bedsbuzz a great summer - girlguiding buzz no 21.pdfbedsbuzz autumn 2011 a great summer you can see...
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BedsBuzzAUTUMN 20 11
A GREAT SUMMERYou can see in this bumper editionof BedsBuzz all the wonderfulthings that Guiding members inBedfordshire have been up to thissummer, As you would expectmany events have been outdoors,some local, some further afieldincluding overseas. I have just returned from theCounty weekend at Pax Lodge. Aweekend full of fun, friendship andlovely autumn sunshine, we enjoyedexploring London and learningabout International Guiding. I encourage you all to make themost of the opportunities thatGuiding has, you won’t regret it.Debbie Docherty County Commissioner
Emma WrightCounty Marketing andCommunications Adviser
My new role is County Marketingand Communications Adviser! Weused to be the PR and recruitmentteam, but with the new countystructure we have split. Along withmy team of Division Advisers(which we need more of!) we aim tosupport you with your marketingand PR needs.
Press releases through to promotingGirlguiding in the community andbranding awareness - we are hereto help. I am in the process ofordering more PR giveaway goodiesand hot on the agenda is to lookat providing Division marketingbanners. We want everyone tohave access to corporate materialand be aware of branding so ifyou’re not sure which font to usewhen writing letters home to parentsor have a question on using logo’swe are here to help.
Our team are also responsible forthe annual review publication,Beds Buzz production and theBedfordshire website. We alsoproduce other documents throughoutthe year including an annualactivity pack such as MarshmallowMadness for 2010 and Tea in Beds!We have started work on the nextresource so watch this space!!
My aim is to have a rep from eachDivision as a minimum, and plan tohave a training session at the nextcounty training day. Our teammeets approx 4-5 times a year toplan and discuss the county needs.
If you have any queries or would liketo join our team – please let me [email protected]
Modern Muse - Pauline Stewart with BedfordshireGirlguides at the Sculpture Gallery, Woburn SEE PAGE 3
Carina Wallace has been awarded the Anglia
Brooch for her outstanding contribution to
Girlguiding Bedfordshire. Carina became a
leader with the 1st Leighton Buzzard Guides in
1974, she still supports the Unit as key user,
Unit Treasurer and Occasional Helper.
In addition she is Treasurer for Leighton Heath
District and South Beds Division, she is also part
of the County Marketing and Communication
Team and in particular she ensures that members
receive the termly mailshot and BedsBuzz
newsletter.
Carina is always supportive of events at District,
Division and County you can find her doing any-
thing from starring in Gang shows to providing
admin. support for County Camp. She is always
willing to help and full of enthusiasm.
We all congratulate her on this welldeserved award.
ANGLIA BROOCH FOR CARINA
Last October we booked at Guiding Headquarters Icando for a session
entitled ‘Rainbows Look at London’ on Saturday 7 May. We also
applied to go onto the forecourt of Buckingham Palace to watch the
Changing of the Guard – a privilege only granted to Guides, Scouts
and the families of military personnel. Little did we know that
Prince William would marry Catherine Middleton on 29 April!
We booked the coach and waited to find out whether we had been
lucky. In the middle of March we finally heard that we had been
granted permission but for only 20 people – we had 19 girls!!!
The great day arrived and Rainbows, leader, and helpers climbed on
the coach and off to Buckingham Palace we went! The flags and
decorations were still in place from the Royal Wedding and lots of
visitors too – the mounted police moved the crowds to let the coach
through and there were lots of clicking cameras as they thought we
were important people being delivered to the palace! With a bit of
persuasion the police allowed us through the gates which were
unlocked with a huge key!
The Coldstream Guards were the ‘old guard’ and the Grenadier
Guards were the ‘new guard’. We were not allowed to sit on the
forecourt and there was to be no talking – the girls were so in awe
of everything they behaved impeccably – I think we took a different
group from those in Caldecote Church Rooms on Monday evenings!!
Amazingly two guards came over and spoke to the girls, one being
the guard who held Prince William’s cap and gloves at the wedding.
The highlight for the girls was when one guard fainted and had to
be taken off the parade!!
After a picnic we went onto Guiding Headquarters for the session
entitled ‘Rainbows look at London’ which comprised of craft activities,
games and a walk back to Buckingham Palace to look at the Victoria
Memorial and have photos taken. A great day was had by all and the
tired but happy Rainbows climbed back on the coach to return to
Caldecote.
To raise money to fund this event we held an Indoor Street Party,
inviting all friends, relations and villagers where the girls did the
entertainment. The girls made invitations, table mats and decorations,
bunting and flags and we raised an incredible £172. The girls each
received a Royal Wedding badge and a Changing of the Guard badge
to put on their uniform.
London Trip for Rainbows
Damascus choir on the road to Haverings!When Bedfordshire Girlguiding heard of the plight of the Damascus
Choir who were visiting the UK on tour from USA, they pulled out
all the stops in the true nature of Girlguiding hospitality.
The churches Charles Wesley Youth Singers and Academy of Saint
Cecelia youth orchestra from Damascus Maryland USA, after a
performance in Bournemouth followed by a concert in Hitchin
travelled to Cheltenham, Camberley, Bristol and Oxford staying
with English families associated with their hosting choirs.
Holy Saviour Hitchin got involved at a fairly late stage of the
planning - arrangements for another venue having fallen through
and managed to find accommodation for many of the group
among the congregation, with help from friends from other
churches and Stevenage Choral Society.
Hearing of the plight of the 100 strong group of 70 young singers
and musicians, with 30 adult chaperones, the Luton South
Division team of Girlguiding volunteers running Haverings
Girlguiding Residential centre in Luton came to the rescue.
“Haverings accommodated 19 of the group in our bunkroom” said
Janet Locke. “A group of Luton South Volunteers organised bedding
and breakfasts for the boys and their leaders and made them feel
at home. One of the leaders staying with us was the Rev. Walter
Edmonds, Senior Pastor of the Damascus-Friendship Parish and
leader of the tour. We were delighted to find that some of the
choir and orchestra are members of the Scout and
Guiding movements”.
Trevor Hughes from Holy Saviour and Vice President
of Stevenage Choral Society said “It was wonderful
that Haverings rescued the remainder in such a gen-
erous gesture!”
Haverings Residential and outdoor Girlguiding Centre
with it’s newly refurbished kitchen and facilities is
set in Slaughter’s Wood - a delightful protected blue-
bell wood on the outskirts of Luton.
The visitors from the choir were greatly impressed
with the Girlguiding premises and the hospitality
they received from the Guiding members.
My thanks to those who generously provided bedding
and meals for the choir at short notice - Your efforts
are very much appreciated.
Diane Butler - Girlguiding Ambassador Bedfordshire
GUIDES INSPIREDBY MODERN MUSEPauline Stewart of Inspirati Ltd and a Modern
Muse, truly inspired her audience of over 50
Senior Section members and Leaders from
Girlguiding Bedfordshire in the spectacular
setting of Woburn Abbey's Sculpture Gallery.
The launch in Bedfordshire of an incentive by
Modern Muse ‘to inspire, inform, invigorate
and motivate young women and girls about
business and entrepreneurship', was hosted
by Her Grace The Duchess of Bedford.
She told young women of Girlguiding
Bedfordshire that "With hard work and deter-
mination, everyone can live their dream" and
went on to say "When you believe in yourself
you can achieve the unbelievable".
Pauline Stewart enthralled her audience with
her anecdotes about inspirational women and
how their passion to succeed has overcome
major obstacles in their lives. She explained
how the 100 most inspirational business-
women in the UK had
come together to form
Modern Muse with their
desire to help and
inspire other women to
achieve their goals.
She then set the girls
the task of writing down
how they thought they
could overcome their
barriers. They formed
into groups for some
enlightening discussions
and were joined by
Pauline Stewart, Her
Grace The Duchess of
Bedford, Debbie Docherty
County Commissioner for Girlguiding
Bedfordshire, and other guests who joined in
the lively debates. The resulting ideas were
written down and the most aspirational
comment by Lizzie was selected to win a
copy of the much admired Modern Muse
book.
Sophie, a Young Leader and young media
spokesperson for Girlguiding Bedfordshire
said "I thought the evening was very inspiring
in terms of our individual success and also
in terms of influencing young women
around the world. Thank you Pauline".
The Duchess of Bedford was thanked for her
participation in the event and presented with
a signed copy of the Modern Muse
Book.
Senior Section members, including
Bedfordshire ASSK representatives,
presented the Duchess and Pauline
with flowers and gifts. Debbie
Docherty thanked everyone for
their contribution to an inspirational
event and hoped that Girlguiding
Bedfordshire would work with her
again in the future.
From experience, we know there are
thousands of wonderful women from
different backgrounds, educational
paths, industries, sectors and job roles
who are great role models; women who
have ability to demonstrate varied and
exciting career options that many girls
and young women do not get to hear
about. With that in mind, we have
launched Modern Muse to inspire the
next generation of female business
leaders and entrepreneurs by showcasing
and engaging successful women from
all walks of business life.
The Modern Muse project's immediate
goal is to reach out to one million girls
over the next three years. The aim is
to open their eyes to the potential of
business as a way of having a fun and
fulfilling life, meet exciting people, and
being more in control of their destiny.
The long term goal is to accelerate the
number of women running businesses
by 100,000 in the next 10 years.
There are 100 Founding Muses, including
14 Patrons, all from diverse backgrounds
and job roles. They are featured in the
Modern Muse Book - a great gift of
inspiration for the young women in
your life - and have been instrumental
to the launch of this project.
We know there are many more inspira-
tional women like them across the UK -
women in business with passion,
dynamism and drive - and we're calling
on you to become a Muse and shape
the future of the next generation. Find
out how you can get involved.
www.modernmuse.co.uk
ABOUT MODERN MUSE
What An Attraction!Drayton Manor Park is home to some of the biggest wettest and
scariest rides around with Shockwave, Europe’s first stand up
roller coaster, Stormforce 10, with a backwards water drop,
Apocalypse voted the scariest ride in the UK by Channel 4's The
Gadget Show, and it is where Rainbows, Brownies and Guides
from Stopsley South District went on a day trip in July this year.
Drayton Manor had been named UK’s Best Children’s Attraction in
2009 and 2010 but has been a favourite day out for our district
for some years. What is good about it is that there is plenty
there to entertain all ages, from small children to the big kids
too. The park is well-laid out and a nice size. You can stroll from
ride to cafe to shop without wearing out your shoe leather. For
smaller children, Thomas the Tank Engine Land and the
zoo are must-visits. The new Ben 10 ride is a fantastic
in-between rollercoaster, for kids who want to try the
larger rides but may well turn green on the likes of
Pandemonium or Shockwave.
As always, the water rides were really popular and where
we experienced the biggest queues. But you can’t beat
them, laughing as your fellow passengers get drenched
then squealing as the water soaks you too.
In seven hours at the park, between us I am sure we tried
our best to cover all the rides; we certainly did all those
we wanted to. We all ended the day with an ice cream,
a treat from the District, which went down well with all.
And apart from the hold ups on the M1 on the way home,
as we got caught up in the Grand Prix traffic, a good day
was had by all, and I think it is fair to say that we will be
back …
Celebrating The Royal Wedding A Royal thanks to Rainbows1st Wilden Rainbows in North Beds were thrilled to receive
personal letters in June from St James’s Palace on behalf of
the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The letters thanked
the Rainbows for the colourful finger-paint cards they had
sent to Prince William and Kate Middleton to congratulate
them on their wedding.
The Rainbows made the cards as part of the 1st Ness Guides
Royal Wedding Challenge. Other activities they enjoyed
included a princess party, making royal crowns and playing
an energetic game of Prince Charming’s Coming.
Brownies Celebrate with a Hat Party3rd Biggleswade Brownies celebrated the Royal
Wedding with a hat parade - and don’t they look
wonderful!
They received personal thanks from the Palace for
all their handmade cards and a lovely picture of the
Royal couple.
The Highlight of the 1st
Stondon Rainbows Royal
Wedding celebration was
the ceremonial cutting
of the wedding cake by
two excited Rainbows.
Wedding Party
The Sweet Smell of Lavender
Our annual outing was spent in the Hitchin Lavender
Fields this year. Twenty members and friends enjoyed a
delightful evening wandering through the colourful fields
and enjoyed coffee and cakes in the beautiful renovated
barn.
Katherine Sulch - Chairman, Biggleswade Trefoil Guild
Girlguiding opportunities lastforever as 91 year old Angelawalks the cat walk!
Our Guild decided to organise a Charity Fashion Show in aid of
Willen Hospice. This was sparked off at our planning meeting
where we met Eileen’s sister on holiday from New Zealand.
She was complimented her on her clothes and when she said
they had all come from charity shops in New Zealand the
idea was hatched.
We presented our ideas to an enthusiastic guild and then
asked for volunteers to be models, hands did not go up, until
our eldest member, Angela, said she would and started the
ball rolling. We ended up with twelve models and planned
that they would wear two outfits each.
Willen Hospice was contacted and enthusiastically supported
the idea, which resulted in Gill, Jan, Sheila and I going on
several occasions to their collection depot to sort and select
suitable garments for our models and clothing suitable for a
sales rail.
Invitations to the show were sent out to all the Bedfordshire
Trefoil Guilds and posted on the Girguiding website.
On the day all of the models
were nervous but paraded very
well and looked extremely glamorous.
We were pleased that Joan was able to model
the Jacques Vert number as she had only recently had an
operation.
Our models paraded in outfits for different occasions. I think
it helped that one of our member’s maiden name was
Shrimpton! There was a lot of noise in the changing room but
Ann kept us all in order and helped with dressing.
Patricia ended the show in a pale mauve silk ‘number’ which
had been donated by a store. It had an original price tag of
£700 and consisted of a long skirt, a tight basque and a jacket,
these were complimented with a cheeky hat of her own. To
the tune of “Hey Big Spender” Patricia took off the jacket,
twirled it around her and everyone cheered. This was followed
by a big round of applause then tea and cakes – of course!
With the help of one of our members’ enthusiastic neighbours,
who are volunteers at the Willen Hospice collection depot,
the clothes that had been modelled and some from the sales
rails were sold. Fun was had by all and £275 was raised for
the Hospice.
It just goes to show that you are never too old to enjoy new
challenges. We hope you enjoy your Girlguiding as much as
we do, however old you are!
Jan Griffin - Chairman, Woburn District Trefoil Guild
La
dies a
nd
La
vend
erWoburn District
Trefoil Guild News
Patricia
Angela
Joan
South Beds Guides Achievethe Baden-Powell Challenge AwardThe BP Challenge Award was achieved
by Katharina Wallace and Stephanie
Hull from the 4th Leighton Buzzard
Guide Unit. They organised events and
activities both within the Guide Unit and also with family
and friends including a special birthday outing for Steph’s
mum, Kat achieved the World Culture Badge and they held a
successful pamper evening for all of the Guides. During the
year the girls have developed their leadership skills and
have both decided to become Young Leaders.
You can find out more about these
fantastic international trips on our website
www.bedsguiding.org.uk/international_experiences.htm
WarwickCastleSleepoverGuides from
Linleighbridge
District, South
Beds joined in the fun at a YouthFunDays Event at Warwick
Castle. Camping in the grounds of a castle was a unique expe-
rience. We learnt about the Medieval Battle Costume, were
delighted by the animated Castle Storyteller who told the story
of the Lord of Warwick slaying a Dragon, were treated to a
Battle of Swords and a demonstration of a full sized Trebuchet
launching a fire ball across the sky. On Sunday we watched a
Birds of Prey demonstration then explored the castle and
enjoyed the variety of displays and activities. We certainly
recommend this trip to other groups. All food and hot drinks
provided - all you need to take is a tent and your bedding... easy!
Who Let The Dogs Out!This year we decided to run a joint camp with Guides from
2nd, 3rd and 5th Stopsley Guide Units and we have recently
returned from a very successful and enjoyable summer camp
at Jordan’s Close in Great Barford. We were extremely lucky
with the weather; whilst rain threatened twice during the
week, neither threat came to anything.
The theme of the camp was 101, simply as we were 100 last
year, and activities were loosely, very loosely in some cases,
connected to 101 Dalmatians, so dogs and spots, and room 101.
Scarecrows atHaverings FayreHaverings Fayre this year had a
scarecrow theme. There were
lots of stalls outside in the sun-
shine, a bouncy castle, side
shows, raffle and varying other
activities for all ages. Trefoil ran a refreshment stall serving
lovely homemade cakes and hot pizza slices with a very welcome
cup of tea. The stalls were decorated in the scarecrow theme,
and Janet Locke was even dressed up as a scarecrow, with
mice in amongst her straw stuffing. Guides from Luton South
Division were camping and running activities to raise additional
funds and show how Guides camp in this day and age. There
wasn’t a green ridge tent in sight. Instead, we had a number of
Centenary tents on display; direct from the Emerald sub-camp.
Of course Haverings Fayre is all about raising money for the
upkeep of the centre. This year we raised in excess of £1,500,
and all who joined us had a very good time in the process. The
organisers would like to thank all those who helped at the
event and came and put their hands in their pockets.
Gemma Johnson –Leighton BuzzardRanger & YoungLeader withBrownies at EatonBray made friendsfor life at Sweden’sJamboree
Sophie Ben Taïeb -
Diversity/Bedford
Division Rangers
travelled to Rinkaby just
outside Kristianstad for
the 22nd World Scout
Jamboree 2011 with 40
Scouts and Rangers
Going International!
Staying in the UK!
Debbie Dochertywent to the WorldConference in
Edinburgh held in July
It’s Never Too Late to Have an International Experience.
Chris Daniels joined a team of four leaders and seven
Anglia Senior Section members aged between 14 and 19
years to work alongside the Watering Roots Charity to
support the needs of the village of Busembatia and a
nearby village in Uganda.
The National Scout and Guide Symphony OrchestraKat Wallace from Linleighbridge District Guides and Emily Lakin
from Leighton Heath District on their adventure:
Kat says: “I first heard the orchestra play at Centenary Camp. My
leader told me that a Young Leader - Emily Lakin, who was a Guide
in our unit had joined the orchestra, so when the application
forms came out I decided to apply. We had to complete a form
telling the NYSSA our music grade, what instrument we played
and include a letter of recommendation from our instrumental
teacher. I was accepted and in July, Emily and I went to
Bearwood College, a boarding school, near Workingham. I played
the violin and Emily played flute. Rehearsals were between 9am
& 9pm, but we had breaks and two hours free time in the middle
of the day. I think the best bit was the Ceilidh as I'd never done
any Scottish dancing before and was really fun.”
Emily says: “We were taught to play The Academic Overture by
Brahms, The Walk to the Paradise Garden by Delius, Pomp and
Circumstance March No. 1 by Elgar, The Great Adventure by
Newton and Symphony No.2 in B Minor by Borodin. On Friday we
performed at St Nicolas Church in Newbury to invited guests and
on the Saturday at Bearwood College Theatre in Wokingham to
families and special guests.”
Sixty six people took part, including twenty six new members
from all over the UK. The NYSSA was formed in 1976 as a joint
orchestra of The Scout Association and the Girl Guides
Association with the slogan - Where else could you turn up as a
stranger and leave having met some of the best friends of your
life? Since it was formed, the orchestra has met yearly, under-
taking a week-long course, finishing with two concerts and also
embarks on a tour abroad approximately every four/five years,
past tours have taken the orchestra to USA, Greece, Germany,
The Czech Republic and, in 2004, Estonia. The orchestra has also
performed in such prestigious venues as Westminster Abbey, St.
George's Chapel, Windsor Castle and The Royal Albert Hall as well
as performances for Royalty.
The orchestra comprises around seventy Scouts and Guides
between the ages of thirteen and thirty. New recruits join every
year, there are no auditions but recommendations from
Scouter/Guider and Conductor/Music teacher must be provided.
If you have Guides who play
instruments, perhaps they
would welcome the oppor-
tunity to join the Orchestra
Residential Event next year.
BEDFORDSHIRE GUIDES WOWED BY THE UK’S TOP POP STARS
More than 30,000 music fans – including over 75 Guides from Luton
South Division and 20 from 1st Ampthill Guides - descended on
London’s Wembley Arena to see some of music’s top acts perform at
Girlguiding UK’s BIG GIG 2011.
Pixie Lott, Dionne Bromfield and Olly Murs were among the stars on
show at the music event, which has been held exclusively
for guiding members for ten years. The demand for
tickets among members was so overwhelming that
for the first time three concerts were put on
over the weekend.
The event was hosted by super-daring children’s television
presenter Helen Skelton, who was suggested by a huge
number of girls on Girlguiding UK’s internet forum.
Amy, 11, said: ‘The BIG GIG was fantastic. It was such fun to
watch all the famous bands and scream with thousands of
other Guides from all over the country!’
County Camp 2012We now have a date and venue for the Bedfordshire County Camp 2012
18th – 25th August 2012
Tolmers, Cuffley Hertfordshire
You will be able to camp as a Unit, District, Division, or any combination of those!
Senior Section will probably have a sub-camp and individual members
will be welcomed into a sub-camp .
There will be loads of activities, adventurous, and not so adventurous.
If you have any ideas of what you would like to do at camp please let us know.
Follow this link to see all about the site http://www.tolmers.org.uk/
More details will be available soon but please
put the date in your diary and make plans to attend
www.bedsguiding.org.uk website email: [email protected]
Beds Buzz - Editor Diane Butler email: [email protected]
Buzz
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arou
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Copy deadline for Spring Edition - 1st February 2012
New Flag Dedicated
This picture was taken at the Dedication Service
held for our new flag.
The service was attended by the 3rd Biggleswade
Brownies and Guides, local Guiders, members of
the Congregation at Trinity Methodist Church and
Alisdair Burt MP and his wife Eve. We were also
pleased to welcome Our Division Commissioner
and our County Commissioner who graciously
displayed the County Standard. It was an honour
to see our new flag being displayed beside the
wonderful County Standard.
Rev. Andrew Hollins dedicated the Flag with four
Rangers making their Ranger Promise during the
dedication. This was followed by traditional
refreshments in the hall.
Amanda Barker - Assistant Leader, Ivel Rangers
London to Brighton by BicycleOn Sunday 19th June 2011 I completed the
London to Brighton Bike Ride in 6 hours, with my
Mum and Dad. It was 54 miles. We started from
Clapham Common in London at 07:00, so it was
an early start.
The first 25 miles were ok, as we did quite a lot
of training before hand. The next 5 miles were
quite hard, but it seemed easier, once we were
over half way. There were quite a lot of hills, but
the worst one was at Ditchling Beacon, which is
about ten miles before the end. We had to walk
up that hill as it was very steep and there were
lots of people.
We finished near Brighton Pier and had some
well deserved fish and chips.
Brooke Rowan - Young Leader
Guides in Hi-Viz!There was no Rotary Sponsored Walk organised this year in
Luton, so at 5th Stopsley Guides we looked for an alternative, and
thought we had found the ideal solution. After much confusion,
and changed plans, we ended up with a small, but select,
group of Guides walking a well trodden route we had covered
during the Bedfordshire Centenary 100 Mile Walking Challenge.
We wore hi-viz, it was a much better option for fancy dress
than some suggested, fairies or sumo wrestlers, and off we set.
We attempted to find several Geocaches along the way, but
without a proper GPS this was not possible (Moley's iPhone was
just not up to the job, so the girls have requested we go out
and do that another day). Five hours or so later, keeping a very
good pace, and not stopping long at all for lunch, we all made
it back to the church hall, and on home for a well earned rest.
The weather was very kind to us, although we donned our
waterproofs at lunch-time, because it started to spit with rain,
this came to nothing until we had arrived back to the church
hall, when it really didn't matter at all.
We are Sailing...1st Stondon Brownies took
part in an Introduction to
Sailing activity at Fairlands
Valley Park, Stevenage.
Working towards their Out
and About badge, they
started the morning with
Orienteering around the
lake before donning their
life jackets. Although nervous at first they had a wonderful time taking
in turns to sail the boats for almost an hour.
We are Camping...For our autumn camp, we joined the 3rd Colindale Unit and
went to Cherry Green Trees in St. Albans, we had a great time
dodging the showers and the Guides had fun doing the 'I am a
Guide Get me out of here!!!!’ badge. Guides put their hands in
cold baked beans to find a missing star and then into flour, the
next Guide had to put her hand into cold custard then wood chip!
Thanks go to Carole, Kate and Julie, friends from 3rd Colindale
who organised the camp and the games. The girls loved it, but
most of all they enjoyed the freedom of going into the woods
and playing hide and seek by themselves. Nicola
Singing Circle dates for your diary - 7.45pm start
St Marks Church, Bedford - Monday 21st November 2011Haverings, Luton - Tuesday 17th January 2012