Leighton Buzzard Observer (Leighton Buzzard, England) back issues from January 2008:
Little Jack can't wait beyond Christmas Day for his presents.
Jan 02, 2008 ... AN EXTRA special Christmas bundle arrived in Woodman Close, Leighton, on Christmas Day and parents Rebecca Drakeley and Michael Capitano were over the moon with the tiny delivery. Jack Michael put in an early appearance weighing 6lb 5oz. Mum Rebecca had woken in the ...
Storm over flats plan.
Jan 02, 2008 ... CONTROVERSIAL plans to re-develop land opposite the town's railway station look set to hit the buffers at a meeting of South Beds District Council's planning committee next Wednesday (January 9). Applicants Graham (Jute) Ltd want to build 39 flats on the Station Approach site, ...
Town stretch unbeaten run.
Jan 02, 2008 ... Leighton Town 3 Berkhamsted Town 1 LEIGHTON Town stretched their unbeaten run to five games with a comfortable 3-1 win over a spirited Berkhamsted side on New Year's Day. The Reds took an early lead when Leon Cashman scored after being put through by Billy Perry. ...
Two local men are awarded the MBE.
Jan 02, 2008 ... TWO people from Leighton-Linslade have been awarded the MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List for 2008. Graham Ernest Smith, who is the Planning Director of English, Welsh and Scottish railways, was appointed MBE for services to the rail freight industry. Mr ...
Medal haul at 'Cracker' gala.
Jan 02, 2008 ... THREE Leighton Buzzard SC swimmers took part in the Milton Keynes Swimming Club 'Christmas Cracker' open meet at the Stantonbury Campus pool. The event was extremely successful for the club swimmers with three gold, one silver and two bronze medals being won. The swimmers also ...
Chemicals alert as fire wrecks factory.
Jan 03, 2008 ... A FACTORY containing tanks of chemicals suffered major damage during a huge fire on New Year's Day. Firefighters battled the inferno at metal finishing company C-Tec on Chartmoor Road for nearly five hours. An investigation is currently taking place to find out how ...
Witness appeal after woman is stabbed at hotel.
Jan 03, 2008 ... BEDFORDSHIRE Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was stabbed following an aggravated burglary in Leighton Buzzard. The incident is believed to have occurred between noon and 12.37pmon Tuesday, New Year's Day, at the Swan Hotel in High Street, where a ...
Overheating fault causes factory blaze.
Jan 04, 2008 ... FIRE investigators have found that a blaze at a Leighton factory on New Year's Day was an accident. The fire at metal finishing company C-Tec Ltd of Chartmoor Road was due to an overheating fault in the production equipment. Director Frances Patterson said she was at ...
New boss celebrates with another win.
Jan 07, 2008 ... Rothwell Town 0, Leighton Town 1 NEW Leighton Town boss Sean Downey celebrated his appointment with a win at Rothwell on Saturday. The side had taken 10 points from a possible 12 since Downey stepped in as acting manager following Keith Scott's resignation. ...
MP wins inquiry into foul-mouthed Christmas show.
Jan 08, 2008 ... A STREAM of strong swear words on the Catherine Tate Christmas special provoked a complaint to Ofcom by Nadine Dorries, MP for Woburn and other villages to the north east of Leighton. Now she has welcomed a decision by the TV watchdog to launch an inquiry into the programme. ...
Lonely Carlos needs a friend in his stable.
Jan 08, 2008 ... STAFF and volunteers at the Home for Unwanted and Lost Animals are desperately seeking a new companion for Carlos the resident donkey following the death of his stable companion. Roberta collapsed and died from a heart condition shortly after Carlos arrived at the local ...
Harry's incredible journey.
Jan 08, 2008 ... LINSLADE cat owner Karen Walker thought the worst when her beloved tabby, Harry, went missing. Extensive searches throughout the neighbourhood, frantic calls to the police and local vets failed to find any trace of the seven-year-old moggy ..... Until a chance look at a missing ...
Just what the doctor ordered!
Jan 08, 2008 ... LEIGHTON Buzzard Golf Club suffered its first casualty of the year when incoming Captain Andy Wright had to be wheeled to the first tee in a hospital bed accompanied by a team of nurses for Sunday's traditional first-day drive-in. The 54-year-old accident-prone railway ...
Hard-fought win keeps Buzzards top.
Jan 08, 2008 ... Leicester Vipers 15, Leighton Buzzard 30 LEIGHTON started 2008 with a hard fought away win against a competitive Leicester Vipers outfit and ensured that Buzzards stayed at the top of the league. Buzzards started brightly with both backs and forwards linking up in ...
Hoodies' violent rampage at station.
Jan 08, 2008 ... POLICE are hunting a gang of yobs who went berserk in a violent attack that caused more than [pounds sterling]4,000 damage to two cars at Leighton Buzzard Station on New Year's Day. The evening's celebrations turned sour for two motorists who returned to the station's car park ...
Rhinos get a luxury pool and prayer flags.
Jan 10, 2008 ... WHIPSNADE Zoo has splashed out more than [pounds sterling]2 million on a variety of new attractions due to be unveiled throughout this year. The first part of the refurbishment, opening in time for the February half-term, is an Asian-themed indoor housing for the zoo's ...
Rhys campaigns to save Leighton from developers.
Jan 10, 2008 ... A LEADING councillor is spearheading a new campaign to save Leighton-Linslade from the onslaught of developers. Rhys Goodwin is calling on the townspeople to rise up and join forces to demand a halt to controversial and potentially devastating plans that could lead to more than ...
From the dug-out.
Jan 10, 2008 ... READERS will be aware by now that I have been offered and have taken the first team manager's job following the departure of Keith Scott to Windsor and Eton back in December. Keith and I had a good working relationship and I know that we learned a great deal from each other ...
New quarry could stretch from Clipstone to Hockliffe.
Jan 11, 2008 ... THE public are to be asked again for their views on plans for a massive new sand pit between Clipstone, the A5 at Hockliffe and Mile Tree Road, Heath and Reach. WBB Minerals has asked for the proposed quarry to be included in the Bedfordshire and Luton Minerals Development Plan ...
Vomiting virus hits town surgeries.
Jan 14, 2008 ... THE WINTER vomiting virus that is rapidly spreading across Britain has put pressure on Leighton-Linslade surgeries. The bug typically starts with an attack of vomiting and some patients also experience diarrhoea. Local doctor at the Bassett Road Surgery, Roger ...
Car overturns in bypass crash.
Jan 14, 2008 ... BUCKS firefighters used specialist equipment to free an injured man from this crashed car on the Stoke ...
Upper schools are near the top in league tables.
Jan 14, 2008 ... by Jessica Vince CEDARS Upper School is celebrating its position among the top ten secondary schools in Bedfordshire. Both Cedars and Vandyke Upper Schools appeared in the new government league tables, which rate the performance of all schools in England. ...
Cat shot at close range.
Jan 14, 2008 ... A HEARTBROKEN Linslade couple are warning other pet owners on the Wyngates estate to be extra vigilant after their cat was shot and fatally wounded with an airgun. Dennis and Elaine Child said five-year-old George was blasted in the back at close range and left with serious ...
Buzzards try out some new faces.
Jan 14, 2008 ... Leighton Buzzard 34, St Albans 15 BUZZARDS had a break from the league on Saturday with a friendly fixture against a visiting St Albans side from the London leagues. It gave Buzzards an opportunity to try out some new faces and combinations - and in testing conditions ...
Swimmers clinch Speedo League promotion.
Jan 14, 2008 ... LEIGHTON Buzzard Swimming Club overcame the odds to clinch promotion when they travelled to the Frank Carter Pool in Stetchford, Birmingham, for Sunday's Speedo League Division 3 'Swim Off'. The 50-event gala started off slowly for the LBSC squad until in event five the 13 and ...
Could alternatives to a bypass work?
Jan 15, 2008 ... A REPORT looking at alternatives to road building between Wing and Rowsham was published on Friday. The report was jointly commissioned by Bucks County Council and Friends of the Earth to look at proposed improvements to the A418 following a public consultation in June 2006 and ...
Police arrest knifeman after Woolworth's terror.
Jan 15, 2008 ... ARMED police swooped on Leighton, High Street, store Woolworth after a man threatened staff with a knife at about 1.30pm on Sunday Beds Police spokesman Dave Cook said a woman member of staff was taken to the Luton and Dunstable Hospital where she was treated for shock and a ...
Mary sheds half a hundredweight - and aims to stay that way.
Jan 15, 2008 ... WE ALL know the festive season is a time to eat, drink and be merry. But the challenge of Christmas is whether we can resist piling on those extra pounds which linger well into the New Year. An inspirational story for us all is Mary Edwards' account of her ...
Rhys steps up campaign to save Leighton.
Jan 15, 2008 ... THE government is refusing to exempt Leighton from its housing growth plans despite overwhelming support for Rhys Goodwin's New Year's campaign from townspeople, cross party politicians and community groups. But they are "considering" setting up another quango to tackle the ...
Hockey men hammer five.
Jan 15, 2008 ... Leighton Mens 1sts 5, Harrow 1 THE first half saw Harrow dominate and Leighton created few chances. The half-time break re-energised the Methi side and Leighton pressured Harrow from the off. After numerous attacks Leighton were rewarded a penalty ...
Gavin is golf club's player of the year.
Jan 15, 2008 ... SEVENTEEN-year-old Gavin Samuels has started his golfing new year where he left the old one? winning awards. The former Cedars student now honing his golfing skills at a sport and business academy, made it easy for the school's ex-head of maths, Morley Smith, to name his Player ...
Lisa's brother calls for her to have full mental health care.
Jan 16, 2008 ... THE brother of a mentally-ill Leighton woman who was returned to jail hours after being released from prison has made an official complaint about the Beds Probation Service. Lisa Keen was released from HMP Peterborough after serving half of a two-year sentence for the ...
From the Dug-out.
Jan 17, 2008 ... AS I sit down to write this column our midweek fixture against Malvern Town has been postponed due to the poor weather. With the Chasetown game also lost to the weather on Saturday, this is proving to be a frustrating fortnight for me, Paul and the players. The last thing you ...
Scouts mourn for an inspirational leader.
Jan 18, 2008 ... SCOUTS throughout Leighton and Bedfordshire have paid tribute to one of their most inspirational leaders, who has lost his battle against cancer. John Fogg, 65, died at his home in Leighton after a four-year fight against the disease. For all his adult life John ...
Fake vodka could be dangerous.
Jan 18, 2008 ... TRADING standards are warning licensees and the public to be on the look out for cheap "knock off" vodka. Bottles of counterfeit Glens Vodka has been found at three locations in Buckinghamshire. The counterfeit spirit has not been through the company's strict ...
County council set to increase tax by 3.8%.
Jan 18, 2008 ... COUNCIL tax bills from Beds County Council will be their lowest for a decade says its finance boss. The authority has announced that it is putting up the rate by just 3.8 per cent. It means a band D household will pay County Hall [pounds sterling]1,123.46 - up from [pounds ...
Bypass drivers caught in speed trap.
Jan 18, 2008 ... MOTORISTS were caught driving well over the speed limit on the new by-pass, A4146, between Bletchley and Wing. The A4146 has been subject to numerous collisions, causing the Thames Valley Police to carry out an operation to tackle speeding. The casualty reduction ...
Police seize cash and arrest five in dawn swoop.
Jan 18, 2008 ... BEDS Police seized tens of thousands of pounds and arrested five people following an operation early on Thursday (January 17). Warrants were executed from 6am at seven properties south of Leighton Buzzard and officers recovered cash they believe to be the proceeds of crime. ...
Market Cross set be lit.
Jan 19, 2008 ... PLANS to brighten Leighton town centre and give it more tourist appeal include illuminating the historic Market Cross. Leighton Linslade Town Centres Management Committee has agreed to spend between [pounds sterling]30,000 and [pounds sterling]40,000 on lighting for the ancient ...
Peter goes on TV to encourage more men into teaching.
Jan 19, 2008 ... LOCAL teacher Peter Rowe from Clipstone Brook Primary School is to appear on Teachers TV, the digital channel for those in education. Peter will star in the programme "Men in Primary - Early Years" which is to be broadcast on Teachers' TV on January 24 at 4.15pm and repeated at ...
Bypass ruled out for eight years.
Jan 21, 2008 ... THERE were angry scenes at a village hall when residents heckled planners over continued delays in building the Wing Bypass. And many of them were angry at alternative ideas to building a Wing bypass, such as traffic calming and improved public transport. South Beds ...
Town stretch unbeaten run.
Jan 21, 2008 ... Leighton Town 3, Romulus 0 LEIGHTON extended their unbeaten run with a well deserved victory over Romulus at Bell Close on Saturday. The visitors had beaten Town 3-2 in November when a last minute winner ensured they took all three points from a game where both sides ...
Lorries smash their way through.
Jan 22, 2008 ... BLOCKADE-busting truckers who flout Leighton's lorry ban are warned they risk tough court action. The warning comes from one of the councillors who spearheaded a campaign to bring in the ban and stop heavy goods vehicles 'rat running' through the town's residential streets. ...
Leighton firm wins medical supplies contract.
Jan 22, 2008 ... A LEIGHTON firm is planning to boost its workforce after winning a major new contract for the distribution of vital medicines. Alan Cheshire, chief executive of Polar Speed, is appealing for drivers to join his company as it goes from strength to strength. Healthcare ...
Record breaking spree by Lauren.
Jan 22, 2008 ... LEIGHTON Buzzard swimmer Lauren Ottaway took part in the Scottish National Short Course Championships at Tollcross, Glasgow. Many members of the GB squad also swum at the event including Kirsty Balfour - medallist from the World Championships and one of three British ...
Buzzards march on in mudbath.
Jan 22, 2008 ... Leighton Buzzard 25 Stewarts & Lloyds 14 BUZZARDS started the game well in what turned out to be a wet and muddy affair at Wrights Meadow on Saturday. Early attacks from Stewarts & Lloyds put the visitors into the home 22 but good defence led by Gavin Taylor and Chris ...
England star opens new indoor nets.
Jan 22, 2008 ... ENGLAND opening batsman Alastair Cook opened Great Brickhill's eagerly awaited indoor nets on Saturday. The left-hander - who stands alongside greats Sir Don Bradman, Javed Miandad and Sachin Tendulkar to have scored at least seven centuries before the age of 23 - did the ...
Five-goal blast by hockey ladies.
Jan 22, 2008 ... Leighton Ladies 1sts, 5 Hinckley 2 AFTER a sluggish start from Leighton the Practical Car and Van Rental side soon picked themselves up and Kirsty Scrivener opened the scoring. Both teams looked strong, passing well and quick on the break. Leighton scored ...
From the dug-out.
Jan 23, 2008 ... AFTER the frustration of the last fortnight, it was great to get back to action on Saturday against a Romulus side who were a place above us in the league, and who had beaten us with a late goal back in November. With Enzo Silvestri and Craig Kench both still unavailable, it was ...
Win marred by serious injury.
Jan 23, 2008 ... Bedworth Utd 0, Leighton Town 2 LEIGHTON Town continued their fine run with a deserved victory at Bedworth on Tuesday - a result marred by an injury to Charlie Cunningham who suffered a broken leg. The unfortunate Cunningham broke his leg in a tackle after 60 ...
Coe says Bedfordshire can benefit from the Olympics.
Jan 28, 2008 ... SEBASTIAN Coe has called on young people in Bedfordshire to get involved in the 2012 Olympic Games. The Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and former Olympic gold medallist, was speaking to more than 100 budding athletes from ...
Plan for canal marina near Old Linslade.
Jan 28, 2008 ... A NEW marina is planned beside the Grand Union Canal near Linslade to enable the storage of up to 150 private pleasure boats. The proposed development would be about a quarter of a mile north west of Old Linslade Road on the opposite side from the towpath, between the canal and ...
Enzo's last-gasp goal rescues Town.
Jan 28, 2008 ... Cinderford T 1, Leighton Town 1 LEIGHTON travelled to Gloucestershire on Saturday and stretched their unbeaten run to ten games, but they had to rely on a last-minute equaliser from Enzo Silvestri to earn them a point from an entertaining game. Town were forced to ...
Taxi driver hunted in double rape inquiry.
Jan 28, 2008 ... TAXI drivers are being asked for DNA samples after two girls, one just 15-years-old, were raped after accepting lifts in cabs. Police believe the same man is responsible for the attacks which took place at the end of last year. They are now appealing for help in trying to trace ...
Champion fund-raisers have helped collect [pounds sterling]250,000for cancer charity.
Jan 29, 2008 ... AN AWARD-WINNING Leighton couple are taking a back seat after 20 years of leading local fund-raising for Macmillan Cancer Support. Barry and Noreen Henshaw of Miles Avenue have steered the Leighton-Linslade District fund-raising group since March 1988. When they ...
Hockliffe roadworks will cause delays on the A5.
Jan 29, 2008 ... DRIVERS who use the A5 through Hockliffe are being advised to leave extra time for their journeys while essential road improvements are being done. The job includes resurfacing between the A4012 Woburn Road junction and the McDonalds restaurant at the south end of the village to ...
Diamond couple get a card from the Queen.
Jan 29, 2008 ... WITH divorce rates rising we all need to hear a true love story now and again to warm the cockles of our hearts, especially with St Valentine's Day just around the corner. A shining example of a match made in heaven is Maurice and Sheila Clements who celebrated their Diamond ...
Wake-up call for hockey ladies.
Jan 29, 2008 ... Leighton Ladies 1sts 1, North Staffs 2 LEIGHTON'S Misco side struggled to find their feet in this scrappy fixture on Saturday. Slow to get off the mark Leighton's game was disrupted by a North Staffs side that showed more desire to win, playing a physical game that ...
Buzzards' fire-power keeps them top.
Jan 29, 2008 ... Daventry 15 Leighton Buzzard 25 BUZZARDS maintained their lead at the top of Midland 3 with a hard fought victory over a well-organised and determined Daventry side, who belied their position at the foot of the table. In what turned out to be a tight and scrappy ...
Canoeists tackle Waterside challenge.
Jan 29, 2008 ... THE Waterside series of canoe and kayak races comprise four races on the Avon Kennet Canal every spring. They are organised by Newbury Canoe Club. The series is recognised as the classic build-up for the Devizes to Westminster race held every Easter which is 125 miles long. ...
Thomas blasts cup double.
Jan 30, 2008 ... Bedford Town 1 Leighton Town 2 TWO fabulous strikes from youngster Scott Thomas earned Leighton a place in the semi-finals of the Beds Senior Cup with a fine victory at Bedford on Tuesday. With Pete Clifford unavailable through illness, new signing Lance Gentle-King ...
From the Dug-out.
Jan 30, 2008 ... THEY say that football is " a funny game" and that part of its appeal is its "unpredictability" -well Saturday's game was proof of that! With a minute to go I was feeling a disappointed that we had failed to turn our superiority into goals and another three points. Such ...
Van-thief rams traffic queue.
Jan 31, 2008 ... AN opportunist thief caused chaos during the morning rush hour in Leighton on Wednesday (Jan 30) when he rammed a stolen van into a traffic queue. Drivers and passers by looked on in astonishment as the van driver smashed into a line of stationary cars in the town centre in a ...
Police seek mystery photographer at fire.
Jan 31, 2008 ... DETECTIVES investigating an arson attack which wrecked two cars parked on a drive are appealing for a person who took pictures of the incident to come forward. The fire happened at around 3.40am on Saturday, January 19, in Apple Tree Close, Linslade. A Ford Fiesta and a Rover ...