majority favoured renationalising the railways and the Royal Mail.

In other words, when citizens consider Labour’s policies they are often more supportive, whereas when the focus is about leadership and personality their rating plunge.

Where are the polls?

In our increasingly presidential political system, the emphasis on party leaders may appear a necessary part of election reporting. But since the UK has a parliamentary system – with parties elected and governments formed accordingly – it makes more sense for broadcasters to put the parties’ policy agendas ahead of reporting the character of leaders. It’s how parties govern and their policy agenda that will ultimately affect people’s lives.

For all their faults, opinion polls remain the most accurate way of assessing people’s understanding of the world. Since misleading polls distorted the 2015 UK general campaign, it may be unpopular to argue that election coverage should be informed more – not less – by polling data. But this does not mean polls have to promote a horse race narrative about which party is ahead. Polls could instead be used more imaginatively to focus the media agenda on the issues and policies that most concern voters.

The Cardiff University study examined bulletins on Channel 5 at 5pm, Channel 4 at 7pm and at 10pm on BBC, ITV and Sky News between April 30 to 8 May (excluding 4 May). Research by Marina Morani, Harriet Lloyd, Rob Callaghan, Lucy Bennett and Chris Healy.

This article originally appeared in The Conversation

A dramatic lower order collapse saw Leighton Buzzard slump to a 10 run defeat at the hands of Sandford St Martin on Saturday.

After winning their opening Cherwell League Division 2 match last week, Leighton looked in great shape to take back-to-back victories when chasing 162 to win, they put on 111 for the first wicket.

But an extraordinary collapse saw seven wickets fall for just 15 runs, bringing down the curtains on their first match back at Bell Close this season.

Leighton skipper Jack Kempster lost the toss and Leighton were asked to bowl first in idea batting conditions. But after Dan Scott struck early to remove Kris Jones, Sandford got stuck in.

Sandford then continued steady progress to push the score along with opener Steven Dobson bringing up his half century in the process.

When he fell for 53, Leighton began to get into their stride, and there was little the visitors could do to contain them. Sandford’s remaining eight wickets would fall for just 61 runs, with some excellent spells of bowling and good fielding.

The wickets were shared around with Scott and Kempster each taking three, with Lee Selfe chipping in with two, while Antony Francis and Alan Priestly took one each.

Given the conditions and the start Sandford got off to Town were pleased with their bowling effort and were confident of chasing the runs in the second half of the game.

Leighton’s reply began well as openers Phil Whatmore and Tom Light got the innings off to a solid start.

Whatmore was the dominant partner and was in typically destructive form as he toyed with the bowling attack apart hitting 12 fours and four maximums on his way to 79.

Whilst the two were at the crease, it looked as though Town would reach their victory target with ease but with the score on 111, a mix-up between the two batsmen cost Whatmore as he was run out.

With things still well in hand though, Leighton looked set to cruise to victory.

But when Light departed soon after for 39 with the score on 128, it sparked a dramatic collapse which saw Town lose their remaining seven wickets for just 15 runs.

Left arm spinner Simon Smith took a sensational hat-trick as no other Leighton batsman reached double figures in the slump.

In the end, Town were bowled out for 151 and they were consigned to their first league defeat of the season.

Leighton will look to bounce back next week when they travel to Didcot.

In Division 5, Leighton Buzzard 2nds are still looking for their first win of the season as they lost by eight wickets to Kingston Bagpuize.

Town batted first and put on a disappointing display as they were bowled out for just 88, with only three batsmen reaching double figures.

In reply Kingston eased to their victory target for the loss of just two wickets. Captain Andy Smith and James Aldridge the wicket takers.

On May 26-28, Belgium's capital city will come alive with the sound of jazz. The annual Brussels Jazz Marathon sees live performances taking place at Grand Place, Sablon Square, Saint-Catherine Square, Ferdinand Cock Square and Luxembourg Square as well as in various indoor clubs and bars in the city centre. Genres including jazz, blues, funk and world are covered with free entry for visitors.

And this coming Sunday (May 21) in Mechelen Grote Markt, there is a huge festival known as the Handswijk Procession. The history of the origins of this particular procession go back to 1272 when the city of Mechelen was beset by plague.

It is believed that locals held the statue of Virgin Mary towards the city and as a result, their problems stopped and their prayers were answered. In homage to the Virgin Mary, its citizens staged the first Handswijk parade the following year and the tradition continues to this day over 700 years later.

Every 25 years, the parade hosts a jubilee parade, the Hanswijk Cavalcade but if you missed the last one in 2013, you’ll just have to wait until 2038 for the next one! www.hanswijkprocessie.be/en/content/home

And over in Bruges, the Procession of the Holy Blood takes place on May 25 when a procession has taken place every year on Ascension Day since 1303.

Although there have been many changes over the centuries, the heart of the event is the re-enactment of the passion and resurrection of Christ.

Legend has it that in 1150, after the second Crusade, Thierry d’Alsace, Count of Flanders, brought the relic of the Holy Blood of Jesus back from Jerusalem, to be placed in the Basilica on the Burg. The Procession of the Holy Blood was added to the representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity (2009). www.holyblood.com

In June and July, there are numerous events commemmorating events in Flanders 100 years ago for the Centenaries of First World War battles of Messines and Passchendaele. There are some interesting personal stories of English, Scottish and Welsh soldiers directly affected by the battles.

You can read about Noel Chavasse from Liverpool, the only double VC winner of the Great War while other stories about football legend Jimmy Speirs, a volunteer soldier killed in Passchendaele as well as Hydd Wyn, the Welsh poet, both of which are buried at cemeteries in the Passchendaele region.

Between June 29 and July 2, Rock Werchter is the biggest festival of rock music in the whole of Belgium. Over the last few years, the festival in the town of Werchter near Leuven, has grown to three stages and it hosts around 145.000 visitors during the four day duration.

The festival attracts several high profile performers every year. This year some of the acts performing include: Foo Fighters, Radiohead, Kings of Leon and Linking Park. See www.rockwerchter.be/en

On July 5-7 Brussels' Grote Markt and Zavel are transformed for the evening performances of Ommegang. Stacked seats stand in front of the spired Hôtel de Ville and a red-draped medieval gallery will be been erected in front of the Maison du Roi.

Visitors will be crowding out of guild house windows enjoying the atmosphere. The stage will be set for the Ommegang – Flemish for ‘walk around’ – a spectacular religious procession featuring over 1,400 performers that’s been played out on these famous cobblestones for nearly 500 years. See www.ommegang.be

In September the country celebrates the life of Magritte, 50 years after the great Belgian surreal artist died. This new exhibition will attempt to show how his influences are still very much present today.

His influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary artists, including John Baldessari, Ed Ruscha, Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, Gavin Turk, George Condo, Sean Landers, Raymond Pettibon, and Robert Longo.

Rejuvenated golfer Gill McDougall has celebrated her return to form with a double success at Leighton Buzzard’s Plantation Road club.

No stranger to golfing success in her 28 years as a member at Leighton, Gill’s form dipped after the death of her mentor father Maurice Lesley, and a life-style change which involved moving home.

But she bounced back last week, hitting a nett 65 to win Leighton Ladies Spring Meeting by nine shots, resulting in her handicap being clipped by three shots to 15. And she teamed up with Joyce Young to win the Fourball Betterball competition on countback from Joan Waples and Cecily Goldsmith.

Gill put her success down to a “good day chipping the putting,” finishing strongly after a mid-round wobble. Pam Stannard won the Medal event with a nett 74, with Anne Tilbury a shot adrift.

Leighton’s inter-club team lost their opening match at Buckingham 4-2; beat Bedfordshire Police 4-1 with one match halved and lost 4-3 at John O’Gaunt.

Nigel Barnes won Leighton’s May Club stableford with 42pts, one clear of Steve Giles with Andrew Pickering taking third place with 40pts. Paul Ahmet with 39pts headed a chasing pack of Lewis Scott, Eddie Edwards, Steve Shepherd and Geoffrey Nunn on 38.

Leighton Seniors six-match winning streak has come to an end, losing to The Bedfordshire out 4-3. Mike Bluett and Kelvin Young, Martin Broadley and Robbie John and Derek Browning and Terry Wright won, with Harry Adam and Gerry Ferris halving.

The loss came after beating Beds & County 5-1 with skipper David Debell and Ken Wilson and Terry Wright and Pat Quinlan carding early halves. Wins were secured by Geoff Allatt and Mike Bluett, John Halstead and Robert Tate, Michael Perkins and Isiah Ramdeen, Terry Lingham and Keith Oddie and David Roberts and Richard Lancaster.

The sixth successive win was secured against Stowe, the 6-1 victory being achieved by Mike Bluett and Harry Adam, David Newby and Rob Tate, Keith Camp and Kelvin Young, Paul Johnson and Andrew McDonald, David Nero and David Sweetnam and George Darbyshire and David Roberts winning their games. David Debell and Graham Robinson halved their match.

Judy Ammon finished top qualifier in Leighton Ladies Challenge Cup competition, her nett 70.

Norma Stevens-Hack, Chris Rimmer, Anne Tilbury, Beryl Wood, Elsa King, Betty Bluett and Chris Purkiss will all contest the final. Anne was also top scorer in the Ladies May stableford, her 38 point haul winning the Silver Division three shots clear of Lynne Newnham.

Pictured above are the new recruits and coaches at Leighton’s “Golf Rocks” taster, a campaign to encourage more girls to take up golf and learn skills that will last them a lifetime.

Of the 16 who joined the hour-long coaching sessions at Leighton’s Plantation Road club, 14 have signed up for a five-week follow-on course with club coach Maurice Campbell and his professional team.

Labour’s election manifesto launch was overshadowed by fresh questions over how it would pay for a string ambitious promises costing billions of pounds.

The party insisted an annual increase in day-to-day spending of around £49bn on policies including subsidised childcare and extra money for the NHS could be paid for by measures including income tax increases for the wealthiest and adding VAT to private school fees.

But this ignored a raft of other pledges including building a new “Crossrail for the North” connecting the cities of the North, investing in new energy infrastructure and providing “universal superfast broadband”.

The manifesto also included commitments to nationalising the railways, and bringing Royal Mail, water and energy back into public ownership.

The respected Institute for Fiscal Studies said it was “uncertain” whether Labour’s plan to lower the 45p rate income tax threshold to £80,000 and bring back the 50p tax rate would raise the expected £6.4bn a year and warned “it could also raise nothing”.

Speaking at the launch of the Labour manifesto at Bradford University before campaigning in Huddersfield and Leeds, Mr Corbyn declined to put a figure on how much extra Government borrowing his plans would involve.

But he said they would mean investment in infrastructure was spread “fairly across the whole of the UK, not totally in London and the South-East”.

He added: “This government has borrowed because it hasn’t invested and it has borrowed more and more because it has invested less and less and we end up with a process of almost managed economic decline relative to what we could achieve.”

Mr Corbyn also defended his leadership amid suggestions that polls show his own unpopularity is overshadowing Labour policies which enjoy public support.

He said: “I am very very proud to lead this party. I was elected by a very large number of members and supporters, ordinary people all over this country.

“I am very proud that we have a party that is diverse, that is inclusive, that is pluralistic and this manifesto is a product of that process.

“I see leadership as not dictating but leadership is also about listening.”

At one point Mr Corbyn was forced to call on the audience to show “respect” as journalists asking questions were jeered.

There was confusion over whether Labour’s manifesto was committing the party to ending the freeze on benefits.

At the launch, Mr Corbyn said “clearly we are not going to freeze benefits” and the party later insisted that commitment was covered by its pledge of an extra £2bn for universal credit.

The Conservatives’ David Gauke, the chief secretary to the Treasury, said: “It’s clear that proposal after proposal in this manifesto will mean more borrowing and debt: from promises on benefits, to promises on prison guards, to promises on nationalising the water network.”

Thousands of motorists driving through Bedfordshire on the M1 have been caught speeding by smart motorway cameras between junctions 10 and 13.

Since variable speed cameras were installed on the M1 in 2013 and 2014, 29,771 drivers have been caught exceeding the limit, which can drop from 70mph to speeds of just 20mph.

And with offenders charged with fines of up to £2,500 for exceeding motorway speed limits, motorists may be facing a total £74m ticket. The information comes from a Freedom of Information request from Confused.Com.

Motorists fell victim to variable speed cameras when travelling from Luton to Milton Keynes, although it seems that the road between junctions 10 and 11, travelling northbound, in particular has proven to be the biggest sting. Since variable speed cameras were installed in 2013, 18,057 drivers have been prosecuted for exceeding the limit on this stretch alone.

A total of 18,057 drivers have been caught speeding along M1 J10-11 northbound since the cameras were set up in September 2013

For M1 J12-13 northbound, 3,765 have been caught since March 2014 and on M1 J10-11 southbound, 3,694 have been caught since November 2013.

On the M1 J12-13 southbound, 4,255 have been caught since March 2014.

Variable speed cameras are used on motorways to enforce temporary speed limits in order to reduce congestion and improve safety during poor driving conditions.

Nationally one in 20 (6%) motorists have been caught speeding in these zones, with eight in 10 (78%) of these drivers claiming they did not realise a change in speed was being enforced at the time.

Two in five (40%) drivers agree that variable speed cameras cause motorists to brake more suddenly and over a quarter (28%) say there is not enough notice before a change in speed.

Only one in 10 (10%) knew that variable cameras on UK motorways can drop to 20mph. And one in five (19%) admit they are often unsure if the speed limit is advisory or compulsory. It’s therefore, unsurprising, three in 10 (30%) feel they would benefit if more was done to raise awareness of where variable speed camera zones are located.

Eight weeks on from the murder of PC Keith Palmer in a terrorist attack in London, a major campaign is launched across the country today to help raise funds to build a new UK Police Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA).

Home Secretary, Amber Rudd said: “Every day, our police officers and staff go out to work not knowing what they might face, but do so with the utmost professionalism and bravery. We all owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

“That bravery was plain for everyone to see in the phenomenal response of the police to the shocking events in Westminster back in March, as a result of which PC Keith Palmer tragically lost his life.

“It is entirely fitting that those officers and staff who give their lives in the line of duty should be remembered with a lasting tribute. The Government has already committed £1m towards the UK Police Memorial and I hope the public also take this campaign to their hearts and recognise the importance of establishing a permanent place of remembrance.”

The UK Police Memorial will see:

* A physical memorial established in Staffordshire, set in a beautiful landscaped garden, inscribed with the names of over 1,400 police officers and staff who have died from injuries they sustained whilst carrying out their lawful duties. 

* The first memorial in the world to merge a physical and digital presence, that tells the story of policing and those behind the badge who have paid with their lives.

* A programme developed for schools and colleges to inform pupils and students about the history of our police service and the part it plays in today’s society. 

* A memorial that aims to foster a greater understanding and reconnection with the public and to bring back a sense of pride and value once more in UK policing. 

* A memorial where the names of officers and staff who may be killed on duty in future years can be added and remembered.

* The establishment of a Living Memorial fund that can support the families of officers and staff killed on duty in the future.

Chair of the UK Police Memorial Trust, Sir Hugh Orde said: “PC Palmer’s death has put greater emphasis on the need to create a place where the nation can honour and commemorate our police service and where family, friends and colleagues of those killed on duty can go to carry out personal acts of remembrance.

“The NMA is the place where the nation can go to remember our services and the men and women who have been killed in the course of their duty for their country.

“We need to establish a fitting memorial that recognises the vital contribution that policing makes to our society and acknowledges the courage and sacrifice made by police officers and police staff who have paid the ultimate price. That tribute must become part of the fabric of our national life.”

Today’s fundraising campaign is launched in partnership with the national news talk radio station LBC and Express Newspapers.

LBC breakfast presenter Nick Ferrari said: “After the tragic events in London which resulted in the death of a brave police officer, there can surely be no better time to remember the sacrifices that officers like he and others have given down the years.

“This is our opportunity to thank the brave men and women who stand on the front line for our security twenty-four hours a day, every day of the week and every week of the year.”

Paul Ashford, Editorial Director from Express Newspapers, said: “We are backing the memorial because Daily and Sunday Express readers recognise the role of the police in protecting our community sometimes even at the cost of their own lives, and agree that the heroism and sacrifice of thousands of policemen and women should have a national memorial of the highest order at the National Arboretum.”

Further information about the Memorial, how to make a donation or take part in fundraising activity can be found at the UK Police Memorial website www.ukpolicememorial.org

Anyone making a donation of more than £20 will receive a black and white Sillitoe wristband inscribed with the words ‘courage and sacrifice’.

A horrified groom thought his wedding day would be ruined, as he turned up at the church to find an intruder detained outside by his guests.

But it was just the start of a catalogue of mishaps for Mikey Smith and his bride Leila Moore.

Mikey, of Spoondell, had arrived early to meet the photographer at St Giles Church, Totternhoe, on the day of his wedding, on May 6.

But he was greeted by some of the wedding party who had detained a man who had broken into the church.

Leila said: “My dad, Ronnie Fenn, and the photographer had arrived to find the reverend who told them that she thought someone was inside the church. The pair of them went in and a man appeared.

“They called the police who said to keep the church empty until they arrived to gather evidence and take statements.

“Mikey arrived to find our photographer, Paul Bowen-James, and friend, John Christian, helping to restrain the man before the police arrived, while surprised guests were ushered into the church hall.

“Mikey was panicking - he was supposed to be getting married in 45 minutes!”

Luckily, Bedfordshire Police arrived and arrested the man, carrying out a quick forensic search before the wedding ceremony.

But the couple’s problems had only just begun, as Reverend Janet Spicer said she had not received their vital Banns certificate from Priory Church, and she could not legally marry them without it.

The certificate was located in Dunstable just in time for the arrival of a confused bride.

“Mikey rang my mum, Kerry, who was at the hotel with me and said we couldn’t get married without a certificate. That’s when the pandemonium broke out at our end!”

Leila decided that, if she couldn’t get married, the couple could have a blessing instead and “still have a party!”

But the couple were given the go-ahead just in time and Leila said: “As soon as I walked into church and looked at Mikey, it was just me and him.”

After the eventful wedding though there was to be one more hiccup...

Leila said: “Guests were saying it was the best wedding they had ever been to and Logan, my eight-year-old son who has Down’s Syndrome, was an absolute star.

“However, later that evening, my mum had to take my other son, Max, who’s nearly one, to Luton and Dunstable Hospital because he had gastroenteritis!

“She’d said he was tired before they left, but didn’t tell us what happened until she came to our hotel room with Max that following morning!”

Luckily, Max has made a full recovery and the couple are off on their honeymoon to Kefalonia, Greece, in July, before hiring a caravan thanks to local charity, Kids In Action, and going on a family holiday to Haven, Caister.

Mikey, 29, proposed to Leila, 32, in 2015 during a spa weekend after seeing Ed Sheeran live at Wembley. Mikey is a lorry driver and Leila is a district nurse.

They are completing a ‘Tough Mudder’ challenge this weekend to raise funds for Kids in Action.

To donate: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/leila-moore1

A police spokesman said a man from Dunstable has been charged with criminal damage and bailed pending a further court appearance later this month.

Fresh produce prices at Leighton Buzzard Market and two main supermarkets in the town have placed head-to-head to highlight the value on offer from stallholders.

The Friends of the Earth exercise, part of a campaign calling for the public to support the market, claims that some fruit and veg available at the market is, on average 15% cheaper than in the superstores.

South Beds FoE found 12 popular fruit and vegetable items sold at J Harris’ opposite Dillamore’s Furnishers – one of the market’s longest-established stalls – to be more affordable than equivalent products in a price comparison with the local Tesco and Morrison stores.

FoE’s research cites examples such as soup staples leek and potatoes which are, on average, 15% and 17% cheaper, and adds: “What makes the Leighton Buzzard market even more cost-effective is the high quality of its produce and that it is supporting local farmers.

“Whereas supermarket fruit and vegetables are generally delivered to a central warehouse and often have to travel hundreds of miles before reaching the store aisles, a Great Barford-based farmer (only 25 miles away), personally delivers a range of his vegetables which usually includes carrots, potatoes, onions etc to J Harris’ stall twice a week.

“South Beds Friends of the Earth have visited the farm and found that it used minimal pesticides in comparison with many larger farms. J Harris also sell a wide range of British grown veg and fruit.”

Marco Giudici, of South Beds Friends of the Earth, added: “J Harris, who has been at the very heart of our local market for over 20 years and knows most of his customers personally, is a great example of how a more sustainable, community-based approach to food retail is not only possible, but also translates into better quality at a fair price.

“Supporting our local market is a great way of keeping our town centre buzzing, fostering friendly relationships between producers and consumers and a stronger sense of community, which goes hand in hand with helping the environment.

“We really encourage people to try out the market and save money. These small simple actions make all the difference in keeping our town centre alive and we are so lucky in Leighton Buzzard compared with many other towns.”

FoE say eating more seasonal, local and sustainably grown fruit and vegetables can help reduce our carbon footprint in many ways. It curbs the amount of energy that goes into food production, storage and transportation and also means fewer greenhouse gas emissions from chemical pesticides.

They say another important environmental benefit is the reduction in packaging as the food items at Leighton Buzzard Market are often sold loose, meaning that customers can buy and place most of their fruit and vegetables directly in their carrier bags without producing any plastic or paper packaging waste.

This also makes it easier to select the right quantity of food and reduce food waste, whereas prepacked fruit and vegetable bags and cheap deals in supermarkets often encourage shoppers to buy more vegetables than needed and result in food being thrown away.

The general Leighton Buzzard Market it is held every Tuesday and Saturday and there is also a Farmers Market on the third Saturday and Craft Market on the fourth Saturday of each month. For more information visit www.leightonbuzzardmarket.co.uk.

> Of its price comparison table, FoE says: “Items cheaper at the market stall on March 11 opposite Dillamores were: Royal Gala apples, grapes, potatoes, sprouts, leeks, conference pears, cox apples, granny smith apples, avocadoes, melons, Braeburn apples, Galia Melons.

“Prices obviously change due to supply prices and seasons affecting when local farmers supply produce but the price comparison shows a significant difference on some items such20p (Tesco) or 60p (Morrison) on a kilo of UK Royal gala apples, or 15p on a kilo of leeks (Tesco) and 40p (Morrison).

“Obviously, some of the items are more expensive and this has been clearly marked.”

Where do you get your fruit and veg... and why? Email news@lbobserver.co.uk

A family of four will cough up almost as much as the cost of a weekly food shop to visit some of the country’s leading museums, according to new research.

Today (Thursday May 18th) is International Museum Day and a study from Voucherbox revealed parents with two children will pay more to take them on an educational day out than a visit to a cinema, a play centre or even a local zoo.

The data – which researched over 60 different venues across the UK – discovered 41% of the most popular family museums in the UK3 now charge an entrance fee.

Last year, government cutbacks forced many museums to introduce or raise entry charges in a bid to remain open. Venues such as interactive science centre At-Bristol now charge £11 per head for a day pass based on a family of four. So before shelling out for travel, food and drinks, an average family of four will likely spend the same as the £56.80 cost of an average weekly grocery shop.

Things don’t get much cheaper in the New Forest, with the National Motor Museum charging a whopping £64 for a family ticket. And the news isn’t much better in London, as parents with two kids wanting to learn about the wonders of World War II and the life of Winston Churchill will shell out £48.45 for a family ticket.

However, there are still some museums which offer free entry and a great experience for families. The British Museum provides two million years of human history and the Museum of London documents the capital’s rich and varied past.

Elsewhere in the UK, Manchester and Glasgow also offer fantastic free-to-enter options, with attractions including the Museum of Science and Industry, Greater Manchester Police Museum and the National Football Museum.

Marco Piu, Voucherbox general manager said: “Museums provide a great form of reference, a wealth of education and a great deal of fun so it is shocking to see that families are getting ripped off when it comes to days out.

“We would recommend you plan your trip ahead and take advantage of your day and be sure to check out deals online, as purchasing tickets before you arrive often means you can take advantage of cost savings.”

For those looking to enjoy International Museum Day for themselves then here are our top five FREE museums to enjoy on 18th May:

1. British Museum, London

2. Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester

3. Tate, St Ives, Cornwall

4. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham

5. Titanic experience, Belfast

For those looking for something different, these are the top five weird and wonderful museums to enjoy:

1. Dog Collar Museum, Leeds, £21.90 per adult, £16.90 per child

2. British Lawnmower Museum, Cornwall £3 per adult, £1.50 per child

3. Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, Cornwall £5 per adult, £4 per child

4. Marks & Spencer: Marks in Time, Leeds, free entry

5. National Motor Museum, New Forest, £24.75 per adult, £12.50 per child

A mum has complained to Asda over an offensive jumper in their childrens wear section deeming it to be offensive.

The mother accused the Walmart-owned supermarket of perpetuating “damaging” stereotypes due to a jumper with the slogan ‘Boys will be boys.’

First reported in The Independent, the mum wrote in a now deleted Facebook post that the jumper was problematic because it suggests that men can get away with offensive and misogynistic behaviour. The post spoke out against the jumper stating that it promotes this notion from an early age. Social media user Debbie Dee wrote: “Quite literally gobsmacked and raging to see this in Asda.

“This is so damaging and we cannot possibly still be spouting this nonsense to our children.

“Most people say this and don’t mean any harm by it. But boys having their behaviour excused like this from an early age – this message of being above the rules, it sticks.

“It also implies that boys have no impulse control. Boys are perfectly capable of respecting people and property.”

The post was was shared thousands of times with some suggesting that the jumper also presupposes that gender is binary. Asda did respond to the post and one spokesperson apologised saying: “Our aim is to make clothes people love, never to offend.”

They describe the fleece lined jumper on their website saying ‘Boys will be boys after all so why not treat your little one to this comfy jumper? Designed with a fleece lining that’ll keep them cosy and warm all day long, it’s perfect for lounge days or casual wear’.

Leighton families are battling through more power cuts due to an underground cable fault.

While businesses in Church Square were hit over the Christmas period, now families in Appenine Way, Carina Drive and Hockliffe Road are facing problems with cuts yesterday evening (Wednesday 17) and engineers still on site to complete further repairs.

A UK Power Networks Spokesman said: “UK Power Networks engineers worked as quickly and as safely as possible to restore power to customers in Leighton Buzzard yesterday evening (Wednesday) including properties in Appenine Way, Carina Drive and Hockliffe Road.

“570 customers were affected following an underground cable fault at 5.50pm yesterday. 356 customers had power restored at 7.25pm and all supplies to all customers were restored before midnight.

“Our engineers remain on site today (Thursday) to complete further repairs. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”