With the festivities well under way......

We hope you all have all had a very Merry Christmas and we wish you a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year! We will endevour to update the page as often as we can but we also intend to enjoy this holiday as well :) Have fun and take care everyone x

Dunstable is getting ready to Rock 2013 Style!!

S Club 3 ~ Jo O'Meara, Bradley McIntosh and Paul Cattermole ~ Summer of Music 2012

Dunstable Council • Application's open for Party in the Park and Dunstable Rocks 2013

http://www.dunstable.gov.uk/upcoming-events/application-open-party-park-dunstable-rocks-2013/

We have just passed 1000 Friendly Followers on Facebook!

Thank you everyone who has 'shared' and 'liked' About Dunstable Facebook page.

Positively Promoting Dunstable and it's businesses.

All helping to make it a better place to live, work and shop!

Well done Everyone.

 Dunstable thanks you all for your support

 

CHEERS!

 

Here's to 2013 a better and brighter future for everyone!

 

Charity Dunstable Calendar on Sale Now

              

 

 

Charity Dunstable Calendar

Date Published: 07/11/12

 

The Dunstable Town Mayor, Councillor Patricia Staples has produced a Charity Calendar which depicts the landmarks, views and sites of Dunstable.

It is available for sale at the price of £4.95 at Priory House, Grove House and Creasey Park.

 

All proceeds will be going to the Town Mayor's Charities.

Citizen's Advice Bureau ~ Scouts ~ Priory Church Dunstable

Christmas Cracker at Priory House this Saturday 15th December with FREE PARKING at participating CBC car parks ~ Have a cracker of a day in Dunstable!

              

 

Christmas Cracker

Saturday 15 December 10.00am to 4.00pm

Its back!!

The Priory House Christmas Cracker is taking place on Saturday 15 December between 10.00am and 4.00pm.

There will be Children's crafts, performances by the Priory Girls Choir, and a special festive menu in the Priory House Tea Rooms.

PLUS

A visit from Santa

He will be in his Grotto all day waiting to hear what you would most like for Christmas and giving out presents to all of the girls and boys.

Visits to Santa's Grotto are £2.50 per child with a gift.

The children's craft workshop will be running again this year with more amazing Christmas craft ideas then ever before. The workshop is £1.50 per child and will be supervised by our CRB checked elves.

The Priory Gift Shop will be in the festive spirit too. With a large selection of Christmas gifts, Cards and Ornaments your Christmas Shopping experience just got easier.

Our signature glass ornaments are back by popular demand with even more styles and sizes for your collection.

So come along and join in the festive fun at the Priory House Christmas Cracker!

 

PLUS FREE PARKING THIS SATURDAY

15th December IN CBC CAR PARKS

*Please check individual car parks for details

Thank you

 

Taken from:

http://www.dunstable.gov.uk/priory-house/christmas-at-priory-house/christmas-cracker/

FREE PARKING!!

 

 

FREE PARKING

IN

DUNSTABLE TODAY !!

 

Please check when parking for participating car parks.

 

Wikinson Car Park - Ashton Square

St. Mary's Gate - opposite the Police Sation

Church Street Car Park - opposite the Priory Church

 

(These are Central Bedfordshire Council Car Parks)

 

Be vocal Shop local and support Dunstable's Specialist Shops as well as High Street names such as NEXT, ARGOS, BOOTS and NEW LOOK

 

 

SHOP LOCAL AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF WINNING

£200 !!

Pick up a leaflet at any participating shops

 

Good luck!!

 

 



Dunstable Mayor Councillor Patricia Staples will be switching on of the lights on Dunstable's Christmas Tree in the Square at 7pm tonight.

Happy Christmas from everyone About Dunstable.

 



Last years Christmas Tree illumination and Carole singing event saw hundreds of children from local schools. Walk in procession from Priory Church to the Square outside the Methodist on High Street South (A5) ~ Where they joined Dunstable Town Councillors and a very joyful crowd to sing some wonderful Christmas Carols and watch the switching on of the Christmas Tree Lights.

 

Everyone is looking forward to another wonderful evening in Dunstable.

 

There will also be local businesses open along Middle Row during this festive event, for some late night shopping and for some wonderful coffee's and warm treats.

 



Medieval Dunstable

Dunstable will celebrate the 800th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Priory Church in 2013

 

Join us and be part of this wonderful time, that will once again go down in history.

http://medievaldunstable.org.uk/index.html

The Project the beginning and the end.......

"In the summer of 2010 I had an idea that perhaps we could mark the foundations of the Augustinian Priory, and introduce a new Medieval Walk to the Heritage walks offered by the town guides. Those of us interested in the history of the town believed that in medieval times, Dunstable was an important centre of trade sitting astride one of the busiest crossroads of England. Henry I built a palace in Dunstable and a number of monarchs spent time here. We knew there were jousts, we had a copy of some early byelaws and charters, tantalising evidence that there was a big story just waiting to be uncovered."

Taken from an excerpt from

http://medievaldunstable.org.uk/index.html by Jean Yates ~ Project Manager

************

Dunstable Time Line 1100 - 1540

1086

No mention of Dunstable in the Domesday Book. Notes say Dunstable was a deserted Roman ruin, not yet resettled, but the figures for Houghton Regis perhaps make more sense if villagers were trading at crossroads at that time, to which the sheriff turned a blind eye, but increased their taxes.

- Follow this link for all the years inbetween: http://medievaldunstable.org.uk/timekine.html

1540s

Henry VIII had a plan for Dunstable to be a Bishopric and convert the church into a cathedral, The plan failed and the Prior and Canons were pensioned off.

Author Jean Yates

************

Map of Dunstable

Follow the link below:

http://medievaldunstable.org.uk/town.html

**

The Augustinian Priory

Follow the link below:

http://medievaldunstable.org.uk/priory.html

 

******

Priory House Tea Room, Tourist Information Centre, Tea Rooms and Gift Shop

http://www.dunstable.gov.uk/priory-house-tea-rooms/

******

2013 Events

Celebrating the 800th Anniversary

of the Dedication of the Priory,

and the Medieval History of Dunstable

Please follow the linkbelow for the full list of events:

http://medievaldunstable.org.uk/events.html

Check with Priory House for the latest updates

Tel. 01582 891420 or email prioryhouse@dunstable.gov.uk

************

For contact details with regard to any of the above or and further information ~ Please follow the link below ~ Thank you

http://medievaldunstable.org.uk/contacts.html

******

Dunstable ~ A New Beginning

The last few years have seen businesses come and go in and around Dunstable. Hopefully as we all look towards 2013 and beyond we will all see a better and brighter future for everyone who lives, works and has businesses in our great town.

This video is a small snippet as to just how wonderful Dunstable is going to be in the future.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxkrv1ZFZgY&feature=share&list=UUimNJr877Xr1EC_7wF8pAfQ

Dunstable Welcomes another new Shop .........

Ruby Tuesday

 

 

High Street North ~ Dunstable

 

'Fast Fashion at Factory Prices'

 

 

The management and staff of Ruby Tuesday would like to thank everybody for the outstanding support of our new boutique in our first week of trading.

The response has been overwhelming and we are proving that Dunstable is far from dead and that the people of Dunstable are more than prepared to support their town if the environment is nice and the product offers good value.

I am sick and tired of the cynics who still insist on patronising us with comments like "you must be brave".

Our Dunstable shop has achieved twice the revenue of a similar venture in Hemel Hempstead for the same week in 2011, a town with twice the population and that wonderful Hertfordshire charm (tongue firmly in cheek).

The sweet shop is much missed (mainly it seems by people who we never actually saw in it).

But to all the many regular loyal customers of the Sweet Station we thank you enormously for your support for the nearly 3 years of business (yes...nearly 3 years).

Viva Dunstable.

Phil & Corinne

Last night 'About Dunstable' attended at meeting ~ Which will help to create a great outcome for Dunstable.....

Last night a meeting was held between the member of the 'Town Team Steering Group' These consist of  Dunstable Community Groups, CBC and DTC.

Suggestions were put forward and discussed for spending the £10,000 Portas money which will have the greatest impact on our town, businesses and of course the people living here.

 

We look forward to sharing good news of how this money is to be spent and how you will all see a difference within the town. It maybe small as the money isn't big but the changes and improvements will be positive ~ and to coin a phrase we all felt we was 'singing from the same hymn sheet' at last!

NEWS FALSH FOR COURT DRIVE

We have been sent a message from 'Let's Talk Central' Which is a below:

 

Brilliant News at last!!

 

"Court Drive in Dunstable will be re-opened to two-way traffic from 2:00pm today. There is still some final work to be done, such as the coloured surfacing, but this will be done at night to minimise inconvenience.

We appreciate it has been difficult for the past few months, thank you for your patience. The Busway gave us a great opportunity to improve the Court Drive area, this is just the beginning of our plans to regenerate the area.

 

You can watch this video to find out more about our plans for Dunstable

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxkrv1ZFZgY&feature=share&list=UUimNJr877Xr1EC_7wF8pAfQ

'Children in Need' Friday 16th November 2012

 

We will give £10 to 'Children in Need' if we get over 1,000 'Likes' for our facebook page by midnight tonight Friday 16th November :) It's not much but every penny helps ~ You can help by 'liking' and sharing ~ Thank you ~

 

These youngsters were in Dunstable this morning also collecting for 'Children in Need' 

Remembrance Day in Priory House Gardens ~ 11-11-2012

We were very proud to be standing with so many people this morning at the War Memorial watching the wreaths being laid and then afterwards at the Priory Church for the Service of Rememberance ~ We remember not just today but everyday .........



Rememberance day in Dunstable today at the War Memorial, Priory House Gardens

Rememberance Day on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour .........

They shall grow not old.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

From Laurence Binyon's poem For the Fallen, written in September 1914

As the Court Drive/Kingsway and Queensway road improvements come to and end ...

 

...... final touches such as the landscaping starts to take place.

As the new large trees arrive this week.

 

'EVERYONE' in and around Dunstable, residents, businesses etc. can't wait for these road improvements to be completed.

 

Which should be before the end of this month, November. When Queensway will once again become two way again for vehicles.

 

Hopefully this will then encourage people rather than deter them into coming back to Dunstable to shop.

Dunstable Rocks 2011 welcomed Les McKeown from the Bay City Rollers .....

...... and tonight Les returns to the Grove Theatre Dunstable!

 

 

 

Watling Lower School opens its doors this Thursday 8th November

Watling Lower School is opening its doors on Thursday 8th November to parents and guardians of children who are about to take their fist steps in to full time education.

 

There will be two sessions, one at 2:00 pm and the second at 6:00 pm, each lasting for about an hour, where you will be able to meet some of the staff, see the facilities that Watling Lower has to offer and view some of the achievements made by its students.

 

Watling Lower School

Bull Pond Lane

Dunstable

LU6 3BJ

 

01582 662232

Firework Fun at Creasey Park, Dunstable on 5th November 2012

 

 

 

Thousands joined in the fun counting down to the BIG Firework Display with DJ Sid Hudson after Dunstable Mayor Councillor Pat Staples welcomed everyone to this fantastic annual event.

 

A brilliant night was had by all.

Have a Safe & Fun Bonfire Night everyone!

We wish you a fun packed and safe Bonfire Night 2012

 

If you are celebrating with sparklers in your garden or attending a big display, take care, wrap up and don't forget your camera!

 



 

 

McCarthy & Stone ~ Investment in Dunstable

Winter Maintenance from Central Bedfordshire Council

Highway Report Notification: Sunday, 04 November 2012 12:41 PM
Highway Report dated: Sunday, 04 November 2012 12:25 PM


Bedfordshire highways have gritting crews on standby overnight as Temperatures expected to fall close to freezing.

Central Bedfordshire Council
http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/webApps/SOS/

Hurricane Sandy

Good morning from Dunstable ~ England

Please feel free to use our Social Media pages to make contact with any family or friends in the area's in America affected with Hurricane Sandy.

Let's all use the powers of the social media to stay in touch.

Our thoughts go out to everyone affected as we ourselves have friends who live in this area and who once lived here in Dunstable.

Dunsstable 'A New Beginning' for everyone.

Please watch and share this video, which shares the dreams and aspirations for a better brighter Dunstable ~ Thank you

Dunstable Fireworks Display ~ Light up the sky with wonderful fireworks!

Fireworks 2012

Entrance to the park is Creasey Park Drive. Please be aware there are no parking facilities available at Creasey Park.

This years firework spectacular will be held at Creasey Park Community football Centre on Monday 5 November at 8.00 pm. Funfair and childrens rides plus variety of food stalls.

Not to be missed!!

Adults £3.00

 

Children (under 16) and Concessions £2.00

 

Children and under 5 are FREE

 

Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £9.00

 

Unaccompanied children (under 14) will not be admitted.

http://www.dunstable.gov.uk/upcoming-events/www-dunstable-gov-uk-fireworks/

Lighting up the A5 in Dunstable Christmas 2011

NEWS FLASH!!

Council expresses delight at green light for A5- M1 link road

Central Bedfordshire Council has welcomed today's news that the Department of Transport is ready to give the go-ahead for the A5-M1 link road as the start of a great new future for Dunstable.

Today's announcement follows a local inquiry that was restarted earlier this year after the council brokered a £45m contribution to the scheme from local developers to add to its own contribution of £5m which has already been made available.

The Secretaries of State for Transport and Communities Local Government have said today that they are minded to accept the Inspector's recommendation that the bypass should be built. This means that the Secretary of State for Transport is committed to building the road as quickly as possible providing the developers' contribution is secured.

The 2.9 mile dual carriageway will run east from the A5 north of Dunstable to the M1 at a new junction (J11a) improving journey time reliability and safety for those travelling on the A5 in the southern part of Central Bedfordshire.

Cllr Nigel Young, Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Economic Development for Central Bedfordshire Council, says, "I am delighted - today we mark the start of Dunstable's future. This is excellent news for Central Bedfordshire and for the local residents who have been campaigning for a bypass for many years.

"The A5 M1 Link is the most important infrastructure need for Central Bedfordshire and is pivotal to our plans to regenerate this area. It will not only relieve major traffic congestion in Dunstable, Houghton Regis and the surrounding area but the quick links with the motorway network will give businesses a huge incentive to locate here. It will provide a massive economic boost, cementing Central Bedfordshire's position as a great location for innovation and opportunity."
Earlier this month Executive councillors backed plans to progress the Woodside Link road, connecting Dunstable's industrial areas and with the M1. Detailed designs for Woodside Link are now being drawn up and land is being assembled with a view to submitting an application to the Planning Inspectorate early next year.

Work could start on both schemes as soon as 2014, subject to them successfully completing all the relevant statutory processes.

Cllr Young adds, "These key link roads, together with the Busway, will pave the way for developers to build new homes and for the A5 through Dunstable to be detrunked – allowing a heavy goods vehicle ban on Dunstable High Street to create a HGV-free town centre. This will in turn allow the council to make radical improvements to the whole of Dunstable town centre to attract more shoppers."

South West Bedfordshire MP Andrew Selous said, "This is wonderful news for the whole of South West Bedfordshire. Traffic jams will be greatly reduced in Dunstable and Houghton Regis and villages like Totternhoe, Kensworth and Toddington will see much less through traffic. Fast direct access to the M1 and the whole motorway network, will help business growth in the town.

He added:"I pay tribute to Central Bedfordshire Council for negotiating the developer contribution, without which the road would not be built. I believe that South West Bedfordshire will now realise its full potential in creating jobs and wealth."

For more information please contact

Councillor Nigel Young is available for interviews today and can be contacted on 07956 364050.

Nigel has been working alongside Andrew Selous to bring about the A5 M1 scheme for the last 15 years.


Background

Central Bedfordshire Council PR 1258 19/10/2012 [For Immediate Release]

For more information about Dunstable Town Centre regeneration and how the A5 M1 Link Road fits into the regeneration timeline go to www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/dunstable

Dunstable in Bloom Awards at Weatherfield School.

 



This evening saw many local people from residents, to pub owners, allotment holders and many more deserving people collecting awards for taking part in Dunstable in Bloom 2012.

 

This Photograph was taken by Liz Jones

At last, a bright renovated building at the cross roads in Dunstable.

Dunstable Town Centre looks so much better now the scaffolding has been removed from this old building.

 

From this......

 





to this........

 

 

Scaffolding free on Tuesday 16th October 2012



Award Assembly at Wetherfield Academy, Dunstable

Mr Joe Selmes proud Head Teacher of Wetherfield Academy, Dunstable

 



 

 

From alpacas to hand made chairs ~ the students at Wetherfield Academy are taught maths, English, I.T. and  'Life Skills.' They experience so much at the school, from looking after animals to woodwork, horse riding, dealing with every day issues and much more.

 

So their students leave Students leave as confident, skilled, useful members of the community.

 

It was wonderful to have been invited by Mr Joe Selmes, Head Teacher as part of the 'Dunstable in Bloom Group' to Wetherfield Academy's Special Assembly this morning. Dunstable Mayor Councillor Pat Staples presented the students and staff with a special nomination certificate for the 'Best Home Grown Area' received last month from the Anglia in Bloom Awards Ceremony in St. Ives. ~ It was such a pleasure to meet such happy and enthusiastic students and teachers ~ They are all so proud of their school and it really shows in the work they have done around Wetherfield inside and out.

 

 

 

Wetherfield Academy 

 http://www.weatherfield.beds.sch.uk/newsite/index

The New Town Ranger 'Steams' in to town!

The NEW Dunstable Town Ranger ~ All helping to make Dunstable a better place to live and work ~ FREE phone 0800 01 30 350 The Town Ranger will be assisting CBC in helping to clean up Dunstable, it's streets, removing posters, Graffiti and much more.

Photograph courtesy of:https://www.facebook.com/AboutDunstable.Bedfordshire#!/photo.php?fbid=463384080372448&set=a.322355241142000.80431.308082135902644&type=1&theater
Dunstable Town Council Facebook page.