Archived News
January 2006
Thieves get in through window
A quantity of cash was stolen when burglars broke into a house in Eaton Bray High Street on Sunday.
Police believe the raiders got into the property through a back bedroom window before making a search of the bedrooms while the owner was in another room.
The break-in took place some time between 1.30pm and 9pm and police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen someone loitering in the area.
Anyone with information should contact Pc Barbara Barron of the burglary response unit on 01234 741212.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 31 January 2006
Burglars steal three cars from driveway
A trio of nearly new cars worth more than £30,000 were snatched from the driveway of a house after thieves broke into the property to steal the ignition keys.
Intruders forced open a double-glazed front door some time between midnight and 6am yesterday (Monday) in Mill End Close, Eaton Bray and took a brief case plus the keys to a grey Vauxhall 1.4 Astra, a maroon 1.7 diesel Astra and a navy blue Vauxhall Corsa.
Leighton Police are hoping that the sound of the cars being started may have alerted neighbours and are appealing for witnesses.
Anyone with information should contact Pc Barbara Barron of the burglary response unit on 01234 741212.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 31 January 2006
Could you take a greyhound?
Nina Cole has launched an appeal for help for homeless greyhounds on her website after visiting a dog rescue centre to give a radio broadcast.
She went to the Blackberry Farm centre at AYlesbury to highlight the plight of discarded racing dogs on a three-minute Radio Nation spot produced by BBC Three Counties Radio.
"I went right round the centre with the kennel maids and I couldn't believe how many greyhounds and lurchers they had. And it's the same at so many dog rescue centres."
She is appealing for people to rehome greyhounds, which she says do not need excessive excercise - a common misconception.
"It's heartbreaking what happens to them if they don't succeed on the track. They are just turfed out by some owners, left to roam the streets and get knocked over," she said.
Mrs Cole has always been passionate about animal welfare.
She is please to report that her web appeal is having the desired results. "We get good feedback. I know we have helped quite a few dogs," she said.
In two or three years' time she would like to become more active in rescue work.
"I started the pet sitting business because of my love for animals and I stay active in caring for clients' pets. The day I'm stuck in the office is the day I'll probably give it all up," she said.
Take a look at the greyhound appeal on www.NinasNanniesForPets.co.uk.
Related Stories
- Nina's nannies sooth pet owners' worries
Animal lover Nina Cole's business could be described as sleepy but it's progressing by leaps and bounds.
Source: Business Monthly, January 2006
Nina's nannies sooth pet owners' worries
Animal lover Nina Cole's business could be described as sleepy but it's progressing by leaps and bounds.
The firm provides 'home helps' for pet owners who do not want to put their animals or birds into care if they leave home for any length of time.
But Mrs Cole, 49, of Cantilupe Close, Eaton Bray, takes her service way beyond dog walking or pop-in visits to feed the cat.
She provides carers who are prepared to sleep over at the client's home for days, or even weeks, while they are away.
Nina's Nannies for Pets has almost 400 regular clients concentrated in Beds, Herts and Bucks but steadliy spreading to far-flung places.
The toital would be even higher if she could find more men and women able and willing to join her roll call of nannies.
"It requires mature people with a certain amount of freedom from family responsibilities," said Mrs Cole, a dedicated champion of animals who spent a year studying the wolves at Whipsnade Park in the late 1980s.
She started her nannies service eaight years ago.
She said: "I saw unfortunate results when cats and dogs came out of kennels and catteries and thought there must be an alternative for people who don't want the stress of leaving animals in strange places when they go on holiday.
"A nanny service was the obvious solutions, with the added benefit of providng home security as well as keeping the pets in the surroundings they were used to."
The hardest thing is trying to find the right calibre of nannies.
"We look for people aged 40 plus for obvious reasons. Our clients really don't want younger people living in their homes," she said.
Ninas Nannies advertises but typically gets its recruits through "a friend of a friend". People get in touch and if they pass stringent vetting by the Criminal Records Bureau they are welcomed on to the team.
The business has a high reputation. Mrs Cole said: "We get rung up by police officers, judges, vets and councillors among many other types of client."
Being an animal nanny is a very responsible job. Most house sitting involves looking after chickens, dogs, cats or rabbits but it can be more challenging. Pythons and Bearded Dragon lizards need a careful approach, for example.
Mrs Cole, who runs the business with her husband Doug, said: "One of my ladies looks after a menagerie. Dogs, cats, donkeys, a horse and reptiles."
Nannies become trusted family friends over time and understand the client's affection for pets, which may have been a part of their lives for many years.
"Think of parrots. They can live for a very long time and people get very close to them," said Mrs Cole.
Nina's nannies don't get together very often because of the calls on their services but the 2005 Christmas party had some hilarious moments. Mrs Cole said: "We heard some remarkable stories. You'd be amazed at some of the things people have to share a bed with - one chap had to sleep next to a St Bernard!"
But if that is the requirement then you have to do it because that's what the owner pays for.
The nannies learn to take these oddities in their stride. Most enjoy their unusual work immensely.
When the organisation takes on a client, there is an induction process for the owner.
The nannies have to check all the pet's equipment. If the client offers a lead that is worn or with any sign that it would break, it has to be replaced. "We cannot let dogs off the lead. Our insurance would not be valid if a dog gets run over because he was off the lead. Fortunately, it has never happened," said Mrs Cole.
The organisation carries generous third party insurance against damage as well. If an expensive vase accidentally gets knocked over if would be paid for.
Mrs Cole's business started with pet sitting and dog walking. It was clients asking for overnight sitting that alerted Mrs Cole to the niche the organisation now occupies.
"We still do daily visiting and occasional dog walks but the live-in sitting is hugely popular. So many people say I wish I had heard of you before."
Nina's nannies are active in Beds, Herts, Bucks and expanding in Brighton, the new Forest and Hampshire and Devon.
Mrs Cole said: "I even had someone in California call wanting an English nanny for their twobeagles. We were fully booked but I took the call as a huge compliment."
Experience with animals is obviously an advantage for nannies but major problems seldom arise.
Mrs Cole said: "It's very rare to see an animal you don't thing is being looked after properly. Our clients, who want the very best for their animals when they go away, are real animal lovers."
Nina's Nannies for Pets can be contacted via their website: www.NinasNanniesForPets.co.uk
Related Stories
- Could you take a greyhound?
Nina Cole has launched an appeal for help for homeless greyhounds on her website after visiting a dog rescue centre to give a radio broadcast.
Source: Business Monthly, January 2006
Mystery of 200-mile wanderer
A Devon cat which vanished from its Exmouth home two months ago has been reunited with his loving family thanks to microchipping.
Barney was living as a stray in Eaton Bray and was taken to the Ark House Veterinary Surgery in Hockliffe Street, Leighton Buzzard, where he was routinely scanned by vet Caroline Goulton.
Caroline said the man who took Barney in had planned to adopt him, but decided to have the moggy checked over just in case someone, somewhere, was looking for him.
It was a suprise to everyone to learn that Barney was more than 200 miles away from home. How he got here remains a mystery and Barney's not telling, but speculation is that he accidentally stowed away on a delivery van or similar vehicle.
"People had been feeding him and he was in good health," said Caroline.
"We have so many cats brought in who are not microchipped and it's so nice that he is going home. It really does show that it is well worth considering."
Caroline contacted Barney's owners, Debbie Percy and Mike Horn, who were amazed to learn that he was alive and well and living in South Beds.
"It was just the most fantastic news," said Mike. "Debbie is a teacher at a local school and when I telephoned to tell her Barney had been found you could hear her squeals of delight echoing up and down the corridors.
"We thought we had lost him forever when suddenly the phone rings and he is coming home."
They made arrangements for Mike to collect the missing pet. Mike said one-year-old Barney loves to go walkabout and it wasn't until he had been missing for three days that they began to worry.
"We did all the usual things, walked the streets putting up posters, asked everyone we knew if they had seen him, but he;d gone.
"We really missed him, Benji our son missed him, Bramble and Blackberry, and Badger the dog missed him too.
"Now we're all delighted and looking forward to a big reunion."
Source: Dunstable Gazette, 25 January 2006
Fake gasmen con elderly couple
Police are urging homeowners to look after their elderly neighbours after a couple in Eaton Bray fell victim to distraction thieves on Friday evening.
A man in his 80s and his wife were disturbed by two men who claimed there had been a gas explosion.
They got into the pensioners' home and went from room to room supposedly turning the couple's gas supply off. When they finally left a wallet and jewellery was missing.
Beds Police spokesman, Dave Cook, said: "We would like to speak to anyone who saw these men. We would also ask neighbours to look out for their elderly neighbours and make sure they are all right.
"Guard against these types of thefts by not opening the door to strangers no matter what excuse they give. Use a spy hole and key chain and ask for identification. if in doubt keep them out and call us."
One thief was described as white, 5ft 4ins, thin, with an Irish accent, short brown hair and wearing a long navy blue coat, woolly gloves amd carrying a mobile phone. His partner was 5ft 7ins and of stocky build.
Anyone with information should call the burglary response unit on 01582 473229 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
Police are also warning people living in Eaton Bray to be on their guard after a spate of thefts from outbuildings and gardens.
On Thursday afternoon a garage in Knight's Close was damaged and sometime over the next 24-hours two pedal cycles were stolen from a neighbouring garden.
Beds Police spokesman, Dave Cook, said: "We'd remind residents that items of value should never be left in a garden but stored away in a building with secure locks.
"People should check all outbuildings to make sure they are adequately secured."
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 24 January 2006
Romcom at village hall
The next film to be screened in Eaton Bray Village Hall will be The Wedding Singer (12 certificate).
Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore star in the film.
It will be shown at the hall at 2pm on Monday.
Tickets are £3.50. Call the box office on 01525 220 227.
Source: Dunstable Gazette, 11 January 2006
Parish Council Minutes - January 2006
A summary of this month's meeting, along with a downloadable copy of the full minutes is now available from the Parish Council website.
Minutes of Meeting: Monday 9th January 2006Source: Eaton Bray Parish Council