Arlesey News Magazine April 2023

Welcome to April!

As we write this column for April we are enjo ying a flurr y o f sno w and temperatures have cer tainly dropped for this time o f year We are ever hopeful that by the time you read this our weather for tune has changed and we are star ting to see some spring -like sunshine and longer, brighter evenings

We have so much to f it in to our Arlesey issue this month that we are bringing you ano ther bumper issue with more pages once again Thank you to our local Scou ting group for telling us all abou t their adventures sleeping rough to raise funds and awareness o f homelessness - You can f ind ou t ho w they go t on by turning to page 5

If you are a keen follo wer o f local histor y then you will be already be familiar with the stor y o f the navvy lifted f rom Arlesey Lagoon, a project spearheaded by Geo ff Hooley Geo ff’s work was recognised recently when he received a lifetime achievement award - turn to page 4 to read the stor y and to f ind ou t ho w you can purchase the DVD which details this signif icant par t o f Arlesey’s histor y

Thank you once again to ever yone who has contribu ted to our publication this month - we hope you have a lo vely Easter.

Until next time..

Joanne

Editorial: Please email your letters or ar ticles to arlesey news@yahoo com or write

Lifetime Achievement Award For Ray Hooley.

The man who rescued what is no w the world’s oldest working excavator f rom the Blue Lagoon at Arlesey was f inally honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award this week.

Engineering conser vationist Ray Hooley, no w aged 95, spent three years planning the reco ver y o f the 48 ton steam navvy f rom 25 o f water where it had lain for 47 years

The citation f rom the National Transpor t Trust, who awarded Ray their LAA for 2022, no ted his organisation o f the rescue and his long custodianship o f steam navvy number 306, which he bought for a pound while it was still under water

Thanking Ray in a ceremony at Lincoln’s Guildhall, Lady Judy McAlpine, President o f the NTT, described his years o f conser vation work as amazing and told ho w the Trust is doing all it can to encourage younger people to take an interest in preser vation and heritage

The navvy - built by Ruston Proctor & Co in Lincoln in 1909 – is no w kept at the V intage Excavator Trust at Threlkeld, Cumbria, where it is steamed and worked on open weekends

The presentation to Ray was made by the Mayor o f Lincoln, Councillor Roseanne Kirk, on behalf o f the Trust and she was one o f three local speakers to pay tribu te.

Filmmaker Andrew Blo w, who made a DVD and streamed programme abou t Ray and the navvy, is available to give talks on Zoom to Arlesey groups. Call 01522 754901.

Pho tographs kindly supplied by Yello wbelly Pho tography, Lincoln.

Ray pictured receiving his award from Lady Judy McAlpine NTT President

Ray captured in front o f the navvy at Arlesey lagoon

Scouts Sleep Rough For In Support Of The Homeless

From the 10th to 11th Februar y, Members o f the 1st Arlesey Yello w Devils, Arlesey Dambuster Explorers and Sto tfold Explorers gave up their beds to sleep ou t and help raise money for Centrepoint, the UK's leading you th homelessness charity who suppor t o ver 14,000 young people ever y year

thousands o f homeless young people throughou t the countr y with a warm and safe place for them to call home

On behalf o f the entire leadership team present, we are so proud o f what they have achieved and hopefully it will help to inspire o thers to sleep ou t themselves to raise money for this fantastic cause”

1st Arlesey Scou t Group www.arleseyscou ts.org.uk

info@arleseyscou ts.org.uk

www.centrepoint.org.uk | 0800 587 5158

https://feedupwarmup.co.uk | 01462 659139

As par t o f the event, all o f the young people present built and slept in shelters built ou t o f cardboard and tarpaulins and cooked on open f ires They listened to a talk with Shane Cole, the founder o f Hitchin based homeless charity Feed Up Warm Up who spoke abou t his experiences o f being homeless f rom the age o f 17 All o f the young people present managed to raise o ver £1,200 which smashed their original target o f £100!

We would like to thank ever yone for the immense suppor t sho wn for this event, it was an awesome event for our scou ts & explorers and based on the brilliant response sho wn by the public, we have no w decided to run this event annually to continue to raise awareness for homelessness and all those affected by it.

Depu ty Group Scou t Leader Jayden Constable had the follo wing to say abou t ever yone’s effor ts: “What all the young people and leaders have achieved this evening has been no thing shor t o f phenomenal To raise £1200 in three weeks is an ou tstanding achievement and all the money and awareness they have raised will go onto to help pro vide

Scou ts gather around the f ire to prepare for the sleep ou t

Makeshift shelters made from cardboard and tarpaulin

Forthcoming Shows For KatsAct

KatsAct is a no t for pro f it local drama group pro viding acting, singing and dancing sessions for children and young adults. We meet at Arlesey V illage Hall on Sundays and are proud to be fully inclusive to ever yone.

Our awesome children are working hard for our productions which are being held at St Christopher School Theatre, Letchwor th during the Easter holidays

The younger children are no w busy working on our upcoming production o f “The Magic Stor ybook”, written by Katherine Foxwor thy, where fair y tale characters come to life and enter into reality, meeting with some children who are on a school trip! This will take place on Wednesday 12th April at 6 00pm Tickets are no w on sale at: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/katsact/the -magic- stor ybook/2023-04-12/18:00/t-lneoeqm per from

The majority o f our KatsAct members are excited to per form “Matilda the Musical” which will be taking place on Friday 14th April at 7 00pm and Saturday 15th April at 2 30pm and 7 00pm

This promises to be a ver y enjo yable sho w for families Tickets are on sale at: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/katsact/matilda/e -xamrae

ALL ABOU T THE COMMON PEOPLE OF ARLESEY

Perhaps you might think this is abou t you, bu t far f rom it if you live in Arlesey Our Commoners live in Weston Yes, we are talking the Commoners o f Arlesey Common, the land which is just o ver the railway foo tbridge at the ver y end o f Hospital Road Stand on the railway foo tbridge and look due west and the meado ws in f ront o f you to the far distance and in between is Arlesey Common Old documents sho w the common was made up o f four parcels o f land Bu t post war was kno wn to have only three, f irst common, second common and third common The f irst common is f rom the road to the river, and the second common is f rom the far bank to wards Oldf ield Farm and on to the third common

Arlesey Conser vation For Nature

family at Moorlands Farm. After the Walkers passed away J A Wilson and Sons ( Weston) LIMITED purchased the common grazing rights and at the same time the London Brick Company sold the title o f the land to them. Thus the common was at last o wned by those with the rights to graze the land. In April 2019 the Clydesdale Bank PLC placed a legal charge on the land, therefore the fu ture may be uncer tain As long as no attempt is made to deregister the land f rom the Commons Register under the Registration Act 1965 then it will remain as grazing pasture Previous attempts have been made o ver the years to have it deregistered bu t Arlesey To wn Council has resisted that

There are quite a few commons in the countr y bu t many have disappeared Nearby Biggleswade has a massive area o f common land and is grazed by the Fen Reeves Wimbledon Common had the Wombles bu t no thing glamorous in Arlesey, we just have plain commoners

The urban my th that the commons are o wned by all the local people to do so as they please is a fallacy Ho wever, the Right to Roam Act 2005 on open access land also encompassed registered commons which the public have a right on foo t, to sight see, bird watching, picnicking, running and walk; with dogs With that right there come responsibilities and you must keep your dog on a lead no more than 2 metres long on open access land:

• between 1 March and 31 July - to pro tect ground-nesting birds

• at all times around livestock

For full details see https://www.go v.uk/right-o f-way-openaccess -land/use -your-right- to -roam

Please no te this f reedom to roam is no t applicable to the Mill Pits, the Old Moat and Glebe Meado ws, which are no t open access f ields and the rights to use them are on the public and permissive foo tpaths only. Ho wever, most lando wners are happy for you to wander as long as that privilege is no t abused A good example o f what can happen if a site is abused is at the Blue and Green Lagoons

Commons came abou t between 1750 and 1850, follo wing the Inclosure Act The once commonly used open land used by the locals to gaze their animals became enclosed and become private proper ty This was land was used by the villagers to raise crops and animals If you were rich enough and able to be able fence land in, it was yours Eventually ‘ the lords o f the manor ’ to appease ‘ the peasant , allo wed some o f their land for the villagers to use Post war records sho w that under the inclosure act o f 1804 The London Brick Company o wned all 19 shares o f the Common pasture The commoners in 1975 were The Rober t Lucas Charity and four members o f the Walker

After years o f misuse culminating in the deaths o f 3 small children it was fenced o ff and only au thorised users can access it no w Be aware, in the local plan, housing is also planned for that area in the fu ture

Central Beds are no w the Commons Registration Au thority under the Commons Registration Act 1965 and are responsible for maintaining the registers o f Common Land and To wn or V illage Greens

So when you visit the “Horsey Fields” or whatever you call them, they are Arlesey’s ancient Common and as such are pro tected by law Look after them and enjo y visiting them

ACORN volunteers under took some boundar y hedge planting as par t o f the Ivel Valley Countr yside Project They also planted the specimen trees that are fenced o ff near the River Hiz

Aerial sho t o f Arlesey Common captured by Richard Kiteley

Bu ttercups taken by David Whittaker

For over 20 years our independent, family-owned garden centres have evolved to become destination shopping experiences that are bursting with value!

We’re known for our vast selection of quality plants at amazing prices, and many are grown by us in our own nurseries! Make your outdoor space fabulous with our great value furniture that’s perfect for alfresco entertaining. Our teams are on hand to help you create your ideal garden - whatever the size!

Throughout the garden centre you’ll find inspirational ideas for your home, everyday essentials at Archie’s grocery store and treats for your four-legged family members at our Scallywags pet shop.

Relax and enjoy refreshing beverages and freshly cooked meals in The Watering Can Cafe. And look out for our exciting events throughout the year.

Here at Go thic Mede we had a fantastic way to celebrate World Book Day - children and staff dressed up as their favourite book characters making the school seem like a walking talking librar y!

News from Go thic Mede A cademy

it was local, mainly Thank you to all in the kitchen who let us ask so many good questions

We look for ward to sho wing pride in our school and our community as we celebrate Spor ts Relief, Mo thers’ Day breakfasts, Science week and many o ther events that contribu te to our curriculum at Go thic Mede Academy

We were delighted to welcome Michael Holland, au thor o f "I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast” to GMA Michael led a fascinating assembly abou t his journey to become an au thor and sho wed us just ho w impor tant plants are to our ever yday life Michael has kindly donated a signed copy o f his book to our librar y and we look for ward to welcoming him back for science workshops in the summer term

Our Year 2 children have been looking at where are daily food comes f rom Willo w Class visited the school kitchen We saw ho w the food was stored, prepared and the place kept clean We even had time to see a deliver y o f food to the kitchen In the boxes were vegetables, salad and meat The kitchen staff told us where the food came f rom -

Window and door repairs and

installations

* Misted/broken units

* Handles

* Mechanisms

* Door barrels

Supply and fit windows and doors

Soffits and fascias

Jonny Garside 79 Regent Street, Stotfold 01462 732248 or 07951 473505

Kitchens & Bedrooms

Windows

Internal/External Doors

Ski r tings -Architraves -Dados

Stai rs -Handles -Balustrades

Handle & Lock Replacements

Loft Hatches

Flat Pack Furniture

All aspects of carpentr y No j ob too small

Pupils enjo yed dressing up for World book Day!

Willo w Class in the kitchen.

Pix Brook A cademy News

As we approach the end o f the new half term we are already more than half way through the academic year

Preparations at the school continue in relation to a number o f signif icant events The last couple o f weeks have been really busy for all, bu t in par ticular our year 6 pupils who have completed a full round o f mock SATs exams As you would expect pupils have responded magnif icently All available staff were used to suppor t the pupils pro viding many rooms with a small number o f pupils in each We are obviously working hard with this year group including Wellbeing lessons and revision strategies and brain food.

We kno w this can be a ner ve -wracking time for young people and as such we have tried to make things as normal as possible There is much to learn f rom this process and we will make sure we do so

o ver the next two months o f preparation

This last term has also included a large number o f appointments that have been made in preparation for next years continued development o f the curriculum and gro wth o f the school It is par ticularly exciting to prepare for this gro wth and speak to colleagues excited abou t joining the school and developing their o wn curriculum areas It is always interesting to speak to o ther colleagues abou t their experience and this also give us an oppor tunity to talk abou t the work happening at PBA.

It is easy to forget that staff training happens regularly and teachers and o ther colleagues spend their time thinking abou t, discussing and planning the learning experience for our pupils. In terms o f o ther oppor tunities we are also interested in speaking to members o f the community who may be interested in becoming a go vernor. If this applies to you please do contact the school.

March also saw us immerse ourselves in World book day where the curriculum was collapsed for a whole day and activities were built around some fantastic literature and our collapsed timetable enabling all pupils to engage in Science week This included the trip to the Space centre for our year 5 pupils which once again pro ved to be an enormously popular trip Overall a busy time at school, bu t that’s always the case At least at this time o f year we can begin to look for ward to the warmer weather!

Have a great Easter from all at Pix Brook Academy.

The Pathway Hypno therapy Rooms

Do

We can suppor t you to o vercome your negative thoughts and behaviours to create a positive fu ture

CONTACT US TODAY! CALL 07497 157531

glen@thepathwayhypno therapyrooms co uk

www.thepathwayhypno therapyrooms.co.uk

This half term our Juniors have already celebrated World Thinking Day along with Founders Day by wearing their scou ting or guiding uniform to school They have also enjo yed World Book Day celebrations, taking par t in some creative home activities and sharing their creations in class

There has been an o ver whelming number o f students registered for the Duke o f Edinburgh Award Scheme, you may have seen some o f them volunteering in the community and developing their chosen skills or even seen the Twitter posts and updates The scheme requires a signif icant aasmount o f voluntar y suppor t ou tside o f school time f rom our staff. This year Miss Hilton & Mrs Hilsden are leading The Duke o f Edinburgh Scheme assisted by Miss King, withou t their commitment this fantastic experience would no t be possible, so thank you.

We are continuing to develop the school site and after the successful opening o f our new Junior block in Januar y we have no w begun the refurbishment o f our sixth form pro vision. We are really excited that the local community will have post 16 education on its doorstep We have been extremely grateful to the BEST Trust for suppor ting this project and we can't wait to o ff icially open it in September

We have also been working with local celebrity, Dawn f rom the Great British Bake Off Dawn ver y kindly ran two cooker y sessions o ver the course o f a morning for our Year 7 students recently, each where she demonstrated and taught the children ho w to bake choux pastr y buns We were delighted with the results and ho w well the students engaged with Dawn She will also be using our facilities here at Etonbur y this Easter to host her ver y o wn cooker y masterclasses for the local community

News from Etonbur y A cademy

Our Year 11 students have just completed their last set o f core mocks, and will no w be preparing for the real exams later this academic year

Ian Evason – Execu tive Principal Etonbur y Academy www.etonbur y.org.uk

* Decorating

* Furniture Building

* Painting

* Carpentry & more

* Carpet Cleaning

Bake -Off’s Dawn with Year 7

Family announcements

REMEMBERING

Ernest (John) Rix

13th Februar y 1922 - 10th March 2004 and his lo ving wife

Doreen, Jean Rix

6th Januar y 1924 – 3rd March 2021

‘Our Lo ved Ones Leave the World Bu t Never Leave our Hear ts.”

John, Verna, Mel, Pete, Jack, Connie, Gav, Jo, Reece, Connie, Connor & Harr y

John, Liz, Matthew, Andrew, Ru th, Sam & Emma

AMBER KING

27th April

Happy 18th Bir thday

to our dancing queen!

Lo ve f rom all your family xxxx

CONGR ATULATIONS

on the arrival o f our gorgeous Grandchild

Nonno Federico & Nonna Annamaria xxxx

EDWARD

29th March

Happy Bir thday

Lo ve Mummy & Eleanor xx

JACK

27th March

Happy 9th Bir thday

Lo ts o f lo ve, Mum, Dad and Bella xxx

Hopton Holiday Village

Luxury 8 Berth Caravan available for holiday let. Various dates available between March - October including school holidays

Secure your date NOW.

BOOK NOW STILL AT OUR 2022 PRICES!

Fully double glazed with central heating on a fully secure park with indoor and outdoor pools, 9 hole golf course and short walk to the beach Call Bernie 07860 462244 or email b.gray63@ntlworld.com

ANNA REEVE

28th April

Happy 18th Bir thday!

Lo ve all your family xx

LEE COOPER

Happy Bir thday!

Lo ve all the family x

COLIN EATON

9th April

Happy 30th Bir thday

Lo ve From

Mum Dad & Uncle Steven X xx

LEO

Happy 5th Bir thday Lo ve f rom Mummy, Daddy, Tro y & Jacob xx

ADAM WOOD

14th April

Happy 20th Bir thday!

From us all x

JULIE THOMAS

April 6th

To one o f our wonder ful deliver y volunteers!

Happy 60th Bir thday!

We hope you have a great day!

MORGAN JUKES

15th April

Happy 18th Morgan

Hope you have a great day!

Lo ve f rom all the family. X

HARRY

GAYFER -TOMS

28th April

Happy 18th

Bir thday

Lo ve

Mum, Dad, Jemima & Peter xx

GR ACE GIBB

Happy 17th Bir thday

So proud o f you this last year. Mum, Dad, Law, Claudia & the pain in the bum' xxxxxx

DENNIS DEAR

Happy 80th Bir thday!

Wishing you an extra - special Happy Bir thday lo ve your family & f riends x

Dear Editor,

As we approach Spring the sound o f birdsong will once again be f illing the sky and our gardens With so many new people mo ving to the to wn some will begin to venture ou t fur ther af ield as the days lengthen and weather warms Arlesey is lucky to be well ser ved by public rights o f way and open spaces; The Etonbur y Green Wheel connects many o f these around our to wn and to our neighbours o f Sto tfold and Fair f ield

When you are ou t walking, par ticularly if you have a dog, please be considerate o f the farmers and lando wners whose proper ty you are walking through or by Keep dogs on a lead where there is livestock and also under close control if you are walking along public paths. Remember that we are sharing our environment with the wildlife that makes our to wn such a lo vely place to live; hare, skylark and even o tter are around and will all be disturbed by wayward hounds galloping o ver open f ields or in our rivers

It may f ill you with jo y to see your four legged f riend bounding through a crop o f barely bu t be mindful that there could be ground nesting birds or young mammals hiding here and dear Fido's attentions will be unwelcome Please take care o f our green spaces and make sure our wildlife is safe to continue bringing us pleasure for years to come

Liz Anderson

Dear Editor,

With regards to the old pho tograph used in the last edition o f the Arlesey News Magazine, I don't kno w the year bu t can name some o f the children in the picture:

Back ro w f rom left to right, second bo y in is Kenny Williams, Julian Hyde, Peter Purdie, Middle ro w left to right, 5th one in, is Barbara Devine, Christine Davis (Mavis), Jane Edmunds, Susan Bean, bo ttom ro w left to right, Nipper Brennan, Sandra Earl, Teacher in middle Mrs Duckwor th, I think next girl is Maureen ?, Jane Favel Roz Jennings,

I’m no t sure bu t I think 2nd bo y in on middle ro w may be Ian Campbell.

Linda Parcell

FREE Pr escription deliver y ser vice to ALL

Ar lesey and Stotfold r esidents

FREE Repeat pr escription "dr op-of f" and collection ser vice fr om Ar lesey Medical Centr e and Lar ksfield (Stotfold) Sur ger y.

Mon to Fri 8.45am - 1pm & 2.00pm - 6.15pm

Satur day & Sunday - Closed

Looking To Sell Your Home This Spring?

Information from Jodie Chiller y

I intend to stand as an Independent candidate in the local elections on the 4th May for Arlesey & Fair f ield ward

Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) is made up o f councillors who are elected by you Councillors work with local people, community groups, businesses and o ther organisations, to agree and deliver local priorities Those decisions are implemented by permanent council staff The decisions affect you and the area you live Here’s why a vo te for me will benef it you

I have also been forging collaborative relationships with CBC and Go via Thameslink regarding the proposed plans for new cycle inf rastructure. This, I hope, will ensure safe pedestrian and cycle access f rom Arlesey, Henlo w, Sto tfold and Fair f ield to the station and our proposals for secure cycle storage are currently awaiting appro val f rom po tential funders

What have I ever done around here?

• During lockdo wn I volunteered with Arlesey Good Neighbours, initially shopping for vulnerable, elderly and housebound residents and later o ffering transpor t to medical appointments I remain an active volunteer still suppor ting those who need assistance

• I co -founded the Rail Users Group and we have successfully secured an agreement f rom GTR to avoid skipping Arlesey Station in times o f disruption We have held crime prevention events with British Transpor t Police in the Librar y, and we’ve achieved a commitment to increased police patrols around the station

Why should you elect me?

• Communication

I will ensure much needed transparency and better communication. A recent experience liaising with CBC concerning the road works through Arlesey, the problems with the Fair f ield and Arlesey underpasses that at times have been impassable and dangerous affecting Pix Brook and Etonbur y Academy students, has mo tivated me to influence positive change I aim to be a voice o f our community, working on your behalf and I will do my u tmost to impro ve life in the community

• Development

Our community and landscape is evolving rapidly Our amenities need an upgrade, and our remaining green spaces will need greater pro tection With development comes money, (section 106 budget) and po tential oppor tunity, my aim is to ensure WE benef it f rom this po t I intend to influence decisions that ensure school places, parking spaces, and public transpor t ser vices are su ff icient and able to cope before more new houses are built

• Public Transpor t

Since 2018 I’ve co -chaired the Arlesey Rail Users Group I’ve seen ho w accurate representation and positive communication with all stakeholders can achieve constructive change. We are currently working on secure cycle storage, complete step f ree access and impro vements to the station amenities. There’s still a lo t o f work to do, bu t slo wly we’ve made impro vements to the rail ser vice, and our voice has been heard at the highest level – even in parliament!

• I par tnered as a volunteer with Arlesey To wn Council (ATC) to manage an ambitious project called Arlesey Remembers You in commemoration o f the centenar y o f the First World War. Over 400 community members go t involved along with many community groups. We hit the headlines for the all the right reasons and a f ilm abou t the project was broadcast on national television. The legacy o f this project lives on with a fully researched website, annual reading at the Remembrance Day parade and the planting and maintenance o f the memorial copse, a pro tected green space, open for all to enjo y, including the local wildlife.

Who am I?

I grew up in Arlesey, mo ved away to study and work, and returned some years later with my o wn family I work as a f reelance Television Producer specialising in current/consumer affairs, (BBC’s Watchdog, Rogue Traders, Panorama, Crimewatch, C4’s Dispatches and documentaries) This background gives me useful skills in holding organisations to account, corroborating evidence, and an undeterred enthusiasm for accurate and timely communication! These experiences and skills are transferable to a role within our local community and I hope to have the oppor tunity to pu t them to good use Please consider a vo te for me on the 4th o f May

Jodie Chiller y (Nee Gravett) Jodie Chiller y@gmail com

GET READY FOR VO TER ID

The go vernment has introduced compulsor y pho tographic identif ication if you vo te on 4th May (it does no t affect postal vo ters) You will need an appro ved ID, bu t don’t worr y as there is a long list: driving license, passpor t, concessionar y travel cards, and many more. Please see https://tinyurl.com/cbc-vo terid for info.

Promo ted by Jodie Chiller y o f The Paddocks 237A High Street Arlesey, SG15 6SZ printed by The MANSON Group Limited, Reynolds House, 8 Por ters Wood, Valley Road Industrial Estate, St Albans, Her tfordshire, AL3 6PZ.

Jodie joins local Police Community o ff icers recently at Arlesey librar y

Our Monthly update from Mum with 3

Time on your o wn…

Ano ther month passes and the initial stages o f Ironman preparation are going well This weekend I had my longest training session, almost 4 hours ou t on the bike cycling around the Cambridgeshire countr yside The event was a ‘Spor tive’; a semi-competitive organised ride with 100’s o f cyclists completing various distances f rom 42 to 78 miles.

There were a range o f abilities f rom mountain biking no vices wearing Ugg boo ts (it was cold!) and nattering away to each o ther, to the to the pelo tons where the athletic cyclists formed a close group and drafted o ff each o ther to increase their speed and eff iciency

Like most par ticipants, I was somewhere in the middle occasionally chatting to a fello w cyclist bu t for the most par t, riding by myself and enjo ying the scener y, and realising that I felt much f itter than I had for a long time

Being on my o wn for this type o f event was unusual for me There were a number o f f riends I could have cycled with, and normally would have done. Bu t for the f irst time I chose to do my o wn thing. With the training going well after such a long time absent, I couldn’t gauge ho w I was going to feel on the day. I didn’t want to commit to having to bike at a speed dependent on anyone else or feel obliged to stop and star t unless I wanted to. It felt uncomfor tably self ish to explain this to my cycling f riends prior to the event and during the ride wondered for the umpteenth time why I’d made the decision. Bu t as I breezed along for those rare few hours where there is no responsibility except to think abou t the road ahead, I knew that was the reason; when you’re accountable all week for your children, work, home (and pets!), and all the o ther groups you belong to, it felt good to have that time on my o wn with no obligations to anyone o ther than myself

Mumwith3 does Ironman

WALKS FOR HEALTH

Would you like to join a f riendly local group for a weekly local walk? Walks star t at 10.45am

Meeting points for April: 6th, 13th The Cro wn PH, Sto tfold 20th & 27th Arlesey Train Station

For details contact Beth Over f ield 01462 815672

We are hoping to organise some sor t o f Easter egg hunt for the holidays - please see our Facebook page for full details

We have been busy organising the Par ty in the Park for the coronation o f King Charles III on May 6th, suppor ted by Arlesey To wn Council

The big screen has been booked to sho w the ceremony live Follo wing this will be the Par ty with food, drink, ice cream, children's rides, circus skills workshops, Garden City Samba per formance (and some audience par ticipation), Luna Animal Rescue Dog sho w more

Please make a no te o f the date and come do wn and suppor t this event

If you are able to help us on the day with setting up/clearing away or would like to per form at the event please get in touch We'd lo ve to hear f rom you!

News from St Peter ’s Church

So the clocks have gone for ward and the warmer and longer days o f spring are with us We will be celebrating Palm Sunday on the 2nd April and our ser vice at 9 30am will be taken by Bishop Richard o f Bedford A celebration o f Jesus’ triumphant arrival in Jerusalem

On Good Friday the 7th April, at 10 30am, we are planning an interactive ser vice in the churchyard to enact the last days o f the life o f Jesus; f rom his arrest to his crucif ixion and resurrection on Easter Day

This is for all ages, ever yone is welcome, and if wet will be in church.

On Easter Day

our ser vice is at 10.00am taken by Revd. Don Do wling.

Easter is a wonder ful celebration o f life and God’s gift o f forgiveness, through his son Jesus Christ

It is time for St Peter ’s Big Spring Quiz Friday 28th April 7 for 7 30pm in the church For details or to book a team place email Helen@bardy co uk

Our next popular event is a Plant Sale, on Saturday 13th May 10 00am -1 00pm You can just come and bu y, bu t you can also bring some plants to share Ref reshments will be available all morning Our new co ffee machine means we can o ffer a variety o f co ffees!

I hope to be able to tell you next month that a new priest has been appointed, we pray this will be the case Ser vices

Our ser vice times are:-

1st, 3rd,4th,5th Sundays 9 30am

2nd Sunday All Age Worship 10.00am Ref reshments are ser ved after each ser vice an oppor tunity to chat and socialise.

Weekdays

Co ffee Mornings Tuesday 10.30am in church

1st Wed in the month Afternoon Tea 2- 4 All Welcome Helen Bardell Churchwarden 01462 731227 07967144571

News from Arlesey Methodist Chapel

Decision time?

Are you facing a decision point? It’s tempting to pu t o ff hard decisions until too late, and the oppor tunity is gone. As a young so ftware engineer, I remember agonising o ver a choice o f technology for a project. I wanted more information.

Ho wever, the decision point arrived and the boss said “Any decision is better than no decision ” The phrase stuck with me A leap o f faith is o ften required

The Easter stor y includes a number o f decision points: for Jesus o f Nazareth to ride into Jerusalem, where his enemies gathered; for Judas to betray his master for thir ty pieces o f silver; for Jesus to remain in the Garden o f Gethsemane and await arrest; for Simon Peter, the leader o f Christ’s disciples, to deny that he knew him as he warmed himself at the f ire in the Palace cour tyard; for the Roman Go vernor, Pontius Pilate, to wash his hands in public and declare himself “innocent o f this man’s blood” as he sent Jesus to be crucif ied; for the women to stand at the foo t o f his cross on Friday while the o ther disciples had fled, and to see him dead and buried, and then to return to his grave on the Sunday morning, to f ind it empty

Each person’s decision was hear t wrenching and diff icult and made lasting differences to those lives, and to the world, to us.

I would say that ever yone who hears the Easter stor y then has a decision to make abou t it. No t an easy one, and def initely requiring a leap o f faith, bu t no t really one to pu t o ff until it’s too late.

Graham

The Well Co ffee Stop welcomes all ever y Friday afternoon (including Good Friday) between 2-4pm at Arlesey Methodist Chapel. The team include creative elements for you to look at or tr y ou t.

Come and enjo y some f ree ref reshments and a f riendly atmosphere. Call 07747042239 for more information.

There is a Bible study on occasional Monday evenings 7.30 pm, and the next ones are on the 17th and the 24th o f April. Again, call 07747042239 for more information.

Revd Graham 07340 857386

Graham Claydon-Knights@methodist org uk

Arlesey W.I

Tuesday 11th April Mark Steinhardt

Murder in Flit wick Woods

All women welcome First V isit Free Come and join a f riendly bunch for a chat and a cuppa and something different !

Mental Health Matters - Jo Loach

One new thing

This year the cold weather seems to be lingering yet Spring continues to make its presence seen via all the green shoo ts o f new life appearing all o ver the place And o f course, the stunningly beau tiful pink and white blossom already adorning the trees

While any New Year ’s Resolu tions may be long forgo tten there remains two thirds o f the year ahead for us with Spring reminding us o f the chance to begin again

It’s all too easy to allo w each year to morph in to the last withou t taking time ou t to actively consider let alone incorporate any thing new into the rhy thm o f life

This April the season o f new beginnings can invite us to think abou t star ting something new no w. Proactively making time for new pursuits, fun pastimes, acquiring new skills or joining active or creative classes can all contribu te to maintaining good mental and emo tional health.

While it cer tainly takes time and energy to invest in committing to something new, the payo ff can far surpass the effor t required, par ticularly in getting star ted

It’s all too easy to fall into the trap o f imagining adult life to be too serious, gro wn up and busy to commit time to restful or playful pursuits Yet the additional responsibilities, pressure and stress that can accompany adulting mean the need for fun is greater than ever! We may allo w ourselves to forget this to our o wn detriment

This Spring, give yourself the gift o f returning to a longabandoned hobby or beginning a brand spanking new one, for this is the Season for breathing new life into fun things whether for the f irst time or after a long time

Play is great for mental and emo tional health, whether your o wn or within your relationship with spouse, children or simply life itself.

Jo Loach is a BACP accredited Counsellor and Super visor, with an MA in Contemporar y Therapeu tic Counselling .

STRUGGLING TO USE YOUR BATHROOM?

If using your bathroom has become a chore or you are worried about your safety when using it, BMAS Hitchin can help. We are experts in designing and installing easy-access bathrooms. In as little as four days we can make your bathroom safe and comfortable so you can enjoy independent bathing and showering in your own home.

FREE DESIGN APPOINTMENT SERVICE

FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTATION

CALL TODAY OR VISIT OUR HITCHIN SHOWROOM

Choose BMAS Hitchin:

26 years’ expertise

Full design and installation

High-quality products for safety & comfort

Free bathroom design & full quotation

Traditional customer service (no call centres) Finance options available

“THE BATHROOM WAS ABOVE OUR EXPECTATIONS AND LOOKS EXCELLENT.”

Mr & Mrs Lean, Hitchin

“TRUSTWORTHY AND RELIABLE. JUST WHAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR!”

MS, Welwyn Garden City

Bathing Mobility Advisory Service, 67 Hermitage Road, Hitchin SG5 1DB

Showroom open Mon-Sat 10am-4pm 01462 889 097

bathingmobility.co.uk

Arlesey To wn Foo tball Club News

A busy April ahead for Arlesey To wn’s First Team as they battle hard in the f inal month o f the season.

Sho w your suppor t for the team by joining us for any o f the for thcoming f ixtures and follo wing us on our social media.

Our clubhouse is open for ever yone to enjo y and we welcome anyone to pop along and enjo y the facilities.

For thcoming f ixtures:

01/04/23 - Shefford To wn & Campton (away)

08/04/23 - Crawley Green (home - 15:00)

10/04/23 - Baldock To wn

(away (bu t at New Lamb Meado w))

15/04/23 - Biggleswade United (away)

18/04/23 - Leighton To wn (away)

22/04/23 - Hoddesdon To wn (home - 15:00)

(Subject to change)

We need your suppor t at bo th home and away games Home games are played at New Lamb Meado w, Hitchin Road, Arlesey, SG15 6RS

Please check our Twitter for match updates@ArleseyTo wnFC

Book Club @W ild Co ffee (on the

will be meeting on Wednesday 29th March 7pm This month's book The Keeper Of Stories

by Sally Page

Can you help us?

We are keen to f ind a couple o f deliver y volunteers to help us with our deliveries in Go thic Way & Jubilee Crescent.

If you have half an hour once a month to spare and enjo y helping to keep the community connected then we want to hear from you!

Call us on 01462 731986 or email us at arlesey news@yahoo com We look forward to hearing from you!

parade, Sto tfold )

Down Memory Lane

We have been sent this picture featuring the Arlesey Under 12 team f rom the 1970’s and we seem to think we may have used it before (bu t can’t seem to f ind when) - Apologies if it has been used previously, bu t its such a fantastic picture we are sure you won’t mind! - We can name a few faces - do you kno w the rest?

We are desperately in need o f some new ‘old pho tographs’ and are ver y happy to collect them to borro w and then return Give us a call on 01462 731986 or drop us an email arlesey news@yahoo com if you can help!!

Nor th Her ts Road Runners

The next 1st Sat o f the month 5k at Letchwor th Common will be on 1st April at 9am Entr y is f ree and open to all abilities Entries are no w open for the Greenway Challenge on 7 May www greenwaychallenge org uk

We continue our training sessions with qualif ied coaches on Tues & Thurs evenings at 7pm These are open to all, why no t come along for a taster session with no obligation Contact Ian 07506 429 928 hnrr.org.uk

Useful Telephone Numbers

Centre, High Street, Arlesey,

SG15 6SN Phone: 01462 733722

Email: depu tyclerk@arlesey tc co uk

Central Bedfordshire Council, Prior y House, Chicksands, Shefford SG17 5TQ 0300 300 8000

Email customer ser vices@centralbedfordshire go v.uk Web www centralbedfordshire.go v.uk Waste Collection / Recycling / Dog Warden / Fly

Local Directory

You are Invited to the

EASTER EGG HUNT

Saturday 8th April, 12pm In the Urban Park

Hosted by Fairfield Community Church

A d v e r t i s e y o u r b u s i n e s s h e r e f o r

A d v e r t i s e y o u r b u s i n e s s h e r e f o r j u s t £ 3 0 p e r y e a r ! j u s t £ 3 0 p e r y e a r !

S i m p l y d r o p u s a l i n e t o : S i m p l y d r o p u s a l i n e t o : a r l e s e y. n e w s @ y a h o o . c o m a r l e s e y. n e w s @ y a h o o . c o m

A n d w e ’ l l d o t h e r e s t !

A n d w e ’ l l d o t h e r e s t !

I t ’ s e a s y t o c o n t r i b u t e o r a d v e r t i s e

I t ’ s e a s y t o c o n t r i b u t e o r a d v e r t i s e i n t h e A r l e s e y N e w s M a g a z i n e ! i n t h e A r l e s e y N e w s M a g a z i n e !

W e a l w a y s w e l c o m e y o u r n e w s , v i e w s a n d i n p u t v i e w s a n d i n p u t

W e a l w a y s w e l c o m e y o u r n e w s ,

W h y n o t g i v e u s a W h y n o t g i v e u s a

c a l l ? 0 1 4 6 2 7 3 1 9 8 6 c a l l ? 0 1 4 6 2 7 3 1 9 8 6