Arlesey News Magazine May 2023

From the Editor

Welcome to May!

We have a couple o f new features inside this month’s edition which we are hoping you will enjo y! Our f irst is ‘Readers Recipes ’ We want to hear abou t the recipes you like to cook which you feel are your signature dishes! Follo wing on f rom a plea on our social media, our f irst recipe has kindly been supplied by reader Margaret Shaw Have you go t a speciality you are willing to share with us? If so, please do get in touch! Our second new feature to the magazine has kindly been written for us by Arlesey Community Larder We hope this ar ticle will help spread the word abou t this wonder ful community initiative

Speaking o f ar ticles, WE WANT YOUR LETTERS! if you have something you wish to write abou t - maybe a recommendation for a local business or an opinion on something local, then we want to hear it! Please just get in touch using the contact details belo w

The picture we have chosen to use as our co ver picture this month was kindly given to us last year by reader Karen Webster - its simply stunning and decidedly spring -like, hence our reason for choosing it for May!

If you happen to venture o ver to the Sto tfold Mill weekend in May (13th/14th) we will be there just inside the main gate - do stop by and say hello! Its a wonder ful fun day ou t and one which we hope many o f you are able to suppor t and enjo y! In th meantime, we hope you enjo y the Coronation celebrations! Until next time

Joanne

Fundraising Lola Is At It Again!

Regular readers o f our magazine may recall young fundraiser Lola who amazed us all last Januar y as she ran 31 miles to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital In to tal, raising a whopping £3000!

This year Lola is at it again! This time raising funds for the Natasha Allergy Foundation by completing a triathlon (swimming 100m, cycling 5,000m and running 2,000m!) When Lola was three she su ffered an anaphylactic shock whilst at home after eating some mixed nu ts Later it was conf irmed Lola's allergy was in fact Brazil nu ts

Luckily there are ver y few food items that Brazil nu ts are found in, and the nu t itself is ver y identif iable. Ho wever no t all allergies are as easy to deal with

A prime example is Lola's best f riend Henr y Henr y has a severe Dair y and egg allergy An allergy which lacks awareness Children running around parks with ice -cream and chocolaty f ingers are things a lo t o f parents wouldn't think twice abou t These are all things that cause Henr y and his family a lo t o f anxiety By taking on this challenge, Lola is hoping to raise awareness o f the battle many people have ever y day when eating ou t And hopefully make more people aware o f the chances o f su ffering anaphylaxis in the most innocuous o f occasions

Lola has her o wn Justgiving fundraising page once again: https://www.justgiving.com/page/lolaevans

We’d ver y much like to see Lola raise lo ts o f money for this fantastic cause - we think she is just brilliant!

Please take time to read Lola’s stor y and donate if you are able to!

Lola preparing to take on her biggest challenge yet!

Arlesey Surgery Under New Partnership

It is several months since the Stanmore Medical Practice, Stevenage, gave no tice that they no longer wished to manage Larksf ield Surger y in Sto tfold Abou t the same time the ICB (Integrated Care Board ) decided that it was no longer f inancially viable to run Arlesey Surger y as a standalone practice and adver tised for a practice who would accept Arlesey as a branch

Larksf ield were the successful bidder for Arlesey, and the change came last No vember The new par tnership is no w called the Larksf ield & Arlesey Medical Par tnership

preferring to stay as Locums. Taking on new receptionists and back-o ff ice staff also takes time, no t only f inding people who can present a good face to the public bu t also, all need training which does no t happen o vernight.

Q: The most common complaint is ho w to get an appointment?

A: The pressure on appointments remains. This has been a discussion held with MP Richard Fuller as an increase in populations does no t mean an increase in GPs‘ that can be emplo yed Currently the number o f GP sessions (a session = half a day) per week at Larksf ield remains at 37, with Arlesey 10 plus a care Home GP This is in line with the current recommended guidance for the number o f patients registered The number o f patients per GP is a complex matter and influenced by a multitude o f factors

Fu ture plans: Recruitment has been going well The number o f salaried GP’s has increased and will increase fur ther as doctors join in April and June, an additional paramedic and two nurses have been emplo yed while back o ff ice and receptionists emplo yed has been built up to almost full strength

Pressure on the telephone system remains, par ticularly on a Monday bu t the waiting time should no w be a lo t less as a bank o f receptionists deal with calls f rom early morning rather than two previously A new telephone system has been installed that allo ws more receptionists to deal with incoming calls Hopefully, this should reduce the long waits Fur ther updates will be published next month

This information has been supplied to the Arlesey News Magazine by the recently merged Larksf ield and Arlesey Patient Par ticipation Groups.

Q: What was the f irst problem you encountered?

A: Larksf ield was shor t- staffed in all depar tments, while the GP ser vice was heavily reliant on Locums Arlesey was being suppor ted by Locum GPs’ ho wever these were contracted to pro vide continuity Our aim was simple –Recruit, Recruit, Recruit From 1 Februar y 2023 a new manager was brought into the practice as a managing par tner, this secures long term retention o f management for the practice Larksf ield and Arlesey have a long - term impro vement strategy to impro ve access, patient care and staff wellbeing

Q: Ho w is recruitment going?

A: It is no t a simple process To begin with, as we all kno w, there is a nationwide shor tage o f doctors, with many

Arlesey Surger y no w par t o f Larksf ield & Arlesey Medical Par tnership

Stotfold Butchers Bring Home The Bacon

Liam’s Traditional Bu tchers in So tfold have good reason to celebrate, after winning a two star Golden Cleaver Award, presented to them at the 2023 Harrogate Bu tchers Sho w.

The award was given to the Sto tfold bu tchers for their sausages, where judges praised them for bo th quality and flavour. It was the f irst time that Liam’s Bu tchers had entered the competition so they were extremely surprised to receive the award. Liam told the Arlesey News Magazine ‘We were thrilled to receive the award and had a great day

at the Harrogate Bu tchers Sho w where we were able to chat to many o ther local bu tchers and share ideas and helpful tips.’

‘Over 2,000 independent bu tchers f rom within the UK attended the event, so we were amazed to win an award.’ ‘It was the f irst time we have ever entered a competition making it all the more special for us to receive such a great accolade within the industr y ’

The Golden Cleaver awards take place annually and recognise quality taste and originality

Why no t pop along and visit Liam and his staff at Regent Street in Sto tfold and tr y some o f their award winning sausages for yourself!

Liam’s Bu tchers with their award

News from Arlesey Communit y Larder

Arlesey Community Larder is a Community Interest Company where we suppor t local residents and surrounding areas with food suppor t We are working in par tnership with Arlesey To wn Council and Central Bedfordshire Council to pro vide the ser vice

The larder opened to local residents just before Christmas (December 2022) and has helped a number o f families, individuals who require food suppor t

SOCIETY BARBERING

you for ever yone’s ning. The feedback we are no w pushing on for o ver 400 f ive star reviews.

We are pleased to announce that we are no w open 7 DAYS a week to keep up with demand and would like to welcome new barber Haider to the Sto tfold team Haider is a talented, experienced Barber making him a huge asset to Society Sto tfold

Between the three barbers we are no w able to cater for ever y hair type We look for ward to meeting you and booking you in Appointments can be made V ia the Booksy app for your convenience or call on 07539 708722

Barbering for all ages - NO W OPEN 7 DAYS

9a Regent Street, Sto tfold - SCAN For an apointment

Community suppor t for the larder has been fantastic so far, f rom the 1st Arlesey Scou ts and Dambusters Explorers with their Sleep Ou t to Help Ou t to the generosity o f local residents and community groups in Arlesey

We run a basics larder twice a week and o ffer on occasions food rescue f rom local supermarkets, please f ind up to date information on our facebook page @arleseycommunitylarder

Donations o f in date non-perishable food items to the basic's larder is ver y much welcome Presently we currently require: tinned meats, tinned meals, tinned f ish, tinned soups, long life milk, eggs, and oils.

Any monetar y donations can be made by BACS transfer to: Arlesey Community Larder CIC Sor t Code: 04-06-05 Account Number: 19621234

The larder is based at Arlesey MUGA Pavilion - see their facebook page for the most up to date opening times or contact 07427 650080 in complete conf idence if required.

An update From STUDIO NINE

Firstly a huge thank you for all your suppor t and kindness during our f irst ver y successful, 6 months o f opening in Sto tfold

We are excited to announce our team has gro wn to no w three skilled stylists, available across 6 days a week to accommodate ever yone’s schedule

Our new stylist Emma Humphries has joined our team and is no w taking bookings You may recognise Emma as she is a local talented hairdresser with a wealth o f experience who we feel will be a great addition to the team at Studio Nine

Mental Health Matters - Jo Loach

Spring has f inally made itself evident through the beau tiful candy floss pink blossom adorning so many trees, the armies o f yello w daffodils lining our kerbs and the beau tiful backdrop o f ever-present birdsong

For all our British complaining abou t our weather, I for one, lo ve all the seasons (some more than o thers )

Bu t as we approach the midpoint o f the year, it is time to turn our attention to wards the need for a holiday

I regularly hear people, including me, exclaiming as to ho w we can possibly be this far in to the year already Time is cer tainly mo ving fast

It’s all too easy to get carried along with all the things that must be done as par t o f adulting. And all too easy to o verlook the necessity o f self-care, including time ou t and away While we all have different tastes, traditions and budgets, the impor tance o f time away f rom our usual commitments and never ending to -do -lists remains paramount to maintaining our health and at times our sanity

A change o f scener y, pace and daily structure can all be highly benef icial in allo wing us to switch o ff, wind do wn, reduce work and increase play and rest It’s no t abou t where you go or what you do bu t just ensuring you do something different to the norm

Sometimes it takes a new location too reawaken our senses to no tice the sights and smells o f the world around us All too easily we can shu t o ff to our surroundings when life gets too fast, too busy, too noisy or just too much Proactively planning time ou t and away to ref resh, restore and re - set our systems, is a key par t o f maintaining our mental and emo tional health For me this will be time in a caravan in Cornwall and I can’t wait!

ADVERTISING

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

We are really looking for ward to celebrating the coronation o f King Charles III with you all on Saturday May 6th The ser vice itself will be sho wn live on a big screen at the Recreation Ground at 11am - come do wn a bit before to grab your space You'll need to bring your o wn chairs/blankets

After the Coronation has f inished we will be holding a Par ty in the Park on the recreation ground with bar, BBQ, crepes, children's enter tainment and a per formance by the garden City Samba band - audience par ticipation will be expected!

The event is f ree to attend bu t there will be charges for some o f the childrens activities Don't forget to bring your dogs along as well as Luna will be holding a coronation special dog sho w!

Please check our Facebook page "Arlesey Community Events Group" to keep updated on the details for this event

We look for ward to celebrating this historical event with you all

Arlesey Conser vation For Nature

No w that spring is approaching and loosening the grip o f winter on ou t countr yside, the days are drawing ou t and the temperatures are increasing, things are star ting to change Buds are star ting to form on the tips o f the tree branches, plants are star ting to gro w and emerge, seeking ou t the sunlight with early risers such as Crocuses and Sno w Drops in bloom

A big par t o f spring is the star t o f bird migrations, those species that o ver winter in the UK such as Redwings, Fieldfares and Waxwings that flew sou th f rom Scandinavia in September/October and have spent the winter in our milder climate, are no w leaving and only a few late stragglers remain in the local area. Native birds that live in the UK all year round, also migrate between Nor th and Sou th o ver the winter period, birds like Stonechats, with at least one pair o ver-wintering in the Mill pits and surrounding f ields in the last few years, no w mo ving to their breeding grounds. Even Blackbirds migrate within the UK to avoid the coldest weather.

Spring also has an influx o f new arrivals - birds f rom sou thern Europe and Af rica arriving on our shores for the star t o f the breeding season Well kno wn birds such as Swifts, Chiffchaffs, Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers and the Hirundinids – Swallo ws, House Mar tins and Sand Mar tins

Less well-kno wn migrator y birds are also arriving, such as Osprey and Yello w Wagtails with the f irst Ospreys returning to Ru tland Water around the 20th o f March and are ver y likely to have flo wn o ver Bedfordshire and possibly Arlesey on their migration flights.

One o f the most famous summer visitors o f all arrives in late March/early April – the Cuckoo A calling male has spent the summer at the Mill Pits for the last few years and some years there are two males in that area Their call is ver y distinctive, and I doubt there is a single person in Arlesey who would no t recognise it Many people though are no t aware o f what they look like, especially during flight, where they can be easily mistaken for a Kestrel or Sparro whawk The Cuckoo is a parasitic bird, laying its eggs in the nest o f o thers, especially Reed Warblers, Dunnocks, and Meado w Pipits Reed Warblers and Dunnocks are cer tainly present in the Mill Pits area and are the likely recipients o f a Cuckoo visit!

Unfor tunately, the Cuckoo is no w a Red List species in the 2021 UK Conser vation Status Repor t due to a 65% reduction in population since the early 1980’s, bu t hopefully they will return to the Mill Pits area this spring.

Arlesey Mill Pits and the meado w opposite Amenity Trees are ideal habitat for Whitethroats and the even rarer Lesser Whitethroat, whilst the reeds and tall irises along the banks o f the river pro vide co ver and nesting sights for Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers. The Reed and Sedge Warblers have similar songs bu t are f requently heard along the river here

Arlesey Conser vation For Nature

Woodpeckers, Green Woodpeckers or even Jays among the trees in the Old Moat, although all three are o ften heard rather than seen.

The river and pond in the Old Moat attract several water birds with Grey and Pied Wagtails flicking abou t in the Common by the bridge, and o ften a Little Egret can be seen here, wading in the river looking for its lunch. Kingf ishers can surprise you, with their high pitched “pip” call o ften giving away that one is approaching before you see a brief flash o f iridescent blue/orange as it quickly flies past, follo wing the river along its course

Moorhens and Mallard ducks are common on the river and their young are f requently seen in the summer months

The wooded area at the Old Moat is ideal habitat for Chiffchaffs, the occasional Willo w Warbler and Blackcaps All these birds are migrator y, bu t o ver the last few years, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps have o ver wintered due to the warming climate and mild winters we are currently seeing

During spring, the non-migrator y birds are also establishing territories and building nests with plenty o f Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blue Tits, Great Tits and Long - tailed Tits all along the river f rom the Common to Glebe Meado ws. If you are lucky, you may even see Great Spo tted

The pair o f Barn Owls that nest around the old Orchard by the foo tpath f rom the High Street can also be seen in early morning and late afternoon ou t hunting This is more likely after a windy or wet night and once the weather has blo wn o ver Barn o wls are auditor y hunters, relying on their hear t shaped facial feathers to direct the slightest scurr ying sound o f a vole or mouse to their o ffset ears which allo ws them to pin-point their prey before they dive Rain and strong winds greatly affect their ability to hunt and if the early morning is calm, they will o ften stay ou t until late morning to tr y and feed their chicks

I have seen a to tal o f 82 different bird species f rom the Common do wn to Glebe meado ws

All you just need a few spare hours and some patience. Walk the length o f the village along the river, look at the varied habitats, take the time to stop, stand still, watch, and listen and usually within a few minu tes’ nature will come to you. W ith thanks to Andrew Knight on behalf o f ACORN.

Graham Smith

All work completed to a very high standard.

Friendly, family run business

Tel: 07703 171857

News from Etonbur y A cademy

There has been great excitement at Etonbur y as building work continues on the new Sixth Form centre The plans include a large social area with comfy seating and a glass windo w o verlooking the garden There will be café ser ving ho t and cold drinks and snacks, which the students have been par ticularly excited abou t The construction company SISK has o ffered to help develop the Sixth Formers’ garden and recently held a competition for students to design it, with some great prizes on o ffer I am delighted to announce that Lucas N won f irst prize o f £50, with Hannah P in second place and Lily D in third place All the designs will be used in the construction o f the garden, which will be such a special and unique space for the students’ wellbeing

After months o f preparation, our Secondar y mock trial students attended Stevenage magistrates cour t last month for a local competition, accompanied by Ms Denton. Judged by real magistrates, the students entered two heats, one in which they prosecu ted the defendant and the o ther where they defended an individual for an o ffence. Well done to all who entered and thank you so much to Ms Denton!

Most recently our Primar y and Secondar y dancers entered the Bedfordshire County Dance Final Competition. The dance teams had been working on their rou tines since September with our PE Apprentice ex- student Miss King who competed in the same competition herself whilst at ETA multiple times On the day they competed against 20 o ther schools in the region The girls pu t in huge dedication and commitment and their per formances were ou tstanding, they came away with silver and bronze medals! Congratulations girls we are exceptionally proud o f you

A group o f Year 8 & 9 students were lucky enough to attend the festival's f irst schools programme on Tuesday. The Cambridge Festival is an annual event sho wcasing all o f the world-leading research carried ou t by the university. The students saw three lectures at the Babbage Theatre abou t maths as logic, ar tefacts held by the Museum o f Archaeology and Anthropology, and engineering used in production.

Our Brilliant Club have enjo yed a school trip to Oxford University to take par t in the Scholars Programme, which is a charitable programme aimed at encouraging students into higher education Our Juniors have enjo yed a trip to The Space Centre and Year 6 are looking for ward to a trip to Harr y Po tter

We are delighted to share the success o f our budding scientists, a group o f Year 10 students par ticipated in a STEM Careers Day at Redborne Upper School They took par t in various challenges, demonstrating leadership, creativity and teamwork and achieved 3 f irst places and a second! Excellent result!

A big thank you to The Need Project volunteers who suppor ted our secondhand uniform sale at their centre in Sto tfold This event highlighted to our Etonbur y Community the fantastic work o f this ver y impor tant local charity Please continue to share in our values, Ever yone is respectful, Together we care and Always aim higher

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

Etonbur y Academy dancers win silver & bronze!

News from Fair f ield Park Lo wer School

Many o f us can remember the celebrations linked to the Ro yal family f rom our you th and this month has given the children at Fair f ield Park the oppor tunity to join the nation in celebrating the coronation o f King Charles III

Our celebrations included a whole school ar t project where children took the time to learn abou t their families and then created individual posters celebrating their family – f rom recipes, to flags, to stories passed do wn, the children have learnt a lo t abou t their heritage. We captured this learning on world maps too to see all the countries where pupils and their families come f rom. The celebrations continued with the Big FPLS Lunch, a whole school dance and learning abou t all the historic locations used in the Coronation. A rich and treasured experience for all.

During the f irst half o f the Summer term the topics that are being co vered by all classes are:

Penguins and Squirrels: Do wn on the farm

Barn Owl, Sno wy Owl, Honey Bee Class: Going Places

Badger, Hedgehog, Tur tle Class: Ou tback Adventure

Swan, Robin, Seahorse Class: Magic Flying Machines

Panda, Fox & Otter Class: Back in Time

Kingf isher, Kestrel & Toucan

Class: Land o f Hope & Glor y

Our Value o f the Half Term: Patience

Fair f ield Park Lo wer School

Dickens Boulevard & Ruskin Drive

o ff ice@fair f ieldparklo wer.uk

T: 01462 830000

The Pathway Hypno therapy Rooms

Do you struggle with anxiety or depression?

Have you follo wed diets and still struggled to lose weight? Do you really want to quit smoking bu t don’t kno w ho w? Do you struggle with negative thought patterns or phobias? The Pathway Hypno therapy Rooms can help!

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

Family announcements

In Lo ving Memor y o f

ELLEN ELIZABETH PARCELL

I would like to inform ever yone o f the ver y sad loss o f my dear Daughter Ellen

Step-daughter to John, Mo ther o f James and Rosie and par tner to Ronnie. We would like to thank relatives, f riends and neighbours for the lo vely floral tribu tes, cards and messages which we have received, they were ver y much appreciated Margaret & John Savor y.

GG

Happy bir thday to my favourite person Lo ts o f lo ve Stephie xx

MONICA SAUNDERS

9th May

Happy Bir thday!

Lo ve Pete Lucy, Olivia, Alex, Oliver Mum & Frank x

ELAINE DRURY

Happy 80th Bir thday wishes

to our amazing Mum & Granny!

Hope you have a wonder ful day!

All our lo ve Sally & Ashton X xx

BETHAN

Happy Bir thday!

Lo ts o f lo ve Dad and Stephie xx

ELAINE DRURY

27th May

Happy 80th Bir thday

To Our Amazing Mum / Granny, With Lo ve Jane, Fraser, Harr y, George & Charlie xx

VERONICA COUZENS

9th May

Happy Bir thday! Lo ve Mon, Pete Lucy, Olivia, Alex, Oliver and Frank x

ELLA WOOD

1st May

Happy 5th Bir thday

Lo ve

Nanny Grandad & all your Auntie & Uncles x

ELAINE DRURY

27th May

Happy 80th Bir thday!

With lo ve f rom, David, Jen Jessica & Ben xx

ADAM WALLER

2nd May

Happy 25th Bir thday!

I hope you have a great day!

Lo ts o f lo ve f rom Hannah xxxx

MATT WOOD

8th May

Happy Bir thday

Lo ve f rom us all X xxxx

ELAINE DRURY

27th May

Happy 80th Bir thday!

All our lo ve, Jo, Lucie & Leila xx

The trifecta effect

As I sit and write this month’s update o f ho w my Ironman training is going, I’m feeling the typical f irst signs o f a cold; a sore throat and headache If this is going to develop, it will be the 3rd cold I’ve had in the last couple o f months This might no t seem uncommon at this time o f year when the seasons are changing, bu t it is unusual for me

James’s

* Furniture Building

* Painting

*

Carpentry & more

T: (01462) 234292 or 07887 871212

Prior to this year, I could count the number o f times that I’ve been ill on one hand, bu t it seems no w to be a common occurrence; The f irst cold I trained through, the second I had to take time o ff. A hacking cough and chest discomfor t does no t go hand in hand with exercise, and you can’t sweat ou t a virus, it’s a my th.

It’s been f rustrating to have a stop/star t beginning to my ironman journey bu t it’s a sign that I need to look no t just at my f itness, bu t at my o verall health and lifestyle

I always have been a sucker for junk food and the white stu ff – sugar! We have a ver y enticing baker y in Sto tfold, a couple o f Cafes and the Co -op all selling my favourite foods o f which I regularly indulge A poor diet especially late at night is never going to give you a good night’s sleep and together, these two issues, are no doubt affecting my immune system as I increase my training and place stress on my body

So if I’m going to do this, and by this, I mean continue to train longer and harder in the weeks and months ahead, then I’m going to have to look no t only at the 3 triathlon disciplines o f swim, bike and run bu t also the 3 factors that are equally impor tant to the trifecta necessar y for a healthy lifestyle; sleep, diet, and exercise.

So if you see me at the Co -op loitering in the far corner by the baker y section, please tell me to pu t the doughnu ts do wn and keep focusing on my Ironman goal…

Mumwith3

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 May:

4th, 11th Arlesey Station

18th Etonbur y Woods (Etonbur y school end ) 25th Corner o f Hospital Rd, High Street

Information from Jodie Chiller y

Since I stated my intention last month to stand as an Independent candidate, I have spoken with many residents and prospective vo ters, it has been great meeting people and liaising with you 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 kno w ho w f rustrating getting a Dr ’s appointment can be and I would hope to work with our doctors’ surgeries and the local NHS Integrated Care Board to ensure you are kept informed o f changes at Arlesey and Larksf ield Medical Centre

What have I ever done around here?

During lockdo wn I volunteered with the Good Neighbours project, 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. 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

Who am I?

What have I learned?

The need for transparency and better communication has echoed and resonated with almost ever yone, and that will be my number one priority My job, if elected, is to represent you, and make sure that your views and opinions are heard at Council

As we transition f rom a three - tier to a two - tier education system I intend to f ight for greater investment and suppor t for all o f our schools. I will also advocate for the many families that require Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) ser vices as they f ight for the reform needed so children can receive the education they are entitled to.

Development is also a big issue with those that I’ve chatted to, and I would aim to guard against development withou t su ff icient inf rastructure such as schools, roads, buses and affordable housing.

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

Independent Candidate for Arlesey & Fair f ield ward, Jodie Chiller y

News from Arlesey Methodist Chapel

The anointed one

What does it mean to be “ the anointed one”? In the coronation this month, look ou t for this symbol o f anointing the King During a central par t o f the historic ceremony o f coronation to take place on May 6th, special prayers will be said for King Charles III He will remo ve his f ine robes and replace them with a plain white robe Then Holy oil will be placed upon his head and the sign o f the Cross made This is when King Charles is “anointed”

The Holy oil was prepared f rom olives gro wn in Jerusalem, f rom the famous Mount o f Olives, which appears in the stor y o f Jesus Christ, a place that Christ would go to with his disciples. In fact, the word “Christ” is f rom an ancient Greek verb meaning “ to anoint”.

The historical Jesus o f Nazareth was called “The Anointed One” (Christ) by his follo wers, the one God had

chosen to be King The oil o f anointing was a symbol o f kingship Jesus himself, ho wever, told the Roman go vernor that he didn’t consider himself a king in the ordinar y sense: “My kingdom is no t f rom this world” (Gospel o f John 18:36) Never theless, the global church looks for ward and prays for God’s Kingdom to come, and for Jesus to reign It’s something said ever y day by many in The Lord’s Prayer: “your kingdom come, your will be done”

As this nation cro wns and anoints a new king, my prayer is that we may all experience something o f God’s lo ving reign on this ear th May you experience something o f this in your life too 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. Call 07747 042239 for more information.

Revd. Graham 07340 857386 Graham.ClaydonKnights@methodist.org.uk

Nor th Her ts Road Runners

The next 1st Sat o f the month 5k at Letchwor th Common will be 6th May at 9am Entr y is f ree and open to all abilities Entries are open for the Greenway Challenge on 7th 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 07506429928 or nhrr.org.uk

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

May already and soon we will be celebrating the Coronation

We wish King Charles 111 and Queen Camilla a happy and positive reign, that will bring the countr y together and a sharing o f the diversity o f cultures within the commonwealth We hope ever yone will enjo y the celebrations whether in their homes, streets or local parks

In church we shall be celebrating Ascension Day, (18th May) the day our Lord ascended into heaven and then the Feast o f Pentecost, (28th May) when the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus’ disciples and o ther follo wers o f Jesus This is o ften considered to be the Bir th o f the Christian Church So after our Pentecost celebration ser vice we usually have a Bir thday cake, the candles representing the flames o f the Holy Spirit

In April we star ted a social group for babies and toddlers and their parents or carers. This is an oppor tunity to meet new f riends, let the children play together and have a co ffee or tea in a safe and warm environment. There is parking in f ront o f the church and plenty o f room for your prams and buggy’s! Tuesdays 11am=12noon.

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. In Arlesey, many gardens have plants which we have shared o ver the years So if you gro w f rom seed, or divide your perennials all would be welcome Ref reshments will be available all morning Our new co ffee machine means we can o ffer a variety o f co ffees!

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!

Sadly we did no t appoint a new V icar at our inter views and so the process star ts again Bu t we still continue with our ser vices and activities, we and God, kno w that the right person is ou t there somewhere

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

NEW 11AM-12N00N

Toddler and Parent/Carer

Group

1st Wednesday in the month

Afternoon Tea 2-4m All Welcome

Helen Bardell Churchwarden

01462 731227

07967144571

Reader ’s Recipe Of The Month! - Margaret Shaw

Ingredients:

A while back on our social media pages we asked for follo wers to send in their recipes to us so that we could begin featuring them inside our magazines each month...

We are interested to no w which recipes you enjo y, together with any helpful hints and tips you can pass on to our readers!

To star t us o ff, this month’s reader recipe has been kindly supplied to us by reader and avid cooker y fan, Margaret Shaw. Margaret is an avid cake maker so we hope you tr y this one ou t for your selves - do let us kno w ho w you get on! We hope you enjo y it!

Cinnamon Co ffee Cake

Book Club @W ild Co ffee will be meeting

Wednesday 3rd May at 7pm This month we have a choice o f reads - The Holiday by TM Logan or Our Man In Estepona by David Spear & Debbie Glynn

Arlesey W.I Tuesday 9th May

Our yearly par ty with Stand Up comedian Frankie Styler enter taining us - coronation type bu ffet Star ts at 6 45 for 7 Tickets £9 members £10 o thers Tuesday 16th May Jane Oppengard will be taking us for some relaxing “chair Yoga” First V isit Free Come and join a f riendly bunch for a chat, cuppa and something different !

1 cup bu tter, so ftened, 2-3/4 cups sugar, divided 4 large eggs, room temperature 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 cups sour cream, 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, 1/2 cup chopped walnu ts.

Method.

1. In a large bo wl, cream bu tter and 2 cups sugar until light and flu ffy, 5-7 minu tes. Add 1 egg at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; add alternately with sour cream, beating just enough after each addition to keep batter smoo th

2 Spoon a third o f batter into a greased 10-in tube pan Combine cinnamon, nu ts and remaining 3/4 cup sugar; sprinkle one - third o f mixture o ver batter in pan

Repeat layers 2 more times Bake at 350° until a too thpick inser ted in center comes ou t clean, 60-65 minu tes Cool for 15 minu tes before remo ving f rom pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

SEND US YOUR RECIPES! Contact details on page three.

MAKE YOUR BATHROOM SAFE AND COMFORTABLE WITH BMAS

Choose BMAS Hitchin: Free bathroom design and quotation

Fully managed installation

Traditional customer service (no call centres)

Save when you order by 31st May 2023

If your bathroom is no longer practical for your needs, BMAS Hitchin can help. We are a local business that design and install mobility bathrooms for independent and worry-free bathing and showering in your own home. Visit

Monday - Friday 9 am - 5 pm

01462 411 360 bathingmobility.co.uk

“MY FINISHED BATHROOM LOOKS BEAUTIFUL AND HAS GIVEN ME BACK MY INDEPENDENCE.” Bathing Mobility Advisory Service, 67 Hermitage Road, Hitchin SG5 1DB

In our MAY FUN QUIZ, compiled and presented by Sto tfold’s ver y o wn Brain o f Britain, David Stedman, we strike up the band with a theme o f MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. Clues contained in each question or answer. (Answers on page 36)

1 What item o f apparel is deno ted by the Cockney rhyming slang “whistle and flu te”?

2 The Bass Strait separates the Australian mainland f rom which major island?

3 What was the stage name o f the singing sisters (pictured belo w) who, in 1941, introduced us to the “Boogie Woogie Bugle Bo y” (o f Company B)?

4 What name is shared by a former militar y title deno ting the lo west ranked commissioned o ff icer in a British army cavalr y troop; and is also a treat on a ho t day!?

5 During the 1960s, The Lemon Pipers and The Byrds had hit records with which musical instrument mentioned in the titles?

6 In geometr y, what name, derived f rom Greek meaning “uneven”, is applied to a triangle with sides o f different lengths?

7 Talking o f triangles, a solid red triangle, registered in 1876, is the oldest kno wn British trademark still in use today and is the logo o f which brewer y?

8 The large Af rican antelope pictured belo w has a distinctive reddish-bro wn body with white camou flage stripes and long spiral horns. What is its common name?

9 What was the real family surname o f the ver y famous 19th centur y trio who once used the pseudonyms o f Acton, Ellis and Currer Bell?

10 Disregarding possible spacing and hyphenation differences in the names, what Du tch-based manu facturer o f GPS equipment shares its name with a percussion instrument?

11 In the England and Wales legal system, what title is given to a par t- time High Cour t judge?

12 What is the surname o f Ashley and Jordan, two bro thers and members o f the dance troupe Diversity?

13 What is the forename and surname o f the distinguished US f ilm and stage actress (pictured belo w) who won the Academy Award for Best Suppor ting Actress in the 2016 f ilm “Fences”?

14 The intelligent, enchanting and cross -dressing V iola is the central character is which play by William Shakespeare?

15 According to the title and opening lyrics o f the 1970s hit song for Bread: “Who draws the cro wd and plays so loud?” and “Who’s gonna steal the sho w?

16 “ Stays Sharp” That was the claim in a famous series o f UK adver tisements for which brand o f Irish lager, as indicated by the dash?

17 What is the single stage name o f the Sco ttish singer and songwriter who had a UK and US hit album during the 1960s with “The Hurdy Gurdy Man”?

18 What is the common name o f the male bird pictured belo w, which is native to Australia?

19 Italian architect Enzo Piano designed the UKs tallest building, topped ou t in London in 2012, and popularly kno wn by what informal epithet?

20 What one same six-letter word can precede ‘law’ to make the name o f a parliamentar y constituency in No ttinghamshire; ‘hound’ to make the name o f a breed o f dog; and ‘horn’ to make the name o f a musical instrument o f the clarinet family?

For more fascinating facts and to do wnload and read my no vels, completely free o f charge, please visit my website at davidstedman.co.uk or Google david stedman au thor.

Useful Telephone Numbers

6SN Phone: 01462 733722 Email: clerk@arlesey-tc.go v uk

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

Email customer ser vices@centralbedfordshire go

Local Directory

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