Happy New Year ~ 2012

As we see out the old and bring in the new, have a wonderful time and Happy New Year to you all!
We have exciting new times planned for us here, so keep an eye on our 'events page' as we start a New Year.
From a Beer Festival in Priory House Gardens and Bands in Grove Park, Dunstable will entertain you from daytime to dark.
One big event we will see in July, when the Olympic Torch is carried through out town proudly held high.
So support your town and stay with us here, as we wish you all a wonderful Happy New Year!

New Year's Honours List 2012

New Year's Honours List 2012 ~ Dunstable's very own Vivienne Evans receives an MBE ~ Member of The Order of The British Empire ~ For services to the community in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. We would like to send her our warmest congratulations.

Another NEW Shop for Dunstable ~ Opening soon!

PEDALWORKS

Opening Soon

West Street ~ Dunstable

Next to Dunstable Aquatics

Thursday evening 5-30pm ~ travelling north through the centre of Dunstable......

This what our High Street could look like with a by pass......

No lorries and cars moving freely.

Love Yankee Candles? Then you will just love 'Cards 4 You'

Now selling Yankee Candles!

 

Cards 4 You

Church Street

Dunstable

The sales have started!

Don't forget to check out Dunstable first for the sales.

Many shops are opening their doors and offering great bargains! Why not pop in to Dunstable and check them out!

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and here's looking forward to a wonderful New Year and a prosperous one for everyone!

Merry Christmas ♥

 

With Christmas almost upon us, would like to wish you all a Wonderful Christmas and Happy and Healthy New Year. May 2012 be a prosperous one for us all including our wonderful town of Dunstable.

With positivity and many opportunities to raise the profile of Dunstable let's hope we see a better brighter town for all that live, work and have businesses in our town in 2012 and beyond.

Thank you to everyone for supporting this blog, our facebook page and the many who join 'About Dunstable' on twitter ~ Spread the word, tell people of our great town and together 'We can all make a difference'.

We will endeavour to keep you up to date as best we can through the holiday season and into next year. However please bear with us as we all like a little time of with our family and friends.

Have a wonderful time and keep supporting 'your' town of Dunstable

Happy Christmas everyone!

Be vocal shop local this Christmas and keep our town shops alive!

 

From Priory House Gift Shop with unique wonderful gifts and edible treats

to

Argos. Why not shop in Dunstable and help keep your town's shops alive.

For the full display of shops in our town why not visit and for peak as to what Dunstable has to offer take a look at our 'Shops and businesses in Dunstable' page. Which we are updating regularly.

Come to Dunstable 'You'll love it' we do!

Friends of Frenchs Avenue Neighbourhood Space.

Dunstable Mayor Cllr Claire Meakins-Jell, Dunstable Town Council Officers and Grounds people met with residents of the Frenchs Avenue area to plant trees and bulbs at the new Green space and recreation area at Frenchs Avenue. The residents have formed a new neighbourhood group which is called 'Friends of Frenchs Avenue Neighbourhood Space'. The group is now being represented at the 'Dunstable in Bloom' group which meets regularly and to which everyone is welcome to join. Everyone is looking forward to Dunstable in bloom 2012 and what a great way to start with this tree planting.

Everyone helped during the tree planting ~

The Mayor Cllr Claire Meakins-Jell can be seen helping to dig the tree in

on the right.

For more photographs please go to our 'Past Events' page ~ Thank you
Photographs by kind permission of Graham.

A message from Simon from Dunstable ~ We wish him all the best in this and all the great work he does for The Cystic Fibrosis Trust

Hope you are well. I need your help! As well as various half marathons, duatholons and triatholons planned for 2012 I will be cycling (again) from John O' Groats to Lands End 1,000 miles in 9 days in June. So this is a big year for me and as I have Cystic Fibrosis I will be doing all this to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

I would be so grateful if you could su...pport me for my biggest year yet. It's easy to donate online - just go to my JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/endtoend2012

You can even sponsor me by text, its so easy! Sponsor me by texting JLGT81 £1(or however much you would like) with a name and message to 70070. Thank you!

You can also follow the storry on facebook by liking the page - www.justgiving.com/endtoend2012 and by twitter @simonstothard

Thankyou and Merry Christmas!
See More

John O' Groats to Lands End 2012

www.justgiving.com

JustGiving - the easiest way to fundraise and donate to charity online

Spectacular review for Grove Theatre ~ Dunstable 'Jack and The Beanstalk'

Wonderful to see such a brilliant review in the Leighton Buzzard Observer for 'Jack and The Beanstalk' now showing at The Grove Theatre Dunstable till January 2012

For the full review please go to:

http://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/lifestyle/leisure/theatre/jack_the_beanstalk_review_1_3338188

No change needed!

Ever got to a car park and found you just haven't got quite enough change?

Well your problem could be solved today as Central Bedfordshire Council launches their new cashless car parking service in Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard, just in time for that last minute Christmas shopping.

The new scheme, available in certain council pay and display car parks, will allow drivers to pay by phone with their credit or debit card using a cashless car parking service.

Operated by RingGo, the service will be run at Ashton Square, Grove Park, Matthew Street, Priory Car park, Regent Street and St Mary’s Gate in Dunstable, and Duncombe Drive and Hockliffe Street car parks in Leighton Buzzard.

For more information please go to:

Information for the local Community page ~ Thank you

Today at Priory House ~ Everyone is welcome to join 'Friends group' of Priory House

PLANS to launch a ‘friends group’ for Dunstable’s Priory House and its gardens will be discussed at a meeting TODAY Thursday, December 15.

All are welcome to attend the event, at 2pm in the High Street South Tourist Information Centre.

The aim is to form a small steering group.

You can also register your interest by emailing helen.sygrove@dunstable.gov.uk or by calling 01582 890270

Another NEW shop for Dunstable

Simi & Lola ~ 38A West Street ~ Opposite the police station - Adeola has dedicated the name of her new shop to her girls Simi & Lola. The new shop will be selling simple acessories such as Costume Jewellery & Handmade jewellery, bags, winter wear, footwear kids accessories & much more.
**Christmas Opening Hours
Tue - Sat 10am - 6pm Except Thursdays closing at 7pm.**
"We wish her every success in her new venture"
Another NEW shop in Dunstable ~ Excellent news!

Adeola asked me to pop along today to see her and her new shop. She is still in the process of dressing the shop ready for it's opening on Friday. Many people had asked Adeola why she didn't have a shop to sell all her accessories that she has on her stall in the Art & Craft Market in the Methodist. So she decided that she would open one in West Street.

She is very excited about this new venture and hopes that many of you will pop along and see what she has to offer.

We would like to wish her every success with her new shop 'Simi & Lola'.

You can find Adeola next door to Boadicea's in West Street.

Dunstable Town Council contractors start work on the new roof on Bennetts Recreation Ground, Changing Room Facilities.

Today's meeting ~ Dunstable in Bloom 2012

Dunstable Town Mayor Cllr Claire Meakins-Jell with winners of

Dunstable in Bloom 2012

Tony who is left of Claire has now become a valued member of

Dunstable in Bloom ~ Everyone is welcome to attend the Dunstable in Bloom meetings and be part of this great community event.

It was great to see some new faces at the Dunstable in Bloom Meeting this morning, a meeting where 'everyone' is invited. Oliver owner of Cookies & Cream and Graham from Frenches Avenue Friends and Neighbourhood Scheme were new to the group this morning. Some great ideas were spoke about around the table and everyone is looking forward to being involved in Dunstable in Bloom 2012.

Looks like Dunstable has got it right! Advertise on line and buy in store.

Good morning everyone. This morning on the BBC News it was said that Mary Portas will be announcing her findings, her review into the future of our high streets after 7 months of research. Two business people sitting with the presenters said having online facilities and advertising and a shop on the High Street is the way forward. Pretty much the way our Dunstable shops are working, advertising on facebook and having the shop to buy the items. Looks like we have got it right! Also raising the profile of the town and keeping the attitude positive on the High Street. Support your town and it will thrive.

Tonight's sunset over Dunstable

Video posted on our fb page of Sebastian Vettel's MK run.

Having spent this week shopping in Dunstable, today was to be spent watching the F1 Champion Sebastian Vettel in MK and 'No' shopping!! Fabulous afternoon watching Vettel and Webber and David Coulthard going up and down Midsummer Boulevard and to top it all no battling with shoppers! A big thank you to Red Bull for a fantastic Display ~ A World Championship winning 'local'ish' business. When Councils and Businesses come together amazing events can happen!

Saturday in the Quadrant Shopping Centre......

The kind people of The DCC say ~ "Tomorrow Dunstable Community Church will be in the Quadrant, playing Christmas music and wrapping people's gifts for them. So visit the shops, buy some presents, then bring them to us and we'll wrap them for you - free of charge!!"

Be vocal and shop local and have your presents wrapped for FREE

Plus FREE Car Parking in Council owned Car Parks ~ Please check our Events page and the full details are also on Dunstable Town Council Website.

Central Bedfordshire Council wants to know what you think about Parking!

Tell us what you think about parking in Central Bedfordshire Says Central Bedfordshire Council.

For the full information please go to 'Information for the local community' page. Thank you.

Cottage Garden Flower Shop ~ For more shops & Businesses in Dunstable please go to 'Shops & Businesses in Dunstable' page.

Charles Headey from, Cottage Garden Flower Shop, Chiltern Road, Dunstable has contacted 'About Dunstable' with regarding putting his business on the blog, fb etc. We are very happy that people are checking in to 'About Dunstable' in all it's different formats and using it for the reason it was created.

Helping to raise the profile of Dunstable and to help promote it's businesses and potential!

By telling your friends and sharing this blog and our facebook page you are supporting Dunstable. Thank you.

Be vocal ~ shop local ~ and let's all help to make a difference!

Another NEW business in Dunstable ~ Eddie's ~ Oriental Supermarket

Eddie's

Oriental Supermarket

Queensway

Dunstable

Information is being added regularly to 'Ringmaster Messages from Bedfordshire Police' page.

Keep your presents - and your credit cards - safe from prying eyes
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in every high street and shopping centre around Central Bedfordshire - and while the bright lights and carols are attractive to shoppers, they're also attractive to thieves.

For more information please go to the 'Ringmaster Messages....' page. Thank you.

‘White knight’ leads new fleet of gritters into battle

‘A ‘White Knight’ will lead Central Bedfordshire’s fleet of new gritters into battle this year as competition winner Perla Heley-Weatherley races to the finish line.
Picked from almost 100 entries as part of the annual winter driving campaign, Perla aged four from Dunstable, was the successful entry from the competition launched on 22 October, at the winter driving event.

Perla Heley-Weatherley commented about her entry: “White is for the snow and knight as the gritter’s keep our roads and drivers safe.”
Perla met with Cllr Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities Services and Deputy Executive Member, Cllr Budge Wells, today (7 December), at the Dunstable Depot to see ‘White Knight’ being officially unveiled.

Cllr Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities Services at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: "Not only would I like to congratulate Perla on her winning entry, but take the opportunity to thank all those who entered, it was very difficult deciding as there were some great ideas put forward.

“The annual winter driving campaign provides advice and tips on how road users can stay safe during the winter months, as well as keeping people up to date with our extensive winter maintenance programme.”

As part of this year’s maintenance programme the fleet will be carrying out as many as six daily salting runs in the most severe weather. The 18-strong vehicles will also carry real-time tracking so base crews can see where they are, how fast they’re moving and how much salt they have spread.

Roads carrying the highest volume of traffic are gritted when road temperatures are expected to drop below zero and when they are expected to be damp.

Cllr Brian Spurr, added: "We keep in store more than 5,500 tonnes of salt – that’s enough to spread over 30,000 football pitches. With the average gritting run using seven tonnes of salt.

“As well as making sure priority roads are sufficiently salted, we have been working over the summer to repair around 1500 potholes caused by last years severe weather – investing over £200,000.

“We want every motorist to be prepared for driving in ice, fog and snow so we are advising people to follow the safety guidance about simple car checks before heading out.”

Make sure tyres have plenty of tread, have extra washer fluid in the car, keep a shovel in the car as well as a blanket, food and water in case of emergencies. Keep headlights clean and watch out for weather forecasts - don’t head out if bad conditions are expected.

Road users are also advised to report dangerous or severe potholes by calling the potholes hotline on 0300 300 8049. 

Cllr Brian Spurr (bottom left) presents Perla Heley-Weatherly (aged 4) and mum Catherine with the certificate and goodie bag, joined by the Amey Highways gritting crew.

Mashead School Band in The Quadrant Shopping Centre Today 7th December

It was wonderful to hear Manshead School Band playing today

as we walked through The Quadrant Shopping Centre.

Lots of people stopped listened and applauded them.

It made the town feel very festive.

For the full details of Christmas Activities and events in Dunstable

please go to:

http://www.dunstable.gov.uk/destination-dunstable/town-centre-intiatives/christmas-activities-dunstable/

Church Street reopens after a weekend of closures.

     Saturday, December 10, 2011

Free parking to coincide with Dunstable's Events and FSB Day.                     Please go to our 'Events' page for more information on individual events.

Participating Car Parks are: Mathew Street (Eleanor's Cross) St. Mary's Gate (West Street) Church Street Ashton Square (Wilkinson)                                                                                                                                                This does NOT include Asda or the Quadrant Car Parks

Church Street Bridge ~ Dunstable

This is a photograph of the removal of Church Street Bridge

in October 2010

Work continues on the Busway and this weekend the

Bridge Bars are being put back in place across Church Street its self.

Therefore Church Street will remain closed until the early hours of Monday morning 5th December.

Central Bedfordshire and Town Councillors Surgery at Priory House ~ Dunstable

On Saturday 3rd December when your in Dunstable, why not pop along to Priory House and meet Dunstable's Central Bedfordshire and Town Councillor's. They are looking forward to meeting you. They will be upstairs in Priory House between 10am and 12noon so pop along and say hi!

Stars of The Grove Theatre's 'Jack & The Beanstalk' will be at the Torchlight Procession Friday 2nd December

Grove Theatre

 

 

 

Stars of this year’s pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk will be at the Dunstable Christmas Tree light switch-on this evening, be sure to get your free Jack and the Beanstalk flag from members of the Grove Theatre Team who will be handing them out.

It's all happening at the Torchlight Procession this evening from

7pm Ashton Square ~ Dunstable

Pudding Night 1st December 2011 at Priory House Tea Rooms ~ Happy Christmas everyone.

Pudding Nights ~ Every Thursday evening  6-30 pm ~ 9-30 pm

We hope everyone has a wonderful evening at the Torchlight Procession and switching on of Dunstable's Christmas Tree.

Christmas Tree Carols and Torchlight Procession

               

Christmas Tree Carols

Dunstable Town Council is once again very proud to be organising this wonderful, traditional Christmas event.

The event will be taking place on Friday 2 December, from 7pm on The Square.

18 choirs are taking part in the carol event this year.

Priory House Teas Rooms are also open from
5-30 to 7pm

For the full details please go to our 'Events' page

and

Dunstable Town Council's Website:

http://www.dunstable.gov.uk/upcoming-events/christmas-carols-torchlight-procession/

Short update on progress of works on the Luton Dunstable Busway

For more information please go to our page: 'Information for the local community' Thank you.

Watling Lower School's Beanstalk can be seen at The Grove Theatre ~ Dunstable

The children of Watling Lower School Dunstable have made this wonderful Beanstalk to celebrate the arrival of 'Jack and the Beanstalk' at the Grove Theatre ~ Dunstable

From Friday 9th December 2011 - Monday 2nd January 2012

For more information and how to book tickets

Please contact:

The Grove Theatre

Dunstable

LU5 4GP

Box Office 01582 602080

or

Book Online at:

www.grovetheatre.co.uk

Let's Talk Together ~ Meeting ~ Tuesday 29th November 7-9pm

At Heathfiled School ~ Caddington

Everyone welcome ~ Councillor Stay will be chairing the meeting.

The format of the meetings is still in 2 parts:
7-8pm Market Stalls
8-9pm Formal meeting around a) local Policing priorities and b) other local issues and priorities.inc the approach to car parking.
... In Part 2 and the discussion, we will be talking about
an update on the Councils Budget strategy
an update on issues raised at the last meeting ( Dunstable June 23)
Managing growth and local development
Review of parliamentary constituencies
Local investment ( A5 M1 link; University Technical College, etc)
Supporting local services

While in Dunstable today is was lovely to stop for a moment and enjoy a coffee and wonderful mince pie in one of Dunstable's superb Coffee Shops ~ Latte Heaven

This photograph was taken in January this year ~ at the official opening of

Latte Heaven.

Why not pop down and see Sarah, Nick and the team and enjoy some wonderful Home Baked goodies along with some delicious coffee or specialist teas.

The Christmas Spirit has already arrived in Latte Heaven with some wonderful decorations that adorn the walls ~ Not forgetting their wonderful mince pies of course!

FREE parking on Sunday in Dunstable in all CBC Council owned car parks.

FREE parking on Sunday in Dunstable in all CBC Council owned car parks. Others may vary so please check. Many of Dunstable's shops are open on a Sunday including: Superdrug, Clinton Cards, New Look, Poundland, Games Station, Samuels Jewellers, Costa and that's in the Quadrant aloan! Then there's Asda, Argos, Wilkinson, Becky's Boutique, Farmfoods, Latte Heaven, Dunstable Aquatics. Whe we know of more we will add them to the 'Sunday opening' list.

Please take a look at our page 'Shops and Businesses in Dunstable' We are adding to the list all the time.

Happy Shopping

Be vocal shop local and help keep Dunstable Alive!

The Official Opening of Creasey Park Community Football Centre

Welcome to the official opening of Creasey Park Community Football Centre by Dunstable Town Mayor Cllr Claire Meakins-Jell and CBC Cllr Peter Hollick followed by a local derby between AFC Dunstable and Dunstable Town Football Club ~ A Great Day was had by all.

More pictures on the 'Events' page.

Picture's of the past....

We have had some wonderful old pictures posted on our facebook page. To give everyone a chance to see them Frank has kindly said we can post them on here. So please check out 'The Hisotry of Dunstable Through The Years......' page one here. They really do bring back some old memories of our wonderful town.

Don't forget ~ Thursday Night is Priory Pudding Night!

The Priory House Tea Rooms are proud to introduce Priory Pudding Nights.

Come along and enjoy a selection of puddings and gateaux in the licensed Priory House Tea Rooms.

The Pudding Nights will start on Thursday 6 October and will continue every Thursday evening.

...
The Tea rooms will open their doors at 6.30pm and will serve a selection of puddings and gateaux, which you can enjoy along with a glass of wine or a liqueur coffee. Everyone is welcome and last orders will be taken at 9pm.

They look forward to seeing you there.  

Another new businesses coming to Dunstable

It was great chatting with Sonia and Harry today ~ owners of another new shop/business coming to Dunstable hopefully before Christmas.

I will be in regular contact with them and as soon as they have more details they will let us all know. They look forward to welcoming everyone to their new shop in Ashton Square.

Wenesday, Friday and Saturday is Market Day in Dunstable

Dunstable Market

Ashton Square along by Wilkinsons

off the A5 High Street South

Car Park to rear of Market ~ Ashton Square Car Park from 50p for 2 hours

Pioneer Youth Hub Christmas Fayre ~ Unfortunately this event has been cancelled

Christmas in Dunstable 2011

20th November 2011 and the Christmas Street lights were switched on in Dunstable.

Dunstable Town Council's full programme of Festivities and events are available from their
website http://www.dunstable.gov.uk/

The Town Mayor Cllr Claire Meakins-Jell will be switching the lights on the Christmas Tree in the Square on Friday 2nd December followed by some wonderful Carol singing, which everyone is invited to.

Dunstable Town Centre is alight with beautiful Christmas Decorations

Christmas has arrived in Dunstable! I have just driven through the town and it is alight with wonderful brightly coloured Christmas lights. On the 2nd of December The Mayor Cllr Claire Meakins-Jell will be switching on the lights on Dunstable's huge Christmas tree in the Square. Happy Christmas everyone!

Dunstable Aquatics ~ West Street ~ Dunstable

Dunstable Aquatics

 

 

 

Can you help Dunstable Aquatics get to 100 'likes' on their Facebook page? When they get there one of their lucky followers will be randomly selected to win a £10 gift voucher to spend in store.

That's £10 to spend on anything from fish food, aquarium supplies pond plants, garden seeds, wild bird food, hay, straw & feed for small pets, cat & dog dry food or even towards a cage or aquarium!

Please contact Dunstable Aquatics ~ West Street ~ Dunstable for the full details. Or check them out on Facebook ~ Dunstable Aquatics.

Elaine Sullivan-Child Hair & Beauty ~ 24 High St South ~ Dunstable

Elaine Sullivan-Child Hair & Beauty ~ Celebrates their 1st Years Anniversary in

Dunstable 2011

It was wonderful to see a busy salon not only with people receiving hair & beauty treatments but with people enjoying the festivities and celebrations for the Salons Anniversary.

We wish them continued success with their business in Dunstable.

From now until the draw on the 22nd December they are selling raffle tickets for the opportunity to 'Be A Celebritiy For The Day and Win a Fabulous Make-Over & Photo Shoot'

All proceeds from the raffle will be going to MacMillan Cancer Fund.

Dunstable Town Council to hit the Social Media Scene in 2012

In January 2012 Dnstable Town Council will launch it's new Facebook page with Twitter accounts from the following areas ~ Priory House ~ Events ~ Town Centre and Businesses ~ Creasey Park Community Football Centre.

Social networking brings with it a number of positive outcomes, it reaches new audiences (often those who do not usually engage with the Council), it can help disperse the perception of poor communication and encourage positive two way communications.

Social networking is also effective at promoting events, undertaking researchm sharing information as there is already a massive audience potential.

~

About Dunstable looks forward to welcoming Dunstable Town Council in to this big new Social Media World and believes that it will help spread an even bigger wave of positivity across our much loved Historical town.

Dunstable Act of Remembrance Sunday 13th November 2011

Followed by Remembrance Day Service

at Priory Church of St Peter

We attended the salute this morning and the laying of the wreaths at Dunstable's War Memorial. As silence fell across the country, a huge crowd of people stood motionless. It was very moving watching Service people and other members of the public parading forwards to lay their wreaths. Afterwards we joined a full Church for the Remembrance Day Service. A day we will will never forget.

Take a look inside 'HOPE' Designer fashion right on your doorstep in Dunstable

	HOPE           5a Queensway, LU5 4ET Dunstable
	Mon - Sat: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
	Hope Clothing has been trading in Dunstable for 7 years. They supply quality designer brands for men and women.

	0 1582 477133
	http://WWW.hopeclothingdunstable.co.uk

'Becky's Boutique' opens today 12th November 2011

It was wonderful to be with Becky and her family this morning at the opening ceremony and to see the first customer's cross the threshold of her new shop.

Becky and her sister Emma with the first sale of the day!

We wish Becky every success with 'Becky's Boutique'

in Ashton Square

Dunstable.

We hope Becky continues to fill her shop with many new wonderful cunstomers.