Luton Town picked up their first point of the new Championship season after a 0-0 draw at Portsmouth in which goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski was sent off.

The Hatters’ goalkeeper was sent off just after the half-hour mark after picking up two yellow cards, but were able to keep out a Pompey side who had scored three away at Leeds on the opening day.

It meant that Rob Edwards’ side picked up their first point of the season, having lost away at Burnley in their season opener on Monday.

Eager to make up for their 4-1 home loss against the Clarets in the season opener, Luton began in a busy manner at Fratton Park.

Tahith Chong saw an early drive flash across the face of goal without finding the bottom corner, before Portsmouth goalkeeper Will Norris was called upon to deny Elijah Adebayo at close range.

Norris then made a further stop to thwart Carlton Morris in a one-on-one after the striker had been fed by Jordan Clark’s pass.

Portsmouth had started slowly but would create an opportunity of note as Conor Shaugnessy’s header from a free-kick was acrobatically tipped over by Kaminski.

Luton then had their best chance of the lot when Adebayo met Chiedozie Ogbene’s cross and saw a header tipped by Norris onto the post.

Kaminski would receive a booking just before the half-hour mark after being seen as timewasting by the officials, and that would prove crucial as within two minutes, he got a second yellow and a dismissal. After racing out of his goal to meet a long ball, the Belgian made challenges on Paddy Lane and Conor Ogilvie, missing the ball on each occassion.

The referee had already blown the whistle for the first foul on Lane, duly earning another yellow card and with it a dismissal.

Luton duly brought on James Shea, with the 34-year-old replacing Morris to take the vacant spot in goal.

Portsmouth would then have a penalty shout rejected by the referee as they set about the task of trying to break Luton down.

Paddy Lane would hit a snapshot just wide before Samuel Silvera missed the target with a strike of his own.

Luton, however, were able to frustrate Portsmouth in their attempts to create chances, with Shea only really tested to make a routine stop to keep out Callum Lang, and although Pompey threw on attackers, they were unable to find a second half breakthrough in the 45 or in 8 minutes of added time.

It meant a first point of the new season for the Hatters, whose next assignment sees them travel to a Preston North End side who lost their first two Championship games of the season.

Milton Keynes Theatre has announced details of the variety of plays, musicals and one-night shows coming to its stage in the upcoming autumn season.

A multitude of musicals are among the productions set to visit the theatre, with the season kicking off with the return of the Hairspray The Musical, quickly followed by a run of Heathers the Musical, straight from its West End run.

Families will also be treated to a a new UK tour of 101 Dalmatians, starring Kym Marsh as the iconic Cruella de Vil.

MK Theatre will then have the honour of opening the new UK tour of the iconic musical Chicago, which will bring the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s to Milton Keynes.

Other music highlights includes An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical, Elf The Musical (based on the cherished 2003 hit film), NOW That’s What I Call A Musical (starring EastEnders star Nina Wadia and pop icon Sonia), and Here You Come Again – The New Dolly Parton Musical, which is packed full of songs by the country music icon.

The theatre also has plenty of other shows in all sorts of genres, including a show for dance fans where Milton Keynes Theatre will host a performance by Nigeria’s celebrated QDance Company when they bring the exuberant performance of their show Re:INCARNATION to the stage.

Families can enjoy the latest adaptation of David Walliams’ popular books, with Awful Auntie coming to the theatre this November.

For those who enjoy a more dramatic evening at the theatre, poet and playwright Yaw Asiamah brings a Double Bill of shows to Milton Keynes for one night only this September.

Stand-up comedy will also be represented at the venue, with shows from a variety of performers including A-List comedians such as Ben Elton: Authentic Stupidity, Fern Brady – I Gave You Milk To Drink and Paddy McGuinness: Nearly There…!

Music-based one-night performances will also be calling at the venue, including The Drifters, The Music of Fleetwood Mac by Candlelight, Legend: The Music of Bob Marley, and MANIA – The ABBA Tribute.

The Autumn season concludes with the Milton Keynes debut of Come From Away, the award-winning hit musical that shares the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11.

All of these shows come before Milton Keynes Theatre’s yearly panto returns, with Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood starring in Peter Pan as part of the headline run through December and January in the latest instalment of the annual theatre tradition.

The start of 2025 promises even more fantastic productions, including Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana, Dear Evan Hansen, The Rocky Horror Show, Murder on the Orient Express, and many more.

Find out more and book your tickets at ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a robbery in Wolverton, Milton Keynes in which a car was stolen.

The robbery happened between 4.20pm and 4.40pm on Friday 9 August on Stacey Avenue.

The victim, a man in his thirties, was parked in his car in Stacey Avenue at the junction with Southern Way. When he got out of his car, he was approached by the offender who advised him there was something wrong with the vehicle.

After this, the victim was attacked and verbally abused by the offender. Further men then appeared and tried to get access to the car. A friend of the victim, who was in the car, has got out of the car and ran to safety.

The victim, who was assaulted, also then ran to safety, but in his attempt to get away, he dropped his bag and had his top was ripped off by the offenders.

When he returned to the scene, his bag was gone. His bag contained his phone and car key.

The offenders had also taken the victim’s car, which was a black BMW 1 Series, partial registration **13 SVW, and which Thames Valley Police have said has not been yet been recovered.

The victim suffered a suspected broken nose, but did not attend hospital. 

There were around five or six offenders with the main offender described as white, aged 19 to 21, with a dark coloured full-face beard, medium length brown hair which was swooped off of his face, of average build, and around 5ft 9 to 5ft 10ins tall.

A second man was described as white, around 40 years-old, of medium build with a patchy beard.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Samantha Le Jeune, said, “This was a concerning incident where the victim was subjected to a robbery.

“We are carrying out a number of enquiries and we are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

“We believe that a member of the public came to the victim’s aid and we are looking to trace this person as they may be able to help our enquiries.

“If this is you or you have other information then please contact Thames Valley Police through our online form or by calling 101 quoting reference 43240381694.

“Or if you do not wish to speak to the police then please contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Milton Keynes-based charity Willen Hospice have appointed Rachel Medill as their new Chair of Trustees.

Rachel, who has previously founded a charity in the local area, was appointed earlier this month and succeeds the Hospice’s outgoing Chair Paul Davis, who leaves upon has completion of his eight-year term.

After spending the majority of her early career working as a director in marketing and communications in London, Rachel moved into the charity sector in search of a more fulfilling vocation.

For the last 20 years she has worked in a range of local, regional and national leadership roles, but her first priority was always to her local community in Milton Keynes.

It was this focus that led Rachel to set up Ride High, which uses horses to transform the lives of some of the most disadvantaged, disengaged and troubled local children. As Chief Executive of the charity, Rachel oversaw the acquisition of their 37-acre Loughton Manor site, which now welcomes around 120 vulnerable young people every week.

Rachel is a keen horsewoman herself and lives in Aspley Guise with her husband, Alan. Talking about her appointment to the charity, she said, “Everyone is touched at some time by the pain of the death of someone we love.

“At Willen the staff and volunteers give patients, and the people who love them, dignity and care at a time when they need it most. They do that every single day and in my own community. I’m so proud to have become part of this extraordinary charity and team of people.”

Willen Hospice Chief Executive, Kate Broadhurst, added, “We’re thrilled to have Rachel as part of our trustee team, bringing with her not only years of business experience, but a solid local charity background as a founder and chief executive herself. I know her input will be invaluable over the coming years as we fight for fairer funding for the Hospice to continue providing free specialist care and support for people in our community affected by life-limiting illness.

“On behalf of everyone at the Hospice, I’d like to thank Paul Davis for his dedication to our cause. The hard work he’s put into his role has helped steer the Hospice through many challenges and changes in the last eight years, and he will be greatly missed.”