FREE D E R E V I L E D 2,700 COPIES DENTS OF I S E R O T H EACH MONT ARLESEY s month: inside thi ol news, Local Scho , y e s e l r a in more.. christmas cements & n u o n n a y Famil
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From the Editor Welcome to December. As I write those words I almost have to check I am writing this correctly - who knew we would arrive at our Christmas issue so swiftly?
As this is the final issue of 2019, we have spent some time reflecting on our own year. With six issues now under our belt, we feel incredibly proud that our plans for Arlesey are finally coming into fruition. It was always our intention to produce a magazine that equalled our hugely successful Stotfold Magazine and with each issue we produce for Arlesey, we like to think we grow one step closer to our original aim.
We wish to sincerely thank all of the advertisers who had faith in our plans and supported us along the way. With each issue we print our advertising base grows, meaning that eventually we will be able to produce a larger magazine for Arlesey with even more local content. Whilst on the subject of thanks, we would like to thank each and every one of our delivery volunteers who have walked the streets of Arlesey these last few months ensuring your magazines are delivered on time. We never under estimate the commitment we receive from our helpers and wish to say a huge THANK YOU for their help since our launch in the summer.
Our final thanks of 2019 go to you, our readers. Thank you for welcoming us into Arlesey and for supporting us with your letters, announcements, emails and telephone calls. Growing up in Arlesey has made producing the magazine so much more enjoyable. We have loved revisiting old memories and enjoy embracing the changes that have been made to the village over the years.
Our January edition will be through your doors in time for Christmas week, but for now, we would like to wish all of our Arlesey News Magazine readers a very Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.
Editoral:
Please email your letters or articles to arlesey.news@yahoo.com or write to us at: The Arlesey News Magazine, 78 Hitchin Road, Stotfold, Hertfordshire, SG5 4HT You can also call us on 01462 731986 (Mon - Fri, 9.30am to 5pm) You can also contact us via our facebook page.
Advertising:
It’s easy to advertise in the Arlesey News Magazine. Simply give us a call or email us on the address above and we’ll do the rest. Our deadline is always 6th of every month preceeding publication.
Deliveries:
We have an amazing group of volunteers that deliver the Arlesey News Magazine. If you enjoy the outdoors and would like to contribute towards delivering this community magazine we want to hear from you! Prefer to read online? You can also read our magazine online through our facebook page.
Announcements:
We are happy to accept birthday announcements by post, telephone, email or through our facebook page. If you would like to make a donation in return for your announcement please visit:
www.justgiving.com/gardenhousehospice
or send a cheque made payable to Garden House Hospice to: Garden House Hospice, Gillison Close, Letchworth Garden City, Herts SG6 1QU We support this local charity and are so grateful for any donations recieved. Please mention that the donation has been made on behalf of The Arlesey News Magazine. Published in association with Woodbury Printing www.woodburyprint.co.uk
Until next month!
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CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS
To have your photograph featured as a future front cover of the Arlesey News Magazine please send it to: arlesey.news@yahoo.com.
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Is it worth the risk? Police target uninsured drivers.
Police are targeting uninsured drivers in Bedfordshire this month and asking if the risks of not having cover are really worth it. During the campaign police will check passing vehicles’ registration plates to ensure they are insured. Police can also check if the driver is insured to drive that vehicle. Motorists need to be aware that even if the vehicle itself is insured, if you are not correctly insured to drive it, you could get penalised.
Motorists caught driving without insurance will receive a minimum ÂŁ300 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence. Vehicles will be seized and potentially crushed or sold at auction. Uninsured drivers can also be referred to court where they face an unlimited fine and a driving ban.
Chief Inspector Rachael Glendenning, from the force's Community Policing team, told the Stotfold News Magazine "Officers across the three counties are focused on ensuring uninsured drivers are caught and dealt with appropriately. We would like to remind motorists that motor insurance is compulsory under the Road Traffic Act. Driving without insurance on a road or in a public place is Illegal and will not be tolerated on our roads. Having valid motor insurance is more than a legal requirement: it is designed to protect victims of road traffic collisions by providing them with financial compensation. The consequences of driving without insurance are significant and we want to remind the public that it is a risk that is simply not worth taking.� Last year 132,804 uninsured vehicles were seized across the UK. To check if a vehicle is insured visit www.askMID.com To report an uninsured driver, call the Insurance Fraud Bureau on 0800 422 0421 or online at www.insurancefraudbureau.org/report.
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Contact us on (01462) 731986
Tree-cycle For The Garden House Hospice The Garden House Hospice Care’s Christmas Treecycling campaign is back once again this year, giving you the opportunity to help fundraise for our local hospice whilst helping dispose of your real Christmas tree at the same time!
All you neeed to do to take part is sign up to the treecycling scheme before midday on the 8th of January, pay a donation to Garden House Hospice Care and their team of volunteers will collect and recycle your tree from your very doorstep between Saturday 11th and Tuesday 14th January. Once you have signed up to take part, you will simply need to strip your tree of decorations and leave it outside your house ready for collection. The Garden House Hospice volunteers will collect your tree which will then be shredded and chippings used in playgrounds within schools in our local community.
The Garden House Hospice Care team are also looking for helpers to assist with the collection of trees (in particular, people with vans or trailers). If you can spare a few hours between 11th and 14th January to help this wonderful cause then please get in touch with the Garden House Hospice Fundraising Team on 01462 679540 where they will be delighted to hear from you!
To contact the Arlesey News Magazine please call 01462 731986
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Children from 2-5yrs Funding available OFSTED registered.
arlesey pre-school
Open Mon-Fri 8.55am- 11.55am and 12noon-3.00pm Lunch sessions available (food not provided) Breakfast Club 8am (with discount for siblings) Tel: 07815 293670 www.arleseypreschool.co.uk email:staff@arleseypreschool.co.uk
Arlesey W.I Hall, High Street,Bedfordshire, SG15 6SN
BUTCHERS BLOG The Festive season is fast approaching, it is always a busy time of year in the shop. Selecting our festive meats is a part of Christmas we all enjoy. You can be sure that your family is getting the very best quality from us at Beale Bros. As always our Meat Hampers represent really good value and are proving to be as popular as in previous years. Our locally sourced Free Range Turkeys and Crowns are the very best available, as is our Turkey Breast roll, and succulent Ribs of Beef.
Maybe you prefer a goose, duck or something different. Why not give us a call and we will be happy to fulfil your requests.
We also stock a wide range of cheeses, pastries and pate to make your meal complete. We are always available if you need advice and would be pleased to hear from you. It would really help us if you can get your orders in as soon as possible, but if you need something last minute, we may still be able to help. Here are our opening times over the holiday period: Friday 20th December 8.30 – 5 p.m. Saturday 21st 8.00 – 1 p.m. Sunday 22nd CLOSED Monday 23rd 7.00 – 6 p.m. Tuesday 24th 7.00 – 1 p.m. Wednesday 25th CLOSED Thursday 26th CLOSED
Normal trading hours after this date until Wednesday 1st January 2020 when we are closed for the day. Please support your local businesses, it is important for the community. Not just at Christmas but all year round.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy and Peaceful Christmas and New Year. From all of us at Beale Bros Family Butchers.
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To contact the Arlesey News Magazine please call 01462 731986
The Arlesey Hot Topic PLANNING – Traffic Congestion
Once again we have an informative article written especially for the Arlesey News Magazine by a local resident highlighting seperate issues each month involved with local planning. This month we look at the hot topic of traffic congestion..
It has got to be one of the key issues that people raise whenever another planning application comes along – “How can they justify building more houses when the roads are already congested?” Every application for a larger development (certainly over 100 dwellings) must include a Transport Assessment, which considers a range of issues including: availability of public transport and cycle ways, amenities within walking distance, and impact on the local highways network – this is the bit I want to talk about.
The assessment compares forecast traffic levels with the supposed capacity of the road, junction or roundabout being considered.The figures and formulae that everybody uses to predict the capacity are laid down in national guidance (the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges - DMRB) – but they are “empirical” figures. That means the boffins who came up with them went out and observed a large number of roads / junctions and roundabouts, and came up with figures and formulae that best represented what was happening. The problem comes when you apply an empirical figure to a situation which is very different from the sample on which it was based. If we look at the two main issues of local concern – congestion on the High St / Hitchin Rd, and the A507 roundabouts, we can understand the problems: High Street / Hitchin Road. The DMRB identifies 4 categories of urban roads – the lowest capacity being “Busy high street carrying predominantly local traffic with frontage activity including loading and unloading. Unrestricted access and parking.” All roads of a similar width fitting that broad description are assumed to have the same traffic capacity. As we all know, the amount of on-street parking has a big impact on traffic flow, but there are no methods to calculate or adjust the standard figure. Arlesey is already at a point where the village would frequently grind to a complete halt if drivers didn’t go onto the pavement to break a grid-lock situation.
A507 Roundabouts. Calculating the delays and queues experienced at a busy roundabout is more complicated, and planners use a standard computer programme called Arcady 9 to crunch the numbers. At it’s heart is another empirical formula which takes account of the size of the roundabout and the dimensions of the roads entering it. But this also has a major limitation – if there are 2 lanes entering the roundabout, it assumes there are 2 lanes exiting as well, so cars can cross two at a time. On the A507 roundabouts all the exits are single lane, with the second entry lane being for right turns only. That means all the results being presented over-estimate the road capacity by a significant factor. Again the issue is well understood and documented, and there are alternative techniques which could be used. The warning printed in red on the first page of every Arcady run sums it up: “The users of this computer programme for the solution of an engineering problem are in no way relieved of their responsibility for the correctness of the solution.”
CONCLUSION Central Beds Highways have consistently failed to recognize these problems – which of course affect developments in all the towns and villages along the A507 corridor. For now all we can do is try to understand and keep challenging Transport Assessments as they come forward. A.Resident
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2019
CHRISTMAS HERO
2018 Winner Sandra Bailey
Do you know someone worthy of special recognition this year?
Has somebody gone the extra mile for you or someone you know? We want to hear from you... In association with the Arlesey News Magazine, Satchells Estate Agents are on the look out for this year’s Christmas Hero. Simply tell us who your hero is this year and why, by emailing arlesey.news@yahoo.com or by popping your nomination on a piece of paper and dropping it in to Satchells Estate Agents, 47b High Street, Stotfold - Closing Date 1st December 2019. 8
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News from
Gothic Mede Academy
The Value for this month is Ambition. At school we will be thinking about our goals for the school year. Children will set personal targets and think about the steps they need to take to reach these. We will also discuss our ambitions for the future and think about all the exciting opportunities children at Gothic Mede have to help them fulfil their ambitions. We recently had our Harvest Festival where the children performed some Harvest songs and poems. We were also joined by Gordon Hamilton from The Need Project. He explained to the children where all the food donations will be going and how these will be helping others.
CHIMNEY SWEEP
Year 4 have been learning about the history of Arlesey.
The children were fascinated by Mr Gentle's tales of what his life was like growing up in Arlesey in the 1950s and 1960s. They are now writing their own diary entries imagining what life might have been like for them if they had been children sixty years ago. Thank you Mr Gentle for bringing the post-war era to life so vividly.
SCOTT GEEKIE
GENERAL BUILDER PROPERTY MAINTENANCE ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT GUTTERING REPAIRS PLASTERING
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TEL: 01462 732396 MOB: 07860 192689
deb.geekie.dg@gmail.com To contact the Arlesey News Magazine please call 01462 731986
S & S Coates Surveying & Design Call: 07960215053 or 01525 862457 stevecoates72@gmail.com Find us on facebook
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News from
Fairfield Park Lower School The festive season is in full swing here at Fairfield Park. School production rehearsals are complete and concerts to families are already under way. This year we have Christmas productions at both school sites, Dickens Boulevard and Ruskin Drive, this is a very exciting time for us all!
We are all looking forward to our whole school Christmas dinner and Christmas jumper day later on in December, with a very special visit from Father Christmas. The date of this event is Wednesday 18th December. The children's Christmas cards all look beautiful and will be sent home to parents this month along with school photos just in time for Christmas! We have enjoyed a whole school arts week, where all classes spent lots of time exploring different media, materials and artists. Classes selected an artist and used this to inspire their theme and topic work for the week.
A group of year 3 and 4 children took part in the dance festival in November at Redborne Upper School. They showcased their dance skills along with other local schools in the area. The team put on a superb display and the festival was enjoyed by all. We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and look forward to updating you all in the next issue of the Arlesey News Magazine.
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News from
Pix Brook Academy. Message from Mr Adams Once again it has been an eventful few weeks in the life of Pix Brook Academy. Perhaps the most exciting event was the visit to the permanent site by the school on the 31st October. Fortunately the rain stayed away and we had an opportunity to meet the senior staff from Willmott Dixon who talked to the pupils about the construction site. I have been really pleased with how Willmott Dixon have chosen to engage with the school, they have been really inclusive and I hope this bodes well for the future.
As always it is fascinating to listen to the questions of 9-year-old children. The excitement shown when the computer model showed a trampoline in the gym was a sight to behold. Never mind the huge new school that’s being built: there’s going to be a trampoline! The pupils planted some daffodils, some even the right way round, and we have an assembly being run by WD later this month. It’s a good start and while no one can promise there won’t be a hitch, we have at least seen genuine engagement and commitment from the contractors to work with us.
We have a few events other over the last few weeks. I am delighted to say we had our Remembrance Day on the 11th November. A representative from St Mary’s Church held the assembly, pupils were impeccable and we had what I hope was a “memorable moment”. Lessons in the morning were different from usual and appropriately focused on the sacrifice made by members of the armed forces. As part of this, pupils who are members of Cadets or Scouts / Guides all wore their uniform for the day. We now build towards Christmas. I am pleased to say that we will be taking the entire school to the pantomime (oh no you won’t!) for a Christmas celebration.
We are holding our end of term assembly at St Mary’s church on the 19th December to celebrate what has been a fantastic first term in the life of Pix Brook Academy.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Stotfold community for their support and wish all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
5 Star Hopton Holiday Village
Luxury 8 Berth Holiday Home available from March to October. Double glazed with Central Heating.
Pix Brook Academy, Stotfold Road Arlesey SG15 6XS T: (01462) 416 243 Email - pixbrook@bestacademies.org.uk
To contact the Arlesey News Magazine please call 01462 731986
Call Bernie for details on 07860 462244
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News from
Etonbury Academy. We started October with recruiting our Student Leadership Team and are delighted that the following students will be supporting projects to further improve our academy. Congratulations to Kira (Principal), Thea (Vice Principal) and our Assistant Principals, Michael, Freya, Aimee and Ella.
Etonbury Juniors have been taking part in Science Immersion Days led by Mrs Walker, mixing some dangerous looking potions, created lava lamps, explored germs and assembled scary skeletons. They have also enjoyed themselves at the Halloween Disco, kindly organised by Etonbury Juniors PTA , raising nearly £1000 for extra-curricular resources. This half term they focus on History with Year 6 exploring all aspects of Victorian living referencing the book ‘Street Child’, and Year 5 will be learning about World War 2 using the text of Rose Blanche. During Black History month, the whole school took part in a dress down and ‘wear red day’ to support the charity ‘Show Racism the Red Card’, a colourful but contemplative day was had by everyone. Parents/Carers came in on our newly structured ‘Meet the Tutor Evening’ to hear about their child’s progress, as well as taste the new catering offers that our children our now enjoying. We were also delighted that so many parents/carers supported their children by attending the Careers Fair with over 20 exhibitors informing them of future career and study opportunities. Our Year 11 students and teachers are fast approaching the GCSE exam period, so they have been busy sitting their mocks in preparation.
PE has seen numerous successes, with the U15 girls football team going unbeaten, 2nd in the league and through to round 3 of the National Cup. Year 6 netball team remains unbeaten this term. Our U16 mixed table tennis team is through to the County finals, with our Goalball teams achieving winning and runner up places in their competitions. One of our students has also made it through to the East of England Basketball team, congratulations to Will.
As we approach the festive period, rehearsals for the upcoming performance are underway and Etonbury Juniors will be running the Christmas Market this term.
Free Range Turkeys from Lower Wilbury Farm
Whole birds, crowns and boned & rolled, goose, cockerel, lamb, pork and beef also available.
VIST OUR ONSITE SHOP, OPEN DATES & TIMES: Saturday 30th November 10am - 4pm Sunday 1st December 10am - 1pm. Saturday 14th 10am - 4pm Sunday 15th December 10am - 1pm. Monday 23rd 10am - 4pm Tuesday 24th December 10am - 4pm
To order call Dean on 07988 771107 or email info@lowerwilburyfarm.com Find us on Facebook - Lower Wilbury Farm
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ETA WAY- Everyone is respectful – Together we care – Always aim higher
Walk4Health Walks for December Do you enjoy walking, would you like to join a social, walking group and enjoy the fresh air. All welcome. December 5th - The Crown PH,The Green, Stotfold.
December 2nd. 9th & 26th Arlesey train station. Meet at 10.45am
For further details contact Beth & Peter Overfield 01462 815672
To contact the Arlesey News Magazine please call 01462 731986
Letters to the Editor Dear Editor,
Would you please allow us, through your magazine, to firstly thank you for all your hard work to bring about this wonderful magazine for everyone to enjoy, well done. We would also like to ask you to publish the following recommendation, which I hope may help others whilst looking for a super builder. We have just had Brian Riley and his son Nathan of Heritage Paving Company, carry out replacing our dowdy purple slate, into a beautiful and practical front garden. Along with this, they also replaced our dilapidated decking in the back with a truly lovely patio to enjoy the sunshine on.
As we had several people quote us for this work, we were very happy with the price we paid Brian, who we thought were a truly hard working and professional father and son team, thank you very much. Kind regards Mr & Mrs Baines
Window and door repairs and installations
Dear Editor
Baycroft Fairfield Care Home would like to extend an warm invitation for residents of the local community to our Open Day on Friday 13th December, 12 noon to 4pm. We welcome you to come and meet the staff, enjoy some refreshments and have a look around our lovely home. It is also Christmas Jumper Day so we expect to see everyone wearing their best Christmas outfit! On a separate note, I would personally like to say a huge thank you to everyone I have met over the last few months and for the incredibly warm welcome we have received. We are very much looking forward to becoming part of this wonderful community and building strong relationships with all of the different groups and organisations we have met. We are excited to put into practice all of the plans we have for the future and hope to get to know everyone in the months and years to come.I look forward to meeting some new faces and also catching up with some old ones - so dig out your fanciest jumper and come along for some Christmas spirit!
Yvonne Rolfe Customer Relations Manager, Baycroft Fairfield Care Home.
* 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
To contact the Arlesey News Magazine please call 01462 731986
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E L D E R LY C A R E WITHIN A
H O M E LY E N V I R O N M E N T
INTRODUCING
B AY C RO F T FA I R F I E L D HITCHIN ROAD, FAIRFIELD, HITCHIN SG5 4SW
7 5 BEDS
NURSING CARE
RESIDENTIAL CARE
DEMENTIA CARE
We are extremely proud to introduce our new care home in Fairfield. Our aim is to provide outstanding care combined with exceptionally high quality facilities within a modern yet homely environment for those with residential, nursing or dementia care needs. Baycroft Fairfield has been built around the lifestyle and care requirements of each individual. As much thought has been invested into the elegant surroundings, innovative technologies, restaurant standard dining experience and the engaging social activities as the exemplary standards of care. These elements combined create the comfortable and happy lifestyle you or your loved one deserve; and one that we are committed to deliver.
01462 530465
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infofairfield@baycroft.co.uk
To contact the Arlesey News Magazine please call 01462 731986
baycroft.co.uk
Family Announcements Acknowledgement - Michael Boyden.
Michael Boyden, who lived in Arlesey for nearly 60 years passed away unexpectedly on the 13th October. His funeral took place on Friday the 8th November with a family burial at Arlesey Cemetery followed by a wake at Arlesey Football Club. Michael was a lifelong lorry driver and lorry enthusiast and for his final journey, he travelled to the cemetery on a 1959 vintage Foden lorry. The funeral was attended by family and lifelong friends and Michael was carried to the graveside by his family. The family floral tribute was made from apricot roses and Lily of the Valley which were the same flowers that were in the bridal bouquet from his wedding to Patricia in 1962. All the bridesmaids from their wedding attended the burial. Michael was born in Larkfield near Maidstone, Kent in 1942 and moved to Bedford when he was 12 years old. On leaving school, Michael did a variety of jobs including working on steam trains and being a driver’s mate on a lorry before becoming a lorry driver. Michael moved to Baldock and worked for many years at ICL in Letchworth where he met Patricia. Michael married Patricia, his greatest love, in 1962 and they enjoyed a long happy marriage for over 57 years. On return from their honeymoon in Ramsgate they set up home in Hitchin before moving to Arlesey in 1963. They have 6 children, Catherine, Lorraine, Sheena, Joanne, Matthew and Shelley, 15 grandchildren with a great grandchild on the way.
Michael worked for several haulage companies before becoming a haulage operator himself employing 3 people and owning 5 lorries delivering all over Europe. One contract took him further afield to Azerbaijan and Russia.
Michael’s biggest passion was vehicles of all kinds. He enjoyed tinkering on his vintage cars, a Humber Imperial and Ford Prefect, collecting model lorries and watching motorsports. He also enjoyed collecting coins, growing flowers and watching birds feeding in the garden. Michael, a devoted family man, will be remembered for being a generous person with a big heart and sense of humour. He was an easy going person who was often seen around the village. Michael has a place in many hearts and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Michael’s family would like to thank Richard Maskell for the use of the vintage lorry, Benedict’s Funeral Directors, the family and friends who have provided great comfort and support and for the generous donations to Michael’s chosen charity SMA UK which supported his late Grandson Billy. ALFIE KEVIN DUFF
ROSA SHABBIR
27th December
MADDI LAW
Happy 9th Birthday!!
Love from Mum, Dad and Luca x
LOUISE JACKSON
Happy Big Birthday! 22nd December With love from your famly & friends x
Happy 15th Birthday Love you to the moon and back, Mama xx
BARBARA HANCOCK 29th December
Happy 70th birthday Love from all the family in Australia, UK and USA. xx
28th November Happy 1st Birthday With love from Mummy, Daddy & all the family x
Love from everyone at Satchells and all your friends & family x
Happy 18th birthday 5th December Love from Dad, Julie, Nanna, Jordan & family xx
Happy Birthday Hope you have a great day!. Thankyou for everything you have done for me. Lots of love your wife Anna xxx
CONNOR ROBINSON
ADAM FRICKER & REBECCA GIFFORD
Huge congratulations on your Engagement! Love from your family, friends & all at GDA!
Happy 50th Birthday!
To contact the Arlesey News Magazine please call 01462 731986
LUKE
HOLLIE WOOD Happy 10th Birthday 26th December Love from us all Xxxxxxxxx
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News from
News from
Arlesey Methodist Church
St Peter’s Church
A very Happy and Joyful Christmas from the Churches in Arlesey! We look forward to welcoming you at any of our services and events. St Peter’s Sunday 8th December 10.00am Christingle Sat-Sun 14th/15th December Christmas Tree Festival Weds 18th December 7.00pm Town Carol Service Christmas Eve 4.30pm Children’s Crib Service 11.30pm Midnight Mass Christmas Day 9.30am Christmas Eucharist Sunday 29th December 10.30m Joint Service Methodist Church
Are angels real? I have been helping in local school assemblies. We’ve been hearing about the Angel Gabriel, who is mentioned several times, especially in the Advent and Christmas stories. For example, we dramatized the story of when the angel Gabriel is sent to a girl called Mary to tell her she was going to have a baby who would be God's son. It's Jesus Christ’s birth we celebrate at Christmas. So, are angels real? If we are waiting for Christmas, then yes! Angels are real. Wishing everyone a peaceful and happy Christmas season from us all at Arlesey Methodist Church. Rev’d Graham Claydon-Knights 07340 857386 Graham.Claydon-Knights@methodist.org.uk Bookings: Ann Archer 07796 148142
Arlesey Methodist Church Services: Sunday 1st December 10.30am United Service at Baldock Sunday 8th December 10.30am Morning Worship Sunday 15th December 3.00pm Christingle Service at Baldock Christmas Eve 4.30pm Carol Service at Baldock Sunday 29th December 10.30am Joint Holy Communion
Established 1971
All New Plumbing & Heating Installatio ns Installations Bathroom & Shower Installations Boiler & Gas Cooker Installations & Serv icing Servicing Power Flushing & Heating Upgrades Andy Martini 835617 07950 311963 | 01462 835617 almplumbing17@gmail.com almplumbing17@gmail.com www.almplumbingandheating.co.uk www.almplumbingandheating.co.uk Stotfold, SG5 4HQ 25 Marigold Way, Stotfold,
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Email: arlesey.news@yahoo.com
Pumpkin Trail Half Term Champions This years ‘Great Big Children’s Pumpkin Trial’ hosted by Satchells Estate Agents Stotfold during half term was a huge success, with many entries recieved for both trails in Stotfold and Arlesey.
Participants of the pumpkin trail were tasked with hunting down hidden pumpkins posted in and around Arlesey over the school half term break. Winners of both challenges were awarded gift vouchers for Amazon to the value of £50 each. Thomas Baldwin Age 7 and Ivie Armitage Age 5 were presented with their prizes by Satchells Branch Manager, Kevin Duff at the beginning of November. Kevin told the Arlesey News Magazine, ‘It is great to see local children out and about during the school holidays taking part in fun activities, we were astounded at the amount of children that took part.’ Congratulations to Evie and to Thomas!
Satchells Estate Sgents would like to thank all local businesses and schools that took part by displayingthe pumpkin trail posters in and around Arlesey. Ivie & Thomas with their £50 vouchers
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www.letchworthcarpetcentre.co.uk Email orders@letchworthcarpetcentre.co.uk
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News from
Arlesey Community Events. December the 21st see’s the return of our popular carol singing event- for those who've never been before it's an informal gathering round the village pump to sing some carols and enjoy the Scouts fabulous mulled wine. Everyone is welcome. We'd like to encourage local musicians to come down and accompany the singing if possible. Could you bring an instrument and join in the festivities? We would love to hear from you if you are interested....
You may have seen this year we are starting a new tradition in Arlesey with the start of our ‘Advent Windows’ on 1st December. The idea being that each day one window in Arlesey will be lit to celebrate advent. The first of our advent windows will be "lit" on December 1st - a joint venture by Arlesey Town Council and Arlesey Resource Centre that will see the Community Centre lit up for December. A full list of windows will be available on our Facebook page by the end of November. This list will also be shared by the Arlesey News magazine. We also hope to post pictures of each window as they are revealed each day. We hope you enjoy this and hope to make it a yearly occurence.
We'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in Arlesey for their support over the last year and to wish the community a very Happy Christmas & New Year. All at Arlesey Community Events.
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To contact the Arlesey News Magazine please call 01462 731986
A Small Concentration Of Pubs In A Small Area Compiled exclusively for the Arlesey News Magazine by Steve Maddox
In 1850 the railway transformed Arlesey. With two stations it was a double stop along the East Coast mainline from Kings Cross. Arlesey and Henlow station the northern most, along Old Oak Close (the old A507) now called Arlesey Station. The other, Three Counties Station, at the southern end of Station Road, around two miles away serving the village plus Three Counties Hospital (now Fairfield Hall).
The railway brought business and people to the village. Houses were built for the workers and pubs opened to quench the thirst of those villagers. It is estimated that at one time there were over twenty public houses in Arlesey. In one very small area of the village, and within several yards of each other, there was a high concentration of public houses. All very close to the station. If you look, you may be able to see signs of them but the only one still open as a watering hole, and serving alcohol, is the True Briton.
Picture supplied by Sheila Oaks
On the west side of the road almost opposite was The City Arms. Now a private residence but still there, it opened in 1851 and remained open until 1909. Further down the road towards the railway is Acre Wood Day Nursery. Up until the year 2000 it was the Brickground Hotel and latterly The Mallard For many years there was a cinema alongside. A corrugated tin hut, used by Army cadets, ‘The Cosy’ was very popular and had several owners until it was destroyed by fire in 1956.
Back across the road was the Lamb Inn. The building long since demolished was on the edge of Lamb Meadow (Arlesey Town Football ground). It opened in 1840 ahead of the railway and stayed open up until 1964. Almost next door to the Lamb Inn and opposite the True Briton, on Hospital Road, was the Brickmakers Arms. Its doors opened to patrons in 1865 and closed in 1926. The building is now a private house. A slightly longer walk from here would bring you to the High Street which boasted more pubs. I think you would need a whole weekend to have visited all the pubs in this mall area. You may have needed the Monday off work though. Today Arlesey has four public houses, a social club and the football club as places to go for a night out.
Picture supplied by Terry Gibson
Source information – Pubs Past and Present by Ken Page, Biggleswade Chronicle 2001 Email us at: arlesey.news@yahoo.com
Picture supplied by Terry Gibson
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Lights, Camera, Action for Emily. Pix Brook Academy student Emily Miles, has been learning all about ‘life on set’ after being selected to appearing in forthcoming film ‘The Ballad of Lucy Sands.’ Based on a true story, the film is set in Victorian times and is based around the murder of a young Irish Girl Lucy, a Workington girl who was brutally killed in the 1800’s. Emily, who loves to sing, dance and act had a part specially written in for her by Director Steve Baldwin after filming for another film was put back to next year. Emily plays Irish girl, Rosie O'Leary and features in several scenes throughout the film including a scene shot at a church in Workington, Cumbria. One scene shows Emily singing a solo piece due to be filmed during late November. The film is set for release during 2020 and has been an incredibly exciting opportunity for both Emily and her family during the last few months. Emily’s dad Darren Miles told the Arlesey News Magazine how excited Emily was to be selected for the part ‘Emily absolutely loves to perform so this opportunity has been amazing for her. She filmed during the summer in Bodmin and has now completed her filming for this year. This is her first speaking part so she has loved the whole experience. Singing in front of 200 people was a huge accomplishment for Emily and we are so proud of what she has achieved!’ We will keep readers updated as to when the film is released! What an amazing opportunity for Emily!
ARLESEY PHARMACY
Free NHS Flu vaccination available for eligable patients
FREE Prescription delivery service to ALL Arlesey and Stotfold residents
FREE Repeat prescription "drop-off" and collection service from Arlesey Medical Centre and Larksfield (Stotfold) Surgery.
Stotfold youngster Emily Miles
Emily filming on set with the lead actors
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Arlesey Remembers... Many people joined the parade and took part in the Arlesey Remembrance Service held at the War Memorial on Sunday 10th November. The service, conducted by Rev’d Geoffrey Boult included contributions and representation from many local groups and organisations including Central Bedfordshire Council, local schools, military representatives, Scouts, Guides, Brownies and members of the public. A reading by Jodie Chillery told the very moving story of a young soldier from Arlesey who sadly lost his life during the war. Soldier West, buried in the churchyard in Arlesey, lost his life after being shot in battle. He passed away in Bedford Hospital after returning back to England. Names of fallen soldiers including soldier West were read from the roll of honour. Wreaths were then laid at the foot of the memorial as the Arlesey & Stotfold branch of the Royal British Legion played the last post. Many people joined in the hymns and enjoyed the service in the November sunshine.
Rev’d Geoffrey Boult takes the Remembrance service
Pictures taken by the Arlesey News Magazine.
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Walking the Hicca Way
Written exclusively for the Arlesey News Magazine by Sarah Passey Part of the Etonbury Green Wheel route follows the Hicca Way as it wends its way along the banks of the River Hiz through Arlesey. After I walked the full Green Wheel route earlier in the year, I decided I would like to attempt some more of the Hicca Way route.
The Hicca Way takes its name from a Saxon tribe—the Hicca—who lived on the banks of the River Hiz near Hitchin. Danish invaders who had settled at Etonbury, near where the rivers Hiz and Ivel meet, charged the Hicca a tax (to avoid being attacked!) and so the Hicca Way is an imagining of the route the tribe members might have taken to pay their tax. The route follows as near as possible the River Hiz and passes through Charlton, Hitchin, Ickleford, Arlesey, and Henlow. The source of the river (and start of the Hicca Way) is the wellhead in Charlton village close to the old Windmill pub, outside which there is an information board about the walk. The Hiz joins with the Ivel just past Henlow Bridge Lakes, which is where the Hicca Way ends. The route is waymarked with signs that look like stone arrowheads, with the arrow pointing the direction to walk.
Having already walked a loop of the route from Charlton to Hitchin, and run the section from Henlow Bridge Lakes to Ickleford, I decided to fill in the gaps. With my friend Marie for company, and on probably the wettest day we could choose, we caught the train from Arlesey to Hitchin to begin the walk. With map in (wet) hand, we headed from Hitchin station towards Ransoms Recreation Ground, which we walked through to pick up the Hicca Way on Grove Road. Passing through an industrial unit, the path brought us out in a wildlife area we had never heard of before, Burymead Springs. The Hicca Way winds through this nature area, and paths go along the riverbank or through the meadow. We couldn’t beat a path along the river so enjoyed the meadow instead. With the railway line nearby, you are always reminded of your proximity to urban life, but it is great that we have these little green spaces for wildlife to flourish.
We arrived in Ickleford, at a spot called Gerry’s Hole (a pond formed after the Hitchin to Bedford railway line was built and named after a poor soul who drowned in the river after a night in the pub.) Here we were slightly perplexed as to the route, and with only a little local knowledge between us, we walked up and down the path until we found the next waymarker. A wet stomp brought us out by the Lavender Farm and back to familiar ground. Once on Ickleford Common, we followed the footpath along the river, then across arable fields almost towards Lower Stondon, before the path swung back along the river towards Arlesey. The common here has grazing ponies and is covered in buttercups at certain times of the year, it’s really quite a lovely place to walk, and was popular with dogwalkers when we were there. Following the river closely now, we came to Arlesey Old Moat and Glebe Meadows, an area that has been developed in the past few years into a wonderful nature area.
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Arlesey Station marked the end of our walk, which was just over 7 miles in total. This is a lovely route for exploring the local area, and is easily accessible via the Green Wheel.
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News from
Arlesey Town Football Club
Welcome to our latest news... October Player Of The Month. Local lad and winger Ryan Lamond recently won our Player Of The Month for October. Ryan has currently played 23 games and scored one goal this season. He won MOM vs Potton United (Sat 19th Oct) Our November vote will open after our last game of the month vs Potton United (Sat 30th)
Management Change UPDATE The club are in the final phases of selecting a manager after finishing interviews. Hopefully by the time you are reading this an appointment has been made, if it has, all the news will be on our website www.arleseytownfc.com Club Website UPDATE Our website is currently undergoing a refurbishment and we are slowly adding pages and features. Fixtures, Results and a news page has been added since the November issue. Look out for more over the coming days and weeks.
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FA VASE 25th Commemoration 07957 626314 / 01462 730244 This season the club celebrates the anniversary of our greatest achievement. It is handyhenry2019@gmail.com our 25th season since winning the FA VASE at Wembley and to commemorate such a wonderful occasion the club will be selling special 25th Anniversary clothing and Teamwear. We are taking orders for White & Blue Polo Shirts, Blue North Hertfordshire T-Shirts, Winter Hats and a Charity Red Cardiomyopathy T-Shirt. Prices - £18 Polo Shirts, £14 T-Shirts & £10 Charity Memorial Park and Crematorium Red T-Shirt The club are also selling 25th Warmly invite you to their annual Carol Service. Anniversary Pin Badges (as pictured) for £4 and Sunday 1st December 3pm. are available at the club. Pin Badges are now available from behind the bar while other Join us for a service of familiar merchandise can be ordered down at the club. carols and seasonal readings, Hopefully we will have them on our website soon Fixtures DECEMBER & JANUARY followed by an opportunity to Saturday 7th NORTH GREENFORD Home light a candle in memory of Saturday 14th Wembley Away loved ones. Saturday 21st Leighton Town Away Saturday 28th BALDOCK TOWN Home Mince pies, mulled wine and Saturday 4th JAN London Colney Away light refreshments will be Saturday 11th JAN AYLESBURY VALE DYNAMOS Home Get in touch for a fast, free quote.
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These photographs were kindly loaned to the Arlesey News Magazine once again by Karen King and show Etonbury School girls & boys, circa 1962 We would love to hear from you if you have any old photographs you can lend us for this monthly feature. Email us at: arlesey.news@yahoo.com.
ARLESEY W.I
Arlesey W.I. would like to invite all women to come to our meetings. We meet in the W.I. Hall, High Street, Arlesey SG15 6SN at 7.30pm on the 2nd Tuesday in each month. You don’t have to be able to make cakes or do craft, we just want you to come along, have a cup of tea and a chat and enjoy our entertainment, parties, speakers and outings.
Many W.I. groups have new younger members now and the memberships are growing, in a village such as Arlesey we are having lots of new people moving in and it is a great way to meet new friends. Arlesey W.I. began at the end of World War 1 in 1918 and has been in the village now for 101 years, the hall is trusted to us and is for the use of the whole community. We look forward to meeting you, come along and bring some friends.
For more information call Patricia Edge 07814 654876. or Wendy Pink on 01462 625235
To book our hall: Jane Fisher after 6pm 01462 835643 or 07788 203240
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Useful Telephone Numbers Citizen’s Advice Bureau
01525 402742 01525 841217 0300 300 8136
Trading Standards Advice Line
Churches
St Peter’s Church, Arlesey Methodist Church Rev Graham Claydon-Knights Fairfield Community Church Kings Baptist Church Salvation Army Stotfold Corps
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Council
721674 735704 730521 731072
Arlesey Town Council Town Council Office Arlesey Community Centre High Street Arlesey, Beds SG15 6SN Phone: 01462 733722 Email: deputyclerk@arleseytc.co.uk
Waste Collection / Recycling / Dog Warden / Flytipping / Grass Cutting / Street Cleaning / Abandoned Vehicles 0300 300 8631 or 0300 300 8632
Arlesey Medical Centre www.arleseymedicalcentre.nhs.uk Larksfield Surgery Stotfold: Out of Hours Service
01462 732144
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0800 7 838 838 0800 111999
Childline National Menengitis Trust Samaritans NSPCC
0800 1111 0845 6000800 08457 909090 0800 800 5000
Howard Cottage Housing Association, Pioneer House, Norton Way South, Letchworth Garden City, Herts, SG6 1NY
01462 683307
01462 732200 111
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Grand Union Housing - all enquiries
0300 123 5544
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01234 841212 01234 842515
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01234 355122 01438 314333 08 45 46 47
Arlesey Resource Centre & Library Stotfold Library
01462 731469 0300 300 8068
Beds Police (Crime reporting) Community issues (Not crime reporting or emergency) Crimestoppers
01234 841212 01234 842515
The White Horse The Old Oak The Vicar’s Inn The True Britton
01462 01462 01462 07983
621118 612536 731215 397000
Etonbury Academy Pix Brook Academy Gothic Mede Lower School BEST Nursery (Arlesey) Arlesey Preschool @ WI Hall
01462 01462 01462 01462 07815
730391 416243 732002 732168 293670
Library Police
Pubs
Schools & Nurseries
Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Chicksands, Shefford SG17 5TQ 0300 300 8000 Email customer.services@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk Web www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Doctor
Hospitals
0800 555111
Children’s Centre
0800 555111
Stotfold and District Children's Centre
01462 730623
Trains (National Enquiries)
08457 484950
Greenacre Transfers Airports & Chauffeur Services www.greenacretransfers.co.uk"
07555 70 78 48
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DIRECTORY. Accountancy & Tax Sue Matejtschuk (SCM Accountancy) Abery Motor Centre Acre Wood Day Nursery AD Garden Rooms AJB Fencing Alfie’s Barbers Andy Leonard Painter & Decorator Arlesey Ladies Football Club Arlesey Pharmacy Arlesey Walk Groups Aquarius Garden Design Barn Hair Studio Stotfold Bal & Co Motor Care Beale Bros Butchers, Stotfold Bews Electrical Bickerdikes Garden Centre Big Minibus Hire Bookks Bookkeeping services Box Of Cakes Cafe & Cake Shop Brian McInally - Gas & Heating Engineer Broadband Communications BSH Glazing (Windows & Doors) Bugs ‘n’ Things Pest Control C J Flooring Carpet Cleaning - ACCS Ltd Carpets & Flooring - Letchworth Carpet Centre Carpets & Flooring - Paul Faulkner Catsitter - Claire Centroheat Domestic Boiler & Heating Services Chequers Pub Chimney Sweep (Jesel Heat) Cleaning, Home Help & Errands The Cooker Buddy Oven Cleaning Darren Peters Property Maintenance Dennison’s - House & Garden Clearance DMC Tiling Electrician - Terry C Seymour Switched On Electrical Services Fairfield Bowls Club - Stella Wilson Fairfield Players Fencing (AJB) First Step Estate Agents Foot Health Professional - Vicki Eagles Foot Pro Podiatry Forget Me Not Florist Garden Robin Gifford Dance Academy Graham Smith Brickwork & Paving Greenacre Transfers Airports & Chauffeur Services www.greenacretransfers.co.uk HB Decorators Hello Flower Florists Helpers Homecare Henlow Vets Heritage Paving Hertfordshire Roofing Ltd Hybrid Pest Control & Garden Services James’s Carpentry & Handyman Service Jo Jingles Ken Seaby Carpets Kip McGrath Education Centre Kitchen Ergonomics Kumari Chiropractic Locksmith Services Maison Beaute New Kitchens
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01462 07954 07761 01462 Paul Thomas Landscaping 07889 Pendletons Sports Centre 01462 Piano Lessons - Christine Walker 01462 Pilates - Zanna Newton 07719 Plastering - Sam’s Plastering 07856 Plastering - Stotfold Plastering 01462 Plumbing - A D Taylor Plumbing 01462 Plumbing - ALM Plumbing 07950 Plumbing - C Plumb 01462 Plumbing & Heating - GSP Heating & Plumbing 01462 Plumbing - J D Heating & Plumbing Services LTD 07474 Plum-tek 01462 Podiatry - FootPro 07377 RH Gardens 01462 Stotfold & Arlesey Royal British Legion 01462 Samaritans 01462 Satchells Estate Agents 01462 Saunders Garage 01462 Scott Geekie Building Contractor 01462 Sharp Security Systems 01462 Sheldon Electricals 01767 Solicitors - HRJ Foreman Laws 01462 St John Badgers (6-10yrs) & Cadets (10-18yrs) 01438 Stephens Estate Agents 01462 Steam 2 Clean Carpet & Upholstery 01462 Stotfold Junior Football Club 07706 Stotfold Mill 01462 Stotfold News Magazine 01462 Tree Surgeon - 4 Seasons 01462 Wheelie Bin Cleaning 01462 Windows - Repairs & Installations (J Garside) 07951 Window Cleaning - ACCS Ltd 01462
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To contact the Arlesey News Magazine please call 01462 731986
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