See the weekly online edition www.facebook.com/RosettaPublishingLtd/
ONLINE EDITION
Thursday November 1, 2018
ALLEGATIONS OF RACIST CHANTS BY SUPPORTERS – GROUNDLESS!
NatioNal media reporting of alleged racism by football fans at a hatters home game has left luton feeling “unfairly tarnished” yet again, #saveourtown said yesterday.
The campaign group released a strongly worded statement following claims that black Accrington Stanley players were racially abused during last week’s match against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road. A BBC Radio Lancashire commentator claimed he heard alleged racist remarks towards one player, while an assistant BBC Sport producer, who was watching the game from the away end of the stadium, said on Twitter that monkey chants were directed at another member of the Accrington team. Luton Town launched a thorough investigation and chief executive Gary
by Geoff Cox
Sweet said this week that “absolutely no evidence of racial abuse of any kind has been found”. Nigel Green, chairman of #saveourtown, which is promoting the Power Court and Newlands Park regeneration schemes, said: “Racism of any kind must be exposed so it was quite right that police should be made aware and allowed to investigate any allegation, as they continue to do. UNFAIRLY TARNISHED “What is not acceptable is the reporting of such allegations as fact from certain national media outlets. Yet again, Luton has felt unfairly tarnished and we completely understand the strength of feeling among fans and local people, particularly those that were at the game, in reacting to this reporting.”
Mr Green said that while #saveourtown is campaigning for physical transformation that will come from Newlands Park and Power Court, with this also comes the chance to change perceptions of Luton. “We believe our town is strongest when it stands as one, and we are proud of our record of engaging with the culturally diverse communities that make up our town,” he added. “This is a common goal we share with Luton Town Football Club who, with 2020 at the helm over the last ten years, has garnered a track record and reputation for inclusiveness, which has been exceptional. “Their community and charity initiatives and programmes have included regular initiatives with KickItOut – football’s equality and inclusion organisation – and excellent links with Continued on page 4
Loving Luton
BEdFORd College LOVES Luton. The region’s No. 1 provider of apprenticeship and professional training is winning over new employers every week in the boom town of Bedfordshire. With international companies like Vauxhall offering fantastic job opportunities locally, and working with The Bedford College Group for training, they lead the way in working with the top team. Led by director Gina Bubbins, the college’s Business development Team are the conduit between employers, Government grants and the most eager would-be employees in the county. “We have been working with the biggest and best employers in the South of the county for years, but as Luton takes off with some any exciting developments at the
airport and elsewhere, we are forming more great alliances,” said Gina. A dedicated Luton business development manager Mark Livingstone is on the road meeting managers who need advice on apprenticeships and advanced training for staff. He reports into Head of Business development Rosetta Triolo who is well known from her years at Heart Radio and Central Bedfordshire Council. Together with the rest of The Bedford College Group team they have their sights firmly set on securing Luton business. “Bedford College understands the needs of businesses and employers, we work with them and to their timetables and have the expertise to guide companies through the everchanging Government funding
Continued on page 6
Policing Minister’s visit to Luton to discuss tackling serious violence
Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Kathryn holloway, welcomed the Minister for Policing and the fire service, Nick hurd, to discuss the issue of gangs, guns and knife crime in the county at the home office’s first serious Violence event outside the capital.
The PCC and Minister also chaired a roundtable discussion to hear directly from victims who have lost loved ones, as well as from former gang members. Over 125 people attended the conference in Luton on Thursday October 25, arranged by the Home Office with the help of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire. Colleagues from
Community Safety Partnerships including police, health, education, social services and youth offending services were among those who attended along with representatives of communities in violence hotspots around the county, since Bedfordshire is currently ranked fifth in England for the number of knife offences from 2017 to 2018. The delegates were invited to share their experiences and brainstorm ideas on how to tackle the growing national issue of serious violence, “It was important to me that the Minister heard for himself how far we have come in recognising the problem and agreeing to work together to tackle a threat which is taking the lives of our young people. When I
Continued on page 6