A role where you are required to eat three jam tarts a night might seem like a joy.

But for Wendi Peters, who stars as the Queen of Hearts in Wonderland, it’s becoming a little bit of a chore.

She said: “The Queen of Hearts is absolutely mad, sitting there eating a lot of jam tarts and cutting off people’s heads.

“Although now we have done more than 200 shows, eating three jam tarts every performance, you do get sick of them.

“We did look at trying to have something else but there is nothing else that looks like a jam tart.”

The show, loosely based on the books by Lewisis Carroll, is coming to Milton Keynes Theatre from Monday to Saturday July 17 to 22.

Hailed by the New York Times as ‘inspirational’, Wonderland is an enchanting musical adaption of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, with a huge heart, a medley of magic and a whole lot of wonder. It’s an adventurous exploration of who we are, who we want to be and the power of everyday magic.

In the tradition of the best stage musicals, Wonderland boasts a catchy score full of songs from Frank Wildhorn, writer of pop hits for Whitney Houston and critically acclaimed hits on both the West End and Broadway.

Wendi said: “In our version it is a little different in that Alice is just about to turn 40 and has got a daughter and she doesn’t want to live in normality. So rather than going down the rabbit hole, the white rabbit comes out under a lift shaft.

“I have got two very big numbers in the show and plus the Queen of Hearts have a very shouty part so it takes a lot on the vocal chords, especially when we have been doing it since January.

“Sunday is a rest day for my vocal chords and then when I am not performing I try to rest the voice as much as possible.”

As well as this being a new role for Wendi, this performance will be another first for her.

“The show is going really well and it is a lovely part and something for the entire family.”

“I have never performed at Milton Keynes Theatre before but I have been to see people in shows there.

“I’m looking forward to being there and it is only 45 minutes from my house so I can spend some time at home which is lovely when you have been touring for a long time.”

She has performed a number of different roles on both film and television but does she have a preference for either medium.

Wendi added: “It is lovely to have a mix of both stage and television work. I think if you had to put a gun to my head and forced me to choose just one to do for the rest of my life then it would be the stage.

“You get to play a lot more outrageous characters on the stage and that appeals to me.

“Whereas on television, people are after you to be a version of yourself at the moment.”

And despite the fact that she left the show in 2007, she will probably be associated with the part of Cilla Battersby Brown which she played for four years. Wendi said: “I had four years on Coronation Street and I met some wonderful people and some fantastic times on the show. She was a very brash, over the top character which is great to play. I think being a slightly larger lady, I am destined to play the over the top characters which is a lot of fun and something I really enjoy doing.”

She also returned very briefly in 2014 - and may yet return. Wendi said: “Never say never.”

Tickets cost from £22.40. Call 0844 871 7652 or visit www.atgtickets.co.uk/miltonkeynes to book.

A renowned chamber choir are celebrating 40 years of existence and are currently getting ready for their second celebratory concert.

The Linsdale Singers perform the special event at St Barnabas Church in Linsdale on Sunday, July 16.

Entitled Celebrate! Choral Music to Sing in the Summer, the programme comprises some of the favourite pieces that audiences have heard over the years.

It will include songs like George Shearing’s Songs and Sonnets and other music ranging from sacred classics to the Beatles.

In accompanied pieces the choir are delighted to welcome their regular organist, local Paul Daggett.

The choir are proud to welcome the town’s mayor, Councillor Syed Rahman as their honoured guest.

Also in the audience will be some past choir members who the choir are greatly looking forward to seeing again and who will be joining them for the last piece.

A spokesman for the group said that the end result should provide a wonderful sound and said that anyone looking to have good seats should come along early.

The Linsdale Singers is a choir of around 30 voices. Specialising in singing unaccompanied choral music, the choir also performs works that are accompanied by piano/organ or a chamber orchestra. This established choir enjoys a reputation for high quality choral singing in the Leighton Buzzard and Linslade area.

The concert starts at 4pm and is planned to last about an hour.

Afterwards, in the church hall, there is an opportunity to meet the choir members while enjoying coffee or tea and a delicious assortment of cakes, all inclusive in the price of your ticket of £5.

Accompanied children are free.

For those who wish to stay, the choir will then sing Choral Evensong at 6pm.

All proceeds in aid of St Barnabas Church.

David Heslop, 51, of Johnson Drive, was taking an afternoon walk at 1pm when he came across the smoking caravan in the middle of Mill Road, Slapton – near Greenacres Travellers Site.

The caravan was soon engulfed in flames, and David called the fire brigade, while also trying to reassure a horse owner who feared for her animals in a neighbouring field.

David claims: “I was walking over the fields and came to the point where the path stops and you have to take the road.

“I could smell something burning and there was this big caravan sitting in the middle of Mill Road smoking – as if it been dragged there for execution!

“It wasn’t long before the flames started and I could hear sounds of breaking glass and some shouts over the other side, presumably from the traveller community, as it was near the Greenacres site.

“The caravan just lit up in flames and rolled back into the trees!”

The horse owner’s field was on the side of the flaming trees, and David said the lady had gathered her horses in a corner away from the blaze to try and keep them safe.

Talking to David through the trees, the lady said she had first known something was wrong when her horses mysteriously stopped eating.

David also called the fire brigade but luckily they had been alerted and the whole incident “was over in about fifteen minutes!”

David added: “The fire service put the flames out quite quickly and one guy attacked the caravan with a hose.

“They also tackled the tops of the trees.

“Once the fire was under control, a second fire engine arrived and started pumping the caravan full of water.

“Nothing exploded apart from a few popping things. I think it was set alight on purpose and whoever did it had taken out anything they didn’t want to burn.

“There were cars waiting on both sides of the road, because it was blocked.

“The caravan? It was wrecked!”

A Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman, said: “We received a call about a caravan on fire outside the Greenacres travellers site by Toddbury Farm, on Slapton Road, Little Billington, at 12.50pm on Sunday, July 9.

“When the first of two fire appliances arrived from Leighton Buzzard Community Fire Station on the scene 12 minutes later it found a caravan on the roadway well on fire.

“The fire involved one hundred per cent of the caravan, 10m of conifer trees, 20sqm of stubble and overhead power lines.

“The road was closed by the police while firefighters fought the fire using two fire hoses and a jet while wearing breathing apparatus to protect themselves from the smoke and fumes.

“One fire engine was used to ferry water to the scene whilst the other was used to put out the fire which was extinguished by 1.48pm.

“The cause of the fire is unknown. There were no casualties. The incident was closed at 2.06pm.”

A Bedfordshire Police spokeswoman said: “We were called at approximately 12.55pm to reports of a caravan on fire in Mill Road, Slapton.

“Police attended and put a road closure in place while the incident was dealt with.”

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: "We had a report at 12.51pm yesterday that a caravan was on fire near Toddbury Farm Caravan Park, Slapton Road, Little Billington. Fire was extinguished at 1.11pm and caravan was recovered at 3pm although the road was closed until then.

"As this happened in the Bedfordshire Police area, any subsequent investigation into the cause of the fire if deemed suspicious will be down to Bedfordshire Police and fire service."

Eaton Bray’s Four Counties Division 1 title defence took another blow on Saturday as they lost to Printers by three wickets.

Setting 219 from the first innings, Eaton Bray weren’t able to defend their total as Printers (220-7) secured the three wicket win to edge themselves away from the relegation zone.

The result meanwhile leaves Eaton Bray cut adrift in fourth place, 81 points behind pace-setters Thurleigh, though they have a game in hand over the top two.

Eggington Foresters look destined for Division 3 next season after yet another lacklustre display with the bat saw them slump to defeat against Open University.

OU won the toss and elected to bat first, and benefitted from opener Adil Umer’s great form as he hit 66, while Naveed Ahmed added 44 batting at three.

Despite Ali Shah’s 3-59, the home side set a competitive 266-7 for Foresters to chase.

And there was little in the way of resistance when the bottom club got to the crease.

While both openers were out in the teens, only Sohail Arif made life difficult for OU as he hit 55, desperately trying to salvage some pride for Eggington.

But with no other batsmen reaching double figures, Eggs were bowled out for 148 and a 118 run defeat to remain rock bottom.

In Division 3, leaders Ivinghoe & Pitstone lost top spot thanks to Milton Bryan’s stubborn batting as the sides played out a draw.

Solid knocks throughout the Ivinghoe line-up, including 50 from Greg Roach saw the visitors bowled out for 258, with Cookseys Tom (4-42) and Chris (3-46) picking up the majority of the wickets.

Milton Bryan will count themselves unlucky not to have won, with James Barrington’s 57 and a not out 103 from skipper James Bailey the highlights of the innings, but with a lower-order collapse, they could only muster 229-9 to hold out for a draw.

Lois-Ann and her horse Chandlers Cross. Photo by Neale Blackburn Photography 2017

Lois-Ann O’Hara, of Stewkley, is taking on the Newmarket Town Plate for the first time and hopes to win the historic title. She will be going head-to-head with 15 other amateur jockeys, when the race kicks off the three-day Moet & Chandon 2017 July Festival at Newmarket Adnams July course.

She said: “I have been training and racing with Chandlers Cross for three years and before that I worked in racing for ten years before leaving and getting an office job. I really enjoy racing, it is hard to explain why, but it is an adrenaline sport and I like the buzz I get from it. I have always been someone that pushes themselves to the limit and racing does that for me, and I have met some lovely people along the way.”

The Newmarket Town Plate race, ridden only by amateurs, is run over a three-and -a-quarter mile course.

Lois’s 15-year-old horse, Chandlers Cross, will be retiring after the race.

The 29-year-old said: “This is one of our biggest and most important races. I am used to doing amateur jump races.

“My horse is now 15 so this will be his last race, his last jump race was at Easter and this one is like a big final race for him. He is so friendly and I will be keeping him, I want to take look after him and let him enjoy himself.

“This experience has been a learning curve for me and I want to thank everyone that has helped me along the way.

“In particular, Richard Clark, who has let me keep the horse at his, and Chris Coggin and the Kehoes, who have been there to offer me help and advice.”

Riders from across the world take part in the race and Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, who won the title last year, will be hoping to retain his title.

Dragged up an unwanted infant to become a youngster displaying all the usual tantrums, the latest co-production between the National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic certainly gives a different slant on the much-loved Charlotte Brontë story of Jane Eyre which opened in Milton Keynes last night (Monday) for a week long run.

A glitzy period drama this isn't, for Sally Cookson has revamped Brontë's sorrowful tale of orphan Jane who is faced with all manner of trials and tribulations before she arrives at Mr Rochester's Thornfield Hall where a mad women resides in the attic.

The cast of just seven actors is swelled by three on-stage musicians for some of the scenes with disease and illness rife among the poverty stricken poor. But forget any film and television adaptations you may have seen, for this classic tale displays so much physical action that if its actors wore Fitbits they'd all probably clock up thousands of steps at each performance!

Nadia Clifford plays the feisty Jane who wails loudly at her own birth in the opening sequence before she grows to become a determined, young head-strong north country lass, Manchester-born Nadia clearly making the role her own.

She faces everything head on, from the time she is sent from her foster home as a vulnerable ten-year-old to become a school boarder at Lowood Institute. And after that she becomes a governess before following her heart to finally end up with the man she loves.

Meanwhile the bearded Tim Delap makes his National Theatre debut as rich Thornfield Hall owner Edward Rochester and he doesn't disappoint. With a powerful voice and plenty of stage presence he tries desperately to keep his secret hidden from Jane who he appoints as a governess to his French ward Adele – but that only follows their first clumsy meeting when Jane unseats him from his horse.

Melanie Marshall plays 'mad woman' Bertha Mason which is not actually a speaking part. However she possesses a stunning operatic voice and performs several songs – 'Mad About The Boy and 'Crazy' being the best known – which are scattered throughout what is a lengthy three hour 15 minute production. Bertha's only 'acting' part is to attack her brother before setting fire to Rochester's bed and then going on to destroy his Thornfield Hall home.

Hannah Bristow is Jane's friend Helen Burns while she also has the role of the squeaky voiced Adele. Add that to being mad woman Bertha's secretive nursemaid Grace Poole along with playing Diane Rivers and Abbot. It all means that Hannah, like the rest of the cast, has a rather busy evening!

Meanwhile Paul Mundell adds comedy as the Lowood Institute school principal, the top hat-wearing Mr Brocklehurst as well as playing Rochester's faithful and adorable dog 'Pilot' with its strange wagging tail. He also plays the part of Richard Mason, brother of the mad woman in the attic.

Then there's Evelyn Miller. She is the maid Bessie besides being Mr Rochester's fiancee Blanche Ingram who is brushed aside when he admits his love for Jane. Evelyn also changes sex to become the Reverend St John who also wishes to marry Jane and to take her to India as a missionary… but that's only after our heroine leaves Thornfield Hall having learned on her own wedding day that Rochester still has a living wife.

Lynda Rook is Thornfield's jovial housekeeper Mrs Fairfax as well playing Mrs Reed while musicians David Ridley, Alex Heane and Matthew Churcher become schoolgirls – even though they have beards! – along with crowd scene extras while one is even a clergyman.

I particularly liked the human stagecoach arrangement as the actors were grouped together in a trotting formation before they grind to a halt for a 'comfort break'

Scenery and props are kept to a minimum while the stage itself takes on the look of a building site. Ladders are propped up against raised platforms and decking while symbolism is created with drop down lamps and window frames which together with some clever overhead lighting, adds dramatic effect.

Unfortunately some dialogue was lost thanks to the volume of the music while seeing actors get up and walk off stage after supposedly dying seemed a little clumsy.

Musically I was left rather confused for it all seemed rather disjointed and it added little to the storyline. In fact I simply couldn't see that there was any need for music at all, apart from the pre-recorded stuff which brought us rain and thunder. Also seeing actors dashing around the stage willy nilly and running up and down ladders, had director Ms Cookson taken an eraser to her script, then she could easily have trimmed Jane Eyre down to a little over two hours instead of three.

Jane Eyre plays Milton Keynes Theatre until this coming Saturday nightly at 7.15pm while there are matinee performances on Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm. For tickets call the Box Office on 0844 871 7652 (7p per minute, booking fees apply) or online at www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

The UK has a reputation (rightly or wrongly) for struggling to learn foreign languages. A recent survey showed, for example, that 62% of the population can’t speak any other language apart from English.

Part of the issue is that language learning in schools faces huge challenges. GCSE uptake remains stuck at around 50% and the number of students taking an A-level in a language has declined by about a third since 1996. And the latest Language Trends Survey, which looks at uptake of language learning across the UK, makes for worrying reading.

Headlines have focused on the north-south divide in the number of learners taking a languages GCSE – with the north generally having lower levels of uptake than the south of the country. But a closer look suggests the situation is more complex – with the problem going well beyond GCSE numbers.

For a start, the survey by the British Council shows there are big differences in the level of access learners have to languages at all stages of education. This can be seen in the fact that primary schools with a higher percentage of learners eligible for free school meals are more likely to allocate less time to language teaching – in many cases under 30 minutes a week. And we know from research we conducted at the University of Reading, the amount of time spent teaching languages at primary level influences learners’ progress when they get to secondary school.

Tongue-tied

The survey also shows that at secondary school, pupils of middle and lower attainment levels are being put off taking a language because of fears they will not get the high grades that matter so much to schools. And again here the link between socioeconomic factors and take-up is clear – the higher the proportion of learners eligible for free school meals, the lower a school’s level of uptake for languages in years nine, ten and eleven.

For some learners, this means they have minimal language learning at primary school, and then very possibly only two years of it at secondary school.

Depressingly, the report summarises the situation as:

Pupils in schools with the highest levels of economic disadvantage are more likely to be withdrawn from lessons in Key Stage 3, more likely to be allowed to drop languages after only two years, less likely to be able to study more than one foreign language, and less likely to take a language to GCSE.

Language gap

In many respects the “divide” between who gets to study a language is less a geographical one, and more about inequalities which stem from broader socioeconomic factors – which happen to coincide by and large with geography.

It is notable that more prosperous areas of the north – such as York – have relatively high numbers of learners taking languages GCSE, while the Isle of Wight – which is in the south but is also less advantaged economically – has one of the lowest.

In this sense, the findings of the Language Trends Survey echo those of previous studies, which show that languages are one of the subjects least likely to be studied by less advantaged pupils.

The most worrying aspect of all this is that the education system seems to be on the brink of engaging in a form of social engineering, by limiting access to the curriculum for certain groups of learners.

Boost to creativity

This is massively shortsighted, because learning another language has so many potential benefits – including improved cognitive functioning, a more tolerant outlook, social and communication skills as well as linguistic abilities that are valued by employers – which can potentially lead to better salary prospects.

But instead of encouragement to study these subjects, large numbers of learners – from some of the least advantaged groups in society – are being excluded from language study. And this narrowing of the curriculum is also being seen with the creative arts, as schools strive towards accountability measures that do not fully value such subjects.

This is why our latest research is looking at how exposing students studying French and German to poetry, drama and creative writing impacts their experience of language learning.

We hope this form of teaching may affect not only how well learners can understand and use languages, but also help students to feel more positive about language learning and their own levels of creativity.

And who knows, by making more visible the extent to which languages can enrich the education of young people, it may just help to halt the decline of language learning across the UK.

This article originally appeared in The Conversation

Plans for a second turbine at heath and Reach have been greeted with widespread opposition.

The proposal for a wind turbine at Checkley Wood Farm has garnered 143 letters of opposition from the public, as well objections from Heath and Reach, Great Brickhill, Potsgrove, Soulbury, Stanbridge, Tilsworth, Toddington and Woburn Parish Councils.

A petition of 582 signatures against the turbine has also been submitted by action group Stop Checkley Wood Turbine.

Nevertheless, planning officers at Central Bedfordshire Council have recommended full approval of the application, which brings significant environmental health benefits.

The turbine would generate enough electricity to power 1,118 homes and save 2,150 tonnes of carbon each year.

It is tipped to be a duplicate of the current turbine at Double Arches quarry in Heath and Reach, which was the biggest in the country when it was erected in December 2014.

Look out for the full story in next week’s Leighton Buzzard Observer.

< What are your thoughts on a second turbine for Heath and Reach? Please email any opinions to news@lbobserver.co.uk.

Firefighters found four cars on fire in a barn in Bridge Street in Leighton Buzzard on Monday, July 10.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue were called to reports of a fire at 5pm.

A spokesperson for the service said: “When firefighters arrived they found four cars on fire inside a barn, it was an accidental fire. No one was injured.

“The fire was put out and officers left by 6.20pm.”

>> Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire and Rescue Service responded to bushes on fire on Wing Road, Cublington on Monday night.

Firefighters were at the scene at 8.09pm, one appliance and crew from Aylesbury attended.

On the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire and Rescue Service website it says: “They suspect the fire was started deliberately.”

Firefighters rescued a woman from her car after she was injured in a collision involving two cars on Stoke Road, Soulbury, this morning.

Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire and Rescue Service were at the scene of the collision at 8.52am, they sent one appliance and crew from Bletchley, one from Leighton Buzzard and an officer attended.

Firefighters used hydraulic rescue equipment to rescue woman from the car.

Bedfordshire Police are appealing for the public’s help in finding a missing 50-year-old man from Leighton Buzzard.

Paul Jarman was reported missing today after he was last seen leaving his home in Leighton Buzzard at 6am on Thursday, July 6.

He is described as white, medium build, approximately 5’ 10” tall, and when he was last seen he had a white bicycle, was wearing sunglasses and had a large black bag.

Anyone with information about Paul’s whereabouts is asked to call 101 quoting reference number: MPC/2123/17.

You get two for the price of one with the celebrated Creagh/Carr Review - the opinions of seasoned hackette Bev Creagh and flamboyant newshound Stewart Carr. Here’s what they thought of the National Theatre/Bristol Old Vic collaboration of Jane Eyre, at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday, July 15.

CREAGH SAYS .... This is Jane Eyre as you’ve never seen her before in a production that rocks – raw, edgy, emotional and unbelievably powerful.

The set is stark and post modern, a vast climbing frame-come-scaffolding that doubles as the terrifying red room of her childhood and the bleak Yorkshire moors, to the Dickensian school where she was incarcerated and the country mansion of the enigmatic Mr Rochester.

The special effects are also astonishing and the three piece band teases, pleases and thunders with such intensity that it appears the whole theatre trembles. It weaves opera, gospel, jazz and folk, providing a remarkable musical background and emphasis to the storyline.

And then there are the actors, almost all of whom play multiple characters.

Special mention must be made of Paul Mundell as Mr Brocklehurst, Pilot and Mason. He moves from stern schoolmaster to over-affectionate, tail thumping dog with consummate ease, his canine mannerisms almost uncanny.

Evelyn Millar is also outstanding as Bessie/Blanche Ingram and St John, each a spell-binding cameo.

The story starts and ends with the birth of a girl. The initial infant in swaddling clothes unravels to reveal Jane’s first dress and in a neat finale book end, her dress rolls up to become a new bundle of joy.

Nadia Clifford as the spirited orphan created by Charlotte Bronte gives a riveting performance, proving that feminism was alive and thriving long before anyone put a label to it.

Her accent can be difficult to follow and is occasionally drowned out by the band but she is true to herself and her beliefs, no matter what life throws at her.

Tim Delap is a masterful Rochester – unpredictable, wracked by his past yet with a magnetism that proves irresistible to the consciously independent Jane.

And as for Melanie Marshall as Bertha Mason – she’s simply magnificent. Her rich powerful voice soars through the production. She’s a stunning troubadour, a narrator and how clever to cast her as the mad wife Rochester tries to deny.

All in all a stunning evening at the theatre which will electrify your senses. Don’t miss it.

CARR SAYS ... I think there’s an idea in the ‘bizz’ that each English classic must appear in every form of entertainment for it to truly deserve a place on the prized shelves of our literary cannon.

We’ve seen dozens of Jane Eyre’s on film and television and after a slumber of decades, it was only right that this revamped theatre production should give it a go.

And quite a long ‘go’ it is!

At three hours, whether this play is really worth the time depends on how much you’re taken away with its reimagined flames – they do actually consume the stage – of Jane Eyre’s desire.

Nadia Clifton in the title role puzzled me. While I liked the natural use of a Yorkshire accent for Jane Eyre, Clifton’s leaden approach would have you believe anyone with a regional dialect should speak with a mental age of about five.

Her bouts of primeval shrieking destroy the intellect and the self-control that fortified the heroine of the novel. One crawling meltdown follows another and I didn’t see the tenacity that for many exemplifies Jane Eyre.

Stripped down is probably the best way to describe it. So much of the novel’s dialogue is rightly cut out of necessity and so too is its rigid aesthetic.

Puffed-up sleeves and stifling Victorian frocks are out, we’re down to underskirts and corsets as the supporting actors volley between roles including barnyard animals and at the very beginning, a baby.

This ensemble races up and down ladders on a scaffold set that evolves into each setting of the novel, brought to life with technicolour lighting and a cinematic score. A ‘folk band’ reminiscent of Mumford & Sons gives it some rootsy identity and a truly scene-stealing opera narration by Melanie Marshall helps steer the plot from scene to scene.

My verdict was that I was left as unconvinced by a stage adaptation of Jane Eyre as before. But as fan of the novel, I’m glad that I’ve seen it!

Jane Eyre plays at MK Theatre until Saturday, July 15. See here for tickets.

Sparkly couture dresses and a massive tortoise are perhaps not the kind of things one usually associates with art exhibitions, but Waddesdon Manor is known for its innovative and unique approach.

The items are part of a new exhibition fusing fashion, digital art and animal specimens called Creatures and Creations in The Stables until late October. Inspired by the wildlife collections at the Natural History Museum in Tring, the patterns on the artwork and dresses on show are taken from birds, the giant tortoise and butterflies.

There is an obvious link, of course, between Waddesdon and the museum, both being Rothschild properties. Walter Rothschild, nephew of Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild who built Waddesdon, dedicated his life to the natural sciences and his private collection of specimens formed the foundation of his museum in Tring, which opened to the public in 1892.

The exhibition at The Stables focuses on 14 Rothschild specimens. Greek artist Platon H has designed digital collages exhibited on light boxes that respond to the beautiful abstract patterns in the wings, feathers and carapaces of birds and insects. And fashion designer Mary Katrantzou has transformed nature into three spectacular dresses.

Gregory Amore, senior designer with Mary Katrantzou, informed me that up to 25 people worked on creating each dress after Mary visited the museum in Tring to study the collections. Designs were drawn, fabrics printed, then there came pattern cutting, machinery and embroidery. The dresses can’t be laundered, they can be ‘spot cleaned’ and have linings which can be detached. Although made for size eight mannequins, if your bank balance stretches to couture dresses they can be altered for almost any size.

All the contemporary exhibits are for sale, but price is on application only.

The shop within the exhibition is selling china plates costing over £80, so it’s fair to say the potential audience for these art sales will come from a privileged few.

On loan from the museum in Tring, several Rothschild specimens are displayed alongside the two artists’ contemporary interpretations.

Outside the exhibition is a large tortoise in the stable yard especially for ‘selfies’ which children – and grown ups – can enjoy sitting on to have pictures taken.

Inside the manor is a rather more typical art exhibition, Power and Portraiture, painting at the court of Elizabeth I.

This is centred on two portraits attributed to Nicholas Hilliard, the most famous miniaturist in Britain, but here the works displayed are two full size oil paintings showing Elizabeth I and Sir Amias Paulet, her resident ambassador to France.

As a contrast with the first Elizabeth, our own queen is also represented in the exhibition, with the display of Lucien Freud’s portrait, painted to celebrate her 80th birthday, as well as a massive picture created from buttons.

This is The Pearly Queen of Shoreditch by Ann Carrington, a huge depiction created from the familiar postage stamp image of the queen.

In fact, this was displayed in the Manor restaurant for a long time, but creates a much more immediate impression here.

Both exhibitions run at Waddesdon on the opening days of Wednesdays to Sundays until October 29.

Full details of all opening times, exhibitions and ticket prices online at www.waddesdon.org.uk

Harlequins celebrated winning seven county championships in Luton last weekend in the County Floor and Vault competition at Salso Gymnastics.

The Leighton-based squad had 19 gymnasts competing in Luton, bringing home some impressive results and a lot of medals.

Hannah Cladd (Level 7, 7/8 years), Amy Sayell (Level 7, 8/9 years), Olivia Lawrence (Level 6, 11+ years), Imogen Cook (Level 5, 9/10 years), Cassidy Pratt (Level 5, 11/12 years), Bethany Smith (Level 3, 11/12 years) and Georgi Issott (Level 3, 13+ years) all came away with gold medals around their necks, claiming with it the county champion crowns.

Level 7 age 7/8 years – Lucy Walsh competing for the first time for Harlequin came joint silver on vault and silver on floor with a score of 22.70 to come second overall.

Ruby Perkins Gold on vault and bronze on floor with a score of 22.33 to come 3rd overall.

Level 7 age 9/10 years – Ulani McCabe-Huggins competing for the first time for Harlequin having only joined us a short time ago received gold on vault and silver on floor with a score of 22.28 to come second overall.

Annie Hoskins having just moved up from development and competing for the first time received silver on vault, fifth on floor with a score of 21.93 to come third overall.

Level 6 age 9/10 years – Shai-Amari Freckleton gold on vault and silver on floor with a score of 23.01 to come second overall.

Evie-Mai Crossley silver on vault and fourth on floor with a score of 21.96 to come fourth overall.

Stella Rowley competing for the first time for Harlequin having only just joined the club finished with a score of 21.28 to come fifth overall.

Level 5 age 9/10 years – Clara Foster bronze on vault and fourth on floor and with a score of 22.65 to come joint third overall.

Emma Layzell fourth on vault and bronze on floor with a score of 22.65 to come joint third overall.

Level 5 age 11/12 years – Elizabeth Hardie gold on vault and silver on floor with a score of 23.00 to come second overall.

Level 3 age 11/12 years –Morgan Cook bronze on vault and silver on floor with a score of 23.65 to come second overall.

Caitlin Garbutt silver on vault and bronze on floor with a score of 23.25 to come third overall.

Coach Nikki Gundry said: “The gymnasts and the club had one of their most successful competitions for some time.

“A big congratulations to all those who competed and a special mention and thanks to all the coaches for their hard work in putting the routines together.”

A schoolgirl from Leighton Buzzard with ambitions of being a police officer – and whose dad has been in prison for much of her life – got a unique look at policing behind the scenes.

Catherine Peach contacted police to ask if her daughter, Lizi, could visit a police station. Lizi, aged 11, wants to join the force when she is older in order to make a difference.

Her wish is to help stop people making the same mistakes her dad – who has been in prison on several occasions during Lizi’s life – has made.

Catherine’s “touching” letter stated: “My daughter is 11 years old. When she was born her dad was in jail. He has been in and out her whole life and therefore hasn’t seen her.

“Lizi has taken it on herself to become a police officer.

“She wants to stop people from making the mistakes her dad made. She wants to make a difference.”

Lizi was taken on a tour of Luton Police Station on Friday, July 7 by PCSO Dan McHugh, and got to speak to several officers first-hand about their jobs. Lizi was also given a demonstration of how fingerprints are taken, stroked a police dog, and got to test out the sirens of a police car.

PCSO McHugh said: “It was great to see how enthusiastic Lizi is about policing, and she clearly really enjoyed the tour on Friday. It’s really important that we engage with people in our community from a young age so that they realise that we are here to help people, rather than something to be frightened of.

“We look forward to seeing her out on the beat in Bedfordshire in a few years’ time!”

Mum Catherine added: “It was important for Lizi to learn more about how the police station works and to meet some officers who do the job for real.

“The police were really accommodating and Lizi had a great time, in particular she enjoyed meeting the police dogs and seeing the work of the forensics officers.”

Tomorrow, Bedfordshire families and mums-to-be can visit an exciting open day at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital’s (L&D) Maternity Unit.

The hospital are inviting families to MAMMA, the ‘Maternity And Mothers Meeting Day’, taking place on Thursday, July 13, from 4.30pm - 8pm at a marquee on the hospital site, near the Maternity and Women’s Health building.

A Luton and Dunstable University Hospital spokeswoman, said: “It is an ideal opportunity for parents-to-be to meet our staff and also find out about the range of services on offer at the L&D, from holistic integrated pregnancy care, to our midwifery led birth centre, high risk obstetric care, caesarean sections and postnatal services, and get involved in the development of our maternity services.”

The new birthing pool, which has been installed following patient feedback, will be officially opened by Baroness Cumberlege and Trust chairman, Simon Linnett.

Visitors will also be asked to get involved in naming a fun kangaroo as the mascot for the services, by suggesting a name during the open day.

This bouncy mascot will then be used on all future promotional and printed materials for the unit.

No booking is necessary, but for more information email consultant midwife: stella.roberts@ldh.nhs.uk

Police are urging drivers who continue to use their phones at the wheel to watch this devastating crash footage.

Warning: The video shows distressing video crash footage

The video shows 30-year-old Tomasz Kroker from Andover, Hampshire, smashing into a row of parked cars while scrolling through his phone on the motorway.

Tracy Houghton, 45, was killed in the crash along with her sons Ethan, 13, and Joshua, 11, and her partner’s daughter Aimee Goldsmith, 11. Kroker had been changing the music on his phone when he ploughed into the car with a court hearing back in October that he had barely looked at the road for almost a kilometre.

Police released the distressing footage after the crash in a bid to stop drivers using their phones at the wheel. They said they had worked with the family to produce the video clip to “highlight the potentially catastrophic consequences of using a mobile phone whilst driving.”

A campaign asking motorists “where do you keep yours?” is running alongside an enforcement campaign which started on Monday, July 10, targeting those committing mobile phone related driving offences.

Statistics show that across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire men aged 21-50 are most likely to use their phone at the wheel with those aged 31 to 40 committing the most offences.

Across the three areas men have been responsible for 768 mobile phone related offences so far this year with women responsible for 155.

Overall the number of mobile phone related driving offences has reduced over the past three years from 2,413 in 2014 to 1,009 in 2016 . The consequences of using a mobile phone at the wheel can be fatal and the penalty for using a mobile phone at the wheel increased in March with motorists flouting the law now set to receive six points on their licence and a fine of up to £200

Chief Inspector Andy Piper of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit said: “While it excellent news that motorists in the three counties are taking on board warnings about the dangers of using their mobile phone at the wheel we want to make sure everyone realises the dangers of being distracted while driving.

“The best way drivers can ensure they are not distracted by their phones is to turn them on to silent or ‘do not disturb’ mode and to keep them out of sight.

“I look forward to hearing some of the innovative ways people have come up with to avoid being distracted by their phones while driving.”

In October 2016, Kroker was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment at Reading Crown Court for each count of death by dangerous driving and four years’ imprisonment for causing serious injury by dangerous driving. All of the sentences will run concurrently. He was also disqualified from driving for seven years.

Some ‘deflated’ traders on Leighton Buzzard market are still threatening to quit, despite a town council compromise over its revamp plans.

A second lengthy meeting between stallholders, councillors and council officers took place on Tuesday evening - but failed to satisfy campaigners who remain angry, despite negotiating a concession that fresh food stalls will not now be moved with all other traders to the north side of the High Street.

Trader such as Paul Harris (fruit and veg) and Paul Hopwood (fish) had claimed it would be impossible to operate from the sunnier side of the street and they would be forced to leave.

But while that issue has been addressed, changes to more uniformed pitch sizes (no business can have more than three 3mx3m pitches) and pitch fees remain a cause for concern for traders as the council looks for improvements following a consultant’s report which said the current market layout looks loose, untidy and has no critical mass.

A total of 2,045 people signed a petition calling for the layout of the market to stay the same with no pitch size changes.

Karen Young, of Turner’s Nurseries flower stall, situated outside Rosehill Pharmacy, attended Tuesday’s meeting at the Pantry cafe, but said the meeting had “gone around in circles”.

She said: “The fish, cheese and fruit/veg can stay on their side. That is a positive. I think the council felt if they did compromise a litle bit we might back down [on the other issues]. Three other traders on the south side have still got to move over, but they don’t want to.”

Karen said there had been no change to the new uniform pitch ruling. “Dave on cards has got a 25ft depth. His pitch size will be split in half in theory.”

She added that long-standing traders would be hit by the regularised pitch fees as many had negotiated their own price many years ago.

She also conceded that traders had unofficially expanded to larger than agreed pitch size and historically not paid extra for this.

But she said: “A lot of regular traders will end up paying more. More money for less space. This will put people out of business. We are passionate about our business, that’s why we have been here so long.

“No-one can afford more rent because business is not going to be there and it is just going to mess the market up. It there was a queue of traders wanting to get on the market, then fine. All the hardcore traders will be charged more. They aren’t listening.”

On Saturday, the council will be showing traders a sample of the new gazebos so they can decide if they want one. She said: “If people prefer they can keep their own stall but only if it fits within the 3x3 criteria.”

Leighton-Linslade Town Council took over the running of the market from Central Beds Council in 2012 and say the changes lined up for mid-August have been well researched and are being introduced to tackle decline.

The Retail Group was commissioned by the council at a cost of £12,000 – from a market relaunch budget of £113,000 – to analyse the current set-up and provide recommendations.

In their report, The Retail Group stated the market was presenting an “underwhelming customer experience” and not acting as the anchor it could be for the town.

It said having stalls split on both sides of the High Street had reduced the customer experience, and said 70% of traders were using traditional steel frames and tarpaulin and that more gazebos and branded canopies should be used.

Leighton-Linslade Town Council has been approached for further comment following last night’s meeting...

What do you thin? Email news@lbobserver.co.uk

Tom Wade reviews War for the Planet of the Apes (12A), starring Andy Serkis

It’s been about 20 years since the fall of human civilisation. Caesar leads his fellow intelligent apes in a life that craves peace and healing after his previous conflict with human survivors was prompted by an ape traitor named Koba. Humans, it seems, won’t allow this to happen, and when Caesar comes into contact with the remains of the US military, tragedy visits his family. These events send Caesar down a path of personal vengeance and hatred, one that will have ramifications for the future of humans and apes alike.

Completing the trilogy of the Planet of the Apes reboot, War continues the pleasing trend of being perhaps the most soul-crushingly bleak franchise in the history of Hollywood. Directed and co-written by the talented Matt Reeves (who is off to direct the new Batman film next), War is a superb summer blockbuster that manages to combine emotion, action, sophistication and raw intensity to great effect.

Headlining it all is Andy Serkis who is unsurprisingly amazing in his role of Caesar. Performance capture has come a long way since Serkis was starring as Gollum, and his Caesar is totally believable. Having recently re-watched War’s predecessor Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, the leap forward in a short time in realism in Caesar and his fellow apes has grown so sophisticated that it's sometimes hard to believe they aren't real. Reeves has taken the decision to film his characters in long, lingering close-ups, revealing their sad, soulful eyes, and not once did I find myself remembering that I was watching a collection of CGI characters. With every release of an Apes film there is clamour for Serkis to be rewarded with Oscars and this is further proof that performance capture should be recognised.

It’s not just Serkis however - the humans are just as interesting. Woody Harrelson is superb channelling Brando in Apocalypse Now as the ruthless, ape-hating Colonel. Although the rest of his army are given little screen time to develop, his presence is magnetic enough to command the screen whenever he is around.

Another highlight has to be the musical score. Composed by Michael Giacchino, it is quite magnificent, at times sounding like a biblical epic before changing effortlessly during one tense standoff to evoke classic western and Samurai styles. Similarly, the cinematography is breathtaking at times, creating horrifying vistas of captivity against the backdrop of mountains and natural beauty.

War is a sophisticated blockbuster that completes one of the best trilogies that Hollywood has presented for years.

A new construction and engineering skills centre in Leighton Buzzard will open its doors for the first time to the public today.

The Central Beds College centre for construction skills on Chartmoor Road will run an open day today lasting from 4pm to 7pm.

Expected to be complete by mid August, the purpose-built high end technology centre will be able to accommodate 350 students and it is hoped that it will become an integral part of the community.

Stephen Catchpole said: “The new Central Beds College Centre in Leighton Buzzard will have a lead role in helping local students gain technical skills they need to work in important and growing industries.

“From the outset, it’s had significant involvement from businesses so that it meets the needs of future employers. Our £2.5million Local Growth Fund investment in this Skills and Technology Centre will encourage and develop young people into successful employment in a town that’s growing.”

For more information, visit here.