A consultation event takes place this evening over proposed changes to school buses in Ivinghoe.

Bucks County Council has initiated the consultation over its plans to withdraw free school buses from Ivinghoe.

An event at Cheddington Combined School takes place from 7pm to 9pm this evening (Thursday, November 8).

Officers will be on hand to discuss the proposed changes and Cllr Anne Wight, who represents Ivinghoe ward on Bucks County Council, will also be in attendance to hear parents’ thoughts.

For further information about the proposed changes, visit here.

The death has been announced of long-standing Pulford School teacher Doreen Corkett.

Mrs Corkett, who died on November 8 aged 84, oversaw the transition of the Leighton Buzzard Church of England school from a middle to an infant school in the 1970s. She retired in 1994.

Her son Paul told the LBO: “My mother was more or less given a blank sheet of paper and together with Janet Dalton and Brian Willet just got on and made the transition. She made her mark on the school.

“School Inspectors were given the job of listening to children read, while parents were told-off if their daughters came to school wearing make-up. I think one of her highlights of her time at the school was her ‘cameo’ appearance on Songs of Praise from All Saints Church.”

Prior to her work at Pulford School she also taught in Tring, Aylesbury, Wingrave and Aston Abbots. She played tennis and hockey for Buckinghamshire as a student.

Mrs Corkett and her late husband Arthur were original residents of Harcourt Close in Linslade, living there after the construction finished in 1957 until the present day.

Mrs Corkett’s funeral will take place on Monday, November 26 at 2pm at Milton Keynes Crematorium. Donations to The British Red Cross.

Leighton Buzzard’s Oxjam festival could be scaled down from a month-long musical celebration to a one-day or weekend event in 2019.

The LBO reported last month that the popular festival, which has raised £55,000 for Oxfam since it started 10 years ago, was is in danger of collapsing due to the demands of running it and the desire of the regular organisers to take a break.

But following a celebration evening on October 27 to reflect on the event’s success over the past decade, a potential way forward has been suggested which could prevent Oxjam falling off the town’s calendar completely.

Co-founder of Leighton Buzzard Oxjam, Edmuch Flach, said: “We had an enjoyable evening. Many past and present Leighton Buzzard Oxjam Festival musicians and organisers came together at the Leighton Buzzard Brewery to celebrate the 11 years of Oxjam events in town, and the 10 annual music festivals.

“It was an opportunity to drink, chat and sing together, celebrate the total raised for Oxfam over those years and also thank everyone who’s been involved.

“Some people expressed an interest in helping with future Oxjam events in town, but there needs to be a team of people with fresh ideas and energy if these are to happen.

“Running the traditional festival in March takes a massive amount of time and effort - organising, coordinating and publicising 30-40 different events, so maybe a better option would be to do a one-day or weekend event in October 2019 – to fit in with the nationwide Oxjam festival.”

Anyone interested in taking the lead or offering assistance as part of a team should contact Edmund via Edmund.Flach@btopenworld.com or via Facebook messenger for more information about what’s involved.

Human hair sourced from Leighton Buzzard residents has been used to create a unique picture of 60s icon Twiggy that will be going on display at a prestigious event in Windsor this weekend.

Lesley Humphreys, from Linslade, is an artist who works with recycled items, she will be taking the picture to the Windsor Contemporary Art Fair.

She was inspired to make the piece after a conversation while getting her hair done at the salon on Wing Road.

She said: “I was at the hairdressers and he knows I do recycled art, he asked if I had ever made anything from people’s hair before and I said I hadn’t but I would be open to trying it.

“He started collecting hair for me and it went from there really. The hair was donated from him and family and friends.”

Lesley, who gave up work to help with childcare for her granddaughter, is now working on her art full-time, this will be the first time her art is on sale at an art exhibition.

She said: “I decided to do Twiggy as she is quite iconic and I am hoping to do more art from recycled hair, I would like to do Sinead O’Connor.

“I like to make art from recycled things, I have used toys, threads and buttons, I will always use anything that people give to me.”

Industries vital to the war effort were in full production in Leighton Buzzard and Linslade in November 1918.
While great relief greeted the armistice on November 11, the peace soon cost more than 1,000 people their jobs.
Morgan’s in Linslade, with its factory where Tesco and Homebase now stand, employed more than 800 men and women making aeroplanes for the front, at the rate of three a week, including the new Vimy bomber. For many women, this was their first job, sewing the canvas on the wings of the aircraft.
In Grovebury Road was a large factory making submarine nets. The nets made here and in the Corn Exchange and in Lake Street were sent by rail to ports to protect shipping from U-boat attacks, and also to our Allies in France, Italy, Russia, and the United States.
The look of the town had been also been transformed by the sand industry in the war years. The Ministry of Munitions ordered all quarries to work at full production to provide moulds so the nation’s foundries could make heavy guns and equipment for the Western front. The town’s roads were so mashed up by the traction engines used to ferry the sand from the quarries to the canal and railways that streets were often impassable for ordinary traffic.
The day peace was declared all contracts for submarine nets for the Admiralty were cancelled and within weeks over 400 men at the three factories were laid off. The company sold its equipment and closed down in Leighton.
Most orders for planes from Morgan’s were also cancelled and 500 men and women were given two weeks’ pay and told to leave. The company reverted to making cars, but never mastered mass production, and closed in the 1920s.
The sand industry faced serious disruption.
The week the war ended, the Ministry of Munitions cancelled its commitment for the government to repair the town’s roads at the taxpayer’s expense.
The people of Leighton Buzzard immediately refused to allow traction engines on their roads, to get sand to the railway and the canal.
Quarry owners had the brainwave of buying the fully armoured locomotives and the narrow gauge railway lines used to get troops and supplies to the front in France.
Within a year of the peace, they were ferrying sand to the canal and the railway.
One of the extraordinary sights of this new railway was the fully armoured locomotives.
The armour was so heavy that it proved impossible to remove from the engines and so they looked exactly the same as they had at the front.
The armoured trains were later scrapped and replaced but the light railway is one legacy of the war still remains in Leighton.
Extracted from the book Sand, Planes, and Submarines, How Leighton Buzzard Shortened the First World War, published by History Press and researched by the Leighton Buzzard Archaeological and Historical Society.

One of Bedford’s deluxe venues, d’Parys, has been upgraded with an elegant refurbishment and a revised menu. Our intrepid reviewer Stewart Carr went along to check out the changes.

CARR SAYS... A lofty Victorian house tucked away in the middle of the leafy De Parys Avenue - d’Parys is tastefully discreet with no outward flashing sign - if a little hard to spot driving along in the dark!

I’ll admit it’s my first time here, but even then, the sheen of its new interiors is instantly apparent.

Warm lights and soft furnishings compliment the exposed brickwork with a smattering of quirky touches. A few wheels adorn one wall and the entire ceiling of the dining area is covered end to end with wooden shutters of all shapes and colours.

Before I get drunk on surroundings, there’s a very real chance of inebriation. Besides an exhaustive wine list (I settle for a trusty New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc), D’Parys stocks a whole host of exotically-names spirits that I’d never heard of - and which, in all honesty, I could easily have spent a whole evening exploring!

D’Parys’s strongest selling point is without a doubt its food menu. A mixture of traditional staples and some interesting left field choices, it’s certainly no easy feat choosing just what to eat.

Ultimately, I can’t resist the crayfish on bruschetta, a perfect starter in my book, and boy does it deliver! A spicy drizzle of brown sauce melds nicely with the chilled meat of the crayfish, with a squeeze of lemon juice for good measure.

And for a main course? Well, my heart was opting for the venison and rabbit ragu tagliatelle (a very enticing dish) but this is, after all, a review.

So, I choose what I imagine is a more popular dish - slow-cooked pork belly with wittled kale, dauphinoise potatoes, apple and chilli ketchup. Irresistable! So tender is the pork, it falls apart at the slightest touch and almost melts in the mouth. Even the buttered kale is perfectly crisp and delicious, I came away feeling heartily satisfied.

Boasting an even blend of modernity and warm, rustic charm - the D’Parys Hotel’s refined settings and delicious food are everything you’d want in a contemporary restaurant.

See www.dparys.co.uk for more information.

A concert bringing together some of the biggest music acts from the 90s and 00s under one roof is coming to Milton Keynes.

The Stepback! 90s vs 00s Concert is taking place at the Marshall Arena on Saturday, November 23, 2019 and will feature chart-topping stars from across both decades.

The headline act is still to be announced, but will be joined by chart-topping Irish band B*Witched who are famed for their hits C’est La Vie and Blame It On The Weatherman, while S Club will also be bringing an S Club Party to Milton Keynes.

Blazin’ Squad will also be meeting thousands of revellers at the crossroads during their visit to the Arena MK and will be joined by 5ive, Fatman Scoop, 911, East 17, Big Brovaz and Booty Luv.

A limited number of 1,000 discounted early bird tickets are on sale now via www.stepbackconcerts.co.uk

Dan Nelmes from concert promoter Showtime Live said: “Music from these decades is undoubtedly experiencing a revival and brings different generations together.

“We held our first round of indoor Stepback! 90s concerts just a few weeks ago which attracted around 50,000 people, and due to popular demand we are now bringing the concert to Milton Keynes for the first time.

“90s and 00s kids are now grown up, and our concerts have shown people in their late teens and 20s partying with their parents to reminisce the years gone by.

“Previous concerts have seen early bird tickets snapped up within the hour, so we’d urge people to get theirs as soon as they can - there ain’t no party like a Stepback! party.”

Early bird tickets cost £39 plus a booking fee. Remaining tickets go on general sale at 9am on Friday, March 1.

The concert is for over-14s only and under-16s must be accompanied by an adult.

An inspired performance from Conor Beattie in the Edgeware Town goal denied Leighton Town victory at Bell Close on Saturday as the sides shared a 0-0 draw.

Beattie made save after save in the second period t0 deny Leighton three vital points in SSML Premier Division.

The sides entered the game with identical leauge records - three wins, six draws and five defeats - but it looked for all the world as though Leighton would come away on top.

After a poor performance in the penalty shootout win over Unite MK in the week, Leighton started in similarly slow fashion, with Edgeware almost taking the lead when Onololu Onabolu and Tyriq Hunte both had opportunities in a goal mouth scramble.

Dom Marsala, Kyle Faulkner and Tom Silford all had efforts off target for Leighton in an otherwise mundane opening period.

The second half though burst into life as Leighton came back to the fore. Aaron McKee should have opened the scoring five minutes after the restart. Having seen an earlier effort bravely blocked by Edgeware defending, McKee combined with Yusef Seodi to go through on goal, but he was denied brilliantly by Beattie’s out-stretched boot to keep the score goal-less.

Beattie then denied Kyle Davison-Gordon, before the visitors had chances of their own, though neither Onabolu nor Mark Burgess could find the back of the net.

As the game entered its final quarter, Kyle Faulkner almost put the Town in front. He rose highest in a crowded penalty area and directed his header right into the corner, but once again Town were denied by a stunning save from Beattie.

Leighton were almost made to pay for it moments later as Edgeware countered, but substitute Mikkel James headed over the bar from inside the six yard box.

The home side had one last chance in the final 10 minutes. Tom Bryant broke forward on the right flank and hit a great effort towards the right corner.

However, Leighton’s nemesis for the afternoon Beattie denied Bryant and the ball went behind for a corner kick.

The goal-less draw means the sides continue to share identical records, with Leighton sitting 11th, above Edgeware on goal-difference.

A trip to Biggleswade United face Town next Saturday at Second Meadow.

1 THEATRE
The Wizard of Oz, Vandyke Theatre, Leighton Buzzard, November 17
The Advance Theatre Company are off Over the Rainbow to Munchkinland in this family favourite. Join the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion and Dorothy on a magical adventure.
Details: ticketsource.co.uk/event/263655

2 MUSIC
Grand Music Gala, The Venue, Walton High, Milton Keynes, November 17
Leighton-Linslade Concert Band and Partners are staging a fundraising concert for Children in Need, with more than 200 performers including four bands, a youth choir and dancers.
Details: thevenue.mk.com

3 MUSIC
Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers: Tribe, Grove Theatre, Dunstable, November 14
It’s a new show of skill, stamina and red-hot rhythms to stir the soul, with sharp synchronisation, mysterious choreography and sumptuous soundscapes, all wrapped up in a display of high-energy and powerful rhythms on huge taiko drums.
Details: grovetheatre.co.uk

4 MUSIC
Think Floyd, Grove Theatre, Dunstable, November 16
The band are renowned for their celebration of the music of one of the world’s greatest bands. The show will feature the whole range of classic Pink Floyd from Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here to The Wall, Animals and more.
Details: grovetheatre.co.uk

5 THEATRE
The Dreamboys, Grove Theatre, Dunstable, November 15
The hunks return for another show promising to get the ladies all a-flutter.
Details: grovetheatre.co.uk

6 THEATRE
The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, Milton Keynes Theatre, November 20 to 24
Ocean’s Eleven meets the Marx Brothers in this new comedy now in its third year in the West End. Following the sell-out success of their multi-award-winning The Play That Goes Wrong, Mischief Theatre return with their latest hit.
Details: atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes

7 MUSIC
The Mersey Beatles, Bedford Corn Exchange, November 14
After sold-out shows in the USA, Asia and Europe, the renowned Liverpool-born tribute band are retracing The Beatles’ footsteps on their ‘Get Back UK Tour’, which visits the very same towns, cities and original venues the Fab Four rocked in the 1960s.
Details: ticketmaster.co.uk

8 MUSIC
80s Mania, Grove Theatre, Dunstable, November 17
Prepare for 35 smash hits performed live, with tributes to Duran Duran, The Human League, Culture Club, Madonna, Wham! and more.
Details: grovetheatre.co.uk

9 THEATRE
Great Expectations, The Place, Bedford, November 13 to 17
This fast-paced 2005 adaptation lays bare a tissue of lies and guilt in Charles Dickens’ least sentimental love story, presented by the Swan Theatre Company.
Details: theplacebedford.org.uk

10 COMEDY MAGIC
Tom Elliott, Grove Theatre, Dunstable, November 18
The dynamic comedian and magician’s squeaky-clean show is packed full of laughter, tricks and audience participation, where he also shares his personal story of finding joy and faith.
Details: grovetheatre.co.uk

Celebrated Leighton Buzzard veteran Walter ‘Wally’ Randall was among the thousands of people who turned on Sunday out to remember all those who fell serving their country in conflicts foreign and domestic.

The annual Remembrance Day parade had special significance this year as it marked the end of the First World War - also known as ‘the war to end all wars’.

The parade marched off from the Market Cross to re-assemble in Church Square, which was packed with spectators of all ages wishing to pay their respects to the fallen.

No doubt many had private memories and thoughts of relatives and stood with heads bowed as a hush descended over the square for the traditional two-minute silence - broken only by the scuttling whisper of dead leaves blown by the brisk breeze.

Wreath-layers included former and serving members of the armed forces, police, civic dignitaries and local youth organisations with Mr Randall, 103, representing the Royal British Legion. Mr Randall was applauded for his attendance and service to the RBL, he is believed to be the nation’s oldest ‘poppy-seller’.

The parade was followed with a service in All Saints Church.

Mark Freeman, chairman of the Remembrance Day Committee, primarily formed to enhance the parade for the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, said: “When the parade came out of Lake Street on Sunday morning, into the High Street the sight was amazing.

“To see the huge number of people lining the street brought a lump to my throat.

“Church Square was also very full and by the time the parade had formed up in the Square it was a solid sea of people from the Memorial right back to, and into, the High Street. I don’t know how many people were there, but I am sure they could be counted in thousands rather than hundreds.”

Mr Freeman also organised/co-ordinated most of the other events taking place through the day, and added: “The ceremony at Linslade Memorial also saw huge numbers of people attending, and people of all ages packed into the Memorial Garden to remember the fallen of Linslade.

“Mike Moran led a group of about 50 people on an illustrated walk highlighting the part our town played in World War 1.

“During the afternoon a very full Royal British Legion Club hosted accordionist Mike Ruff who accompanied himself whilst singing a selection of World War 1 songs. Many of the favourites had the audience singing along with him.

“The day of events came to a close with the Lights On ceremony in Church Square where a crowd in excess of 500 heard the names of the men of Leighton Buzzard and Linslade who gave their lives in WW1 read out.

“The names were read by the Town Mayor, past Mayors, representatives of All Saints Church, Hockliffe Street Baptist Church, TACTIC Youth Form and the RBL Club together with the Chairman and President of the RBL Leighton Buzzard Branch.

“The Exhortation was read by Taylor Lapworth and the Kohima by Georgia Crossingham, both from TACTIC Youth Forum and the Last Post and Reveille were played by Theo Jackson from Leighton-Linslade Music Centre.

“Prayers were led by Rev Max Bayliss. The ceremony was closed with the beacon being lit as part of the national ‘WW1 Beacons of Light’, the Town Crier delivering the international ‘Cry for Peace around the World’ and the church bells ringing out, as happened at churches across the country.

“I am both proud and humbled to be associated with events that showed what a tremendous community we live in. Our townspeople, old and young, showed that the sacrifices of our forebears is not, and never will be forgotten.

“My thanks to all who contributed, especially our Parade Master George Compton and his assistants from the Remembrance Day Committee, Rev Max Bayliss and Rev Bernard Minton, Mike Moran, the Royal British Legion Branch Committee and the RBL Club and Leighton-Linslade Town Council. The biggest thanks though must be to the people of Leighton Buzzard and Linslade.”

George Compton, Royal British Legion branch chairman and parade marshall, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone from the Leighton Buzzard area who turned out and took part in the parade.

“The size of the members of the uniformed and non-uniformed groups and the vast amount of spectators made this parade even larger than last year, so much so that Church Square to the shops at the junction of Bridge street was packed solid.

“I would also like to thank the parade committee who without there it would have been difficult controlling the number and size of the parade.

“The parade was attended again this year by Mr Wally Randall who is 103 and did not need a wheelchair to get to the square and take part laying a wreath.”

Leighton Buzzard Canoe Club marked Remembrance Day on Sunday with a memorial race.

This is a 15-mile race along the Grand Union Canal and this year saw the most widely attended event yet with well over 100 paddlers.

The singles boats A race was won by Max Pickering while the doubles boats A race was won by Leighton’s Charlie Smith partnering with Magnus Gregory from Longridge. Third in the A race doubles was Lydia Oxtoby and Jodie Barrell.

On the B start in the singles race William Minter came fifth while Josh Power came in 10th.

On the doubles B start Mike Martin and Beth Goodlad came third despite a swim before the start, Adam Kear and Charlie Toosey came 8th, Ben Stratford and Katy Dixon in ninth, Amanda Morris and Bryan Handsley in 10th and Charlotte Ellis partnering with Stacey Terry of Norwich in 11th.

In the C class there were a number of paddlers who had not raced this distance before therefore simply to finish was a huge achievement. In the singles race Sam Legg and Mandy Hussey came in joint fourth, Maggie Rae at just 12 years old came seventh and Paul Murphy came eighth. In the doubles race Fiona Barber partnered with Jenni Moore of Norwich to come sixth.

In the D class, Nigel Dixon and Paul Stenning came in fifth.

For the younger paddlers or those newer to paddling there was also a relay race where the first boat paddled 6.5 miles .

This race was won by Leighton’s mother and son team of Catherine Sanderson and Jack Rayment with Elie Mae Bennett and Ollie Power coming second.

There was also a novice race which was five miles and started from Stoke Hammond.

This was won by Kayleigh Dixon, with Will Perkins in second, Joseph Galliers in third, Dax Chappell in fourth and Daniel Murphy in fifth. Nicola Kear and Francesca Davis came first in the Novice doubles race.

The Friends of Long Spinney are appealing for the public to vote for their bid for the Aviva Community Fund for the Wood Carving Trail.

The community group, who look after the open space, Long Spinney, in Wing have applied for the funding to create a woodland trail to encourage more people to visit.

Volunteers from the group have worked to reinstate the paths, replace the bridges and plant trees and flowers.

The idea of the project is to have a themed trail of things to encourage young people to explore Spinney and enjoy the outdoors, similar to the sculptures at Rushmere, created by Ian Freemantle.

Malcolm Oliver, from The Friends of Long Spinney, said: “We have had done a lot of work over the years since we have looked after the space, we have restored it and we now maintain it. We want to encourage people to come here and enjoy the outdoors.

“Part of the woodland has been given to the Scouting organisations for a campsite and we want to encourage more people to use the space.

“Our latest bid is for woodland art to tell a story and include things to sit and play on and objects that are just fun to find in the wood.

“They will be created by Ian Freemantle, who has done some stunning work at Rushmere, he will include the opportunity for workshops to allow local people to contribute to the creation of the art.

“This project is aimed at further encouragement for as wide a range of people as possible to be attracted to the Spinney and to help personal physical and mental wellbeing with open space proven to be the very best cure for so many pressures of modern life.

“The trail would encourage children to come and follow the trail, it is an excuse for them to have a bit of fun and enjoy walking and an adventure.”

Voting closes on Tuesday, November 20, visit: www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/voting/project/view/4-2879.

A man from Leighton Buzzard is hoping to promote the town’s small businesses when he appears on TV this week.

Peter Gibbons, of the Planets Estate, applied to go on the show through Facebook and enjoyed the experience.

He said: “They took us to an antiques centre to learn about antiques and then we went to an auction show.

“The idea is that we had to sell the items and make as much money as possible.

“I wanted to promote Leighton Buzzard and show people what kind of businesses and shops we have here, especially Peacock Mews which people don’t really know about as it is down an alley of the High Street. I had some china, a Georgian box and a devil, I sold them to shops on Peacock Mews, a coffee shop, an antique shop and Raven & Broomstick.

“It was good to go on the show and learn more about the antiques trade, I hope I raised the profile of the town.

“I enjoyed doing the show and was glad to be able to sell to local businesses. I tried to highlight the businesses we have here and I hope that comes across when it is shown on TV. ”

Make Me A Dealer sees antiques dealer Paul Martin search the country in pursuit of a new generation of moneymaking antique dealers.

In his episode Peter takes on Pauline from Surrey. They buy anything they want at auction and under the guidance of Paul, the aim is to sell the items on to make a profit. They use their own money and at the end of the show Paul reveals the winner and crowns them Dealer Of The Day.

Peter added: “Any profit made was to raise money for my favourite charity, CHICKS, it provides respite holidays for children in less fortunate circumstances aged between eight and 15. I have volunteered for them in the past and the work they do is truly amazing.”

To see if Peter beats Pauline watch Make Me A Dealer on BBC 1 at 4pm on Thursday, November 15.

A new Captain of the 100-strong Ladies section at Leighton Buzzard’s Plantation Road golf club is being installed today (Tuesday) with a traditional “drive in.”

Carmen White Lawes will take over from Patti Marriott who stands down after a year in office, her final act being to introduce her successor.

The drive-in event has been organised by new Vice Captain Christine Rimmer, who joined the Leighton club three years ago when the Mentmore club went out of business.

Christine’s appointment was endorsed by the Ladies Section at their annual meeting last week, when competition winners were presented with their trophies.

Other competition winners were Jenny Stafford (Championship Cup); Norma Venner (Handicap Cup and most improved golfer award); Lila Garrod (Olive Wood trophy); Elsa King (Chris Gretton Trophy); Avril Simpson (Medal Cup and Barbara McLeod Merit Award); Stephanie Howlett (most reduced handicap).

The festive season got off to a flying start for Bryan and Vicki Pratt when they won Leighton’s Mixed Turkey medal foursomes by the narrowest of margins. They took top spot with a nett score of 71.5, Sylvia Coward and Richard Dale by half a shot. Janice Hintner and Danny Nairne took third place on countback from ~Christine and John Bateman after both pairs finished with 72.5, two shots clear of Tim Hobday and Joan Waples and Patti and Steve Marriott.

Leighton’s monthly Medal event was won by Darran Velentine who had a shot cut from his 12-handicap after carding a nett 64 and three shots clear of John Allinson, Joshua Lowe and Billy O’Neill who all finished with a nett 67. Other leading scores were: 68 – Steve Leng, Phil Coumbe, Dean Ashton, Andrew Money, Joshua Rowles; 69 – Chris O’Mahoney, Simon Rossiter, Dharm Naveen Diwakar, Manny Barker; 70 – Paul Ellam, Andrew Jones, Mark Sandham, Jenny Stafford, Tim Mitchell, Jamie Tyas, Paul Atkinson, Neil Laming.

The latest Midweek stableford was won by Will Sampson whose 42 points beat Andres Valentine by a shot, with Nigel Barnes pipping Joshua Rowles for third place on counback after both finished with 40 points. Other leading scores: 38 – Daniel Hill, Matt Sale; 37 – Robbie John, Barry Wills, Steve Shepherd, Mike Smith, Russell Rowles; 36 – Stephen Foster, Roger Kingston, Lee Sanders, Steve Light, Darran Valentine, Philip Spratt-Callaghan, Steve Molyneaux, Peter Rutt.

Nigel Barnes is the new holder of Leighton’s Austin Farrell trophy, beating 61 other senior members with a 48 point haul. George Bashford was runner-up with 43 points, one clear of Brian Wilson with John Tarbox and David Kingham carding 41points.

Chris Read beat 13 colleagues to win the Coleford Society ‘Classic’, with Will Koch and Chris O’Mahony runners-up. The trophy in memory of the late Charlie Wood was won by Chris Jones, while there were nearest-the-pin prizes for Ernie Piper, Mick Gore, Mick Francis and Steve Baines with T Koch hitting the longest drive.

A scheme run by Central Bedfordshire Council, Luton Council and Bedford Borough Council which sees unwanted bikes ‘recycled’ has won a national award.

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Travel Choices team won the Excellence in Cycling category at the 2018 Modeshift National Sustainable Travel Awards for their part in the project, which provides low-cost bikes to those who otherwise would not be able to afford a new one.

So far, more than 300 bikes have been restored and given to residents across Bedfordshire since the scheme was launched in April 2017.

The project collects bikes from recycling centres, via public donations and from the police, which are then fully serviced and returned to a road-worthy condition.

Children’s bikes are donated once children have completed their Bikeability cycle safety training at school. Money from the cycle sales is reinvested to cover running costs.

Councillor Ian Dalgarno, Executive Member for Community Services at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “This is a great scheme which makes the most of unwanted items to help others who are less fortunate.

“These bikes enable the recipients to have free access to a fun, healthy and non-polluting mode of transport.

“Participants in the scheme have reported that their self-esteem, motivation and overall lifestyle has now improved as a result. As well as the direct benefits to the individual, cycling also means healthier and safer streets, which in turn help to reduce CO2 emissions and improve air quality.”

A list of all the bikes available is accessible at the Travel Choices Hub in Ashton Square, Dunstable. Residents can donate a bike to the project by emailing: TravelChoices@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.

There has been anger in Leighton Buzzard over two dog attacks on sheep grazing by Astral Lake.

On October 31, a sheep was savagely attacked by a dog and reportedly was dragged in and out of the lake, with part of its ear ripped off.

It was the second reported incident of a dog attack on sheep since the lake opened in August.

Now, dog owners are being warned to take responsibility by keeping their dogs on leads in areas where sheep are grazing nearby.

Sandhills residents Vanessa Newbegin has placed numerous posters showing the aftermath of one of the attacks.

Ms Newbegin said: “I’ve spoken to dog walkers about keeping their dogs on leads and often I’ve been met with a hail of abuse.”

Regarding the latest dog attack, she said: “The dog’s owner just stood there shaking as it tore into the sheep. It took two other members of the public to restrain the dog.”

Even well-behaved dogs can show an aggressive interest in livestock, and Bedfordshire Police has previously warned the public to ensure dogs are kept on leads near sheep.

Ian Foll, director of Astral Park Ltd, said: “It is extraordinary that people think their dog will never chase a sheep and yet is in the nature of most dogs to chase animals.

“There are signs at every entrance requesting that dogs are kept on leads at all times and warning that sheep are grazing.

“If members of the public who wish to exercise their dogs don’t want to put their dogs on a lead or can’t control their dogs then there is plenty of open space to walk nearby which isn’t grazed by sheep.

“It is completely inexcusable and very irresponsible of this person and anyone else who chooses to do likewise.”

Anyone with information about any dog attack is asked to contact Bedfordshire Police on 101.

Schoolchildren in the Leighton Buzzard area have also been paying their respects during this period of Remembrance.

Here’s a round-up of some of their activities...

> On Friday a group of pupils from Brooklands School joined the schools’ Remembrance Service at the War Memorial in Church Square.

Afterwards they accepted the kind invitation, from the Royal British Legion, to return to the hall for refreshments.

The Royal British Legion had lots of information for the pupils to look at and read from both the World Wars. This included newspaper cuttings and ration books which everyone found very interesting.

The guest of honour was Mr Walter ‘Wally’ Randall and the children had the opportunity to talk to and ask him questions about his experiences and memories from the war, which was a fantastic experience for the pupils.

Also, they were given the opportunity to talk to the flag bearers and try holding up the flags for as long as they could, all agreed this was quite a difficult task with the weight and the length of the wooden pole.

Finally, the Town Mayor was kind enough to let the children try on his ceremonial chain and discuss the decorations and emblems on it.

> Each pupil in Linslade Lower School was involved in making 100 poppies for a beautiful display in the entrance hall to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War. The children also took part in a 2 minute silence at 11am on Friday and learnt about why Remembrance Day is important. During the week the school sold poppies to raise money for The Royal British Legion.

>Children and staff of Wingrave Church of England School created a human poppy on their playing field.

Mrs Neaves, the Humanities Lead, organised everyone into coloured groups so they could make each part of the poppy design.

A school family with a drone camera then kindly offered to photograph the arrangement from above creating the amazing effect.

> On Friday, the staff and pupils of Clipstone Brook Lower School took part in a Remembrance Service and a minute’s silence around their beautiful memorial. The poppies and poems were made in, or written in, honour by the pupils so they can be shared to all the parents and visitors to the school.

> Leighton Town Under 7s wore special stick-on poppies on their kits, and had a minute’s silence before kickoff.

MORE: Huge crowd for special Remembrance Day parade as Leighton Buzzard pays its respects

Waddesdon has kicked off the festive season with celebrations that are like no other you will ever see at a UK historic house. Decorated both inside and out with displays inspired by the wondrous festivities and celebrations conjured up by Waddesdon’s sumptuous collections, there truly is something for everyone at Christmas Carnival and Fair over the next month and a half. Here is everything you need to know about the festivities the Manor has planned with fun for all the family.

They notched up 18 1st places and 13 2nd places – and two new club records in the relays:

Boys 13/U 4 x 50 Medley Relay team: Jack Hill, Billy Knibb, Billy Mead and Dan Miller

Boys 15/U 4 x 50 Medley Relay team: Jude Gore, Ashton Neo, Finn Bunyard and Ethan Gell

Annalise Wright, who had made the 8 1/2 hour journey back from University for the weekend made sure it was worth it, by taking 1.4 seconds off her own record in the 200 Individual Medley and chipping one second off the 100 Fly, a record that has stood since 2011.

In total there were 12 individual and 34 relay PBs (personal best times).

It’s been a successful autumn so far for Crusaders: Tom Pickering came fourth in the East Region SC Championship 50 backstroke final and qualified for Winter Nationals with a time of 26.52.

Other Crusaders who qualified for the East Region Champs and gave great performances included: Megan Bunyard, Amber Hill, Sam Mead, Rebecca Knibb, Will March and Joe Talbot.

A Leighton Buzzard man has been fined for fraudulently using his wife’s Blue Badge.

Central Beds Council carries out checks to ensure that Blue Badge disabled parking permits are valid and being used correctly.

Blue Badges allow a disabled person to park closer to their home or destination, and can only be displayed by another person if the badge holder is present and is being dropped off or collected.

However, in June this year, James Mason of Meadow Way in Leighton Buzzard was found using his wife’s Blue Badge for his own benefit in Leighton Buzzard High Street.

Mr Mason initially claimed that he had dropped his wife off at an appointment, but later admitted that he had lied.

He pleaded guilty by post and at Luton Magistrates’ court on Tuesday, November 13 he was sentenced and ordered to pay fines totalling £510 due to the breach of Section 117(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

Councillor Kevin Collins, Deputy Executive Member for Corporate Resources at Central Beds Council, said: “Blue Badges are issued to those in our communities who need them the most.

“They provide a vital lifeline for the disabled by giving them priority parking spaces.

“Without them, people with severe mobility problems would struggle to visit shops, access services, and visit friends and family.

“Motorists who pretend to be disabled to get free and convenient parking are preventing those who are genuinely disabled from using their parking bays, and they are also cheating the vast majority of road users who play fair when they park their cars.

“The rules around Blue Badge use are very clear.

“If we catch people using the badges fraudulently, then we will take action.”

> If you suspect someone of illegally using a Blue Badge, you can report it the council by calling 0300 300 8035 or emailing car.badges@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk. The government estimates that Blue Badge fraud costs the UK £46million a year in dodged parking fees.