Press Release: Central Bedfordshire

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LeightonBuzz have started receiving PR's from Central Bedfordshire. I will post them here as they could be used for content?

Thousands of children on high adventure in Central Bedfordshire

More than 4,600 children in Central Bedfordshire have joined in the annual Summer Reading Challenge so far this summer holiday, which is an increase of 17% on the same time last year.

But with one and a half weeks to go until the new school term starts, Central Bedfordshire Libraries are letting families know that it is still not too late for children to take up the challenge this summer.

Quest Seekers, the eleventh annual Summer Reading Challenge was launched at the start of the summer holidays and is running in all libraries, including mobile libraries, across Central Bedfordshire. Children who are taking part are asked to read six books during the summer and receive stickers and other rewards for each stage of the quest they complete. Those who read six books receive a certificate and stickers; if they read 12 books they receive a magic colour change pen and after reading 18 books they receive a medal at the end of the summer, with many being given out in special ceremonies and school assemblies. Every stamp card that is completed goes into a prize draw and there is a prize-giving event in October at Keech Cottage.

The reading challenge has a different theme every year, with tied-in events organised in libraries throughout the holidays, and this year’s fantasy and adventure theme, Quest Seekers, has proved to be very popular. So far in Central Bedfordshire, 4,686 children have joined the Summer Reading Challenge. Across the East of England over 80,000 children have taken up the challenge.

Quest Seekers is aimed at 6 to 11-year-olds but children who do not fall into this age bracket and want to take part are encouraged to sign up as well

Cllr Steve Male, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Skills said: “Quest Seekers proves reading can be transformational for young minds. Books spark imagination in all of us, whatever our age, and Libraries across Central Bedfordshire are full to bursting with fact and fiction books on all subjects.

“I am very pleased that so many children are reading so much this summer and congratulate all the Quest Seekers for taking part”.

To take part in the Summer Reading Challenge, children and parents can go along to any library in Central Bedfordshire to receive a Quest Seekers pack and be given information about events and activities planned over the summer. To find out where your local library is, visit: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk click Libraries.

Get off the track and on ya' bike
8th September 2009

Launching this week isa six week cycling promotion to help encourage local people to cycle to Leighton Buzzard Railway Station, as part of their daily commute.

Targeting individuals who currently get ‘dropped off’ at the railway station, the promotion is offering a range of benefits including free loan of a refurbished bike, if individuals don't own one, or a free bike check and security marking for those that do own a bike. Free cycle training will also be on offer, bike buddy and route planning assistance and a cycle map and other benefits including a cycling incentive scheme.

Councillor Tom Nicols, Central Bedfordshire Council Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development, said: "As part of the Leighton Linslade Cycling Town Project, one of our priorities is to increase the number of commuters cycling to Leighton Buzzard railway station from 50 to 150, measured by regular surveys of cycle parking at the railway station.

"The GoCycle Team will be present at the railway station between 5pm and 7pm every Monday for six weeks to target those individuals who rely on others to drop them off and pick them up daily, and begin to break down the barriers to cycling to the railway station. Dr Bike will also be present offering bike checks to those who already cycle to the station.”


Each Friday between 6.30am and 8.30am GoCycle will be present at the railway station again, providing cyclists with a Bikers Breakfast as a reward for those currently cycling and to those who have recently taken up the challenge.

As the nights begin to draw in and evenings get darker, our Go Cycle team are encouraging cyclists to pop along to visit GoCycle’s Dr Bike for free light checks and fitting advice at the Market Stall in Leighton Buzzard Town Centre on, Tuesday 13 October. Dr Bike will be offering FREE bike checks to members of the public and the team at Go Cycle will also be offering assistance on a range of cycling advice, there is no need to book and people are being encouraged to pop along any time throughout the day.

Cyclists can also enjoy the next Wheelie Wednesday which will be held on, 14 October 2009, the cycle ride throughout the town should only last an hour and cyclist should meet at the Market Cross Leighton Buzzard at 12.30.

Councillor Tom Nicols, Central Bedfordshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development, said: "Go Cycle is hosting a variety of events throughout the next few weeks to encourage the people of Leighton Buzzard to get on their bikes! We are proud to be supporting the range of events and on 17 October, Commuters are being encouraged to attend a free cycle training course, for those who are not only currently cycling to work or the train station, but those who are thinking of starting up cycling. To sign up visit gocycle@leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk”

Nearly 60 education chiefs attended a special meeting to learn how to prevent fires in schools in Bedfordshire and Luton.

Held at Dunstable Community Fire Station on Wednesday 7th October, the event was a joint initiative between police and fire services to encourage Head Teachers and school governors to consider how they can protect pupils and premises.

Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service and Bedfordshire Police signed a “memorandum of understanding” around a School Crime and Arson Risk Evaluation (SCARE) at the event.

The SCARE programme is based upon the results of a Risk Assessment using a BB 100 tool kit. This Communities and Local Government department guidance covers fire safety in schools. The risk assessment has been carried out on 252 schools across Bedfordshire and Luton with help of local authorities health and safety teams responsible for school.

“We believe we are the only FRS in the country to have carried out such an extensive risk assessment,” said Fire Safety Officer Tim Birchall.

At a later event in Spring 2010 there will be a seminar about sprinklers in schools. Sprinklers are supported nationally by Chief Fire Officers and are considered the most effective way of limiting the spread of fires and any consequent damage and disruption in schools.

Said Chief Fire Office Paul Fuller: “This is important work for BLFRS in helping to keep schools and students safe from fire. The installation of sprinklers is the single most effective action which can be taken to protect premises from fires, whether started accidentally or by arson. Nationally the incidents of arson at schools is notable and we want to ensure that here in Bedfordshire and Luton we maintain our current high standards of safety.

Full details of the seminar via www.bedsfire.com

http://www.bedsfire.com/CommunitySafety/BusinessFireSafety/Pages/SchoolsFireSafety.aspx

The Leighton Buzzard Traffic Calming scheme, last night (22 October) had great success as the scheme won at the Highways Magazine Excellence Awards, under the category of "Traffic Flow Improvement Scheme of the Year".

Beating off stiff competition from Glasgow City Council, the entry had to show innovative ideas on traffic flow improvement and demonstrate how it has impacted and improved the situation for all network users.

Councillor David McVicar, Central Bedfordshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: "What a fantastic achievement to win this prestigious award, I would like to take the opportunity of not only congratulating all the team in developing and building the scheme but thanking local people and residents who provided their comments at consultation and for their patience as work was being carried out. We continue to receive positive feedback on how this scheme has improved and radically changed traffic flow throughout the town, and receiving this award is testament to the hard work and commitment from our legacy authorities and Bedfordshire Highways."

Central Bedfordshire Council heard the results at the award ceremony last night, which took place at, at the Millennium Hotel in London, Mayfair.

The Leighton Buzzard traffic calming scheme was designed to balance the needs of the motor car with those of vulnerable road users, such as cyclists and pedestrians.

The work involved removing traffic lights at junctions in the town to reduce the amount of time drivers are kept waiting at red lights which, in turn, has helped traffic flow along the roads. New zebra crossings and junctions, 20-mph zone’s were also introduced and major improvements were made between Old Road and Leston Road.

The former Bedfordshire County Council started the works in August last year, and Central Bedfordshire Council took over ownership on 1 April 2009. As well as major road improvements Bedfordshire Highways also resurfaced the roads and a path within the new zone, street furniture was re-painted, and trees and shrubs planted to improve the street scene.

To mark the opening of the scheme, the Bedfordshire Highways team and local Councillors from Leighton Buzzard decided to ‘come together’ to recreate the legendary Beatles Abbey Road album cover to celebrate the completion of the Leighton Buzzard traffic calming scheme.