#Stevenage July 2021

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Jul y 2021

A t ow n t oget h er

The unique m agazine f or #St evenage

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#Stevenage

The positivity both at home and further afield seemsto be spreading.

While clearly not out of the woods with Covid, we can all see an easing of life and figureson those suffering looking much better. It all points to the chance for usto get back to a more normal life, to get back to more structured working and to see our familiesagain The future may be tough for many of our businesses, but a recent survey which showed Stevenage was the second best

town in the UK to set up a businessmust give hope. With regeneration moving apace, there truly isgrounds for great optimism.

We are proud of our support during the coronavirusoutbreak to local groups and businessesand pledge that at #Stevenage we will continue with our policy of providing free editorial support to all our valued advertisersand local organisations. So if you are a group or a businesswho would like to promote yourselvesthrough #Stevenage magazine you can do so by simply calling 07539782979 or emailing: hdmdigitalsales@gmail.com

#STEVENAGE - THE UNIQUE DIGITAL M AGAZINE GOT A STORY TO TELL US? St or ies an d f eat u r es: dar r en @spit f irText epr .com WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS OR EVENT? Sales: h dm digit alsales@gm ail.com Text FIND OUT M ORE ABOUT HASHTAG DIGITAL M EDIA w w w.h ash t agdigit alm edia.co.u k Text Tw it t er w w w.t w it t er .com / h t agst even age/ Facebook w w w.f acebook .com / st even agem agazin e/

Virtual Stevenage Day

Watch Stevenage Day 2021 with our interactive video On Sunday June 10, because they were unable to hold a full-scale event, Stevenage Borough Council hosted a virtual Stevenage Day. Opened by new mayor Cllr Sandra Barr, it showcased stallholders and performances from local talent, including Robyn and the Hood, Vertigo, Steve Young and The Real Time Players and Identity Dance.

You can find a video of the event here.

Paul Fry on #Stevenage

Getting ready to celebrate town's sporting prowess I have always been proud to say I come from Stevenage. I no longer live in the town but have family ties here. Along the way, I have had to tackle people's many misconceptions about the place.

At the beginning of the year, I started to write a book on the many sports talents who come from the place, inspired by the leisure centre mural.

the research I did, I unearthed some amazing stories; some touching tales and ripping yarns.

There were some common threads. In many cases, people achieved at sport because of the town; the way it was constructed and the many wonderful facilities there.

I wondered how many people ever pause to look at the brilliant installation on the walkway between the town centre and the railway station. It is a brilliant concept. I love, too that the many arts types are recognised, too, on the facing wall, showing what a cultural contribution the town has made.

For my part, I must have played competitive football at every park, played golf at both courses at either end of town, swum in the town pool - albeit like brick - bowled at the old Danestrete tenpin centre, used the squash and badminton courts at the leisure centre, had 5-a-side football training at a few school gyms and, as a kid, used the play leadership schemes in the school holidays.

Some, of course, were just passing through.

Others were born here and moved away for work. But there were some who succeeded in life and are still here, with a string of family roots holding them in a town they have known all their life.

And that doesn't include many of the old factory sports facilities. We had some wonderful ones, particularly Bragbury End, where the West Germans trained before the 1966 World Cup final and which is now, sadly, housing.

During the many interviews I conducted and

As a young sports reporter, it could take me

half a day or more to type up all the results that came in from local leagues.

The design of the town meant there were six neighbourhoods - plus the old town - all with their own pubs, schools, social clubs - the spirit of competitiveness was fuelled and, rather like some giant volcano, bubbling away, occasionally it would pop some high achiever out the top like a molten volcanic rock.

and golf to dragonboat racing, landyachting, horseracing and of course Formula 1. These people achieved what they did without any local facilities, often having to travel many miles each weekend and surviving on packed sandwiches or motorway food on their travels. Sacrifices were made, birthday parties and weddings missed. But those sacrifices, they say, were worth it.

You know most of the faces. But, if you stop to contemplate the mural, do you know the stories behind those faces? This is what I have attempted to chronicle in Town's Got Talent, which will be published on October 1.

Stevenage punches above its weight when it comes to sports stars, my research suggests.

Next season there will be four lads from the town with Premier League clubs. The most yet.

The heart of the town, so the motto goes, is with its people, and especially its sports people. And behind those people, there was a legion of volunteers and teachers and parents, all giving their time to help the children of the town achieve their full potential. That was the dream of the town planners; that people could live and prosper and be happy.

Therein lies a tale. The academies are now the route into the game, unlike with Ian Allinson, for example, whose dad wrote to countless clubs to get him a trial, which he did with Colchester.

If you go back to the 1970s, we had no senior football club for a time but footballers such as Ian Allinson, Jimmy Gilligan, Ian Hamilton, Shaun Brooks and many others found their way into the senior game.

The town produced a host of decent athletes despite having no track at Ridlins until later, and there were three Olympic divers all from within a mile of the pool, despite having no 10m highboard there.

People craved improved facilities but the dearth of things on the wanted list did not hold people back entirely.

If you look at the list of people in the town's Sports Hall of Fame, on which I have based the book, there is a phenomenal breadth of sports represented from football and cricket

I very much suspect we have been through a golden age. That sports development will now be stifled by a lack of competitive sport at schools and seeing school fields and factory sports grounds built over.

And that is a pity.

Yes, the cream will always find its way to the top but sometimes it needs nurturing in fertile ground. Take those grounds away and you cut off that route to the top.

I looked beyond the Hall of Fames to include those who perhaps fell short of the qualifying criteria but still achieved great things - like Paul Bowgett, who was at Tottenham with Ossie Ardiles and Glenn Hoddle, played alongside Vinnie Jones, and won a non-League championship and FA Trophy double.

And there are extraordinary tales of achievements against the odds, like the para

athlete born three months premature and not expected to live but who has run for her country in the Olympic Stadium in London.

There are tales, too, of how real life has brushed up against some of our sportspeople -the Boxing Day tsunami n 2005, 911 and the Munich Olympic massacre.

There are the quirky tales, such as James Acraman becoming a new-media era sensation by speed stacking, or the former

fencer who was a stunt double in a Bond film.

Lots of tales. You will have to wait until October 1 to read them all, All 180 pages of them.

It will be worth it, I promise.

And if you see yourself as a true Stevenage person, it will make your chest swell with pride - and make you want to linger longer at the mural when you can put an adventure to the faces.

Survey shows town is second best in UK to start a business Stevenage Development Board has welcomed a study which ranks the hi-tech hub as the second best town to start a small business outside London.

The board was established in March 2020 to deploy government funding through the town investment fund, and Adrian Hawkins (pictured) OBE, Board chairman and Chairman of biz4Biz, an organisation that supports business development, said ?We have clear plans for the future growth and development of Stevenage and this study highlights the opportunities available to people in our area. ?Following our successful £37.6m Towns Fund bid earlier this year, and the range of projects that are being delivered in the ongoing regeneration programme, we now have real momentum going forward over the coming years.?

The research, conducted byTidefound that the town ? more renowned for global businesses like Airbus, GsK and MBDA ? ranks behind only

Bournemouth in the best locations for entrepreneurs to set up shop.

The study combined data on a number of factors including the rise in the number of start-ups, the five-year start-up survival rate, and the number of registered businesses as a percentage of the town?s population,to reveal the best UK towns and cities to launch a business.

Stevenage was ranked second while other local towns including Watford finished third.

Stevenage features in the top seven towns and cities for each ranking factor, the highest-ranking aspect being the number of registered businesses, which accounts for 0.59% of the population. On top of this, there is a 45.54% five-year survival rate for start-ups in the town, and there was a 26.7% rise in new businesses

between 2018 and 2019.

Cllr Sharon Taylor OBE, Leader of Stevenage Borough Council said: ?We were delighted to hear such amazing news and hope that this acts as a platform to drive even more businesses and creative, driven individuals to our town as well as more opportunities and jobs for our local communities. Our regeneration programme is delivering more flexible working and conference space with every project we complete and by providing more of these facilities we can open up the opportunity for even more organisations to flourish in Stevenage.?

Lloyd Briscoe, Executive Member for Economy, Enterprise and Transport at Stevenage Borough Council said: ?We know that there are numerous SMEs, freelancers and other small businesses

based here and that number grows every year so it?s fantastic to see this entrepreneurial spirit outlined so clearly in this study. Stevenage has always provided a platform for growth and you can see from the numerous major businesses based here that there is clearly room for expansion and success within our town.?

Location based artworks help to 'enliven' town sites

Stevenage Borough Council has come together with community groups and young local artists to install a number of location-based artworks Spaces of Creativity,Community & Change is a project celebrating the creativity, diversity, and community spirit of Stevenage. It seeks to offer a vision of unity and equality coming out of a challenging period and looking into the future.

Some 20 young people from the black community led the project from the beginning, working with artists Alfred Oddoye and Kiaski Donkor to develop concepts for mural artwork, which were illustrated by Kiaski Donkor and painted by Carleen De Sözer and Wumi Olaosebikan.

The project is intended to be a healing process for the youth.

It enables them to express how they feel as black youth living in the UK, especially in relation to Black Lives Matter and the racial inequalities

magnified by the COVID pandemic.

They channelled their energy into creating something positive and inclusive, which commemorates this last year ? including some of the challenges faced and support received across racial divides ? and offers a hopeful future filled with racial equality and harmony.

Watch interactive video welcoming customers back to the High Street St evenage Borough Council has produced a ?Welcome Back t o St evenage High St reet ? init iat ive as part of a series of promot ional videos.

The video showcases t he many wonderful businesses on t he hist oric High St reet in one of Hert fordshire?s hidden gems.

It is designed t o welcome back visit ors and shoppers safely. The video shines a spot light on

several local businesses t hat are pivot al t o support ing t he uniqueness of t he hist oric High St reet .

The businesses include leisure, herit age, manufact uring, service indust ry, food and beverage, niche music and cult ural offerings but t he films also show t heir cont ribut ion t o st rengt hening t he St evenage economy.

The video feat ures some of St evenage?s unique

independent local businesses. There are many including, it s hist oric links t o t he Cromwell era t hrough t he Cromwell Hot el St evenage and home t o t he Vincent Mot orcycle manufact uring indust ry t hough Bike St op, who provide mot orcycle prot ect ive clot hing and equipment . This is a small glimpse of t he huge hist orical aspect of St evenage High St reet .

The hist oric ?Old Town?High St reet is an at t ract ive dest inat ion t o visit wit h lot s of green spaces and a superb shopping and food and drink offering wit h a huge array of cuisines available. There are many independent cafes, nat ional chains and rest aurant s, support ing worldwide foods and fine dining. St evenage is a great locat ion for businesses t o invest in.

Councillor Lloyd Briscoe, Port folio Holder for Economy, Ent erprise and Transport at St evenage Borough Council said, ?St evenage High St reet offers you a unique shopping experience, wit h an array of independent bout ique shops, leisure and cult ural pursuit s and a superb food and drink offer. We would like t o welcome all our resident s, shoppers and visit ors a safe ret urn t o t he High St reet and support t he great array of businesses in t he High St reet .?

The ?Welcome Back t o St evenage High St reet ? video can be accessed on t he opposit e page and feat ures on t he www.shopst evenageport al.co.uk which is part of t he Shop Safe Shop St evenage campaign.

The video compliment s t he act ivit ies support ed by St evenage Borough Council?s Covid-19 Business Support Programme, delivered by Ret ail Revival Lt d t o support businesses in t he High St reet t o access advice and support t o open and remain open.

Armed Forces Day Saturday 26 June was Armed Forces Day and Stevenage participated with an event in the Town Square featuring veterans, military charities and a tank.

Proceedings started at 10am and ran through until 4pm with a marching band at 11am and music shows.

Charities present included the Royal British Legion, SSAFA and Kaotic Angels, which has supplied over 60,000 meals and food parcels since Covid started and continues to do so.

For children there was face painting and sand art.

All the stalls followed Covid-safe guidelines as were the many retailers that are now open following the end of lockdown restrictions.

Mayor of Stevenage, Sandra Barr, commented: ?I was looking forward to meeting everyone at this year?s Armed Forces Day,

particularly those charities that do so much for our veterans and service men and women.

"The event provides a much-needed boost to those of our town centre businesses that need it after being shut during the pandemic. Hopefully we gave them all a bit of a lift.?

Book your place at the Striders Stevenage 10K Entries are open for the annual 2021 Stevenage 10 km race.

If you entered the 2020 event before it became a virtual event and you didn't complete the run, then you have had your entry automatically rolled over for this year's event. The race is scheduled for Sunday, 19th September at 10:30am and we are currently making preparations to hold it as an actual event.

The race will start and finish in Hampson Park, Stevenage SG1 5QU. The entry fee is being held at £19 (or £17 for members of an ARC affiliated running club). There will be extra precautions in place in line with Government Covid-19 guidelines but hopefully, by September, the majority of the country will be vaccinated and some level of normality will have returned. If not, there will be social distant start areas, extra hand sanitation in place, and all volunteers/helpers will be wearing gloves and face coverings.

Depending on Government guidance at the time of the event, we may also have a staggered start time and we may not be able to have spectators. But that's for later.

For now, get your entry in. Our team is already designing the medal - and you'll also get the coveted t-shirt. Its colour and design has been chosen and will be announced closer to the day. Also, providing we are allowed, there will be cake for all finishers.

In 2020 we donated £4,000 to local charities and we hope to raise a similar amount again this year. We are in talks to decide on these charities and will announce them soon. As always, we are grateful to our main sponsors namely Hashtag Digital Media, Mather Marshall Estate Agents, Ask Physio and Wagstaffs Accountants for their support in holding this event.

To enter click on the link below: https://stevenagestridersrc.org.uk/stevenage-10k

Todd festival ready to bounce back in 2022

A message from t he t eam at Todd in t he Hole Fest ival Heartbroken? . Devastated? ?

Words that don?t even come close to how we feel right now. The government announcement regrettably means that this years?festival will not be taking place.

We?ve put our heart and soul in to planning Todd 2021. We knew that nothing was guaranteed this year and that?s always been at the back of our minds, but to come so cruelly close and to miss the deadline for opening up by just one day is truly heart breaking.

We really believed that an event like Todd is exactly what our wonderful community needed this year. Just imagining all those smiling faces coming together with friends and family for a weekend to remember spurred us on to plan the most amazing festival for you.

The Events Industry is on its knees. So many festivals have already announced their cancellation or postponement, and this has a devastating effect on so many. From the artists who have spent so much of the last year out of work, to the food traders, to the production team, to the photographers, to our

wonderful charity The East & North Herts Hospitals?

Charity who needed our support more than ever.

Todd 2021 was going to be special, it was going to be magical, it was going to be unforgettable. But as with last year we find ourselves writing a cancellation announcement that we all continued to hope we wouldn?t have to write.

We fully support any measures that need to be taken to get back to normal, to protect lives and to protect the NHS. So, here?s what we?re going to do. We?re going to throw everything we?ve got in to ensuring 2022 is THE ONE!! And we?d love for you to join us on the ride!

Our ticket partner, Ticketline, will be in touch with all ticket purchasers directly re transfer or refund of tickets. We?d be enormously grateful to those of you who are able to roll your tickets over to next year SAVE THE DATE July 15th ? 17th Until then keep following us and keep the Todd love alive.

With love and thanks from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support, David, Mark & all of Team Todd xx

Appeal on station gateway Stevenage Borough Council launchesStation Gateway Area Action PlanConsultation The council is undergoing a process of renewal and regeneration. As part of this, the area around the Railway Station bounded by the railway tracks and Lytton Way has been identified as a key site for new development and change. This key gateway for the town has the potential for significant transformation, based on its well-connected position only 20 minutes from King?s Cross in London. The development will form a key part of the regeneration of the Town Centre.

After reviewing Stevenage?s Local Plan during the Holding Direction in 2019, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) asked Stevenage Borough Council to prepare an Area Action Plan for Stevenage Station Gateway Area (identified in the Local Plan as Site TC4). This is a limited area within the wider Stevenage Central area.

An Area Action Plan (AAP), is a type of Development Plan Document (DPD) providing a planning framework for a specific area of opportunity, change or conservation. AAPs give a geographic or spatial dimension and focus for the implementation of policies for that area.

The council in conjunction with consultancy David Lock Associates, has produced an emerging AAP for the Stevenage Station Gateway area, titled the?Stevenage Connection Area Action Plan: Issues and Options Report?. This will eventually become part of the overall Development Plan for Stevenage, and will be required to be subject to statutory consultation and examination by the Secretary of State.

This Issues and Options report is the first stage in the process of producing an AAP for the Railway Station area. It outlines the key issues that affect the area identified as site TC4 in the Stevenage Borough Local Plan. This is an early stage of the preparation and initial high level enhancements, scenarios and options that focus on mobility are presented for feedback from targeted stakeholders.

The next steps for this programme include to engage widely with businesses, residents and other stakeholder groups. This Issues and Options Report contains key concepts at this early stage and does not suggest specific proposals for the Railway Station or Lytton Way. This consultation will provide a great opportunity for the public and key stakeholders to engage and shape this area. It will also act as a catalyst for developers interested in supporting this key part of the Stevenage Borough Local Plan.

Cllr John Gardner, Executive Member for the Environment and Regeneration for Stevenage Borough Council said, ?I am pleased to announce the Stevenage Connections Area Action Plan and launch the consultation. As a council, we are keen to engage with residents and understand the views and suggestions or the public. It is important that everyone takes the opportunity to comment and help us with our plans to Transform the Town Centre.?

Consultation runs from 12 July to 5 September 2021.Have your say on theCouncil?s consultation portal at https://stevenage-consult.objective.co.uk/portal/ or e-mail your thoughts to the Planning Policy Team at planning.policy@stevenage.gov.uk

Stevenage FC video update

Bor o squ ad back f r o pr e seaosn t r ain in g ah ead of 2021/ 22 cam paign

Boss Alex Revell gives a pr e-season u pdat e

Jack Sm it h sign s a n ew deal

Paul Laidlaw is back as Panto 2021 unveiled Paul Laidlaw is Back! as W idow Twankey. It ?s everyt hing you could W ISH for t his Christ mas!

Paul says ?Hooray, we?re back! Christ mas 2020 was t he weirdest t ime ever; t he first t ime in I don?t know how long t hat I wasn?t doing pant o.

But hey, I?m back t his year in a fabulous new product ion of Aladdin. It ?s going t o be amazing, bigger and bet t er t han ever. I?ve missed you all and can?t wait t o see you again. W idow Twankey is on her way!?

Book Your Favourit e Seat s wit h confidence t oday wit h our Covid Guarant ee! ht t ps:// www.gordon-craig.co.uk/aladdin-i2427 It will be a magic carpet ride wort h wait ing for!

Running Friday 26t h November 2021 ? Sunday 23rd January 2022 W idow Twankey want s a husband, evil Abanazaar want s t he magic lamp, Aladdin want s advent ure and W ishee Washee want s a clean vest ? can t he Genie grant t heir wishes?

From t he t eam behind 2019?s Award W inning product ion of Beaut y & t he Beast @JordanProduct ions join us t his Christ mas for dazzling cost umes, spect acular set s, and magical special effect s. A GENIE-us pant omime advent ure guarant eed t o

make your family?s fest ive wishes come t rue.

Covid ? 19 Booking Guarant ee: All shows advert ised are due t o go ahead as planned. If affect ed by rest rict ions caused by t he pandemic and t he lat est government advice we will endeavour t o re-schedule and all t icket s will t ransfer t o t he new dat e. Ticket holders will be ent it led t o a full refund or credit not e if t he rescheduled dat e is not suit able.

All t icket s booked for 2020/ 2021 have aut omat ically moved across t o t he equivalent dat e t his year and t he same seat s have been ret ained. If you have any queries regarding your booking please email enquiries.gordoncraig@sll.co.uk

Equalities commission launched for Stevenage New Equal it ies Commission f or St evenage Following the brutal killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, USA in May 2020 and subsequent demonstrations exemplified through the Black Lives Matters movement globally, nationally and locally in Stevenage, Stevenage Borough Council pledged to establish an Equalities Commission.

The Equalities Commission is being established as a body that is independently chaired, initially focusing on the disproportionate impact of inequalities on the lives of Black Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals and communities (BAME) in Stevenage.

While there has been much progress on equalities issues in Stevenage over a number of years, there is clear recognition that more can be done. The Equalities Commission will drive forward a number of recommendations in order to create lasting change for communities across the town so that all residents feel included.

The Commission will be undertaking a strategic assessment of the nature, extent, causes and impact of race inequality in Stevenage and will then make recommendations for tackling them.

They will also consider wider issues of inclusion for other sections of the community where inequalities are experienced and will maintain an effective dialogue in order to tackle these.

Stevenage Borough Council will be providing support and facilitation to The Commission?s Independent Chair,Errol John, who said: ?I?m really honoured to be appointed chair of this commission at this extraordinary time, where Stevenage Borough Council, like many authorities around the country are looking at themselves to become a beacon of good

practice. I have lived in Stevenage for many years and contributed to giving a voice to diverse communities in the town. I am looking forward to working collectively with a range of partners and Stevenage residents to fulfil the Commission's objectives.?

The initial membership of the commission will be six representatives from BAME communities, including young people and six representatives from organisations and statutory bodies, there will also be an advisory group of community voices feeding into The Commission.

The Commission will be considering a number of issues including: 1. Education 2. Criminal Justice 3. Health 4. Business and Employment 5. Civic Life and Communities 6. Sport and Culture It will publish its initial findings in December 2021 and a final report will be produced in July 2022 The application process for membership is currently open and will close on Friday 2 ndJuly 2021, for further information on how to become a member or join our Community Voices group please contact.

Contact information: Equalities.Commission@stevenage.gov.uk Or download an application pack fromhttps:/ / www.stevenage.gov.uk/ about-the -council/ equality-and-diversity/ stevenageequalities-commission

SADA new safe space

The SADA (Survivors Against Domestic Abuse) team has been working hard again to continue to expand the service, securing a 23rd Safe Space property, which allows it to support another family fleeing to safety.

Safe Space properties, the location of which is kept secret, provide an immediate protective environment for individuals and their families who need to exit domestic abuse situations, but who have no immediate and obvious alternative accommodation options.

They are also provided with a drop bag ?survival pack?that provides much-needed essentials for those that have had to flee quickly, taking literally nothing with them. ?It is wonderful to be able to add another much-needed safe-space property to our

portfolio to continue the valuable work of our SADA service in support of domestic abuse survivors,?said Cllr Sharon Taylor, Leader of Stevenage Borough Council. ?The service has, sadly, seen a huge increase in the number of people needing help during lockdown and we expect further pressure on the service during the European football championships because we know from experience that, amidst all the celebrations and fun, it also creates an upsurge in domestic violence cases. So this comes at a very welcome time and we will continue to add support services and new properties to our portfolio to help those individuals and families that need sanctuary.?

Defibrillators set up in Stevenage sites Five Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) are now operational in Stevenage, one at each of 5 sites, across the Chells and Chells Manor areas.

The 5 sites are: 1. Entrance to Chells Manor Community Centre, Emperor's Gate.

2. Outside Gill's store, Mobbsbury Shops, Mobbsbury Way. 3. Entrance to Timebridge, Mobbsbury Way. 4. Outside wall of Korean restaurant, opposite Nisa, The Glebe.

5. Entrance to Chells Park Pavilion, off Gresley Way. They are available 24/7 and are bright yellow and easy to see.

If you do need one the advice is: Call 999.

Give the defibrillator location.

You will be told the access code.

Use that code to open the yellow defibrillator cabinet.

Follow the spoken instructions from the defibrillator.

The defibrillator from inside the cabinet can be taken to the exact place where it is needed.

This will enable possible life saving action to be taken

before the arrival of the emergency services.

After use, contact Community Development, Stevenage Borough Council (on 01438 242 242) about returning it.

The 5 defibrillators have been organised and funded, from their local budgets, by the 6 Liberal Democrat Borough Councillors and County Councillor for SBC Chells Ward, HCC Chells Division and SBC Manor Ward. They are: Julie Ashley-Wren, Stephen Booth, Andy McGuinness, Robin Parker, Graham Snell, Tom Wren.

Robin Parker said ?There has been a lot of work involved and it has taken about 3 years to get to this stage with our project. ?Many thanks to SBC officers for their enormous help in bringing this project to fruition. ?Safety of residents has always been a major consideration of the Lib Dem group and the defibrillators are one more example of that concern in action.?

In due course, the 6 councillors hope to publicise and give information about the defibrillators to the local areas concerned.

The 6 councillors are also hoping to provide two more defibrillators in the area later this year, which would make a total of 7.

Running race to lead the South Downs Way Karen Ellis, Jackie Downes, Neal Muggleton, John Nelms and Hazel Smith ran the Race to the King (RTTK), part of the South Downs Way, in 13 hours 53 minutes and 51 seconds.The route was undulating with 5278 feet of elevation across the 55 miles route.The route started at Goodwood Race Course, Chichester and finished at the beautiful Winchester Cathedral with stunning views along the way.

Altogether Seven Spartans completed the Ultra Marathon in the very humid conditions.This route has around eight quite steep hills and some rough, stony paths.One hill seemed to go on forever and at times only walking was possible.It was Karen Ellis's longest race, so she was happy to finish strongly. The rest of her team of five consisted of Hazel Smith, Jackie Downes, John Nelms and Neal Muggleton.They finished together at around 9pm, just as a torrential downpour started and darkness began to fall.

The other two Spartans, Sharon Crowley and Cathy Craig finished in 16 hours 30 minutes at around 11.30.For them, running in the dark, with the muddy, slippy conditions underfoot was quite a challenge.Sharon had been injured in 2019, so it was an amazing achievement to train from not being able to run at all to be able to complete such a tough Ultra.Everyone was pleased with what they did and extremely thankful for the support of fellow Spartans Mike Crowley, Jenny Garrett and Julie Shadbolt.

MK24 As if 55 miles wasn?t enough DAVID BOWKER won the Milton Keynes 24 hour race.Here the

target is to see how many 6.55 mile laps can you complete in 24 hours.He ran 15 laps in 23 hours and 45 minutes.He won by one lap.

Hampshire Hoppit The Hampshire Hoppit marathon and half marathon are both multi-terrain trail races, i.e. predominantly off-road and are approximately 26.2 miles and 13.1 miles long. Spartans CHARLOTTE SMITH and ROBERT WRIGHT together with Charlotte?s sister Harriet tackled the full marathon.Robert finished in 4:59:54 and Charlotte in 5:31:30.

Victoria Park 10K The Victoria Park 10K started warm and dry but very humid early morning in a quiet London park.It was more like a time trial, with one runner starting every 10 seconds.The Spartans?YUKO GORDON was seventh woman overall in 45 minutes 18 seconds.

Flying On Number 57 The Spartans are still flying. On Saturday morning total numbers were a down a bit to 185 due to the return of ?real?racing but three Spartans were ?there?to enjoy the 57th Fly 5K.

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Coffin history and how death is part of life If you think about funerals, one of the first things that comes to mind is no doubt a coffin. Coffins have been around for thousands of years and nowadays they are available in various different materials and styles ? from the traditional wood to the more eco-friendly willow or even cardboard. In fact, coffins have had a very interesting history from the start.

W here does t he word ?coffin? come from?

The Old French word ?cofin? (meaning ?basket?) officially entered the English language as ?coffin?in 1380. There is also a Modern French form ?couffin?, which translates as ?casket?.Whilst any box holding the deceased is called

a coffin, a casket was originally a box used to store jewellery. It is thought that ?casket?was originally used as a euphemism by undertakers to steer away from the unpleasant images of a coffin.

W hen were coffins first used?

The earliest evidence of coffin remains ever found date back to 5000BC in China. Among the remains were said to be a coffin belonging to a child and as many as 10 other wooden coffins at another site. Back then, the thickness of the coffin illustrated the level of nobility of the person inside; the double coffin consisted of an outer and inner coffin and the triple coffin had two outer and one inner coffins.

How were coffins originally made?

Traditionally, coffins were made as and when required by the village carpenter. So, the way it looked and how it was made would depend on his skills, as well as what materials were available at the time. If a poor person?s funeral had to be paid for by the parish then typically cheaper pine would be used, whereas someone very wealthy might have a yew or mahogany coffin finished with extravagant linings and decorations.

Vict orian coffins As you may well know, the Victorians were rather ?obsessed?with death.

Funerals were big events and so there would be no expense

spared on the coffin for wealthy Victorians ? brass handles and luxurious burial shrouds were common. If a coffin was to be placed in a burial vault then they would usually consist of three layers, one of which would be lead, making the coffins extremely heavy.

In fact, back in 2014, a former Victorian coffin factory in Birmingham was reopened as a museum. The Newman Brothers made Winston Churchill?s coffin and when the factory was rediscovered in the last decade it was like a time warp with vintage tools and old newspapers still lying around.

More unusual coffins Last year we blogged about ?funeral customs from around the world?and talked about the unusual coffins made in Ghana. Out there, funerals are often a much more colourful affair, a celebration of life rather than sorrow, and this is reflected in their coffin designs. They aspire to

be buried in coffins that represent something special in their life ? a hobby, their work or something symbolic to them.

Ghanaian artist Paa Joe says:?As humans, death is part of our life and everyone must go in style.?One of his coffins, modelled on a Mercedes Benz, is housed at The National Museum of Scotland. Carved from wood and painted white with silver, black and orange details, the coffin (made in 1998) features silver headlights, wing mirrors, an aerial and the trademark Mercedes-Benz badge.

Here in the UK, cardboard coffins are becoming increasingly popular and some follow a similar theme to the Ghanaian sense of humour. You can get ones with ?return to sender? stickers on, ones with your own photos on and themed ones from James Bond to Halloween!

The coffins we know t oday Nowadays, most coffins are

mass-produced, which does mean there are lots of options available to suit individual requirements.

Here at Austin?s our Hertingfordbury, Kimpton and Amwell coffins are all worked on by hand by highly skilled craftsmen and we can provide beautiful ornaments too, including a: Gothic Cross, Sacred Heart, Crucifix, Masonic, Rose and Scottish Tassel.

For those who?d like a biodegradable coffin for their loved one we have a choice of two coffins. The Datchworth is handmade from English willow gathered in Lancashire. It is expertly fashioned by craftsmen using traditional skills and weaving techniques passed down through generations. The Bramfield is made with sturdy recycled paper in a green finish with natural rope handles.

To see our full range of coffins please visit: http://www.austins.co.uk /coffins.html

Support for business during Coronavirus Funding from Stevenage Borough Council Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) If your business is within the non-essential Retail, Hospitality or Leisure Sector and has been impacted by the Lockdowns and the Tier announcements in December, you may be eligible for funding to support your business under the Local Restrictions Support Grants.

Closing date for applications is 31 March 2021.

Local Restriction Support (CLOSED) Grant The Local Restriction Support (CLOSED) Grant is available for businesses mandated to close during the national lockdown and the December Tier announcements.

For further information and to apply please visit https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/ business-and-licensing/ business-rates-support-grants/ local-restriction-support-grant-closed-tier-2-3-and-4 If you have not already claimed your LRSG closed Addendum grant for the period 5 November to 1 December or 5 January to 15 February, please complete an application now, but only if you were mandated to close.

Local Restriction Support (OPEN) The Local Restriction Support (OPEN) Grant is available to support businesses within the hospitality, hotel, bed and breakfast and leisure sectors that are liable for business rates and were able to remain open during 2.12.20 to 18.12.2020 (Tier 2) and 19.12 (Tier 3) announcements but have been impacted by the restrictions in place. Businesses with or without business rates, who supply goods or services to this group of businesses and can demonstrate they were directly impacted by the restrictions, can also apply.

Closing date for applications is 31 March 2021.

For further information and to apply please visit https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/ business-and-licensing/ business-rates-support-grants/ local-restrictions-support-grant-open Additional Restrictions Support Grant The second tranche of the Additional Restrictions Support Grant is currently live and will close midnight 31 March 2021.

If your business is not in non-essential Retail, Hospitality or Leisure and NOT mandated to close and your business has been impacted by the Lockdowns, you may be eligible for funding under the Additional Restrictions Support Grant.

The scheme is also available to businesses which were mandated to close but are not liable for business rates and includes home based businesses.

To secure funding, applicants must confirm that they have lost at least 20% of their turnover between January 2020 and January 2021.

Levels of Grant available Grants of up to £6,000 are available to businesses in Stevenage.

Businesses satisfying the criteria and providing the required evidence may be granted the below awards; March 2021 Business which support retail, hospitality and leisure and other businesses that do not fall into one of the below categories will receive: RV or fixed costs £15,000 or less per annum : £2,500 RV or fixed costs £15,001 and less than £50,999 : £4,000 RV or fixed costs £51,000 or above : £6,000 Business which run from home : £2,000 Taxi drivers: (self-employed) - licensed in the area : £1,000

Market traders (without business rates - regularly trading in our area ? one grant per business) : £1,000 ARG Ineligibility Businesses that will not be eligible for consideration of an Additional Restrictions Grant are listed below: Businesses with business rates that were mandated to close during the national lockdowns. (These businesses would be supported by the Local Restrictions Support Grant) Businesses that continue to trade effectively and cannot demonstrate a significant loss in income (in excess of 20% since January 2021, compared to last January 2020).

Businesses that have already received grant payments that are equal to the maximum levels of State Aid permitted under the de minimis and the Covid-19 Temporary State Aid Framework.

Businesses that are in administration, are insolvent or where a striking off notice has been made even if subsequently withdrawn after 31 March.

Business which have submitted Dormant accounts to HMRC or companies house will need to prove that the business was active and trading before March 2020.

If more than one business occupies the same address with the same or common director, evidence of separate fixed costs will be required.

Applicants not registered with HMRC, Companies House, or the Charity Commission.

For further information and to apply please visit https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/ business-and-licensing/ business-rates-support-grants/ additional-restrictions-support-grant-2-1 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Funding includes: Low Carbon Innovation Fund 2 which provides Grants of up to £5,000, to support SMEs make a positive impact on greenhouse gas reduction through the development of innovative technologies, products or services.

Hertfordshire LEP SME Growth Loan Scheme provides loans of £200k ? £500k available to established SMEs in Hertfordshire requiring finance to implement expansion activities that will deliver substantial growth.

Crowdfund Hertfordshire: Small Business Innovation

Fund provides grants of up to £5,000 for small/micro businesses in tourism, leisure, hospitality, retail, arts and culture.

Hertfordshire Business Expansion Grant Scheme provides grants of £10k - £100k to incentivise SME investment in capital equipment to support growth and improve productivity £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund opens for applications The Brexit Support fund will help smaller businesses with changes to trade rules with the EU. Smaller businesses can now apply for grants of up to £2,000 to help them adapt to new customs and tax rules when trading with the EU. The £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund will enable traders to access practical support, including training for new customs, rules of origin and VAT processes.

Small and medium sized businesses that trade solely with the EU and are therefore new to importing and exporting processes are encouraged to apply for the grants.

To be eligible, businesses must import or export goods between Great Britain and the EU, or move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

For further information and to apply for the funding https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ grants-to-help-small-and-medium -sized-businesses-new-to-importing-or-exporting Skills Support Skills to support your workforce Stevenage Borough Council in partnership with The Tess Group and Serco, delivery partner for Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership are supporting fully funded courses to support businesses in Stevenage through the Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) programme.

Principles of Social Media within a Business - Principles of social media will help to support you raise your profile and ensure that your business increases its audience on social media.

- How Social Media fits in to the objectives and marketing of a business - Examine how to select social media tools and channels for a business - How to measure success using tools and channels - Understand how social media policy and guidelines can impact a business - Using IT platforms to plan and execute online sales marketing - The best ways to use social media to promote your business - How to use cross platform marketing strategies (Twitter/ Facebook/Instagram Digital Skills for Work Level 2 Technology is evolving at a fast pace as such it is important to keep up to date with the changes and develop new digital skills. This online qualification is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their digital literacy.

- How Social Media fits in to the objectives and marketing of a business.

- Examine how to select social media tools and channels for a business.

- How to measure success using tools and channels.

- Understand how social media policy and guidelines can impact a business - Using I T platforms to plan and execute online sales marketing - The best ways to use social media to promote your business

The Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) programme has been developed to upskill employees within small and medium-sized enterprises (SME s) in Hertfordshire. The Tess Group are part of Serco?s network of training providers chosen to deliver training in Stevenage and across Hertfordshire.

- How to use cross platform marketing strategies (Twitter/ Facebook/Instagram)

The following courses will be available to support local businesses:

- Applying digital skills in personal and business situations

- Understanding how to protect devices and data - Communicating socially and professionally using technology

The Volunteer Business Support Scheme supported by the Hertfordshire Growth Hub in partnership with Hertfordshire LEP and the University of Hertfordshire has been extended until November 2021 to help even more businesses in Hertfordshire. The scheme has supported more than 190 businesses, providing over 600 hours of 1-2-1 support.

Businesses can benefit from: Up to 12 hours of free and confidential 1-2-1 support from a mentor that?s highly experienced in managing or coaching at a strategic level.

- Using digital resources to facilitate career progression - Use search engines and social media platforms to find the data.

- How you can use technology to communicate professionally.

- How to blog and interact with your audience online.

Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Retail Operations This is perfect for those wanting to expand their knowledge within the retail sector and can really help to upskill on the basics of selling and the customer retail experience.

- Developing an understanding of the different aspects of the retail industry - Learning about customer payments and the selling process - Understanding how to provide good customer service - Learning how to deal with complaints and queries - Gaining an understanding of basic retail law and the importance of correct stock control Courses will be held on:Friday 16th April 2021 An Introduction and Information Session on Eventbrite will be held on To book visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ stevenage-borough-council-funded-training -introduction-with-the-tess-group -tickets-147173976325 Business Support Volunteer Business Support Scheme

Being matched to a mentor that has experience within your sector or the specific situation you are facing.

Signposting to support packages that are available locally, regionally and nationally Support that?s completely flexible ? you and your mentor will decide the day, time and level of support that suits you both best. Businesses receive two hours of support a week on average.

Access to all the resources and support available through the Growth Hub and partners For further information and to access support please visit https://hertsgrowthhub.com/ news-blogs/47324Helping-Your-Business-Bounce-Back Reopening the High Street Business Support Stevenage Borough Council is currently working with Retail Revival Ltd, a High Street Regeneration Specialist to provide specialised business advice, support and guidance to businesses on the High St, town centre and commercial centres. The programme of support will include a number of projects designed to build business resilience and support businesses to adapt to the economic impact of Covid-19. Funding for the projects has come from the Reopening High Street Safely Fund which aims to deliver additional business support and promote the High Street and commercial centres, as safe places for those working in the High Street, residents and visitors and to give customer?s confidence to go back, feel safe and support the local economy.

The programme of support will provide businesses with specialised support to enable them to use a wide array of tools and intelligence to promote their safe working practices, support their growth and survival

plans, supporting them to stay reopen and stay safe.

The programme will also support mentoring and ongoing support for businesses in this very difficult time.

If you would like to further information and access support please email economic.development@Stevenage.gov.uk Manage & Resell returned stock in local markets? An online solution Join the Department for International Trade at this webinar as they uncover: Getting returned goods through UK customs ? Tips on how to do this efficiently.

Returned Goods Relief (RGR) ? How to benefit from RGR and other ways to cut costs in the returns process.

Online global returns solutions ? The advantages (aid customs declarations process & goods clearance, keep customers informed throughout the returns process, and stock back available for sale more quickly).

For further information visit https://www.exemplastradeservices.co.uk/ event/manage-resell-returned-stock -in-local-markets-an-online-solution/ Free rapid tests for all businesses for regular workplace testing All businesses in England are now able to sign up to the government?s free COVID-19 workplace testing pro Workplace testing now available to all businesses, including those with fewer than 50 employees Businesses are encouraged to register their interest by 31 March to access free workplace testing.

For further information visit https://www.gov.uk/get-workplace-coronavirus-tests Hertfordshire Growth Hub The Hertfordshire Growth Hub, powered by Hertfordshire LEP, is on-hand to help businesses access the advice and guidance they need during these challenging times. Their website www.hertsgrowthhub.com brings together a network of local, regional and national business support providers. Registration is free and can provide your business with immediate access to advice, resources, tailored content and events.

EU Transition Readiness Support Hertfordshire Growth Hub?s team of dedicated EU Transition Advisers can help answer your questions and concerns about operating under the news rules.

Find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions by watching their latest on-demand video in partnership with Hertfordshire Trading Standards.

FREE business advice from impartial, expert advisors from the btc The Business & Technology Centre provide FREE business advice services for all types of small businesses and on a wide range of subjects from finance to sales and marketing. This service is available via live chat, in-person, telephone and email.

All advice is completely impartial and delivered by Wenta?s team of expert advisors.

For business advice, visit www.btcstevenage.co.uk to live chat to an advisor (Mon-Fri, 9am ? 5pm) or book your one-to-one, advice appointment here.

Government announcements Extended opening hours will continue when non-essential retail returns The government has recently announced longer opening hours in England will continue when non-essential shops reopen from 12 April to help people return to the high street safely. This will help ensure the safe re-opening of non-essential shops by giving people greater flexibility to avoid peak times and easing transport pressures.

When they reopen from 12 April at the earliest, shops will have the flexibility to open until 10pm Monday to Saturday.

The government is also extending flexible working hours on construction sites, as well as allowing food

deliveries to supermarkets over more time periods.

The government has also stated they will keep the flexibility for pubs and restaurants to erect marquees to help increase seating capacity in a Covid-secure way.

Government extends temporary insolvency measures The Government has recently extended temporary insolvency measures providing further support to businesses during the pandemic.

Insolvency measures supporting businesses during the pandemic and helping them recover, are set to be extended till the end of June 2021.

The measures were introduced in the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act in March 2020, including protecting businesses from aggressive creditor enforcement and removing personal liability on company directors, and have been previously extended on a number of occasions.

The measures being extended till the end of June 2021: ·Small suppliers will not have to continue to supply a business in insolvency. However, larger suppliers will not be able to cease their supply or ask for additional payments while a company is going through a rescue process. ·Entry into a moratorium will remain relaxed and a company will be able to enter a moratorium if they have been subject to an insolvency procedure in the previous 12 months. These measures will be extended until 30 September 2021.

Businesses urged to act as two in five UK firms experience cyber-attacks in the last year Government urges organisations to follow expert guidance to boost their online resilience, as two in five businesses (39 per cent) and a quarter of charities (26 per cent) report having cyber security breaches as well data showing fewer businesses are taking recommended cyber security measures.

TheCyber Security Breaches Survey 2021 report shows the cyber risk to organisations has been heightened because of the pandemic, which has made securing digital environments more challenging as organisational resources are diverted to facilitating home working for staff.

The government is now encouraging businesses,

charities and educational institutions to follow the free help and guidance from the UK cyber security experts at the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). It includes advice on the secure use of video conferencing,secure home working and how to move your business from physical to digital.

Age verification technology to be trialled in shops, bars and restaurants Retailers, bars and restaurants will be able to check the age of customers buying alcohol and other restricted items with new technology.Both on and off licenced retailers, bars and restaurants have been invited to put forward proposals to trial new technology when carrying out age verification checks.

The pilots will explore how technology can strengthen current measures in place to prevent those under 18 from buying alcohol, reduce violence or abuse towards shop workers and ensure there are robust age checks on the delivery, click and collect or dispatch of alcohol.

Retailers will be able to submit applications online on gov.uk and will be required to provide detail on how the technology works and how they plan to test it.

Trials by successful applicants will begin in the summer and must be completed by April 2022.

Retailers can submit their proposals to trial digital age verification technology on gov.uk.

Access to new Markets Virtual Networking Herts Chamber have organised their next virtual networking event to continue to support its members and businesses across Hertfordshire in these challenging times.

Join the Herts Chamber on Wednesday 14th April at 11am and enjoy the powers of networking, providing the chance to meet with a variety of different business people in an informal atmosphere, to listen and share experiences whilst working remotely.

For further information and to book please visit https://my.hertschamber.com/ calendar_detail.html?eid =36D9A0F8-1420-4154 -A173-CE44F4D4CF47 or telephone 01707 502180 or email bookings@hertschamber.com

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Brilliant businesses in High Street need you After our amazingly successful piece in our last edition on Middle Row and the independent shops in that area, we have turned our focus on other shops in Stevenage High Street.

The shares and likes we have gained by putting these businesses in the spotlight has been amazing, so don't forget make sure if you need a product or a service which they offer head down to them and keep them in business in #Stevenage

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For r esult s t oday speak t o t he com m unicat ion exper t s at Spit f ir ePR Media rel at ions

Copy writ ing

Social media market ing

Media t raining

Market ing

Crisis management

Proud publ i sh er of #Herts @h ash tagh erts For al l your mark eti ng and soci al medi a needs: 07539 782979 w w w .spi tf i repr.com darren@spi tf i repr.com @DarrenI sted1 @h ash tagh erts

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Ashr idge Est at e

# St evenage

PROPERTY The unique guide to property news in #Stevenage

#STEVENAGE PROPERTY: THE INTERACTIVE WAY TO VIEW YOUR AGENT

DURING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK OUR AGENTS ARE OFTEN WORKING REM OTELY SO PLEASE M ESSAGE THEM AT THIS TIM E

# PROPERTY STEVENAGE Let 's f ace it - w e live in a digit al w or ld - w h en

t h e agen t s w h o ar e act in g on beh alf of bu yer s,

w as t h e last t im e you u sed pr in t t o t r y an d bu y

seller s, lan dlor ds an d t h ose look in g t o r en t .

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t h em or ar r an ge a visit - all f r om t h e com f or t

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The independent local estate agent Text

2 M iddle Row , St even age Tel 01438 367753

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St ephen Harris and Michael Not schild est ablished Own Homes in 2008, operat ing as a successful, independent local St evenage est at e agent .

Here at Own Homes, we understand that each property and sale is individual and therefore tailor our service to suit your specific requirements.

We have prominent offices ideally situated in the heart of Stevenage Old Town. One in Middle Row covering lettings and mortgages and one on the High Street to deal with sales.

Our recent expansion and our double fronted office allows us the scope and ability to serve Stevenage and the surrounding residential areas.

Passionate in all we do, we pride ourselves on delivering the highest level of service.

Selling and letting a property can be a stressful time, which is why we go the extra mile to make your involvement with us as enjoyable and professional as possible.

Working in Hertfordshire for the past 10 years has enabled Own Homes to develop a comprehensive understanding of residential property in the local areas of Stevenage, Hitchin and surrounds.

We have an established an experienced team, on hand to work with you throughout the selling and buying process, ensuring personal contact is maintained from start to finish.

We use a number of marketing styles to ensure your property, whether you are selling or letting, gains maximum exposure and a smooth efficient sale. This includes advertising in local newspapers and glossy magazines, as well as Internet marketing. Our double fronted office also allows people to see

our properties in both windows.

To arrange a free valuation, or to find out more about Own Homes and the services we provide, simply call 01438 367753 or email sales@own-homes.com. You can also visit our office.

Awards In recognition of our outstanding service, we've been awarded two gold winner awards by the British Property Awards, one for being the top Estate Agent in Stevenage and another for the top Estate Agent in the South East. We're very proud of these awards as the Own Homes team has worked tirelessly to provide industry leading property services in and around the area.

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Hom e an d M or t gages St even age, 86 High St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 728444

em ail st even age@h om esan dm or t gages.co.u k

Homes and Mortgages Estate Agents are ready and waiting to help the Stevenage community with all its property needs, be it buying, selling or renting, Homes and Mortgages are committed to providing great value customer service for all our clients.

Situated in the heart of the historic Old Town and set over three floors, each department provides a professional, welcoming and comfortable environment for all of our customers. We have a team of 9 full time, experienced Sales and Lettings staff on hand to deal with any property enquiry.

W hat 's new? The rebranded branch and heavy investment in IT has set Homes and Mortgages up to stand out in 2017 and for the future. Our experienced and dedicated staff all share the same view in providing a fantastic customer experience and are heavily focused on the importance of transparency between ourselves and our customers.

The IT software is excellent at allowing vendors and Landlords 24/7 access to information regarding their property. At the click of a button, vendors can see feedback, current interest from web portals and can track the progress of a sale online. Likewise, Landlords have the option to view property maintenance schedules and access statements. mailt o:st evenage@homesand mort gages.co.uk

Click on t h e im ages an d lin k dir ect ly t o t h eir det ails on lin e

Agent Hybrid falls bet ween t radit ional and online est at e agency. Our aim is t o deliver a personal, one-t o-one est at e agency experience, whilst delivering a service of excellence.

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Click on t he image of our Monument Court propert y (above) and t ake a walk t hrough using t he lat est Agent Hybrid Technology

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Putterills Stevenage - talk to the professionals Text

61-63 High St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 316846

Founded by Tony Putterill in 1992, with our first office in Welwyn Garden City, Putterills are now celebrating 26 years of serving the Hertfordshire community.

We have grown from our original branch in Welwyn Garden City to having offices in Knebworth, Hitchin, Stevenage Old Town and St Albans, as well as a partner office in London?s Mayfair. Each of our sales offices are overseen by a Director who is actively involved in the day to day running; this helps to ensure that we are providing the highest possible levels of advice and service. All of these offices are prominently located to ensure all properties receive the best possible exposure.

In addition to our network of sales offices, we have an award winning Land and New Homes department.

Our specialists help landowners maximise the development opportunities for usually previously

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used land known as Brownfield, as the country struggles for space for new homes. We have always believed that our task is to provide our clients with the best, up to the minute, expert advice when dealing with what is usually their greatest asset.

Our clients have a wide range of emotions and circumstances and we help guide less experienced first time buyers, provide yield information and advice to investment buyers, schooling information to families, hold the hands of those who have not moved for many years and deal sensitively and professionally with those. Over the last few years, we are proud to have won a number of national awards which we believe underline our philosophy of being Trusted Property Experts.

2017 saw Tony Putterill retire and hand the reins of the company over to Mark Shearing. Mark has been in agency in Hertfordshire since 1982

and joined Putterills in 1993. As the company moves into a new era with changing markets, advances in property marketing and the use of technology, our aim is simple - to keep at the absolute forefront of full service Estate Agency and to continue the exceptional levels of service and advice that our clients have been able to rely on over the last 26 years.

Our primary purpose has always been to provide an outstanding customer experience and our core values continue to represent this: EXCEPTIONAL ? we are passionate about delivering excellence.

RESPECT ? we respect and value those we work with, both our colleagues and our customers.

EXPERTISE ? we deliver outstanding skills and knowledge in all we do.

TRUST ? we act with honesty and integrity at all times.

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rely on A-TOP A-Top Pr oper t y Let t in gs, 1 Dr aper s Way, St even age Tel 01438 369173

em ail con t act @a-t oplet t in g.co.u k

If you are looking for a t eam t hat you can t rust t o deliver t ime aft er t ime t hen A-Top Propert y Let t ings in Drapers Way, St evenage is t he one for you.

A-Top, which is owned by founder Mervyn Terret t , has gained an impressive reput at ion as t he go-t o agent for all your propert y needs whet her you are looking t o rent or are a landlord seeking t enant s. W it h a combined market experience of more t han 60 years, t he st aff at A-Top are t he most knowledgeable in t he business and along wit h advice on t he rent al market , t hey can also provide informat ion which allows cust omers t o make t he most informed choice possible. Over t he past 33 years t he t eam lead by Mervyn has seen t he local market undergo a wide number of changes, but t hrough t hem all A-Top and it s experienced st aff have always given t he very best and most informed service.

There have been plent y of changes which have alt ered t he let t ings landscape in St evenage. Through t hem all however t he reliabilit y of A-Top Propert y Let t ings has remained a const ant and t heir port folio of excellent landlords has increased dramat ically.

Comment ing on t he t eam Mervyn said: ?W hat once was a rarit y in t he UK i.e. rent ing, is now so common as a source of income/ invest ment for landlords and of mobilit y for professional working t enant s.

We are delight ed t o be able t o use our expert ise t o help bot h t enant s and landlords.?

For furt her det ails cont act 01438 369173 or email cont act @a-t oplet t ing.co.uk

Portfolio - for serviced apartments in #Herts Text

Tel 0800 0248 914

Booking a holiday is possibly one of the greatest feelings and counting down the days when you?re having an awful day at work or are just desperate to get away from home can seem like a joy, but there can be a downside. Hotels. While some people may see staying in a hotel like a dream, it can actually be a nightmare if you?ll be staying there for a long time, especially if on a business trip or secondment. With that said, here are the top reasons to stop staying in hotels for your business travel trips.

Limit ed Wardrobe Space Packing for a holiday or for a business trip puts you on one of two teams, you?re either naturally gifted and find it a breeze or it?s the worst part of the trip for you, but one thing unites these two camps ? limited hotel space.

If you love to pack an outfit for every possible occasion you will know how difficult it can be to cram your clothes into tiny hotel wardrobes, or even worse live out of a case. Staying in a serviced apartment fixes this and means you have a home away from home and all the storage you could need.

You feel like you?re t rapped Walking into a hotel room can at first glance feel wonderful, everything is conveniently within arm?s reach and for the first day you love it. Then the second day comes and the third day and by the fourth you feel like you almost can?t breathe.

Hotels just aren?t feasible for long periods of time or for anyone who likes a sense of space, after all, who wants to feel trapped by the same four walls for the entire of their trip?

Privacy? W hat privacy?

w w w.por t f olio-apar t m en t s.co.u k

Hotels may seem like a good idea for a romantic night away, but if you?re travelling with family or small children or even colleagues, then all sense of privacy goes straight out of the window when you?re all sharing a room just feet away from each other.

Forget staring dreamily into each other?s eyes when you wake up, you?ll probably be staring at a toddler who immediately wants to play or be woken by another family member?s snoring and that?s not even mentioning the housekeeper who always turns up at the most inconvenient times!

Serviced apartments let you have time to yourself no matter how many you have brought along for the trip, so you can sleep well and feel like you have privacy if you are all loved up.

Money money money!

Straight to the point hotels aren?t cheap.

Even for the savviest of spenders and the keenest bargin hunters, you may think booking your hotel means it?s all done, dusted and paid for but you will undoubtedly end up incurring extra fees.

Whether you give in to the lure of room-service with its extortionate service charges, or buy a film to keep energetic youngsters occupied, your bill when you check out can hit you like a smack in the face and leave you wanting a more affordable option.

Meals on wheels Speaking of room-service, while this may seem like a decadent treat on the first night, by the time you come back from a long day of exploring and are tired, it is so easy to have a burger brought straight to door along with its crazily hiked-up price and extra delivery charges. This can not only wreak havoc on your bank account,

but also on your waist-line and by the time you leave, the only thing that will be thinner is your wallet.

Serviced apartments absolutely win here, as having a fully equipped kitchen at your fingertips means it?s easy to rustle up something quick and delicious that will probably be healthier for you and will also save you money! If you want some tips on how to eat well when working away from home check out next weeks blog post, or check out our apartments to find out why it?s time to say goodbye to hotel hell and wake up to apartment heaven!

Though staying in a hotel may seem like the obvious option at first, there?s no denying that a serviced apartment brings with it a number of benefits that a hotel just can?t offer.

At Portfolio Serviced Apartments we specialise in providing luxury serviced apartments and temporary homes for corporate and business travellers. We offer a secure spacious base which can become a home from home for longer staying guests. Portfolio Apartments are located throughout all of Hertfordshire including Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, St. Albans and Hatfield, whilst through our partners we have access to over 90,000 luxury apartments across the globe.

So whether it?s a placement in St Albans or a secondment in San Francisco, Portfolio is consistently the favoured choice for travelling professionals.

For more information,get in touch. Our team at Portfolio looks forward to helping you soon.

Give our friendly team a call on 0800 024 8914 (Mon ? Fri 9-6pm) or visit our website to view our modern serviced apartments.

101 High St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 231200 w w w.m ar k sim on est at es.co.u k pr oper t y@m ar k sim on est at es.co.u k

Partners with vast knowledge of the local area Text

Mark Simon Estates is an established Estate Agency situated at: 101 High Street, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 3HR. Here at MarkSimon Estates, we have over 40 years combined experience of Estate Agency within Stevenage and its surrounds.

Our Partners Mark Sollis & Simon Jacob both grew up in Stevenage and therefore have a vast knowledge of the area and its surrounds.

This in itself, is proving an invaluable asset to prospective Vendors and Purchasers seeking a property which meets both their needs and expectations in a home.

?To Mark, Many t hanks for all your hard work selling my house for us in Jessop Road. You went t he ext ra mile in so many ways. You always kept me well informed and I knew I could t rust you t o carry out everyt hing you promised.?

From H.

?To MarkSimon Est at es & your t eam, Thank you for being t here t o help us. ?

Mr K & Miss T

Click here for MarkSimon Twitter

?To Mike and everyone at MarkSimon Est at es, A Big t hank you for all your help selling our house, Best wishes.?

The W ?s

Click here for MarkSimon Facebook

The agent with more than 18 years experience Text

TLC est at es, 4 Bak er St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 219282

em ail let t in gs@t lcest at es.co.u k

TLC est at es is sit uat ed in t he delight ful set t ing of St evenage Old Town.

We pride ourselves on t he personal and professional services we offer t o all landlords and t enant s alike We offer very compet it ive rat es we are one of t he very few let t ing agent s only left in t he t own . W it h over 19 years of experience in t he St evenage market we are sure t o offer you t he best of services from under one roof.

Renowned for our open and honest approach ,TLC will give you t he full informat ion on t he market .

Many of our landlords and t enant s have been wit h us since we opened in 2000 and we are known for our close work wit h bot h.

Pop int o our Baker St reet off ice or give us a call and find out how TLC can help wit h your let t ings needs.

The Connells team that you can trust Text

8 M ar k et Place, St even age Tel 01438 318080

w w w.con n ells.co.u k

Connells Estate Agents in Stevenage are located in the Town Centre along Market Place, and within walking distance of the Train Station.

We would love to help you sell or rent your home or find a property to rent or buy in and around the Stevenage area, as well as the villiages Walkern, Knebworth, Little & Great Wymondley, Gravely & Aston.

Connells Estate Agents in Stevenage are managed by Gary Young. Gary has had a successful estate agency career over the last 20 years. Gary is supported by Callum Souter who is the Sales Executive with four years experience behind him, Oz Ansari who is the branch valuer, and Melanie Retberg the Branch Administrator.

Our in-house Mortgage Consultant Juliet Twining, is fully trained and qualified to advise you on the right mortgage product to suit your needs.

Connells Lettings would love to help you rent your property.

Lettings Manager Patricia Bowden has 10 year's experience within the Lettings industry and is assisted by Trainee Lettings Negotiator Ben Brooks. With their combined experience and extensive knowledge of the area and rental market, are always happy to offer their assistance to new and experienced buy to let investors and first time landlords

alike.

Whether you are looking to sell or rent your property, we offer FREE market appraisals. Please feel free to pop into the branch or call 01438 318080 (Sales) or 01438 318258 (Lettings).

We offer a range of property related services all under one roof.

In house Mortgage Consultant.

Premium Marketing Packages available including Floorplans, Professional Photography, audio tours, and premium listings on Rightmove & Zoopla We have pioneered a dedicated service called The Property Finder

- You tell us what you are looking for and we will find it We know how the Stevenage market moves - our staff are local and extremely knowledgeable.

Their in-depth and up to date local experience.

Over 10 years?worth of experience and knowledge within the local market.

A professional team providing services to suit all your needs including property management, accounts and high quality administration.

We accompany all viewings, we believe it is really important, we?ve been trained to do it so you get really good feedback.

Geoffrey Matthew property innovators Text

24 M ar k et Place, St even age Tel 01438 720100

w w w.geof f r eym at t h ew.co.u k

Geoffrey Mat t hew Est at es are a propert y business wit h offices in Harlow, St evenage and Great Ashby t hat specialise in t he sales and let t ing of resident ial propert y.

Over 25 years of experience in propert y and finance give us an unparalleled insight t o t he needs and desires of sellers, purchasers, landlords and t enant s alike.

W it h a dedicat ed, hardworking, innovat ive forward-t hinking t eam t hat use modern met hods and good old-fashioned cust omer service, we offer a unique bespoke service t ailored t o you.

Tel 01438 720100 w w w.geof f r eym at t h ew.co.u k