A collection of tech-savvy, table-turning disc jockeys are throwing community spirit into their mix by working with charity.

The Hemel Hempstead and London-based group NoFaking, run by Denis Walker, is sponsored by charity Survive On Our Streets, who help prisoners move away from a life of crime.

Denis said: “For us, it’s about changing negative thoughts into positive ones. Our parties are about good vibes and leaving any attitude people may have at the door.”

The group performs at Cheri’s Bar on Marlowes. Follow @Nofakingever on Twitter for more.

Reigning World and Olympic road race Champion Marianne Vos will take part in The Women’s Tour this May – Britain’s first UCI ranked international stage race for women.

The news marks the first high profile rider announcement for the inaugural race, with Vos’ Rabobank Liv team currently ranked number one in the UCI’s world rankings.

Vos will be returning to compete on British roads for the first time since winning Olympic gold in London 2012.

The Dutch rider is widely acknowledged as the greatest ever female cyclist, having won world titles on the road, track and in cyclo-cross, plus Olympic gold in the former two.

Commenting on The Women’s Tour, which forms an important part of her 2014 race programme, Vos said: “It’s great that we get a big new stage race on our calendar with The Women’s Tour.

“The times that I’ve raced in Great Britain – with of course the London Olympic Games fresh in my mind – I have been amazed by the huge crowds and the enthusiastic people.

“I’m sure it will be a fantastic event and I’m looking forward to competing here with the best riders from all over the world.”

The Women’s Tour will take place over five stages between Wednesday, May 7 and Sunday, May 11 – beginning in Northamptonshire with an opening stage from Oundle to Northampton.

Leicestershire, Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire will all host subsequent stages in the event, before the final stage finish in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

Herts Baseball Club has reacted quickly after the rejection of the Herts Raptors’ bid to be promoted to the Double-A League.

As a result of the decision, the club has appointed Herts Raptors manager Arnie Longboy as the joint Hawks manager.

This means the Hawks will have three co-managers in 2014 – Longboy, Andy Cornish and Greg Bochan.

The Hawks will play in the Double-A League, which is where the Raptors were hoping to be this season.

But after their application was rejected, the Hawks will be the team which Herts will use for players who are most suited to the standard of the Double-A League.

A club spokesman indicated that Herts does not know which aspects of the entry criteria for the Double-A League were not met, but has asked the BBF for some feedback on this so that the club can put together a much stronger bid in the future.

Nobody wants to spend too much time contemplating their own mortality – but far too many of us ignore the inevitable, and that can just cause more heartache for those we leave behind.

It’s estimated that around 30 million people in the UK haven’t yet made a will – and that includes a third of the people aged 55 and over.

Nearly everyone knows what they want to happen with their estate – they just haven’t got round to making it official.

But that can cause all sorts of problems – your estate could be tied up in red tape, your wishes might not be followed if the government takes on the job and has to follow strict rules about who should get what. A common law partner could be frozen out, for example.

Charities regularly team up with local lawyers to encourage people to make that all-important step.

And next month the Northchurch-based Hospice of St Francis is helping local people to make a will with its annual Make a Will Month this March.

Solicitors across its catchment area taking part in the scheme will waive or reduce their fees for preparing a standard will in lieu of a donation to the hospice.

Last year the fundraiser contributed more than £4,000 to the charity’s coffers.

Hospice trusts and major gifts manager Kate Rogers said: “I meet many people who just haven’t got round to making a will yet but it’s a big thing on their ‘to do’ lists.

“Our Make A Will month is a prompt to encourage people to think about their future wishes to ensure their assets and wishes are safeguarded for family and friends.

“We are very grateful to the nine participating solicitors in Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead and other towns who are happy to guide individuals through the process, making it as straightforward as possible.

“Make A Will month is not about leaving all your money to the hospice, but if you do want to include a gift to help fund our work it’s a lovely way of helping others from your local community in the future.”

Chris Jacobs, 66, from Tring, is one person who has done exactly that. Chris, who is also a fundraiser for the hospice, said: “I made my will during Make A Will month and decided to leave a legacy to the hospice because my father died in a hospice 20 years ago, and it nearly closed shortly afterwards through lack of funds, which would have been terrible.

“Over the years, I’ve known so many people who have benefitted from the care and support the Hospice of St Francis provides – not just patients but their families, friends and carers.

“There’s no better care and support and you never know when you might need it.

“We’re all going to float away on our clouds one day – how, when or where we don’t know, but it’s nice to know your money will help others to be cared for after you’ve gone.”

James Houghton from Austins Penny & Thorne in Berkhamsted added: “We are delighted to support this. We so often see the unfortunate consequences of intestacy.

“Making a will ensures your loved ones are protected whatever happens, and with the future assured you can concentrate on living.”

You can make appointments at Austins Penny & Thorne, Sumner & Tabor or Harrowell and Atkins in Berkhamsted, KK Law and Witts Moloney in Hemel Hempstead and Taylor Walton in St Albans and Harpenden.

Details of other law firms which are taking part can be found online at www.stfrancis.org.uk/MAW.

The rascals at the Reduced Shakespeare Company don’t just take the rise out of the Bard with their breakneck reboots of classic texts.

Now they’re having a crack at the greatest story ever told – and their take on The Bible will be on stage at The Ark Theatre in Borehamwood next month.

The Bible: The Complete word of God (Abridged) promises an irreverent romp through the highlights of the good book.

The show will be at The Ark on Thursday, March 6 – call 01224 641 122 for box office details of visit www.thearktheatre.co.uk.

The show, written by Adam Long, Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor, follows in the company’s proud tradition of taking long, serious subjects and reducing them to short, sharp comedies.

Since 1981, the bad boys of abridgement have created eight stage shows, two television specials, several failed TV pilots and numerous radio pieces – all of which have been performed, seen, and heard the world over.

The Bible is one of the cornerstone shows of the company’s repertoire and has been a long-running West End success story.

The Borehamwood date is part of a nationwide tour and The Ark is the appropriate venue if you want to see them tackle big questions like whether Adam and Eve had navels, did Moses really look like Charlton Heston and why isn’t the word ‘phonetic’ spelled the way it sounds?

The trio at the heart of the show promise that whether you are Christian or atheist, Muslim or Jew, agnostic or Jedi, you will be tickled by this romp through old time religion.

A Hemel Hempstead snapper has been named as one of the UK’s top 10 people photographers for 2013.

At a ceremony for the Guild of Professional Photographers Awards this month, Nina Mace celebrated the accolade, which was hotly contested with more than 10,000 images entered into the competition.

Nina, who photographs people in Boxmoor Trust land, said: “I have had a wonderful year meeting new families and I am so proud to have won a place in the Top 10 with such a reputable organisation.” Visit Nina Mace Photography on Facebook for more.

A team of schoolboys from Dacorum are celebrating after reaching the regional finals of the Danone Nations Cup, the world’s biggest football tournament for 10 to 12-year-olds.

The Dacorum SFA U11 team – who are representing Hertfordshire – are now just two stages away from a dream trip to Brazil to represent England in the Danone Nations Cup world final.

Dacorum successfully progressed from the county knockout rounds of the tournament earlier this month and will now compete in the regional finals of the tournament, which are being held at Chigwell School in Essex in March.

Regional winners will go on to compete in a national final where the champions will earn a place in the world finals that take place in Brazil in October.

Each year, 2.5m children worldwide take part in the competition, which has former France and Real Madrid captain Zinedine Zidane as international ambassador.

Around 3,000 schools competed in the English leg run by the English Schools’ Football Association.

The Danone Nations Cup is an unique FIFA approved tournament which has been given the government’s Inspired by 2012 seal of approval and represents a once in a lifetime opportunity for young players.

It is an annual highlight in Danone’s ongoing programme of support for healthy lifestyles through education, fun and fairplay, which includes its Eat Like A Champ healthy eating initiative.

Former Tottenham, Liverpool and England centre-back John Scales, an ambassador of the tournament said: “I am so proud to have so closely supported the Danone Nations Cup for almost 10 years now.

“It’s a truly remarkable project that brings joy to thousands of kids nationally. Being active, eating well, having fun and working hard as part of a team are fundamental pillars of influencing the many that participate.”

Charlotte Broos, CSR manager at Danone, added: “Congratulations to Dacorum SFA. They have had a great tournament so far and we hope the children are enjoying this unique mix of football, friendship and fairplay.”

Adult rugby fans are being given the chance to live the life of a Saracens player and to experience what it would be like to be a part of the team.

FC Sport Experiences, producer of unique immersive sport experiences, debuts its Live the Dream Saracens Fantasy Rugby Experience at Allianz Park from March 20 to 23.

FC Sport Experiences managing director Mike Mahoney is producing the event which he describes as the ultimate in fan engagement.

Similar to the Sports Fantasy Camps that have proven popular in America for professional and collegiate sports teams, this four-day experience provides a full immersion in the club’s history, culture and operations.

“It is very exciting to introduce this premium live-the-dream experience to Europe,” said Mahoney. “The Saracens Fantasy Rugby Experience will immerse adult rugby fans of all ages, abilities and fitness levels in an active way.”

“We are fortunate to be working with Saracens and its hospitality, merchandise and rugby development teams to create a realistic experience of being in the team.

“The experience is being staged at Allianz Park and we will make use of its state-of-the-art synthetic pitch along with its world-class conference and events facilities.

“Some great hospitality will be offered so that participants will enjoy a complete range from taking part on pitch to fantastic dining and social evenings.”

From classroom strategy and tactical briefings to on-pitch training sessions, participants will build towards their own realistic match at Allianz Park with full match day production and an exclusive match day hospitality experience at Wembley for the Saracens-Harlequins derby.

Housed at a Saracens choice hotel, campers will also enjoy dinners with guest speakers featuring club executives, coaches and former players.

To register for a place on the experience, please visit http://fcsportexperiences.com/events/saracens-rugby-march-2014

Seven month old duo Piper and Leo are looking for a home together with someone who can give them the time needed to settle in.

To find out more contact Cats Protection by calling 0845 371 1851 or {http://www.cats.org.uk/dacorum|click here}

Short tailed collie cross dog Martin is between five and seven years old.

He is a good natured, well behaved dog who likes having his tummy tickled.

Martin is popular with rescue centre volunteers who have lots of fun taking him out for walks in the woods.

Now he just needs someone to fall in love with him and offer him a forever home.

To find out more call the Chilterns Dog Rescue Society on 01296 623885 or {http://www.cdrs.org.uk|click here}

I’ve visited Florida’s Gulf Coast many times, writes Ruth Brindle.

It’s a favourite destination of mine, but I’ve always been searching for that perfect place in the sun, that little bit of paradise that has the best of both worlds – a laid back, unhurried atmosphere, perfect beach and sea plus a smattering of great dining and fun things to do. Now I’ve found it.

After a few days of full-on activity in the theme parks of Orlando, my husband and I set off for the coast and, while many Brits head for Clearwater and St Petersburg, Nick and I were keen to go further south to one of the Gulf’s barrier islands, Anna Maria.

Just two and a half hours from Orlando, this is near enough to the mainland to be connected by bridges, and makes a perfect retreat.

Anna Maria is seven miles long and in places you can even see from one side to the other. The sea is an inviting light green and the laid-back lifestyle feels like going back in time.

There are no high-rise buildings – three stories is the highest allowed, with white sand, clear waters, relaxed dining, superb seafood and the chance to do, well, absolutely nothing.

On our first visit to the island two years ago we stayed in a spotless and spacious, tropical-themed apartment at the Tortuga Inn Beach Resort (www.annamariaislandresorts.net) which overlooked the bay area and was just across the road from its own private beach.

With a large sitting room, lanai, large kitchen, utility room and even, my favourite, a spa bath, we felt pampered. You can also choose motel rooms here, and studios.

But we opted for the ultimate beach base in the penthouse apartment of sister property named, appropriately enough, Seaside.

Now luxury is different for each of us and it’s often difficult to define in accommodation, but, for me, the sheer luxury of an uninterrupted sea view through floor to ceiling windows and a purely private space on the beach with my own designated, cushioned lounger is luxury indeed. The ultimate chill-out zone.

This is definitely not a party island – quiet time between 10pm and 7am is written in law!

But it is a haven for US and Canadian ‘snowbirds’ – those lucky, retired older generation who come down for extended stays in the sun during the worst of the winter months.

That makes peak season here from mid-February to April, and not the summer months.

The apartment is the ideal place to watch the spectacular sunsets each evening. This is not only enjoyable, but a virtual commandment here on the island with one beachfront restaurant running a regular competition to guess the exact time the sun goes down.

Any number of excellent, casual eateries – such as the Beach House, The Sandbar or Bridge Street Bistro offer a ringside seat for this daily marvel, but make sure you book, as everyone has the same idea!

Then immerse yourself in the full panorama of pink and orange hues while sipping your wine and tucking into the freshest of seafood such as grouper, snapper, swordfish or coconut shrimp, steak or many other filling delights.

For a breakfast on the beach we had only a short walk to the Gulf Drive Café and Tiki, where I had fresh fish for breakfast too and we shared a plate of hot pancakes, the size of which threatened to defeat us both.

But the Tortuga Inn has a very handy place to eat, too – operated by chefs from the Island Crêperie on Bridge Street, another place to find small shops and more restaurants on the island.

Le Petit Café Tortuga offers takeaway breakfast, specializing in crêpes, lunchtime paninis, salads, and desserts as well as classic French-inspired main meals for the evening. It’s a great way to eat well if you don’t want to book a restaurant or cook for yourself.

But if you do want to go exploring and don’t want to drive, the free trolley service runs the length of the island, every 20 minutes, or as near as ‘island time’ allows.

This excellent service was the idea of businessman and owner of Anna Maria Island Resorts, David Teitelbaum.

Money from the trolley’s advertising goes to local charities within the close-knit community. And whenever you visit the island there is likely to be a community event going on.

Anna Maria’s first ever chalk festival was a great diversion from the delights of the beach with artists from all over the US creating art works on the road along Pine Avenue accompanied by music, food and fun pirate activities for the young at heart.

This was also an opportunity to have a look around the many small, independent shops in the area.

At AMI Outfitters I met lovely couple Steve and Yetta Traves, who have everything you need for the outdoor life here in Florida – clothes to protect you from all elements of the sun, clothes to go fishing in, fishing gear – even kayaks and paddle boards.

Steve, a former professional photographer and outdoor industry expert, told me he takes parties on fly-fishing trips and even yoga sessions on paddle boards. Great for those with good core muscles!

Just like me he and his wife had come to Anna Maria on holiday, loved it, and couldn’t wait to get back.

Now they live close by on the mainland and run a thriving store in a charming, former 1930s ‘kit’ home and it was here that I booked a fishing trip, something I’d been dying to do.

Steve came out, together with Captain Bill Ware Jr on the Damn Yankee. This is a great boat both for the less salty seafarer such as myself and the experienced fisherman alike as it is comfortable, has shelter and even a loo.

Bill takes four, six and eight-hour trips to spots he knows you’ll find fish in abundance. Other fishermen have been known to follow him to the hot locations.

We headed an hour out, which is seven miles from the island, and stopped over a man-made reef.

Bill cast out for me using live shrimp and small fish as bait and, after a time of just ‘feeding’ the fish without hooking them, I started to get the hang of this sea angling lark and pulled in some beauties.

Some, like the 10Ib Gag Grouper I battled to pull in, had to be put back in the sea as, they were not big enough to be ‘keepers’ and stocks have to be replenished.

My aim was to bring in enough Key West snapper for our fish supper that night. You can’t get fresher than that.

But I was also excited to catch a baby shark and a Puffer fish. Bill is used to much bigger specimens, but I was more than happy.

Bill filleted my brace of snapper himself, watched eagerly by some hungry-looking egrets back at the marina and then Nick and I set off for the Mar Vista Restaurant and Pub, a touch of ‘old Florida’ set in a pretty setting on the back bay of Longboat Key, where I handed them over for them to prepare.

It seemed a bit presumptuous to ask the chef to cook fish he hadn’t bought himself, but apparently this is a common practice on the island.

A short while later we were presented with our family-style meal with basket loads of fries and other goodies and, of course, our melt-in-the-mouth fish. Fantastic, and only a very short drive back to our accommodation.

In fact, nowhere is far away here. And with one main road you can’t get lost. A couple of minutes’ drive from the apartment is a big Publix supermarket for all your self-catering needs and lots of small shops dotted around the island.

There are three separate areas on the island, Bradenton Beach in the south, where Seaside sits closest to the waves, Holmes Beach and Anna Maria itself with its 100-year-old city pier.

You can explore the island on foot, on a bike, and even by kayak. As well as my fishing trip I ventured out in a kayak with my guide Captain Scott, on a gentle and relaxing trip along the island’s man-made canal and out into the bay, watched by some bored-looking, but ever-present pelicans.

We spotted a white ibis, plenty of jumping fish and heron along the way. But Scott told me he has also often spotted dolphins.

But you can’t come to Florida without indulging in some outlet shopping which we found just 20 minutes’ drive away on the mainland at Ellenton Premium Outlets.

Get your fill of bargains from 130 stores, everything from jeans and trainers to designer watches. Not a rival to Orlando’s offering of malls, but well worth a visit.

Stocking up on jeans and trainers was an unwelcome reminder that we were soon to fly home to a cold and grey welcome. It was so hard to leave this gorgeous barrier island. But we’ll be back.

The well-kept secret is out. But, please, keep it to yourself, as we don’t want Anna Maria to get too crowded!

To find out more about the four Anna Maria Island Resorts’ properties and how to book your stay direct at – Tortuga Inn, Seaside, Tropic Isle or Tradewinds, visit, www.annamariaislandresorts.net

A package for seven nights at Seaside Beach Resort on Anna Maria Island costs from £1,425 per person based on two people sharing on a room-only basis, including return international flights on British Airways from London Heathrow to Tampa and car hire. Valid for departures in May 2014. For more information or to book, visit www.americaasyoulikeit.com or call 020 8742 8299.

For more information on the area, visit: www.bradentongulfislands.com and www.VISITFLORIDA.com for information on the Sunshine State.

To book a fishing trip, contact AMI Outfitters Coastal Gear & Apparel. Captain Bill’s trips are booked through the shop, and the booking service is free. Damn Yankee Charter rates are: $450 (£270) for four hours, $650 (£390) for six hours and $850 (£508) for eight hours, for up to four people, www.facebook.com/AMIOutfitters, www.amioutfitters.com

“If this relationship is going to work out between us I need to feel free to party with a bunch of strangers whenever I feel like it... I will text you.” It’s not the sort of thing you would expect Batman to say, is it?

Are you the type of person who carefully follows the instruction sheet for each Lego model you own? Does the thought of a missing piece or a freestyle creation that is completely off the instruction sheet disturb you?

Or are you a ‘Master Builder’ who can see incredible machines, awesome vehicles and madcap gadgets in any given random pile of Lego bricks?

These are the two types of people who clash in The Lego Movie – and only one can win the day…

Meet Emmet Brickowski (Chris Pratt), an ordinary construction worker mini-figure in Lego City who is careful to follow the instruction sheet for his life. Everything is awesome for him until one day when he discovers that he is actually ‘the special’ – the Lego figure destined to save the world and thwart the evil tyrant, Lord Business (Will Ferrell).

Lord Business plans to glue every last piece of Lego into place, preventing any future deviation from the instruction sheets – and stamp out any creativity for all time.

Emmet is going to need all the help he can get and that gives the filmmakers licence to go wild with cameos from a host of Lego characters from across a wealth of franchises. Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, DC Comics, Star Wars, 1980s ‘classic Lego’ and more collide in a superb, surprisingly subversive and highly awesome adventure comedy for all the family.

The action is frenetic and the plot zips along at breakneck speed.

There are visual jokes and pop-culture references aplenty and the visuals are eye-popping throughout.

Morgan Freeman leads the AAA supporting cast that includes Elizabeth Banks, Channing Tatum, Alison Brie, Liam Neeson, and Billy Dee Williams (yes, playing his Star Wars Lando character).

It’s Will Arnet as Batman who steals the show – but props to Jonah Hill, hilarious as the Superman- bothering Green Lantern.

If you’ve ever played with Lego you will find something here to please you.

The clever screenplay from directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (who you might know from Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs) keeps this from being just a massive product placement. Don’t deny yourself this fun visual treat.

Adam Toone pounced deep into stoppage time to earn a point for Tring Athletic against a resilient Holmer Green side.

It was a far from vintage display from Tring after their midweek win over high flying Ampthill Town, but Toone’s late header ensured the game finished 1-1 at The Grass Roots Stadium.

Athletic made the brighter start of the two sides and half chances were squandered by Toone and Graham Hall, before the latter was fed by Chris Vardy and forced an excellent save from Green keeper Dan Little.

The visitors had barely threatened the Tring goal, but they pounced in the 32nd minute to open the scoring with their first real attempt of the game.

Tring lost possession on the right wing, and Ashley Kelynack raced forward to set up the unmarked Dean Powles who calmly slotted the ball home.

The goal signalled a clear shift in momentum, and Holmer started to dominate proceedings as the game went on.

With 15 minutes to go Tring were kept in the game by two brilliant saves from keeper Liam Watson who denied Powles and then Dean Allen from point blank range.

With the last throw of the dice Tring brought on Ryan Sturges for Haris Hodzic, and the change made a difference as the hosts pushed forward for an equaliser.

Vardy saw one effort saved and another shot cannon back off the bar, while Toone had a header cleared off the line as Tring looked set for defeat.

To their credit, though, the hosts continued to battle and the equaliser finally arrived in the 97th minute as Sturges crossed for Toone to head home his first goal for the club to rescue a point.

Leverstock Green showed no signs of rustiness as they returned from a spell of 35-days without a game to confidently dispatch Hadley 3-0.

Neither side managed to create much in the opening 30 minutes, but Levy made the breakthrough on the half-hour mark as new signing Liam Hind delivered an excellent cross into the box and Shakir Agada got there before Hadley keeper Tom Le Tissier to stab the ball home.

The goal gave Green a visible confidence boost and for the remainder of the half they played some very good football.

The visitors deserved a second goal, and they were gifted a chance to get it in the 40th minute as a rash challenge from Rafaele Kaphouris brought down Billy Smith inside the box.

The referee awarded the penalty and Lee Gardner made no mistake from the spot to send his side into the break with a 2-0 lead.

Levy picked up where they had left off in the first half as they added a third goal in the 49th minute.

Hind was involved again as he crossed for Agada, who couldn’t get a shot away himself, but laid the ball back to the edge of the box where Harry Henley met it and coolly drove a low shot into the corner of the net.

The game somewhat petered out after that as Leverstock were assured of the points and their solid backline faced little threat.

Kieron Jimmy only had one real save to make in the game, and that was a smart stop from Dave Pigden in the last minute to maintain his clean sheet.

Green are back in action on Friday night as they visit Hatfield Town.

An early goal from Alex Campana was enough for ten-man Kings Langley to earn all three points at Buckingham Athletic.

Paul Insley has already seen an effort come back off the bar by the time Campana struck with a superb free-kick in the 16th minute to put Kings ahead.

Kings midfielder Lee Burgoyne was shown a second yellow card after 37 minutes as the game became more physical, but the away side continued to create chances and Tom Carter sent a header narrowly wide.

Deputy keeper Andy Burnell justified his inclusion with a flying save from Mark Odell in a rare home attack, but the second half progressed with the ten men looking the most likely to score.

Buckingham keeper Tom Clarke used his legs to deny Jack Johnson and then saved point blank from the same player to keep his team in the game.

Campana was still a good outlet up front and U18 graduate Sam Izzard slotted seamlessly into absent skipper Gary Connolly’s midfield role.

But as the 70-minute mark was passed, the heavy and unpredictable pitch began to take its toll and it was backs to the wall as Craig Preston cleared a spilled shot off the line, Paul Dearlove missed a sitter and the referee awarded a home penalty in the last minute, only to change his decision thanks to an alert assistant.

It was not a game for the faint hearted, but the outcome was a second win and a second clean sheet in four days in Buckinghamshire for Kings.

A managing dementia information evening is being held at Tring’s High Street Baptist Church.

There will be guest speakers including a GP, an early dementia diagnosis specialist and a consultant psychiatrist on Tuesday, March 4 from 7.15pm to 9pm.

There will also be a question and answer session and literature available for people to take away.

This is a free event and everyone is welcome.

Two cars had their windows smashed by vandals in what police believe were targeted attacks.

In the first incident, on Wednesday, February 5 at around 8.30pm, the windows of two cars parked on a driveway in Rant Meadow, Bennetts End, were smashed.

Then on Wednesday, February 19, just before 10pm, windows to one of the same vehicles were broken again.

PC Michael Ball said: “These appear to be targeted acts and we are investigating the incidents fully.

“I would ask anyone who was in the area around the stated times to think back and see if they remember anything out of the ordinary.”

Anyone with information can contact PC Ball via the Herts Police non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference D1/14/750. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A petition calling for a road safety review of a busy village has now attracted almost 300 supporters.

The online call for action was launched by Kings Langley neighbours living in Hempstead Road who have seen a string of accidents over the years and most recently, just last month, there was a crash that claimed a man’s life.

Now they want Herts County Council to look at what can be down to slow down motorists travelling through Watford Road, High Street and Hempstead Road.

So far 291 people have signed the petition on Change.org.

Among them is dad Simon Pilling said: “Living on Watford Road I see the speeding motorists everyday. I have three boys under seven and want to keep them as safe as possible.

“I campaigned for speed reducing measures a few years back and a temporary speeding activated sign was installed, but only for a couple of weeks.”

Herts County Councillor for the area Richard Roberts has now pledged to do everything he can to ensure the safety review happens.

Berkhamsted moved back to the top of the SSML Premier Division thanks to a battling 3-1 win over London Tigers on an energy-sapping pitch.

Tigers went 1-0 up in the first half, before the hosts were reduced to ten men when Leroy Guytahin was shown a straight red card.

Leading scorer Connor Calcutt levelled things up for Berko, and the visitors took the lead after half-time when Ed Canham bundled home.

Canham was then sent off for a second yellow card, but Berko wrapped up the win through substitute Adiel Mannion.

Comrades boss Mick Vipond was pleased with the win, in a game which could have been a potential banana skin for the title challengers.

“It’s a massive win for us because they have got some decent players and have picked up a few good wins this season,” said Vipond. “It’s never an easy fixture.”

“We were a little bit rusty and they were some of the worst conditions you could ever play football in.

“There are still two and a half months of football left and we’ve just got to try and keep winning if we can.”

The dreadful playing surface was always going to make the game difficult, but both teams created early chances.

James Towell almost reached a tantalising Calcutt cross and, at the other end, Jabir Laraba placed the ball wide with just Carl Tasker to beat.

Frankie Jowle was doing well on the worst part of the pitch and he set up Josh Chamberlain whose shot was saved.

Berko were on top in terms of possession, but fell behind when Jack Copson was left with two men to mark and Marcus Lansiquot netted from the resulting deep cross.

Soon afterwards, however, the Tigers were reduced to 10 men when the assistant referee spotted Guytahin elbowing Canham – with the former getting a red card and the latter being shown a yellow.

With the extra man advantage it seemed only matter of time before Berko would get on level terms, and the equaliser duly arrived shortly before the interval when Towell laid the ball back for Calcutt to net his 36th goal of the season.

Berko went in front early in the second half when a Chamberlain corner was bundled home at close range by Canham, before Calcutt headed another dangerous Chamberlain corner against the bar as Berko continued to press.

It became a 10-a-side game when Canham got his second yellow card as he mistimed a tackle, and Vipond responded by bringing on James Shaw and Mannion in the hope of clinching the points.

And sure enough, the away fans’ nerves were settled when Mannion chipped the keeper superbly to make it 3-1 with five minutes left to take Berko top of the table.

Ashridge Business School has scooped one of the top honours in a ceremony that showcases the best achievements of the year in education.

The Learning Awards 2014 accolade paid tribute to its web-based learning resource Virtual Ashridge which saw off competition from blue chip names like McDonalds, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Deutsche Post to win the Learning Technologies category.

It was the first time Ashridge Business School had entered the awards, run by the Learning and Performance Institute.

They were presented during a red carpet ceremony at London’s Dorchester Hotel, hosted by television presenter Natasha Kaplinsky.

Virtual Ashridge’s platform and approach were accredited by the judges as an outstanding example of the way in which learning technologies can transform an organisation’s business model.

Ashridge director of learning services Tony Sheehan said: “This is a magnificent result for our team of experts, which repeatedly pushes forward the boundaries of learning technology.

“Currently, we provide customised e-learning solutions to nearly one million learners worldwide and we’re looking forward to developing further innovations during the year ahead.”

Virtual Ashridge’s content stems from more than 50 years of Ashridge experience in developing organisations, managers and leaders across the world, through qualifications, development programmes, consultancy and coaching.

Hemel Hempstead racer Michael Epps is celebrating after clinching his first podium finish at the Cooper Tires Winterfest championship in New Orleans.

Competing in rounds one, two and three of the championship, Epps recorded finishing positions of 11th, seventh and third to get his campaign off to a good start.

There are three more races left in the Cooper Tires Winterfest, to be staged at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama this week.

Epps said: “We hope we can move forward again from our results in New Orleans to maybe get my first win.

“My team and I had a hard couple of days but we eventually found a competitive setup.

“I got a nice trophy and a good podium celebration with champagne and lots of cheers.

“Thanks to everyone for supporting me so far. I’m trying my hardest and hopefully the future is bright.”