About Dunstable

After a great deal of thought and receiving so many valued comments of support from you all. I have decided to continue with About Dunstable, although you may not see quite as much on your news feed as before due to a change of heart with recent events and other personal commitments.
However, I will continue to work voluntary to help....


A) Promote Dunstable and its businesses....
 If you wish to share yours, please feel free to post direct to the page.

B) Be 'your voice' through mine, in commenting and sharing, what sometimes might be construed as controversial subjects.


C) Read and answer as many messages as I possibly can, although if I don't get to answer you. Please understand I am not just ignoring you.


Hopefully About Dunstable will continue to keep the community spirit alive and kicking here in Dunstable, with all your support.


Thank you again, for all your kind messages ~ Beverley

Super Special Saturday's here in Dunstable.

Start your engines and get set for a Grand Prix...in Dunstable Library

Storyteller, artist and car enthusiast Chris Dobrowolski will be in your library creating a new art project called Selfie Slot Car Championship, in homage to the 1970s heyday of model-making and Scalextrix. Chris will be turning the top floor of Dunstable Library into a model-making den where you can create your own model of your family car, and then race it in the Selfie Slot Car Championship event on Saturday, 5 March. “If you love model-making, cars, Scalextrix, the Grand Prix, experimenting, making, getting things to work and anything in-between, come have some fun and help create Selfie Slot Car Championship” said Chris. “It’s a great project for the family. You’ll need to have a car or access to one as we’ll be taking photos of your car during the workshops and then creating a model of your car to race in the main event.”  Model-making workshops will take place during the half-term school holidays: Monday 15 February, 10:00am-midday and 3:00-5:00pm Tuesday 16 February, 10:00am-midday and 3:00-5:00pm Wednesday 17 February, 10:00am-midday and 3:00-5:00pm Thursday 18 February, 3:00-5:00pm Friday 19 February, 10:00am-midday and 3:00-5:00pm Saturday 20 February, 10:00am-midday and 3:00-5:00pm The workshops are free to take part but booking is essential as numbers are limited. The main event (Saturday 5 March, 10:00am-4:30pm) will take place with qualifiers in the morning and the final race event in the afternoon.  To book email dunstable.library@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk, call Dunstable Library on 0300 300 8056, or drop in and book your places on the workshop – a maximum of four per family.

Cheering Volunteering Awards.

Central Bedfordshire Council

"We've already had a great response for this year's Cheering Volunteering awards - but there's still plenty of time to nominate someone.

The second annual Cheering Volunteering awards and celebration evening is being held at the Grove Theatre, in Dunstable, on Tuesday, 7 June 2016.

It’s a great chance to say thank you to volunteers across Central Bedfordshire and the work which they do.

So if you know of a volunteer or volunteers who you feel deserve some recognition, please put them forward for an award.

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How to nominate

Nominating someone for an award couldn't be easier - all you need to do is to fill out a simple form on our website.

There's information about the different categories as well as links to the Grove's website where you can book free tickets for the celebration evening.

It's again being compered by Tom Jones impersonator Billy Lee, who will be providing the entertainment alongside other local groups.

More than 250 seats have already gone, so snap up your free tickets now to avoid disappointment."

Service hub is more than a Leisure Centre here in Dunstable.

The £20.1m redevelopment of Dunstable Leisure Centre has got the go ahead from our Executive Committee today.

The investment to the town centre site means that leisure, library and other facilities will all sit under one roof. This renovation will transform leisure facilities, revamp the library services and offer a range of other services and community space.

The centre will offer an improved health and fitness suite with 100+ fitness stations, a modernised library for all as well as an enhanced café.

Budget 2016

Following government changes to council funding, in order to protect front-line services, Executive councillors have recommended a 3.95 per cent rise in council tax for 2016/17 that will be put to full Council for a final decision later this month. Councillors have listened to residents’ feedback in a public consultation and will be seeking to average council tax rises to below 1.75% in addition to the 2% social care precept over the next four years. Over 1,200 people responded to the consultation in which the council put forward a range of council tax and savings options after central Government announced a 36 per cent cut to its funding to the council as part of a shift towards local taxation. This will mean the council needs to make further savings of £43million over the coming four years, on top of the £90m it has already made. The majority of respondents (58 per cent) favoured an increase of 2 per cent to support adult social care services. However, people were split on a general council tax increase with more favouring a 1.75 per cent increase rather than a 1.99 per cent rise. The combined 3.95 per cent increase will mean a weekly 99 pence increase in what an average household pays for council services. Overall, the budget will see some £190million in public services from April including £68million on adult social care services, £36million on children’s services, £48million on community services such as roads and transport, refuse collections and leisure and £5million on supporting business. Executive Councillors also recommended investing up to £278million on capital projects over the next four years from external and council funding. Major projects being proposed across Central Bedfordshire include £75.3million on new school places, £41.8million on highway schemes, £8.5million on the ongoing upgrade of all tidy tips including a new site at Thorn Turn, near Houghton Regis, £9.5million on providing disabled facilities grants, £4.6million on improving care home provision, £7.6million on rolling out superfast broadband to more homes and £4million to improve our market towns.

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What happens next?

Both the revenue and capital budgets will be considered by the Council on 25 February which will confirm the final council tax rates taking into account additional charges by the Fire Authority, Police and Crime Commissioner and town and parish councils.

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Your feedback

We want to know what you think of our new local updates. Send your feedback to updates@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.

Dunstable World Record Break Saturday 20th February.

The management company that own and run the Holiday Inn Express hotel in London Road, have been supportin...g a gentleman called Mark Vaz, who has been raising money for Adoption UK and Tommy, two charities close to his heart.

He set himself a challenge to run 90 marathons in 90 days, as if that wasn't enough he last year extended his mission to break to world record of 400 marathons in 365 days, this means that some days Mark is running double marathons to keep on track!
Mark is running in Dunstable to break the world record, Guinness World Records will be in attendance to witness the record break as Mark runs his route through Dunstable.
The route is to be confirmed but it is believed Mark will start off from Dunstable's Creasey Park, then after a period about 4.5hrs will finish his run at the Holiday Inn Express Dunstable. Start time will be confirmed shortly.
The hotel will be opening the doors to the community and want to encourage people to run a little with Mark or be here at the finish line to support him.
If you would like more details or to offer your support or make a donation to Mark's nominated charities please contact
Ella Hiscott, Sales Manager at Holiday Inn Express Dunstable, London Road, Dunstable, LU6 3DZ
Phone 01582 344 499

BBC Three Counties Radio Dunstable

A look inside and around the BBC Three Counties Radio in Grove Gardens, after meeting Laura Moss, Gareth Lloyd, Michael Abbott and Nick Coffer.
Thank you for the invitation and the opportunity to read the weather and news. Great fun and extremely interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Super, special Saturday is happening in Dunstable on 6th February 2016

Approximately 21 Charity stalls will be selling their wares in the Methodist Church Hall tomorrow. Along with Emergency vehicles and Oscar on the Square.
Look out for other offers and things going on around Dunstable tomorrow.
These Special Saturday, will be the first Saturday of every month throughout the year. Something different, every time!
And if you belong to an art group, craft group, or can use the Methodist Hall to encourage footfall., it could be FREE for you to use on one of these Saturday's.
Get in quick though as they are getting booked up fast!
If you are interested leave your name and interest below and the Dunstable Joint Committee will get back to you.

Dunstable Town Guides Chews House Tricentenial walk

Amazon confirms it is to open a fulfilment centre in Dunstable.

Confirmation of the Brilliant New we shared with you last week...
These vacancies will be advertised by local Recruitment Agencies.
Amazon To Create 500 New Permanent Jobs With The Opening Of a 310,000 Sq Ft Fulfilment Centre In Dunstable
Amazon has today announced that it will open a 310,000 sq ft fulfilment centre in Dunstable, creating 500 new permanent jobs. The centre will begin fulfilling customer orders this Autumn.
“Over the last two years, we have added well in excess of 2,000 new employees to our UK workforce and we are delighted to be able to create a further 500 permanent jobs at our new Dunstable centre,” said John Tagawa, Director of UK Operations at Amazon. “We look forward to our Dunstable centre playing an integral role in providing a first class shopping experience for customers across the UK, Europe and the world.”
Recruitment for the Dunstable fulfilment centre will be via local recruitment agencies with roles also listed on the Amazon.co.uk careers website www.amazon.jobs/dunstable-england. Compensation and benefits include:
Permanent associates employed at Dunstable fulfilment centre start on £8.10 per hour rising to £8.90 per hour after 24 months.
All permanent associates receive stock grants after one year’s service.
Private medical insurance, a company pension plan, life assurance, income protection and an employee discount.
Career Choice – the innovative education programme that pre-pays 95% of tuition and associated fees for permanent employees to undertake nationally recognised courses.
Four ten-hour shifts per week means associates benefit from three days off every week. This shift pattern has proved popular in other fulfilment centres across the UK with fewer visits to work saving both time and money on a weekly basis.
To hear personal accounts from Amazon associates, visit: www.amazon-operations.co.uk/the-complete-package
Amazon has invested well over £1 billion in its UK Operations to date. The new site in Dunstable will work with Amazon’s existing fulfilment centres across the UK to ensure that millions of customers receive their items on time and in perfect condition. Amazon already has eight fulfilment centres in UK, which are located in Doncaster, Dunfermline, Gourock, Hemel Hempstead, Marston Gate, Peterborough, Rugeley and Swansea Bay. Together, more than 7,000 permanent employees work at these centres.
"I am delighted that a world-class organisation like Amazon is creating 500 new permanent jobs for Dunstable and the surrounding areas. The opening of Amazon’s ninth fulfilment centre in Dunstable further strengthens the area’s reputation as a vibrant location for business, and the logistics sector in particular,” said Cllr Nigel Young, Executive Member for Regeneration. “Amazon's arrival is an important milestone in the overall regeneration story that is now being delivered in Dunstable and Houghton Regis and they will no doubt benefit from the excellent transport links provided by the Luton Dunstable Busway which will soon be further enhanced by the A5-M1 and Woodside Link roads.”
For a tour of an Amazon FC in the UK, visit www.amazonfctours.co.uk for more information on our Public Tours Program.
The Dunstable fulfilment centre is located on the Prologis Park, Boscombe Road, Dunstable.

Dunstable Skatepark official opens on 21st March 2015

I was so proud to have been at the hand over of Dunstable Skatepark this morning, from Maverick Industries and Central Bedfordshire Council to Dunstable Town Council and from the 21st of March the Skatepark will be handed over to everyone that wants to use it.
Please excuse the lack of editing as I am new to videoing wink emoticon
The Skateboard is having its finishing touches done over the next week and will be OPEN for fun on 21st March 2015
Here is a short video with Josh,... Pete, Cllr Nigel Young, Dunstable Mayor Cllr Terry Stock and other Cllrs and other involved parties.
Photos to follow.....

https://youtu.be/HzroP6-lX9w

Regeneration Investment in Dunstable

Regeneration Investment in Dunstable		Private Investors	Developer S106 / CBC	Government	Total
A5 M1 Link Road			£45,000,000	£135,000,000	£180,000,000
Dunstable / Luton Busway			£5,000,000	£86,000,000	£91,000,000
Pro Logis Distribution Centre(s) Boscombe Road		£80,000,000			£80,000,000
Woodside Link Road			£20,000,000	£25,000,000	£45,000,000
Houghton Regis Independent Living			£26,000,000		£26,000,000
New Leisure Centre and Library			£15,000,000		£15,000,000
83 Elderly Living Apartments Church Street			£11,000,000	£4,000,000	£15,000,000
CB College Refurbishment		£3,000,000		£12,000,000	£15,000,000
Local Sustainable transport (Travel Choices)				£10,000,000	£10,000,000
Holiday Inn		£8,000,000			£8,000,000
Croft Green, Creasey Park Affordable Developments			£8,000,000		£8,000,000
White Lion Refurbishment		£5,000,000			£5,000,000
Incuba Centre			£3,066,000	£1,934,000	£5,000,000
New Roads (Boscombe Gyratory, Poynters Rd, Court Drive)				£1,960,000	£1,960,000
New Household Waste Recycling Centre (Thorn Turn - 2016)				£1,500,000	£1,500,000
Grove Skate Park (£230 K Developer + £30 K DTC)			£250,000		£250,000
BBC 3CR		£250,000			£250,000
HQ Sports Bar		£250,000			£250,000
		£96,500,000	£133,316,000	£277,394,000	£507,210,000