#Stevenage June 2018

# STEVENAGE June 2018

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

DO YOU REM EM BER EARLY DAYS OF TOWN? We look back w it h Old M em or ies of St even age 2

LOVE A LIST? Best an d w or st of St even age

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

READY TO RIDE? Cycle m on t h t o st ar t

UNLIM ITED FILM S

STEVENAGE DAY IS ON THE WAY

Win Cin ew or ld t ick et s

Have you got t h e big day book ed in you r diar y?

Take to two wheels to enjoy the Stevenage Cycling Festival 2018 Take t o t wo wheels for St evenage Cycling Fest ival 2018 This June and July a host of fun cycling activities and events is coming to Stevenage. The 2018 Stevenage Cycling Festival offers something for everyone to enjoy and take part in, whether they are cyclophobic, absolute beginners or regular cyclists.

The festival is being organised by a dedicated team of volunteers and professionals from Herts Cycling, Cycling UK (Stevenage branch), British Cycling Breeze and Ride Social Champions, Decathlon, Stevenage Cycle Hub, Outspoken Cycles and Stevenage Borough Council.

It starts on Saturday 2 June with the launch of the Stevenage Cycle Hub at the Boat House at Fairlands Valley Park, when visitors will have the opportunity to try a range of cycle-related activities. Pop down between 10am and 12noon to find out more.

The Festival will also celebrate Bike Week ? 9 to 17 June ? with different events including a series of free, led rides, in and around Stevenage. Most of them are free to join and open to anyone.

On Thursday 28 June a School Cycling Festival is planned, giving youngsters the chance to try a range of cycling activities and fun games provided by Outspoken Events. Other highlights include a fun skills course for children aged 5-14 at Pin Green play centre on Saturday 7 July, and adult cycle training on Monday 2 July.

The Festival Finale is a Family Fun Day at Hampson Park on Saturday 8 July.

Cllr Richard Henry, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Leisure at Stevenage Borough Council, said, ?Stevenage has a unique cycling heritage, with more than 45km of cycle track across the town, and our second Stevenage Cycling Festival is the perfect way to celebrate this. ?It includes events for people of every age and ability, and I?m hoping to see lots of local people taking to two wheels to enjoy the festival and really get the benefits of pedal power.?

There are lots events taking place throughout June and July.. Head to www.Stevenage.gov.uk/ cycling-festival The Tour Series and the Stevenage Cycling Festival are supported by presenting sponsor Mulalley, Wates, and Kyle Smart Associates Ltd.

Some amazing events are taking place in our vibrant Town Centre

By Town cent re manager Tina Benson We?re lucky t o have some really act ive resident s and communit y groups in St evenage and in t he next few mont hs t hey are put t ing on some fant ast ic event s in t he t own cent re.

Lat er t his mont h St evenage will be joining t he nat ional celebrat ions for Armed Forces Day on Sat urday 30 June. Our event has been put on by volunt eers and resident s t o raise money for local charit ies and good causes. There will be st alls, act ivit ies and Brit ish food t o enjoy, in t he Town Square, from 10am t o 4pm.

A week lat er t here will be a Make A W ish charit y fun day, t o raise money for t his lovely charit y which makes dreams come t rue for seriously ill children. As well as an inflat able slide, rides, and a golf game, t here will be a bric-a-brac sale, cake sale and more.

That ?s all on Sat urday 7 July, in t he Town Square.

We offer mont hly free parking at St George?s mult i-st orey car park, above t he market , on some event days, from 8am t o 6pm. And t hat includes on Armed Forces Day and t he Make a W ish charit y fun day, so t hat could be an ext ra incent ive t o come along.

I?m also looking forward t o St evenage Day on King George V Playing Fields wit h all t he music, st alls, rides and family act ivit ies. It ?s on 17 June which happens t o be Fat her?s Day as well, so it ?s a great opport unit y t o bring t he whole family down and give

Dad a special day. The fun t akes place just a short walk from t he t own cent re where shops will be open, as well as cafes and coffee shops, so you could buy Dad a t reat on your way.

t cm@st evenage.gov.uk. Or if you have ot her ideas you can always cont act me via social media @lovest eveneaget c on Facebook, Twit t er and Inst agram.

We welcome suggest ions from ot her communit y groups who would like t o put on event s, so if you have one in mind please email:

www.st evenaget owncent re.com

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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

Council unveils plans for state of the art homes for older people Council unveils communit y regenerat ion plans

Stevenage Borough Council has unveiled plans for state of the art homes for older people in a flagship scheme which will also involve building a new community centre, homes and shops.

Residents are being asked to give their views on plans for the ÂŁ40million investment into the lives of residents, which will see an independent living scheme built at Kenilworth Close with a cafĂŠ, enclosed private balconies and roof garden for residents to enjoy fresh air year-round.

In the independent living scheme there will be more than 78 homes for older people and existing bedsits will be replaced with flats with separate

living space.

have told us they would like.

There will also be new homes built for all ages, for private sale, social and affordable rent, making 200 homes in all, as well as new shops. The existing community centre will be redeveloped nearby to provide a new modern centre for more residents to enjoy.

?We have been working closely with residents at our existing scheme, and there is real enthusiasm for what this will offer. We are not just building homes, but improving the whole neighbourhood, providing amenities for the community, with a new parade of shops and a community centre of a quality our residents deserve.

Because this scheme is about the wider neighbourhood we are keen to hear what local people think.?

The council completed a similar scheme in Pin Green last year, and the new community centre in Hampson Park is home to dozens of clubs and activities, as well as a community cafĂŠ.

Cllr Jeannette Thomas, Executive Member for Housing, Health and Older People, said: ?We?re making a big investment in the lives of older people, which will offer unrivalled quality in Stevenage. It will give our residents a wonderful roof terrace with the private, secure space they

They will be releasing final plans in June on their planning website: stevenage.gov.uk/planning If people have any early comments or queries on the scheme they can email the Housing Development team: housing.development @stevenage.gov.uk

Employees who pull a sickie may be dismissed for gross misconduct Tollers Employment team highlight this situation, which has been tried and tested in the Employment Tribunals. An employee who ?pulls a sickie?has acted dishonestly and is in fundamental breach of their employment contract. As such, it can be gross misconduct.

Employers wishing to rely on this should make sure that the principle reasons for dismissal of such an employee, who has acted dishonestly in breach of their contract of employment, should be based on their conduct, not their capability to attend work. This is an important distinction, as it is their conduct that matters. An employee?s capability issues are irrelevant if they have committed a fundamental breach of their contract in acting so dishonestly. ?Pulling a sickie?could therefore amount to gross misconduct.

W hat does t his mean for you?

This is good news to employers

who become aware of employees who are exaggerating or falsely calling in sick to work. Employers may wish to implement certain measures that will help them gather evidence of such dishonest acts by employees who pull regular ?sickies?.

As an employer you should make sure that you have evidence in support of the employee?s dishonesty. This could include, but is not limited to, surveillance or social media. An employer should

"An empl oyee?s capabil it y issues are irrel evant if t hey have commit t ed a f undament al breach of t heir cont ract in act ing so dishonest l y. ?Pul l ing a sickie? coul d t heref ore amount t o gross misconduct ."

make sure that the evidence is considered by a medical health professional, such as Occupational Health, for their comments as to what an employee is in fact capable, or not capable of doing, specifically whether or not the activities they have been caught carrying out whilst off sick, could mean that they are well enough to do their job.

Need some advice?

Talk to Tollers! We are here for you.

Tollers?Employment Team are here to help should you have any queries regarding the above judgment or require advice in relation to dealing with employees who may be acting dishonestly in with their sickness leave, do not hesitate to contact us on 01438 901095.

PAUL FRY on # St evenage

Why consideration, respect and community should be our new motto Her generation helped shape the New Town. When mum moved here in 1960, Broadwater was like nothing she had seen, with its greenery and wide open spaces.

As a child, mum's family had been bombed out in Deptford, in the heart of London?s docks - emerging from a shelter to find her doll?s pram hanging half out of a house where the roof and walls were damaged way beyond simple repair, with rubble everywhere; there had undoubtedly been casualties.

She thus grew up in Surrey. Not the leafy stockbroker belt but close to Morden - right at the end of the Northern Line, from where her dad used to commute to work in a factory that fashioned the lead that eventually killed him bit by bit.

She started married life in a condemned flat in Croydon, above butcher?s shop. Dad was a baker by trade. Rats came up from the cellar to stare at me in my cot, or watch

that was still growing.

Transport options were tougher. A couple of buses and a Tube or train and then the long Underground run to see her parents.

There were still open fields opposite the Marymead shops and the Roaring Meg - now doing a roaring trade with its big stores like Debenhams - was just a dumping ground.

me being bathed in the kitchen's butler sink.

Mum plugged the iron into the overhead light socket, and there was no light at all in the perilously steep stairwell until her brother rigged up a cable and bulb that would fail dozens of health and safety guidelines now.

Stevenage?s green fields will have been a welcome sight but it was nonetheless hard to come to a place so new and so far from mum?s family and support network and put down new roots in a place

Indeed my late dad dumped a car there that he had been driving for a little while with little success and I am sure he had no documents; certainly he'd never passed a test. They were very different days.

Mum was one of the town's pioneers - perhaps a little later on the scene than some who are still around now.

But after briefly flirting with moving back closer to ?home', near Ascot, she settled into bringing up a family, fostering kids when that job was done, then working down

the hill in the greengrocer?s at the Roebuck.

Six years ago she gave up the three-bed council house that had been home for 50 years and moved right opposite those same shops and, handily, the doctors and the bus stops.

Every time I visit, I get a sense of what her life is like now, the path she has taken and some of the daily irritants. Many are borne of old age of course, but there is a subtext of feeling a little let down by this town of so much promise.

Stevenage had been bright, clean and safe, with schools (without the need for security fences), neighbourhood shops that served almost all your weekly needs, roads much less free of dangerous traffic than they are now - and with a real sense of community.

Part of that erstwhile community seems to have decamped into the same council residential complex where she lives now. Some of her neighbours were her former neighbours just 200 yards up the hill. Her daughter-in-law?s mum even lives in the flat directly above.

I wouldn?t say mum is particularly Meldrew. But she does see things have changed, and not always for the better. I think she feels she lived through the New Town at its best.

Her home now is ideal for her in terms of size. But no longer is there a warden on hand round the clock; the lady is shared between several other council-run homes in town.

When mum used to look across the road from the greengrocer?s, the home was staffed by a warden who lived in - a former next-door neighbour, as it happens. Little repair jobs got done around the place by her husband, all on a goodwill basis.

Mum was used to having all she needed on her doorstep but she now has to travel - with help from family - for so much more now.

Particularly health care.

It is of course inevitable that we see more people in white coats as we get older. But is it really necessary to be under the care of three different hospitals and to have to visit clinics like the one by the leisure park, which is a good

- not that mum is one for the town?s nightlife these days. But it does bring an added feeling of isolation, particularly on dark winter nights.

I don't feel age hankers after the ?halcyon?days of the New Town's past - like those you can see on the Stevenage Memories Facebook pages; where people are pictured on seemingly endless summer days walking past a clean town centre clocktower fountain, past Woolworth?s or Fine Fayre and the Electricity Showroom, and the big furniture store outside which those of my generation would often meet their date.

You see old works groups, sports teams and general views of streets we know so well but now so much altered.

Mum definitely laments how the town seems to have lost its way, with some of its pioneering spirit and neighbourliness gone and how it is particularly a relentless slave to the car.

distance from the nearest bus stop - and a trek down steps beside the railway station? Lister has improved in many ways - but there is no shelter between the bus stop and the main entrance and very few places to sit for a rest as she makes long trips to various clinics there.

Healthcare has fragmented so much in recent years, just as it has been underfunded.

The town's buses now stop at 7pm

She is not against progress.

If you own a car or three, better to have run-ins along Broadwater Crescent than to have them parked on once-verdant verges, turning them to mud.

Nor is she against newcomers - we were were pretty much all newcomers once. She has had wonderful neighbours - Londoners like herself, or from Spain and the Philippines for example, who would do anything for her. The latter lady remembers her each Christmas, bringing a basket of fruit without intruding for so much as a cuppa.

Mum certainly doesn?t feel entitled as such - though it is clear that a bit more respect would not go amiss.

Especially from young mums with buggies, who pile on the bus with kids and shopping and precious little thought that an octogenarian lady might need an easy access seat just as much, and is infinitely less mobile.

Or from people walking, head down, fixed to their phones, and so not watching where they are going.

Or from budget cuts that are more ideological than necessary, that have seen essential town services butchered to pay for the greed of the bankers.

If there was a point at which the town was changed, mum pinpoints the sell-off of the council housing

stock under Margaret Thatcher. It enabled many to have that elusive chance of homeownership. That is not without merit, of course.

But as time has gone on, many homes now buy-to-lets, where people come and go and don?t stay long enough to build a community, put down roots, or to see their kids through the same school, as my brothers and I all did.

Stevenage was above all designed as a series of communities; Bedwell, Chells, Broadwater and Shephall. Later Pin Green, St Nicks and so on as the town expanded.

But you can sense a nostalgic clamour for proper community when you look at the online forums. People ask about school affinities; favourite teachers and not so favourite pupils; about

former colleagues at factories that have long since been bulldozed. It never ceases to amaze me how many ex-Stevenagers are living abroad (though I spent five years in New Zealand myself). Or the love they once had for the country's first New Town.

If they were to return perhaps they too would notice a decline in the town - though to be fair many are much more selfish societies ills now. Consideration, respect? community. Three words, but whoever fashions the Stevenage of the future needs to adopt that mantra.

Perhaps it would make a more contemporary motto that the one emblazoned on the Stevenage coat of arms, that ?The Heart of the Town Lies In Its People?.

All set for the 59th annual Stevenage Day Stevenage Day 2018 is on Sunday 17 June with the fun set to start from 12 noon and continue all afternoon.

This year?s event ? the 59th annual town show at King George V playing fields - will include a beach with Victorian seaside activities, a petting farm and birds of prey, and free hot air balloon rides, as well as a host of stalls and rides.

To celebrate Fathers?Day there will be free dads and families photo shoots on offer, and the chance to have a go at electric go-karts and giant Scalextric.

There will also be a food court offering a range of delicious and diverse snacks, along with musical entertainment, and a licensed bar, and the best of our fabulous local talent on show in the main arena.

The popular Rock in the Park music festival is back for 2018, with acts performing on twin

stages from midday to 7pm. The line-up will be announced soon.

Stevenage Day 2018 is sponsored

by Specialist Cars, and supported by a range of local businesses who have generously donated raffle prizes. These include a Cineworld annual pass, a ÂŁ50 Rump and Wade voucher, a family ticket for the Gordon Craig Theatre, a free horse riding lesson at Courtlands Riding School and free tickets for

Airspace.

Councillor Richard Henry, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Leisure, said: ?Excitement is building ahead of this year?s Stevenage Day and the line-up is bigger and better than ever. It?s a great opportunity for local people to come together and have fun in the sunshine ? I hope and support local charities and organisations at the same time.?

Book a date with The Tempest at Knebworth 28 JUNE, 2018 - GARDEN THEATRE LORD CHAMBERLAINS MEN - THE TEMPEST EVENT DETAILS Join us on the Sunken Lawn of Knebworth House on Thursday 28th June 2018 for an Open-Air performance of Shakespeare?s spellbinding masterpiece, The Tempest. The UK?s premier open-air touring theatre company, The Lord Chamberlain?s Men, will perform this enchanting fast-paced production authentically, as an all-male cast, with Elizabethan costume, music and dance.

Gat es open 6:30, performance st art s 7:30 Runs for approximat ely 2 hours including a 15 minut e int erval Ticket s must be pre-booked. Prices: £16 Adult , £10 Child, £50 Family (4 people) Recommended age: Adult and older children (14+) Please not e: as t his is an out of hours event t he House, Park, Gardens, Advent ure Playground and Dinosaur Trail will be closed.

Synopsis This play of soaring poetry, high comedy and tender love, Shakespeare?s late, great gem, examines the power of true love, our capacity for vengeance and what it takes to forgive.

12 years ago, Prospero, Duke of Milan, usurped and exiled by his brother washes up on a distant and mystical island with his baby daughter, Miranda. A place where his magical powers reign supreme and the only inhabitants of the island, the sprite Ariel and brutish Caliban, answer his every command. In this strange new kingdom, he is left to brood.

Now his enemies, his brother Antonio, who supplanted him as Duke, and Alonso, King of Naples, whilst sailing home are blown, by fortune, off course towards him. Prospero raises a tempestuous storm that shipwrecks them. Scattered across the island the boat?s passengers are tested and tormented as they are magically drawn towards their fate. Left to plot his revenge for years Prospero finally has the chance to exact it. But will he?

This play of soaring poetry, high

comedy and tender love, Shakespeare?s late, great gem, examines the power of true love, our capacity for vengeance and what it takes to forgive.

Addit ional Informat ion Out door Venue Knebworth House is set within 250 acres of beautiful Hertfordshire countryside parkland with 28-acres of delightful Formal Gardens. The internationally recognised stately home dates back to 1490 and has been home to the Lytton family for 19 generations.

W hat t o bring Please bring your own low-backed seating or rugs. Picnics are encouraged but not BBQs. The performance will take place whatever the weather and so sunhats, sun cream, sunglasses, raincoats and rain hats should all be considered.

Phot ography by Brendan Fal vey St Mary's Shephall Green

If you have enjoyed t hese images of #St evenage by Brendan Falvey and would like t o find out how t o order t hem cont act on t he det ails supplied here

Monks Wood

Email: bjpfalvey@gmail.com Phone 07572681805 www.brendanfalveyimagery.co.uk

Phot ography by Brendan Fal vey St ained glass window at St Andrew and St George

If you have enjoyed t hese images of #St evenage by Brendan Falvey and would like t o find out how t o order t hem cont act on t he det ails supplied here

Shephalbury Park

Fairlands Valley Lakes

Email: bjpfalvey@gmail.com Phone 07572681805 www.brendanfalveyimagery.co.uk

Focus on t he West gat e Cent re

Tailor made quality at The Curtain Shop A popular double act in the Westgate Centre are Martin and Bob who are well known for their tailor made curtains and blinds at The Curtain Shop.

Martin and Bob are legendary in the town having first opened in the Indoor market 45 years ago before moving on to premises in Park Place.

They have been in Westgate for the past five years and believe it to be 'The best place to trade in the town.'

At The Curtain Shop they are renowned for producing bespoke curtains and blinds which are fitted free of charge. They also have a great reputation for net curtains which can be purchased safe in the knowledge that all alterations will be free of charge as well.

They have many books of fabrics to chose from, and with their experience in the business they make sure of the very best job offering final measure and fit too.

Some new amazing Spring additions to The Curtain Shop will allow you to brighten up your home and add a splash of colour with some gorgeous materials. They have a large choice in fabrics and all curtains can be tailor made in their workshop with Martin in the shop and Bob out and about fitting and measuring Sometimes the simple things work best! Blinds make and finish a room perfectly and Martin and Bob can help you find the right style, colour and look for your home!

Come and see them in the Westgate,

Stevenage they are open Monday Saturday 9am-5.30pm.

01438 725288

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 classcustomer service.

Shoe repairs All types of repairs: - Heels - Solesand heels - Leather solesand heels.

Ot her services - Watch batteriesand repairs - Engraving on jewellery and plaques - Locksmithsand 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

Stevenage welcomes new youth mayor Ugonno Umunnakwe Ugonno Umunnakwe was inaugurated as the next Stevenage Youth Mayor at the recent Annual Council, after being elected by young people from the town.

Ugonno ? known as Ugo ? who is 15, will spend the next 12 months working with his fellow Stevenage Youth Council members to promote the interests of young people in the town.

To help do this, he will be responsible for allocating a Local Youth Budget of ÂŁ3,300 to be spent on projects, organisations or charities suggested by other youngsters. Ugo will also attend council meetings, take part in civic events and accompany the Mayor.

Ugo goes to The John Henry Newman School and, in his spare

time, volunteers as a St John Ambulance Cadet. As Youth Mayor, he wants to provide more opportunities for young people to speak out and make informed decisions about issues that concern them.

Accepting the role of Stevenage Youth Mayor for 2018/19, Ugo said: "My aim as Youth Mayor is to address what I think are the main concerns of young people, focussing especially on education and crime. I have been granted a great opportunity to make a positive impact on young people: they have trusted to represent them and I will not let them down."

Cllr Sharon Taylor, Leader of Stevenage Borough Council, said: ?I?m pleased to welcome Ugo into the role of Youth Mayor. Young people have an important role to play in the life of our town ? now and in the future ? and Ugo has some good ideas about how they can increase their involvement and influence. I look forward to working with him this year.?

Mr Mathew, Headteacher at John Henry Newman School, said: ?We are very pleased for Ugonno and I am sure that he will do a wonderful job for the local community.?

Th e M ar ch Har e an d Fou r Sh ops c1963 below Fin e Far e c1961 an d bot t om t h e SB1 t im et able

OLD M EM ORIES OF STEVENAGE 2 Ou r t h an k s t o t h e adm in s on t h e Old M em or ies of St even age 2 Facebook Gr ou p f or per m ission s t o u se t h ese pict u r es.

If you h ave an y im ages or st or ies w h ich w ou ld be of in t er est t o r eader s of #St even age please em ail dar r en @spit f ir epr .com

High St r eet n ow an d t h e t u r n of t h e cen t u r y

Love a list? Paul Fry's Stevenage 5 of the best and worst Best five t hings about St evenage

1. The Old Town High Street for its bars and pubs and nightlife (Right) 2. Fairlands Lakes and flower displays at roundabouts (Above) 3. Fast rail links to London and Cambridge 4. Stevenage Leisure Park for the restaurants and fun things to do 5. Town-wide network of cycle tracks that keep bikers safe.

Disagree? Email darren@spit firepr.com wit h you own list of St evenage

Five worst t hings about St evenage 1. The town centre shops? so little choice and too low end, plus cost of parking 2. Swimming pool? tired and in need of major refresh 3. Rush-hour traffic chaos and potholes

4. Fortnightly bin collections, especially in summer, leaving areas smelly on bin days 5. Being under the busy Luton flightpath, especially on light summer evenings when you want to sit in the garden Thanks t o responders on St evenage Forum on Facebook

Party time as Parkrun celebrates 2nd birthday Run report - May 26 2018: We had supermen, spidermen, Iron man Tony, Sponge-bob, a nurse, an inflatable pony, A unicorn with princess, that quite frankly was stunning and who could forget the four from cool-runnings!

We had Minnie, and Sheldon and a little Elfin, A barcode, super-girls, our own Harley Quinn, We had bat-girls and pirates, Wonderwomen galore, So many superheroes, a lovely rapport!

Thank you to all those who volunteered and baked And dressed up and joined in (I really like cake) This week there was an amazing 87 personal bests, 21 very first timers and another 19 runners first at Stevenage: welcome ? we hope you enjoyed our 2nd birthday run ? please don't wait a year before you come back again!

Our milestoners were Holly Taylor (50), Rachael Lawtey (50) and William Renolds (10) ? congratulations! ? hope you're not waiting too long on the t-shirt list!

Fastest threes this week were: Gents: Dan McAlpine (16:44), Thomas Clohessy (18:22), Kris Westcott (18:34) Ladies: Tina Buckeridge (23:07), Brenda Mead (23:19), Amelia Chipperfield (24:10) Junior Gents: Calum Gentry (21:56), William Galliford (22:47), Joseph Tarr (23:40) Junior Ladies: Martha Murrell (26:20), Kate Galliford (32:32), Daisy Doyle (32:35) Our heroic volunteers that brought you parkrun this week were: Roger Biggs, Jason "spiderman" Root, Emma "the menace" Southerington, Chloe

Marshall, James Marshall, Jackie "Sponge-bob" Hollywell, Gordon "paparazzi" Cowan, Russ Andrews, Darren Isted, David Mendonca, Tracy "Harley Quinn" Norris, Tony "Ironman" Randfield, Molly-Rose Fisher, Her-Royal-Highness-Hi-Vis-Helen "Duckling Godmother" Harris, Graham Buck, Matthew Pattman, Nathan Hadfield, Fiona Clarke, Rosemary Biggs, Alan "Ginola" Ford and Juliette "Princess and Unicorn" Mullen. Thank you to all of you who set up and down, briefed, directed, marshalled, mega-phoned, photographed, timed, tokened and tail-walked. If you are interested in volunteering, please cast your eyeballs over the roster page: http://www.parkrun.org.uk/ stevenage/futureroster/ and email the team 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

What 's on in # STEVENAGE Wednesday at 7.15pm. For more information go towww.stevenagectc.org.ukor call Jim on 07939 687509 or Jill on 07816 625901.

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

Make the most of the Unlimited Card to enjoy Cineworld benefits ENJOY UNLIMITED FILMS Watch all the films you can handle at any Cineworld for just one monthly fee SAVE ON SNACKS AND DRINKS Get 10% off all in-cinema food and drink. Plus get 10% off at Cineworld Starbucks licensed stores.

ACCESS TO PREVIEWS Be the first to see a movie with special Unlimited member advance screenings SAVE ON EVENT CINEMA We don?t just show movies. You can also get selected discounts on live Opera, National Theatre, live sport and gigs PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP After a year we?ll upgrade you to a premium membership for free, giving you 25% off in-cinema food

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Unlimit ed: How t o apply online Step 1 Make sure you have your bank details and a recent passport photo Step 2 Complete the easy application process and use your temporary pass straight away Step 3 We will post your Unlimited card to you Step 4

Find a member of staff or use a sign up tablet in cinema Step 3 Complete the easy application process and use your temporary pass to start enjoying Unlimited movies Step 4 Start enjoying Unlimited and related offers We are delight ed t o t eam up wit h Cineworld St evenage t o offer you t he chance t o win five pairs of 2D t icket s t o any film (subject t o availabilit y).

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Austins help with charitable foundation In excess of £100,000 h as been r aised sin ce 2002 We believe in helping those most in need in our community, which is why we set up Austin?s Charitable Foundation. Each year, we?re delighted to be able to support a charity by donating a proportion of our annual profits along with money donated from sources including our funeral service CD and Christmas carol concert.

Since we started the foundation in 2002, we?ve raised over £100,000 for charities such as the North Herts Samaritans, Cancer Hair Care, the Hertfordshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre and Road Victims Trust. Earlier this month, Austin?s was thrilled to hand over a cheque for £5,414.30 to our 2017 charity recipient Stand-By-Me. his local community-led service supports children and young people following a bereavement and helps them to understand and deal with grief.

We?d love to raise as much money, if not more, for our 2018 charity,

Resolve ? which supports people through their recovery from alcohol or drug addiction. If you?d like to help the local community in memory of a loved one, information on how to do this is available from all our funeral offices and at Harwood Park Crematorium. You can also download a donation form With your help, Austin?s look

forward to donating money to deserving causes for many years to come.

Photo caption Claire Austin hands over a cheque to (right) Shirley Avery, fundraising trustee at Stand-By-Me and (far right) Helen Gray, foundation director of Hertfordshire Community Foundation

19

5

Enjoy a contemporary experience with a stay at the Ibis Hotel

When the day is over, guests at the Ibis Hotel, Stevenage, can relax in their contemporary restaurant and bar - CafĂŠ Green.

All rooms are fully air conditioned, en suite with double shower, telephone, tea and coffee making facilities and free WiFi.

The restaurant is situated on the ground floor of the hotel. Here you will find a tasty selection of light snacks and traditional dishes on a delightful menu, at great value prices.

At a glance:

The informal bar stocks a range of beers and wines, coffee and soft drinks.

Contact the team to find out this weeks' theme and to book your table by calling 01438 779955.

98 fully re-furbished bedrooms King size beds and luxury showers The Ibis

Flat screen TV?s

Modern and inviting, the new Ibis room has everything you need: a comfortable bathroom, modern decor, hardwood floor, internet and a flatscreen TV with the best international channels.

Family friendly Lift Complimentary Wifi Restaurant Parking close by

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

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

Get involved to make Stevenage Festival 2019 the best celebration yet 2019 is the 25th anniversary of the Stevenage Festival. This was originally set up to showcase the voluntary arts groups which have grown up since the beginning of the New Town in 1946.

Some of these groups have now been in existence for over 60 years.

Over the years the festival has grown to 2 weeks of performances by member groups and other organisations in the Gordon Craig theatre. There is also a growing fringe element to the festival featuring smaller performances in many different parts of the town.

As it will be a special anniversary in 2019 the festival want to reach out to as many groups as possible.

They would welcome interest from anyone who has something to showcase. We will help to arrange venues and any events will be included in the festival programme.

The Festival is grateful to the following patrons for their support: The Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, The Lord Cobbold, Martha Lytton-Cobbold, Rebecca Hughes, Councillor Richard Henry, Simon Speller, Professor Howard Burrell, Marie Joy Taylor, Ellen Terry May Craig and Helen Craig.

For more information please get in touch with Hilary Spiers at hilaryspiers9@gmail.com

Facing the Bowling Green in Stevenage?s Old Town, we?re located in a beautiful Grade 2 listed building.

Our mission is to bring modern British cuisine to Stevenage using seasonal, locally sourced where possible produce, with service which is good without being stuffy; a special occasion venue which doesn?t break the bank.

Ashr idge Est at e