Luton Town proved they’ve got a rich crop of young talent to be reckoned with as they deservedly beat League One Gillingham 2-1 in the Checkatrade Trophy.
Frankie Musonda and Jonathan Smith scored inside the first 25 minutes as part of a dominant first half and, even when Darren Oldaker halved the deficit late on, Town still had time to make history.
Connor Tomlinson was given a few injury-time seconds to become the club’s youngest player at 15 years and 199 days, having needed permission from his Harlington Upper headteacher to play a part.
Yet Luton may find that they’ve broken the school rules. The new format of this competition stipulates that Luton would have had to either field five players from Saturday’s 3-0 League Two win over Cambridge, or five players that will start in this weekend’s clash against Wycombe.
Though a completely changed starting line-up here, comprising six Academy graduates, acquired themselves magnificently, the sensible money will be on few, if any, starting the next game.
That could mean a fine for Town, but with competition prize-money for a win (£10,000) outweighing the maximum £5,000 slap on the wrist for a breach of the rules, then it was a thoroughly worthwhile evening.
The inexperienced Hatters side started superbly and were ahead in the 10th minute when Musonda headed in his first competitive Town goal.
Then in the 24th minute Town rampaged toward the Gills goal through the excellent Jake Gray and his byline cutback found its way to Smith who smashed home with interest to double Luton’s lead.
Isaac Vassell – on his first start for the club – almost made it three just before the break when he burst through but just couldn’t nick it past the outrushing keeper Stuart Nelson, while Akin Famewo headed Gray’s corner into the wrong side of the netting to complete a wonderful first half display.
Vassell and Smith both had chance early in the second period but when, on 58 minutes, Cody McDonald evaded Luton attentions in the box, Craig King - on his Hatters pro debut - was quick off his line to keep the Gills striker out, repeating the trick from a less threatening angle three minutes later.
The Hatters twice had decent shouts for spot-kicks waved away as Zane Banton and Vassell both appeared to be impeded in penalty area.
Smith should have put the game to bed on 69 minutes when Vassell raced down the wing and clipped a cross to him at the back post but, with the goal at his mercy, the midfielder headed over from point blank range.
Gillingham matched that for inaccuracy as substitute Bradley Stevenson fluffed his lines from close range after the ball ricocheted into his path.
King then kept Jake Hessenthaler out with his feet, but he could do little to prevent a Oldaker pile driver from finding the net at the death.
Even that was upstaged when Tomlinson replaced Banton to become Luton’s youngest ever player in what was a fabulous night all round for the Hatters.
Match facts
Gillingham: Nelson; Ehmer, Hessenthaler, McDonald, Osadebe, Pask, Oldaker, List, Dickenson (Stevenson, 61), Dack (O’Hara, 45), Thomas (Donnelly, 45)
Unused subs: Bond, Oshilaja, Cundle, Wright
Luton: King, Cotter, Musonda, Famewo, JJ, Smith Bakinson, Gray, Banton (Tomlinson, 90+2), Vassell, McQuoid (Atkinson, 84)
Unused subs: Snelus, Hinds, Bean, Read, Gooch
Referee: John Busby
Attendance: 2,128 (137)

Hatters youngsters take their chance as Gillingham are beaten in Checkatrade Trophy


Luton Town proved they’ve got a rich crop of young talent to be reckoned with as they deservedly beat League One Gillingham 2-1 in the Checkatrade Trophy.


Dunstable dropped into the Saracens Herts League Championship relegation zone after a 33-run loss to Langleybury on Saturday.
Ian Gilbert’s 4-43 restricted Langleybury to 235, before Sam Cherry top scored with 65 to take him past 1,400 runs for the season, but Dunstable could only reach 202-8.
The IIs moved back into a promotion spot in Division Four B after they chased 253 against Hertford IIIs.
Sam Marshall took three wickets and Rob Simpkins picked up 3-35 before Richard Kilduff got Dunstable’s chase off to a positive start with 76.
David Barker followed with 49 and Jason Strong added 42 as Dunstable reached 254-5.
The IIIs also won after smashing 320-8 against Letchworth Garden City IVs.
Ian Horton made 32 before a welcome half-century from Mehul Godhania, who hit 59 from just 65 balls with nine fours and a six.
However, it was Ben Adamson who top scored with a career-best 91 from just 56 balls that included 13 fours and two sixes.
Joe Moss chipped in with 25 before Dean Woods 16-ball 32 took Dunstable to their imposing total.
Godhania (3-30) and Adamson (2-32) then claimed five wickets between them as Dunstable restricted Letchworth to 184-8 from 50 overs to claim a huge 136-run win.
There were contrasting fortunes for the IVs who were lost by 70 runs to Great Barford and Mowsbury.
Sam Spokes claimed 3-22 for Dunstable whilst Kieran Barry returned 2-20 as Dunstable were set just 146 to win.
Only Freddie Lippiatt (24) could score more than 11 though as they were bowled out for just 76.
Dunstable Town’s Sunday side had a week off, but the IIs’ relegation from the Beds County League Division One was confirmed after defeat.
The hosts were set 233 to win by Biggleswade after they reached 232-9 from their 45 overs as Dave Barker took 3-45, with Andy Watts and Harry Wright claiming two wickets each.
Dunstable found themselves 36-5 in reply before 38 from Lee Pratt and James Bromhall got them back into the game.
Despite Watts’ unbeaten 31, Dunstable could only reach 189-8 from their 45 overs, losing by 43 runs.
The IIIs lost by 104 runs to Luton Town & Indians IIIs to leave them one point from safety. Adam Lewis moved to 43 wickets for the season taking 5-35 to bowl Indians out for just 163.
Lewis then top scored with 22, but Dunstable were all out for a paltry 59.

Defeat drops Dunstable into relegation zone


Dunstable dropped into the Saracens Herts League Championship relegation zone after a 33-run loss to Langleybury on Saturday.


A man crushed his next door neighbour’s five-year-old son to death as his car pulled onto the shared driveway of their homes.
Aylesbury Crown Court heard on Wednesday that 42-year-old David Cowell was returning home to watch an England football match on TV after going on an errand to the shops when the tragedy happened, crushing the child without seeing him.
Cowell is accused of causing the death of Riley Ferguson by careless driving - a charge he denies.
Riley died from horrific injuries to his head and neck after his next door neighbour’s Vauxhall Insignia car rolled over him, the jury was told.
Neighbour Cowell had invited a friend around to watch an England football match on June 7, 2015, when he left his home for a brief moment on an errand.
The defendant returned home to see another neighbour’s daughter, named Millie, standing near his shared driveway but was unable to spot Riley who was already underneath his car and bleeding heavily from his mouth and nose.
Cowell reversed after hitting what he thought was a bike or a scooter on the driveway, only to find Riley who he had not seen while pulling up outside his home in Milton Keynes.
Riley died from his injuries after being taken to a hospital and a hospice.
The court heard how the summer sun had prompted a number of barbecues in Woodspring Court where the tragedy happened last year.
Alan Blake, prosecuting, said: “The front gardens were very small and Millie and Riley would often play together on and around the driveway. That was something that frustrated the defendant who had spoken to his neighbours about it.
“Relations remained cordial and it was just something that had been mentioned.”
He added: “On June 7, 2015, some of the residents, including this defendant, were planning on having barbecues and David Cowell was planning to watch an England match with his friend.
“The defendant popped out on an errand in his black Vauxhall Insignia car. At around 1.45pm he drove down Tewkesbury Lane before turning left into Woodspring Court.
“While the defendant was out on his errand there were some of the children playing on the shared driveway. 10-year-old Millie started playing outside with Riley. Riley had a ball with him while they chatted and played.
“Young Riley was sitting playing on the driveway about a metre or so from Millie.”
Mr Blake told jurors that Cowell returned to his home at around 1.45pm and was aware of Millie who was stood near a fence at the end of the driveway.
He added: “According to what he told police, David Cowell was aware of Millie but failed to see Riley.
“As he entered the driveway he was aware he ran over something that he thought was a child’s toy or bike. He rolled back a distance and there he saw Riley bleeding heavily from the head.
“He picked him up and carried him to the grass.
“Millie’s mother, Tamara, made the 999 call and Riley’s mother was said to be beside herself with grief and shock.
“Riley suffered severe head and neck injuries and was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford before he was taken to a hospice where he died four days alter from his injuries.
“He had been run over by the nearside front wheel. David Cowell had been aware of children congregating in that area with bikes and toys on the shared driveway.
“He should have been proceeding with maximum care and attention and unfortunately he didn’t.”
Cowell, now of Deacon Crescent, Middleton, Milton Keynes, denies the charge of causing death by careless driving.
The trial continues.

Court: Driver crushed five-year-old to death on his driveway


A man crushed his next door neighbour’s five-year-old son to death as his car pulled onto the shared driveway of their homes.


Hatters boss Nathan Jones hasn’t ruled out the possibility of strengthening his squad before the transfer window closes on Wednesday.
Although Jones has made eight new addition over the summer, speaking to the press this afternoon, he admitted he could bolster his playing personnel further, but only if the right signing is available.
He said: “I didn’t say no additions, what I said was unless something comes up that strengthens us or is a little bit different to what we’ve got, we won’t do it, we don’t just add numbers.
“But if something comes up that we’d be interested in, then we might be in a position to do something.”
If Jones does act in the market, then it has to be someone who will fit in with what he already has in place, adding: “I want a respectful group that the club can be proud of, the community can be proud of as well.
“Because we don’t just recruit players, we recruit characters, we recruit humans and that’s what we’ve got here. We’ve got a group that want to work hard, that are honest so it’s good.”

Jones not ruling out further additions before window closes


Hatters boss Nathan Jones hasn’t ruled out the possibility of strengthening his squad before the transfer window closes on Wednesday.


A recruitment firm has been named the best company in the UK for work-life balance.
Financial recruiter Goodman Masson took first place in the list by jobs site Glassdoor, based on reviews submitted to its website by current and former staff.
The company, which is based in London and also has offices in Dusseldorf, was praised by staff for its “huge investment” in staff benefits and “great” parties twice a year.
“The attention paid to the wellbeing of staff is at a level rarely matched elsewhere,” said an anonymous employee working in the London office.
In second place was technology firm Cisco Systems, and in third place was insurer HomeServe.
West Midlands-based HomeServe, which employs 1,200 people at its headquarters in Walsall and has 2.1 million customers in the UK, was commended for its attitude towards the treatment of its staff.
“The salary is very competitive and you are rewarded very generously for your hard work and just for carrying out your role. The company has a great framework for career progression and is always looking to promote people internally for job roles,” said a water supply engineer working at the firm.
Greg Reed, chief marketing officer at HomeServe, said: “We believe if you take care of your people, they will take care of your customers. This means creating a culture where people genuinely enjoy coming to work every day because they feel what they do really makes a difference in our customers’ lives.”
Temping firm LOLA and Screwfix completed the top five. Other companies in the top 20 included Apple, American Express Lloyds Banking Group, Unilever and John Lewis.
Google is known for its plush offices, but doesn’t make the top 20 companies for work-life balance. Its new London office has sleep pods so workers can take a nap, although perhaps this is an indication of long hours.
For a company to have been considered, at least 50 work-life balance ratings must have been submitted by UK-based employees in the past year.
The top 20 companies for work-life balance:
1. Goodman Masson
2. Cisco Systems
3. HomeServe UK
4. LOLA Staffing
5. Screwfix
6. American Express
7. BP
8. Peninsula Business Services
9. ARM Holdings
10. Unilever
11.Thomson Reuters
12. Kantar Worldpanel
13. Atkins
14. Téléfonica
15. Credit Suisse
16. Rolls-Royce
17. John Lewis
18. Waitrose
19. Lloyds Banking Group
20. Apple

Revealed: The top UK companies for work-life balance


A recruitment firm has been named the best company in the UK for work-life balance.


Stockwood Park were held to a 20-20 draw by Midlands Two East outfit Olney in their first pre-season friendly of the campaign on Saturday.
Both sides were able to field a mixture of seasoned seniors and upcoming, fresh faces, with the game played in four quarters.
The home side struck first courtesy of tenacious winger Alex Harnett, with Park showing strong ball retention in the lead up to the score.
Olney marched downfield to get back into the game, before two further scores followed in the second quarter, one for either side, with Ben Griffin continuing his great form from last season barrelling over from close range.
The final two quarters saw both sides look at new partnerships, as captain Jamie Hoque rang the changes.
Both sides traded scores in the final quarter as James Pedder and Phil Doherty went over for Park, but they were unable to get the decisive try.
Afterwards, Hoque: “We have been fortunate to retain the bulk of our squad from last season, as well as seeing many of the younger members of the squad step and not be bullied by a seasoned and well drilled Olney side.
“We have been able to take many positives, but I’m sure the lads know there are things we still need to iron out.”
Stockwood start their London Two South season at home to London Nigerians on Saturday, September 10.


Stockwood Park were held to a 20-20 draw by Midlands Two East outfit Olney in their first pre-season friendly of the campaign on Saturday.


Nodding off in the middle of the day may be down to pollution generated by traffic, suggests new research.
The study shows exposure to traffic pollution is a trigger for daytime sleepiness - and may also trigger SNORING.
More than 12,000 adults were included in the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE) study.
The findings show that people exposed to high levels of pollution had a 65 per cent greater chance of suffering from daytime sleepiness, compared to those who had no exposure.
Traffic noise in the bedroom was also a trigger - with people 46 per cent more likely to feel sleepy in the day if exposed.
And the research also suggests that people are also 29 per cent more likely to be a habitual snorer if they are exposed to traffic noise while they sleep.
Daytime sleepiness affected one in five people involved in the study, while one in four reported habitual snoring.
Ane Johannessen, an epidemiologist at Bergen University in Norway, wrote the study together with Professor Thorarinn Gislason and other Northern European researchers.
She said: “Exposure to traffic should be taken into account when planning treatment for patients with sleep disturbances, because reducing noise and pollution exposure in the bedroom may have a beneficial effect.
“Reducing exposure through relocating the bedroom away from pollution sources or making the bedroom more soundproof to protect against traffic noise, as well as mapping alternative and less polluted outdoor everyday routes may help patients with their sleep disorders.”
The study also showed that men, older subjects, smokers and those with lower education were more likely to report habitual snoring.
They were usually less physically active, with a higher BMI, and more likely to have a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
Women, older people, smokers, and those with lower education were more likely to report daytime sleepiness.
The new research is due to be presented at the European Respiratory Society’s International Congress in London next month.
Professor Jorgen Vestbo, President of ERS and Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Manchester, said: “The question of who snores may be a running joke in some households but for many snoring is a serious issue, with direct links to physical and mental well being and the same is true for daytime sleepiness.
“We want people to think more about the environment around them and the impact it can have - from the way they sleep to the air they breathe.”
To coincide with Congress, the ERS will be holding some free public lung function testing, starting in Trafalgar Square on September 2 and 3.

Sleepiness linked to traffic noise and pollution


Nodding off in the middle of the day may be down to pollution generated by traffic, suggests new research.


Hatters midfielder Jonathan Smith remains a key part of Luton Town’s squad according to boss Nathan Jones.
The 29-year-old has been on the substitutes bench for the majority of the season so far, but made his first start during Tuesday night’s 1-0 EFL Cup exit at the hands of Championship side Leeds United.
“I told him to be patient, because he’s a key member of our squad and I thought he was fantastic.” Nathan Jones
Jones said: “The shifts he puts in are phenomenal, and he’s had to be patient, but he’s part and parcel of it.
“I’ve had to guide him through the first couple of weeks as he wants to play, wants to do this, wants to do that, but he’s a big part of our squad.
“I thought he was outstanding, he really was. In terms of how he went about his work, his pressing, his work-rate after being out of the side.
“I told him to be patient, because he’s a key member of our squad and I thought he was fantastic.
“When he comes in and puts in that type of our performance, he’s going to be be a big part of our squad. I’m really proud of Smudge, but I know what type of professional he is.”
Smith was the architect of Town’s best two chances of the night as well, playing two sublime through balls to Jack Marriott, with the forward unfortunately fluffing his lines both times.
It’s a part of his game that Jones knows is there, adding: “That’s one thing he’s not really renowned for, the quality he has, but I keep telling him he has more quality than people give him credit for.
“All the other stuff he has too, his defensive capabilities, his pressing, his work-rate, his desire to do well, that’s why he’s here.”

Smith remains a key member of Jones’ squad


Hatters midfielder Jonathan Smith remains a key part of Luton Town’s squad according to boss Nathan Jones.


Hatters boss Nathan Jones may take striker Jack Marriott out of the firing line as the forward looks to rediscover his red hot form from last season.
The 21-year-old, who was Town’s leading scorer last term with 16 goals, was off the mark in Luton’s first game of this season, finishing clinically during the 3-0 triumph at Plymouth Argyle.
“He’s played a real run of games and there’s a bit more of a reliance on him now, a bit more of an expectation, he might be one we need to look at.” Nathan Jones
However, he is yet to score since and although starting every game, has been substituted late on each time, making way for Isaac Vassell with 20 minutes to go at Stevenage on Saturday.
Speaking to the press this afternoon, Jones said: “I’ve spoken to Jack today, it’s probably his biggest run of games and we ask for something, we still need a big effort from him.
“It’s a big ask for him. He’s played a real run of games and there’s a bit more of a reliance on him now, a bit more of an expectation, he might be one we need to look at.”
Summer signing Vassell was given his longest run-out since joining the club as Jones feels he is starting to reap the benefits from full time training after being at non-league Truro City last term.
He continued: “I think he’s getting really quickly to the level, we know what he’s got in terms of hs pace and power and so on, but we need to give him a little bit more fluency in his play.
“He surprised us a little bit, we thought he would, but he’s getting there quite quickly.”
Fellow attacker Josh McQuoid is waiting in the wings too after getting his first minutes against Stevenage at the weekend, albeit in the dying embers, as Jones added: “That’s what we like, Josh has been patient and has to be patient.
“It’s a long season, I know everyone wants to play in the first games of the season, but we need everyone and Josh is providing stellar competition here which we’re very pleased with.”

Hatters boss could consider resting striker Marriott


Hatters boss Nathan Jones may take striker Jack Marriott out of the firing line as the forward looks to rediscover his red hot form from last season.


A pastor and a Rolls-Royce aerospace engineer are among the 12 hopefuls competing to win the 2016 series of The Great British Bake Off.
The amateur bakers, competing to follow in the footsteps of last year’s champion Nadiya Hussain, will again seek the approval of judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.
However the seventh series could be the last on the BBC. Its three-year deal with producers Love Productions expires at the end of this run and ITV is bidding to poach the format.
Ms Berry, 81, hinted at tensions behind the scenes between the new batch of contestants donning their aprons. She said: “They know the standard that it is, which is now pretty high. And I think they were slower to bond this year than they were in the past.”
The bakers include Andrew, 25, originally from Northern Ireland, he now lives in Derby and works as an aerospace engineer for Rolls-Royce. A Cambridge University graduate, Andrew has set his heart on designing a baguette concorde.
The oldest contestant in this year’s lineup will be Lee, a 67-year-old who has worked in various pastoral ministries for the past 30 years – most recently as the pastor of his local church in Bolton. A former builder, he had a complete change of direction in the mid 1980s, when he turned to theology and took up baking.
The youngest baker is Michael, a 20-year-old from London who is studying politics and economics in Durham. He enjoys making “big grand cakes” and making Greek pastries inspired by his Cypriot heritage.
Teaching Assistant, Benjamina, 23, who started baking aged 14 just for fun, recently graduated with a 1st in Economics & lives in south London.
The contestants also include 66-year-old former primary school head teacher Val, and 31-year-old secondary school PE teacher Candice. Mother of two Kate, 37, is a farmer’s daughter from Norfolk, is a qualified nurse and works on an acute respiratory ward. Candice, 31, from Bedfordshire, was taught to bake by her beloved Nan, and strives to emulate her bakes aiming to be “even half the lady she was.”
Hollywood said Nadiya’s success – she is judging a junior version of the series and is presenting a documentary on her culinary inspirations – had raised the bar for this year’s batch.
“Nadiya went to a whole new level, and because of that I think it put the pressure on them more, and I think we felt that in the tents as well,” the judge said. “But actually they came out tops.
They started quite nervously but once they settled down they got into it. Then the baking started to flow and the standard got really really good.”
The Great British Bake Off launches on August 24 on BBC One at 8pm.

Great British Bake Off contestants: Rolls-Royce engineer and pastor join 2016 lineup


A pastor and a Rolls-Royce aerospace engineer are among the 12 hopefuls competing to win the 2016 series of The Great British Bake Off.


Luton Town have confirmed that a four week public consultation period will now start after both planning applications for a new stadium at Power Court, plus the multi purpose development at Newlands Park have been validated by Luton Borough Council.
After both plans were submitted recently, a statement on the 2020developments website yesterday evening said: “Our two planning applications for Power Court and Newlands Park have now been validated by Luton Borough Council and the period for public consultation has now begun.”
No Caption ABCDE PNL-160824-121039002
Members of the public have been urged to pledge their support for both sites over the next month and Town chief executive Gary Sweet knows this is just the beginning of plans to build a new 17,500 all-seater stadium at Power Court.
He said: “This is where our work starts. We’re pumped up about this, we’ve got a lot of adrenaline, we’ve got a lot of momentum going here because we are so enthusiastic about our product, our scheme, our development here.
“We think they would be fantastic for the town of Luton, we think they’d be brilliant for Luton Town Football Club, we think they’d push Luton Town on, that Luton Town would change the face of Luton in its influence.
“It has happened so many times in other areas, look at the likes of Hull and Swansea and Reading.
“We think they’d be brilliant for Luton Town Football Club, we think they’d push Luton Town on, that Luton Town would change the face of Luton in its influence.” Gary Sweet
“There’s not an awful lot happened to those towns, but they’ve actually regenerated around the resurgence of their football club.
“We can do the same here, so this is really where from our point of view, we’re so keen to push things forward.
“We don’t rest at all, we carry on, we push things forward, we drive things on, because there’s a lot to do, because we have a lot of engagement now with the council to answer their queries about anything on the planning application.
“There’s a lot of commercial partnerships that have got to be developed, which we’re doing, the people that want to trade with us, that want to come in, maybe to be tenants or share any of this land, they’re really keen to get involved, they think they’re cracking schemes too.
“So we’re very, very optimistic on the commercial side and once if we assume that the outline planning application is given approval, we move on to a detailed planning application and that’s not so much a formality, it’s not a formality.
“It’s where the nuts and bolts go, the colours of every single wall is detailed, there’s a lot of detailed work that goes into that, what do we want to go into every single room that we’re building at the football stadium and everything else, there’s quite a lot of work to go into that.”
Sweet is well aware that the Newlands Park development is just as important for the club as the new stadium plans too, adding: “It’s vital because frankly we can’t afford the Power Court development unless we have a facilitating development that’s going to give a cash contribution towards Power Court.
“We’ve concentrated and focused and really paid a lot of detail to the Newlands Park development, if anything more detail to the Newlands Park development, making sure that that development fits with Luton.
“It again gives Luton a new face. With a couple of hundred thousand cars passing every day, people will think differently of our town.
“We want that, we passionately want that, and so with the office there and the leisure and the retail, this will change the gateway of Luton.
“People will be inclined not to think so negatively about our town which we’re not too happy about, so that is important because it contributes to Power Court, it’s as important we get that away.”

Public consultation begins as Luton’s planning applications are validated


Luton Town have confirmed that a four week public consultation period will now start after both planning applications for a new stadium at Power Court, plus the multi purpose development at Newlands Park have been validated by Luton Borough Council.


It could cost airline passengers £25 for making a complaint, following the introduction of new aviation rules.
Passengers traveling with British Airways, easyJet and Thomas Cook will be charged £25 if any claim they make is unsuccessful, as the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will no longer mediate between customers and airlines.
Previously, the CAA would act as the ‘middleman’ in negotiations between customer and airlines in disputes regarding flight delays and cancellations or missing or damaged luggage.
British Airways, along with easyJet and Thomas Cook, have signed up to the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), which charges customers a £25 fee for unsuccessful claims for compensation.
However, passengers with other airlines, including Flybe and Ryanair will be able to pursue complaints without fear of financial loss as these airlines have signed up with the Retail Ombudsman which does not charge customers to use the service.
Also, Eurowings and Lufthansa will use German company Söp, which similarly does not charge a fee.

BA and easyJet passengers could pay £25 charge for flight delay complaints


It could cost airline passengers £25 for making a complaint, following the introduction of new aviation rules.


Two men have been found guilty of the ‘sickening and brutal’ murder of a Luton man.

Kyle Pitchford-Price, 23, of Dovehouse Hill, and Luke West, 23, of Abbots Wood Road, were found guilty of the murder Atul Shah following a five-week trial.
Pitchford-Price was also found guilty of conspiracy to rob and had earlier pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.
West was also found guilty of conspiracy to rob.
Pitchford-Price’s girlfriend at the time, Corinna Armstrong, 21, also of Dovehouse Hill, was found guilty of conspiracy to burgle and had pleaded guilty to perverting the court of justice.
During the trial the jury heard how the two men had gone round to Mr Shah’s flat in Crescent Road in the early hours of Wednesday 6 January planning to rob Mr Shah and steal his home-grown cannabis.
After breaking into the flat, Pitchford-Price and West carried out a violent attack on Mr Shah, tying his feet and hands together, and bludgeoning him to death.
Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: “This was an absolutely sickening and brutal case, with both Pitchford-Price and West inflicting unimaginable torture on their victim.
“Even after the attack, despite realising that Mr Shah was seriously hurt, they did not seek medical assistance.
“For the sake of a small amount of cannabis, these depraved individuals have not only taken a father away from his children, but ruined countless lives in the process – including their own.”
The court heard how after the murder, the men fled the scene in an attempt to cover up what they had done.
However, following an appeal in the local press, a witness contacted police and gave both Pitchford-Price and West’s names as the men responsible for Mr Shah’s death and the truth of the evening was subsequently unravelled.
DI Jenkins added: “Not only did they try to hide their despicable actions; they also pleaded not guilty to the murder, forcing Mr Shah’s family to undergo the harrowing experience of a trial.
“I’m pleased that they have now been brought to justice and I hope that this is of some comfort to the Shah family.”
Pitchford-Price, West, and Armstrong will be sentenced in September.
Callum Holton, 20 , of Milton Road, was acquitted of conspiracy to rob, while Brian Edge, 56, of Hart Hill Drive was cleared of perverting the course of justice.

Two men found guilty of Atul Shah slaying in Luton


Two men have been found guilty of the ‘sickening and brutal’ murder of a Luton man.


If you are looking for something a bit different this weekend, why not head to the Kensworth Vintage and Classic Car Rally.
Now in its 21st year, the rally features a host of attractions, from vintage, post vintage, classic American cars, commercial, emergency, public service and military vehicles.
There will also be motor cycles and tractors on show.
There are usually around 500 exhibits at the site.
If you want more than cars, there are craft and auto-jumble sales, hot food and drinks, ice cream and a raffle with prizes of £75, £50 and £25.
The event is being held in Dovehouse Lane in Kensworth on Sunday, September 4.
The event is organised in association with Beds and Herts Vintage and Classic Car Club and organisers give donations to local charities after the event.
Tickets are £2.50 with £1 for children and parking is free.
>If you would like to book a stall at the event, go to www.bhvccc.co.uk


If you are looking for something a bit different this weekend, why not head to the Kensworth Vintage and Classic Car Rally.


Autism Bedfordshire’s Summer Activity Scheme which took place between July and August this year saw record numbers of children attend.
The scheme, which gives children with autism the same experiences as others their age, successfully supported 140 children from Luton and across the county.
Autism Bedfordshire
Autism is a developmental disability which profoundly affects the way a person thinks, communicates and relates to the world around them. Children with autism often struggle to access mainstream services and community amenities due to the noisy, crowded and overstimulating environments.
The Summer Activity Scheme provided a range of activities for children with autism aged 3 to 17 years with specialist trained staff on hand to offer support. Each child had the opportunity to participate in outings such as day trips to the farm, swimming, soft play and trampolining, while providing a much-needed respite break for their parents and carers.
Gill Christmas, funding manager of Autism Bedfordshire, said: “We are absolutely delighted that once again the Summer Activity Scheme has been such an incredible success. We have received such positive feedback from all who attended. We would like to particularly thank the hard work and dedication of our staff for making this year’s scheme possible.”
Another cause for celebration is that the charity is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. Established in 1991, Autism Bedfordshire currently support over 1,000 families across the county and run a number of services in Luton including a social activity group for children with autism, a youth club for teenagers with the condition, a day time adult social group plus skills courses and employment support for adults with autism.
Autism Bedfordshire has been shortlisted alongside four other charities to be Luton Town Football Club, Supporters’ Charity of the Year. They are calling on their members, local businesses, supporters and the local community to get behind them in their bid to be selected. The voting system went live on the football club website last Thursday and will close at noon on Friday, September 2.

Summer scheme supports autistic children


Autism Bedfordshire’s Summer Activity Scheme which took place between July and August this year saw record numbers of children attend.


Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the classic tale of Holly Golightly so memorably played by Audrey Hepburn in the iconic film, has been given a new lease of life as a stage play with music, starring Georgia May Foote.
Georgia was runner up in last year’s Strictly Come Dancing and her television credits include Coronation Street, This Is England ‘86 and Grange Hill.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s is her professional stage debut.
She said: “I am so excited that for my first theatre role I will be playing such an iconic character. I cannot wait to join the cast. It’s a wonderful adaptation of an incredible story and I’m really thrilled to be part of it.”
Based on Truman Capote’s classic novella, the story is set in 1943 New York. Fred, a young writer from Louisiana, meets Holly Golighty, a charming, vivacious and utterly elusive good time girl.
Everyone falls in love with Holly, including Fred. But Fred is poor and Holly’s other suitors include a playboy millionaire and the future president of Brazil. As war rages in Europe, Holly begins to fall in love with Fred - just as her past catches up with her.
The story has been adapted for the stage by award winning playwright Richard Greenberg and contains memorable songs from the era as well as original music by Grant Olding.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s is sure to capture the hearts of audiences and sparkle like a diamond in a Tiffany’s window.
The show is on at Milton Keynes Theatre at 7.30pm from Monday September 19 through to Saturday 24 with additional 2.30pm matinees on the Wednesday and Saturday.
Tickets cost from £16.50 and are available online at www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes or call the box office on 0844 871 7652.

Corrie star Georgia May Foote sparkles at Milton Keynes


Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the classic tale of Holly Golightly so memorably played by Audrey Hepburn in the iconic film, has been given a new lease of life as a stage play with music, starring Georgia May Foote.


UK motorists have been hit by a near-20 per cent rise in insurance costs in the last year, new figures show.
The average driver now pays £715 a year for fully comprehensive cover, up 19 per cent on the same time last year.
The figures were revealed by the Confused.com car insurance price index, which tracks quarterly and annual trends.
After dropping for several years from a high of £843 in 2011, insurance costs have been rising since the start of 2015. The latest figures, for the period from April to June 2016 show that costs have risen by 6 per cent since the start of the year and drivers are paying an average of £115 more for their insurance than they were in the same period last year.
Northern Irish drivers have been worst hit by the latest rises, seeing their premiums climb 25 per cent year-on-year. They now face an average premium of £863.
Also feeling the impact badly are motorists in parts of Scotland - the Highlands and Islands saw rises of 24 per cent and drivers in the Hebrides were hit with a staggering 42 per cent annual increase.
Conversely, Orkney’s capital - Kirkwall - was one of only two places to see a drop in costs, with a quarterly fall of four per cent. Hereford, in the West Midlands, was the only other place to see a fall in quarterly premiums - down two per cent on the first three months of the year.
While younger drivers might face the highest premiums overall, they have actually escaped the worst of the rises. Drivers aged 17 saw an annual rise of just eight per cent - the lowest of any age bracket - but still face average premiums of £2,013. A the opposite end, 61-year-old drivers saw a 24 per cent rise - the highest of any age group - but still only pay £418 a year.
And the gender gap persists, with male drivers facing annual rises of 21 per cent in comparison with the 18 per cent faced by women. This continued difference means the gap between the sexes is growing as men pay an average of £92 a year more - up from £27 in 2013.
Confused’s motoring editor, Amanda Stretton, said: “We’ve not seen price rises of this magnitude for five years - a 19 per cent annual increase is substantial to say the least. And these price rises are being felt across the board, for drivers of all ages and genders, across all UK regions.
“If prices continues to rise at the rate we’ve been seeing, we could be facing the possibility of average comprehensive premiums reaching a high not seen since 2011. This, combined with rising fuel prices and increased motoring costs across the board, could result in a sizeable dent in drivers’ pockets.”

Car insurance costs soar nearly 20 per cent in 12 months


UK motorists have been hit by a near-20 per cent rise in insurance costs in the last year, new figures show.


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Are you a drill sergeant, a worshipper, a skipper or a teammate? Experts have identified four types of parent when it comes to teaching their children how to DRIVE.


Hatters boss Nathan Jones will utilise his squad for the EFL Checkatrade Trophy clash at League One Gillingham this evening.
Although the Luton chief will have to select five players considered as ‘first-teamers’ under the competitions rules, he confirmed he will use the tie to give minutes to those in his squad who haven’t had them.
“We’ll make the odd change, but we still have to respect the trophy.” Nathan Jones
Jones said: “We’ll treat the EFL Trophy with the respect it deserves, but we have a squad here that needs to play, that needs to do well and we’ll make the odd change, but we still have to respect the trophy.
“Our priority is the league which is what we want to do and I would literally swap lots of stuff to make sure we get promoted this year. But we’ve got a quality squad here, everyone needs to play, everyone needs to contribute because when we do get everyone out and flying and up to speed then we can do good things.”
With a number of Premier League academy teams taking part, including West Bromwich Albion in Luton’s group, which also includes Millwall, striker Jack Marriott admitted the tournament has an odd feel about it.
He said: “It’s a strange one, I’m not quite sure about the whole Premier League U21s, I don’t really get that to be honest, but it’s not my trophy.
“If I’ve got to play in it, I’ll play in it and do my best, whoever’s called upon will do the job.”

Jones will make changes for EFL Trophy tie at Gills


Hatters boss Nathan Jones will utilise his squad for the EFL Checkatrade Trophy clash at League One Gillingham this evening.


Midfielder Olly Lee believes that other sides will start to sit up and take notice the Hatters after their impressive start to the campaign.
Despite losing their unbeaten record at Stevenage on Saturday, Town have won plenty of admirers for the manner in which they knocked Championship side Aston Villa out of the EFL Cup, plus a 3-0 thumping of Plymouth Argyle on opening day.
“The way we play, I feel we can go toe-to-toe with any team in the Championship and give them a good game.” Olly Lee
Lee is delighted with the style of play that boss Nathan Jones has brought to Kenilworth Road, with the deep lying central midfielder relishing his task of getting Town’s attacks going.
He said: “I think teams are taking notice of us. The way we play, I feel we can go toe-to-toe with any team in the Championship and give them a good game.
“The style is perfect for me, it suits me down to the ground.
“I can get it from the back and start the attacks, get the forward players in the holes and hopefully they can create a few more goals.
“I really enjoy that holding position; getting on the ball and starting the attacks off.
“It’s nice to be playing there and hopefully I can cement it.”
Lee does face competition from summer signing Glen Rea for the role, but welcomed the challenge, as he said: “There’s competition all over the park, we’re all thriving on it. We’re all young players and we’re all wanting to keep doing well, so it’s nice to have a bit of competition. It makes you a better player.
“We’ve got young lads coming though from the youth team too, they’ve been brilliant and they’re pushing everyone.
“All the lads can play a few different positions and we’re all pushing each other. It can only help to make everyone a better player.
“We’ve got a really close knit group this year. It’s a smaller group and it has been a lot better to be honest.
“All the lads are together, there’s good banter in the changing room and we’re all really enjoying ourselves.”
Proof of just how some teams will fear Town this term was when Stevenage displayed plenty of time-wasting tactics, including former Hatter Luke Wilkinson being booked with five minutes to go for blatantly kicking the ball away, when the scores were 1-1.
Lee believes it’s something Luton should take as a compliment though, saying: “It is frustrating, but that’s what we’re doing to teams.
“We feel we can pass teams off the park, we can battle teams off the park and whatever game they want to play, we can mix it with them.
“To see teams do that is respect to us. They’re changing their tactics to play against us and that can only be good.”

Lee feels teams are starting to take notice of Hatters’ style


Midfielder Olly Lee believes that other sides will start to sit up and take notice the Hatters after their impressive start to the campaign.


Hatters centre half Johnny Mullins has backed striker Jack Marriott to bounce back strongly from his missed chances against Leeds United last night.
The striker was sent clean through on two occasions, once rounding keeper Marco Silvestri only to stab over the bar on, before racing away to put another glorious chance wide with 12 minutes to go, as Luton went out of the EFL Cup.
Jack Marriott was off target from this one-on-one in the second half
However, Mullins didn’t think it would adversely affect Town’s leading scorer from last season, as he said: “He’s the strongest character. He’s a goalscorer and we know that on Saturday (against Cambridge), when one comes his way, he’ll put it away.
“He’s very strong mentally and that’s the life of a striker. We back Jack 100 per cent. I’ve been here and I think they might be the only chances I’ve seen him miss.
“So he’ll put them away everyday and if he needs an arm around him there’ll be people there.
“But knowing Jack, he’s very strong and he’ll be raring to go more than anyone come Saturday.
“We back Jack 100 per cent. I’ve been here and I think they might be the only chances I’ve seen him miss.” Johnny Mullins
“That’s the life of football player. You have ups and downs and you have to ride them out. Jack’s fine.”
Boss Nathan Jones was quick to praise his striker too, saying: “Jack keeps getting in those positions because he’s dangerous and his movement is so good and so sharp.
“It’s Championship movement, Championship sharpness and he just lacked that finish.
“It was just a shame he did, because we were rocking at that point, we really, really were, it was a great time to score, but he’s done magnificent, he was a threat all night.”
Marriott’s second one late on could have forced extra time, as Jones was left purring in the manner in which the opportunity came about from Jonathan Smith’s lovely through ball.
He added: “It’s not like we’ve smashed it and flicked it and managed to get in, or been lucky, we’ve carved them open, a Championship side with experienced centre halves, and I’m super proud.
“I’m disappointed he didn’t take it as it could have taken us into extra time, we probably didn’t need extra time if I’m honest, but I’m really proud of my team.
“It’s not just that too, they didn’t just give me everything, they actually played with a real structure and showed they’re a good side, a real, real good side.”

Mullins backs Marriott to bounce back from missed chances


Hatters centre half Johnny Mullins has backed striker Jack Marriott to bounce back strongly from his missed chances against Leeds United last night.


Beating Cambridge United on Saturday was the be all and end all for Hatters boss Nathan Jones, no matter what kind of performance his side could muster.
After a 2-1 defeat to Stevenage ended Luton’s unbeaten league run the previous weekend, Jones knew anything other than victory wouldn’t be good enough to get them back on track on their goal of promotion this term.
“We’ve played so much better than that and not won the game, we’ve dictated games, dominated games, but I just said to them, ‘win the game.’” Nathan Jones
He said: “Our pre-match meeting was, I don’t care how we play, I want to win, I want to win the game.
“Because we’re now on points in terms of promotion points. We have a thing of two points a game and we’re on it,
“Now we’ve played so much better than that and not won the game, we’ve dictated games, dominated games, but I just said to them, ‘win the game.’
“Because no-one will look at your performance, no-one will look at anything else, what they will look at is where you are in the league and that was a fantastic win.”
Hatters needed a vastly improved second half performance in which to do to pick up the three points, as they were heavily indebted to keeper Christian Walton during the first period.
However, once Josh Coulson had put through his own net and Jack Marriott hammered in a glorious strike moments later, the was only one winner, with Danny Hylton’s injury time goal applying the gloss.
Jones continued: “At half time, I was delighted that we weren’t behind and I said to them ‘well done, well done for coming in level,’ because I didn’t want us to have to chase the game.
“Sometimes you need that little bit of luck (for opening goal), but it’s a worked free kick in terms of how we do it and he’s (Glen Rea) put it back into an area where we can score from, so that’s great play from him.
“Then there was a clinicalness, Jack Marriott’s goal was superb, and then sending Jonathan Smith on, another game changer, who was probably unlucky to be left out, but probably needs a few minutes, pulls a great ball back for a great finish. It was a wonderful second half performance.
“We had to grind it out, we were nowhere near our best and we had to do all the horrible things and we did them from 35 minutes onwards, but we’re just delighted.
“Three-nil away from home, these are not a bad side and they will get the results that they need.”
On just what was discussed in the changing room at half time, striker Jack Marriott said: “It’s a bit of both, it all depends on how the game’s going whether he (Jones) needs to be strong or we just need to keep doing what we’re doing and eventually break teams down.
“But we have been strong second half, think that shows our character and our team togetherness, because we’re willing to do anything for the team.
“It was a good day, it wasn’t a pretty game, but they’re the ones you’ve got to win, and to come away, with a 3-0 victory is delightful.”

Victory at Cambridge was only thing on Jones’ mind


Beating Cambridge United on Saturday was the be all and end all for Hatters boss Nathan Jones, no matter what kind of performance his side could muster.


Four organisations in Luton have benefited from the Big Lottery Fund which was shared amongst groups across the East of England.
Luton Council of Faiths, Angelus Foundation, Runaway Media Limited and Caraline: Eating Disorders Counselling and Support Service will receive funding for their individual products.
Luton Council of Faiths received £9,900 for its The Breath of the Compassionate project. The money will be used to install a mural through art based workshops for school children.
The Angelus Foundation was granted £9,500 for its Legal Highs video, they will use the money for a project which will see 20 young people develop, produce and market a film about the risks and dangers of legal highs and drugs.
Runaway Media Limited will use the £9,350 they were awarded for its Telling Stories project. The money will be used on workshops to explore how personal, cultural and religious differences can contribute to conflict.
Caraline: Eating Disorders Counselling and Support service was granted £8,320 for its weight management programme. The money will help obese patients develop healthier cognitive and behavioural strategies to weight loss.


Four organisations in Luton have benefited from the Big Lottery Fund which was shared amongst groups across the East of England.


The internet is 25 years old today and we take a look at 25 things the world wide web changed forever.
Happy 25th birthday to the internet! In August 1991, British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee published the first web page.
And on August 23, 1991, he gave the public access to it.
Handily, the page told readers how they could set up their own website, whatever the heck a website was.
You can view a version of that original web page here. Compared to what we have now obviously it is very basic but will go down in history as one of the most important developments of all time.

The World Wide Web is 25 today: Here’s 25 things the internet changed forever


The internet is 25 years old today and we take a look at 25 things the world wide web changed forever.


A senior school is to appeal to an exam board after every single one of its ICT students was handed a ‘U’ in their GCSEs.
Dozens of pupils at Harlington Upper School are believed to have received a fail grade as examiners felt they’d been given too much help with their coursework.
According to a letter sent out to parents, the exam board, OCR, decided it cannot accept the work submitted following a moderation process.
A mum of one of the students affected, who asked not to be named, said: “I came with my daughter to pick up her exam results and the school handed out this letter to all parents.
“It said every single student had failed ICT because something wasn’t right with their coursework.
“I’m absolutely furious, it’s an important grade. All of that hard work gone to waste.
“I think people need to know what is going on.”
Headteacher Shawn Fell said they were treating the results as “a very serious matter”, and said they would be appealing the decision.
In the letter, he wrote said:”Overall, we are very pleased with our exam results this year and I have attached a press release for our exam results.
“We are still looking into the ICT Cambridge National Certificate results, which has arisen from the usual moderation process.
“I have explained this to students and parents.”
“I am treating this as a very serious matter and am aware it is not of the candidates’ doing.
“OCR has an appeals process and I am currently carrying out an investigation to establish if it is possible for this decision to be reviewed.
“In the meantime, I recognise that you may be relying on this qualification to support your progression into Sixth Form or college.
“Please be assured that we will take this decision into account for entry into our Sixth Form.
“I wish to apologise for the ICT Cambridge National Certificate results not being available today.”
Overall, 75 per cent of students gained five or more GCSEs at Grade C.
A total of 64 per cent of students gained this benchmark including English and mathematics.
High grades were common with 24 students gaining eight or more A*-A grades.
Mr Fell added: “The GCSE results at Harlington are overall very good again this year.
“Our students have gained superb results and are now ready for the next stage of their education.
“Students should be congratulated on their achievements, following all their hard work.
Harlington Upper School is a successful 13-19 school and Academy with 1400 students, including over 400 in the sixth form.

School to appeal after all ITC pupils are given a ‘u’ grade at GCSE


A senior school is to appeal to an exam board after every single one of its ICT students was handed a ‘U’ in their GCSEs.


Midfielder Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu is aiming to weigh in with his fair share of goals for the Hatters this term.
The 23-year-old has yet to open his account for the season despite coming desperately close on a number of occasions, and knows it’s a facet of his game that needs improving.
“I feel great, I feel like last season I wasn’t really fit enough. This season I’ve put the work in and the results I’m seeing now.” Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu
He said: “I want to try and score goals, as I think I should have scored at least one so far.
“But I feel fit, the gaffer drilled us to be fit, to get in the box, try to score.
“Me getting into the positions, means that I can nearly score goals and I’ve got to keep that going and see if I can get a few goals and help the team out.
The attacker is certainly feeling in peak condition in which to improve his goals for tally of five in 72 games, after an injury-hit campaign last year, as he continued: “I feel great, I feel like last season I wasn’t really fit enough. This season I’ve put the work in and the results I’m seeing now.
“Breaking into the box in the 90th minute, winning stuff (penalty against Newport), so it’s good for me.”
Team-mate Cameron McGeehan believes if Mpanzu can stay fit this season, he could well be a huge influence for the club.
On the former West Ham youngster’s impact so far, McGeehan said: “Pelly’s a top player and I love playing with him.
“We’ve got a good relationship off the pitch, on the pitch, we play well together and you saw it a few times when we did play last year, it was good, (against) Bristol City where we played well.
“He’s a really good player and if he can keep himself on the pitch he’ll do really well in his career and hopefully move up (the leagues) with Luton.
“Hopefully he stays on the pitch as much as he can and we can have him to our advantage.”
“Everyone needs to step up to the plate this year, it’s a big season and hopefully we can be consistent and perform like that every week.
“It’s no good doing it once or twice, we need to do it every week as a team.
“Pelly is instrumental in that though, he’s powerful, he’s strong, he dribbles and his passing is good.
“He’s got every attribute to kick on. Hopefully he can stay in the team and keep fit.”
Meanwhile, Town boss Nathan Jones added: “He’s showing a real, real desire to learn and he’s proving a handful. What he has to do is continue that for the next 46, 47, 48 games, however many we have to play this season.”

Pelly wants to weigh in with goals for Luton


Midfielder Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu is aiming to weigh in with his fair share of goals for the Hatters this term.


Town full back Dan Potts is hoping to flourish under the tutelage of Luton boss Nathan Jones this season.
The former West Ham defender was restricted to a role on the sidelines last campaign due to injury and then finding himself behind Scott Griffiths and Jake Howells in the pecking order.
“I feel fit, feel healthy, have had a good run of games and hopefully I can carry on with that and push on.” Dan Potts
However, this term, he has started six of the seven matches to date, only missing the 3-1 win over Aston Villa due to a harsh suspension after being dismissed on the opening day.
Potts said: “I spoke to the manager a lot and am getting a good understanding of what he wants from me.
“I’m definitely trying to give that on the pitch and it’s nice to be given a chance and having a good run of games and hopefully that continues.
“The first game of the season, I got sent off, but I put that behind me. We got a good result at Plymouth and from a personal point of view, I feel fit, feel healthy, have had a good run of games and hopefully I can carry on with that and push on.
“Last year was very hit and miss, I felt it didn’t really get going for me, but this year, I had a good pre-season, a good start to the season and from a personal point of view, I want to push on.
“That’s the mindset throughout the team, throughout the whole club and hopefully it prevails.”
Although only 22 himself, Potts knows there is plenty of back-up for his position, particularly after seeing teenager James Justin impress thoroughly when playing against Villa.
He said: “Credit to the club, you always want competition at the club, but to have competition from younger players coming through, I’ve been there and it’s tough.
“Against Aston Villa I thought he was faultless and sure he’ll get more game time.”
Potts also thinks the environment at Kenilworth Road is perfect for young players to really thrive, adding: “It is a young group in general, look at some of the other lads, even Cameron (McGeehan) and Jack (Marriott) they’re still 21.
“It’s a good mixture and with the younger lads, it’s about dealing with them the right way, as you want to keep their feet on the ground, but you don’t want to scare them off too much when they’re young.
“You want them to be confident in themselves and confident within the group of players you’ve got and it’s the right mix of older players at the club, they’re very respectful to the younger players.
“As long as they feel comfortable in themselves among the group, then on the pitch, that will show and I think it has with the benefit of being with us every day in training, and I’m sure they’ll get game time throughout the year.”

Potts ready to flourish under Hatters boss Jones


Town full back Dan Potts is hoping to flourish under the tutelage of Luton boss Nathan Jones this season.


Luton Town and Indians moved 31 points clear of Langleybury in the race for promotion from the Saracens Herts League Championship after Mohammed Irshad’s six wickets ripped through Chorleywood on Saturday.
The hosts were bowled out for just 126 after Irshad took 6-21 in under nine overs before Akash Shah’s unbeaten 55 guided Luton to a six-wicket win, reaching 126-4 with 16 overs to spare.
The IIs set Potters Bar IIs 263 to win after reaching 262-6 from their 50 overs in Division Three B.
Suleiman Mohammed made 78, whilst Prayag Katechia hit 64 and Badal Nail 48 before Hitesh Chauhan’s unbeaten 27.
Luton could then only bowl 23 overs due to rain, but Zainul Abadeen’s 2-21 and two wickets from Divyesh Patel gave Luton victory on a better run-rate.
The IIIs earned a nervy win over Ickleford in Division Five B despite bowling their visitors out for just 109.
Munyaradzi Ronald Mlambo was the pick of the bowlers with 4-25 as openers Abdul Basit Yasin and Yousuf Alim took two apiece.
Luton looked comfortable at 56-2 before they lost five wickets for just 22 runs, collapsing to 89-8.
However, 24 not out from Haroon Afridi saw Luton home by two wickets.
A strong batting performance ensured the IVs complete a perfect Saturday for Luton after Ricky Patel’s 3-47 saw St Albans IIIs reach 247-4 from 50 overs.
Luton were 200-7 from 38.4 overs after 48 not out from Gurvinder Singh, plus Bashir Dalvi (35) and Janak Trivedi (24) before the rain arrived, as Indians again won on a quicker run-rate.
On Sunday, Indians beat Langford by 60 runs in the Beds County League Premier Division.
Indians reached 276-9 as Dhruv Patel (98) and Sachin Wagh (66) put on 144 for the third wicket, while Ali Hassan (27) and Adnan Bashir (25) contributed too.
Wagh then took 4-31 to dismiss Langford for 216.
The IIs were hammered by Queens Park as after being skittled for a mere 67, saw their opponents race to 69-1.
The IIIs defended a modest 163 all out against Dunstable III’s as Umar Mahmood helped to bowl them out for just 59 to win by 104 runs.
Jamal Afridi top scored with 39, whilst Maicol Javed and Daniel Gould hit 35 apiece, before Mahmood took 5-24 whilst Masood Mahmood claimed 2-0.
Navdeep Singh took 5-18 for the IVs as they bowled Aspley Guise out for 85 and despite losing four wickets in reply, Gurvinder Singh’s 24 not out saw Luton home to a six-wicket win inside 22 overs at 87-4.

Six for Shah as Indians move clear in race for promotion


Luton Town and Indians moved 31 points clear of Langleybury in the race for promotion from the Saracens Herts League Championship after Mohammed Irshad’s six wickets ripped through Chorleywood on Saturday.


Hatters skipper Scott Cuthbert doesn’t believe Luton should pay any attention to the fact today’s opponents Cambridge United are currently bottom of the table.
The U’s are yet to win any of their opening four League Two matches of the campaign, drawing two and losing two, to prop up the division in the early stages.
“We’re not getting carried away by being nearer the top and they won’t be getting carried away by being closer to the bottom.” Scott Cuthbert
Cuthbert admitted he had thought United would be challenging at the right end this term and feels there is every chance they still can though as he said: “I expected them to start the season quite good, I thought they’d be up there challenging with us to be honest, but some teams have slow starts.
“They’ve got to start somewhere, they’ll be hoping they start right against us and we’ll be hoping we can keep their bad run going.
“I think in general you don’t look at the league until maybe November, December time, it doesn’t really take shape.
“So we’re not getting carried away by being nearer the top and they won’t be getting carried away by being closer to the bottom.
“It will even itself out and we’ll have a bigger picture in November, December. But they’re certainly a lot better side than what their league form has shown just now.”
Hatters boss Nathan Jones was of the same opinion too as he said: “It’s early days, not many things are won in August.
“They’ve recruited a few players to be fair to them, so sometimes that takes a bit of time to gel and it’s about putting runs together in this league.
“They’ve had an indifferent start, but they’ll be a decent side don’t worry about that.”
Meanwhile, defender Dan Potts added: “It’s another local game. You don’t really look into it too much the start they’ve had, but again, like anything you want to get the points and we’ll definitely going there looking for the three points that’s for sure.”

Cuthbert not paying attention to Cambridge’s slow start


Hatters skipper Scott Cuthbert doesn’t believe Luton should pay any attention to the fact today’s opponents Cambridge United are currently bottom of the table.


Town defender Dan Potts hopes Hatters continue to show their promotion form at Cambridge United this afternoon.
Victory at the Abbey Stadium would complete an excellent first month of the season, making it 10 points from five games, with Luton reaching the benchmark of two points a game that is required to go up.
“You only need to look at past years and know that two points a game gets you automatically promoted and that’s fact.” Dan Potts
It’s something that Potts is clearly targeting too, as he said: “It’s gone very well so far, obviously looking towards Saturday if we do pick up the three points then it’s been a really good start to the season.
“You only need to look at past years and know that two points a game gets you automatically promoted and that’s fact.
“So if we do win that’s 10 points from five games. Obviously we’re disappointed with the result at Stevenage, but performance wise think we’ve been very good, a long year, still early doors, but definitely a solid platform to build on.”
Even though Potts wasn’t getting carried away by Town’s decent start, he’s delighted they are up and running so early, after not winning a league game in the whole of August last term.
He continued: “Managers and teams and players will say it’s still early doors, still the start of the season, but it’s points on the board.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s at the end of the year, start of the year, Christmas, you get three points, it’s three points closer to where you want to be.
“I think the lads have definitely got that mindset, it’s important for us, looking forward and going into each game and knowing the start we’ve had compared to last year and are building on that.”
The former West Ham defender also believes his side can take plenty of confidence from their EFL Cup exploits into the league campaign, adding: “The Villa performance was outstanding and we gave Leeds a good run for their money as well.
“We were unlucky chance wise on the day when we probably could have won the game, but those sort of games you’ve got nothing to lose as such.
“It’s a distraction from the league and we’ll all take belief from those games, especially Tuesday night and take it to the league.”

Potts urges Hatters to maintain promotion form


Town defender Dan Potts hopes Hatters continue to show their promotion form at Cambridge United this afternoon.


Hatters boss Nathan Jones felt he had no option but to make a change of personnel during the first half of today’s 3-0 win at Cambridge United to prevent his side potentially losing the game.
Just before the half hour mark, and with visiting keeper Christian Walton having made three superb saves to keep the scores goalless, Jones took off Olly Lee for Scott Cuthbert, with Glen Rea moving out of defence into the holding role.
Olly Lee was taken off after half an hour against Cambridge
Cuthbert then excelled alongside Johnny Mullins, with Rea adding a solidity in front of the back four as Jones said: “It was possibly the ugliest game I have ever seen, especially first half, it was just horrible.
“We didn’t come out of the blocks, we didn’t do the basics right early on. It was a bit like York away from last year if I’m honest, where we didn’t win our battles, didn’t win our headers and I felt we needed to make a change to rectify that.
“Once we got to grips we kind of nullified what they had, but we could have been one down.
“We had some good chances, some real good chances, but they did as well. Once we picked the pace up second half, what a win away from home.
“It was a bit like York away from last year if I’m honest, where we didn’t win our battles, didn’t win our headers and I felt we needed to make a change to rectify that.” Nathan Jones
“This is a difficult place to come, I know the natives are restless but they’ll do well and they’ll beat sides here because it’s such a difficult place to come, but I thought second half we were outstanding.”
On the decision to withdraw Lee, Jones admitted the midfielder is going to have to make improvements to his game when opponents try and stop him playing.
The boss continued: “I needed someone who’s going to win headers in there, who’s going to get on seconds and is going to nullify their threat, so it was a thing on him.
“He has to get better on that because he is a wonderful footballer, but when sides put someone on him then he has to get himself in the game, and he didn’t do that.
“I felt if we didn’t do that, so I’m claiming one brilliant bit of tactical thing there as we did it to try and nullify their threat and then win the game, which we did.”
Meanwhile, when speaking about the players brought off the bench, with Jonathan Smith and Isaac Vassell introduced in the second period, Jones added: “Scott Cuthbert came on, won every header, was immense, was colossal.
“Our midget centre half was brilliant, Mullins. Glen Rea, that’s why I love that kid. If I have a kid, that’s what I want, hopefully he’s not as dull as him, but literally that’s what I want because he’s right up there and I love him.
“We ask them to be ready, they’re not subs, they’re not just going to pick up anything, they’re game changers.
“So when we need them they have to come on. We needed Scotty Cuthbert after 25-30 minutes, he came on and was immense, I needed Smudge to come on, he was superb, I also needed Vassell to come on late on, he won a few headers and relieved some pressure.
“It’s all part and parcel of the squad, we’ve had a good day today, a real good second half performance, but the win was everything.”

Jones felt he had to make a change during first half


Hatters boss Nathan Jones felt he had no option but to make a change of personnel during the first half of today’s 3-0 win at Cambridge United to prevent his side potentially losing the game.


Police have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to following an assault in Luton.
The incident took place on Friday 29 July outside a mosque in Barley Lane at shortly after 2pm, when a man was punched in the face twice, causing a bloody nose.
Officers would like to speak to the man pictured in connection with the incident, which took place as lots of people were leaving the mosque after afternoon prayers.
Anyone with information is asked to contact investigating officer PC John Heath on 101 quoting reference number C/30486/2016, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.


Police have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to following an assault in Luton.


Police are appealing for witnesses after a distraction burglary in Luton on Sunday, August 28.
A man knocked on the door of a house in School Lane, at around 6.30pm, and claimed he needed to resolve an issue with the water pressure at the house.
After he left the house, the victim realised that jewellery and cash were missing.
The man is described as six feet tall, in his 20’s, wearing a black cap, high-vis jacket and trousers.
Detective Constable Cathie Layton, investigating, said: “This was a very distressing incident for the victim, and we believe this man intentionally deceived her so he could steal from her.
“We won’t tolerate this behaviour, and we’re keen to find out who is responsible to make sure they don’t do this to others.
“I would also urge all elderly or vulnerable residents to avoid opening the door to strangers.
“You can challenge doorstep callers for their identity, but if you have any doubts about the legitimacy of the person calling, do not let them in. Remember: if you aren’t sure, don’t answer the door.”
If you have any information about the incident, call DC Layton via 101, quoting the reference number C/34981/16.

Appeal after distraction burglary in Luton


Police are appealing for witnesses after a distraction burglary in Luton on Sunday, August 28.


Christian Walton (STAR MAN): 8 - Keeper produced some excellent stops at vital times throughout the evening, with his handling spotless too. Stood up bravely to deny Doukara and brilliant point blank save from Roofe prevented Leeds adding an unfair gloss too.
Stephen O’Donnell: 7 - Defender improved as the game wore on, linking well with Mpanzu in the second period. Head appeared to drop at times when his passing went slightly awry.
Dan Potts: 7.5 - Getting better with every game as he looks to be benefiting hugely from a consistent run in the side. Posing more of an attacking threat too with his crossing from the left flank.
Glen Rea: 7.5 - Handled Doukara and Roofe well for most of the evening, with a marvellous block preventing the latter from getting away in the second period.
Johnny Mullins: 7.5 - Skipper was back in the side after suspension and got his head to a number of deliveries into the box as he slotted back in seamlessly alongside Rea.
Olly Lee: 7 - Comfortable in possession and spread play wonderfully well at times in the first half. Withdrawn after the break as Luton looked to increase their attacking options.
Jonathan Smith: 7 - Recalled for his first start of the season and gave his all as ever. Few iffy touches at times, but played the two passes of the evening to set Marriott scampering away.
Cameron McGeehan: 7.5 - Got the crowd going in the second half with two shots in as many minutes forcing flying stops from Silvestri to. Might have done better when firing over the top late on though as a cooler head may have forced extra time.
Jake Gray: 7 - Neat and tidy from Gray as Luton looked to dominate possession and made a few breaks. Still getting his match fitness back though.
Jack Marriott: 7 - Brilliant runs and movement took him clear of the White defence twice, but his finishing let him down badly this time, firing wide of the mark with just Silvestri to beat.
Danny Hylton: 6.5 - Exertions of playing every minute so far took their toll as he didn’t get much change out of the Leeds defence during his hour and a bit on the field.
Jordan Cook (SUB): 6.5 - Linked defence to attack well when he came on in the second period. Couldn’t quite find the shooting opportunity he wanted though.
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu (SUB): 7 - Constant menace when introduced as he gave Leeds plenty of problems on the right hand side.
Isaac Vassell (SUB): 6.5 - Looked threatening with his pace and power and really starting to become acclimatised to life back in the professional ranks once more.
To vote for your Hatters MOM, visit our Hatters Microsite.


Christian Walton (STAR MAN): 8 - Keeper produced some excellent stops at vital times throughout the evening, with his handling spotless too. Stood up bravely to deny Doukara and brilliant point blank save from Roofe prevented Leeds adding an unfair gloss too.


A new support group for women recovering fro ndug addiction and alcohol misuse will open in Dunstable next week.
PINK Positive is a group for women in recovery from alcohol or drug misuse and women affected by partners or family members with drugs’ issues.
Support, Advice, Mentoring and Advocacy Service (SAMAS) is bringing the new group to the town.
Paul Cheshire, SAMAS coordinator, said: “We’ll be running a range of friendly sessions designed to boost self-esteem and confidence, but each week we’ll also be putting on different activities from handicrafts to nail extension sessions and hairdressing.”
>The group will be running every Tuesday from 11am till 12.30pm at The Methodist Church Hall for the next ten weeks.

New support group for women in Dunstable


A new support group for women recovering fro ndug addiction and alcohol misuse will open in Dunstable next week.


The most popular pet name in the UK is Charlie, according to new research into the names we choose for our animals by Pets at Home.
Pets at Home surveyed more than 800,000 pet owners through its My VIP club and has found the top 50 most popular names for each pet type. Whether the pet is a bird, cat, dog, fish, horse, reptile or small animal, Charlie was the clear winner with almost 34,000 of British pet owners choosing this name for their animal friend, topping the list of most common names for birds, cats and horses.
Poppy also proved to be a popular choice for many pets, particularly canines and felines, ranking at number one for dogs and number two for cats. Other common selections include Alfie, Bella, Billy and Molly.
George also ranked highly across all species with almost 10,000 of those taking part choosing this name within the top 50, again regardless of pet type, suggesting the young Prince’s influence may not end with toddler fashion and toys.
The world of entertainment, particularly children’s cartoons, appear to have had an effect on the names owners select. Bird based film Rio saw the film’s title rank in 10th place for birds, while classic cartoon character name Tweety came in at number 32.
Bestselling book A Cat Called Alfie may have inspired cat owners, with Alfie being the eighth most popular name for cats. Winnie the Pooh fans are meanwhile drawn to Tigger, which ranked at 11 in cat names. Demonstrating that classic films can still influence our decisions, Thumper, who appeared in the 1942 film Bambi, is still the seventh most chosen name for rabbits. Nemo, is the second most popular name for the nation’s fish following Goldie in first.
Gavin Hawthorn, Group CRM Director, said: “It’s interesting to see that just as popular culture and famous faces influence what we name our children, likewise, these trends can help the nation’s pet owners select a name for their animals. It seems likely that children being allowed to name their first animal friend forms a big part of the naming process, particularly among the film and TV inspired monikers.
“However, it also seems that books and even the Royal family are also helping Brits to decide on what to call their pet. Meanwhile Charlie and Poppy scored highly across species, suggesting that cute, traditional names will always appeal when it comes to naming our pets.”
Top 10 names for British pets by species
Top 10 names for dogs
1. Poppy
2. Alfie
3. Bella
4. Charlie
5. Molly
6. Max
7. Daisy
8. Bailey
9. Ruby
10. Lola
Top 10 names for cats
1. Charlie
2. Poppy
3. Molly
4. Bella
5. Oscar
6. Daisy
7. Tilly
8. Alfie
9. Millie
10. Smudge
Top 10 names for small animals
1. Daisy
2. Fudge
3. Nibbles
4. Poppy
5. Rosie
6. Charlie
7. Thumper
8. Fluffy
9. George
10. Harry
Top 10 names for reptiles
1. Spike
2. George
3. Rex
4. Charlie
5. Sid
6. Monty
7. Bob
8. Leo
9. Rango
10. Sheldon
Top 10 names for fish
1. Goldie
2. Nemo
3. Bob
4. Bubbles
5. Fishy
6. George
7. Fred
8. Jaws
9. Dave
10. Tom
Top 10 names for horses
1. Charlie
2. Jack
3. Rosie
4. Molly
5. Harry
6. Alfie
7. Billy
8. Poppy
9. Murphy
10. Lady
Top 10 names for birds
1. Charlie
2. Joey
3. Billy
4. Bobby
5. George
6. Blue
7. Alfie
8. Rosie
9. Sky
10. Rio


The most popular pet name in the UK is Charlie, according to new research into the names we choose for our animals by Pets at Home.


Fans of The Kinks are in for a spectacular evening with the arrival of Sunny Afternoon to the area.
The band from North London hit the music scene big time in the early Sixties with hits including You Really Got Me and Lola.
Brothers Ray and Dave Davies formed The Kinks. Ray was the primary songwriter and the band’s definitive sound rocked a nation and influenced generations of music lovers.
Sunny Afternoon has won multiple awards during its run in the West End, and now the show is on tour with stops at The Waterside in Aylesbury and Milton Keynes Theatre.
Producer Richard Darbourne said: “Ray Davies is one of the best British songwriters we’ve ever had. There is an iconic Kinks sound and some amazing song writing. He wrote for a particular age, he was very observational. It resonates with that particular time and it either induces a memory in people today, or brings in new listeners who hear their music for the first time on radio.”
The show promises to have a real concert vibe to it.
Mr Darbourne said: “There is no band in the pit, it’s a quite spectacular event. The actors are musicians as well. Finding the right personnel for any show is a major challenge. We needed four Kinks and their understudies and they have to learn the music and sound like The Kinks with an authentic sound. There is a catwalk that goes into the audience, it’s a logistical nightmare but we’ve kept it for the tour. We felt it was important to retain it and keep the show as it is seen in the West End.”
Sunny Afternoon comes to Milton Keynes Theatre from Tuesday August 30 - Saturday September 3. To book call 0844 871 7652 or visit www. atgtickets.co.uk/miltonkeynes. It then visits Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury from Tuesday September 27 to Saturday October 1. Call the box office on 0844 871 7607 or visit www.atgtickets.co.uk/ aylesbury.

Kinks musical hits Milton Keynes and Aylesbury stages


Fans of The Kinks are in for a spectacular evening with the arrival of Sunny Afternoon to the area.


Students at Manshead School have again enjoyed great success in their GCSE exams with a record 59% achieving A*-C grades in English and Maths.
Headteacher, Jim Parker said: “I am delighted that the students have been so successful – their hard work and effort has really paid off.
“The students and their parents should be proud of their achievements – the school certainly is.’
“Getting a good set of GCSEs is so important as it allows students to follow their chosen courses in the sixth form or at college. We are looking forward to the majority of our students returning to our sixth form where hopefully they will emulate the success of the students who got their A-level results last week.
“We are very pleased with our English results which have increased by over 10%, particularly as this year has seen English results fall nationally.”

Manshead’s GCSE record results in English/Maths


Students at Manshead School have again enjoyed great success in their GCSE exams with a record 59% achieving A*-C grades in English and Maths.


Pokemon GO players who are found to be cheating will have a permanent ban slapped on them, it has been announced.
The game’s developer, Niantic, has altered the terms and conditions to include the condition that a life ban will ensue for anyone caught using trickery to bag Pokemon.
The new clause prohibits: “Falsifying your location, using emulators, modified or unofficial software and/or accessing Pokemon GO clients or backends in an unauthorized manner including through the use of third party software.”
It has been reported that some users have managed to fool the app into thinking they were at a different location. Some Pokemon are region-specific, although taken to extremes, a player could play the game without leaving their home.
“Our goal is to provide a fair, fun and legitimate game experience for everyone,” Niantic said:
“We will continue to work with all of you to improve the quality of the gameplay, including ongoing optimization and fine tuning of our anti-cheat system.”
Anyone believing that have been unfairly banned can access an appeals system.


Pokemon GO players who are found to be cheating will have a permanent ban slapped on them, it has been announced.


Hatters boss Nathan Jones believes striker Danny Hylton will be raring to go against Cambridge United this weekend.
The summer signing from Oxford had played every minute of every game until being withdrawn after the hour mark against Leeds United on Tuesday night, with Jones admitted he had looked jaded during the match.
“He’s just like a machine, all the time, he wants to do stuff.” Nathan Jones
However, Hylton is expected to start against the U’s this weekend as Jones said: “It’s the amount of work he does, you have to try and stop him running at times, even in training when he’s on a down day he’s probably still covered distances that we wouldn’t want him to cover.
“He’s just like a machine, all the time, he wants to do stuff. The way he’s picking up bookings he’ll have a rest before long, but he’ll be ready (on Saturday).
“He looked a bit jaded, wasn’t himself, but he’d run himself into the ground and that’s what we didn’t want him to do on Tuesday.
“So that’s why we made the change and fortunately we’ve got enough strength in depth to do that.”
Striker partner Jack Marriott missed two glorious chances on the night, firing wide when clean through, but Jones doesn’t believe it has had an adverse affect on him in training.
The boss continued: “His build up play, his movement to get those chances is Premier League movement, it really, really is.
“To do that to a Championship centre half in terms of his movement to get clean in is top end stuff.
“Yes, if he scores every chance you get when his movement’s like that, he’s Premier League, so we understand that.
“But the way he is, the way he’s training, he’s in real good spirits, that won’t dampen him.”
Skipper Scott Cuthbert echoed his manager’s thoughts, adding: “He’s a young lad, it happens, he’s a goalscorer, he lives on goals, so he’s naturally going to be disappointed.
“But he’s a confident lad and all the senior lads will get their arm round him and tell him not to worry, the coaching staff too.
“Because he’s going to be massive for us. He was massive for us last year and will be even more important for us this season pushing for promotion with his goals.”

Hylton is fighting fit for Cambridge trip


Hatters boss Nathan Jones believes striker Danny Hylton will be raring to go against Cambridge United this weekend.


Hatters Town skipper Scott Cuthbert is expecting another sea of orange or white in the away end when Luton run out at Cambridge United this afternoon.
Over 1,000 Hatters fans are expected to make the short trip to the Abbey Stadium, with Town unveiling their new white away kit for the first time.
“We know they’ll back us and if you call it a derby then it adds a bit of spice to it and that’s always nice.” Scott Cuthbert
Cuthbert said: “It was good last year, we filled the stand behind the goal and put on a real good performance and result.
“The local ones are always good, but our fans travel in numbers wherever we go.
“We took over 1,000 to Plymouth for the first game of the season, so we know they’ll back us and if you call it a derby then it adds a bit of spice to it and that’s always nice.”
Fellow centre half Johnny Mullins is looking forward to a big travelling contingent too, having been part of the Town faithful during the club’s last away match.
He said: “We’re going to be backed well and we want to come away with three points.
“I’m looking forward to it. Me and Sheez (Alan Sheehan) were in with the fans at Stevenage and it was a really good atmosphere.
“I enjoyed it and it will be much of the same come Saturday. They’ll have their strengths and we’ll have to exploit their weaknesses but it’s one I’m really looking forward to.”

Town’s travelling army will spur Hatters duo on


Hatters Town skipper Scott Cuthbert is expecting another sea of orange or white in the away end when Luton run out at Cambridge United this afternoon.


Matt Adcock reviews David Brent: Life On The Road (15)
“I’m gonna roll you over, and rock you stupid, and leave you there just humming...”
David Brent is back. I never thought I’d write those words but here is the middle-aged master loser – on the big screen as a documentary team follow his dream of a ‘rock tour’ to save him from life as a sanitary products sales rep.
The Office was incredible TV, that made you wince and laugh in equal measure, the likes of which we haven’t fully seen since.
David Brent: Life On The Road picks up the potent unfulfilled dreams of Slough’s favourite office manager and presents the full horror of what happens when Brent cashes in his life savings and pensions to finance a tour for his band Foregone Conclusion. The good news is that this the best Gervais has been in years – capturing the brilliant comedy/pathos at the heart of The Office and delivering big time both in the laughs and the cringe inducing awfulness of Brent’s socially awkward overdrive.
This isn’t for those who are easily offended or just after some gentle humour – Life On The Road is a comedy-tragic-em-up that will rip your heart out even while you’re spitting popcorn.
This older Brent is a lonelier than ever, his hired bandmates won’t socialise with him or even let him on the expensive tour bus he’s shelled out for; he even has to pay them to have an after show drink with him at one point.
The expected adoring crowds don’t exactly turn up and the record company scouts are more interested in the genuinely talented aspiring rapper Dom Johnson (Doc Brown) who Brent has guest rap on some of his songs in an effort to make them both ethically friendly and youthful.
The excellent Tom ‘Love & Friendship’ Bennett is great as Brent’s one Lavichem office pal and Diane ‘Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe’ Morgan has a fun cameo as a PR tasked with the impossible job of making Brent ‘cool’.
Doc Brown, though, steals all his scenes with looks to camera of such sheer uncomfortableness that I’d love to see him get his own spin-off movie.
Life On The Road takes mid-life desperation and blows the door off it in fine comic style.
You’ll laugh, you might even cry but be warned you might also very well hurt yourself due to the unsafe levels of cringe.

Review: Cringeworthy David Brent brings tragedy to comedy


Matt Adcock reviews David Brent: Life On The Road (15)


The University of Bedfordshire has reduced its carbon emissions by over 900 tonnes over the last year.
It managed to reduce its carbon emissions from 7,026 tonnes last year, to 6,089 tonnes this year.
Adam Higgin, head of environmental strategy and sustainability at the University, said: “We are delighted to see that our carbon emissions are coming down so much.
“Even though the University has grown over the years we have still found ways of cutting down our emissions, which is great news.
“There’s still more we could do. We are looking into investing in a Combined Heat and Power plant (CHP) at the Luton campus which will bring our emissions down further.”
Despite being 30% bigger than it was in 2009, the University is spending the same amount on gas and electricity today as it was seven years ago.


The University of Bedfordshire has reduced its carbon emissions by over 900 tonnes over the last year.


Hatters boss Nathan Jones will continue to rebuff any enquiries for his players before the transfer window closes on Wednesday.
Jones admitted in the summer there was plenty of interest in the likes of highly talented youngsters Cameron McGeehan, Jack Marriott and Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, who have all since signed long term contracts with the club.
“We’re a club that are hopefully moving forward and to do that, we’re keeping our best players.” Nathan Jones
That hasn’t stopped other sides from approaching Hatters about their services though, but on any of them leaving, Jones said: “We’ve got a great group here, that people covet, that people want, people are wanting our players.
“We always get enquiries for our players because they’re very good players, but we have a strong club here, a fantastic board, a real stability about us.
“We’re a club that are hopefully moving forward and to do that, we’re keeping our best players.
“I’m saying here’s the right place for them because if we’re going to send them to the next level then that’s what we need to do.”

Hatters boss confirms coveted young stars won’t be sold


Hatters boss Nathan Jones will continue to rebuff any enquiries for his players before the transfer window closes on Wednesday.


Being stuck in a dead end job by your early 40s is bad for your health.
Having an unrewarding job as you start out on the career ladder makes you more depressed, worried and had more trouble sleeping.
And if you stay stuck in positions with low levels of job satisfaction it affects you not just you mentally but physically too, including catching more colds, having a bad back and poor heart health.
But if you are happy in your job or finally get your dream job as your career progresses your overall health gets a boost.
The study by Ohio State University sociologists found job satisfaction in your late 20s and 30s has a link to overall health in your early 40s.
While it impacts on physical health, its effect was particularly strong for mental health.
Lead author and doctoral student Jonathan Dirlam said: “We found that there is a cumulative effect of job satisfaction on health that appears as early as your 40s.”
The study highlighted the importance that early jobs have on people’s lives.
Associate professor of sociology Dr Hui Zheng said: “You don’t have to be near the end of your career to see the health impact of job satisfaction, particularly on your mental health.
“The higher levels of mental health problems for those with low job satisfaction may be a precursor to future physical problems.
“Increased anxiety and depression could lead to cardiovascular or other health problems that won’t show up until they are older.”
He added the study was carried out before the credit crunch and said: “The recession almost certainly increased job insecurity and dissatisfaction, and that could have resulted in more negative health effects.”
The study used data from 6,432 Americans followed from the ages of 14 to 22 as part of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979.
Researchers examined job satisfaction trajectories for people from age 25 to 39 and their health on turning 40.
Participants rated how much they liked their jobs from 1 - dislike very much - to 4 -like very much.
They were then divided into four groups: consistently low and consistently high job satisfaction, those whose satisfaction started high but was trending down and those who started low but were trending higher.
About 45 per cent of participants had consistently low job satisfaction, while another 23 per cent had levels that were trending downward through their early career.
About 15 per cent of people were consistently happy at their jobs and about 17 per cent were trending upward.
Mental health was most affected by people’s feelings about their jobs with those in the low job satisfaction group throughout their early careers scored worse on all five of the mental health measures studied.
They reported higher levels of depression, sleep problems and excessive worry and were more likely to have been diagnosed with emotional problems and scored lower on a test of overall mental health.
Those whose job satisfaction decreased were more likely than those with consistently high satisfaction to have frequent trouble sleeping and excessive worry, and had lower scores for overall mental health.
But they didn’t see an impact on depression scores or their probability of being diagnosed with emotional problems.
Those whose scores went up through the early career years did not see any comparative health problems.
Those in the low satisfaction group and those who were trending downwards reported poorer overall health and more problems like back pain and frequent colds compared to the high satisfaction group.
But they weren’t different in physical functioning and in doctor-diagnosed health problems such as diabetes and cancer.
As with mental health, no effects were seen on physical health for those trending upward.
The findings was presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association in Seattle.


Being stuck in a dead end job by your early 40s is bad for your health.


PHOTOS - Central Alberta buried by blizzard