Friday 31 August 2012

Pub Arsonist Jailed for Seven and Half Years.



An arsonist who destroyed an historic coaching inn, The Norman King, has been jailed for seven and a half years.The thatched 12 century inn in Dunstable Beds, a listed building, was damaged beyond repair in August last year after fire took hold of the thatched roof. Richard Waters, 43 pleaded not guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered, but was convicted by a jury, in June. He claimed to have no memory of starting the fire, and had no reason to do so. He had been drinking heavily and had taken cocaine. Prosecutor Will Noble told Luton Crown Court that the loss of Dunstable's oldest building had caused 'considerable disquiet' to residents of the town. The building was in the process of being refurbished and was closed at the time. It had been due to reopen in Sept last year as a function room. No figure had been put on the loss. Mr. Noble said the fire started just before midnight on August 9 last year and led to 50 people from neighbouring houses and the Old Palace Lodge hotel next door being evacuated. Fortunately the fire did not spread but the pub could not be saved. The manager was also not sleeping there that night He said images recovered from the cctv hard drive showed a man with shoulder length scruffy hair in a pony tail, sit down on the step at the front of the Norman King before rolling a cigarette and lighting it. The man struggled to get to his feet and crouched down again. The jury was told that the man then took a swig from a bottle, glanced up at the roof and moved away, returning six minutes later, possibly to see if the fire had taken hold. Police also had sightings of the same man leaving the Nag's Head in Dunstable, just minutes before the fire was started Waters, of Western Way, Dunstable was arrested after images from the Nag's Head cctv were published in the local media and he was recognised by a woman who had known him for ten years. When he was arrested police found a newspaper cutting relating to the arson on his bedside table. They also recovered items of clothing which matched those worn by the man seen on the cctv from the Norman King. The fire damage was so intense that fire investigators were unable to carry out a full investigation, but the evidence is consistent with the fire being set using a naked flames to the underside of the thatch above the front door. Mr Noble said "We say the man in the cctv deliberately set fire to the Norman King and was reckless as to whether the fire which followed endangered the lives of others. We may never know what his motive for doing so was." Miss Madeleine Wolfe, defending said Waters continues to deny the offence. "He has said he has absolutely no reason to commit the offence but accepts that does not lessen the impact of such a crime. He is very sorry that this has happened to such a nice old building." She continued: "He is not hiding behind a convenient mental blackout, it is a recognised medical condition for those addicted to alcohol and other substances." Judge Stuart Bridge told Waters: "This was deliberate and premeditated causing the loss of a building of real historical importance that was held in great affection by the people of Dunstable. it cannot be replaced and has caused significant financial loss. "You struck in the middle of the night and the risk of death or serious injury was very real." Following the sentencing of Waters, Detective Chief Inspector Steve Vesztrocy said: “This sentencing serves as a timely reminder that serious crime will not be tolerated in Bedfordshire and we will do everything that we can to find and prosecute those responsible. “Waters is a dangerous individual who caused misery to the owners of the pub and panic among the public who lived close by and had to be evacuated as a result of his actions. “I want to pay particular tribute to the investigating officers who went through a painstaking and meticulous enquiry which involved studying hours of CCTV footage until they found the suspect. As soon as those images were released, we were given a name and it didn’t take too long for the truth to unfurl. “Thankfully, this sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and I am pleased to see that Waters will not be able to cause fear or harm to the public for a long time.” Please note - All of the court copies are provided by South Beds News Agency, who retain the copyright© for all articles published.

Photograph by www.dunstabletoday.co.uk
 

Wednesday 29 August 2012

Would you like to see a 'Dunstable Monopoly board game' ?


A message to all Monopoly fans! I have just had a call regarding an opportunity to create a 'Dunstable Monopoly' board! They have been very helpful and hope to work with us to design and create this world known game ready for this Christmas! If any businesses are interested in sponsering a square, with all profits going to a local charity please could you contact us or leave your name and contact details below ~ We need to see what interest we are likely to get before we move on with this idea ~ Thank you

Sunday 26 August 2012

The Day the Paralympic Flame came to Dunstable.



 




It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying this great event and seeing what the Disability recource centre has available for people who require special needs.

Dunstable disability recource centre has provided a member of my family some great support in the past so it was great to be able to meet with the team and see what other great work they do for many other people with all levels of disabilities.


To see more pictures of this memorable event please click on the link below ~ Thank you

http://www.aboutdunstable.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-olympic-torch-relay-came-to.html





Friday 24 August 2012

The Paralympic Flame Is Coming To Dunstable This Weekend


The Olympic Torch Bearers for the relay on the 9th July ~
Now Dunstable welcomes the Paralympic Flame this weekend!
 
The Disability Resource Centre In Dunstable Will Host A Paralympic Flame Festival On 26th August 2012 9.30am to 12.30pm
Lighting the way to the Paralympic Games
Over the August bank h...
oliday weekend, flames from the capital cities of the UK’s nations will travel to Stoke Mandeville, home of the Paralympic Movement, and join together to create the Paralympic Flame. The flame will then be carried by teams of torchbearers through the night to the Paralympic Opening Ceremony.

The flame will travel from London and will stay at our premises in Dunstable for the morning of Sunday 26th August from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

Please come along to this FREE family event to see the flame and take your photo with it (bring your camera!), and join in the activities that we have planned – there will be a range of interesting exhibits celebrating the inclusion of disabled people:

Paralympic flame and Olympic torch – bring your camera to take photographs
A past paralympian
Sailability – adapted sailing Dinghy
Canine Partners – assistance dogs
Adapted vehicles
Fitness equipment
Sports including Boccia, Connect 4, New age curling, golf – for all to join in with
Tombola
Jazz trio
Refreshments – Ice cream, Burger van, coffee
Lantern making
Balloon modelling
Roundabout, Candy floss, Sweets
Please check back here for more details! At the link below:

http://www.drcbeds.org.uk/about-drc/events/

Saturday 18 August 2012

'Dunstable Rocks' in Grove House Gardens today until 10pm! FREE event for everyone!







CC Smugglers on stage at 'Dunstable Rocks'




'Dunstable Rocks' FREE Live entertainment at Grove House Gardens!



'Dunstable Rocks'

Saturday 18th August 2012

 
Party with the people from Dunstable and beyond!

at Grove House Gardens on Saturday 18th August 2012

from 12 noon until 10pm


From Subset to Alexander O'Neal with so many live acts in between.

Let's Rock this town alive!!

Tuesday 14 August 2012

The wildlife in Dunstable is truly amazing!



This beautiful Dragonfly was seen in a garden in Dunstable recently.

Sunday 12 August 2012

Dunstable remembers the 9th of July with pride, as the Olympic Relay comes to our town.






What a wonderful event to remember for ever.

Well done to 'everyone' involved and to all those who visited making one of the most spectacular events during this Jubilee and Olympic year.

Thursday 2 August 2012

Dunstable's new 'Duck' Bridge is really taking shape!




Progress is being made on the new Houghton Regis, Dunstable, Luton Busway. As is further development of the housing alongside. Which can be seen in the photo above.


Two stainless steel 'Ducks' are also being created for the new bridge that crosses Church Street.

More info about the new art and 'Duck' at the link shown below: