#Stevenage March 2018

# STEVENAGE March 2018

REGENERATION: SG1 PLANS UNVEILED AS £350M SCHEM E DRAWS CLOSER

NEW TOWN:

TOLLERS:

READY FOR A

SPOTLIGHT ON OUR

PIONEERING SPIRIT

LEGAL EXPERTS

ONCE AGAIN?

SUPERSTARS: PAUL FRY ON THE #STEVENAGE SPORTING SUCCESS M ACHINE

2

What's on in

#Stevenage

PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT Feat u r e in ou r Wh at 's On gu ide

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

FITNESS AND FUN A gr eat Healt h Act ion Day

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

SPARTANS' SUCCESS Get u p an d r u n n in g w it h FVS

UNLIM ITED FILM S

IS REGENERATION ON THE WAY?

Win Cin ew or ld t ick et s

Sch em e valu ed at £350 an n ou n ced by Bor ou gh Cou n cil

Less than a year until work on ÂŁ350m town centre plan to start Stevenage Borough Council has appointed the developer Mace to undertake the first phase of town centre regeneration, with construction expected to start in February next year.

Mace was selected as the successful partner following a tendering process that saw three other national developers competing for the work.

The scheme brings around ÂŁ350million of private investment into the town and the planned development is for the western side of the town centre ? where the council offices, the Plaza, bus station and several surface car parks are currently located.

Mace?s scheme, which celebrates

the heritage of the New Town while bringing it into the 21st century, includes new shops, homes, and a bespoke central venue for a library, exhibition space, health services and council offices. It will also create a new linear park, and food and drink space with bars and restaurants in the heart of the town for people to enjoy.

Cllr Sharon Taylor, Leader of Stevenage Borough Council, said: ?This appointment makes large-scale regeneration of our town centre a reality. Mace?s scheme will complement the development already underway ? most notably in Park Place ? providing new spaces, facilities

and homes in the centre of Stevenage and a boost to our local economy with the potential for hundreds of new jobs and training opportunities for local people. The commitment of the council, our partners, local businesses and the property sector specialists that have helped us reach this milestone all demonstrate Stevenage?s significance as a local and regional centre.?

Cllr David Williams, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council, said: ?I am very supportive of Mace?s imaginative and impressive scheme. The involvement of some of the planning and property world?s leading players in drawing up the plans gives me confidence

that they will be truly transformative. I also welcome the experience and strong track record that Mace will bring to this important regeneration initiative.

What?s good for Stevenage is good for Hertfordshire.?

David Grover, COO of Development at Mace, said: ?We are delighted to have been chosen as the development partner for this exciting landmark opportunity to transform Stevenage town centre, and deliver new homes, shops, jobs and other fantastic benefits for the town and its residents. We are looking forward to working closely with the council, local businesses and the wider community to develop our joint vision and will bring forward proposals for consultation in 2018.?

Andrew Percival, Chair of Stevenage First, a consortium which oversaw the development of Stevenage Central Framework, the 20 year programme to regenerate Stevenage Town Centre, said:?Today?s exciting announcement is the result of more than two years of work by the Stevenage First partnership to develop a robust framework for the future of the town centre.

Mace are proposing an exciting

and carefully considered scheme that will give Stevenage a modern, vibrant central area where people can live, work and play. The proposed investment by Mace demonstrates their significant

confidence in the future of the town, reimagining the New Town concept whilst maintaining clear links to Stevenage?s unique heritage.?

NHS part ners express support for St evenage regenerat ion plans Stevenage Borough Council?s plans to regenerate a significant part of the town centre have received support from Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, one of its key public sector partners.

The plans, announced last week, include provision of a new shared hub building that will accommodate services for local people - including healthcare and a library, as well as council offices - all in one central location, replacing the current outdated premises.

Council Chief Executive Scott Crudgington said, ?The council has been working closely with the NHS to understand their requirements as we regenerate the town centre, and providing the opportunity for them to join us with other public services in one building. This will improve the services we all provide residents by placing them together under one roof, and will have the added benefit of reducing all our running costs.

?As plans for developing the SG1 area progress, everyone will have the opportunity to comment and express their views.?

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust said, ?Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT) is working with Stevenage Borough Council and other

partner organisations to support the regeneration scheme. Under the plans, the new hub will provide local people with much needed modern healthcare facilities in the centre of Stevenage. HCT services that currently operate from a number of venues within Stevenage will move into these facilities within the hub.?

MP hits out at plans for regeneration Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage said: "Stevenage Borough Council have released another regeneration plan, the latest in a long line of broken promises over the last 23 years.

"Do not be fooled: the heart of the plan is fancy new Labour Council Offices, while the shops in Queensway, the centre of town, remain the same. There will be

1,000 flats with less than 10% made available as affordable homes for local people. ?Two of our local NHS facilities could be compulsory purchased by Stevenage Borough Council on behalf of the developers. I am sure Jeremy Corbyn is very proud of Stevenage Labour."

?Please sign the petition https://www.stephen-mcpartland

.com/town-centre-petition for new shops, instead of fancy new Labour Council offices.?

Stevenage at crossroads with plan for regeneration M y #St even age by Dar r en Ist ed It doesn?t take a genius to understand that the regeneration plans announced for Stevenage are a big deal.

Anything with a ÂŁ350m price tag is worth studying a little closer. But it isn?t just the value of this regeneration which should make people sit up and take notice.

If the ground is finally broken, and the estimates are that this will start early next year, this project will be a game changer in both the modest history of the town and more specifically the New Town movement.

Ever since the 1980s there has been a demand for an improvement to the town centre. Quite simply the key area of the town has aged very badly, the architecture is at once brutal and also unable to satisfy the needs of both 21st century retailers and also those who may require town centre living.

But collective breaths are being held not just because this is an expensive revamp for Stevenage. It is a sign that a much bigger change might just be on the way.

The SG1 announcement made by SBC in conjunction with Mace (yes they of the Shard) could be the first of six phases of development. And now that one key player looks set to get going, this could be the signal for a mini goldrush of development, construction and major change for the town.

We?ve all seen the post war images of a Stevenage growing up among the green fields of Hertfordshire, and for those born and raised in the town, they will have experienced the pioneering spirit of those who gambled everything and uprooted their entire lives by putting their faith in what was a new development.

If SG1 comes off then the same spirit may well be with us again. And the same unrivalled opportunities will present themselves.

Of course there have been false dawns before. We may now be further down the road than ever, but there are still obstacles including compulsory purchase orders, the

problem of parking and issues yet to be discovered which may need to be overcome. This in turn will lead to calls for further development outside the scope of the town centre, the expansion of Stevenage will be back on the agenda and the battle for the Green Belt could be part of this.

Either way Stevenage is at a crossroads, and failing any other major alternatives SG1 and regeneration will be the only topic of debate as the town wends it?s way to a future of change.

"Ever since t he 1980s t here has been a demand for an improvement t o t he t own cent re. Quit e simply t he key area of t he t own has aged very badly."

Tollers, where people, service and delivery are always exceptional An Int roduct ion t o Tol l ers Sol icit ors St evenage of f ice Tollers Solicitors was founded in 1877 and has grown to become a leading regional law firm with a geographic footprint throughout the South and East Midlands.

While Tollers may have a long history, our eight offices and over 160 staff take a very modern approach to providing high-quality legal services both ?For You?and ?For Business?.

The Firm is a Full Service practice working with both individuals and businesses covering a wide variety of legal services including: Family Law, Wills Trusts and Estates, Buying and Selling a Home, Notary services, Corporate/ Commercial and Banking services, Commercial

Real Estate Law, Dispute Resolution Law, Educational Law, Charity Law advice and much more?

The Stevenage office, based in Hertlands House, Primett Road, Stevenage, SG1 3EE was opened in 2014 following the recruitment by Tollers of a team of private client solicitors from a previously established Stevenage practice. The offices are headed up by Fiona Nash who has worked in Stevenage and the surrounding areas for many years and is well known for her work in Wills, Trusts and Estate planning. Fiona is

"Tol l ers?cl ient s have discovered t hat we f ocus on t hem and how we can hel p t hem deal wit h t he l egal chal l enges t hey f ace, no mat t er how compl ex"

also a Trustee for Age Concern/ Age UK and a member of Action on Elder Abuse and attends monthly clinics at Age UK Stevenage offering legal advice and assistance where necessary.

Tollers?clients have discovered that we focus on them and how we can help them deal with the legal challenges they face, no matter how complex. As a Firm we pride ourselves on listening closely to what our clients have to say, in order to truly understand their circumstances and all of our team take the time to explain points of law clearly and simply without waffle, jargon or legalese.

For more information on how Tollers can assist you with any of your legal requirements Talk to Tollers on 01438 901095.

At Tol l ers we provide Except ional Peopl e, Except ional Service, Except ional Del ivery.

PAUL FRY on # St evenage

New Town is ready for a pioneering spirit again I don?t remember the day we moved into our house in Broadwater. I was only four.

But I do recall the wonder of having a house and not a condemned flat above a butcher?s shop in Croydon that had rats and wiring that would make a health and safety officer recoil in horror. I remember mum plugging the iron into the ceiling

my bike, that is.

We?d mark the seasons by the equipment we took to the park: cricket bats or a football. In the school holidays, the play scheme had all the kit you could want. And it catered for all weathers.

Mum lived in that house for 50 years before moving down the hill to an

New Town was to grow up in, despite all the doomsayers saying it would be Silkingrad - a Soviet-style landscape in the image of the planning minister, Lewis Silkin.

Stevenage was a large part of the answer to a colossal post-War housing crisis in which thousands bombed out of London during WWII found a new start in rural Hertfordshire. I would argue that given the current housing crisis, we could do worse than revisit such schemes and build masses of social houses.

The town was planned. And, by and large, the plan worked for the town?s thousands of inhabitants, although there were far fewer when we moved there in 1960.

There were open fields opposite Marymead shops, while St Nicks and Poplars were a mere glint in the planners?eyes.

light socket and my baby brother being bathed in the butler sink. The stairs were perilously steep - and unlit.

But we now had three bedrooms.

And a garden. As I grew older, I was less fond of bringing coal in from the bunker outside but that place was our Wembley Stadium. When I wasn?t in Shephalbury Park or out on

assisted living set-up - only to discover a few former near-neighbours in the complex too.

It was as if a community had been transported 200 yards along the street and relocated.

I know we have a tendency to look back at our youth as something of a Utopia. But only now do I appreciate what a great place the country?s first

I say the plan worked because people were able to work, study and play in close proximity to where they lived, in homes that were genuinely affordable - a word that has since been blatantly misused by developers.

Many employers had sports and social clubs, where friendships were forged and oiled with cheap alcohol.

The schools were well equipped and had plenty of staff and playing fields.

I don?t recall masses of crime, although we were once burgled and it was kind of exciting having our fingerprints taken for elimination purposes. It almost inspired my choice of career, although I was never one for uniforms.

We even knew our local beat bobby ?Handlebars?, who would administer a clip round the ear and escort young miscreants home to face domestic wrath.

There was a sense of shame when someone broke the law - the curtain-twitchers would see to that.

Later, as a trainee reporter on the old Gazette, I would spend days in court, reporting almost everything on the list, from shoplifting to speeding, generally in more than just a sentence.

I don?t ever recall being offered drugs as a teenager, though of course that doesn?t mean you could not get them. Our party 'ammunition' of choice was the Party Seven and not the shots and high-strength lager of today.

The roads were safer; grass verges were not parking overspill (although I see the council is putting in drop kerbs and run-ins all along Broadwater Crescent now). The cycle tracks got me to school, to college and were my running track on many a late-teen evening.

It is the natural order of things for the world to move on. Stevenage was not only fit for purpose but actually ahead of the game - even compared with other New Towns like Harlow and Crawley.

Harlow?s wind-tunnel of a town centre felt more Siberia than suburbia. And, after struggling for a time to settle, my parents considered moving to Crawley, too, but liked the place even less.

They were real pioneers, like all their contemporaries. This was a housing experiment on a grander scale than the Garden cities of the arly 1900s, like that posh lot up the A1 in Letchworth.

Mum and dad were from Carshalton, just off the bottom of the Northern Line in Surrey, but the local authorities short-sightedly refused to house the children of tenants locally, so a whole generation had to move away.

This meant mum?s support network was a two-hour or more ride on the Green Line, then a Tube from High Barnet, or the more expensive train ride from the draughty old station at the top end of the High Street (I remember ice on the inside of the waiting-room windows), the Tube then a bus from Morden.

But she persevered and made friendships that have lasted 50

years. And while many of them have passed on, she is aware that the younger generation will find such comradeship harder to find now, as many have to struggle in short-term buy-to-lets until - or if ? they can afford to buy their own home. They have none of the security of tenure and ability to put down roots that mum had.

With plans to upgrade part of the town centre having been unveiled, now is perhaps the right time to refect on how far Stevenage has come as a town - and what it needs to do get back ahead of the game if the next generation is not to be ill-served and feel ever more urgently drawn to leave.

Changing retail patterns have undoubtedly led to the town centre?s decay. But there have been missed opportunities.

I now live in Leicester, which has a thriving giant mall in the centre, with big anchor tenants such as John Lewis and Debenhams all under one roof. That could have been the case in Stevenage; it could have given the centre a new lease of life and avoided the need to build at Roaring Meg. I come back often and both see and feel a malaise in the place, where things have been left to stagnate.

The town?s earliest governors should

take some blame for resting on their laurels while showing off to other town burghers instead of keeping the town growing and prospering.

Fairlands Valley was a big plus and town sprawl was inevitable. Yet it is sad to see how villages such as Walkern have been all but swallowed.

Hindsight is wonderful, of course, and next time I will try to come up with some ways the town could start to play catch-up.

But, in my view, one of the biggest failures to keep the town what it always was - young and vibrant would have been to set up a university, and not just the glorified College of FE that I attended. I benefited from the trade-type qualifications and skills I gained there but would have had to move away to get a degree, had I wanted to pursue one.

So many of my contemporaries had to move away for higher education and never came back. Yet they had the talent and knowledge to have taken the town forward. It is Stevenage's loss.

Then there is employment. In many ways the easy access to London by rail has been both a bonus and a curse. The draw of higher wages has made Stevenage a dormitory for many - and those people probably don't spend much of their wealth in the town either, though their earning potential has helped drive up the cost of housing to ridiculous levels, again forcing the flight of youth.

I recall from my days on the local paper talking to Shirley Williams, the town?s MP then, about what Stevenage needed to do to thrive and prosper and she said it had to continue to pull in more forward-thinking companies exploiting modern technology. At the time we had British Aerospace, Kodak, British Visqueen, ICI among others. It still has some cutting-edge firms - but not to a sufficient degree, although I will admit it could never be a Cambridge Science Park.

One of the saddest sights in Britain today is to visit our grand old seaside towns. Places like Yarmouth, Blackpool, Morecambe, Rhyl and Margate. Boarded-up properties

abound and there is an air of despair about.

These places lost their purpose by failing to stop holidaymakers fleeing abroad and by failing to invest and play up their unique points of difference (putting aside our unpredictable weather, of course).

This has been a natural phenomenon. The brutal destruction of our mining and manufacturing industries was not and has left other towns and communities as grim shadows of their former selves; their purpose stripped away. It will take a generation or three to get it back. If at all.

I won't pretend Stevenage has suffered like the Yorkshire pit towns or the industrial centres where steel was forged. But there is a sense that it has in some way lost its way, albeit that life is nothing like its founding fathers envisaged.

Yet, precisely because of the unique start Stevenage was given, it is not too late to stop the rot.

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Healthy crowd for SLL Health Action Day Part ners joined t oget her on Sat urday 24t h February for Healt h Act ion Day at t he St evenage Art s and Leisure Cent re.

Advertising and social media may give the impression that only the already toned and lean can take part in exercise; not so!

popular sessions including Pilates and how to dance yourself fit with Fitsteps.

There was a non competitive multi sports fun session for the kids andthose with a disability came and tried Wheelchair Basketball, Boccia, Inclusive Dance and Archery or had a free trial on the Alter G anti-gravity treadmill and the FES bike. People were also able to use the gym for a free session.

Locals came and joined local Fitness Guru Mrs Moveit- Juanita Prescott for a fun session.

Stall holders from a variety of organisations were on hand to offer support and signposting.

Mrs Moveit showed you how you can do a simple, effective exercise session in your own home using just your own body, a stretchy band and some great music!

The Public Health England Health Profile shows that the health of people in Stevenage is varied compared with the England average and that there are areas of concern:

It provided an opport unit y for t he communit y t o meet wit h organisat ions and t o t ake part in fun physical act ivit y sessions.

Visitors were also able to try some

1 in 4 adults are inactive, 2 in 3 adults are obese, 1 in 3 children are obese 1 in 4 adults smoke, 1 in 4 adults experience poor mental health and wellbeing.

Many of these statistics can be helped by addressing our own health behaviours and there is a network of support available through the Healthy Hub Stevenage which is situated in the Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre bringing together organisations to help you to improve your physical and mental wellbeing.

House building plans get ÂŁ900k boost with government funding Stevenage Borough Council?s ambitious plans to build new homes for local people on council land have been boosted with the news that a bid for government funding has been successful.

The council has been awarded ÂŁ900,000 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government?s Land Release Fund to allow it to progress plans for more than 200 new homes at sites in Kenilworth Road, Burwell Road and Gresley Way. The provision of quality homes for local people is one of Stevenage Borough Council?s key priorities and the council is working on creative and innovative ways of providing much-needed housing in the town. Ambitious plans for growth in Stevenage have already seen the council provide over 140

"This is great news for Stevenage and a fantastic achievement for the council. Secure funding means that we can press ahead with our ambitious plans, which will give Stevenage people the assurance that we are doing all we can to help them with their housing needs."

Cllr Jeannet t e Thomas

new affordable homes in the past two years.

The funding announced today will enable the council to work with local partners to provide supported housing, and homes for rent and private sale. At Kenilworth Road, the council is proposing to build a modern independent living scheme for older people; at Burwell Road, new apartments for social rent are currently being built; and at Gresley Way construction has started on a scheme to deliver a range of homes for families. This all shows the council?s clear intent to improve the quality and supply of housing in the town.

Cllr Jeannette Thomas, Executive Member for Housing, Health and Older People at Stevenage Borough Council, said, ?This is great news for Stevenage and a fantastic achievement for the council. Secure funding means that

we can press ahead with our ambitious plans, which will give Stevenage people the assurance that we are doing all we can to help them with their housing need, as well as providing a boost to the local economy. I look forward to sharing more detailed plans over coming months, and inviting the local community to get involved and have a say in how these projects develop.?

March 29 April 2

Sleeping Beaut y Book, Music & Lyrics by Dennis, Lomax & Williams This classic fairy tale is brought to life with our original music and a host of magical characters.

March 8

Direct from t he USA, t he only official Andy W illiams t ribut e show st arring Jimmy Osmond.

The King and Queen are throwing a party to celebrate the birth of their beautiful daughter Princess Aurora. Everyone is invited - everyone apart from Narcissus, the cruel Fairy.

This brand new show full of award-winning music, nostalgic footage and special memories of Andy Williams will touch your heart.

When Narcissus discovers she hasn't been invited she gate-crashes and curses the baby Princess and its left up to the good Fairies, Bluebell, Primrose and Tulip to try and save the day!

Jimmy Osmond began his performing career at the tender age of three with Andy Williams on his television series.

This year marks Jimmy's fiftieth anniversary in show business.

Narcissus' dark magic is so powerful that the good Fairies can't stop it but they can alter it; rather than die by pricking her fingers on a spinning wheel Aurora will fall into a deep sleep and can only be saved by a true love's kiss.

Jimmy will sing the songs that made Andy Williams so beloved by millions including Music To Watch Girls By, Happy Heart, Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Almost There, May Each Day, Days Of Wine And Roses, and, of course, the song that was to become his theme tune, Moon River.

The youngest member of the world-famous Osmond family is joined by his singers and The Moon River Band, and, naturally, a show with an Osmond would not be complete without some of the chart-topping hits that made Jimmy and his brothers famous.

Come and relive the dream with Jimmy Osmond singing the songs of Andy Williams.

March 15

Jonat han Pie: Back t o t he St udio Jonathan Pie returns to the stage in early 2018 with a brand new live show following a sell out tour ending at The London Palladium, A show that was described as "electrifying" CHORTLE, "Blistering" Evening standard and 'desperately misjudged' The Times.

The frustrated News reporter is back and he's angrier than ever. Pie attempts to host a night of serious discussions on current affairs whilst simultaniously attempting to smash the system from within.

Join him for a night of political comedy that soon descends into chaos. This is political satire at its finest and Pie is "the Most exciting satirical creation since partridge" Rory Bremner.

Sixteen years later, as Aurora is getting ready for her birthday party Narcissus arrives in disguise ready to exact her revenge. Lead away by Narcissus, disguised as a kind old lady, Aurora discovers an unexplored room in the castle where she sees a spinning wheel for the first time and is so intrigued she pricks her finger, falling asleep instantly.

The whole Kingdom falls asleep too so now it's only the good Fairies who can protect Aurora until a handsome Prince with a kind and true heart can save her with his kiss.

But will a handsome Prince arrive in time?

This family favourite is a fantastic treat for adults and children alike!

The Gordon Craig Theat re Art s & Leisure Cent re Lyt t on Way, St evenage, Hert s, SG1 1LZ Fax: 01438 231 101 Box Office: 01438 363 200

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

For fun and to get faster join the Spartans Join The Spart ans Live in or near St evenage? Like running? Fairlands Valley Spart ans is your local running club and is on t he up! The club was vot ed t he UK?s Best Running Club in 2010. It now has hundreds of members and encourages part icipat ion by all. The Spart ans have a varied t raining programme t o suit t hose who want t o run 5 kilomet res t hrough t o full marat hons.

The Spart ans weekday t raining sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Go along t o t he new sport s cent re at Marriot t s School ? a Sport s College, Telford Avenue, St evenage (SG2 8UT) at 7p.m. Up t o five running

groups go out on t raining night s ? t here will be one t o suit you!

The Spart an St art er group st art s from Marriot t s at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning t raining sessions st art 9a.m. sharp. Spart an t rack t raining sessions are held at Ridlins At hlet ics Track, Woodcock Road, St evenage most Sat urdays from 9.15a.m. There are event s t o

ent er every Sunday. Newcomers are very welcome ? t hose who have not yet done very much running might prefer t o st art wit h a Thursday, Sat urday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.

Membership is only ÂŁ41 per year which includes UKA affiliat ion.

Concessions are available.

Membership forms are available on t he Spart ans websit ewww.fvspart ans.org.ukPlease ask if you would like a paper copy. You can also join online.

If you want t o know more about t he Spart ans please cont act Jim Brown (0793 968 7509); Ken Jude (07783 597182); Claire Pullen 0790 001 6094 or

Stevenage Parkrun hits the right pace for all After a week of reasonably nice weather, the mercury decided to drop again in time forParkrun on Saturday February 24. However, as always, our attendees are a hardy bunch and 294 people ran, jogged and walked the course with a massive 64 people (that's22%) gaining PB's!

So, why the huge number of PB's? It may be due to the fact that it was another one of our popular pacing events. Our Magnificent Seven (as seen below) of Kris W ESTCOTT, Kris W HITMORE, Nick GILL, Tony RANDFIELD, David MORLEY, Gordon COWAN and Danielle LEW IS paced times ranging from 20 - 33 minutes giving people a steady target to follow for that elusive PB. This time, the bucket of 'Awesome Points' goes to Nick GILL who was a mere 3 seconds adrift from his target time!

As always, the event could only happen thanks to the lovely volunteers who scanned, timed,

marshaled and handed out tokens to everyone. Big up to Esperanza CASTRO, Jo FISHER, Robert W HITTEN, Molly-Rose FISHER, Helen HARRIS, Richard GLAISTER, Mat t hew PATTMAN, Nat han HADFIELD, Adam GUEST, Richard HAMILTON and Alan FORD for that all the lovely comments we've received about today's event are due to you as well!

Parkrun can only take place if we have sufficient volunteers and we barely scraped by today (you may have noticed we had less marshals than usual) - if you only volunteer twice a year, we'd have more than enough people to help us lay on the event all year round. Email us atstevenagehelpers@parkrun.comto do your bit.

We'll organise another pacing event in a few months' time. Hopefully we ironed out the kinks this time by

making the finish funnel longer and laying on an extra barcode scanner to reduce queueing as much as possible.

Judging from the brilliant atmosphere of the day, I think we did alright!

Jason, Run Director

The female record is held by Natalie LAWRENCE who recorded a time of 18:47 on 28th May 2016 (event number 1).

The male record is held by Ian KIMPTON who recorded a time of 15:07 on 3rd September 2016 (event number 15).

The Age Grade course record is held

by Yuko GORDON who recorded 92.48% (22:36) on 25th February 2017 (event number 38).

Parkrun t akes place at Fairlands Valley Park every Sat urday st art ing at 9am. There is no Parkrun on March 10.

What 's on in # STEVENAGE INS:Supporting social and welfare needs of older members of the community. Bingo takes placeat Bedwell Community Centre from 1.30pm to 2.30pm on Wednesday, March 7. Tickets are on sale for the St Patricks Day Lunch on Saturday, March 17, at the Holiday Inn Stevenage.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.

Popl ars WI:Geoff Lambert will talk about his assistance dog, ?My dog?s nose knows?, on Wednesday, March 7 at 2pm.Meetings are at The Shephall Centre, Shephall Green, off Hydean Way. Visitors welcome.

St evenage Fl oral Art Societ y:"Flowers thro?Floral Eyes", a flower arranging demonstration by Rekha Naidoo will be held on Thursday, March 8, at High Street Methodist Church Hall, Stevenage Old Town.

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.45pm start. Visitors ÂŁ7.

Entry fee includes refreshments and a free flower draw. Call Margaret 01438 880086 for more details.

St evenage Liberal Synagogue:Next meeting for members and visitors is on Friday, March 9, at 7pm.This will be followed by the very popular ?Bring and Share?supper. For further information

phone 01438 300222 or visitstevenageliberalsynagogue@gmail.com Commonweal t h Fl ag Day:Stevenage Mayor, Councillor Pam Stuart will be joined by fellow councillors, representatives from the Royal British Legion, and local community groups to raise the Commonwealth flag at Daneshill House at 10am on Monday, March 12.

Green Space Vol unt eer Forum:The annual Green Space Volunteer Forum takes place on Saturday, March 17, from 10am to 1pm in the Council Chamber at Daneshill House. If you?re interested in becoming a volunteer then come along, meet some of the current volunteers, and find out a bit more about the opportunities you?ll be involved in as a green space volunteer. If you would like to come please confirm your attendance by Friday 9 March viaParksAndAmenities@stevenage.gov.uk Hert f ordshire Fire and Rescue Service:An Older Persons Active Learning and Safety (OPALS) event at the Gordon Craig Theatre takes place on Wednesday, April 25, from 9.30am until 1.30pm.

Hot dinner and refreshments included. The event is free to attend and is for people aged 65 and over. It offers help, support and advice from the Fire Service, AGE UK, Police, Trading Standards, Ambulance, HILS and many other support networks and agencies. Come along for a fun morning, hot dinner and goody bag. To book you place call Julie Springett on 07812 324407 or emailJulie.springett@hertfordshire.gov.uk.

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

What 's on in # STEVENAGE 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). TheRotary Club's Lend a Hand Day will be held in April and application forms are available for those who need a small job undertaken. If you?re interested in becoming a volunteer then pop in for a chat. Age Concern's offices areopen 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. A Polish Papercuts exhibition, curated by Justyna Pyz, which brings together examples of the Polish folk art, is on display until Saturday, March 3.General admission free but a small charge is made for some events.

Open 10am to 4.30pm Wednesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm Saturday. Call 01438 218881 or emailmuseum@stevenage.gov.ukfor more.

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

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

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

What 's on in # STEVENAGE 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. For more information 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.

Senior keep-f it :Gentle exercise classes aimed to improve your mobility, strength and posture while having fun take place across Stevenage. The class lasts one hour and consists of mainly chair-based exercises using various equipment and finishing with a fun game. For more information on when and where the sessions take place please call 07925727279.

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Or igin al claddin g on t h e Leisu r e Cen t r e

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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.

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Egg hunt and cartoon capers mark the start of a programme of fun "After our deep clean the town centre looks so much better, and we?re hoping people will work with us to keep it clean by putting litter in the bin."

Town Cent re Manager Tina Benson

Town Centre Manager Tina Benson has unveiled an outdoor events programme for Stevenage town centre, which begins with an eggs-citing Easter egg hunt around the town centre and Indoor Market on 7 April.

The event is followed by cartoon capers in the town centre, with a family event on 14 April featuring life-size cartoon mascots, face painting and sweet treats.

which are dropped every day. Tina said: ?It looks so much better, and we?re hoping people will work with us to keep it clean by putting litter in the bin.?

The Easter fun marks the start of an ambitious programme of fun family activities for the year, which will also see the return of outdoor cinema in the summer and a visit by exotic animals in a petting zoo.

Stevenage Old Town also hosts Easter holiday events this year run

by Stevenage Museum at the Bath House, on 5 and 12 April, offering a chance to explore the historic building and enjoy Easter activities.

The town centre has just had a deep clean, removing lots of chewing gum and cigarette butts,

How to make the final farewell less painful when it comes to clearing When a loved one dies, one of the difficult tasks you may have to take on is clearing out their home. It can feel sad going through their possessions and it may seem like you?re having to say goodbye all over again.

In Sweden, there?s a tradition called ?doestaedning?? death cleaning ? that may help make the process easier. It involves getting rid of unwanted possessions while you?re still alive ? so the job isn?t left for others to do when you?re gone.

It may sound morbid, but people who death clean find it an empowering experience. Margareta Magnusson, author of ?The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter?, started her own death cleaning after her parents and husband died and she was left to go through their belongings. She found getting rid of her own unwanted things uplifting and rewarding.

Death cleaning doesn?t need to be rushed. Margareta suggests going through one room at a time and listing each item that you want to keep or part with. It?s also best to start with

items that are easy to let go of ? clothes you rarely wear, those extra dinner plates you never use, unwanted presents.

You might want to give certain possessions to friends or family members ? perhaps a piece of china or jewellery they have admired. As for sentimental items such as photographs and letters, these should be kept with you and cherished.

Margareta keeps all hers in a ?throwaway?box ? these are things

that family members don?t need to sort through when she?s gone and can be simply thrown away.

Death cleaning might not be for everybody, but if you?re struggling to clear out your loved one?s possessions it might be something to think about for yourself. * For help and support planning a funeral or cremat ion, please cont act us on 01438 316623.

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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

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

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