LUTON Rugby won their first National League Three London & South East match in eight games when they defeated Gravesend 16-9 at the weekend.

Aidan Kenny kicked 11 of the points, while Chris Snelling scored the hosts only try as Luton finally tasted an overdue victory.

This weekend, they travel to Westcliff.

Dunstablians lost 29-8 at Lutterworth in Midlands Two East South on Saturday.

Scott Warren went over while Danny Mills added a penalty, but Dees were well beaten.

This weekend, Dunstablians host Long Buckby.

Stockwood Park are all but relegated as they lost 22-3 at home to Vipers in Midlands Two East South at the weekend.

The hosts led 3-0 at half time courtesy of Jason Carr’s penalty, but Vipers hit back to canter to victory after the break.

On Saturday, Park are at home to Northampton Old Scouts.

LUTON-born TV personality Stacey Dooley caused something of a social networking stir on Monday night as her latest documentary on the rise of extremism in her home town aired.

BBC Three show Stacey Dooley Investigates: My Hometown Fanatics explored the polar extremes of Luton’s connections with the English Defence League and Islamic extremism and why the town has become labelled as Britain’s ‘extremist capital’ by certain quarters of the media.

The programme saw Stacey clash with members of a protest group led by extremist preacher Anjem Choudhury who marched on Luton Police Station in September last year, speak to EDL leader Stephen Lennon and walk the streets of Luton dressed in a niqab to gauge the reaction of townsfolk.

And the show sparked much debate on Facebook and Twitter which continued yesterday, with Stacey’s name ‘trending’ on Twitter while the documentary aired.

Viewer Debbie Jones said on our Facebook page yesterday: “It touched upon the issues we have here in Luton, but are those issues really any different to those of any other town or city in the UK. I see it as just another opportunity to single this town out.”

While Derek Borino added: “It touched on issues that had died down and just highlighted the town’s issues again making the town look one-dimensional.”

Luton Borough Council leader Hazel Simmons said yesterday that most residents enjoy the town’s multiculturalism.

She said: “The programme usefully highlighted that ignorance of different cultures is the main cause of extremism, and affirmed the need for everyone to understand each other.

“The reality is that Luton’s rich multicultural community is celebrated and enjoyed by the majority of its residents who are justly proud of their town, and feel their lives have been enriched by mixing with people from different backgrounds.

> To read the full story, pick up a copy of this week’s Luton News on sale now

LUTON-born TV personality Stacey Dooley says it would have been ‘hypocritical’ not to tackle issues in her home town for a BBC documentary when she’s travelled the world to get to grips with contentious topics abroad.

BBC Three Show Stacey Dooley Investigates: My Hometown Fanatics caused a social networking stir as it was ‘trending’ on Twitter when it aired on Monday night, sparking much debate.

But Stacey was happy with how the show, which explored extremism in Luton, came across.

She told the H&P yesterday: “I was nervous about it but the team were great and the director was really keen to get everything done accurately. You’re always going to get people who don’t agree.”

“When the BBC asked me what did I think about it, I did give it a lot of thought because it’s one thing going across the world and talking to people about these issues, but I think it’d have been slightly hypocritical to go abroad and tackle issues but shy away from some in your home town.

“To be honest, I think it would be ridiculous to say there are no problems in Luton because quite evidently there are.

“You’ve got organisations like the Al Muhajiroun and the English Defence League popping up but you have to bear in mind that they are a tiny minority.”

During the show, Stacey visited Luton’s Central Mosque and interviewed EDL leader Stephen Lennon (aka Tommy Robinson).

She admitted it was odd filming in her own town and interviewing someone she recognised from her time growing up here.

She said: “I knew Tommy when he wasn’t part of the EDL and for him to be this figure that’s recognised around the world, I thought ‘oh my God’, it’s nuts.

“It was strange, I haven’t seen him in years but it was important to talk to him because so much is made of Luton and I wanted to make sure it was all done accurately.”

Viewers also saw Stacey involved in a fierce exchange with an Islamic protestor who criticised the way she dressed during a march on Luton Police Station led by extremist preacher Anjem Choudhury back in September.

Stacey stumbled across the protest moments after finishing filming scenes dressed in a niqab in Luton town centre with two young Muslim girls, who she says she can’t speakly highly enough of.

And the contrast between the attitudes of the two young girls and similarly dressed women on the march left Stacey saddened.

“I didn’t even know (the protest) was happening, we’d just dropped the two girls off home and were in the middle of it,” she said.

“To see women wearing similar outfits and using that as an excuse to push messages that most other Muslims don’t agree with is sad.

“It feels gutting that we’re all Lutonians, we should be pally as we’re all young girls, but in Luton there’s a tiny minority and they want to spoil it for the rest of us.”

And Stacey, who shot to fame after initially appearing on Blood, Sweat and T Shirts on BBC Three in 2008, praised the work of council and police efforts to ensure harmony in Luton.

She said: “I think it’s easy to put down organisations that are trying to sort out the situation because they haven’t been able to sort it out straight away, but you have to realise that these organisations are hell bent on getting their message across so it’s not going to change overnight and we have to praise anyone who is trying to sort it out.

“I think we have to not let them get anyone into their way of thinking. It’s a case of non-Muslims and Muslims together against extremists.”

Mark Tyler: 6 – Largely untested and no chance with the goal.

Greg Taylor: 7 – (pictured) Energetic running and battling spirit meant he saw most of the ball.

Keith Keane: 6 – Great to see him return and fitted in seamlessly at right-back.

George Pilkington: 6 – Coped well with the Barrow barrage without ever dominating.

Alex Lawless: 6 – Harried by the opposition which, coupled with the poor weather, meant his composure counted for little.

Craig McAllister: 6 – Made his mark in the first half, but desperately needs a goal and could have had a couple.

Stuart Fleetwood: 6 – Looked quick and threatening but provided more service than he received.

Aaron O’Connor: 6 – Tireless runner but should have put Town ahead with a close-range header.

Jake Howells: 6 – Not as prominent in a midfield that was at times redundant.

Andre Boucaud: 6 – In the thick of the action but couldn’t unlock the solid Bluebirds.

Janos Kovacs: 6 – Put under pressure by Barrow’s direct approach and harshly booked for an ‘elbow’.

Adam Watkins (sub): 5 – Struggled to get into a game where the midfield was bypassed.

John Paul Kissock (sub): 5.5 – Tried to carry the ball, in the thick of the action and had Town’s only real second half effort.

Ratings by Mark Wood

]]> 1.3549069 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:06:27 +0000 http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/councillors_hold_surgery_1_3544999

IF you’ve got a beef about something in you area, come along and have your say.

Toddington councillors Norman Costin and Tom Nicols will be holding a help and advice surgery at Toddington Library, Market Square, on Saturday (February 25) from 10am to 12 noon.

> For more information contact the member support team on 0300 300 6090.

MORE THAN £4 million – that’s the staggering amount of prize money Mecca Bingo in Luton’s Skimpot Road paid out to customers last year.

General manager Paul Martin said: “Bingo is more fun than ever and over the last year we’ve seen an increase in customer numbers and more people under 35 coming through the doors.”

FRUSTRATED centre-half Dean Beckwith has admitted he would be open to going out on loan to play first team football if he can’t get it at Kenilworth Road, writes Mark Wood.

Signed in the summer from League Two neighbours Northampton Town, Beckwith was a regular fixture in Luton’s defence before getting sent off in the game against Lincoln on September 17.

Since then he has struggled to get past the successful centre-half pairing of George Pilkington and Janos Kovacs – signed in his absence – and a calf injury that ruled him out for almost two months has further added to his woes.

While Beckwith has his sights set on winning back his place in the Luton starting 11 he would also be prepared to look elsewhere in order to play.

He said: “Maybe I can go out somewhere and play some games. I’m 28 years old and I don’t want to be not involved.

“Training’s good for your fitness but there’s nothing like playing games and getting match fitness that way.”

For the full story, see this weeks Luton News/Dunstable Gazette on sale now.

EIGHT “luxury camping pods” are being planned at Whipsnade Zoo as charity chiefs aim to make it a year-round attraction.

The Lookout Lodge pods are set to open up a new market for the 80 year-old hilltop attraction.

“Everything we do has mission overlay,” said Zoological Society of London (ZSL) director David Field. He explained that the zoo wants to give visitors experiences that turn them into champions of Whipsnade and to reconnect people with nature.

Mr Field became a champion of nature at a very young age and wants other people to have experiences that do the same for them.

ZSL aims to put 10 per cent of its turnover into conservation efforts around the world. In a good year that can add up to £10million.

Also on the cards this year are a sophisticated indoor play area and refurbishment of the sealion enclosure as the zoo aims to give visitors more of what they want from a day out in the Chilterns.

Last year, some 500,000 people went through the zoo’s gates, with more than ever during the warmer than average winter months.

“We want to encourage people to visit the zoo throughout the year, not just during bank holidays in August,” said Mr Field. He added that by encouraging people to make repeat visits, its conservation efforts can continue into the long term.

> See our video interview with David Field at www.hemeltoday.co.uk/news/business

Described as “24 for grown-ups”, Homeland has already won a Golden Globe and critical acclaim. As the show begins in Britain on Channel 4, its main star Damian Lewis talks to Shereen Low about portraying a US marine sergeant suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and why he really wants to play Don Draper from Mad Men.

Damian Lewis has been up since 7am, but is on remarkably fine form – and has an admission to make.

“You need to know I’m in my pyjamas, clasping a coffee,” he reveals, chuckling down the phone from America, where the working day’s just starting.

The London native, best known for being in The Forsyte Saga, Band Of Brothers and Life, has made North Carolina his temporary home for the past five months to film new US TV series Homeland.

In doing so Lewis has made the ultimate sacrifice – being apart from his family, actress wife Helen McCrory and their two children, five-year-old daughter Manon and son Gulliver, four.

“North Carolina is a beautiful place and I like it here a lot. But I miss my family when they’re not here with me, although they were with me all summer,” he admits in his clipped Old Etonian accent.

“I also miss London because I love London – it is the greatest city in the world. I miss the culture, the vibrancy and bombing around on my bicycle from one place to the next.”

Homeland, the Golden Globe-winning psychological thriller, which also stars Claire Danes and fellow Brit David Harewood MBE, was created by Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa – the brains behind 24.

“The parallel with 24 is inevitable, but this is far more of a psychological, political drama. It’s something we don’t see often – plus you need a black man and a redhead on a show!” he quips.

Lewis, pictured, plays US Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody, who has been held as a prisoner of war for eight years by Al Qaeda and presumed dead.

He is celebrated as a war hero on his return, but mentally unstable CIA agent Carrie Mathison (Danes) suspects he has been ‘turned’ into a sleeper agent and is now a threat to Homeland security.

“Ambiguity is a complex thing to play. You have to be lightning quick and nimble, there’s a mental and imaginative agility in the performance which is really fun,” says Lewis, 41.

“Inserting a bipolar disorder into the heart of a paranoid thriller is a brave move, as it conveniently allows us to judge Carrie. Is this man a danger to the United States or is she over-reacting? It’s intense. You’re going to love it!”

The series, which has been renewed for a second season, already has famous fans, with US President Barack Obama and his cohorts reported to have called in four DVD box sets.

“It’s exciting when you’ve entered the cultural zeitgeist in such a way,” says Lewis, who last worked in the US on the short-lived NBC cop drama Life.

“The Clintons are now watching it, and it’s gone right through to the top levels of the American administration. They’re all asking for box sets so they can see what their bosses are watching.”

But it could all have turned out differently as Lewis admits: “I very nearly said no to Homeland.

“My experience on Life, which I loved, was at quite a lot of personal cost, from a family point of view. That sounds a bit melodramatic - we’re all still together - but it was long hours working, with Helen sitting in the house with the kids.

“I wasn’t prepared for quite the workshop hours you work on some American TV shows, so I said to my agent I would do this only if it’s extraordinary and is on cable TV.”

The actor particularly enjoys his scenes with Romeo And Juliet actress Danes. “Danesy is whip-smart, extremely committed and focused. She plays that interactive Scrabble game, Words With Friends, endlessly.

“She has about five or six games going on with different people, and got half the crew doing it as well. It’s her way of relaxing.”

Like the audience, Lewis is kept in the dark about his character’s plotlines. “The fundamentals of my character were discussed but the details weren’t fleshed out,” he says.

“It’s fun getting surprises with the episode each week, like reading a novel. It keeps it fresh and interesting.”

The British actor - who attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company - did what little research he could.

“I spoke to soldiers, read a lot of literature, looked at documentary footage and tried to understand what it is like to be held as a prisoner of war.

To be authentic in its portrayal of Afghanistan prisons, Lewis had to endure routine torture scenes in which he was stripped of his clothes and subjected to gruelling punishment.

The scenes don’t affect him though, and he jokes: “It leaves me needing a beer! I don’t take my work home with me. I’m not that kind of method actor.

Lewis seems content with his lot, but there’s one person he’d gladly switch places with - Jon Hamm of Mad Men fame.

“I wish I had got the Don Draper role. I’ve got a little bit of a man crush on him!” he laughs.

]]> 1.3546104 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:04:20 +0000 http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/alan_dee_how_purple_paint_could_prick_the_binge_booze_boil_1_3531713

SO, our whole economic system is suffering from a massive hangover but it’s binge drinking that’s going to get sorted out.

You may wonder whether that nice Mr Cameron has got his priorities right – but there’s no denying that, if he can make some headway, he’ll have made as big a contribution to public health as his unlamented Labour predecessors did by introducing the smoking ban.

There’s a strategy on the way, of course, but for starters the PM has called for bars and supermarkets to help tackle a problem that costs the NHS £2.7bn a year.

But it shouldn’t be about money, and we shouldn’t even be thinking about a ban.

And the PM ought to be looking to recruit far beyond the pint-pullers and grog floggers to help achieve this admirable end.

It’s one of those issues – like seat belts and the smoking ban, which have been great successes, and the ban on using your mobile at the wheel, which is still a boil to be lanced – where the vast majority of us are just waiting for someone to take a sensible lead.

And the way to do it is to make life more difficult for the drinker – and when I say drinker, I don’t just mean the lager-fuelled lout or the alcopop addled teenager – I mean all of us.

I’m fed up of all sorts of expensive measures being put in place to pick up the pieces of other people’s lack of self-control. The aim has got to be to stop people regarding the act of getting completely hammered as an option for a night out, or even a night in.

So here are a few ideas to throw into the mix, for the PM to consider over a relaxing glass of wine one evening.

Number 1, ban all alcopops. Strong drink isn’t supposed to taste like lemonade.

Number 2, restrict the sale of all spirits to people over the age of 25. If I had my way I’d also make it illegal to use mixers to soften the taste of hard liquor, for the same reasons that alcopops have to go, but I do enjoy the occasional gin and tonic so that one will have to stay on the drawing board.

Number 3, by all means introduce a higher unit price for alcohol but don’t penalise those who enjoy a bracer but know when to stop – jack up the pub prices only after the first two drinks, introduce maximum purchase rules in supermarkets and the like just like they have for painkillers these days, and halt the sale of alcohol in containers larger than one litre, especially if we’re talking about super strength cider.

Number 4, forget street pastors and people being paid by the public purse to get drunk and incapable kids home safely. Employ them instead to wander town centres at closing time, corner people who have had a skinful, and paint their faces purple.

The paint should not be permanent, of course, but it should be pretty much immovable for a week or so as evidence of a bender that would last a lot longer, and be a lot more visible, to the world at large than a hangover.

Then it would be for the rest of us to bring peer pressure to bear, and sneer and snigger at the victims for long after whatever memory they had of a good night out had faded. Purple paint would make them pariahs, and we’d soon change their habits.

Blue Square Bet Premier

Barrow 1 (0) Luton Town 0 (0)

TOWN’S hopes of promotion fell flat as a pancake as they lost 1-0 to Barrow on a wretched evening in the north west last night, writes Mark Wood.

Victories for the top two of Fleetwood and Wrexham look to have all but killed off Luton’s automatic promotion hopes, while Alex-Ray Harvey’s late second half strike vanquished Hatters on as Barrow beat them for the first-ever time in the Conference, ending Town’s 13-match unbeaten league run.

Before kick off, Luton’s directors handed out scarves to the 70 travelling supporters who had made the mammoth journey to Holker Street where the crowd of 925 was Barrow’s lowest of the season.

Town made two changes from the team that beat Tamworth 3-0 at Kenilworth Road on Saturday.

Right-back Curtis Osano was ruled out through injury and John Paul Kissock dropped to the bench as in came Keith Keane at full-back with Craig McAllister leading the line.

Young keeper Lewis Kidd, meanwhile, was named on the bench following the shock retirement of Kevin Pilkington.

Hatters started with a strong wind at their backs and McAllister turned well in the opening moments but dragged his effort wide, while a flowing move saw Aaron O’Connor have his shot deflected over.

The conditions were having a telling influence on the game and Luton had another opportunity on 10 minutes when McAllister burst on to Janos Kovacs’ ball over the top but he could roll tamely at Shaun Pearson.

A Keane cross was then headed goalwards by McAllister but it was again too easy for Pearson, before the Hatters should have taken the lead on 20 minutes.

A good passing move ended in Greg Taylor picking out O’Connor in the six yard box but he could only glance his header straight at the keeper.

The tackles began to fly in midway through the half as the game developed some bite, while O’Connor and Stuart Fleetwood combined well on 25 minutes but Jake Howells was just unable to get on the end of the cross.

In a scrappy half, Luton were the only ones playing with any real quality as McAllister was just unable to connect with a hanging Howells cross.

The Bluebirds finally threatened after half an hour. Jack Mackreth having his effort blocked and the lively Richie Baker firing straight at Mark Tyler.

Another good chance went begging for the visitors 10 minutes before the break when O’Connor’s flick fell for McAllister, but the target man blasted wide of the mark.

With the wind at their backs Barrow looked a different side in the second half.

Andy Cook robbed Kovacs five minutes in but flashed wide when he should have found the net.

O’Connor had shouts for a penalty turned down just past the hour as the game continued to simmer, but there was little quality on a dreadful night.

Referee S Duncan was struggling to keep control of the game and Mackreth almost unlocked the Luton defence when he got in behind on 71 minutes, but his low cross went begging.

Accustomed to the conditions the hosts finally made the breakthrough two minutes later when the ball was pulled back to Harvey and his low shot crept inside the far post.

Substitute Kissock almost threaded Fleetwood through but he was just beaten to it by the keeper.

Town pushed for an equaliser as Kissock’s low free-kick was straight into Pearson’s midriff with two minutes to go.

The Bluebirds almost added a second in the last minute when Paul Rutherford wriggled free on the left and Cook would have found the bottom corner but for a combination of Tyler and the post.

Both sides squared up in the second minute of injury time and the final whistle soon followed as the Bluebirds’ victory was given a rapturous reception by the gleeful home supporters.

Bluebirds: Shaun Pearson, Paul Smith, Gavin Skelton, Phil Bolland (C), Danny Hone, Jack Mackreth, Richie Baker, James Owen, Alex-Ray Harvey, Andy Cook, Chris Turner (Paul Rutherford 67). Substitutes not used: Alex Cairns, Andy Nicholas, Andy Ferrell, Cliff Moyo.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Greg Taylor, Keith Keane, George Pilkington (C), Alex Lawless, Craig McAllister (John-Paul Kissock 80), Stuart Fleetwood, Aaron O’Connor, Jake Howells, Andre Boucaud (Adam Watkins 63), Janos Kovacs. Substitutes not used: Lewis Kidd, Danny Crow, Shane Blackett.

Bookings: Kovacs 30, Boucaud 56, Fleetwood 61.

Referee: S Duncan.

Assistant Referees: M Dicicco and S Hudson.

Fourth Official: K Mulraine.

Attendance: 925 (Hatters 70).

Star Hatter: Greg Taylor. Solid and forward thinking on a night where quality was at a premium.

For all the latest Luton Town FC news, reports, stats, player profiles, live match updates, prediction table and a complete fixture list, visit our {http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/hatters-microsite|Hatters Microsite|Click here for the Hatters Microsite}.

]]> 1.3545393 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:48:21 +0000 http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/lottery_award_for_dallow_primary_1_3544934

CHILD SAFETY is top of the list at Luton’s Dallow Primary School.

A £10,000 grant from the National Lottery’s Awards for All programme means they will be able to provide child safety advice as well as loan equipment such as safety gates and cupboard locks to parents.

A variety of community groups across the East of England will benefit from the awards, totalling £402,472

A NEW strategy to increase the number of passengers and staff travelling to Luton Airport by public transport has been announced.

The airport says it wants more than 40 per cent of people travelling to and from the airport to do so via public transport by 2017.

And it wants the proportion of staff travelling alone by car to and from the airport to be 60 per cent or lower by 2017.

Currently, 71 per cent of non-shift workers drive alone.

]]> 1.3541297 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:01:21 +0000 http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/boucaud_hoping_for_a_better_outcome_at_barrow_1_3544606

HATTERS midfielder Andre Boucaud is hoping for a better outcome when he takes to the field at Holker Street with Luton Town tonight, writes Mike Simmonds.

Back in November, when playing for York City, the 27-year-old was sent off in the 90th minute along with former Luton striker Jason Walker as the Minstermen were held to a 0-0 draw.

Boucaud, who impressed on his Hatters debut at the weekend, said: “I got sent off about three or four months ago there, so it’s not the greatest of places but that’s gone now.

“I’m at Luton now and I want to go and get three points for Luton.”

Speaking about the game with Barrow, who are still in with a shout of the play-offs themselves, Boucaud added: “It’s going to be difficult with the conditions of the ground and the pitch isn’t the greatest.

“But you have to stand up and be counted. You’ve got to go and get a result which is the main thing and I think we’ll do that.”

For all the latest Luton Town FC news, reports, stats, player profiles, live match updates, prediction table and a complete fixture list, visit our {http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/hatters-microsite|Hatters Microsite|Click here for the Hatters Microsite}.

]]> 1.3544606 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:11:25 +0000 http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/more_choice_for_senior_citizens_1_3541298

Just because you’re over 55 doesn’t mean giving up on life and going into a home.

Luton Borough Council runs several sheltered housing schemes which they describe as ‘an exciting and modern way of living.’

They will be manning a stand at Melson Square (near Mothercare) on Monday (February 27) between 9am and 5.30pm for people interested in finding out more.

The event has been organised jointly by the council and Age Concern Luton.

> For more details call 01582 546646.

BARROW have been one of the major surprise packages in the Blue Square Bet Premier this season, writes Mike Simmonds.

An 18th place finish with 50 points to their name last campaign, gave little impression of a potential promotion push this time round, but they are currently sitting pretty in 11th place, just two points from beating their previous points tally with 14 games to go.

Nabbing a play-off spot isn’t beyond them either as the Bluebirds are ony seven points behind another team many didn’t expect to feature at the top end of the table this year in Southport.

Off the pitch, the club have been in a period of change during the last few weeks with joint manager Darren Sheridan first suspended from his duties following an internal investigation and then swiftly leaving by mutual consent.

Sheridan had been part of a double act with former Luton defender Dave Bayliss for the past five years, leading the club into the Conference, but Bayliss has since confirmed he remains committed to the role.

Recent results have been up and down with Barrow beating Kettering at the weekend, but losing four of their last seven matches, including being dumped out of the FA Trophy at Wealdstone.

On home soil they remain an extremely tough proposition though as they haven’t lost in eight matches, and that was a 2-1 home defeat to League Two Rotherham United in the FA Cup on November 12.

You have to go back even further for the Bluebirds last home league defeat, a mightily impressive 11 games when they went down 3-2 to Mansfield on September 17.

Strikers Adam Boyes and Andy Cook have been in scintillating form, with Boyes on 14 in the league this year, and Cook netting 15.

The club have continued to strengthen too with former Accrington and Burscough winger Chris Turner signing after impressing in a practice match,

Burnley duo Alex-Ray Harvey and Joe Jackson also joined on loan, while Leeds goalkeeper Alex Cairns has been brought in on a month-long deal.

Games between the two sides haven’t exaclty produced a flurry of goals in recent times either, apart from the 5-1 demolition handed out by Luton at Kenilworth Road earlier this season.

Three out of the four times the sides have met in the Conference, Luton have won by just the single goal, with the other match ending 0-0.

Town have conceded just once in their last five meetings home and away, although Barrow did enjoy better luck when they were a Football League club, beating Hatters 2-1 and 3-0 back in the 1960s/70s.

Team news: Hatters are still without joint leading scorer Amari Morgan-Smith and midfielder James Dance, while defender Dan Gleeson is also struggling as is Curtis Osano who was substituted with a tight hamstring on Saturday.

Keith Keane, Dean Beckwith, Charlie Henry, Shane Blackett and Ed Asafu-Adjaye are all fit though while young keeper Lewis Kidd may be on the bench after Kevin Pilkington left to join Notts County as a goalkeeping coach on Monday.

For Barrow, Kelvin Lomax is available after his suspension, but Adam Boyes and Joe Jackson are both banned.

In charge: Dave Bayliss – Liverpudlian centre half who made his name at Rochdale, playing over 150 times for the club, before a spell on loan with the Hatters, where he made 37 appearances between 2001-2005.

Eventually moved to Barrow, where he became player manager in 2007 and has been an undeniable success, leading the club to the Conference and also an FA Trophy Final win over Stevenage in 2009.

View from the opposition: Manager Dave Bayliss - “We want to make sure our home ground is a fortress and to get to 10 wins is a really good achievement so far. But there is many more games to come and we have to make sure we get more wins.”

One to watch: Andy Cook – young striker who has been a revelation at Holker Street this season.

Started life at Carlisle before two loan moves to Barrow ended in a permanent deal in January 2011.

Began with a bang this season, notching a hat-trick in a shock 4-0 win over Fleetwood, before another treble followed against Hayes & Yeading.

Netted another two in the victory over Kettering on Saturday and has six in his last six games, making it 15 in 26 league appearances this season.

Last time out: Hatters battled their way to a 1-0 victory last season thanks to Matthew Barnes-Homer’s 37th minute winner.

The game saw a Town debut for midfielder Godfrey Poku against a Barrow side indluding former Luton striker Jason Walker.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Dan Gleeson, Freddie Murray, George Pilkington, Zdenek Kroca, Jake Howells, Claude Gnakpa (Godfrey Poku 66), Keith Keane, Andy Drury, Matthew Barnes-Homer (Taiwo Atieno 75), Danny Crow (Amari Morgan-Smith 60).

Attendance: 1,416.

For all the latest Luton Town FC news, reports, stats, player profiles, live match updates, prediction table and a complete fixture list, visit our {http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/hatters-microsite|Hatters Microsite|Click here for the Hatters Microsite}.

]]> 1.3544197 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:13:26 +0000 http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/kovacs_it_wasn_t_my_goal_1_3544016

OVERJOYED Janos Kovacs admitted his excitement got the better of him as he celebrated Francino Francis’ own goal like one of his own in Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Tamworth, writes Mark Wood.

Kovacs had already netted his third goal of the season to put Town 2-0 up, but conceded he had no claims over Francis’ late deflection.

On the number of goals he scored, the defender said: “One, just one. The second goal was an own goal so I just ran away to celebrate it, because as soon as I saw the ball was going into the net I was just happy and ran away and celebrated like it was my goal, but it was an own goal.”

For the full story, see the Luton News/Dunstable Gazette on sale tomorrow.

POLICE will put a rolling road block in place while the Highways Agency installs new gantries on the M1 on Friday night (February 24)

Traffic will be reduced to one lane in both directions between junctions 10 and 12 from 10pm, with the road block slowing down traffic and bringing it to a halt for 20 minutes while each gantry is lifted and bolted into place.

The road block will take place between midnight and 3am, when traffic flows are at their lowest, the agency says.

For updates visit www.highways.gov.uk

SQUATTING. It’s a word that creates fear and loathing among residential landlords.

Squatters move into empty properties and take over occupation without obtaining the permission of the owner, their agent or the person legally entitled to live there.

But the law on squatting could be about to change.

Towards the end of 2011 the government took action to make squatting a criminal offence by incorporating a new clause into the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill 2011.

The Bill is currently making its way through the House of Lords toward the Royal Assent needed to turn it into law.

It will, if passed, make anyone who enters a residential building as a trespasser and is living in the building, guilty of a criminal offence.

Adrian Mason, of agent Belvoir Luton, in Marsh Road, said: “It’s a very significant move and a welcome result for our industry.

“Squatting can have a devastating effect on a landlord’s business and it can be very difficult, time-consuming and expensive for them to remove squatters from their properties. Regaining possession can be a long and drawn out process and it creates real problems when trying to re-let a property to a potential new tenant.”

“While it is not necessarily widespread in our region, squatting has been a growing problem nationally and an issue we have taken a great deal of interest in, to help protect our landlord clients.”

Belvoir say it is almost impossible for landlords to successfully claim for damages, since the perpetrators more often than not have limited financial means.

In Scotland, squatting has been a criminal offence for over 150 years and anyone found guilty can be sentenced to up to 21 days in jail. But in England and Wales, owners have had to use civil courts to enforce their rights.

A 2010 UK Bailiff Company report found a 40 per cent rise in squatting eviction cases and a 132 per cent rise in squatting over a 15 year period.

Belvoir Luton, along with more than 140 other Belvoir offices throughout the UK, has backed a long-running campaign to change the law in England and Wales.

The campaign was spearheaded by the UK’s largest industry bodies, the National Landlords Association and the Residential Landlords Association.

Mr Mason added: “We welcome the government’s decision to criminalise squatting.

“We will continue to support the industry bodies – who are pushing for further clarification on issues surrounding immediate re-possession of property, so our clients can build their property portfolios without hindrance from unwanted trespassers.”

HATTERS boss Gary Brabin hasn’t ruled out changing a winning team when Luton travel to Barrow tonight, writes Mike Simmonds.

Town eased past Tamworth 3-0 in their Blue Square Bet Premier clash on Saturday, but after the game, the likes of Keith Keane, Craig McAllister, Dean Beckwith, Shane Blackett, Charlie Henry, Ed Asafu-Adjaye and Godfrey Poku all took part in a mini-training session on the deserted Kenilworth Road surface.

With an almost fully fit squad to choose from, bar Amari Morgan-Smith and James Dance, Brabin now has plenty of selection headaches to contend with.

He said: “The lads who played have got to do the right recovery, get themselves right and up for it.

“Then the lads who haven’t been involved, we need to get them right and vying for places as there’s no guarantee people will be keeping the shirts.

“I genuinely picked a side that I thought was worthy and capable of winning the (Tamworth) game.

“It was pleasing we’ve achieved that, but that’s not to say that we take the lads on the fringe of things lightly.

“We’ve got Craig McAllister who’s come on and did really well, he’s going to be vying for a spot as well as Keith Keane who was disappointed he wasn’t in the 16.

“Danny Crow is back fully fit, we’ve got Dean Beckwith and Shane Blackett, Craig Henry and Ed, so we’ve got some players on the fringe of things who are desperate to play football.

“That’s what I want so lets see how the preparation goes.”

The right back position could be a quandary for Brabin with Curtis Osano needing to be substituted early on at the weekend, but despite Dan Gleeson looking like he’ll miss out too, the boss has plenty of options.

He said: “It does help when we’ve got a settled back four. It’s just the right back position that seems to be the problem.

“Gleeson is definitely struggling and we’ll see how Curtis is. Hopefully we’ve brought him off in time, it’s not too much of a problem and if not we’ll assess the situation.”

On whether Keane coud slot straight back in at full back, Brabin continued: “Keith just wants to play football for the club, he doesn’t mind where he plays. I’m sure if he had a start on Tuesday he’d gladly take the right back shirt, but there’s a few things we’ve got to look at and Keith is certainly in our thoughts.”

Opponents Barrow have been in turmoil recently after joint-boss Darren Sheridan left the club by mutual consent after five years in charge at Holker Street.

The 44-year-old had been suspended by the Bluebirds for undisclosed reasons while the club launched an internal investigation.

Former Hatter Dave Bayliss is now in sole charge and Brabin, who signed striker Jason Walker from Barrow last season, said: “We’re quite friendly with both the management duo and I haven’t really had a lengthy conversation so I don’t know what’s gone on behind the scenes there.

“They’ve done well over the years, got Barrow back in this division, so I’m sure they’re both gutted about what happened, but I’m sure there’s a reason for it.

“David will be gutted losing his partner, but I’m sure he’ll relish doing it on his own as equally as he was doing it in a partnership.

“I’m sure he’ll be right up for this game.

“We’ve just got to take that out of the occasion, we know when we go up there, we’re another big scalp for them, and weve got to make sure we’re right.”

Town won 1-0 at Barrow last year, thanks to Matthew Barnes-Homer’s strike and this season, the Bluebirds have impressed, sitting in 11th position, still in with an outside shot of making the play-offs themselves.

Brabin added: “I’m expecting it to be tough. All the things which we’ve got to expect against teams who look at us as a big scalp. They’re going to make it hard for us, we know that’s the norm now.

“We’ve just got to rise above that and try and put in another performance like we did on Saturday and get the right result as well.

“I know a lot of their players, they’ve got some good players, so it’s not going to be easy but no game is in this league.

“I’m delighted with the last few games and the last few results and we’ve just got to continue that.”

For all the latest Luton Town FC news, reports, stats, player profiles, live match updates, prediction table and a complete fixture list, visit our {http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/hatters-microsite|Hatters Microsite|Click here for the Hatters Microsite}.

]]> 1.3542479 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:31:24 +0000 http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/menswear_collection_hits_the_catwalk_1_3541268

LOCAL designer Lewis-Duncan Weedon is showing his first menswear range at London Fashion Week.

The former Putteridge pupil who operates from his Stopsley atelier said: “I had such a large calling from clients I decided to do a menswear ready-to-wear collection.

“It’s a mix of loose-fit blazers, fitted tweed waistcoats and matching pants.”

He will also be featuring his latest womenswear look entitled ‘Russian princess meets Scottish lord.’

His fall and winter collection will be shown at the Montcalm Hotel in Marble Arch on Thursday (February 23) at 6.45pm.

Celebrity guests include Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon, musician Leee John, Harri from The Only Way is Essex and Kimberleigh from Britain’s Next Top Model.