News Archive 2006

13/12/2006 Dealing with noise pollution

All too often in Luton there are people that think everyone wants to listen to their music. From the boy racer with the 2000 Watt stereo system in his car to the inconsiderate resident with a sub-woofer monster bass sound system. Passing the Cardigan Court estate the other day I was astonished at the noise that came from a street facing first floor flat. The music was so loud that it would do a nightclub proud. I really can't imagine how the residents put up with it. But they don't need to - If you have a neighbor who thinks he is the street DJ you have two avenues of complaint.

First you can try the Luton Mediation center who will visit you and your neighbor - call 01582 411822

If that fails then you can call the Environmental Heath department at 01582 556628 who will send you a complaint form and a diary to record events. Then get other residents to do the same.

Loud music and other antisocial noise is something nobody needs to put up with! One day all loud audio equipment may need a revokable license to operate but until then all you can do now is complain.

30/11/2006 Rail service break all previous delay records

Yesterday due a signal problem between Luton and Bedforshire rail services took an astonishing TWO AND A HALF HOURS to travel the four miles between Harpenden and Luton! Both Midland Mainline and First Capital Connect customers spent most of their evenings stranded on overcrowded trains.
So far First Capital Connect and Midland Mainline have failed to respond to queries about any compensation for the delays.

18/11/2006 Cineworld It's the main feature or nothing

Cineworld Luton is fine as long as you only go to the main feature. Tonight I thought I would go see "The Prestige" what a mistake. After buying my very expensive small popcorn and coke I went to screen 9 which is one of the more pokey screens in the complex. "No you can't go in it's still running " I was told. However after a 20 minute wait finally we could go in but thats when the waiting just started. It seemed to go on forever I must have seen each of the advertising slides (and the nasty copyright ones) at least 10 times each before I finally had enough and walked out. On the way out I heard the attendant say to a colleague "Have you found a projectionist for screen 9 yet?". So the moral of the story is if you are going to see the current blockbuster then you get a large screen with surround sound etc. However go see anything else and you will have to put up with a tiny screen, dodgy focus and will be lucky if they even find a projectionist! You do however have to pay the SAME price for the second rate screens though. As for "The Prestige" I will have to wait until it comes out on DVD.

2/11/2006 Luton at the forefront of new urban music style

If you have been to the Hat Factory lately or have heard it at the Carnival you may be aware of a new music style asserting itself on the urban music scene. The new sound is called Grime and is fast becoming known as one of the Uk's most innovative subculture sounds. There is even appreciation from far shores like the USA and the BBC radio station 1Xtra is an active promoter of the style. In Luton there are artists rising to top of the genre like the group "Tru Soldierz" who have been featured on radio and have made their own video. Through the use of "pirate" radio, the Internet and independent record labels the style has developed itself without help from the major labels but now even they are beginning to take a look.

31/10/2006 Dirty Blonde at the Cash machine

A fascinating book by UK's leading music photographer Stuart Nicholls has been shot on location in Luton. The book is wiro bound in panoramic format and has words by cult poet Ray Hollingsworth. The dramatic urban essence of the town is captured in these atmospheric images. The book is available at stores or at online retailers (search for ISBN 0953695832). Visit the site below to see a sample!

Visit Stuart Nicholls Photography

31/10/2006 Asylum and migrant workers

A Film and debate will be held at the University of Bedfordshire. The Film "Dirty Pretty Things" explores the issues faced by illegal immigrants working in London. After the film there will be a panel debate including a member of the Refugee Council, an Immigration Advisor and representatives from Yarl's wood immigration detention centre. To book call 01234 219333 - the event will be held at the Bowen West Theatre, Landsdowne Road, Bedford at 7:30pm on the 16th November.

30/10/2006 Special Jewellery offer!

Amberdragon are offering all Shoutluton visitors 10% off their range of Swarovski Crystal, Fairtrade Peruvian Silver, Wooden, Pewter, Fashion and Mens jewellery. just visit their site below and enter the code: LUT10051

Click here...

27/10/2006 Parties fight among themselves while crime runs rampant!

Are the Lib Dems dead ducks, has Labour killed education, policing and do the Conservatives even know who they are after so many logo changes. The truth is that they all blame each other for their own inability:
According to Labour's Margaret Moran - "The Lib Dems have repeatedly opposed powers to crack down on drugs, graffiti louts, and to break up teen gangs. On the other hand the Conservatives have consistently voted against the funding needed to employ police Community Support Officers, extra police and Community Wardens." Is this just Labour spin or "passing the buck" you never know these days. I think it's about time the parties got their arses in gear and DID SOMETHING PROACTIVE ABOUT THE SORRY STATE OF THIS TOWN instead of accusing each other while we all suffer for it!

25/10/2006 Birth of Darkness

Mark T Smith a talented local author has created the first episode of a fantasy trilogy called "Birth of Darkness". The story about immortal lord fighting to save the Empire from attack, but in so doing reveals mysteries of his own creation. Find out more here...

15/10/06 St George's Square will look grubby in a year.

Apparently the new paving currently being laid at St George's square is virtually impossible to clean. The Chinese granite used is so porous that ingrained dirt can not be washed out possibly leaving the square in a much worse state in a years time then it was before the development started. Despite many people's calls for the trees and green areas to remain the council was determined to lay granite, a decision that may well backfire on them. At 2.5 million this could be a costly mistake!

1/10/06 Luton's own Fawlty Towers?

A site visitor emailed me about a bad experience at the Royal Hotel. Having booked in "The Pines" a couple found that their booking had been changed to "The Royal" where they were put in a noisy room above the pool bar. After a mostly sleepless night they arrived at the breakfast table to find it wasn't even set for two people. With no-one at reception to complain to they send an email to the hotel chain when they arrived home and have yet to received a reply. If anyone else has had a good or bad experience at the Royal let me know!

08/09/06 Five Star luxury hotel to open

The magnificent Luton Hoo estate is to open in 2007. It will sport 1000 acres of parkland and a 18 hole golf course. The house has an important history and has been visited by Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Winston Churchill and Edward VII. It was also home to South African diamond tycoon Sir Julius Wernher. But recently the mansion has been the location of many block buster movies including Four Weddings and a Funeral, Enigma, Wilde, Quills and even James Bond in The World is not Enough and Never say Never again!

20/8/2006 Bedfordshire exposes internal website to public

"It is usually better to set expectations low and then over deliver on them." - Transforming Bedfordshire

Here we have a training site for Bedfordshire staff including councilors and officers. According to the Luton on Sunday the username and password were openly published on a poster in County Hall. Logging onto the site there are all these wonderful pledges form staff members some even on video! Things like "Customer Excellence is not a programme, or a slogan, it is a mindset. It means really (yes REALLY) putting our customers at the heart of everything we do in terms of people and processes." All pledges are arranged in alphabetical order by staff name. However according to the site transforming Bedfordshire will not be easy - "Transforming Bedfordshire County Council from a static, inwardly focused organisation to a flexible, customer focused organisation by 2007 is a tall order". They also have a good manual to deal with "customers" who they classify as follows: Nosy Parker, Manipulator, Victim, Meddler, Parasite, Know it all, Drama Queen, and Wind up Merchant so keep this in mind next time you phone them which one will you be!
PS You can even do their fun personality test, I did and found out I have a lot in common with Albert Einstein and Socrates!

Find the secret site here
Here is the password...(be quick they are bound to find out about this blunder soon!)

15/06/2006 Open Gardens in Slip End

On Saturday July 15th from 11.0am - 5.0pm there will be beautiful gardens to visit in Slip End, barbeque lunches, cream teas, & a sale of produce & plants. Open gardens will be clearly marked or programmes can be obtained from the village Post Office.

05/06/2006 Bringing adventure back into computer gaming!

Lutonian computer game designer Matt Clark has bucked the trend and has produced a tantalizing adventure game for PC. The game is called Barrow Hill and is reminiscent of atmospheric adventure games like Myst. The game is set in Cornwall and leads the player through mystical and spooky surrounds! Unlike the usual first person shooters, fighting and racing games so common place nowadays this game brings back the joy of loosing oneself in another world. A genre that has been neglected in many recent game titles.

Click here for more info

13/05/06 All you need is love - but could there be royalties to pay?

"All you need is love" was the message that won the vote for the greatest words of all time poll run by Luton First. The idea is to place the words above the arrivals walkway at Luton Airport. The words were lyrics in a song by the Beatles. However using anything that could be vaguely considered a "property" of an artist could be dangerous as it could attract lawsuits from the artist or their estate. In the same way that Apple computer were sued by the Beatles for using the word "Apple" could the airport be sued by them too by using these simple words? Perhaps it would be wiser to use the the second choice "Unto thine own self be true" by William Shakespeare!

07/05/06 Luton born professor honored

Sir Alec Jeffreys the inventor of DNA fingerprinting is to receive the prestigious Dr HP Heineken Prize for Biochemistry and Biophysics for his discovery. DNA fingerprinting is a powerful technique of identification and essential for police forensics typically portrayed in the media on shows like CSI.
Professor Jeffreys is based at the University of Leicester where he first made the discovery 20 years ago.

05/05/06 Luton to host EU Media Conference

Fifty speakers from several countries will deliver papers on subjects ranging from European media policy and media industries to media representations of European identity and journalistic practice.
The event will include the UK premieres of several new documentary films as well as poetry readings and music, and a photographic exhibition at the Hat Factory.
Tickets £40 / £20 concs, University staff and students can attend free-of-charge. Conference dates: 5th to 6th May 2006
To book email Dr Alec Charles at alec.charles@luton.ac.uk

more here

27/04/06 Double Bill at the hat factory!

Stan Stanley and Dan Atkinson will be there to entertain you on Thursday 27th.
Stan is a warm and genial comic with brilliant timing, who delivers smart, satirical observations that have more of an edge than their light-hearted handling and delivery suggest.
Dan Atkinson: Good humoured and witty, it's when working with the crowd that Dan truly shines, weaving small comic miracles seemingly out of thin air. Full of hope, vigour and vitality, he's hopelessly likeable and quite out of touch with real life.
Booking 01582 878100 £6 full / £5 concs suggested ages 16+

13/04/06 Steve Williams at the Hat Factory!

Don't miss Steve at the Hat Factory on Thursday 13th. He never fails to surprise and engage audiences with his hybrid of bizarre stories, larger than life physicality, spontaneous improvisation and his off-the-wall take on everyday life. Doors open 8pm, booking £6/5 call 01582 878100

29/04/06 Luton FM soon at a radio near you

The University of Bedforshire's radio station will be soon back on the air for this years season. Broadcasting will start on Saturday 29 April for four weeks. You will be able to receive the transmission on 87.9 FM. This year there will be specialist talk and individual music shows playing everything from Rock, Punk to R'n'B and Soul. Luton FM is an excellent opportunity for students to learn how to run a radio station and many of Lutom FM's ex presenters are now working professionally. Find out more at Luton FM website

30/03/06 Art Exhibition at the Galaxy

The Luton Churches Educational Trust are holding an art exhibition at the Galaxy Centre this weekend. The event is called "hear me" and is an exhibition by young people who self harm. The event will be held in a previously unused area of the centre and is well worth a visit! Visit the LCET Website for more details

26/02/06 Requiem for St George's trees

It's a sad day today as it sees the removal of most of the trees in St George's square. This is the first stage of a major refurbishment of the area. Early this morning there was the sound of chain-saws as spring bud laden branches fell to the ground never to bloom again. It is unfortunate that the redevelopment plans did not incorporate these well established trees because in a town that has more then it's fair share of concrete keeping our trees should be the highest priority.

03/03/06 New Sports Bar

A new sports sports bar is opening in Luton on March 3rd. Vist them on Flowers way for Sky Sports, Pool, Food, DJs and big screen action!

Zibar Website

21/02/06 Jazzing up Luton

A new venu has opened in Wigmore called Club Blue Note and Jazz cafe. It has live music in the evenings and a delicious menu with alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. Club Blue Note is above the Well Space Gym on Wigmore Lane - give it a visit!

Club Blue Note Website

21/02/06 No more music in public places

A Bedford motorcycle repair firm has been told that they are not allowed to play any music in their workshop where members of the public may hear it. If they continue to do so they will have to pay a £85 "performance license" or be found guilty of copyright infringement. According to the Performing Rights Society "Anyone wanting to play music in public needs the permission of the people who wrote every piece of music they intend to play". It is unknown if this rule is also applicable to "womb babies" - people with loud sound systems in their cars. BBC Link

06/02/06 The Suspects arrive on the local music scene!

A new band "The Suspects" play a range of indie / rock and roll, catch them at Marino's on Monday 6th and at The Well on Thursday 9th Feb!

21/03/06 Marks and Spencer celebrate 100 years!

Its been 100 years since Marks and Spencer opened on Luton' high street and the store will be celebrating on 21st March.

17/12/05 Luton student heads for space - almost!

The channel 4 show Space Cadets apparently showed a group of people who really believed that they were in space - but in-fact where in a huge simulation. One of the contestants Sarah-Jane Cass is studying media performance at our very own University of Bedfordshire and a presenter of Luton FM. The fact that she was studying performance led many viewers to believe that the show was a double hoax i.e. the contestants were really the actors and it was the public who were duped!