CHARITY Sight Concern is looking for new volunteers to help the growing number of visually impaired people in Bedfordshire.
Roles include visual awareness trainers, fundraising volunteers, promotion volunteers and receptionists.
Anyone interested can call 01234 311555.
THE London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay will visit Luton in July next year as part of its journey around the UK – and to celebrate Luton is planning a special weekend-long Cultural Festival.
The Olympic Flame will visit Luton for an evening celebration event which showcases our town’s heritage and culture on Sunday July 8 2012.
Luton’s unique cultural weekend will get underway with fringe events on Friday July 6 before the Luton International Carnival, which moves from its traditional date on the Spring Bank Holiday Monday, takes place on Saturday July 7. Further entertainment is also being planned for the Saturday night, while the Luton Mela will also switch from its usual late-summer date to take place on Sunday July 8.
Luton is one of 66 evening celebration locations across the UK confirmed today by the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). The evening events will offer thousands of people the opportunity to come together and get involved in celebrations and share in the Olympic spirit. As part of the events LOCOG and the Presenting Partners, Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung, will stage exciting entertainment shows where a cauldron will be lit from the Olympic Flame, marking the end of the day’s proceedings.
The Olympic Flame will arrive in the UK from Greece on Friday 18 May 2012 and the 70-day Torch Relay will start at Land’s End, Cornwall, on the morning of the 19 May 2012. On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame is expected to travel an estimated 8,000 miles across the UK, giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to their doorstep. The Olympic Flame will arrive at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Luton’s plans are being announced this morning by Councillor Hazel Simmons.
She said: “Everyone in Luton is tremendously excited that the Olympic Torch Relay will visit our borough next July.
“The Bedfordshire Olympic Opportunities Support Team worked extremely hard to bring the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay to Luton and, along with our bid for city status, it’s another fantastic opportunity to raise our profile, demonstrate the positive diversity that we offer and the regeneration that is taking place, and really put Luton on the map.
“Our plans for the Cultural Festival are still at a very early stage but already we can promise an amazing weekend for Luton like none other in its long and proud history.”
A BANANA factory whose employees claim they will be sacked if they do not agree to work from 3.30am, was using the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) logo on its website despite not being a member, writes Connie Primmer.
ETI contacted the Luton News following last week’s story about SH Pratt & Co (Bananas) Ltd in Laporte Way to inform us that the company is not a member of ETI.
They also contacted Pratt’s, suppliers of Tesco, to ask them to remove the logo from their website, which they have since done. ETI director Peter McAllister said: “Pratt’s Bananas is not a member of ETI. Many companies that have been audited against the ETI Base Code appear to be under the misapprehension that they have been awarded some kind of stamp of approval or ‘ethical endorsement’. This is not the case.”
A Pratt’s manager, who refused to give her name, said: “We are audited by ETI but no, we are not members. You have to join to be a member.”
The ETI is an alliance of more than 70 companies which work to improve the conditions of people making consumer goods by committing to a code of labour practice to address issues like wages, hours of work, health and safety and the right to join free trade unions.
Allegations from some of Pratt’s 300 employees are at odds with ETI practice, with workers claiming they are made to work in unsafe conditions, are shouted and sworn at by supervisors, and currently face losing their jobs if they do not agree to the new hours.
A male employee, who did not wish to be named, said: “We have tried talking to the managers but they just do not care. There are workers who are 60 plus. How are they supposed to get up at 3am or find another job if they are sacked?
“If we complain they say there are other people who will have our jobs if we don’t want them so we don’t really have a choice.”
The employee claimed workers suffer harsh punishments if they do not follow orders, such as being made to do physically gruelling tasks, demotion or being sent home.
The company, which imports and ripens fruit, specialising in bananas, bananitos and pineapples, is currently in a consultation period and is due to reach a decision on the new working hours by Friday.
Trade union GMB regional organiser Alan Costello said: “There has been no progress as yet.
“The company are in a period of reflection so we are waiting for them to get back to us.”
A RESTAURANT owner has blasted the Scores on the Doors food hygiene scheme after his establishment was given a zero star rating.
Gio’s Italian restaurant was one of three businesses in Barton to receive zero stars in the latest round of inspections by Central Beds Council, the results of which are published on the internet.
Chinese takeaway Meedou in Sharpenhoe Road and Passage to India in Bedford Road also received zero.
Michael Failla, owner of Gio’s, said the rating was “grossly unfair”.
He said: “There were just a couple of bits they wanted changing, and we got them sorted out straight away. I called the inspector, David Norton, to say it was sorted and he said he would come back, but that was the last we heard from him.
“He said he wanted levers put on the taps so you could operate them with your elbow if you’d been handling meat, so I got our plumber out straight away. We were defrosting one fridge so the lads in the kitchen had put some meat in the other fridge temporarily, but it was on the bottom shelf and it was vacuum packed.
“I am the head chef but I hadn’t been working in the kitchen for a week because I’d had an operation and my hand was bandaged so I couldn’t wash it, and the commis chefs had made a couple of mistakes.The inspector actually commented when he left that it was the cleanest kitchen he’d seen in a while.
“We’ve got a great reputation with our customers – they will laugh at this. But it’s grossly unfair and it could damage our business.”
A total of 150 food establishments were reviewed in the latest round of inspections, the results of which have just been published at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
A spokesman for Central Beds Council said the scores were given on the basis of what inspectors found during their unannounced inspections.
Meedou and Passage to India could not be reached for comment.
A LUTON couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on Thursday (May 12).
Ken and Betty Stewart, 82 and 83, met in 1948 at RAF Hendon when Betty was working in the kitchen and Ken was doing his national service.
They married at St Mary’s Parish Church in Luton in 1951, but their romance nearly didn’t happen at all when Mr Stewart thought he had been stood up.
Mr Stewart said: “I didn’t realise how short Betty was because she always stood on a box behind the serving hatch. On our first date I was waiting outside and I couldn’t see her anywhere, then eventually I heard a noise and realised she was behind the hedge but I hadn’t seen her because she was so small!”
Mr and Mrs Stewart have three children, Ian, David and Odette, grandchildren Karl, Claara and James and a great-grandaughter, Amelia.
Son David was one of Mr Stewart’s cadets when he worked at the airport squadron and was the first of the cadets to go into the RAF, and grandson Karl, 19, is now hoping to join the RAF too.
To celebrate their anniversary, Mr and Mrs Stewart had a family lunch on Sunday.
The couple say the secret to a happy marriage is talking, although it might help that Mr Stewart does all the cooking.
Mr Stewart, who moved to Luton in 1940 and worked at Vauxhall, said: “Betty can just about boil a kettle and that’s it. I have to say she is a good household manager though.”
Luton-born Mrs Stewart, whose grandmother was the oldest woman in Luton when she died at the age of 109, said: “He’ll say that he gives and I take, but really we pull together and although we have our differences of opinion, we always talk things through and we get on.”
FORMER Luton Town manager David Pleat believes the Hatters will usher in a new era should they return to the Football League with victory over AFC Wimbledon at the weekend, writes Mike Simmonds.
The two sides meet at Eastlands in the Blue Square Bet Premier Play-Off final on Saturday and Pleat, who will be in attendance, hopes Town come out on top.
He said: “I wish them all the best. Bedfordshire wishes them all the best and I would say Hertfordshire does as well. Even Watford fans, the honest ones, would too.”
For the full interview, see this weeks Luton News /Dunstable Gazette
IT’S A win-win situation for former Luton Town and Wimbledon hero John Hartson when the pair meet in the Blue Square Bet Premier Play-Off final at Eastlands on Saturday, writes Mark Wood.
The now television pundit believes the outcome is too close to call but admitted Town have their work cut out to beat the Dons after witnessing their 6-1 destruction of hapless Fleetwood Town as a guest of honour in their semi-final second leg at Kingsmeadow on Wednesday night.
He said: “I went to their semi-final against Fleetwood where they won 6-1 and I hope they haven’t peaked too early and will get some goals in the final.”
For the full story, see this weeks Luton News / Dunstable Gazette
DEFENDER Freddie Murray is hoping to earn a new deal for next season despite being confined to the sidelines by a knee ligament injury, writes Mark Wood.
The left-back has been ruled out of the play-off final by the knock picked up in the 1-0 defeat at York City and his current deal is up in the next few weeks.
He said: “My contract is up in the summer, a bit like a few other players.
“The club need to see what league they are in. I would like to stay but the ball’s in their court.”
For the full story, see this weeks Luton News / Dunstable Gazette
HATTERS striker Danny Crow admits its touch and go whether he will be available for this weekend’s Blue Square Bet Premier Play-Off final at Eastlands, writes Mike Simmonds.
The 25-year-old forward has missed the last 10 games after injuring his medial ligament in the closing stages of the 3-3 draw at Kidderminster Harriers.
He has returned to training with the first-team squad now, but fears his comeback might have come too late.
Crow said: “It’s going all right. Hopefully next week I can at least be involved in the game on Saturday.”
For the full story, see this weeks Luton News / Dunstable Gazette
BEDFORDSHIRE’S chances of reaching the quarter-finals of the MCCA Trophy are still very much alive after a thrilling run chase against Oxfordshire at Banbury on Sunday.
Set a target of 312, Beds got home by three wickets with three balls to spare.
It was a remarkable game in many ways with Oxfordshire opener Richard Kaufman scoring 170 from 143 balls and still finishing on the losing side. His knock made up the lion’s share of the first 270 runs scored by Oxfordshire, before hitting Andy Reynoldson to Oliver Clayson.
Other than Kaufman’s knock Chris Watling made 46 and only two other players got past 20.
Reynoldson was Bedfordshire’s most successful bowler with 3-58 and Will Sneath again bowled admirably to take 2-37 from nine overs as Oxfordsire made 311-8.
After the aggressive Dan Simpson had gone for 15, Rob Keogh and Reynoldson kept the Bedfordshire score ticking over without taking any undue risks in a partnership of 110, which ended when Reynoldson was caught for 47.
This saw Steve Stubbings come to the crease and the former Derbyshire batsman took the Oxfordshire attack by the scruff of the neck.
Keogh eventually holed out for a classy 78 and the the runs really began to flow when Clayson joined Stubbings.
But with 10 overs to go, Beds still needed more than 100 and, when both batsmen were run out by throws from the boundary going for second runs – Clayson first for 44 and Stubbings for a brilliant 65 – the visitors’ chances looked slim.
The pressure though got to 16-year-old Oxfordshire bowler Matt Taylor, who sent down a flurry of wides and, although Oliver Swann was stumped off one, leaving Beds on 271-6, another went for four followed by four leg-byes after just flicking the pad straps.
George Arblaster and Colin Griggs then steered Beds home to victory as they reached 312-7.
Herefordshire are definitely through from Beds’ group, while the other qualifying place is up for grabs with Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire all having won one game.
Oxfordshire, though, have only one game left – against Hertfordshire who, like Bedfordshire still have two to play.
There are no games this weekend and Bedfordshire’s next match is against Dorset, who are out of the running having lost all of their three games, at Dunstable on May 29.
Scores: Oxfordshire 311-8. Bedfordshire 312-7
PLANS for a hand car wash in front of the former Royal Naval Association building in Crawley Green Road have angered people living nearby.
Concrete has been laid in front of the derelict building and taps installed in preparation for the car wash, for which a worker on the site said a planning application had been submitted earlier this week.
In a letter to the Herald&Post this week, a Crawley Green Road resident said the car wash would be a nuisance and could cause a road safety issue.
The resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “The site is within metres of residential property and there will be constant noise from the pressure washers and cars constantly going in and out.”
Crawley ward councillor David Franks said: “There is also the possibility that there could be quite a large car park for airport parking behind the building without planning consent.
“My worry is that the council won’t take strong action because they are too timid.”
A council spokesman said its planning enforcement officers were investigating, and that the site owner had been told that any unauthorised use of the site would lead to legal action.
Zam Laci, a worker at the site, said: “The council has been to check the drainage and they were happy with it. There is not going to be more noise than there is at the moment.
“he car wash will only be here until they have decided what to do with the building.”
MIDFIELDER Alex Lawless will be looking to put one over on another old friend when Town face AFC Wimbledon in the Blue Square Bet Premier Play-Off final at Eastlands on Saturday, writes Mark Wood.
Having already claimed the bragging rights over former room-mate Andy Mangan following Luton’s 5-1 demolition of Wrexham in the semi-finals, Lawless has now turned his attentions to silencing Kaid Mohamed.
Lawless played with the in-form striker at Forest Green Rovers and it was Mohamed who thumped a hat-trick in AFC’s 6-1 destruction of Fleetwood to complete an 8-1 drubbing.
Lawless revealed he had received a text from Mohamed compleminting him on his strike against Wrexham and he will now have to do battle with him at Eastlands.
Town’s midfielder said: “Kaid Mohamed is a Cardiff lad.
“It’s quite funny now I will be playing against him in the final.
“He text me saying nice goal and hopefully I will get a few and see you in the final.
“Kaid would rub it in a little bit but I’m really close to Mangan so it’s not quite the same.”
Now Lawless, pictured above, is looking forward to the chance of playing at Eastlands and he believes the top class pitch should suit the Hatters, especially the three-man midfield he has formed with Keith Keane and Jake Howells.
He said: “If you told me about playing in all these stadiums as a kid I would have said you are lying.
“They (Keane and Howells) make it easier for me to play in there.
“Jake and Keano, the workrate they put in, and I think we compliment each other.
“A surface like Manchester City will only help the three of us play.”
Lawless would also love to replicate the humdinger he scored in Luton’s 3-0 victory at Wrexham.
Lawless has a made a habit of netting on TV too, saying: “I’ve scored against Crawley and Wrexham and hopefully AFC Wimbledon now!
“I don’t think many people get them (the kind of goal he scored at Wrexham) often.
“If I could make a habit of being someone who can do that t would be great.
“I seem to have found a bit of form and playing regularly.
“I would like to think I can handle big game situations. It was nice to chip in with a goal.
“If I could do that or set one up or be involved in any of the goals, it would be ideal.”
Lawless has been seeking some inside info on Eastlands from a friend and has promised to seek out his girlfriend if he scores.
He added: “My mate is a big Man City fan so it’s nice to be chatting to him.
“My parents and sister and her boyfriend are coming up and my girlfriend’s parents and close friends.
“At some point most people will come to watch but to have them all at the same time is nice.
“My girlfriend gets annoyed because I never know where she’s sitting!”
TOP brass at the Football Conference will listen to supporters’ concerns after disappointing ticket sales for Saturday’s play-off final at Eastlands between Luton Town and AFC Wimbledon, writes Mark Wood.
With typical adult tickets costing between £36 and £41, children’s £18, and no concessions for OAPs, the Conference have come under fire from hard up supporters.
Added to that, booking fees and the cost of postage and packaging, means many fans have been unable to afford to attend the final.
Both clubs had only been able to sell around half their initial allocations by yesterday, meaning that around 17,000 had been sold in total.
And while Football Conference general manager Dennis Strudwick refused to admit the sales had been disappointing, he promised the board would listen to polite supporter feedback.
He said: “They are priced exactly the same as last year save for a small increase for VAT put on by the Government.
“Given they are the same as last year it’s difficult to say it’s wrong.
“We didn’t get any complaints last year.
“I’m wondering how much we have to change but we will be mindful.
I would be foolish to say we wouldn’t listen to what people have told us.
You are asking me to look into the future and I haven’t got a crystal ball.
“I can’t say it will (change) because it will be a Board decision.”
He equated the event to a show, saying: “I haven’t rung the theatre to complain about the price. You either go or you don’t go.”
But Strudwick admitted that Wembley might have a slight extra cache compared to the City of Manchester Stadium and the price should reflect that.
He said: “I think it’s a consideration but you’re asking me to be objective.
“I’m sure Wembley still has a wow factor to play there.
“This year it’s at Manchester because we can’t choose Wembley.”
In fact they were denied a final at the home of football by just one day, with Strudwick saying: “Our board tried to get Wembley but UEFA wouldn’t let us have it.
“They like to shut it down 14 days before the Champions League final and wouldn’t let us have that one.
“People ask could we not have moved the cup final?
“The planning started eight months ago so it’s not practical.
“You have to have a contract and demonstrate a financial commitment. A stadium like that has to be paid for.
“You can’t do that if you are going to have two or three other options in the wings, they have to be let down.
“You have to make a decision and it’s unrealistic to have more than one option and you are stringing all the others along.
“It needs to be sewn up really early so you can start making your plans.
“I think you’ve got to consider the other two semi-finalists too.
“If it had been Fleetwood against Wrexham we wouldn’t be having this conversation. It is sod’s law this year you have two southern teams in the final.
“You don’t know who is going to be in the final. You could have two teams that attract fewer people than those two clubs.
“We wanted a big crowd and the Conference makes no money, it just goes back to the clubs.
“It’s a big opportunity for the clubs in a big game.”
The game is played a day before the last match of the Premier League season and Strudwick questioned whether there would even have been other appropriate venues.
He said: “Are there three or four other options out there?
“Straight away your options are halved because they’ve got a fixture list on that weekend.
“We want the clubs to have a great day out.”
But he’s still hopeful it will be quite an occasion, adding: “Everything stacks up for it being a very important game. We just hope it’s a good game.”
TOWN’S 3-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon at Kenilworth Road in September coupled with their goalless draw at Kingsmeadow could give them a psychological edge according to injured winger Charlie Henry, writes Mark Wood.
The former Luton youth teamer, who is yet to kick a ball in anger for his new club since joining them from Newport County in November, will be a captivated onlooker at Eastlands on Saturday.
He said: “You need a lot of luck on the day.
“It’s a one-off game, anything can happen.
“Maybe we’ve got a slight advantage as we beat them this year and drew at their place.”
He believes Luton’s consistency this term should also stand them in good stead.
Henry said: “Maybe we had a little blip along the way around March.
“Crawley won the league and it was going to be the play-offs.
“Hopefully we turn up and play as we did in the first game (against Wrexham) and have nothing to worry about.
“I want to be involved but can’t.
“You just want to be there to support the lads as much as you can, but not be around them too much.
“It is going to be nerve-racking.
“I was nervous the other day when I was watching and I can’t see it being any different.”
Henry’s anticipating a massive Town following and hopes that Luton’s wealth of experience will come into play.
He added: “They took 40-odd thousand to Wembley in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
“I can imagine 20 to 30 thousand (will go) which would outnumber them two to one.
“It could give us an advantage and be the 12th man.
“Quite a few of the boys have played big occasions before.
“Even Robbie Willmott has played in a play-off final, Keano (Keith Keane) has played in big games too.
“There’s a lot of old heads there.”
HATTERS fan Freddie Murray is hoping his team-mates don’t freeze on the day when Town take on AFC Wimbledon at Eastland in the play-off final on Saturday, writes Mark Wood.
The full-back, who is sidelined with a medial knee ligament injury, said: “I’ve played in a few play-offs and the LDV Vans final with Cambridge against Cardiff.
“For the younger players you don’t want it to pass you by.
“On days like that you have to perform. That’s the crux of it.
“Just because it’s on the TV and a big ground, you don’t go out doing anything stupid.”
Murray may be frustrated to miss the big day at Eastlands but he will be getting behind his team-mates as best he can.
He said: “I will stay away from the boys on the day. I will be useless because I won’t be fit.
“I will just try to get the boys going so they are nice and relaxed.
“On the day I will just be a fan. I will keep my distance and I’m full of confidence they will carry it out.
“Everybody has been injured and missed big games and it doesn’t get any easier. I won’t be sitting there thinking what if, what if. All I can do is get behind the boys and I’m sure they will do the job for us.
“You just want to enjoy it because you know what’s at stake. It’s a big game and the prize is so big.
“It’s a game you have to win.
“If we can continue what we’ve been doing we will be difficult opposition on the day.
“I think on the day we have good players that will shine above them.
“We have got enough experienced players and we should be OK on the day.”
Murray believes that the neutral will have reasons to get behind both teams.
He said: “I think people have a soft spot for both clubs because of what has gone on in the last five or six years with both clubs. Both have had a tough time.”
The Irishman is also hoping that Town’s army of supporters who make the journey will be well rewarded for their efforts.
He added: “Luton fans love these kinds of situations.
“They are going to outnumber the other fans.
“They are going to be louder and there will be more orange than Wimbledon’s colours.
“They are spending a fortune and taking time out of their weeks.
“We’ve just got to make sure we do the job on the pitch. They deserve it more than anybody.
“They travel to horrible grounds and in the pouring rain and sometimes they have to put up with some bad performances.”
INJURED defender Shane Blackett will do his bit behind the scenes to help Hatters regain their place in the Football League on Saturday, writes Mike Simmonds.
The former Peterborough man has been out of action since November 20, but was part of the Hatters squad who got their suits fitted on Thursday and will give his team-mates his full support at Eastlands.
He said: “I’ll gee them up, help them out, and be doing my bits and bobs in the training room, motivation and stuff.
“Hopefully we can do enough to get them over the line.”
Luton have not been beaten by AFC Wimbledon this season and Blackett believes Town’s squad has the edge.
He continued: “We’ve still got to to turn up, work hard, but I believe we’ve got all the ability in the world in that squad.
“From what I’ve seen, it’s the best the Conference has seen in a long while.
“With the ability we’ve got, if we work hard, I’m sure it will shine through.
“It’s slightly psychological (being unbeaten), but it’s down to one game now so it’s whoever turns up on the day.
“Hopefully our lads turn up and do the business, get the club back where it belongs in the Football League.”
Blackett is confident the supporters can play their part too, with the Hatters fans travelling in their numbers up to Manchester. He added: “It’s the old cliché, but the crowd are the 12th man.
“They get behind the lads and if they’re behind us, we can beat anybody.”
A LUTON man was robbed at gunpoint in Westmoreland Avenue last Tuesday night.
The 24 year old victim was making his way home at around 10.50pm when he noticed two men in an alley.
The men threatened the victim with what appeared to be a hand gun before he handed over a small amount of cash and they left the scene.
The victim was not injured during the incident and used his mobile telephone to alert the police who then conducted an area search.
The first offender is described as a black man in his late 20s or early 30s, clean shaven and with a local accent. He was wearing a black Umbro hooded top and a dark t-shirt. The second offender is described as a black man and also wore a black hooded top.
Det Sgt Graham McMillan said: “It is possible that residents or members of the public may have seen two men acting suspiciously in the area prior to this incident. I would urge anyone who has information relating to this robbery to speak with the police, in confidence.”
Anyone with information about this crime should call police on 01234 841212, text information to 07786 200011, or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
A LUTON woman has spoken of her horror after a fellow dog owner’s pet pooch was mauled to death by an out of control canine in Lewsey Park.
Terrified children looked on as the chihuahua-type dog was savagely attacked by what has been described as a “pitbull type” breed.
The resident, who we agreed not to name, said that she is now too scared to take her own labrador-collie cross for a walk in the park.
She told the Luton News: “It was horrific.
“The poor dog was left with all its guts hanging out. The other dog needs to be destroyed.”
She said that the incident is not unusual for the area and has heard from other neighbours that local yobs often encourage their dogs to fight.
She added that with the park often full of children and with three primary schools, Ferrars, Southfields and St Martins, all close by, the outcome could be even more tragic if unruly dogs are allowed to run wild.
She said: “There’s always groups of lads riling their dogs up to fight, some keep them on leads.
“My dog is soft as anything.
“I don’t feel safe taking my dog for a walk in the park any more.
“A lot of youngsters normally play out there but it’s been very quiet since.
“I blame the owners not the dogs.
“They can’t let their dogs run wild attacking people.
“It’s frustrating that there’s not enough tougher laws to control dogs like that.”
Police officers were called to the park at around 5.30pm on Friday and the force helicopter was deployed on the day to discover whether there were any further dogs on the loose.
Officers have since carried out door to door enquiries in the area.
A spokesman for Beds Police confirmed that the local Safer Neighbourhood team are investigating the incident and that a local dog has been seized from an address in Lewsey Farm pending further enquiries.
The spokesman also confirmed that a second dog involved in the incident had died.
He added: “A dog-on-dog attack is not recorded as a crime, but not keeping a dog under control in a public place can bring criminal charges, so officers are carrying out further enquiries.”
>Have your say on this story at www.lutontoday.co.uk
A CYCLIST was taken to hospital this morning (Thurs May 19) after a collision in the centre of Luton.
Police closed part of Chapel Street following the collision between the cyclist and a Vauxhall Corsa just after 8.30am.
Ambulance service spokesman Gary Sanderson said the cyclist, a teenage male, was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
CHILDREN at Richmond Hill School showed special visitor MP Kelvin Hopkins around their art exhibition last week on Friday (May 13).
Icknield Red Dot Gallery shows exhibitions by Icknield High School students and staff as well as students from other local schools and local artists.
The pupils from Richmond High School, aged 8-11, created an exhibition based on the theme of pictures, paintings and photographs.
Specialist schools community co-ordinator Samantha Lavin, who currently runs the gallery, said: “Kelvin Hopkins’ visit went very well. Some of the children who created the artwork joined us and Mr Hopkins said it was a real pleasure to view the work and meet the artists.
“This is the first exhibition Richmond Hill School has had at The Red Dot Gallery and it is a great achievement for their students to see their work displayed in a professional environment.”
The young artists studied various pieces of art both at school and by visiting the gallery before creating their own work.
The gallery is open to members of the public and the Richmond Hill exhibition will be on display until Thursday May 26.
Opening hours are Monday - Friday from 10am-4.30pm, if you are interested in visiting the current exhibition please contact Samantha Lavin or Katie Hughes on 01582 576561 or email reddotgallery@hotmail.com.