Arlesey News Magazine December 2022

Welcome to December!

From the Editor December

It’s hard to believe that we are here already as we write this column for our December issue! As we look back on the year, we reflect on what has been a great one for the Arlesey News Magazine as we continue to gro w our publication f rom strength to strength

We are continually welcoming new adver tisers to our magazine and are no w (ver y almost) full to capacity with wonder ful deliver y volunteers. We are hugely grateful to the residents o f Arlesey for your suppor t as always

We are still looking for help in Jubilee Crescent, The Rally, Go thic Way and Car ters Way so if your New Year ’s Resolu tions is to get ou t more , keep f it and give back to the community then please do get in touch with us!

We hope you enjo y reading your December issue we will be bringing you the New Year edition during the Christmas break bu t until then we wish you all a ver y Happy Christmas and we hope the festive season brings you all happiness, health & good cheer

Until next month

Ar ticles:

Your letters Page 4

Update f rom Arlesey Community Events Page 5 News f rom Go thic Mede Academy Page 7 News f rom Etonbur y Academy Page 8 News f rom Pix Brook Academy Page 9

Family Announcements Page 12 News f rom ACORN Page 13 Mental Health Matters Jo Loach Page 14 News f rom Larksf ield Surger y PPG Page 15 News f rom St Peter ’s Church Page 16 News f rom Arlesey Methodist Church Page 17

Joanne

Dear Editor,

We recently required replacement fence panels and posts in our garden and as usual consulted the Arlesey News for a local contact On calling several listed adver ts we were for tunate enough to receive a response f rom Nathan who runs ‘STOTFOLD FENCING’. We can’t thank him enough for the pro fessional job completed Nathan went abo ve and beyond in keeping us informed at all stages as the job progressed, and also left our proper ty clean & tidy Thank you again Nathan you are a thoroughly lo vely genuine gu y and we will cer tainly be recommending you to family & f riends Ver y satisf ied customers Andrew & Elaine Fisher

Dear Editor,

We would like to say a big thank you to Louden Master ton for his lo vely warm tribu te to Frances Huckle in last month’s Arlesey News Magazine

We f irst new Frances on the Thursday morning Health Walks, come rain or shine week in week ou t Frances would be there with a big bag o f sweets which she would o ffer to ever yone We have so many happy memories o f Frances, bu t one that springs to mind is at one Health Walks Christmas lunch at The Fox and Duck, Frances came up to us and said "I have only been here twenty minu tes and I have had six fellas give me a kiss, so it was wor th coming", delivered with that cheeky Huckle laugh and smile

Oh Frances ho w we will all miss that laugh RIP Frances, we will miss you

Brenda and Richard Norris

News from Arlesey Community Events

Christmas is nearly upon us again and we really hope you enjo y our mo vie themed Advent windo ws around the village Thank you to all the residents & businesses who have taken par t this year, and to Sarah Colley for pu tting the map together o f the windo ws You will f ind the map o f all o f our decorated windo ws belo w - we hope you enjo y visiting them and for those taking par t, we hope you have enjo yed doing so

We'd also like to take this oppor tunity to thank all the traders who attended the Christmas Fair & Lights switch on, and to residents who came do wn to the event We couldn't do these events withou t such great suppor t f rom the local community A huge thank you to The Arlesey News magazine for helping us reach so many residents with our news & events!

As we look to the new year, we will be holding an event to mark the Coronation o f King Charles III, suppor ted by Arlesey To wn Council in May If you have any suggestions for an event, or if you would like to help us organise it, please do get in touch We'd lo ve to hear f rom you

We hope you all have a wonder ful Christmas, celebrating with your f riends and families.

Wishing you all a ver y happy & blessed 2023.

Arlesey Community Events.

** Don’t forget ** If your New Year ’s Resolu tions is to be more active or to perhaps give more back to your local community then we would lo ve to hear f rom you!

Arlesey Community Events are always on the look ou t for new helpers and volunteers No experience necessar y, just the willingness to get involved and occasionally get your hands dir ty!!

Nor th Her ts Road Runners

The Santa Canter is the f irst Sat o f the month 5k at Letchwor th Common on 3rd Dec. Join the fun and run in your christmas ou tf it. 9am star t. Entr y is f ree and the details are on our website nhrr org uk

We continue our training sessions with qualif ied coaches on Tues & Thurs evenings at 7pm these are open to all runners and we welcome ever yone f rom no vice to experienced runners Contact nhrr org uk or Ian on 07506 429928

To contact the Arlesey News Magazine please call 01462 731986

Last years Christmas Hero Cari Beedle

News from Gothic Mede Academy

What a busy half term we are having

Some o f our Year 2 pupils were lucky to receive a visit f rom The Bedfordshire Fire Ser vice. Children were given a talk around f ire safety and go t a chance to look at the clo thing that f iremen wear. The children then go t the chance to look at a f ire engine and the items that are stored in there.

Our Reception children have been busy in Forest school. Last week children made aboriginal journey sticks and then used sequencing language to explain their journeys around Forest School. The children had amazing fun whilst learning, even if it was ver y wet and muddy!

It is that time o f year where we are star ting to think abou t Christmas Jo yful sounds can be heard f rom the school hall where children are practising for their Christmas per formances

We are all looking for ward to our School Christmas dinner and sharing the special season together as a school

We would like to wish all a ver y Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2023.

The staff & pupils at Go thic Mede Academy.

Pupils

Update from Arlesey Bro wnies.

The Bro wnies have been celebrating Diwali and Gu y Fawkes night with Diya lamps and sparklers. We’ve had seven new bro wnies make their promise. We promise to “ser ve our communities” so we’ve been busy planting daffodil bulbs ou tside the village hall ready for ever yone to enjo y in the spring. Bro wnies o ffers girls (aged 7 to 10) exciting oppor tunities to tr y new things, take on challenges, disco ver their po tential, make brilliant f riends and abo ve all have fun! If you’d like to join us (or pu t your name on the waiting list if you’re no t quite 7) then register at www girlguiding org uk/joinus, or email us at arlesey bro wnies@ho tmail co uk

(pictured above and to the left) enjoying Forest School and a visit from the local fi re station this term

News from Etonbury Academy

It’s been a busy few weeks with trips, open evenings, parents evenings and winning ano ther award in our Junior School! Etonbur y Juniors have achieved the Primar y Science Quality Mark. I am absolu tely delighted and extend my thanks to the Junior team, including Mr Gar y Go tham, Primar y Science Lead and Head o f Year 5. Our Year 5s went ou t on their residential trip, and they had a brilliant time. May there be many more memories to be made with their school f riends during their time at Etonbur y

We also held our Open evening for prospective parents/carers and children with o ver 700 adults and children coming to f ind ou t more abou t us, and we couldn’t have been prouder o f the students and staff Ever y depar tment had a fantastic display or activity for the visitors to engage in, with some families staying for o ver 3hrs! We have star ted our inter vention sessions pro viding our children with the encouragement to reach their full po tential These positive programmes give the children the ability and skills to aim even higher, and these really suppor t our commitment to develop all our children and recognise them as individuals Follo wing a visit f rom the School Impro vement Advisor, we were delighted to receive such a positive repor t highlighting the many strengths o f our school, as well as areas for us to continue to develop We will always aim higher, and it was no ted ho w impressive our commitment is to developing our people which suppor ts and impro ves our children’s learning

Sixth Form Taster week for our Year 11s is the f irst o f many events informing the students abou t what’s to come They learnt more abou t the subjects they could consider at Etonbur y Sixth Form, which will be sho wcased during an evening this term for parents We are delighted that we have abo ve national attendance and our children are per forming incredibly well The school goes f rom strength to strength and we are really grateful to our parents/carers who engage and suppor t us by working together which really makes a difference to our children’s fu tures

If you would like to f ind ou t more abou t Etonbur y Academy, please get in touch and arrange a tour o f the school 01462 730391.

News from Pix Brook Academy

We are approaching the end o f the term already The day has f inished for many pupils bu t for many o thers activities continue As I took the oppor tunity to visit some depar tment meetings I was delighted to speak to pupils in year 5 homework club, Harr y Po tter club, forensics club and then to see so many pupils bo th under taking foo tball training in addition to o ther spor ting activities and f ixtures Given that it is the end o f what has been a really busy term it is great to see pupils still fully immersed in school life The last few weeks have included so much great stu ff it is sometimes hard to keep track o f it all For our new year 5 it has been great to get to kno w these new pupils in school The large group o f year 5 pupils are already settled into the rou tine o f a new school It never ceases to amaze me ho w quickly they become accustomed to new people, spaces and expectations and I am delighted with their attitude and application Having almost 150 new pupils in year 5 in f ive classes cer tainly adds a buzz to the school and they will add great life and vigour to our school o ver the next few years I kno w they enjo yed the traditional visit to Cadbur ys world last month and the year 6 also enjo yed their visit to Blists Hill dressed as V ictorians We are also looking for ward to ano ther quickly established tradition o f our visit to the pantomime at the end o f term

No vember and December are always busy months in schools We consider ourselves really for tunate to have such suppor t f rom the community and tr y to “pay back” whenever we can Having visitors f rom St Mar y’s church in the form o f Graham Clark to help us for Remembrance Day is a great example o f ho w our pupils can be exposed to different voices talking abou t serious topics As a school we are suppor ting the Need Project in suppor ting less for tunate families and collecting selection boxes and Christmas puddings.

It has also been great to be able suppor t the Princes Trust o ver this term. We were contacted to see if we could pro vide a space for a community project to be under taken by a group o f young people and I am delighted to say we were able to accommodate the team. We had a handing o ver ceremony suppor ted by the Lady Clifford, the High Sheriff o f Bedfordshire and Cllr Steve Buck the Mayor o f Sto tfold.

Projects o f this nature are really impor tant to PBA and ver y much f it our aspiration to be responsible citizens and suppor t the community

I’d like to take this oppor tunity to wish all a ver y merr y Christmas It has been a really busy year bu t as always we look to the fu ture with optimism

Hai r by Phillip celebrates 50 years, in- st yle!

Sto tfold hair salon, Hair by Phillip is celebrating half a centur y in business this year! To mark the occasion the salon issued a series o f discount vouchers to its customers, and to round o ff the celebrations, hosted a trip do wn memor y lane which included a VIP goody bag, f izz, canapés, and a charity raffle in aid o f Cancer Research Alongside valued clients and staff members, the event was also attended by Sto tfold’s Mayor Steve Buck, our founder Phillip Parkin, and GBBO’s Dawn, who called ou t the prize winners

In to tal the event successfully raised o ver £200!

As one o f the longest running businesses in the to wn, Hair by Phillip has been successfully styling hair for Sto tfold residents since 1972, when Phillip Parkin f irst took the business o ver with his wife Val and young son And it’s truly remarkable that the business still attracts some o f the original clients to the salon 50 years on!

The salon built its repu tation based on Phillip’s drive and dedication to his craft, by entering and winning many competitions, as well as involving the salon in a number o f community events o ver the years, f rom carnival floats to fashion sho ws! Of course a lo t has changed o ver the years, no t just the price o f a haircu t, which Phillip reckons couldn’t have been more than a couple o f quid back in 1972, bu t huge impro vements in colours and techniques, the ongoing training oppor tunities for staff, as well as all the technological changes to gro w and promo te the business to keep it successful

With the business having been passed on to Phillip’s daughters in 2012, fur ther investment has been made since then to continue to appeal to the residents o f Sto tfold, f rom an integrated appointment system for booking online, to a salon app, and new ser vices like Kerasilk which pro vides a long lasting, per fectly smoo th transformation to the hair

Reminiscing abou t the past 50 years, Phillip said: “Never would I have imagined back in 1972, when I f irst arrived with my young family, that the salon would still be such an integral par t o f the Sto tfold community, and still a successful local business to this day. It was great to host an event to celebrate the longevity o f the salon, and to hear f rom clients bo th old and new abou t what attracts them to our family business. I’m ver y grateful for all the suppor t o ver the years and wish the salon ever y success.

Owner and creative director, Gemma said: “It’s an incredible honour to be able to successfully continue the family business that my Dad created all those years ago. To ensure we remain successful, we are regularly investing in the salon, and the training o f our staff as we kno w ho w impor tant it is to retain our appeal to existing clients and continue to attract new clients. I’m so pleased the event went so well and we raised a good amount o f money for Cancer Research”. “Thank you to all our valued clients and staff for all their suppor t o ver the past 50 years, we will never take it for granted and will always be thankful to those clients who choose our salon ”

To keep up to date with Hair by Phillip please follo w: Instagram: HairbyPhillipSto tfold or Facebook: hairbyphillipsto tfold Hair by Phillip, 55 High Street, Sto tfold, SG5 4LD Tel 01462 730342 www.hairbyphillip.co.uk

Pictured left to right, Salon o wner Gemma, Sto tfold Mayor Cllr Steve Buck, Phillip Parkin and GBBO’s Dawn Belo w, the fabulous 50th Anniversar y cake!

Family announcements

CLAUDIA GIBB

TEEN IN THE HOUSE!

13 on the 13th December! Happy 13th Bir thday Enjo y your celebrations Lo ve Mum, Dad, Law, Grace and the Whoopie Poopie XXXXXX

Happy Bir thday MRS CROS S!

Wishing our wonder ful Headteacher a ver y happy 40th bir thday We hope you have a fabulous Christmas break celebrating With lo ve f rom your Roecro ft family xx

ARTHUR

Happy 4th Bir thday Have the best day and we'll see you soon. Lo ve Auntie Katie and Auntie FeeFee X

PETER

GAYFER -TOMS

Happy 13th Bir thday With lo ve Mum, Dad, Jemima, Harr y and Cocoxxxx

HOLLIE WOOD

Teenager at last Happy 13th bir thday 26th December Lo ve f rom us all X xxxxxxxxxx

LUKE Happy Bir thday! Lo ve Anna X

SANDR A & ALAN KING

Happy 70th Bir thday to you bo th!

Lo ve f rom all your family xx

CONTACT US TODAY! CALL 07497 157531 glen@thepathwayhypno therapyrooms co uk www.thepathwayhypno therapyrooms.co.uk

News from ACORN

At the recent ACORN AGM Chairman Linda Clapham presented Karl Griff iths with a pair o f ACORN commemorative mugs to mark his retirement as volunteer warden o f the Glebe Meado ws Karl took o ver f rom the late John Rogers in 2010 and has been a stalwar t o f ACORN working par ties ever since Ho wever, no w in his mid eighties he has decided to retire Many o f the volunteers are seniors and thanks to them the local countr yside has been kept accessible o ver the years The group was publically launched in 1993 at a meeting at the Mallard Pub V ic Williams one o f the founder members, no w 87, was also in attendance

Geo ff Page joint acting chairman in his winding up repor t said “The committee have no t go t any younger during the years and it’s fast approaching that those that have soldiered on will no longer be able to do so Over the years we have seen many come and go, and many fond memories especially o f those that that have passed away in the last couple o f years ” He added “I kno w bo th Katie and Brian Ju ffs, who celebrated their Diamond Wedding earlier this year would dearly like to stand do wn f rom the committee as well, bu t have agreed to carr y on so the group remains quorate and does no t have to be wound up It is strange in our environmentally aware world with the Greta Thunberg’s and the Extinction Rebellions carr ying on we can’t get younger people to step up and take on the good work that ACORN has done locally There is still much to do” The evening was held at the Arlesey Social Club and was follo wed by a bu ffet.

The committee remains as follo ws:

Linda Clapham and Geo ff Page were re elected as joint chairmen. Mick Jackson was re elected as the treasurer. He was unable to attend as he was running his 28th marathon in Dublin and sent in a written summar y [well done on bo th counts Mick]. Katie and Brian Ju ffs were also elected (as mentioned previously). Tony Kirchin has taken on the role o f Warden to the Glebe Meado ws and Andrew Knight keeps up the interest on the ACORN FaceBook page (400 follo wers). He runs a pho to o f the month competition with the winning pho to chosen by members and used in an annual calendar.

Because o f the aging volunteers many o f the physical activities have go t fewer recently bu t a small team still looks after the Nature Reser ves. The foo tpaths were no t up to their usual standard, bear in mind CBC emplo y a contractor to cu t them twice a year, bu t a younger member (that’s anyone under 70) stepped up to the plate and did a thorough job on one neglected path just using a scy the Ano ther new member is going on a LANTR A training course so that they can use a strimmer in the fu ture The group was one o f the f irst to sign up to becoming a Parish Paths Par tner in 1993 with the local au thority

The group will be celebrating its 30th anniversar y in 2023 and has achieved quite a lo t in that time Firstly, by purchasing and saving the Glebe Meado ws, par t o f the heritage o f the local countr yside; the creation o f the Hicca Way Foo tpath along the length o f the River Hiz together with a printed guide; the installation o f an easy accessible foo tpath to the River Hiz f rom Mill Lane; designed and published a set o f f ree local circular walks guides (no w ou t o f print); have organised a lo t o f hedge and shrub planting with the Arlesey Plants Project par tnership at the To wn Council’s playing f ield, The Green and Woodland Chase They have also worked with local farmers to help enhance their f ields under the countr y stewardship scheme Etonbur y Wood was a signif icant one which was par t o f an EU farming diversif ication scheme With a sound constitu tion the group has raised well in excess o f £120,000 in grants to under take much o f this work It has no t all been hard work and members have been on many f ield trips to o ther places o f natural interest On one occasion they went in search o f the Great Raft Spider at Lopham and Redgrave Fen in Su ffolk.

If you care abou t the decline in the green spaces around the village then it is only £7 for a household membership or £5 for a single person to join ACORN. Most o f all the group needs active younger members (anyone under 70!!) to continue the ACORN legacy.

Karl pictured left with Linda Claham

Mental Health Matters

hing ca

mming

s and g tle” & the at ter Car Ian

WALKS FOR HEALTH

Would you like to join a f riendly local walking group?

Walks star t at 10 45am

Meeting points for December:

1st Etonbur y Woods (nr Etonbur y School )

8th 15th 22nd Corner Hospital Rd, Arlesey

Jo Loach

Christmas..This word can evoke all manner o f thoughts and feelings, no t all o f which are sparkly and fun. Amidst a world seemingly full o f chaos, uncer tainty and situations beyond our control, Christmas can remind us to refocus on what is within our control, what really matters and is wor thy o f celebration.

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b TFOLD ING NEEDS ING FENCING YOUR YO Stotfold the contact 0146 call please Magazine News d

For example, with shops awash with all things Christmas f rom as early as August, there can be pressure to spend more than is manageable especially given existing diff iculties with the cost o f living. If we pause on the approach to Christmas, we can consider ho w we want to celebrate, who with and set an affordable budget In doing so, instead o f being passively carried along, we can retain responsibility for making active choices to celebrate the season Christmas doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated With forethought and planning, it is possible to keep things simple, be extra creative and still retain its spirit and meaning Whether you believe in the Christ that the season represents, or no t, Christmas reminds us to see, care for, suppor t and look after one ano ther with sincerity and generosity, for in these diff icult times, our greatest strength and suppor t, remains each o ther

This seems even more per tinent in the face o f escalating anxiety follo wing the Pandemic, numerous natural and manmade tragedies the world o ver and all the ordinar y life challenges Ho wever, Christmas invites us to balance and lighten the stresses o f life by coming together (minus restrictions o f recent years) to eat, talk, listen, be, play games, take winter walks, have fun and celebrate all that is still good Jo Loach is a BACP accredited Counsellor and Super visor, with an MA in Contemporar y Therapeu tic Counselling and o ver thir teen years counselling experience. You can contact her at jo.loach@gmail.com

by ” Oa r at co ht n rey G Bernie ” En PC m Anne ” Ba s hin Hi at Rec e on ne e ng o Andy ge” Bi n and Ba at h ha e h b S NS and 15009 ncing@gmail.com 9

Larksfield Surgery PPG News

Larksf ield Surger y and Arlesey Medical Centre merger.

We are ver y pleased to inform you that we have merged with Arlesey Medical Centre! Things will no t change much, as Arlesey patients will still be seen at Arlesey Surger y and Larksf ield patients at Larksf ield Surger y We will keep you updated through Larksf ield News, Facebook and our brand new website that will be going live soon Ultimately, the joining o f the two practices will give us the oppor tunity to retain/attract and gro w workforce numbers and streamline processes for patient care We really appreciate all the suppor t f rom Patients, Hospitals, Pharmacies, IT Depar tments, The CCG and all staff through this merge process

Flu Clinics

We would like to thank our fantastic nursing staff for the ou tstanding job they’ve been doing at the flu clinics We’ve had a great response f rom patients, and we already have a few more clinics set up this month We have in stock some COVID Vaccines, so please keep booking into our clinics

Online booking We have been working hard to pro vide you with a better ser vice by releasing appointments to be booked online and reducing the telephone queues

We will be releasing pre bookable appointments 3 weeks in advance and on the day appointments to be booked online, will be released at 8:00 am each morning We require the reason for your appointment when booking online

Larksf ield Surger y, Arlesey Road, Sto tfold, Her ts. SG5 4HB

Phone for Appointments: 01462 732244 (Option 1)

Test Results: 01462 732200 (Option 2)

News from St Peter’s Church

St Peter ’s Church wish you all a Happy Christmas as we celebrate the bir th o f Jesus The greatest present we could wish for, our Lord and Saviour, no t coming as a King, bu t born in a lo wly stable and living among the people, to sho w us ho w to share the lo ve o f God in our communities

Our celebrations star t with The Christmas Tree Festival on the 10th and 11th o f December 10 30am 5 30pm Entrance £2 50, children under 16 f ree Come and see our magical trees and enjo y some festive ref reshments Christmas concer t a light-hear ted and fun evening o f music Saturday 10th December 7pm Tickets £9 including f inger bu ffet and a glass o f wine, available f rom the addresses belo w

Sunday 11th December 10.00am Our morning ser vice will be Carols for All Do come along and enjo y singing some Christmas Carols, you can even choose your favourite carol when you come Advent Windo w We Light our Advent windo w on the 22nd December depicting “Nativity 2 Danger in the Manger ” Christmas Eve 4pm Crib Ser vice A ser vice with active involvement, aimed at children and families to tell the Good News o f Jesus’ bir th Do come dressed as an angel, shepherd, king or sheep, or we can dress you when you come 11.30pm Midnight Mass Lead by The Revd Amanda Ferris Christmas Day 10.00am All Age Christmas Ser vice

As it gets colder for some this may mean turning o ff their heating St Peter ’s plan to run the heating in church, it won’t be tropical, bu t with under floor heating feet can be warm. So if you want to come to a “Warm Hub” for a while, the church is open f rom 9am 5pm ever yday. There are books to read in the “Book Nook”, or you can add some pieces to a jigsaw in the Nor th Aisle, or you can sit and be quiet or chat to anyone else who may pop in.

Ser vices continue at the times belo w and we welcome visiting clergy to help during the vacancy. Ever yone is welcome.

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 Wednesday in the month Afternoon Tea 2 4pm All Welcome

Helen Bardell - Churchwarden 01462 731227 or 07967144571 email; churchwardens@arlesey org uk

Have you seen an Angel?

Angels! Something that the Christmas stor y isn’t shor t o f! They are ever ywhere. One at a time (the archangel Gabriel mostly), in dreams and in large numbers, f rightening the shepherds watching their flocks by night. Christmas events for children o ften involved making angels f rom card and tissue or tinsel or foil or all four Or maybe dressing up as angels, tr ying to get the shining halo to balance on their heads withou t falling to pieces in the process And whatever you might have on top o f the Christmas tree, I will have an angel, o f sor ts, o verlooking our Christmas dinner or opening o f presents Christian teaching varies on the subject o f angels Bu t common factors are that they are messengers f rom God, and that they will pro tect and guide on God’s behalf In the Christmas stor y, they are messengers, bu t with some convincing au thority in terms o f their radical appearance: It changes people Which brings me back to the question at the star t : have you seen an angel? I am no t looking for an actual answer Rather I pose the question to inspire thought, for a yearning o f something more, something o ther, to be alive at Christmas and in our lives For, as one o f those Christmas angels said “I bring good news o f great jo y” That’s surely something to hope for Graham

The Well Co ffee Stop welcomes all ever y Friday afternoon 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 There’s also some extra seasonal events this month, including Make a Christingle on Saturday 3rd December, 3 30pm to 4 30pm, and singing Carols on Sunday 18th

The Well Co ffee Stop’s Bible Course continues in the new year, dates to be announced in the next edition. Call 07747042239 for more information. Revd. Graham 07340 857386 Graham.Claydon Knights@methodist.org.uk

V ivace was founded by Kate Elmitt and the late Bob Wilkins. After a series o f star t up workshops in the au tumn o f 2001, the choir began weekly rehearsals in Januar y 2002, initially in Letchwor th, before mo ving with Bob and Kate to Arlesey later the same year.

We are a medium choir o f abou t 15 25 members who are drawn f rom all walks o f life and areas o f Sou th Bedfordshire and Nor th Her ts. We are, we hope, a welcoming group o f people who like to make music together. Our members all have different reasons for joining V ivace

We rehearse ever y Wednesday evening during term time, at Edgewor th House, 121 High Street, Arlesey, SG15 6SX , each term culminating in a Concer t held at various venues locally Our Music Director Richard Tyler and Accompanist Ben Ward, have many years’ experience and bring ou t the best in our voices!

V ivace members sing in four-par t harmony Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass Our range o f music varies, with the Au tumn and Winter term mainly dedicated to some o f the great and lesser-kno wn choral works Our Summer reper toire is usually sung in a ‘lighter ’ vein f rom Gilber t and Sullivan Choruses and sho w tunes through to the Beatles something for ever yone!

You may be new to the Arlesey area and looking for new group to join We are especially interested in hearing f rom any Tenors or Basses ou t there!

Come along for a couple o f ‘ taster ’ session rehearsals and if you have a favourite piece o f music we’d lo ve to kno w we always tr y to sing things our members actively enjo y Our next term star ts on the 4th Januar y 2023 Want to join in? Why no t contact our Secretar y Joan, for a chat or more information: secretar y@vivacechoir.org.uk

Down Memory Lane

Back to Etonbur y School again this month with a pho tograph f rom approx 1968 we think the teacher pictured here was Mr Frampton. Do you recognise anyone pictured here? We lo ve receiving your old pho tographs! If you have any you are willing to lend us please do get in touch arlesey news@yahoo co uk

Useful Telephone Numbers

Citizen’s Advice Bureau 01525 402742 01525 841217

Trading Standards Advice Line 0300 300 8136

Churches

St Peter ’s Church, 01462 731227

Arlesey Methodist Church Rev Graham Claydon Knights 01438 721674 Fair f ield Community Church 07376 740410 Kings Baptist Church 01462 730521

Salvation Army Sto tfold Corps 01462 731072

Council

Arlesey To wn Council To wn Council Off ice

Arlesey Community Centre, High Street, Arlesey, Beds 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 tipping / Grass Cu tting / Street Cleaning / Abandoned Vehicles 0300 300 8631 or 0300 300 8632

Doctor

Arlesey Medical Centre 01462 732144 www arleseymedicalcentre nhs uk Larksf ield Surger y Sto tfold: 01462 732200 Ou t o f Hours Ser vice 111

Emergencies

Electricity Emergencies 0800 7 838 838 Gas Emergencies 0800 111999

Helplines

Childline 0800 1111

National Menengitis Trust 0845 6000800 Samaritans 08457 909090 NSPCC 0800 800 5000

Housing

First Garden City Homes 01462 683307

Pioneer House, Nor ton Way Sou th, Letchwor th Garden City, Her ts, SG6 1NY

Grand Union Housing all enquiries 0300 123 5544

Police

Beds Police (Crime repor ting) 01234 841212 Community issues 01234 842515 Crimestoppers 0800 555111

Hospitals

Bedford Hospital 01234 355122 Lister Hospital 01438 314333 NHS Direct 0845 464700 300 8068

Librar y

Arlesey Resource Centre & Librar y 01462 731469 Sto tfold Librar y 0300 300 8068

Pubs

The White Horse 01462 621118

The Old Oak 01462 612536

The True Britton 07494 563496

Schools & Nurseries

Etonbur y Academy 01462 730391

Pix Brook Academy 01462 416243

Go thic Mede Lo wer School 01462 732002

BEST Nurser y (Arlesey) 01462 732168 Arlesey Preschool @ WI Hall 07815 293670

Children’s Centre Sto tfold and District Children's Centre 01462 730623

Transpor t

Trains (National Enquiries) 08457 484950 Whitbread Wanderbus 0300 123 3023 Boxall Taxis 01462 433 333 Greenacre Transfers Airpor ts & Chau ffeur Ser vices 07555 70 78 48 www.greenacretransfers.co.uk"

Miscellaneous

Beds Rural Communities Charity 01234 838771

Letchwor th MS Unit 01462 487172 Bir ths, Deaths & Marriages 0300 300 8089

731986

Local Directory

Accountancy & Tax

Sue Matejtschuk (SCM Accountancy) 01462 624926

Aber y Mo tor Centre 01462 733246

AD Garden Rooms 01438 313765

A JB Fencing 07837 791365

A J Day Builders 01767 314445

Alf ie’s Barbers 01462 658449

Andy Leonard Painter & Decorator 07889 903283

Arlesey Walking Group 01462 638286

Arlesey Pharmacy 01462 731200

Arlesey Social Club 01462 731361

Aquarius Garden Design 01462 731292

Ashwell So ftware / Sigma Off ice 01462 742783

Barn Hair Studio 01462 835611

Bal & Co Mo tor Care 01462 731500

Bews Electrical 01462 834488

Big Minibus Hire 07817 766997

BK Electrical / Brian Kelly 07817545314

Box Of Cakes Cafe & Cake Shop 07812 055587

Brian McInally Gas & Heating Engineer 01462 337218

Britannia Coaches 01462 436125

Broadband Communications 01462 732628

Brontë’s Floral Designs 07787 847141

BSH Glazing ( Windo ws & Doors) 01462 730884

Bugs ‘n’ Things Pest Control 0800 026 8823

Builders SJ Brock 01462 231257

Carpentr y by Ray 01462 732814

Carpet Cleaning ACCS Ltd 01462 629302

Carpets & Flooring Letchwor th Carpet Centre 01462 481312

Carpets & Flooring Paul Faulkner 01462 731674

Catsitter Claire 07984 344997

Centroheat Domestic Boiler & Heating Ser vices 07885 415363

Compu ter Repairs NIck Saunders 07521 279960

The Cooker Buddy Oven Cleaning 01462 810065

Chris Webster, Sto tfold 01462 834108

(Correspondent for The Comet )

Darren Peters Proper ty Maintenance 01462 733322

Dennison’s House & Garden Clearance 07522 354141

Dog walking & cat sitting Smiley Pets 07894 561765

EH Crouch Funeral Directors 01462 834040 Electrician Terr y C Seymour 01462 236559

Fair f ield Bo wls Club 07811 738599

Fencing (A JB) 07837 791365

Finesse Interiors 01462 896046

First Step Estate Agents 01462 659730

Foo t Health Pro fessional V icki Eagles 07812 399659

Foo t Pro Podiatr y 07377 536685

The Garden Robin Limited 01462 815968

Gifford Dance Academy 07585 221513

Graham Smith Brickwork & Paving 01462 731829

Greenacre Transfers Airpor ts & Chau ffeur Ser vices

www greenacretransfers co uk 07555 707848

Guides Sto tfold Guide Association 01462 235273

Henlo w Vets 01462 416416

Heritage Paving 01462 730682

Hypno therapy Pathway Hypno therapy Rooms 07497157531

James’s Carpentr y & Handyman Ser vice 01462 234292

Jar vis Foo tcare

07816 329363

Kumari Chiropractic 07479 945995

Locksmith Ser vices 01462 290226

Lo ved Gardens 07981 275663

Maintenance Ser vices SHMS 01462 887366

Mo w & Weedit Garden Ser vices 07765 495200

New Kitchens 01462 812826

Nick Sayer Plumbing & Heating 07456 559756

Nor th Her ts Road Runners 01462 639215

Oven Clean & Repair Ser vices 07878 444559

Painter/Decorator Paul A Robinson 07761 751634 01462 232642

Paul Adler Opticians 01462 732393

Paul Eley Tiling 07818 000508

Paul Thomas Landscaping 07889 811065

Piano Lessons Christine Walker 01462 731357

Pilates Zanna Newton 07719 862371

Plumbing ALM Plumbing 07950 311963

Plumbing C Plumb 01462 700862

Plumbing & Heating GSP Heating & Plumbing 01462 615922

Plumbing J D Heating & Plumbing Ser vices LTD 07474 444288

Plum tek 01462 618058

RH Gardens 01462 612033

Regency Flo wers 01462 732616

Remo vals AG Jenkins 01462 730562

Sto tfold & Arlesey Ro yal British Legion 01462 734133

Satchells Estate Agents 01462 733730

Saunders Garage 01462 730222

Sheldon Electricals 01767 448188

Shel's Shabby Chic, V intage painted furniture & workshops 01462 234228

Solicitors HR J Foreman Laws 01462 458711

Arlesey News Magazine 01462 731986

Sto tfold Pharmacy 01462 730249 Tailoring Ser vice 07575 417217 Warrens Windo ws 01462 261401 Windo ws Repairs & Installations (J Garside) 07951 473505

Windo w Cleaning ACCS Ltd 01462 629302 Yoga Freda Dodswor th 01767 627611

WELCOME T O

RCCG HOUSE OF MERCY, ARLESEY.

It’s a great privilege and honour to welcome you to our Church, where we experience mercy beyond measure. Join us ever y Sunday. Our ser vice star ts at 10:00 am 12:00 noon

RCCG House of Mercy, Arlesey

Village Town Hall, High Street, Arlesey SG15 6SN Telephone: 07903 985690