#Stevenage August 2018

# STEVENAGE August June 20182018

TOLLERS:

SPOTLIGHT PRIDE OF STEVENAGE: NOM INATE YOUR AWARD HEROES NOW!

LEGAL EXPE

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What's on in

#Stevenage

WESTGATE SUCCESS Spot ligh t on Cu r t ain Sh op

PRIDE OF STEVENAGE AWARDS It 's t im e t o n om in at e t h ose w h o go t h e ext r a m ile f or t ow n

SUM M ER FUN YES h oliday sch em e pr eview

FOCUS ON TOLLERS Solicit or s w h er e ser vice an d deliver y ar e alw ays except ion al

WHAT'S ON Tak e a look at ou r gu ide

UNLIM ITED FILM S

READY FOR A GREAT EVENT AT KNEBWORTH?

Win Cin ew or ld t ick et s

We pr eview an am azin g su m m er at t h e st u n n in g ven u e

PAUL FRY on # St evenage

Phew what a...memories of THAT remarkable hot summer of '76 The heat has been on, and forecasters say we can expect another five to eight mini-heatwaves this summer. But this year has a way to go to emulate the long, hot summer of 1976.

You had to feel for heavily pregnant women, the elderly and those having school exams, but at least some consideration was made for the heat - in a very British way. Wimbledon officials dropped a 99-year-old ban on umpires taking their jackets off.

In Stevenage there were a few happenings that might help you recall that year - if not your tan back then.

Biggest by a country mile was the Rolling Stones playing at Knebworth. It brought between 200,000 and 250,000 to town ? we'll never know how many.

The hot spell lasted from mid-June to the end of August and there were 15 consecutive days with a maximum of 32C or more in at least one part of the country.

On July 3, it reached 35.9c at Cheltenham racecourse and 35.6c in Southampton.

Wendy Spencer I remember it well as I had my baby daughter in the April and she didn?t wear any of

her lovely dresses as it was so hot!

We should have known in advance, mind: 'It Ain't 'Arf Hot, Mum' was a TV hit, while a funk band named Heatwave brought out their album Too Hot to Handle that year, which featured their disco classic 'Boogie Nights'.

Donna Summer was at her peak, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel charted with Here Comes the Sun while Bryan Ferry's Let's Stick Together was especially apt for those sharing a bed.

Maria Cawdron I'd had an accident at work so was off for the entire summer....looked like I'd been in India when I went back to work.

No one believed me.

It got seriously hot ? and actually very serious. The National Water Council had to take out full page ads in newspapers advising the public how to deal with the drought. Naturally there was a hosepipe ban.

If we HAD to take a bath ? showers were rare - then we were to do so in no more than 5in of

water, prompting a famous T-shirt slogan - ?Save Water. Bath With A Friend'.

Bridget Macey I was married on June 19, and it rained just after the photos were taken; it didn't rain again until September.

Reservoir levels got so low they became basins of bone-hard cracked mud. Thousands of homes had their water supply replaced by communal standpipes in the street.

Nearly ÂŁ500m of crops failed, pushing up shop prices. Stevenage MP Shirley Williams was coincidentally Minister for Prices at what was the end of Harold Wilson's time as Prime Minister.

At Oxford Crown Court, the judge in the trial of kidnapper Donald Nielson, nicknamed the Black Panther and accused of murdering heiress Lesley Whittle, 17, ruled that most of the hearing should take place in the morning, before the heat got too intense.

However, the trial still had to be suspended at one point when a woman in the public gallery fainted.

Lorraine Smit h I started my hair dressing apprenticeship in Raymond Leslie and used to sit on the roof at lunch time - no air-con then!

There were reports of roads melting, railway lines buckling.

Lots of fires, with bad ones in the

New Forest.

Things got so worrying that the Government appointed Dennis Howell as minister for drought.

But a month after he took up the post, the heavens opened and there were huge storms and floods all autumn.

This exceptional heatwave was followed by an exceptionally wet autumn, with some parts of the south recording over 200% of their normal rainfall. Heavy storms and torrential rain continued on many days through to October, ending one of the biggest UK droughts on record.

Jan Lacy The Stevenage Sub Aqua Club were in the carnival that year it was so hot and the tarmac on the

road was melting. I remember a few of the divers decided to take a detour through the town centre in their diving suits while collecting money and ended up jumping into the fountain at the clock tower.

It was my first full year as a trainee journalist on the Gazette and I recall how a colleague, Martin Jackson, got an amazing scoop on the first. He tried to get some

background on the Stones' gig ? and amazingly they put Mick Jagger on the line. He was incredibly chatty and Martin got the sort of exclusive only a music paper would have got at that time.

The other event that was talk of the town - and it even had a strange link to the Stones' gig - was the demise of Stevenage Athletic FC. The club finished bottom of the Southern League Div 1 North, was broke and then wound up.

But the club owner, a Bournemouth businessman who had been a bankrupt, as the Gazette discovered, stopped a successor club from using Broadhall Way by digging up the pitch with a JCB, wrecking the surface and drainage.

As long-time Stevenage football stalwart Keith Berners recalls: ?A new committee of "enthusiasts" formed Stevenage FC that summer (not Boro' at the beginning). We arranged for Vic Folbigg's Stevenage Athletic youth team to put on a fundraiser at the ground. But owner Javier Revuelta had the pitch dug up. ?However the Stones at Knebworth was a godsend as we opened up what was left of the pitch for car parking. Nice income for our fledgling organisation and we did it again until the ground was opened once more. The club is of course unrecognisable from

those days.?

John Smit h I was playing for Cygnet Rovers. I got a bad knee injury and missed our tour to Germany. When they returned the majority of my team mates, including Mick Every became Stevenage Borough, and the rest they say is history.

St eve West Me, my brother and our neighbours climbed the floodlight in one corner of the ground and unscrewed all the huge bulbs for souvenirs!

But Knebworth was epic for the town. I didn't go to the gig but, like many in Stevenage, could hear bits of it when the wind was in the right direction.

It was one of the biggest music events the UK has seen ? with double the number that was at Live Aid ? one gig I didn't miss. I do recall the town teeming with people and shops ran out of beer!

The Stones' last visit to town had been in 1964, when they played the Locarno Ballroom, kicking off

with Not Fade Away. They certainly didn't.

Barbara Chappell Mast rosavvaki I had glandular fever - listened to the Stones live from across the fields through my bedroom window.

Kit Galer, a former Gazette colleague remembers: ?I remember the Stones appearing at the Mecca as top of the bill for the BAC Apprentices?ball. Place was packed, Stones were great, l took along my younger sister?s German exchange friend, Ursula, from Ingleheim. They didn't do badly after that, did they??

Lynyrd Skynyrd also played Knebworth in one of their last performances before half the band died in an airplane accident a year later.

Henry Lytton Cobbold, owner of Knebworth House, who wrote the book Knebworth - 30 Years of the Greatest Rock Venue in the World, said his memories of the event include watching the Stones on a

big screen and one incident where a bunch of rock stars turned up at the back door to the House.

"As an embarrassingly sulky 14-year-old, I was more interested in watching Star Trek on TV than the Rolling Stones.

"The upside, in retrospect, was that I was the only one home when Paul McCartney, half of Pink Floyd and Jack Nicholson turned up at the back door for the after-concert party.

"I do have an enduring memory of popping out, probably during the ad break, and watching Mick Jagger sing a magical version of Fool to Cry on a giant screen at the back of the crowd.

"The Stones were not happy with their performance and have buried the concert film, which is a real shame.?

Grat eful t hanks t o all t hose who post ed comment s on Old Memories of Facebook 2 sit e' Just sad we could not use t hem all!

Chance to show who has real pride in our town M y #St even age by Dar r en Ist ed It's time to show your pride in Stevenage.

Or to be more precise, to show who you feel deserves recognition for giving back more than they ever take for the betterment of the area.

Here at #Stevenage we are delighted to sponsor this event we are proud to be associated with an awards that truly gives a pat on the back to those who give selflessly and who deserve, just once in a while, a little thank you.

The good weather - sunshine, blue skies and a general feeling of optimism will always make our town appear a better place to be. But scratch the surface and guess what, it's actually not a bad town in which to live and work.

Look at the recent awards for places such as Fairlands Valley, a remarkable green lung in the heart of this town.

There can be few better places to visit in all weathers than this lovely spot - and throw in a trip at 9am on Saturday and a chance to sample Parkrun (currently the holders of the Pride of Stevenage Team Award) and it's clear that there is plenty to see and do.

But of course as the motto of Stevenage tells us, 'The heart of a town lies in its people,' and it is indeed the people who can make a telling difference.

The Pride Awards give us the chance to highlight and to celebrate people across a number of categories and are a fitting way not just to say 'thank you' but to also inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

The Green Award is for those helping to keep Stevenage clean, safe and green. In previous years this has gone to an individual or an organisation such as a school or community group.

The sporting award, as its name suggests goes to those in a sporting arena, whether as a player, coach or administrator.

So for the 2018 event if you know someone who could be nominated for the Caring Award or the Dedication Award then this should be the platform to highlight their good works.

The team award is always diverse in that the team which is declared the winner can come from any group within the town - all with the common purpose of making Stevenage a better place to live.

For caring it could be a person who looks after someone or who undertakes charity work while the dedication award is given to someone who has gone above and beyond offering voluntary work for the local community.

And then arguably we have the most important award, the Young Star Award which rewards someone, under 18, who has either excelled at school or in an organisaition or who has done sterling work in their town.

The Enterprise Award is aimed at those who make a real contribution to commercial life in Stevenage, be that for a business, individual, organisation or project that supports and develops Stevenage businesses or one that improves employment prospects for local people.

To go online and nominate click the link to: https://eforms.stevenage.gov.uk/ufs/ufsmain?formid =PRIDE_OF_STEVENAGE_AWARD&ebz=2_ 1533225520809&ebd=0&ebz=2_1533225520809

Do you know a Pride of Stevenage local hero?

Pride of Stevenage Awards - Stevenage Borough Council.

Help us celebrate our local heroes - those wonderful people who give their time, passion and skills to help make Stevenage a great place to live, work and play.

The Pride of Stevenage Awards give you the chance to reward local people who help make life better for other people in Stevenage.

prestigious reception hosted by the Mayor.

Everyone nominated is invited to a special Pride of Stevenage tea with the Mayor at Christmas.

Anyone can make a nomination. Simply complete the online nomination form stating who you're nominating and why, and before Friday 10 August 2018.

Pride of St evenage Award cat egories:

Our awards celebrate community spirit and are a big thank you to those people who make a real difference in our town.

If you know a person, group, team, business or other organisation that make great things happen in Stevenage, tell us. It only takes a minute to make a nomination and it could make someone?s day.

The Pride of Stevenage judges will choose the winners and they will be invited to receive their awards at a

Caring Award For someone?s act or act s of kindness It could be someone undertaking charity work or fundraising, someone who helps care for other people or animals, or who looks after facilities or buildings. Or it could go to someone whose actions make life easier or more pleasant for those around them.

Dedicat ion Award

For long service in volunt ary or communit y work in St evenage This award will go to someone who has spent many years carrying out voluntary work to benefit Stevenage communities, or to someone who has a long record of success with community groups and organisations in the town.

Ent erprise Award For making real cont ribut ion t o commercial life in St evenage This is for a business, individual, organisation or project that supports and develops Stevenage businesses or one that improves employment prospects for local people. Or it could be a business venture that is highly valued by customers and the local community.

Green Award For helping keep St evenage clean, safe and green This will go to an individual or an organisation such as a school or community group. It could go a group of litter pickers, a gardening enthusiast or enthusiasts, or a recycling champion - just anyone who promotes the green and clean message in Stevenage.

Sport ing Award To recognise a major cont ribut ion t o sport ing life in St evenage This could be a person or team who has achieved great things in an amateur sport - playing, coaching or supporting. Or it could recognise someone who has improved their own or other people?s health and

wellbeing by taking part in or promoting physical activity.

Team Award For a group of people who work t oget her t o improve t heir local area This is for the team behind an event, activity or project that has enhanced people?s everyday lives in their local area. It might be something that reduces crime, improves the environment, provides support to community members, creates opportunities or simply promotes community spirit.

Young St ar Award For a young person or young people who make a difference in t heir local communit y This is for a young Stevenage person (or group of people) under 18 who has made significant achievements at school or college or in their local community, or who makes a difference in their neighbourhood, or in the voluntary sector. Or it could go to a young person who has overcome challenges to reach their goal or achieve a personal ambition.

Remember t o get your nominat ions in by 10 August 2018 by logging on t o: https://eforms.stevenage.gov.uk/ufs/ufsmain?formid =PRIDE_OF_STEVENAGE_AWARD&ebz=1_ 1533221844005&ebd=0&ebz=1_1533221844005

The Tollers team help to minimise conflict and focus on mediation Family and Immigrat ion Mat t ers - Tollers are here t o help?

There are very few of us who get married with the intention of separating or getting divorced. However, as we know life can be unpredictable. If your situation at home reaches a stage where you think you may need a family solicitor, the Team at Tollers Stevenage office take a very different approach to assisting our clients through this difficult time.

In our extensive experience, taking a less aggressive approach to handling family legal matters often achieves a far more positive outcome. Wherever possible, we want to minimise conflict and instead focus on mediation and communication between the individuals involved.

We are also aware that some cases need urgent and immediate action and where appropriate do not hesitate to go to court to defend and protect our clients?interests.

In our Stevenage office, Solicitor Minara Hannan (pictured) is experienced in dealing with a wide variety of family and Immigration matters. She provides pertinent

regulations.

Some of the areas Minara can assist you with are: · Disputes regarding children, including Children Act applications · Financial issues relating to divorce, including those with an international element. · Immigration Law. · Separation agreements. · Cross Border family disputes. · Multiple asset disputes. family advice and support, whilst keeping her client?s best interests at heart. She is sensitive to the emotional upheaval divorce, separation and financial disputes can cause and believes strongly in keeping the individuals she supports fully informed and up to date with developments, as well as any cost implications.

When it comes to the complex issues that arise regarding Immigration Law Minara focuses on her clients in all matters including helping to reunite families, delivering economic benefits through skilled and business migration and protecting those in danger through humanitarian programmes. She is well versed at ensuring her clients comply with jurisdictional

· Human rights and family matters.

Minara provides an initial appointment regarding any Family or Immigration Law matter for up to an hour and a half, for a fixed fee. We are sure you will leave this initial appointment better informed about your legal rights and responsibilities and with a sense of direction as to how to move things on and the options available to you in order to reach a resolution.

If you need help and advice and are unsure where to start or would like to arrange an initial consultation? ...Talk to Tollers on 01438 901095 or email minara.hannan@tollers.co.uk

Except ional People, Except ional Service, Except ional Delivery

Focus on t he West gat e Cent re

Make Mahers your first choice for repairs, keys, and so much more Based in Unit 2a, in the Westgate Centre in Stevenage, Mahers, has over 30 years of experience.

Come t o us for keys Mahers cut a huge range of specialist keys including Yale Superior keys and offer a single household or cylinder key at ÂŁ5 or two for just ÂŁ7.50. We also stock: - House keys - Car keys - Security keys - Licensed fun keys Engraving and t rophy supplies Don't forget t he t rophies for your end of season present at ion. Mahers is one

of St evenage's leading suppliers of t rophies, medals, cups and awards.

We have a large collect ion for you t o browse.

- Trusted supplier to many clubslocally - Offer competitive prices - First class customer service.

Shoe repairs All types of repairs: - Heels - Soles and heels - Leather soles and heels.

Ot her services - Watch batteries and repairs - Engraving on jewellery and plaques - Locksmiths and auto-locksmiths For furt her det ails cont act : Tel - 07446 102570 Email MaherService@yahoo.com

Opening Hours Mon 9am-5.15pm Tues-Fri 9am-5.30pm Sat 9am-5pm

Book a date for summer events at Knebworth On 9th August, the multi-award winning outdoor theatre company Illyria will be performing Hugh Lofting?s classic ?Dr Dolittle?on the Sunken Lawns of Knebworth House.

This is the same team who brought you two spectacular shows in 2017 including a life-size T-Rex in ?The Lost World?, so you can expect big things.

Ticket s are available now at www.knebwort hhouse.com.

Suitable for cheeky monkeys aged 5+, ?The Adventuresof Doctor Dolittle?is a funny, much-loved and exciting adventure, with a strong message about responsibility towards animals and the environment.

When Doctor John Dolittle of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh is taught how to talk to animals by his wise old parrot Polynesia, news of his skills spreads far and wide. Soon animals across the world send messages asking for his help and so he buys a leaky old ship and, together with his trusty pet-crew of Jip the dog, Chee-Chee the monkey, Dab-Dab the Duck and permanently hungry Gub-Gub the pig, sets forth on a mission to heal illness, spread compassion and gain a greater understanding of the animal kingdom.

Now in its 27th year, Illyria has

delighted audiences internationally and across the length and breadth of the UK, winning four international ?Best Performance" awards and attracted numerous "5-star" and "Critics' Choice" reviews. ?Illyria has given more performances to more people across a wider area than any other open-air touring theatre company, proudly maintaining professional Equity-compliant productions for over a quarter of a century. We?re really pleased to be performing at Knebworth House and can?t wait see how the audience reacts!?says Artistic Director Oliver Gray.

For more information and ticketing please visit the Knebworth House websitewww.knebworthhouse.com, or phone the Estate Office on 01438 812661.

The Country, Crafts & Steam Fair on 11-12th August has something for everyone: all day entertainment will include steam engines ? full size and scale, birds of prey flying displays, terrier racing, petting pens, historical re-enactment, demonstrations of rural skills and much more.

On 18th August, aspiring palaeontologists and brave explorers can tackle the Dino Adventure. Find

the dinosaur eggs hidden in the trail of 72 life-sized pre-historic creatures to claim an exciting reward. Trail sheets will be available on the day from the Gift Shop for ÂŁ1 (sold separately to Park & Gardens admission, last sale 3:00 pm). Enjoy hands on experiences with live reptiles, hunt for hidden fossils at the Dino-Dig Palaeontological Site and join Tara from Tiny T?s for storytelling.

With up to 1,000 classic and collectable vehicles taking part each day at the Classic Motor Show 26-27th August, the arena will host a series of parades and interviews, including the ?Decibel Duel?where owners compete to find the loudest car of the show.

Entry to all of these events, along with the Park, Gardens, Adventure Playground and Dinosaur Trail on visitor open days until 30th September is included with a 2018 Season Ticket, making for a great value fun-filled season!

To discover more about the events at Knebworth House this summer or the great benefits that a 2018 Personal Season Ticket has to offer, visit our website www.knebworthhouse.com or phone the Estate Office on 01438 812661.

Parkrun powers on through the summer July 22nd Parkrun race report.

This week was Claire Emmerson's 50th run So round the course her friends had lots of fun: With pretty chalk produced "Mind the Bollards!", "Turbo boost", It was fab and took our minds off that hot sun!

Hello and welcome to this week's run report!

Another glorious day of sun welcomed 331 runners (including 19 first timers and 14 firsts-at-Stevenagers) to Stevenage Parkrun for another of our popular pacer events resulting in an amazing 52 PBs! A big thank you goes to our pacers for enabling these: Kris Westcott, Kris Whitmore, John Stott, Vicky Berry, Danielle Lewis, David Morley, Nick Gill and Christopher Boar.

King of the PBs this week were Jenny Curtis (4 PBs in a row), Kerry Ferguson (4), Eva Ramsey (4), Kevyn Hopkins (3), Sandra

Richardson (3), William Morley (3), Chris Mann (3), Teni Olasupo (3) and Marie Colucci (3) ? well done!

In addition to notching up a 3rd PB in a row, junior runner William Morley & Finlay Morley also notched up their first milestone (10); congratulations go to him and to Claire Emmerson, Ruan Mare & Jennie Mare on their 50th milestone parkrun. You should all receive an email soon on how to claim your commemorative t-shirts.

Our top threes and fastest runners this week were: Gents: Jon Williams (17:59 - PB), Simon Poole (18:58), Matthew Jackson (19:01), highest age grade: Charles Arnold (74.79%) Ladies: Bluebell Cooke (20:00 ? also highest age grade 77.50% - PB), Charlotte Gibson (21:57 - PB), Marie Colucci (21:59 PB) Junior men: William Morley (20:57 - PB), Isaac Whitten (21:03 ? also highest age grade 70.63%), Gabriel Oldham (22:34)

Junior ladies: Bluebell Cooke (20:00 ? our fastest female, highest age grade (see above) and also a PB ? wow!), AmĂŠlie Hobbs (25:42), Charlotte Oakley Deville (26:36 ? first parkrun) The event was made possible by 27 hi-vis-tastic volunteers: Vicky BERRY - Phil DEAVES - Ems SOUTHERINGTON - Anne MILLER Jackie HOLLYW ELL - Kris W ESTCOTT John STOTT - Gordon COWAN - Kris W HITMORE - Suzanne TYDEMAN Esperanza CASTRO - Nicola HATHERLY Oliver KENNEDY - Richard HENRY Nick GILL - Tony RANDFIELD - Danielle LEW IS - Joe COLGAN - Richard GLAISTER - Mat t hew PATTMAN Christ opher BOAR - Nat han HADFIELD - Rosemary BIGGS - Richard HAMILTON - James ASTLEY - Alan FORD - David MORLEY If you'd like to join in, please contact us via email at: stevenagehelpers@parkrun.com

What 's on in # STEVENAGE INS: Every Friday afternoon, So Healthy, a gentle exercise class takes place from 1.30pm to 2.30pm at Bedwell Community Centre. Please contact the INS for more information on 01438 725400 or emailinfo@irishnetworkstevenage.org.ukor follow the group on Facebook or Twitter.

St evenage Fl oral Art Societ y: Call Margaret 01438 880086 for more details.

St evenage Liberal Synagogue: For further information phone 01438 300222 or visitstevenageliberalsynagogue@gmail.com St evenage Fibromyal gia Support Group:Meet on the second Wednesday evening, 7.30 to 9.30pm, and last Tuesday of the month, 12.30pm to 2.30pm, at Poplars Community Hall. A weekly coffee drop in from 1pm to 3pm takes place on Wednesdays at Encore Coffee House, in the foyer of the Gordon Craig Theatre. Call the helpline 0844 8872 373 or 355 for more info. All welcome.

St Andrew and St George:Parish Mass on Sunday at 10am. A toddler group takes place on Wednesdays from 10am to 12pm. All welcome. For further details please email Kimcuttylanegroups@gmail.com.Morning Prayer Monday to Thursday at 9.30 am. Weekday Masses on Monday at 10am, Tuesday at 12.30pm and Thursday at 10am. Compline at 8:30 pm on Thursdays. For more information visitwww.stevenagechurch.org.

Debt ors Anonymous:Meetings are held every

Tuesday evening at 8pm at The Living Room, No 15 The Glebe, Chells Way. For more information visit:www.debtorsanonymous.org.uk St evenage Corey?s Mil l Lions Cl ub:Lion are part of the world's largest community based Service Organisation and are looking for more members to assist with the work in the community as volunteers. Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month in Symonds Green starting at 7.45pm. Membership fee is nominal. To find out more call 01438 489247 or 07903 444052 or visit the group on Facebook.

St arl ight Dance Academy:Adult tap dance classes, for all ages, with a fully qualified teacher take place from 1.15pm every Friday at the Community and Arts Pavilion, Roaring Meg Retail Park, Stevenage.

Age Concern, St evenage:Pop in for a cuppa every Monday, 10am to 12pm, at Swingate House. Age Concerns provides bookings for Britannia Coaches,a hire service for mobility scooters and wheelchairs during opening hours. Free 20-minute appointments for benefits and legal advice, and a footcare clinic are held every Tuesday and Thursday (fee payable). Age Concern's offices are open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 3pm and Thursday 9.30am to 1.30pm, ground floor, Swingate House, Stevenage town centre.Call01438 314164 for more.

St evenage Museum:St George?s Way, Stevenage, hosts a wide range of events throughout the year for families, children and adults. Open 10am to 4.30pm Wednesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm Saturday. Call 01438 218881 or emailmuseum@stevenage.gov.ukfor more.

Cycl e UK St evenage:Starter cycle rides will set off from Costello?s Cafe by the Sailing Centre in Fairlands Valley Park at 10.30am every Saturday.

Evening rides from the green by Springfield House Community Centre take place every Wednesday at 7.15pm. For more information go towww.stevenagectc.org.ukor call Jim on 07939 687509 or Jill on 07816 625901.

What 's on in # STEVENAGE St evenage Writ ers:Meet every Wednesday from 5.30pm to 7pm in The Snug Bar at The Dun Cow, Letchmore Road, Stevenage. Mutual support for writers at all levels, something for everyone. Next two months the group is working on getting their Annual together. For more details contact Tony Burtonponytailpoet@gmail.com.

Pl ay Go:Takes place every Tuesday from 7.30pm in Letchworth or Stevenage on alternate weeks.

Persons under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. For more information, visithttp:/ / www.letchworth-go.org.uk/ letchgo St Hugh and St John's Church: Blaze Youth Club for anyone aged 7 to 14 takes place every Thursday during term-time from 5.45pm to 7.15pm. Have fun playing games, sports, making crafts, baking, cooking, and art, The first Thursday of the month is family night where families are invited to come for a meal and a short service. ÂŁ1.50 per week.

Roundabout ers Count ry Dance Cl ub:English country dancing every Thursday, 8pm to 10pm, at Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane SG1 1UP. Newcomers are always welcome, both beginners and experienced dancers. To find out more call 01438 727239, visitwww.roundabouters.org.ukor just come along.

St evenage Bridge Cl ub:New players are needed at Stevenage Bridge Club and Springfield House Friday Bridge Club. Stevenage Bridge Club meets at 7.30pm to play Duplicate Bridge at the Priory Nursery, Stanmore Road, Old Stevenage. Contact Phil Cooper on 0795 7813434. Springfield House Friday Bridge Club meet on Friday afternoons at 1.30pm to play cut-in Chicago Bridge at Springfield House. Contact Richard Bean on 01438 221517.

Mol l y Vickers School of Dance:Lessons in Ballet, Tap, Freestyle and Contemporary at Bedwell Community Centre, Stevenage. For children (18 months+) and adults, first trial class is free! For more details call Lisa Holt on (01438) 723450 or Stacey Hurst on (01438) 315580.

Oval Communit y Circl e:Come along to a free social

group held on the first Thursday of the month anytime between 9:30am and 11am at the Oval Community Centre, Vardon Road. For more information contactenquiries@ovalcommunity.comor 01438 359404.

Love t o Dance:Fun and friendly sessions for anyone aged 50 and over take place every Friday from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Hampson Park Community Centre, Webb Rise, Stevenage, SG1 5QU. Just ÂŁ5.50 per session. For more information call 0203 675 7215 or emailclarebellchambers@saracens.net St evenage Spirit ual Group:Meet every Sunday (except Bank Holidays) at Springfield House, Stevenage Old Town. Sunday meetings take place from 7.30pm till 9pm with a different Medium each week. All welcome.

Just Sing Communit y Choir:Come along and sing every Thursday during term time from 7pm to 9pm, at Grace Community Church. Hydean Way, Stevenage. First taster session free and no auditions are required. Contact 07785568463 or visit the websitewww.justsingcc.org.uk Pil at es:Sessions take place at Datchworth Village Hall on Thursdays from 1.30pm to 2.30pm/ Beginners are recommended to attend an introductory class. Call 07732897404 for more information.

Wou ld you lik e t o pr om ot e you r gr ou p or even t f or f r ee?

Do you w an t t o sh ow t h e people of #St even age you r gr ou p in act ion ?

Sen d you r copy an d pict u r es t o dar r en @spit f ir epr .com an d w e w ill do ou r best t o pu blish t h em in Wh at 's on in #St even age

Ways to keep the ashes of a loved one Wit h t h e popu lar it y of cr em at ion st or age can be var ied With cremation on the increase, there are now many different ways to keep a loved one?s ashes. We look at some of the options?

made to fit into your home. You could have a pretty floral urn, a teardrop-shaped urn, a wooden heart, a box decorated with dried leaves or a fabric urn made from wool and embroidered with a name plate.

Int erment and burial The traditional storage for ashes is an urn or casket that can be buried in a cemetery or perhaps in a natural burial ground. Today you can choose one made from a range of materials including banana leaf, seagrass, oak and bamboo.

There?s even one made of corn starch that decomposes when it?s underground.

Wat er urns If you?d like to have a water burial for your loved one, you can get biodegradable water urns made from natural materials such as recycled paper. They?re designed to float on the water for long enough to say your goodbyes before they gently sink.

Scat t er t ubes Some people prefer to scatter ashes in

For t he garden

a place that had a special meaning to the person they?ve lost ? perhaps a favourite woodland walk or a clifftop overlooking the sea. Scatter tubes come with special easy-to-scatter tabs and can be recycled or composted afterwards. They can also be personalised with a picture that celebrates your loved one.

Rain, snow, sun ? urns and caskets made from natural materials will withstand the elements to stay with you as each season passes. These weather-friendly caskets come in a range of designs from pretty pebbles through to Buddha heads. * At Austin?s, they have a range of urns and caskets that are provided by Forever Urns.

For t he home When you want your loved one close by, there are urns and caskets that are

19

Work doesn?t have to be hard to be productive. We?ve made our conference rooms an easy-going, inspirational space with the privacy and tranquillity you need to work in comfort. All our superbly appointed meeting rooms are located in a self-contained area on the first floor, with a range of room sizes and configurations, as well as a dedicated and experienced support team to make your event in Stevenage a success.

The Ibis Forum has a total floor area of 660m2 and ideal for creating stunning exhibitions, trade fairs or public shows; with a welcome foyer for

registrations and refreshments, and break-out syndicate rooms. Our in-house catering team are on hand to provide refreshments, and offer a choice of delicious menus for lunch, from finger buffets to sit-down meals to suit all budgets, or if you prefer you can hire our self catering kitchen.

Weddings A wedding is all about traditions, your individuality, heritage and culture.

The Ibis Forum is the ideal venue for couples seeking a luxury wedding location. Our state-of-the-art banqueting facilities are among the largest and best equipped in the region, and we can accommodate up

to 625 guests. And using the latest technology, with spectacular built in LED lighting and plasma screens as a backdrop, we can give your wedding a real WOW factor.

We understand that you will require specialist caterers for multicultural weddings and here you will find a modern self-catering kitchen for your chosen caterer. Exclusive hire of Forum includes entire floor, Fairview Suite, bar and kitchen. This includes tables and chairs, dance floor, use of the self-catering kitchen and complimentary bedroom in the adjoining Ibis Hotel. Call about special offers : 01438 533018.

Visit our new websit es for more informat ion www.forumcb.co.uk and www.fairviewhot els.com/ hot els/ ibis-forum-st evenage

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