Dunstable News Desk

Dunstable Town Council hold a Community Services Committee on 4 June. All welcome. A report highlights concerns about a Light Show that significantly increased crowd numbers at last year's Christmas Carols and Candlelight Procession, and councillors need to decide what to do to improve safety this year. According to the report, the light show contributed to audience levels going from 400 in 2016 to over 800 in 2017, with the increase coming from school numbers and audience attendance. One of the options being considered is closing High Street North to permit the increased audience size to spill out onto the road. The agenda also includes a report of forthcoming events for Dunstable. From 24th June through to 12 August, the Council will be hosting a series of Band concerts on Sunday afternoons. Dunstable Live is due to take place on 16 June with confirmed acts including a string of tribute acts replicating the music of David Bowie, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, George

Councillor John Kane, a resident of Luton and a CBC councillor for Houghton Hall ward of Houghton Regis, is now also the mayor of Dunstable. John was elected last Monday, May 21, at the annual meeting of Dunstable Town Council, held in the presence of Julian Polhill, High Sheriff of Bedfordshire , visiting Mayors, past Mayors of Dunstable, councillors, officers and honoured guests. John said, "It is truly an honour for me to represent my favourite town Dunstable. We moved to Dunstable/Houghton Regis from Potters Bar on 1st April (April Fool’s day) in 1977, where our three children were born, they went to local schools, Icknield Lower, Priory and Manshead. I later became a school governor of these schools, as well as Central Bedfordshire College." "As part of my role as mayor, I look forward to visiting all the shops in the centre to introduce myself, and to discuss ways that will help and improve the town." The mayor's charities for 2018/19 are DADDS 

The animals of ZSL Whipsnade Zoo meet their new superhero Some leaping lemurs and super-speedy birds of prey met their very own wildlife superhero on Tuesday 22 May, when ZSL’s new caped creation, Captain Z, was introduced to the animals of ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. The planetary protector, who has been created by ZSL for the Superheroes and Villains event during May half term, was introduced to the animals of ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, including ring-tailed lemurs and a Harris’s hawk named Sierra. ZSL’s team leader, Mark Holden said: “Our lively lemurs love to meet new people, investigate new things and welcomed Captain Z, the newest member of the team here at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.  “Ring-tailed lemurs, like so many of the species here at the Zoo, are classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List, so we need young superheroes to throw on their capes and come and join Captain Z in his mission to save the world’s wildlife.” Sierra, a 23 year old Harris’s hawk, has plenty of experienc

Sixteen more lorry drivers have been fined for flouting the local weight limits in Central Bedfordshire. They were caught out during an enforcement day on Friday 11 May, when Highways Officers and Trading Standard Officers from Central Bedfordshire Council teamed up with the police to enforce the heavy goods vehicle (HGV) restrictions in Dunstable and the surrounding areas. This is the second time that the council has run this type of operation since the final road signage about the weight restrictions in the area was installed in January 2018. During this latest day, teams set up an enforcement operation at High Street North, Chapel Street, Kensworth and on the B5120 in Houghton Regis. Both Kensworth and Houghton Regis were uneventful, with no enforcement action necessary. There were a number of HGV drivers who were spoken to who were delivering to local companies, as is allowed. However, at other locations, the enforcement team issued 16 Fixed Penalty Notices and gave five

From making poppy flower seed bombs (above), to carvery sculptures, to Heritage Walks and heritage slides shows, on to planting vegetables in the Kitchen Garden, and live music at the Houghton Hall Park Pavilion, it was all making for a great afternoon in the sunshine as these photographs were taken by HRND editor, Alan Winter. (tap/click to enlarge) This woodpecker was carved out and is set to be found a place in the eastern woodland. Look out for it on your next walk around the Park. On The Green by Houghton Regis's East End, the fair was in full swing and attracting hundreds for an afternoon of fun.

by Alan Winter Central Bedfordshire Council is now asking residents for feedback on proposed changes to some town and parish councils. These include changes to town and parish council boundaries, reduction in the number of councillors and the abolition, creation and merging of parishes. The changes being proposed follow on from the consultation last year where residents were invited to put forward ideas for change. Parish or town councils are typically responsible for looking after certain local facilities such as allotments, bus shelters, parks, playgrounds, public seats, public toilets, public clocks, village or town halls, maintenance of footpaths, cemeteries, village greens and various leisure and recreation facilities but this can vary between councils. After consideration was given to all the ideas, the second stage of the review is now underway and the council is asking for feedback on the proposed changes. The Council wants to hear residents’ views on whether they bel

By Alan Winter. A building with a long history on Dunstable's Church Street, the First and Last, could be demolished and turned into a drive-in Starbucks if developers gain permission from the unitary authority, Central Bedfordshire Council. The First and Last, at Church Street, Dunstable, LU5 4HP has A1 and A3 class use, and according to the application the proposal is for 'Demolition Of Existing Building On Site And Proposed Erection Of Coffee Shop With Drive-Thru Facility (use Classes A1 And A3); Associated External Seating, Car Parking, Cycle Parking, Totem Sign Structure And Landscaping'. According to the Design and Access Statement, it is anticipated that Starbucks will employ up to 30 people at the proposed development in a mix of full time and part time posts. Another part of the site, off St Peters Road, formerly First and Last, is subject to a separate application for a three storey building for 5 flats associated car parking and landscaping. The

Local actor and performer Aaron will be entertaining the crowd at this year’s awards and celebration evening, which is taking place at the Grove Theatre, in Dunstable, on Tuesday, 5 June. The multi-talented Aaron brings a long and varied CV of theatre and television work to the role, including appearing in two Harry Potter films and taking on the roles of children’s favourites such as the Cookie Monster and Barney the dinosaur in international theatre tours to dancing with former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe as the Genie in a run of Aladdin in Lowestoft last Christmas and New Year. His most recent role has seen him touring the UK as part of a stage adaptation of Rod Campbell children’s favourite Dear Zoo. Aaron takes over the compere’s role after three brilliant years from Tom Jones impersonator Billy Lee. And he said that he was delighted to be involved: “I am delighted to be involved and to be compering at the fourth annual Cheering Volunteering Awards that will be taki

Central Bedfordshire Council submitted its Local Plan to the Secretary of State on Monday April 30 and will now be subject to an independent examination by a Planning Inspector. The Local Plan sets out how Central Bedfordshire will develop over the next 20 years. It outlines the strategy for ensuring that the growth needed is delivered in the right places and is of the right character and quality. It also ensures that this growth is delivered alongside supporting roads, schools and services such as health, as well as retail, leisure and community facilities. A Planning Inspector will now set the timetable for examination of the Plan, which will begin with an initial check to make sure it meets the regulatory requirement. After this stage, the hearing timetable will be finalised and published. The Examination is likely to include a series of hearings on what the Inspector considers to be critical issues affecting the Plan. Anyone who has made representations proposing changes to

Central Bedfordshire Council is recommending that its Executive committee approves changes to bin collections to increase recycling; provide a consistent service across the region, and deliver the best value to council taxpayers. The current bin contracts are coming to an end in 2019, so the council has recently been consulting on possible options. 15,000 Responses Following that consultation, which received over 15,000 responses, the council has listened to residents and is suggesting the introduction of weekly food waste collections for everyone; where possible, a choice of wheelie bin or reusable bags for fortnightly garden waste collections; and potential kerbside glass collections for all. Not Charging for Garden Waste The council has discarded the idea of charging for garden waste, as this was the least favoured option for residents. After listening to residents’ concerns about three-weekly black bin collections, the council is not proposing to introduce those straight