Central Bedfordshire Council will be providing its community safety and traffic and parking officers with new body cameras.

The cameras will be used from Thursday, October 11, and any offenders will be warned that the video evidence may be used in future prosecutions.

The introduction of body cameras will help to improve evidence gathering, inspection and monitoring procedures, and increase the safety and well-being of council staff. The cameras will be worn on overtly on a lanyard or fitted to the officer’s jacket, but will only be activated when necessary.

The camera has a screen that is visible to the person being spoken to, and displays the live footage being taken by the camera lens. The public will also be advised by the officer that a recording is being made. The cameras will be used in public and in private premises, and they record both sound and video.

Councillor Ian Dalgarno said: “We have invested in cutting-edge technology to help us serve the communities in our area better, and to keep them safer.

“The cameras will allow front-line council officers to gather first-hand video and audio evidence of an incident.

“They will give staff confidence when dealing with confrontational individuals, and will help to increase public confidence in the way we collect evidence.

“Body cameras are increasingly used by the police and by other local authorities. They are not intended as a replacement for other methods of evidence-gathering, but are an additional tool to support our investigations.

“Footage can help to clearly show the impact and extent of antisocial behaviour, which can otherwise be difficult to describe in a written statement.”

A man has admitted intentionally driving his car at an on-duty police officer in Sandy, resulting in her breaking her leg.

Jack Mitchell, 19, of Kingsmoor Road, Harlow, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving with intent to cause serious injury in relation to an incident in Sunderland Road on April 24, at a Luton Crown Court hearing on Friday (October 5).

Police had initially been responding to reports of concern for the welfare of an 18-year-old woman, with the support of the National Police Air Service.

Whilst dealing with the incident, two officers in a marked vehicle encountered a black Audi A5 in Sunderland Road, which they then approached as part of their enquiries.

The Audi drove at the officers, who attempted to take cover in the police vehicle before the two collided. The collision caused serious injury to one of the officers. The second officer was unhurt.

After evading officers and leaving the county, Mitchell was eventually detained in Essex in August.

He also pleaded guilty to a separate charge of dangerous driving related to an incident in Essex on 26 June and has been remanded ahead of being sentenced for both incidents later this month.

Detective Constable Jo Barkat, who led the investigation, said: “No-one in any job should go to work and come away hurt, let alone a police officer who was simply doing her job, and I’m glad we were able to trace Mitchell and bring him to justice.

“Officers regularly put their lives on the line as part of their job, and it is testament to the officer involved that she has been able to get back to her work to keep communities across Bedfordshire safe.

“It goes without saying that intentionally driving a car at someone is one of the most dangerous and perilous things a person can do; in this instance it is fortunate the officer will recover from her injuries.

“This is also a stark warning for anyone intending on harming members of the emergency services; it’s not acceptable, won’t be tolerated, and you will appear before the courts.”

FIFA the king missing jewel in crown.

A few weeks ago I gave this year’s Pro Evolution Soccer a 9/10 rating as it laid down the gauntlet to FIFA 19, but how does it fare?

Well the first thing I can tell you is FIFA 19 is definitely an improvement on the last two rather stale iterations of EA’s footballing juggernaut.

Off the pitch FIFA 19 adds even more polish to the already glistening sheen that Pro Evo sorely lacks.

Money may not be able to buy happiness but it can certainly buy licenses and that means for the first time FIFA includes the Champions League and Europa League.

But having grown tired of FIFA’ gameplay more than anything else in recent years I was more interested in how it performed ON the pitch.

The key changes include a new “Active Touch System which has seen an overhaul of player control, timed finishing where the kick button may be pressed a second time to determine the exact moment the ball is actually kicked, 50/50 battles which is a system for deciding how likely a player is to win loose balls and Dynamic Tactics which allows players to set tactics and switch between them in real-time during a game.

Some of these changes, particularly the shooting are very much hit and miss.

But most add value and improve the playing experience compared to recent seasons.

Ultimate Team is the crowning achievement as ever while I found myself more engrossed by The Journey this time around.

As ever with FIFA, and EA titles generally, the level of polish is unequalled. That coupled with new kick-off modes and the more engaging and responsive gameplay makes for the best FIFA since 2015/16.

It is not perfect, though, and I still find FIFA fails to scratch the goal satisfaction itch which PES does so well.

I gave up on FIFA’s career mode as it just does not do it for me but that is personal preference.

In terms of online performance EA has the edge and despite narrowly preferring the match experience on Pro Evo I find myself coming back to FIFA every time thanks to its superior overall package, although for me it scores just short of its more arcadey rival. FIFA 19 is the king but is missing the jewel in the crown.

The weather in the South of England this year has been topsy-turvy, with the summer’s heatwave preceded by one of the coldest winters in years due to the Beast from the East.

This summer saw the UK enjoy its biggest heatwave in years and summer is now returning to give us one last blast this week.

The South of England is set to experience some unseasonably warm weather this week, as temperatures begin to climb.

Today and tomorrow will see temperatures begin to increase, with some areas of the South of England basking in unseasonably warm weather by Wednesday.

Tuesday will generally see temperatures of 16/17C, before Wednesday reaches a peak temperature of around 20C in some areas, which will be as warm as global hotspot Madrid.

The South of England will then stay warm for the rest of the week, with both Friday and Saturday forecast temperatures of around 19C.

Portsmouth will see a peak temperature of around 19C over the weekend, while Milton Keynes will reach 20C on Wednesday.

According to the Met Office, “there will be long sunny spells on Wednesday, accompanied by very warm temperatures”.

“There will be a little more cloud and wind on Thursday, but mainly dry. However, it will be very windy and cloudy on Friday with a scattering of showers.”

However, temperatures will still be warmer than usually, seeing a considerable rise from last week.

Looking ahead, there is an increasing chance that the weather towards the end of October will turn more settled as high pressure re-establishes, according to the Met Office. This would bring lighter winds and some sunshine by day but cold nights with frost and fog.

As the UK heads towards the start of November, confidence is lower but there are signs it may turn more changeable again.

Temperatures will probably be close to normal overall, but in more settled weather it is likely to be colder than average, especially overnight.

And the sports game of the year is...

Forget FIFA, forget PES, forget Madden, NBA Live or NBA 2K because NHL 19 might just be my favourite sports game of the year.

They say form is temporary but class is permanent and for EA Sports’ NHL 19 that old adage rings truer than ever.

Gamers of the 80s and 90s will no doubt have fond memories of slapping pucks past 16-bit goalies and seeing your star player ditch his gloves to slug it out in a fist fight with your rival.

Well the fun is back in NHL 19 thanks chiefly to new game modes that allow you to play on outdoor rinks, online and offline. New gameplay technology means skating boasts more acceleration, action, speed, and responsiveness than previous titles.

NHL 19 uses the same animation engine as Madden and FIFA and it shows.

The new pond hockey mode for me was the crowning achievement and makes NHL 19 infinitely fun and easily accessible to newbies and all hands alike.

Controls are fluid and frankly excellent again proving easy for pick up and play gamers but with plenty of depth for the more hardcore hockey gamer.

It is very difficult to transmit the beauty and spirit of what is a minority sport in the UK but NHL 19 manages to do that and more, almost demanding to be added to your game collection whether you are a fan of the sport/the long-running game franchise or not.

My experiences online have been a bit hit and miss which was the only big negative but I am hoping that will improve with time and more players getting involved.

Veteran NHL series fans may pick more holes in the offering than newbies it must be said but these are minor gripes in the grand scheme of things.

Not a hockey fan? No problem. Don’t know the rules? No problem. Worried you will struggle to get your head around it because you haven’t played since the good old days? You won’t.

I would go as far as to say never before has a sports title delivered a game that is as good a serious simulation for hardcore fans as it is arcade, pick up and play fast fun for newcomers and NHL returners.

It sounds cliche but NHL 19 really does have something for everyone. Packed full of brilliant game modes and finished with the usual finesses and polish of an EA Sports title, this is possibly the best NHL iteration yet.

“God has abandoned us... I won't.”

Ever wondered what might happen if a space mission brought back a bunch of alien symbiote beings who need human hosts to survive in our atmosphere but in return give them super powers and a taste for flesh? Well it seems that a lot of people want to find out because Venom has broken box-office records in the U.S. becoming the biggest October release ever.

So, here’s Venom - one of the most fan-favourite Spider-Man baddies ever - with a full-on anti-hero-em-up where investigative journalist Eddie Brock (Tom ‘Mad Max’ Hardy) gets fused with the black angry alien symbiote and vows to ‘only eat bad people’…

Hardy has a blast rocking his alter-ego super-strength, rumbling demonic inner voice and a whole lot of teeth. Alas the plot is a bit hit and miss, tonally all over the place – one minute cringy goofy humour, the next, mildly icky body horror and then, just when hope seems lost - there are the violent action scenes - where the film shines best.

Baddie of the piece is Carlton Drake (Riz ‘Rogue One’ Ahmed), a genius scientist – actually ‘mad genius’ is more apt - because he is conducting gene trials on live human, most of whom then stop being ‘live’… When he gets his hands on the symbiotes he tries to find them hosts but it’s just not easy as the human / alien DNA has to be compatible.

Brock has beef with Drake because he gets him fired and makes his fiancé Anne (Michelle ‘Blue Valentice’ Williams) leave him after he uses her inside access to challenge the Drake about his shady dealings. The film certainly takes its time in this build up background phase even though the symbiotes turn up right at the start.

It’s a shame that the pacing is so weak as it undermines the film overall. A faster lift off would have allowed more of the head munching, SWAT Team decimating action which is what comic book fans really want – and at least when it kicks off everything falls into place and film starts to kick ass.

Of course, being a Marvel character, we get treated to a Stan Less cameo and an after credits scene that drops heavy hints of what is to follow should the planned trilogy of Venom flicks get made.

Venom ends up a fun dose of super nonsense which isn’t the full-on experience it could have been but might be the launch pad for a better sequel.

It might surprise you to know given how overtly sexual her role is in Benidorm is that actress Janine Duvitski is not entirely comfortable with matters in the bedroom.

She is speaking to us as the ITV sitcom transfers from the screen to the stage and visits Milton Keynes Theatre from Monday to Saturday October 15 to 20.

“I suppose that she is a swinger is probably the most well known thing about the character in the show,” said Janine. “If I am being honest, it is probably my least favourite part of the character.”

“I do get people asking me to tone it down, and it’s not me, it’s the writer of the show.

“What I try and do is play the part with a lot of innocence so that she isn’t aware too much of what she is saying.”

But these minor niggles aside, she is enjoying a lot about taking the show on to the stage.

“One of the nicest things is that we have an audience for the show, so we get the immediate reaction to the joke which is lovely to hear.

“When we are doing the television show we didn’t have the audience so it was only much later that we got to find people liked it.

“Although there have been moments when we have been waiting to deliver lines after a big joke and the audience is laughing for a long time. Then you wait and then a second wave of laughter comes as people have been laughing.

“It is better to have that than the alternative.”

Janine is joined by a number of other regulars for the tour of Benidorm who appeared in the sitcom including Jake Canuso, Tony Maudsley and Sherrie Hewson.

She said: “The tour is a long one and I did wonder if I had the stamina to do it but we all know each other so well and get on that we are constantly in touch. We always try and find somewhere to go, be it a castle or a nice restaurant in all the different places we see.

“It feels like we are on a massive holiday which is appropriate for Benidorm.”

One of Janine’s first big roles was in Abigail’s Party which was later filmed for television.

She said: “I saw a poster for it the other day because I’ve seen that is revived, so there is always little reminders. I am really pleased with how that went as we did a lot of improvising on the show and feel quite proud at having written some of that show. It’s lovely that it still has an impact even 40 years later.”

And prior to Benidorm, she was famous for another popular sitcom, playing the next door neighbour Pippa Trench in One Foot in the Grave.

“It was lovely to do that job,” said Janine. “Because we had the audience there as we were filming it. We knew it worked straight away. The writing on that show was superb.

“Even now if I see it, there are little moments that I know are coming up that I wait to see because they were just so wonderful.”

Tickets for Benidorm can be booked by calling the box office on 0844 871 7652 or visit www.atgtickets.co.uk/miltonkeynes.

Potton ended their miserable run of seven consecutive defeats with a convincing 3-1 victory at London Tigers on Saturday

Potton had to make one late change when Ashley Farooqui dropped out in the morning feeling unwell but his replacement Jack Newlands turned in a very competent performance.

Potton started with their preferred 4-4-2 formation and in the ninth minute Jim Burnside was fouled in the penalty area.  Danny Webb made no mistake from the spot to give Potton the lead. 

Four minutes later Potton doubled their advantage when a determined run from Aaron Murrell saw him play the ball to Webb whose quick backheel fell to Burnside who shot home from the edge of the penalty box. 

Soon afterwards Burnside shot wide and in a rare Tigers attack Solifou shot across the Potton goal. 

Potton had to continue the same way for the second half and it was not long before Hall’s free kick was blocked by the wall.

In the 55th minute Jordan Wright’s headed clearance from inside his own half bounced over the advancing keeper and fell to Burnside to put into an empty net. 

In the 82ndminute Potton’s defence made a hash of clearing the ball and eventually it fell to Essathi to shoot into the net.  This encouraged Tigers and they pressed to reduce the arrears.Oone effort went across the Potton goal and in the last minute Joseph’s made a finger tip save from Solifou.  

 Potton entertain Wembley at The Hutchinson Hollow on Saturday and then on Tuesday London Tigers are the visitors.

Alex Marsh netted a hat-trick as Biggleswade FC cantered to a 3-0 victory over Edgware Town on Saturday.

The result keeps them top of the SSML Premier table.

It took five minutes for FC to get their noses in front and Marsh was on hand to tuck home from close range after the visitors had failed to deal with the initial ball in.

Although the home side thoroughly dominated possession, they didn’t trouble the keeper on too many occasions. However just after the half hour, two simple, but decisive passes from Matt Richardson and then Ryan Inskip found Marsh in acres of space 25 yards from goal and he zipped a low drive off the wet surface past the diving right hand of the Wares keeper into the net.

Biggleswade were denied a scintillating third by a swift offside flag after Justin Leavers drove into the roof of the net following some sumptuous approach play by Michael Carroll and then brothers Alex and Lawrie Marsh.

The only thing that looked like getting The Wares back into this game was some FC complacency and Ross Tompkins had to be brave on a couple of occasions during the second half to smother and punch clear.

Biggleswade finally wrapped up the points ten minutes from time from the penalty spot.  Alex Marsh, who could have been awarded a spot kick in the first half, went down under a challenge in the Edgware penalty area.

On a hat-trick, he nonchalantly dinked the ball down the middle Panenka-style to chalk up his 10th of the campaign.

Biggleswade FC visit Edgware in the reverse league fixture on Saturday.

Arlesey Town lost 3-1 at home to a powerful Tring Athletic side on Saturday who, with Biggleswade FC, are already pulling clear at the top of the SSML.

Tring started strongly from the whistle and after just three minutes Alex Campana put in a cross from the left that found Aston Campbell in the box who had avoided his marker – he flicked the ball up and over Ponting from close range for 1-0.

Tring piled on the pressure with a series of corners; Kieran Turner had a shot over the bar, Joe Fitzgerald brought another good save from Ponting for a corner, and Campana had a shot before Arlesey eventually cleared the pressure.

It was 2-0 after 18 minutes. Another ball in from Campana took a deflection and came to Campbell who touched it first time past Ponting.

Arlesey fought back. A good cross in from Makuzza was well taken by Sansom under pressure from Ash Fuller and James Hatch hit a good looking shot that unfortunately hit Lorrell Smith and was cleared.

Fuller hit a great shot from 30 yards that had Sansom scrambling but the shot went just past the post and Lorrell Smith hit a shot that Sansom took two attempts to collect.

Tring started the second period like the first and were rewarded with a killer third on 49 minutes. Campbell lost his marker and received the ball in space, Ponting came out quickly but Campbell easily beat him with a shot past him into the net.

Arlesey were struggling to get the ball past the tower-like height of Carl Mensah who headed one attach clear for a throw. However this was delivered in deep and bounced up hitting a defender on the hand and the ref pointed to the spot for a very rare penalty for Arlesey.

Ash Fuller dispatched to make it 3-1 on the hour.

With time running out and Arlesey seeking a goal they almost succumbed to the sucker punch on the break as the ball came to sub Chris Vardy but he slipped in a good position and hit it wide.

Arlesey have a free weekend.

Two abusive passengers who were aggressive towards gate staff at London Luton Airport have been sentenced for racial hate crimes.

Matthew Delahunty, 49, of Sangley Road, London, was found guilty of racially aggravated public order at Luton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, October 4.

He received a community order to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and to pay a total of £705 in costs, compensation and fees.

The court heard that on 20 March, Delahunty was not allowed to fly when he tried to board an easyJet flight to Mallorca due to his level of intoxication.

After being advised to sober up he confronted a member of the ground crew by being racist in an extremely insulting and threatening manner.

In a separate incident on 26 September, Toomas Tepper, 47, of no fixed address, was deemed too drunk to travel by staff at the departure gate to a Wizz Air flight to Warsaw.

After being refused boarding he was aggressive and racially abusive towards staff who were upset, angered and offended by the language used towards them.

Tepper pleaded guilty to four counts of racially aggravated public order at Luton Magistrates’ Court on Monday, October 1. After being remanded in custody he received a community order and was ordered to pay a total of £1,145 in costs, compensation and fees.

Inspector Ian Taylor, of the London Luton Airport Unit, said: “We are pleased to have received positive sentences for these offences which highlight that hate crime and disorderly behaviour within the airport will not be tolerated.

“Individuals need to be aware of their conduct when entering the airport. Abusive passengers will be dealt with positively as everyone has the right to live free from fear or harassment, especially when carrying out their job assisting members of the public.

“We also urge people to drink responsibly whilst at the airport, if passengers are deemed to be too intoxicated staff are obliged to prevent them from entering the aircraft.”

Clare Armstrong, Head of Passenger Services at London Luton Airport, said: “Abusive and disruptive behaviour will never be tolerated at the airport.

!We welcome the news of these convictions and will continue to work in partnership with Bedfordshire Police and the wider airport community to ensure the airport is safe, secure and enjoyable for all who use and work at the airport.”

I’m only too aware that when people hear about the work that Central Bedfordshire Council does, some will think first about services like fixing the roads and collecting their bins – but the reality is that there’s so much more that we do.

Did you know that we provide more than 600 services? And like so much in life, when someone goes the extra mile it really makes a difference. But often these things get overlooked.

So, we thought we would share some of these stories with you. Some of you on social media may already have seen them.

The #CBCMakingADifference campaign highlights the instances where our residents and service users have told us how we are doing just that.

There’s the story of Pat who had to go into one of our care homes and had to put her dog Benji into kennels.

She hadn’t seen him for three months but then two of our carers adopted Benji and now Pat gets daily updates and he comes to visit her regularly.

Or, newlywed couple Mr and Mrs Field, who said: “I would like to say thanks to everyone involved in helping to make our wedding day at The Limes so special.”

We conduct more than 700 weddings each year and it’s one example of the fabulous feedback we receive.

Another resident, Jeffrey, told us how his daughter, spending just two days a week at Silsoe Horticultural Centre, has seen her blossom, “made her more confident” and given him “peace of mind”.

The centre gives adults with learning disabilities the chance to weed, plant, water and harvest produce which are made into jams, chutneys, cakes or hanging baskets.

These are then sold in the café there, by the people who have grown them.

We’ve also supported 1,489 people to stop smoking over the last year and Lisa was one of those that thanked us.

She said: “I started smoking at 15 but before long I was addicted.

“I’m so impressed the Stop Smoking Service… [they give] tremendous support, understanding and no judgement.

“Now I love the fact that I’m spending quality time with my family instead of sitting outside chain smoking.”

So, while we still deal with roads, bins, budgets, reports, facts and figures, it is also these stories, and the many like them that we will continue to tell, which drive us on to keep delivering better services and improved outcomes that really make a difference for our residents.

Despite the very hot summer over the summer the standard of entries in the Best Kept Competitions in Sandy was very high.

The Sandy Enhancement Group (SEG) has announced this year’s winners in a number of categories.

Best Pub was awarded to the Bell by judges who said they make a tremendous effort every year to make their Station Road frontage a delight to pass.

The All Seasons Boutique in the High Street won the award for Best Shop Front. “Their displays show a great deal of thought and are always very well presented.”

Once again Ann Browning of Coopers Close won the award for Best Floral Display. “On a very small area Ann gets the maximum amount into her small front courtyard and it is well worth a small detour from St Neots Road to view it.”

The Best Small / Courtyard Garden was won by Mr and Mrs T Cox of Laburnum Road who won the Osborn Cup for their efforts.

Mr and Mrs M and Barbara Carter of Rivermead Gardens won the Large Garden Trophy, the Alan Kettleborough Rose Bowl.

Presenting the cups and certificates was well known world traveller and author Michael Bartlett who has several entries in the Guinness Book of Records for his remarkable achievements in flying to over 170 countries all around the World.

Mr Bartlett made a short speech in which he congratulated the winners and spoke of his travels to may varied and interesting places. He said many of them have little or no regard for their environment and care little about improving their outdoor living space. It was always a joy to return to England and admire the great efforts made by residents to improve their homes with immaculate gardens and floral displays.

SEG maintain various sites around the Sandy including the front of the sorting office, the buffers feature at the station and the garden on Potton Road.

They are an aging group of retired men who would very much appreciate some younger, fitter people to join them in their efforts. If you would like to help please call the chairman Nigel Aldis on 01767 691333.

A traditional red telephone kiosk in Sandy’s twin of Malauney has been turned into a children’s library.

The kiosk is in The Place de Sandy which has undergone a facelift. Paving and lighting have been modernised and it is intended the group that visit the town in France next May will be given a tour of the new site.

The mayor of Malaunay, Philippe Coutey, unveiled the telephone box library.

Langford must wish they could play Brimsdown every week after beating them three times in seven days without conceding a goal.

Last Wednesday they returned from North London with a 3-0 victory in the SSML Division One thanks to a stunning first 30 half hour when they raced into a three goal lead playing some superb passing football.

They took the lead after just three minutes when Jack Worbey was on the end of a slick passing move and shot low past the keeper.

They soon scored a second – Worbey was through on goal but seemed to be fouled by the keeper as he went round him and shot wide while off balance. The referee awarded a free kick on the edge of the area and when the keeper, who escpaed with a booking, spilled the free kick Louis Osbourne slipped home the rebound.

After 20 minutes a superb passing move between Jack Edwards and Charlie Rome ended with a cross from Rome that found Worbey unmarked and his first time shot screamed into the top corner.

On Saturday they made it a league double over Brimsdown at a rainy Forde Park.

It was end-to-end in the opening half hour and it was only a fine save by Watson that stopped the visitors taking the lead.

It was Langford who went ahead late in the first half. Terrific work by Charlie Rome won possession in the visitors half and the ball was played infield to Jack Worbey who thumped a spectacular shot into the top corner.

The second period opened with the visitors gaining the upper hand but it was Langford who scored the all-important second midway through.

Watson sent a long free kick deep into the Brimsdown half which was flicked on by new signing, Joshua Bamford. Worbey was alert enough to pick up the loose ball and deftly lob the keeper.

Langford made sure of the points with a third late on. The visiting keeper saved a low free kick by Jack Edwards but couldn’t hold on to the ball and Osbourne slipped home the rebound.

The treble was completed on Tuesday when Langford knocked Brimsdown out of the Division One Cup. Osborne scored both second half goals in the 2-0 win at Forde Park.

The Reds visit Buckingham Town on Saturday and then travel to Ampthill Town on Tuesday.

Youngsters at Busy Bees nursery in Biggleswade had a visit from firefighters earlier when they had a chance to learn about fire safety.

Two members of the team from Biggleswade Community Fire Station visited the nursery, on Bantock Way, to have some fun and talk to the children about the important work they do in the community.

The children took it in turns to look around the fire engine and learn about the different pieces of kit the fire service use on a daily basis. They also tried their hand at being firefighters by trying on the helmets and putting out imaginary fires with the water hose.

Nursery manager, Sandra Bonfield, said: “We’re really grateful to the fire service for taking time out of their day to visit our nursery and teach the children about their role. They all had a fantastic time pretending to be firefighters and squirting the water hose and they learnt so much in the process.

“Learning through play gives children the key skills to develop the foundations for learning so they can continue to achieve as they move into school life. It’s great for them to get hands-on and have some fun while learning new things as this is something we really promote as part of giving them the best start in life.”

Visit www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk/nursery/biggleswade

If you want to give nature a helping hand, you could help out at the RSPB nature reserve in Sandy.

The RSPB is holding a volunteer recruitment day at The Lodge in Potton Road on Saturday, October 20, between 11.30am and 1pm.

The charity is looking for visitor information centre volunteers, car park management, garden guides and shop asssistants.

A spokesman said: “If you are friendly, confident talking to the public and able to inspire our visitors about the work of the RSPB and supporting us as a charity, then we want to hear from you.”

Visitor Information Centre volunteers: Working in the visitor centre, you will give a warm welcome to visitors and introduce them to the reserve. You will be able to enthuse people to support the RSPB as new members, and talk about the birds and wildlife found here at The Lodge. For this role the RSPB are especially looking for help at weekends and people who can cover at busy periods, such as school holidays, but weekday roles are also available.

Car-park meet and greet and traffic management weekend roles: a friendly face on arrival, you will be confident in helping visitors on their arrival and directing and managing th flow of traffic at peak times.

Garden guides: In 2019, the RSPB are planning to have guides in the garden, informing visitors of the work the head gardener and his team carry out.

There are also weekend opportunities for flexible part time volunteering in the busy and friendly shop.

Full training will be given and a uniform supplied for all of these roles.

Call in and meet the RSPB team at the shop, near the reserve entrance, anytime on the day, have a chat over a cuppa and biscuit to find out more.

If you can’t make this date but are interested in volunteering for one of these roles at The Lodge, please contact Mark Brandon, Visitor Experience Manager, The Lodge nature reserve; mark.brandon@rspb.org.uk 01767 693253.

The RSPB is the largest conservation charity in Europe. It has over 13,000 fantastic volunteers across the country, and they come from all walks of life. Between them, they contribute over a million hours each year.

Shefford Town & Campton stayed unbeaten with a 4-1 home victory over Renhold United to remain two points clear at the head of the Bedfordshire League.

Sam King scored a hat-trick and that, alongside a single goal from Kane Dougherty, did the damage against a lone United reply from Wes Lewis. However, sitting in second in the Premier Division supported by Sportsform having played two games fewer are Cranfield United who ran out 4-2 home winners over previously unbeaten Ickwell & Old Warden. Connor McBrien with a brace plus Justin Newman and Deroy Philips netted for United against Ickwell replies via Lee Threadgold and Sol Kazengo. 

Now in third are Queens Park Crescents who retained their 100% home record with a 3-1 victory over Marston Shelton Rovers thanks to goals from Ayaz Hussain, Shahinur Rahman and Fabio Sattar against a lone Rovers reply from Nick Skolsky.

Wilstead are fourth and remain unbeaten on the road after winning 3-2 at AFC Oakley M&DH. Jamie Hall, Joe Sullivan and Paul Jones marked their scoresheet against home replies via Alex Liburd and Zach Ives. 

Also enjoying life on the road were Crawley Green Reserves who won 2-1 at Flitwick Town. Jake Arch and Dominic Horn netted the goals against a lone Town reply from Phil Matthews.

Claiming their first win were Stevington with a 4-1 victory at AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College. Martin Danobrega with a hat-trick plus a strike from William Pinney were replied to once by Town’s Matthew Cheveralls. 

Wootton Blue Cross who ran out 7-0 home winners over Sharnbrook to claim their first home win. Kane Griffith led the way with a hat-trick and joined on the Blue Cross scoresheet by single goals from Antony Wright, Adam Mead, Jonathan Butler and Lui Sarrington. 

The Riseley Sports v Caldecote game was abandoned due to a serious injury to a Caldecote player. At the time of the curtailment there had been no goals. 

It’s all change at the head of the Division One supported by O’Neills standings. The 61 FC Luton Reserves started the day on top of the table but tumbled to seventh spot after losing their % home record. Joe Bygraves and Luke Gray netted for Cranfield United Reserves in a 2-1 win, Leslie Medford replying for the 61. 

Bedford Albion are now top after winning 4-0 at Lea Sports PSG. Keegan Roberts, Toby Hunt, Sam Donadio and Paul Babbington all found the back of the net to take them two points clear of Henlow who beat Flitwick Town Reserves 3-0 at home. Luke Hills netted twice and Piers Le-Grand once to do the damage. 

In fourth are Wixams who were held to a 3-3 home draw by the still unbeaten Shefford Town & Campton Reserves. Grant Tibbett twice plus an own goal marked the home scoresheet against a Town hat-trick in reply from James Snee.

The club sitting between these sides in sixth are Biggleswade FC Reserves following their 5-2 home victory over AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Reserves. Kian Coles, Darren Woodend, Clan Mitchell, Charlie Gough and John Veal netted the goals to bring up the nap hand against Town replies via Bryn Reynolds and a Nikola Stanchev penalty. 

Also scoring five were Christians in Sport (Luton) with a 5-2 home victory over Cople & Bedford SA. Andy Page with a brace plus single goals from Adam Lord, Sammy Okere and Matthew Kirby-Daniels were replied to twice by Ollie Hughes and Lewis Fox for the visitors. 

The Wilstead Reserves v Sandy game was postponed due to the unsafe nature of Wilstead’s Jubilee Playing Fields pitch. 

We also have new league leaders in Division Two supported by Hy-Pro in the shape of Houghton Athletic after they ran out 4-1 winners at Marston Shelton Rovers Reserves.

Garvin Watson, Cosmin Miron, Antony Simms and Josh Burnett all found the back of the net against a lone Rovers reply via Garry Russon.

Athletic took over the leadership from Meltis Albion on goal difference after the Albion were beaten 3-1 at home by Sporting Lewsey Park – Adrian Fontenelle, Sean Fahy and Mark Raffermati netting for the Park against a lone Albion reply via Sean Canavan. 

Slipping from second to third are Atletico Europa who lost their 100% home record when beaten 4-2 by Luton Leagrave AFC. Melvin Uzomah with a hat-trick and Ishmael Drais scored for Leagrave against home replies via Paddy Alimanji and Albert Adeyemi.

Kempston Athletic retained their unbeaten ways with a 5-1 victory at Sundon Park Rovers. Dan Mattin, Ash Mattin, Craig Damon, Garry Whitbread plus an own goal brought up their nap hand against a lone Rovers reply via Rayvaun Bridgett. 

Also still unbeaten and just goal difference behind the Athletic in fifth are Elstow Abbey who claimed a 3-2 home victory over Clifton. Neville Allen, Jason Harrison and Travis Joseph were on the Abbey scoresheet against Clifton replies via Adam Lawrence and Liam Chalkley. 

However, the biggest scorers were CS Rovers with a 6-1 home win over Black Swan – Daniel Bhatti with a hat-trick, Conner Daracha with a brace plus a single goal from Dalitso Chibwe only being replied to once by Ben Smith for the Swan. Claiming their first home points were Caldecote Reserves with a 4-1 victory over AFC Oakley M&DH Reserves. Adam Legate netted all four goals against a lone M&DH reply from Justin Muricroft. 

The St Josephs (Saturday) v MK Unite Reserves game was abandoned 10 minutes from time when St Joes were leading 4-1 after referee Kelvin Thompson was unable to continue due to illness. 

The Pines (Luton) are four points clear at the head of Division Three supported by Hy-Pro after a 2-1 victory at Sandy Reserves maintained their perfect start. Garry Duncan and Jerome Lowe scored the vital goals against one in reply from Jonnie Stratford.

With Wixams Wanderers sitting the afternoon out they now drop from second spot to third and have been overhauled by Real Haynes who stay unbeaten on the road after a 4-2 home win over Wootton Village. Tyler Wilson with a hat-trick and a single goal from Billy Flack were replied to twice by Ethan Tanti and Aqeeb Hanif for the Village. 

Sitting in fourth are FC Polina ( Luton) who claimed their first away points when winning 9-1 at Harlington Juniors. Mateuza Kruprzak with a hat-trick was joined on their scoresheet by Przemek Gorczyca and Grzegorz Rudnicki who both netted twice alongside single goals for Daniel Gaweda and Marcin Gorczyca against a lone home reply from Ben Chapman. 

Also enjoying life on the road were Shefford Town & Campton A, 4-2 winners at Stevington Reserves. Bradley Vought with a brace plus single strikes from Colin Standley and Alec Mitchell did the damage, Jamie Daniels and Fabiano Cammarano scored for the home side. 

Now in sixth are Thurleigh who were 5-0 home winners over Flitwick Town A. Alex Horn with a hat-trick plus single strikes from Issac Jones and Bradley Raines did the damage.

Whilst just goal difference behind in seventh are Bedford Albion Reserves who were held to a 1-1 home draw by Lidlington United Sports. Ashley Macdonald netted for the Albion and Michael Rudd for United. 

Dinamo Flitwick remain unbeaten at home after beating Square FC 4-2. Daniel Day with a brace plus goals from Dale Goldie and Scott Hannam were replied to by a brace from Tamis Kamara for the visitors. 

Biggleswade FC beat county rivals Crawley Green for the second time in a week on Tuesday to reach the SSML Premier Division Cup quarter-finals.

After 37 minutes FC took the lead with a well worked move on the right. Michael Simpson found Leavers with a reverse pass and he crossed for Cookman to tap home.

A minute later FC nearly doubled their lead when Leavers shot wide and Crawley replied with cross from Ingham which hit the bar.

The second half had an explosive opening. From the kick off Crawley were quickly out of the blocks as Watson set up Redmond to score a goal which was ruled out.

A minute later FC were two up. Lawrie Marsh played in his brother Alex on the left and he curled in a peach of shot into the top right corner.

Crawley got back into the game when Tom Silford on struck an amazing half volley which flew into the top left hand corner on 53 minutes.

However FC gave themselves breathing space with a third on the hour. Alex Marsh played in Cookman who was clattered by Sam Willett and the referee pointed straight to spot. Up stepped Tom Coles to send Pedrycz the wrong way.

Biggleswade United eventually saw off a struggling Wembley side 3-0 at Second Meadow on Tuesday to make the last eight too.

They dominated the first period but were unable to get on the scoresheet, so it was a relief when Hankins finally put them ahead in the second period.

David Parkinson supplied the pass on that occasion and was provider for the second, this time for McArdle. He eventually got on the scoresheet himself to wrap up the victory.

Stotfold went out 2-1 to Tring Athletic.

Until I became seriously involved with Biggleswade United, I never really understood just what was required to ensure the efficient running of a football club at whatever level they compete at.

It is for that reason that as part of my work with the University Campus of Football Business (UCFB) I have invited our chairman, Gareth Davies and Secretary, Tracey James to talk to the students about just what is needed so our club - any club - can function on a weekly basis.

A two hour seminar is only ever going to be long enough to scratch the surface but if we can get the message across that it isn’t just about playing 90 minutes plus added on time on any given Saturday and much more about day in, day out, perspiration rather than occasional flashes of inspiration, then hopefully they’ll get the idea.

There are the fixtures to coordinate, training schedules to prepare, publicity to get in place, grass to cut, kit to wash, turnstiles to man, programmes to produce, forms to fill, changing rooms to clean, reports to file, food to prepare, complaints to listen to, on-going issues to resolve, and we still haven’t kicked a ball yet.

Then on the playing side is the organisation of the type of game we want to play and the responsibility of hiring the right personnel that can help us implement the style and approach we are looking for. And everything has to be done on a shoestring budget.

The biggest single challenge is getting enough volunteers involved in every aspect of the club, to help us meet the commitments we face on a weekly basis.

And like a child it is constantly evolving. We now, once again, have a ladies first team and while it is still currently a learning curve for all of us, the same general expectations apply as they would to any of our sides in every aspect of its running be it with training, weekly preparation for future matches or whatever is needed to function.

Work commitments meant I have been spending quite a lot of time in Spain recently but what better opportunity to catch up with everyone than an FA Vase day.

Holbeach United are our guests on Saturday as we aim to make it through into the next round of this wonderful competition, the importance of which I never fully appreciated until quite recently. Let’s see if we can get one step closer to Wembley.