Leighton Buzzard and Linslade turned out in great numbers to remember those who have fallen in conflicts since the First World War.

The annual Remembrance parade took place on Sunday, November 12, as residents were invited to gather at the market cross from 10am.

There was a parade to the cenotaph at 10.40am for the 11am ceremony. Once again there was no marching band this year, and the Royal British Legion is on the lookout for one that can be part of the ceremony going forward.

All Saints Church then held a service of Remembrance at around 11.15am, with a service also held in Mentmore Memorial Gardens just after 12noon.

George Compton, chairman of Leighton Buzzard branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “I would like to thank all the veterans and uniformed organisations who took part on the parade on Sunday.

“Again it was an excellent turn out and the large numbers were very pleasing to see.

“It was also good to see Wally Randall (our 102 year-old veteran) was also on parade.

“I must also say thank you to the owners of the Poppy lorry, WW2 fire engine and the Ferret Scout car who were also on parade.

“My only regret was that one member of the public thought it was the right thing to do by trying to drive up the High Street while the parade was forming up and then could not turn round because he was in the middle of the spectators, so they had to reverse back down the street.

“Other than that it was an excellent, if not a chilly day.”

> Schools met at the cenotaph on Friday at 11am for their own act of Remembrance.

See two pages of photos in the November 14 issue of the LBO.

A nine-year-old girl from Cheddington has raised £448 for Children in Need by running 120 miles over the past year.

After watching last year’s charity telethon, Grace Ambrose pledged to run two miles every weekend and has now completed her challenge.

She has been running a mile out of the village at weekends and then back again with either mum Suzanne or dad Peter.

Grace said: “I watched some of the programme (Children in Need) last year with mum.

“There was a lady who had cancer.

“She had two children and she wanted to do something special for them so she took them to this centre which was sponsored by Children in Need.

“So I wanted to help children like those too.”

Grace completed the challenge alongside her parents and has had a lot of support from close friends and family, however she only recently told her classmates at Cheddington Combined School.

She said: “They were really surprised and proud of me.

“I had to stand up in front of my class and tell them all about it.

“They gave me a big clap.

“I would like to thank mum and dad because they have been running with me and have been really, really supportive.

“I’ve inspired my little brother Jack and he hopes to do this challenge next year.”

Grace has held a number of other fundraising events for Children in Need alongside her running - a five kilometre fun run for mothers which raised £80 and a yard sale in which she sold old toys on her driveway and raised £30.

She is currently working on organising a duck draw with the fundraising kit sent to her by Children in Need.

Members of The Friends of Linslade Woods have been angered after their ten-year commemorative bench was discovered vandalised.

The bench in the woodland was installed last year, with Andrew Selous MP attending the celebration to cut the ribbo.

The group believe the bench was damaged over bonfire weekend.

A committee member from The Friends of Linslade Woods said: “It is just infuriating, the commemorative bench has been vandalised by mindless idiots that have no respect.

“Sadly, first the plaque was damaged and now this well used bench has to be repaired, possibly by volunteers, who have more important tasks to do, having now to do remedial work.

“The bench was strong, lovely and used by many of the community, it was a lovely site and now it has been damaged, hopefully we can repair it.

“The missing arch to the back of the bench has been found by a volunteer.

“This wood is patrolled by Street/Wood Watch. We have not reported it to the police but I think we will be at some point.”

A Leighton Buzzard woman has been fined for littering after being caught throwing takeaway-style boxes out of her car.

On May 22, Jena O’Halleron, of Highcroft, and the driver of her vehicle were caught on a dash cam throwing away the rubbish at the Poynters Road roundabout on the Luton/Dunstable border.

The dashcam footage was passed to Central Beds Council by the member of the public who recorded the offence and O’Halleron was asked to attend Luton Magistrates’ Court.

O’Halleron, who failed to attend court, was found guilty of not responding to the Section 108 Questionnaire and was fined £440, ordered to pay £375 towards prosecution costs and £44 victim surcharge, totalling £859.

Councillor Budge Wells, Deputy Executive Member for Community Services, said: “This prosecution is another great result for our Community Safety Operations Team.

“By using dash cam images provided by a member of the public, it shows how cameras can help reduce crime, nuisance and anti-social behaviour, and assist in securing arrests and prosecutions.

“We have a zero-tolerance attitude toward fly-tipping and littering in Central Bedfordshire, and our Environmental Protection, CCTV, Waste and Legal teams work relentlessly to ensure offenders are brought to justice.

“We want Central Bedfordshire to remain a great place to live and work.

“Failure to properly dispose of any type of waste is simply not acceptable, and we will take action against anyone caught – regardless of the type or quantity of discarded waste.”

Scott Reynolds believes his Leighton Town side have what it takes to win the FA Vase this season after reaching the third round.

Saturday’s 1-0 win over London Lions set them up a trip to with Gorleston, to be played early in December.

“This is a competition we want to do well in,” said manager Reynolds. “We’re into the third round proper now.

“This competition is played by teams at step five and six, and we’re one of the better teams at step five, so we back ourselves to beat anyone on our day.”

Against Lions on Saturday, Leighton had more of the ball and the better chances, but had to wait until the 85th minute before securing their place in the third round, and it came in spectacular fashion as Matt Hall scored direct from a corner.

And according to the manager, it was fully deserved.

Reynolds added: “In the first half, we had some good chances, and had we put one or two away, we’d have been out of sight.

“The longer the game went on, the opposition grew into the game, they had something to hold on to at 0-0.

“But full credit to London Lions, they were really organised and played some really attractive football, they’ve got dome good invididuals too and worked hard. But we did enough.

“The chances were in our favour, possession was in our favour and a different type of goal - scoring directly from a corner - wins us the game late on.”

There have been 18 reports of charity collection boxes stolen in Bedfordshire in the past fortnight, including a Poppy Appeal tin from Hockliffe.

Police say investigating officers are pursuing several lines of enquiry and are exploring the possibility that some of the incidents are linked.

George Compton, chairman of the Leighton Buzzard Royal British Legion, said: “As far as we are aware there is only one Poppy tin stolen in the Leighton Buzzard area – from Hockliffe.

“We will not know of any others until they are collected this week.

“It is a disgusting thing to do.”

Police have confirmed that among the tins stolen was a Poppy Appeal box at Chalgrave Manor Golf Club, and there have been a further four thefts of Poppy Appeal tins in Toddington.

The clocks have just gone back and it's cold and dark outside, so here's the challenge. Where do you go to get some warm winter sunshine at a great value price, a quality hotel on a perfect sandy beach, with a flight that lasts less than two and a half hours?

Well, get your travel hit list out, and your bag packed, because having just returned from Portugal with my wife, staying at the Holiday Inn Algarve, for seven nights in the small but perfectly formed resort of Armacao de Pera, on a Saga Travel package, I now have the answer.

Here is why I was so impressed … let’s start with the hotel:

The Holiday Inn, Algarve, Armacao de Pera

‘Location, location, location’. This old adage in the property business is also very apt when it comes to holidays and it’s hard to imagine a more perfectly situated hotel. Walk out the back of the hotel, down a few steps and you are in the sand with the sea lapping around your ankles.

This was great for my early morning, pre-breakfast beach walks to photograph the perfect sunrise. Head out of the front door and you are right on the promenade, with shops and restaurants within minutes.

The four-star Holiday Inn, Algarve is a highly efficient hotel, with friendly and helpful reception staff who all speak good English. We had an immaculately clean and spacious room with a small balcony overlooking the sea and all Saga allocated rooms have air conditioning, a safe, tea making facilities, a fridge and a TV that gets the main British channels. No missing ‘The Great British Bake Off’ here!

Add to all that, a very nice outdoor pool overlooking the beach, a gym if you are that way inclined, a hairdresser and an ocean view lounge bar and it was almost impossible not to feel relaxed. A couple of nights during the week the hotel also offers live entertainment in the bar.

What about food? Well, most dining takes place in the main restaurant, which is buffet style. The view of the sea, through the floor to ceiling windows, gives the impression of almost being on a cruise ship.

Guests always have a choice of meat, vegetarian or fish dishes and the hotel thoughtfully offers sugar free, or gluten free breakfast cereals in the morning.

Like many guests, we were on the ‘all inclusive’ board option. This meant we got lunch and selectively listed drinks during set times of the day, which included wine and beer and of course as you would expect in Portugal… Port.

As an alternative, you could also choose to dine in the Raj, an independent Indian restaurant attached to the hotel, for an extra charge. The food and service here was outstanding and the night we dined there, we were treated to a very lively ‘hot jazz’ performance by the group ‘Cool Manouche’. A fabulous atmosphere and evening.

With all this it’s hardly surprising that many of the guests we met return year after year. We chatted with one couple, who were on their 21st visit. I think they liked it!

The Saga Service

One of the most important emotional touch-points of any holiday is the arrival and welcome and this could hardly have been better.

After a seamless pick up at Faro airport and just a 35 minutes transfer, we were literally met at the hotel door with a warm handshake from our very smart Saga rep Luis. Our bags instantly disappeared, only to re-emerge in our room by the time we got there.

We however, were immediately whisked away to the hotel lounge for 'white sangria' and a personal briefing from Luis – a great welcome and a wonderful start.

Amazingly, Luis maintained this level of enthusiasm and service to all Saga guests, throughout the whole week. Wherever you were in the hotel, Luis would almost magically pop up looking for ways to help. “I treat guests as if I were dealing with friends in my own home," he told me.

As a Portuguese local, he was very keen to share the local culture and to engage with Saga guests. One evening he led a discussion about local food and culture and on another he organised and ran a quiz. Low key, but very sociable and fun.

Saga Excursions

For guests who want to be a bit more active and do more than relax by the pool or beach, as part of the price of seven day holidays are two included excursions.

These are ‘The Cork Route’, which culminates in a visit to a traditional cork factory. The other is a great value full day tour of the Western Algarve, taking in Lagos, Sagres, and Cape St Vincent… the most south-westerly point in Europe.

Those guests, staying for two weeks, also get an additional two included excursions. These are… ‘Algarve Villages’, a full day exploring traditional pretty villages, churches and white washed houses. The other is the ‘Sardine Route’, a half-day trip to a fishing village and sardine factory.

A full list of other optional excursions is also offered to Saga guests, for an additional charge.

The Resort – Armacao de Pera

With a population of just 10,000 local residents, Armacao de Pera, has long standing fishing roots and traditions. In fact the name ‘Armacao’ means the setting of tuna nets, so called because of the fisherman who used to visit every spring and summer. Part of the beach is still known locally as ‘Fisherman’s Beach’.

Here you can choose from several very ‘lay back’ coffee bars, where for an amazing 2.5 euros you can buy a beer and a great cup of coffee, and sit for as long as you want, soaking up the sun and sea. By far the best of these coffee bars is Café Palhota.

Now of course, tourism also plays a huge part in the resort’s economy. With its mix of traditional Portuguese living, and the usual tourist souvenir shops and restaurants, Armacao de Pera makes an interesting and lovely holiday destination.

The holiday verdict

Wearing my travel writer hat, I have over many years, become a self-confessed grumpy cynic. So before our trip, when I read in the ‘Saga Europe and Mediterranean’ brochure – ‘quite simply the most relaxing beach holidays you can imagine’ – I took this as just marketing hype.

The simple fact however, is that this claim turned out to be totally justified. My short trip delivered on every level – great value and reassuringly high standards from Saga Travel.

As a region, the Algarve offers fantastic beaches; a climate that is generally sunny and dry all year round… perfect for sun bathing; walking and of course golf. I only wish I had stayed for two weeks!

Travel Facts

Saga Travel offer packages to the locally rated four-star Holiday Inn, in Armacao de Pera, Algarve from prices starting at £453 per person departing from London Gatwick for seven nights half board – all-inclusive options are also available.

It includes: All breakfasts and dinners, free Wi-Fi at your hotel, fruit and water in your room on arrival, porterage at the hotel, return flights and transfers, dedicated Saga Representative and welcome drink as well as two local excursions.

Contact: Saga Holidays 0800 092 0803, or visit their special website pages for full details of this holiday and other Portugal holidays.

https://travel.saga.co.uk/holidays/destinations/europe/portugal.aspx

For additional information about the Holiday Inn, Algarve visit: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/algarve/faoap/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-HI-_-PT-_-FAOP

A trial for a Leighton Buzzard father and son accused of shooting at an unmarked police car has been set for 2018.

Bernard Baldwin, 63, of Dove Tree Road, and his son Richard, 35, of Saturn Close, have today pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder charges against two PCs at Eden Way, Billington Road, on September 22.

They have also pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause grevious bodily harm to both officers on the dates specified, and also not guilty to carrying a loaded firearm.

Victoria Baldwin, 41, also of Saturn Close, is accused of removing a shotgun from the scene of an offence.

A trial date for all three has been provisionally set for May 22, 2018.

Leighton Buzzard moved up to eighth in Midlands 1 East after cruising to victory over bottom club Market Rasen & Louth.

The 42-19 win, their fourth of the season, also saw them pick up a bonus point as they ran in six tries against their opponents at Wrights Meadow.

However whilst the final score suggests a convincing performance, this was a far from straightforward victory against the league’s bottom side.

The visitors provided spirited opposition and Leighton’s inability to secure their own set-piece ball for long periods of the game will be a cause for concern.

Buzzards were ahead after only seven minutes. A well-worked forward move after a lineout allowed Jacob Barker the opportunity to touch down to give Buzzards a 5-0 lead.

The visitors were working themselves back into the game and from a Leighton line out that was significantly overthrown, the Buzzard defence was carved open. With the try line beckoning, a last ditch tackle by Arran Perry prevented the try.

Despite a period of pressure the Buzzard defence held firm –but with their scrums and lineouts misfiring, Leighton had only limited possession to work with.

However the backs looked dangerous when in possession and halfway through the half, scored one of their trade mark long distance tries.

Flyhalf Jack Whitehouse stole possession in the tackle, allowing Euan Irwin to break into the opposition half and to pass to fullback Ben Beaumont to score under the posts. Jocky Marshall converted to give Buzzards a 12-0 lead.

Five minutes later another Whitehouse – Irwin combination in midfield set winger Arran Perry into space to score Buzzards’ third try, which again Marshall converted.

Undeterred by these setbacks Market Rasen were continuing to control significant amounts of possession and territory and created space for their left winge , who, having breached the defensive line, touched down under the posts.

The continuing problems in securing Buzzards ball, was providing opportunities to the visitors and, in a nervy end to the half for the home supporters, Market Rasen added a second converted try to leave the halftime score 19-14.

The early part of the second half was very similar to much of the earlier play. Buzzards looked dangerous with their limited possession, although they extended their lead to 22-14 after twelve minutes with a Jocky Marshall penalty.

Four minutes later Buzzards scored another long range try – winning the ball 10 metres from their own line, a spectacular combination of excellent handling, decisive breaks and continual support secured a bonus point try. It was appropriate that Jack Whitehouse, the initiator of the move, should be on hand to score the try to give Buzzards a 27-14 lead.

Effective use of the replacements bench, with Paul Greenway adding substance to the scrum and 17 year old Jacob Murtagh not only adding dynamism, but also improving the lineout throwing meant that the Buzzard set-piece was looking more solid than at any earlier point.

Jordan Cummings added a fifth try following a drive from a lineout to give Buzzards a 32-14 lead.

But back came Market Rasen with a try in the corner following strong running from their scrum half.

With the lead only 13 points at 32-19, and ten minutes left, Buzzards took the opportunity for Darren Braybrook to kick a penalty to take the lead to 35-19 and leave Market Rasen the improbable target of at least three scores to win the game.

In fact there was only time for Buzzards to score their sixth try and the fourth from inside their half.

This time Arran Perry made the decisive break and, having made sixty metres, was held up just short.

It says much about the mobility of the Buzzard pack and fitness levels that it was a front row forward, captain Michael Lynch who was on hand to take the try-scoring pass. Darren Braybrook converted to make the final score 42-19.

Buzzard’s next game is a Bedfordshire Cup game away at Bedford Swifts on Saturday November 18, kick off 2:15pm

She might have won the Strictly glitterball trophy last year but Joanne Clifton has described her latest role as a dream come true.

She stars as Alex Owens alongside Ben Adams in Flashdance coming to Aylesbury Waterside Theatre from Monday to Saturday, November 20 to 25.

It will be a return to Aylesbury for Joanne who previously appeared at the venue in Thoroughly Modern Millie which won rave reviews when it came to the area as part of a UK tour.

Joanne said: “This is just another dream come true! I think everyone in the world, whether dancer or non-dancer, as soon as they hear What a Feeling remembers that iconic scene at the end of the film and I’m so incredibly lucky that I get to do that every night in a UK tour along with fabulous numbers like She’s a Maniac.

“It’s another amazing opportunity in my musical theatre career and I can once again sing and act alongside dancing. I just hope the water is not too cold when it falls on me!’

Flashdance tells the inspiring and unforgettable story of 18-year-old Alex, a welder by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night, who dreams of going to the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy and becoming a professional dancer. When a romance complicates her ambitions, she harnesses it to drive her dream.

Tickets for the show can be booked by calling the box office on 0844 871 7607 or, alternatively, visit www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury. They cost from £20.40.

Despite his side winning eight games in a row, Leighton Town boss Scott Reynolds feels his side ‘haven’t been spectacular’ in recent weeks.

Town haven’t lost a game since their 3-1 defeat at home to Edgware Town at the end of September, and their run has seen then reach the third round of the FA Vase and climb to fifth in SSML Premier Division.

While they have won eight straight, the last four have been by a single goal, and though Reynolds is happy with his side’s run, he feels there is plenty of room for improvement.

“Things have been really good in the last few weeks,” he said. “Eight wins in a row is excellent.

“We’ve been doing enough to get ourselves over the line, we haven’t been spectacular in recent games, but we’ve been deserved winners.

“We’ve scored more goals than the opposition while defending really well and working hard for each other.

“We’re find a way to win, and long may that continue.”

Reynolds will be without top scorer Lorrell Smith for around a month after the striker suffered a fractured foot, and without his goals, the manager admitted his side are working at being more clinical on the training ground .

And with his side carrying a lot of momentum at the moment, Reynolds thinks a team is due a hammering at the hands of his side any time soon.

He said: “We’re trying to turn possession into goals, and I know that sounds basic, but we’re just not killing teams off and burying the chances we’re creating.

“I think someone is due a real hammering from us really soon.

“The lads’ commitment in training has been excellent since pre-season.

“Lorrell has fractured his foot and will probably be out for another four weeks.

“A few others are carrying little niggles and knocks, but that’s the physical demands of non-league football.

“Every game has been tough, pitches are getting heavier too.

“We’re lucky we’ve got a big squad and strength in depth which has helped us get wins against really good teams.”

One of the all time great musicals, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s  Sunset Boulevard, is a compelling story of romance and obsession based on Billy Wilder’s legendary film.

The much loved score includes the title number Sunset Boulevard as well as With One Look, As If We Never Said Goodbye and The Greatest Star of All and is performed by a full orchestra on the UK tour, which comes to us at the end of this month. In her mansion on Sunset Boulevard faded, silent screen goddess Norma Desmond lives in a fantasy world.

Impoverished screen writer Joe Gillis, played by Hollyoaks and Strictly’s Danny Mac, on the run from debt collectors, stumbles into her reclusive world. Persuaded to work on Norma’s ‘masterpiece’, a film script she believes will put her back in front of the cameras, he is seduced by her and her luxurious lifestyle.

Joe becomes entrapped in a claustrophobic world until his love for another woman leads him to try and break free with very dramatic consequences.

Describing his character Danny said: “He’s wonderfully flawed. He hasn’t gotten everything right but he thinks he has. Everything is told from his point of view and he doesn’t really see his mistakes; he thinks it’s him who is doing everything right and everyone and everything else is failing around him when actually it is him who is making the wrong decisions. That’swhere it leads to at the end – you see his downfall because of that and I think it is what brings about his demise. He’sdug his own grave essentially.”

Danny also explained what thie biggest challenge is for appearing in this part.

He said: “I have an incredible duty to tell the story as essentially the narrator of the show. There are impeccable performances from the entire the cast and it is based around four main characters – namely Norma, Max, Betty and Joe – but I’ve got to narrate the story so it’s about getting every bit of information over and serving the piece and everyone else os performances in the right way.”

Talk inevitably turns to Strictly Come Dancing with Danny a runner up on the last series.

He said: “It’s got to be the dance routines I was able to produce each week, which constantly reminds me now of things I’m able to do even though I might not think I can.

“That’s something I’ll always take from doing that show. If I’d been asked to play Joe Gillis before I’d done Strictly I’d probably have said no simply through fear that I couldn’t do it and a million people could do it better.

“But this role, as far as I’m concerned, belongs to me and I own it. I don’t mean that in a cocky or arrogant way, but if you don’t walk out there and own that role you’re doing the piece and the rest of the cast a disservice as well as yourself.

“That’s something I’ve learned – to take something and run with it – because you only get these big chances once in your life and you have to seize them.

“This is something I’ve been working for since I was a kid. It’s been a funny journey for me and there’s been many times where you feel you need to apologise for what you’ve done, but when look at it from a different side and you’re proud of it you’re like ‘This is what I’m qualified in, this is what I trained in, this is what I’ve worked towards and I should never apologise for that’.

“I learned that from Strictly and it’s been a complete joy since then and I’ve had the best time because of it.”

Sunset Boulevard will be at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tuesday November 28 - Saturday December 2. Tickets cost from £19, call 0844 871 7652 or book online at www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

The mayor of Leighton Buzzard has been forced to defend his position after questions arose over his businesses in the town.

Cllr Syed Rahman was re-elected as a town councillor in Grovebury ward in May 2015 and was elevated to town mayor earlier this year.

But questions of his business affairs in the run-up to the 2015 election have arisen on social media.

Cllr Rahman resides in Luton and his eligibility to stand as a Leighton Buzzard Town Councillor stemmed from owning the Akash restaurant in North Street.

That business, however, was already insolvent and later dissolved in July 2015 – two months after the election. A liquidator’s report estimated liabilities at £58,421.

A previous business on the site, Akash 2004 Ltd, had been dissolved in 2013 with liabilities anticipated at £167,025.

Cllr Rahman does still own the property at North Street.

Resident June Tobin said: “This man is representing the town and its businesses. Is it right he should be doing that with his history?”

In a statement the mayor said: “My eligibility to be nominated, in both 2011 and for re-election in 2015, was based upon my business being located within the town.

“My ownership and operation of the relevant business, in accordance with my nomination, is a matter of legal fact.

“I did place my business into voluntary liquidation during the recession.

“This was a step I was forced to take as a businessman as my business along with many others began to fail during the recession.

“My current declaration of interest shows, correctly, my continuing ownership of property within the town, my having sold the business lease for the restaurant after the 2015 election.

“Under the Electoral Rules, my status as a councillor remains valid for the rest of this term, until 2019.

“Having sought re-election I decided that I would continue to give my time serving the town which had supported me so well in my business. As a parish councillor, by definition there is no payment involved.”

Cllr Rahman was nominated as mayor last year.

He added: “I cannot emphasise enough the pride which I take in my role as Mayor and the pleasure that my meetings with so many diverse members of our community has given me, suffice to say that I also hope that I am being seen to be doing a good job.

“In closing, and to be fully transparent ... I do get a stipend as Mayor, to assist in carrying out the many expected attendances at other civic functions in and around Bedfordshire.”

Police closed a road while they carried out a drugs raid at Greenacres Travellers site in Billington this morning (Tuesday).

After receiving a tip-off from the public, officers turned out at around 8am to the site in Stanbridge Road.

A Beds Police spokesman said: “We carried out a warrant at Stanbridge Road, Billington, this morning after receiving intelligence from the community about suspected drugs use and supply.

“A number of what are believed to be cannabis plants were found, and a woman has been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences.”

There has been confusion for motorists in Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable after BT cut the broadband to two car parks due to a mix-up over invoicing.

Central Beds Council was made aware that drivers were having problems at the West Street multi-storey in Leighton Buzzard and the Ashton Square facility in Dunstable yesterday lunchtime (Monday).

While the problems in Dunstable were resolved within a few hours, issues remained with the West Street car park until Tuesday lunchtime, with the barriers left open and parking fees waived due to the technical issue.

A spokesman for Central Beds Council that the confusion over billing had arisen because BT didn’t send the council two invoices (one for each car park).

He said: “We queried it as the council can’t make any payments without receiving the invoice first.

“BT apologised for the inconvenience but still put restrictions in place on the broadband. So, that affected the ANPR and also the payment machines and cameras.

“Everything was sorted pretty quickly in the respect that we got the invoices and the restrictions were lifted, but apparently it can still take anything from seven to 24 hours for everything to return to normal.

“As soon as we were made aware of the situation yesterday lunchtime we made sure that people could get in and out of the two car parks without any inconvenience.”

Speaking on Tuesday morning, the spokesman added: “The issues at Ashton Square have been sorted and pay-on-entry facilities are available again. We are working with BT to resolve the situation at West Street and while we do the barriers are open and people do not have to pay to park there.”

It’s not the first time the West Street car park has had technical issues since the installation of the new ANPR pay-on-exit technology earlier this year.

Last month we reported how frustrated shoppers were stuck for up to half an hour due to internet issues.

A faulty broadband connection meant the camera couldn’t recognise car registration numbers in order to raise the barrier.

At the time a Central Bedfordshire Council spokesman, said: “The new number plate recognition equipment was installed in May 2017 as the preferred method of technology.

“BT can suffer the same issues you may have at home where occasionally you can lose broadband connection.

“Unfortunately this meant the equipment went down for a short time at our Leighton Buzzard car park. When this happens we override the barriers to let people out.”

This year has already proven to be medal-laden for Charlie Smith but 2017 could be about to get even better for the Leighton Buzzard canoeist after he was shortlisted for SportsAid’s prestigious One-to-Watch Award.

Having won silver in the K1 Men’s Juniors at the Canoe Marathon European Championships over the summer, Smith took his success to World Championship-level in September, winning the same colour in the same event.

A seventh-place finish over 1000m at the ICF Canoe Sprint Junior and Under-23s World Championships capped off a remarkable year for the 18-year-old, but it could still continue yet.

“To be nominated was a massive surprise, I had no idea that it was coming,” said Smith.

“Looking at the previous winners like Tom Daley, it’s a massive honour to be even considered in the same bracket as athletes like him.

“There are a lot of other deserving athletes nominated too, which is amazing, and it’s great to even make the top ten.

“I’ve been supported by SportsAid for the last three years now and they have been a massive help.

“Canoeing is an expensive sport and so their financial help has been invaluable.

“But it has also been great psychologically, knowing that someone has your back and is there supporting you.

“Their support motivates me to achieve more success without a doubt. It makes training that little bit easier and keeps you going to reach the next level.”

There’s little doubting that Smith – a former pupil at Aylesbury Grammar School – will indeed reach that next level, his sights set on making his Olympic debut in the coming years.

And having watched from the stands when the Games came to London five years ago, Smith can’t wait for the day he’s the one inspiring the next generation of stars.

“This year has been my best yet, without a doubt,” Smith said.

From start to finish, you are whisked away into a whirlwind of foxtrots, sambas, quicksteps, salsas and even Argentine tangos with a very modern twist.

With an underline story of relationships being formed, from modern day dating using apps to meeting people through friends, you will be guided through from story to story with love being the ultimate goal.

Though Flavia came on stage and mentioned the fact that due to injury, Vincent wasn’t able to perform, she then had two back up to fill his big shoes. One, Leonel Di Cocco, being a world champion in Argentine Tango and the other, Pasquale La Rocca, a ballroom master with several achievements under his belt.

From the opening dance, I found myself drawn into the dance, with the passion and heat behind every move and every step, these people really know how to perform.

I did find myself in awe of the sheer talent and abilities that every dancer on the stage displayed, ranging through the various different dance styles. I think years of watching Strictly Come Dancing helped me identify the carious different dance styles which were highly executed from start to finish.

Every little detail was thought about to enhance the audiences experience, going from the set design to the costumes and even the live singers and instrumentalists who guide you through the story.

It truly was a magical experience watching this show which left me craving more. I could have happily sat and watched the whole show over and over and I honestly recommend that if you get the chance to see this show, you make sure you do. Don’t miss out on this opportunity.

Tango Moderno is at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday November 18. For more details or to book tickets call the box office on 0844 871 7652 or visit www.atgtickets.co.uk/miltonkeynes

A Cedars Upper School student is raising money to travel to Peru and help the families living in poverty.

Ross Langham, 15, of Bideford Green, is part of a group who are hoping to travel to Peru in July to help families become more self-efficient and educated.

He said: “I am doing World Challenge as I feel that it would be an amazing life opportunity and while I’m out in Peru I’ll be helping less fortunate people and families become more independent so that the children can have an education and become more independent themselves.

“Whilst I’m out there I’ll be experiencing how to work in a team so that when I go to university or apply for a job then I’ll be able to work in teams and cooperate better.

“Doing this will also look good on my CV so that jobs and university will see what I’ve done as an extra skill.

“Being out there for a month, I’ll learn camping and hiking skills - as well as social skills - so that in the future I could do this kind of thing again as well as use the skills I pick up in life to build myself further as a person.”

Ross has been encouraged by project organisers, World Challenge, to raise the money for the trip himself.

His latest fundraiser is a virtual run, which started on Sunday, November 11, until Saturday, December 9, entries will close on Monday, November 20. It is £12 for adults and £7 for under 13’s to enter.

He said: “I need to raise a further £2500 by May, so I am looking for donations, sponsorship and people to come along or enter the events I am organising, such as the virtual run.

“I have set up a Facebook page, Ross’s World Challenge, is people would like to keep updated on my progress and hear about the events.”

Ross’s mum, Kama Langham, said: “The virtual run is something everyone can get involved with because it can be done anywhere, it is one mile of activity and can be anything.

“Once you have completed it you should send a picture to prove you have completed it, for example, a screenshot of the treadmill or a fitness watch or activity tracker, and then a medal will be sent to you.

“It’s great what he is doing, he really wants to help make a difference, hopefully a lot of people can get involved with the virtual run and receive a medal, designed by Ross.”

Leighton golfers have been shooting flocks of birdies in club competitions in a bid to pot a plump turkey in time for Christmas.

Top finishers in a range of medal, stableford and mixed competitions qualify for one of the locally reared table toppers, with 38 birdies being bagged by the 91 competitors in the Midweek medal last Wednesday won by Stephen Maddison with a nett 67, one clear of David Sweetnam and David Banwell.

With 20 prime oven-ready birds up for grabs, more went to the top finishers of the annual Mixed Medal event.

Top finishers were club Vice Captain Jeremy Taylor and partner Rosemary Hartnell with a score of 68.5, a shot clear of runners-up, immediate Past President John Preston and wife Sue.

Avril Simpson, who has just completed her year as Ladies Captain, was third with husband Tony with 70.5, a shot clear of Mick and Marilyn Myatt whose 71.5 included a two shot penalty after a ball mix-up two holes from home.

Turkeys for top place finishers in other club competitions have yet to be decided.

Ex-Captain Adrian Stephenson teamed up with Simon Thornton to win Leighton’s Rosebery Cup, beating Gareth McCready and Bryan Bateman by two holes having been four up at one stage.

The Leighton club goes “international” today (Tues) when America-born Patti Marriott is installed as Captain of the 100-strong Ladies section in a drive-in ceremony organised by her “vice” Carmen White-Lawes.

A week after being pipped by Niki Clark by a point for top spot in Leighton Ladies stableford, Sylvia Coward reversed the tables to beat vice captain Carmen White-Lawes by 39pts to 38, both getting their handicaps cut by shot.

Outgoing Senior Section Captain David Debell has named club stalwart Geoff Allatt as his Clubman of the Year. Geoff, 86, played in 12 Senior matches during the year, losing only four, and plays regularly with club colleagues and in competitions and with local societies.

Leighton Buzzard’s Christmas Festival returns soon with a wide range of activities and entertainment throughout the weekend.

On Friday, December 1 the festival kicks off in style from 4pm, with the lights switch on at 7pm. There will be over 30 craft and gift stalls as well as the ever popular food court, funfair and firework display.

Saturday, December 2 sees Santa’s Grotto alongside the regular Saturday Charter Market. Leighton Fun Runners return with the annual Santa Dash from Church Square. There will be entertainment throughout the day and the funfair is still in town.

Sunday, December 3 is family day, with the funfair and an array of street entertainers. There will be further opportunities to browse and shop, perfect for seeking out that unique gift for a loved one.

This year’s event could have been shrunk to just the Sunday. However a town council committee decision to end the three-day tradition was overturned at full council.

However, a full review of the festival is to take place ahead of Christmas 2018 which would seek to “better utilise resources”.