#Stevenage March 2020

# STEVENAGE Text

The unique digital magazine for Stevenage promoted by social media

March 2020

The unique digital magazine for Stevenage promoted by social media

Show us the way Revs

Clair e Au st in (lef t ) w it h Lou ise Yexley

(through) (plans) The #St evenageFor LeagueFoot ball special

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What's on in

#Stevenage It's not often we devote a number of our early pages to one issue but the hashtag #StevenageForLeagueFootball really caught our attention.

Created to galvanise supportersof Stevenage FC as they flirt ever more with the club losing its Football League status, the campaign has served to show just what a role Stevenage FC has played in the town, and in our livesand just what a community asset it is.

The loss of this statuswill unquestionably be negative for the area, and while the campaign has served to get fans behind the team come what may now for the next 11 games, it will also hopefully increase support in the months and yearsahead, wherever the team will be playing If you are a business which islooking to really get your name out there through the powerful medium of digital and social media then make sure that you advertise with us and see uspromote your products and servicesto the people of #Stevenage.

Digital allowspeople to read about you on the go - on their mobiles for instance, and it means they are just a click away.

#STEVENAGE - THE UNIQUE DIGITAL M AGAZINE GOT A STORY TO TELL US? St or ies an d f eat u r es: dar r en @spit f irText epr .com WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS OR EVENT?

Text Sales: h dm digit alsales@gm ail.com FIND OUT M ORE ABOUT HASHTAG DIGITAL M EDIA w w w.h ash t agdigit alm edia.co.u k Text Tw it t er @h t agst even age Facebook @st even agem agazin e

Government funds to help with rough sleeping crisis Stevenage Borough Council has received additional funds from the Government to support a scheme to reduce rough sleeping in Stevenage.

co-operatively with local agencies to ensure people have access to the right services and support to address their needs.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), recently announced a Stevenage Borough Council funding bid has been awarded a ÂŁ177,500 grant under its Rough Sleeper Initiative Fund.

This is the second grant Stevenage Borough Council has secured from the Government in support of its rough sleeper outreach work.

?If someone is rough sleeping, our priority is to get them off the street as quickly as possible. Thanks to this funding, we will be able to support even more individuals.?

The money will be used to fund three additional outreach workers to support and navigate people who are homeless or sleeping rough, connecting them with the local services that can support them. Their roles will support the council?s aim to prevent and reduce homelessness and end the need for anyone to sleep rough in Stevenage. The positions are to be funded for a fixed term of 12 months with recruitment taking place shortly.

Councillor Jeannette Thomas, Executive Member for Housing, Health and Older People, said: ?We?re delighted we have been awarded funding to extend the great work of our outreach team by employing three new support workers. These individuals will engage with some of the most vulnerable members of society and will work

Stevenage Borough Council?s outreach programme is delivered in partnership with Hertfordshire Police and the council?s No More Service through Operation Urban, an initiative that aims to better connect local services that help combat homelessness and the associated crime and anti-social behaviour.

The council conducts intensive outreach to engage with rough sleepers, working in partnership with Stevenage Haven to provide shelter, with severe weather emergency provision provided via Haven and Holy Trinity Church during times of extreme weather. The council?s Housing Supply team is also able to source suitable accommodation in the private rented sector and explore supported housing projects for applicants.

If members of the public see a homeless person that may need support they can call the council?s housing options team on 01438 24242 or make a report viawww.streetlink.org.uk

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#StevenageForLeagueFootball

Time to back the Boro St evenage FC may be in a precarious posit ion in t he league t able, fight ing for t heir very Foot ball League st at us, but support ers at t he club are det ermined t o bat t le back.

It has been a t errible campaign so far, but angry at t he approach of some who claim t hat dropping down t o non-league might even 'do us some good,' St eve Wat kins and Jay Drackford have promot ed t he hasht ag #St evenageForLeagueFoot ball t o show just what a role t he club plays in our communit y.

In t he following pages we reproduce some of t he memories from t hose who have post ed on t he hasht ag's page on Facebook. They show just how engrained t he club is in t he t own, and how it has made an impact on friends and families alike, wit h t hought s t urning t o many who aren't now wit h us.

Follow t he hasht ag, t urn up and support t he club and make sure you do all you can t o achieve t he realisat ion of #St evenageForLeagueFoot ball

#StevenageForLeagueFootball

My burning desire to keep backing the Boro Here is my st ory. I first st art ed support ing t he club in 2006, aft er inspirat ion from fellow classmat es.

I went t o a few games, t hen t ook a break due t o ment al healt h problems. In t he beginning of 2011, I st art ed support ing t he club properly.

I mainly saw home games at Broadhall Way (or Lamex St adium as it s now called) Then in August 2013, I went t o my first away game t o Evert on in t he League Cup. Came home at 4am aft er losing 2-1 at Ext ra Time. Then I went t o more away games such as Pet erborough, Doncast er and AFC W imbledon.

In July 2014, I was offered a job working at t he club as a t urnst ile operat or. Made many friends t hrough t his job, whet her t hey were a colleague, cust omer, fan or st eward. I enjoyed t he chat s among cust omers and fans, part icularly in t he old Nort h t errace.

Somet imes I went in t he East but no furt her t han t he halfway line as it used t o be very busy and a st ruggle t o get t o st and next t o my brot her (a good influence at t imes) On occasions, I sat in t he west wit h a good friend of mine, who I discussed t he Boro t he most , who I knew from t he housing associat ion I was wit h. As I lived in Welwyn Garden Cit y at t he t ime, I had people local who I could t alk t o about t he result s and upcoming fixt ures. Somet imes line ups were discussed wit h bant er along t he way.

The best fixt ure I at t ended was on 21st February 2015 (my 21st Birt hday) The fixt ure was St evenage v Sout hend Unit ed, where St evenage won 4-2.

The best away fixt ure was when St evenage drew 2-2 against Lincoln Cit y on 16t h February 2019. This is where I found t he most love for a cert ain player (Illias Chair in part icular) In regards t o t he fans, t hey were one of t he best groups of friends I have ever met . They were t here

when I had problems wit h my personal life, girlfriend problems and ot her problems I had wit h t he club.

There was also bant er included wit hin t he group of fans I know and love. Highlight s included falling int o bushes, get t ing drunk, and impersonat ions of charact ers from Lit t le Brit ain.

The chant s I was t aught sunk int o me. These included "Don't go out t onight " "Allez, allez, allez" and "Since I was Young" The limbs and scenes got me loving t he club every t ime Boro scored. Hugging random people and fans as well as cheering was t he best .

Aft er 11 years of support ing St evenage, it reminded me t hat I must support t he Boro and have a burning desire t o cont inue t his. These paragraphs are a few of t he many highlight s t hat I have during my t ime of support ing St evenage wit h many more t o come. #st evenageforleaguefoot ball George Cheever

#StevenageForLeagueFootball

It's in our DNA to achieve

By Darren Ist ed

Herts crown from Hitchin.

Many was the time that I phoned Jim Briscoe, Stevenage's very own Mr Football, and before enjoying a chat about all things Boro and the game in general, would hear him answer the call with the now legendary 'Stevenage For League Football.'

And to be fair it took a decade for us to be among these teams before the arrival of Paul Fairclough - our asecendence to the Conference and then the realisation that the Football League really was an aim for this club.

Jim wasn't daft, he was a man who lived a quite remarkable life - not just on the football field but in the world of work and on the treacherous convoys in the second world war, Jim had seen it all and knew how to deal with people.

It should be quite fitting that now, at one of the lowest points for Boro, we should be reminded of his mantra which seeped into every fibre of our club over the last 40 plus years and which has always driven us on.

Jim was always the person whom everyone would turn to , for a little knowledge, for a dip into the history of football in the town, or for his thoughts on how the future should unfold.

It's therefore supremely fitting that this was the phrase chosen by Steve Watkins to try and galvanise support for the club to try and banish what has been a most dismal season and try to salvage, if such a thing were possible, our league status.

Growing up supporting my home town team from their first UCL campaign in 1980, I never thought that the club would be anywhere near the Football League. Back then the aim was to be the best team in North Herts and to do that Boro had to catch similarly up and coming Baldock first, before then trying to reel in the slightly better Letchworth GC. From that point we might take another 10 years or so to attempt to wrestle the North

That it took until 2010 to finally reach the league only made it sweeter, and you didn't have to have been a fan for 30 years to have been more than a little giddy when destiny took a firm hand on that day at Kiddy.

When the Football League status was achieved there was talk of our aim being in the Championship in five years. A promotion after only one campaign may have been quicker than envisaged but this has always been a club which has looked ahead and delivered amazing experiences - who could forget Sheffield Wednesday and Newcastle at home or Everton and even Lincoln away?

Navel gazing as to why we are in this position is fruitless now. Whatever the outcome of this season it has been awful and there will be an inquest to be held at the end of the season. No dout blood will be let. But that is for May, until then it is vital that everyone connected with the club gives only 100% support.

Quit the snide comments on social media or attempts to find out what went wrong - now is the time to get points and wins in the bag and try to salvage something.

After all, thanks to people like Jim Briscoe and Paul Fairclough, a fighting spirit has been instilled in the DNA of this club and while it has been wholly absent so far this campaign, now it's the time for supporters to dip into that along with those on the playing side. #St evenageForLeagueFoot ball

#StevenageForLeagueFootball I?ve been to Boro since 97, went at a pre-season friendly and then worked as away end supervisor for 16 years .. .love supporting this club I have made life long friends ... been all over the country with boro and every competitive final they have played ... I was at kiddy when we won promotion to the league .. if we can believe this club can go far ...

Brian Young

Not my story but my son's, at 3 this is his first season coming to the games - we nabbed his season seat when Tom Pett moved to Lincoln meaning his grandmother who sat next to us didn't renew.

For him Saturday afternoons at football are so far about getting some sweets in Tesco, collecting his sticker from the foundation on the way to the ground, splashing in the occasional puddle and getting most excited when the sprinklers come on at half time. He loves it.

You can't buythose memories.

Proud moment. My daughter Clare was the Boro mascot for THAT FA Cup game v Newcastle and again for the replay at St James Park and walked out with Alan Shearer and got David Batty?s shirt at the end of the game. The kids will never forget those moments Andrew Every

In years to come hopefully the walk back to the car will be more of a skip than a trudge but we'll be walking it together. #wearestevenage #stevenageforleaguefootball Judet h McCallis wit h Jenny McCall and Samant ha Tracy.

#StevenageForLeagueFootball

Club gave us so much

I?ve personally been following Stevenage since 99/00 season, my old man took me to a few games and come 2003/04 I was a season ticket holder with my best mate.

All the honours and ?golden generation?aside, this club means a lot to me on a personal level, it gave my wife and I somewhere to go to take our mind off the loss of our son Alfie in 2015.

I?ll never forget walking into the ground and Chris Day running over mid warm up to console my wife and check if we were ok, the signed shirt for the funeral and being invited to Stevenage v Watford in a pre season game on the eve of what would have been Alfie?s 3rd birthday, with the club letting Alfie?s

younger brother Dylan be the mascot for the game, the way he was treated all evening was amazing, especially by Alex Revell who was amazing all evening.

The club essentially gave us 2 season tickets for a season which gave us somewhere to go to ?get away from it all?my wife played for stevenage ladies at the time and they supported us through a lot of what we went through.

Little touches like this made the club what it is to me.

Andy calvert

#StevenageForLeagueFootball

In memory of Mitchell A group of us united through our love of Stevenage walked from Oxford to Stevenage in just 48 hours to raise money in memory of Mitchell Cole... were we mad?Quite possibly... but we raised a phenomenal amount of money for CMA of which Mitch was an ambassador... and made it in time for kick off!!

Lüçy Çöx

My story on how I came to love this small but astonishingly beautiful club! I was born in to a family of spurs and arsenal fans why I follow arsenal and support the boro but anyway I was a football loving young chap who thought football was a tv Channel and one day when I was year 6 our year attended an event in which showed light to show racism the red card foundation and they gave out free tickets to Stevenage v Crawley in the 2009-2010 season in the blue square premier!

That year we went on to win the league I went to every game that season and even went to Wembley when we lost to barrow I stopped going after the 2011-2012 season until the 2016-2017 season and since then this club has been my church every Saturday! I love this club more than anything and Will never stop win lose rain or shine I will be there#stevenageforleaguefootball#wearestevenage

I was born into following the club. Uncles and grandad and mum were all involved and some still are to varying degrees. I was a player myself through the Efco up to U18s up until 1996 and helped out on match days with the mascots on the pitch. I traveled, helped the kitman and became u11s coach at the academy back in 1998. My sister was also Boro the Bear including at Wembley. It has been a real part of my life but I moved to Marbella in 2001. Paul Fairclough helped me set up an academy in Malaga with some contacts which I will always be grateful for and have been doing that ever since. Now I'm academy director at Kettering Town FC academy called future lions international. I?m gonna try my best despite living a distance away to get there for the home games for the rest of the season. We are Stevenage but it will always be Boro for me

Nat han Melvis Smit h

Craig Mander

Stevenage charity marks 10th anniversary

Boro in my blood

by Neil Trebble Ok here's my Boro story should help some people get to sleep As a young boy I would by hook or crook get into broadhall way to watch the likes of Danny Dance, Doug Pirie and co. I was part of the furniture in the clubhouse run by big Dave Wraight. Played for the pool team.

From 1984 as a 15 year old I played in the Stevenage Mens Sunday League for Timebridge FC. In October 1987 I joined the Army but when I could I came home at weekends and carried on playing for Timebridge.In the Spring of 88 we beat the dominant and favourites for Stevenage Sunday Cup Twin Foxes in the Semi Final. The final was to be played at Broadhall Way. Unfortunately I was posted out to Germany and couldn't play.

In the Summer of 1992 still in the Army I showed up at Stevenage pre season training in vest shorts sock and trainers carrying my dunlop moulds in a cloth rucksack. I approached Paul Fairclough and asked if I could trial. He looked me up and down probably wondering Wtf. However he gave me a chance. As each session went on more and more players were being sent on their way and I remained. I played and scored against QPR and Spurs in pre season and i eventually signed. A boyhood dream now come true. I was like a kid in a sweet shop I was in dream land.

I trained hard, listened and grew as a player.Paul Petersonwas a fantastic coach and I was well guided

by Paul Fairougjh. Early highlights was a hat trick against Bishops Stortford. A fight between our players in the old dressing rooms you could barely swing a cat in.

8 months after turning up like Oliver I was being scouted by League clubs and was signed and bought

out of the Army by Scunthorpe Utd. Stevenage could not get a fee as I was a soldier and therefore could not sign a contract. Instead both clubs agreed to a friendly and I played one half for each team. It was sureal and I was extremely proud.

In 1996 I returned to the Boro helping secure the conference championship. Scoring in the Easter massacre of Woking and grabbing the only goal away to Kidderminster basically sealing the title. A proud proud moment.

In 1998 as part of the team that held Newcastle at home 1-1 I enjoyed my proudest and most memorable moment as a player and a fan of our great club. Playing at St James park and seeing thousands of Stevenage Fans including my family up in the stand. Nothing can describe that feeling nothing would top it.

My only regrets were never saying at Wembley in the FA Trophy and not playing in the football league for the Boro.

I helped set up the successful EFCO scheme was in charge of Community Development and also managed the capital league team to a league and cup double.

I love working with Steve Watkins on the BBC and also taking my little boy to games Can honestly say Boro is my blood Neil Trebble

Stevenage charity marks 10th anniversary

Drumming up all the support for my team My first Boro game was in the 08-09 season just a normal person just to watch a game of football and after that the rest is history.

Going to Wembley that season winning the FA trophy with Steve Morrison?s last game for the club. Then the incredible Champions season, winning the conference to get promoted to the football league at Kiddy was the best away day I would have.

Then back to back promotions to league 1 to Spurs in the 5th round of the FA Cup and in the replay with a Joel Bryom penalty in the first 3 minutes of the game even I skipped 6th form in the afternoon just to be at the game - sore head the day after lol.

After a few years later I thought to get the atmosphere going again in the East and brought the drums back to the club and I enjoyed it and still miss doing that to this day from the away days from getting the drums taken away for ground safety (Barnet sc*m) to the wonders of Pompey by accidentally breaking the drum a number of times for the passion I had in

getting the fans behind the team week in and week out.

From there most fans know me for being a alcoholic at the games and after as well but from there I do miss going to games week in and week out after moving to Bonnie Scotland a few years ago but I still go at least a game or two a year to see my football club and get the terrace jumping.

The friends I made from this club are family to me seeing them when I can or even messaging them at the game on how we?re doing even trying to get the place jumping and supporting the lads in any way. Get behind Revs and the rest of the boys for the final cup finals and stay in the Football League - show your pride to the team get the boys believing and Destiny will always takeover UP THE BORO? #stevenageforleaguefootball= Zac St imson

#Stevenage magazine Spotlight on business

Chilli creative agency are keeping their inspiration firmly within the family Chilli Flair Ltd is a creative agency founded by Trudy and Chanel, a mother and daughter duo from Stevenage, who share the mutual love of poetry and humour.

It all started 18 months ago when Trudy & Chanel began by writing greeting cards with a poetry twist.

The cards were printed at home for family and friends and before long requests for personalised cards were flooding in. Their aim was to reach out to their audience by creating an outburst of emotion, and it was working. So with a little market research and a few long hours, of writing poems that would relate to everyday people, Chilli Cards was born.

Chilli Cards is their greeting card publishing spin off from Chilli Flair Ltd. They are known for their range of sweet, cheeky or spicy verse which has now gained 4 sales agents in 6 months, and their cards can be found in stores throughout the UK. Their first trade fair will be at the Top Drawer in September showcasing their new 2020 ranges. Chilli Cards also has an online store and brochures available to access cards for all occasions. Alongside this service they also offer personalised poetry for Weddings, Funerals, Company Christmas Cards, and special occasions.

Recognised for their ability to captivate readers through verse, Trudy was asked to collaborate with the Institution of Engineering and Technology for their 2019 'Santa Loves STEM Christmas Campaign'. She wrote their poem, narrated by Steve Backshall,

developed the tagline ?Look at me now?, and created the four characters including individual poems and character traits. This was then developed further by the IET into educational programmes for schools as downloadable materials. This project gained 616,861 impressions and 173,733 views!

Chilli Flair Ltd now provides creative ideas to build brand awareness and help to shape campaigns for larger companies. Even though poetry is at the heart of Chilli Flair?s work, their creative ideas cover everything from catchy tag lines to original advert storylines. They inspire those in need of an idea to spring board their next campaign to target a wider audience, or build brand awareness with something niche. ?

Chilli Flair Ltd is a mother hub to Chilli Creative, Chilli Cards and Chilli Personalised Poetry. Poetry at the heart of all Flairs work.

Chilli Cards We are Chilli Cards, fun, friendly and real people on a mission to make the nation smile again.

I am Trudy, Chanel is my daughter and together we are Chilli Cards, a greeting card publisher located in the area of Hertfordshire. We create unique greeting cards with lovable characters and fill them with hilarious, witty and sentimental poetry.

People buy on emotion and justify it with logic. If that

#Stevenage magazine spotlight on business

emotion can be created with a card, people are more likely to connect with it and want to share it. We all share our feelings, thoughts and humour and that?s why we created Chilli Cards, greetings cards we can?t wait to share.

Orders for personalised poetry founded Chilli Cards.

A greeting card company specialising in fun, witty, quirky and sentimental poetry which now has 4 sales agents, many independent stores offering our designs and more than 320 cards to choose from.

We have more than 300 designs in over 20 ranges, touching on all celebrations. Our priority is to give our customers plenty of choice as we aim to introduce new and exciting characters regularly.

As an adaptable, original, and innovative visionary I developed Chilli Flair Ltd which encompasses all creative work. Alongside my business partner, we drive our company with the aim to touch the lives of those who have a passion to stand out from the crowd, offering personalised poetry, greeting cards and all creative ideas to help businesses reach out to a new target audience.

Trudy's Background: As a passionate creative writer, I have produced a portfolio of exciting material ranging from scripted pantomimes, personalised greeting cards, to developing narratives through rhyme for companies, like the IET, needing a Christmas Campaign. I have enhanced advert narration, character designs, identity development and promotional material by writing ditties, poems, short stories, and comedies, working with large and small businesses developing their campaigns and brand awareness.

I work alongside those who have an appetite to do things differently and a desire to branch out to new audiences.

Creative writing has always been my savour in times of struggle. Life blessed me with five wonderful children, but the challenges of losing my mother and brother in a short space of time quickly kick started my love of writing humorous verse as an outlet.

My poetry gained a mass of recognition on social media and soon became a business opportunity.

If you?re stuck for an advertising campaign or new creative idea, let us add a little Chilli Flair, new, exciting and relatable to all!

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Paul Fry on # St evenage

To other stars and beyond via #Stevenage Fly me to the moon, sang Frank Sinatra in 1963. It seems an age ago but six years later, man took him at his word and first set foot on the lunar surface.

Although it is a while since humans last ventured so far into the cold void of space, it hasn't stopped us exploring new horizons, in a quest to understand the universe around us and more about the origins of our Earth.

Airbus in Stevenage was instrumental in putting a mechanised rover on the surface of Mars and, who knows, that mission may become the precursor to humankind taking one small step there at some point.

But now the firm has boldly gone where... well you know the rest.

On February 9, the Stevenage site or Airbus celebrated as its new Solar Orbiter lifted off into space from Cape Canaveral in Florida, atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket headed for what, to the scientists who set out on this mission in 2012, must have felt like a journey to infinity and beyond.

The aim of the US$1.5bn mission is to give the team back on terra

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Paul Fry on # St evenage firma the first look at the poles of the sun, which could provide clues to solving some long-term solar mysteries.

It's on-board 'sat-nav' will take it the scenic route, or course... the 1,800 kg spacecraft will use several flybys of Venus, and one of Earth, to get into an unusual orbit around the sun ? one that is significantly out of the 'ecliptic', the plane in which Earth and the other big planets circle.

Solar Orbiter will cruise for two years before reaching its operating orbit near the Sun and is testimony to the skill or workers at the Stevenage plant in Gunnelswood Road. Its mission is expected to last 10 years, and usher in when experts say will be a 'golden' age in solar science.

It is equipped with a 150kg heat shield which will reflect and guide heat away from the spacecraft and can withstand up to 520C (970F).

It also has several ?eyes?: peepholes for five of the spacecraft?s remote-sensing instruments to peer through.

A black surface coats the titanium foil and is made from powdered baked animal bones, much like the pigments used in cave paintings thousands of years ago.

One of the key objectives is to work out what drives the solar

wind ? the stream of high energy particles and plasma leaving the Sun?s outer atmosphere.

The Solar Orbiter will be able to take measurements of the solar wind and energetic particles for the first time and before they have been impacted by their journey through space.

It is these charged particles reaching the Earth?s magnetic field at our planet?s north and south poles which cause auroras (the northern and southern lights).

We might not have seen much of the sun for the past few months ? but a piece of Stevenage will soon be getting up close and very personal with it. I wonder if Frank will change his tune now...

I was recent ly in Belgium, visit ing t he World War I bat t lefields and was st ruck as never before by t he scale of what must have gone on t here.

Yes, I do my bit each year and buy my poppy and wear it wit h pride.

I wat ch t he Remembrance Day parades and have visit ed t he overwhelming display of poppies in t he gardens of West minst er Abbey a couple of t imes. It is t hought provoking. But my t rip has made me look at t he war in new ways.

Before we went , my wife and I wat ched t he Sam Mendes film, 1917. It was powerful, moving and reinforced t he feeling of senseless wast e, seeing lives t reat ed so cheaply.

We wat ched it again aft er our t rip and jumped in all t he same places as t he compelling act ion unfolded. It merely seemed even more real.

We had a personal guide drive a small group of us around t he Flanders sight s, and it t ot ally opened my eyes. It did not make t he huge numbers t hat are bandied about when describing t he conflict any more digest ible ? t hey are st ill mind-numbingly huge in t erms of t he munit ions used, t he number of men killed, and t hose whose bodies were never found.

I was left wit h a great er sense of compassion for t he people of t hat

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Paul Fry on # St evenage West ern part of Belgium; for how t hey feel, for what has condit ioned their thinking.

We visit ed Tyne Cot , t he largest Commonwealt h war cemet ery in t he world, just out side Ypres, balancing t hat wit h a st op at Langemark, where 44,000 Germans are buried or remembered. We st opped at t he brilliant museum in Passchendaele, where we went in a mock t rench and dugout and t ried sample smells of chlorine, must ard and phosgene gas, which were deployed in bat t le nearby.

We spent t ime in Ypres, which you would t hink was medieval but was oblit erat ed in t he First World War; indeed t he main Wool Hall even has bullet -holes from t he Second World War. As a journalist , a bonus for me was t o see where Brit ish soldiers found a print ing press and produced t he W ipers Times, a news-sheet for t he t roops.

Our t rip finished wit h t he Last Post ceremony at Ypres' Menin Gat e, a rit ual t hat has been repeat ed at 8pm every night since 1928. It is haunt ing ? and wit nessed in respect ful silence and unit es people of so many nat ions. In our case it was Aussies, but also Dut ch and Americans.

But t he t hought t hat dominat ed my mind on t he way home ? I can recommend t he ferry t rip from

Hull, by t he way ? was for our host s. Nat han, our guide, did several off-pist e st ops at farms.

At one, he opened t he garage door t o reveal a bench full of old munit ions ? grenades, shell casings and even t wist ed rifle barrels ? t hat t he farmer had picked from his fields in just six mont hs. My wife even gingerly held a grenade we were assured was safe!

St uff like t his is collect ed periodically and disposed of by weapons expert s. The count ry roads are lit t ered wit h t he ordnance, from bullet s t o gas shells, which comes up each harvest and wit h t he high wat er t able. But it is a chilling reminder t hat not all of it is safe and t he 'war t o end all wars' is st ill claiming vict ims t oday.

But t hen Nat han showed us a phot o of t he area around Ypres in lat e 1918. It was a shat t ered moonscape.

Some t hree met res of t opsoil (about 10ft in old money) had been lost amid const ant shelling and fight ing. There was not a t ree or building t o be seen. And yet local families had t o somehow work out t he boundaries of t heir land and rebuild t heir shat t ered lives. W it h no possible guide t o where your home once st ood, or t he ext ent of t he land.

For many, it t ook years of legal wrangling t o sort out ... and t hent he Nazis swept all before t hem just a few years lat er.

Do you t hink t hey like t he Germans in Flanders? To paraphrase Basil Fawlt y... don't ment ion t he wars.

#Stevenage magazine

Call for businesses to enter grant scheme As part of Stevenage Borough Council?s commitment to supporting an enterprising and innovative local economy, the council has launched its annual Business Grant scheme. Business owners can pitch for grants of up to £2,500 to grow their company.

Grants of £1000, £1,500 and £2,500 are available.

Applicantswill need to demonstrate growth and quality of projects to secure funding.

Funding to support: Introduction of a new product or service Production of a new prototype R&D Expansion into a new market Acquiring a new office/unit

Property improvements Marketing and advertising Applicants must be an existing business within Stevenage, demonstrate both business and employment growth and have fewer than 10 staff.

Businesses will also need to explain their future plans and how the money will support them. Successful applicants will be invited to the council?s headquarters in March to pitch on how the money will be spent.

For further information on the grant, visit the websitehttp://www.stevenage.gov.uk/business-advice Last year Bikestop, Stevenage Injury Clinic and We Grow Business were successful.

At Mr Mulligan's Lost World of Golf you celebrat e any special occasion by playing a round.

And along wit h a great game, you can also have a great meal t hanks t o a new café upgrade. They are now serving hot dogs, paninis, wraps, sharing plat es and kids meals.

You can also creat e your own sundae and creat e your milkshake. W het her it 's t he Thursday night Dat e Night s or a family day out for big and lit t le kids of all ages, you know t he answer, make it Mr Mulligans!

For full updat ed informat ion on t his and all event s which are coming up at Mr Mulligan's Lost World of Golf head t o t he Facebook page .

There are also a host of special offers which you can

t ake advant age of in February.

Included in t hese are: -

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Seniors Special which includes golf and a main meal for just £12 bet ween 11am and 3pm or golf and a hot drink for £7. There are a minimum of six per booking and you can phone or email t o make your bookings.

Schools, yout h groups and organisat ions such as cadet s are able t o also make specially discount ed bookings.

There is also a kids eat free promot ion bet ween 3pm and 6pm when purchased wit h an adult s meal.

Unlimit ed golf from 5pm onwards on a Tuesday for just £10.

Businesses from #St evenage did bat t le recent ly, but it wasn't in t he boardroom, inst ead t his t ime it was on t he put t ing greens of Mr Mulligans St evenage.

That 's because t he venue has launched t he first of it s Business Leagues which t ake place from 6pm-9pm over a number of dat es across t he year.

A host of local businesses t ook part in t he launch event at t he st art of March wit h a t eam led by Act ionCoach St eve Saunders t aking t he crown. The next event will t ake place on March 25 so cont act Mr Mulligans now t o book your place.

Putt yourself forward to be a business best

360 Play #Stevenage is getting ready for World Book Day The area?s favourit e family ent ert ainment cent re is put t ing sust ainabilit y t op of t he list .

As a family focused business, 360 Play are always looking t o t he fut ure and are always searching for ways t o be more carbon friendly and sust ainable. As many of t he 360 Team are parent s t hey underst and t he const ant t o-do list of modern parent ing and ahead of World Book Day on Thursday 5t h March t hey have already host ed a cost ume swap session at t heir St evenage Leisure Park locat ion.

Cost ume swapping is t he most fun way t o recycle!

Children get new-t o-t hem cost umes and parent s get t o save money and do t heir bit for t he planet at t he same t ime.

World Book Day comes just once a year and most cost umes will only be worn once? maybe t wice if t here?s a younger sibling willing t o wear it anot her year. Chances are t hat your cost umes are st ill in good enough shape t o be passed along t o anot her child and so at 360 Play World Book Day just got more parent AND planet friendly.

360 Play is a popular dest inat ion for families wit h young children and feat ures t he company?s t ried and

t est ed formula of a wide range of act ivit ies for all children, from t oddlers up t o t he age of 12.

Everyt hing is designed so t hat adult s can join in t oo ? including t he cent ral play st ruct ure, t he carousel, bumper cars and much more ? providing a t rue family day out opport unit y, what ever t he weat her.

For more informat ion on 360 Play visit www.360play.co.uk

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Harry Wal t on on # St evenage

Paying tribute to a true sporting legend support Dad and celebrate his 80th birthday. ?I took him out for a birthday breakfast this morning. He has so many memories, but his favourite is the camaraderie there was between players at Spurs and Chelsea, wonderful friends having fun on and off the pitch.

crowd.

By Harry Walt on

A MAGICAL march down memory lane packed out a grand film premiere about the career and life of football legend Jimmy Greaves.

Fans flocked to Stevenage FC on his 80th birthday to see Greavsie: The Jimmy Greaves Story and an appreciative audience all sang ?Happy Birthday?for one of the greatest goalscorers football has ever seen.

Sadly the former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea striker remains seriously ill at home following a stroke several years ago, but his name which used to pack terraces can still draw a

People also seized a chance to chat with two other Spurs legends, Pat Jennings and Ossie Ardiles, but colleague Micky Hazard was unfortunately taken ill and couldn?t make it. Jennings himself fell ill on the night ? organisers felt jet lag from a recent South African trip might be to blame ? and he was later taken home by Ardiles.

While the two were there they chatted to fans, posed for photographs and signed autographs to such an extent there was a queue for their services.

Jimmy?s son, Danny, said: ?It means everything that so many people have come here tonight to

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?Dad knows about this evening and he is absolutely honoured that Stevenage Football Club have put this event on for him and that so many people have come out to support him.?

The film?s director Tom Boswell of BT Sport Films said he felt as if he knew Jimmy?s life thanks to archive film.

He added: ?I hope this film gets Jimmy an honour and raises a bit of money for him. That?s all I care about.?

A Daily Mail Sportsmail ?get Greavsie a gong?petition has already been signed by nearly 28,000 people who want to see him knighted.

Ardiles said: ?Jimmy was the best player for me ever. ?He could score goals like confetti.

As simple as that. He was a wonderful player.?

The audience at Stevenage FC were later treated to a film premiere of Jimmy?s career and life which drew warm applause.

People were taken from his childhood, through his Chelsea and Tottenham years and on to his ?premature? retirment and alcoholism before his self-resurrection and resumption as a senior player at the likes of Barnet.

It also revealed how he came into television and launched an extraordinary small screen partnership with Liverpool legend Ian St John which led to the memorable ?Saint and Greavsie?show which ran on ITV from 1985-1992.

It ended when ITV lost the rights to broadcast top English matches after the newly formed Premier League contracted to Sky Sports.

The audience roared with laughter to hear Jimmy say he was OK because he?d got a job with Sky, but he was worried about Saint because he said he didn?t fancy putting up satellite dishes!

A memorable evening ended with one piece of special framed memorabilia being auctioned off to the highest bid of ÂŁ1,000 while a second framed piece was raffled and eventually won......by me!

Now that?s a result!

Get your Stevenage 10K entry in now The St evenage 10K is back and St evenage Magazine publisher Hasht ag Digit al Media is proud once again t he sponsor t he event .

ÂŁ18 for all ot her runners. Finishers receive a t shirt , medal and can enjoy t he free cake! Ent ries are available at :

The St evenage 10K for 2020 will be held on 20/ 9/ 2020. The race will st art at 10:30am wit h t he st art and finish in Hampson Park.

ht t ps:// www.racesonline.uk/race-ent ry/ st evenage10k/ index.php?id=1

Ent ries for t he St evenage 10K are now open! The ent ry fee is st ill ÂŁ16 for affiliat ed running club members and

ht t ps:// www.racesonline.uk/race-ent ry/ st evenage10k ht t ps:// www.racesonline.uk/race-ent ry/st evenage10k/

Council back biz4Biz awards biz4Biz is proud t o announce t he biz4Biz Awards, ret urning for t heir fourt h year in May 2020.

These awards are impart ial, independent and open t o anyone involved in a business in Hert fordshire.

On t he 17t h May 2019, businesses from all over Hert fordshire came t oget her t o celebrat e and recognise t he deserving winners and finalist s of t he biz4Biz Awards 2019. Host ed by popular t elevision present er and award-winning newscast er, Fiona Bruce, t he evening was a huge success and enjoyed by all who at t ended.

The next glit t ering awards ceremony will be held on Friday 15t h May 2020 and ret urns t o Tewin Bury Farm Hot el, Welwyn, Hert fordshire, t he chosen venue t o host t he event for t he 4t h year running. Host ed by t he "King of Ballroom", Ant on du Beke, t he night is sure t o provide anot her st unning showcase for t hose at t ending and is a fant ast ic plat form for all nominees, wit h t he award winners having full on-going publicit y, following t he ceremony, and all nominees given t he opport unit y t o publicise on t he biz4Biz Awards websit e.

In order t o support and recognise business excellence in St evenage and across Hert fordshire, St evenage Borough Council is sponsoring t he Made in Hert s

cat egory at t his year?s biz4Biz Awards.

The awards are open t o all businesses based in Hert fordshire. Ent ry is free and award cat egories include: ·Made in Hert s ·Best Family Business ·Best Employment Services Provider ·Best Legal and Financial Services Provider ·Best Market ing and Promot ional Services Provider ·Best Apprent iceship ·Best Corporat e Social Responsibilit y ·Business Services of t he Year ·SME Business of t he Year (<£3m) ·Large Business of t he Year (>£3m) ·New Business of t he Year ·Business of t he Year ·biz4Biz Judges Award To ent er, a company must be nominat ed online at www.bizawards.info Once nominat ed, all ent rant s are list ed on t he websit e and are subject t o a public vot e. Vot ing finished on t he 14t h February 2020, wit h final judging t aking place t hroughout March 2020.

Companies can nominat e t hemselves and all nominees will be

required t o confirm t heir applicat ion. Successful applicant s, awarded wit h t he most vot es in each cat egory, will t hen be invit ed t o at t end a judging day at a Hert fordshire hot el during March 2020.

For furt her informat ion about t he biz4Biz Awards, please visit t he websit e at www.bizawards.info biz4Biz provides a coherent voice for businesses in Hert fordshire.

They aim t o influence and shape policymaking and encourage invest ment in Hert fordshire by engaging wit h local and cent ral government , relevant public-sect or bodies and local organisat ions t o promot e t he count y of Hert fordshire as a great place t o live and work.

There is no charge t o part icipat e in t he awards programme and t he aim is purely t o promot e t he best Business in each respect ive award cat egory by endeavours.

Follow t hem on t wit t er: @biz4Biz_Awards

Council launches strategy to deal with global climate emergency Stevenage Borough Council has launched its emerging strategy to address the global climate emergency and work towards becoming a carbon neutral town.

On 12 June 2019, the Council declared a climate emergency and reconfirmed its long standing commitment to tackling climate change. As part of the climate emergency, the Council has set a target to be net carbon neutral by 2030. The draftEmerging Climate Change Strategyoutlines the measures and actions the Council is putting in place to ensure it achieves this aim.

Recent achievements include: There are currently 8 electric charging bays available for public use in Stevenage, with a further 4 available viaE-Car Club. 4 more bays are set to be installed later this year 路Stevenage Borough Council has taken steps towards lower emissions with two new electric vehicles now available for staff to use in their day-to-day work 路17 local traders have signed up to a scheme to offer free water refills helping to cut disposable plastic bottle use.

More local traders are expected to join the scheme in the coming months The Council is currently conducting a feasibility study into the potential for a cycle hire scheme in the town 路Ward Councillors have committed to funding a new orchard in Symonds Green. The project will see the planting of 12 mixed fruit trees along with some wildflower seed sowing in early March 路To improve biodiversity, a number of roadside verges and parkland have benefitted from meadow management to support an array of wildlife and increase the carbon capture rate of the land Recognising greater action is necessary, the Council is calling on the public to take part in a consultation on how we can make way for a greener and more sustainable Stevenage.

Councillor John Gardner, Stevenage Borough Council's Executive Member for Environment and Regeneration, said: ?Climate change is an important and growing priority for all residents but especially our younger generations. That?s why we?ve launched our draft Emerging Climate Change Strategy. In it we outline how we plan on delivering our commitment to carbon-neutrality by 2030, and the actions we?ll take to ensure Stevenage is a cleaner, greener town for future generations. ?We are committed to working with a wide range of partners across the town to develop our climate change strategy and action plan for the next decade. This will bring benefits such as reduced fuel poverty, improved environment and air quality and better green spaces.?

John continued: ?We expect all new planning applications to demonstrate how environmental impact is to be mitigated. We want new developments to maximise opportunities for implementing renewable energy technologies, reducing the need for costly retrofitting or rebuilding in the future.?

As part of its commitment to address climate change, the Council will also be establishing a citizen?s panel made up of a select group of Stevenage residents who will represent a broad and diverse range of views in the town.

In addition, a business charter will also be established to encourage local businesses to publically show their commitment to tackling climate change.

The public consultation is open until 22 March. Residents and stakeholders are invited to review the draftEmerging Climate Change Strategy,pledgesandbusiness charter, and participate in asurveyon how we can make way for a greener Stevenage.

To view the council?s climate change commitment and have your say in the consultation, visit:www.stevenage.gov.uk/climate-change.

Time for Todd tickets now!

The superb Todd In The Hole Fest ival will be back on July 17-19 2020.

Tier 1 t icket s are now on sale, wit h individual day t icket s available as well as weekend t icket s.

And t he road t o #Todd2020 just got t hat bit easier. The new payment plan means you can secure your weekend t icket s t oday and spread t he cost over a 3 mont h period.

Find out more about t he payment plan prices here: ht t ps://t oddint hehole.t icket line.co.uk Don't forget for all t he lat est news of act s performing and ot her offers you can get updat es online and sign up for updat es.

Save t he dat e for next year and st ay in t ouch at ht t ps://t oddint hehole.t icket line.co.uk

Why it is crucial to keep full working time records Keeping records of working t ime ? why is t his import ant ? By Rebecca List Since the introduction of the Working Time Regulations in 1998, UK employers have been required to maintain records to enable them to show that working time limits are being complied with. More specific regulations govern working time for young workers, for those doing night shifts, and for work involving special hazards or heavy mental strain.

On the advice of the Health & Safety Executive, there was no need for specific records to be kept of actual daily working time and instead, existing records that were maintained for other purposes (such as pay) may be relied upon to ensure that limits on working time were being adhered to.

A recent case brought before the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has called that advice into question. Is it possible that the UK?s Working Time Regulations do not comply with EU law after all? The ECJ were asked to determine whether employers were required to record actual hoursworked each day, in order to ascertain compliance with working time limits, and the answer was a definitive yes. It considered that the only way to guarantee workers? fundamental rights to maximum working hours and rest breaks was for employers to have an ?objective, reliable and accessible?system of keeping adequate records of the actual hours worked by those workers who had not opted out of the 48-hour weekly working time. It is also the responsibility of Member States to ensure that this is implemented, and employers cannot cite expense in sidestepping their obligations.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are yet to update their guidance, but what can employers do in the meantime to mitigate the risk of claims?

Look at whether your system is capable to recording actual working hours, especially if you have staff who work regular and unpaid overtime or nightshift, or young workers, since they may

Rebecca List - Head of Empl oyment Law at Tol l ers

become subject to greater scrutiny by the tribunals and the HSE. Remind your workers to declare any second jobs, and where there is any doubt, ask them to opt out of the 48-hour limit. Keep adequate records of those who have opted out together and copies of their signed opt-out agreements. Remember also that those records must also be kept for two years. The Government has consistently maintained that ECJ decisions made before the UK?s departure from the EU will continue to bind domestic courts post-Brexit, although whether we will see a formal amendment to the Working Time Regulations to properly implement the EU?s Directive, remains to be seen.

To find out more regarding t his complex area ?Talk t o Tollers?Employment Team on 01438 901095.

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On the final journey Funeral t ransport : Making your last journey personal There are many sayings in life about journeys and travel. A journey is a common metaphor for life itself and they form the basis of numerous inspirational quotes.

But we?re also a generation of physical globetrotters. We plot where we want to go, what we want to do; we have scratch maps to complete, bucket lists to fulfil.

So the final journey we make after we?ve passed away is, surely, just as significant. By choosing a mode of transport and a route to take to the final resting place, which are personal to the deceased, a funeral can feel more about their life than their death. It?s not about going into the dark and unknown, but celebrating life and creating more memories.

Our blog on personalising funerals [link to personalising funerals blog] touched on transport, but here we?ll look at it in more depth.

Why is funeral transport so significant?

There are two aspects to personalising funeral transport.

Firstly, it allows the deceased to travel in a way that is very personal to them, whether this is

by their own planning before they pass away, or down to friends and family fulfilling their wishes on their behalf. This might be in a vehicle they owned themselves, something they loved going in, or perhaps even always wanted to experience!

There was a story in the news recently of a man who?s dying wish it was to have his coffin transported in the bucket of the JCB he drove for 30 years. There are some beautiful pictures online of the JCB taking him on the short journey from his home to the funeral, followed by his family and friends on foot. (https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/24/ granddad-taken-funeralbucket-jcb-9294632/) The second aspect is about those left behind. Depending on the transport chosen, they can walk alongside, drive, or, in the case of a hand pulled bier, even carry their loved one themselves and be beside them right until the end. In some cases, following a traditional black hearse in a funeral car may feel quite distant and unfamiliar for the bereaved, perhaps even a bit stressful. It?s important to see how something as seemingly insignificant as the transport can

help our stress and mental attitude at such a difficult time. [link to funeral stress blog] A study by the Co-op revealed that more and more people want their funerals to be personal and celebratory affairs with Land Rovers and rainbow-hued vehicles to take them to their final resting places ? and companies are responding to these wishes up and down the country!

W hat t ypes of t ransport are available?

At Austin?s, we can arrange various modes of transport and always do our best to make your wishes happen. Aside from our traditional black hearses and limousines, we can offer?

A motorbike hearse with a sidecar for the coffin A VW campervan, A variety of different model Land Rovers A 1950 vintage lorry A hand pulled coffin bier, which has been in the Austin?s family for generations A horse-drawn carriage with black or white horses

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Wedding and party package Can you af f ord t o miss t he Forum's wedding package?

As l ong as booking is made by t he end of t his year wit h deposit paid it can be used f or t he ent ire 2020.

For a remarkabl e ÂŁ3,000 you can have excl usive use of t he f ul l suit e upst airs incl uding Fairview suit e. Incl udes: -

Room f rom 10am-midnight Cat ers up t o 500 Ful l use of t he kit chen and abil it y t o bring in booze and f ood.

Incl ude securit y 1 hot el room Col our t heme upl ight ers and use of screens f or phot os

For part ies, weddings recept ions, birt hdays and charit y event s we are t he venue f or you.

Book by Sept ember 30 2019 and use t his t o t he end of 2019.

Part y package incl udes: -

Noon - Midnight Ext ended bar l icence on appl icat ion ÂŁ500 per room, accommodat e 200 peopl e.

Can increase capacit y by booking a second room f or a 50% discount .

Incl udes dance f l oor, securit y, t abl e l inen and bar st af f , upl ight er and screens.

Cal l us now on 01438 779955

And how about our amazing part y package?

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Book the best conference facilities for your business Text

Do you want t he very best f or your business?

The Forum Conf erence and Banquet ing Suit es in St evenage of f er t he f inest f acil it ies and t he best rat es - and we now have a special booking of f er which wil l al l ow you t o book f rom now unt il April 30 2020.

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Dail y Del egat e rat e - f rom just ÂŁ25 f or a minimum of 10 peopl e Every 10t h person is f ree and a bot t l e of f izz f or t he booker.

Ideal meet ing space f or 20 peopl e, af t ernoon t ea cof f ee and cakes and l unch

Arrival t ea cof f ee and f resh baked past ries avail abl e Take a break wit h mid-morning t ea, cof f ee and biscuit s Af t ernoon hot and col d working buf f et l unch avail abl e Af t ernoon t ea, cof f ee and a sweet t reat f or al l del egat es Al l bookings incl ude f ul l use of st at ionery, room hire and equipment hire

Quot e Code: Forumbiz19 Cal l 01438 779955 and book now

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

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

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

Copy writ ing

Social media market ing

Media t raining

Market ing

Crisis management

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

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

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

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

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

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

the group on Facebook.

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

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

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

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

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

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

What 's on in # STEVENAGE by a responsible adult. For more information, visithttp:/ / www.letchworth-go.org.uk/ letchgo

per session. For more information call 0203 675 7215 or emailclarebellchambers@saracens.net

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wou ld you lik e t o pr om ot e you r gr ou p or

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

dar r en @spit f ir epr .com an d w e w ill do ou r

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 best t o pu blish t h em in Wh at 's on in #St even age

Join the SportScene team There is a new radio show on the circuit that any sports fan in the area would be mad to miss.

SportScene started broadcasting their weekly show earlier in August on SG1 radio, the online radio station broadcasting live from their studio in Stevenage Town Centre.

Presented by Steve Watkins, Jay Drackford and Dean Thompson, there is a wealth of local sporting knowledge that has been tapped into, with the trio aiming to showcase any sport local to the area.

Steve Watkins said ?It was an idea that was dreamed up by Jay, who quickly shared his thoughts with myself and Dean, and we were hooked. We went to station owner Ray Medwynter and he loved the idea, and two weeks later we were live on air! ?In the first show we were honoured to have former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson as a guest, speaking about his charity, the Welwyn Garden City based

?Willow Foundation?, and his golf tournament recently held at Hanbury Manor. ?The response has been phenomenal in the early days. We have had local clubs represented, with sports including Football, Netball, Running, Iron-Man, Cricket Rugby and Cylcling, and have even included the great work being done with the Aqualina Synchronised Swimming club. ?It has so far been a case of building relationships with the clubs, so that we can follow their fortunes in the future. But we are also keen to get involved ourselves, with Jay already running the local Park Run, and Dean is lined up to have an evening of Synchronised Swimming, which of course will be covered on the show! ?We still need to hear from any new clubs with a story to tell, whether it be news, results, fixtures or events, and we are happy to speak on the phone, get guests into the studio , or simply

read out any news from a club. The aim is to cover ANY local sport, without prejudice or bias. Where at all possible of course!?

The show can be contacted at any time via email at sportscene@sg1radio.co.uk, via twitter @sg1sportscene, or on the SG1 Radio Facebook Page.

The show is broadcast every Wednesday evening between 9-10pm, and can be accessed at www. sg1radio.co.uk, on mobile phones by downloading the SG1 Radio app, via tune-in radio on a smart device such as sonos or alexa, and is also now being broadcast live with video on Facebook, which has added an extra dimension, and encouraged interaction from the sportspeople of the area.

Previous shows can also be played again, with links on Facebook and Twitter.

For further details, contact the team at sportscene@sg1radio.co.uk

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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

Visit one of our Cineworld cinemas Step 2 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).

To ent er simply follow and like our Facebook page @st evenage magazine and ent er our compet it ion when post ed asking who you would t ake wit h you.

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Ashr idge Est at e

# St evenage March 2020

PROPERTY

The unique guide to property news in #Stevenage

#STEVENAGE PROPERTY: THE INTERACTIVE WAY TO VIEW YOUR AGENT

DIRECT LINKS TO WEBSITES, EM AILS, VIDEO AND PROPERTY DETAILS

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

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

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

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

or sell a h ou se or t o look f or a pr oper t y t o r en t .

In t h ese pages you w ill f in d live lin k s st r aigh t

Th e on lin e w or ld allow s f or qu ick an d easy

t o t h e agen t s - so h it t h eir w ebsit es n ow , em ail

con n ect ion t o all h ou ses f or sale or r en t , w it h

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

f u ll f act s at you r f in ger t ips an d in st an t lin k s t o

of you r ow n ph on e.

101 High St r eet , St even age

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Tel 01438 231200 m ar k sim on est at es.co.u k

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

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Tel 01438 219282 let t in gs@t lcest at es.co.u k

61-63 High St r eet ,

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St even age Tel 01438 316846 w w w.pu t t er ills.co.u k

86 High St r eet ,

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St even age Tel 01438 728444 h om esan dm or t gages.co.u k

A-Top Pr oper t y Let t in gs, 1 Dr aper s Way, St even age

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Tel 01438 369173 con t act @a-t oplet t in g.co.u k

# PROPERTY STEVENAGE 24 M ar k et Place St even age

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

19 M ar k et Place,

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St even age Tel 01438 312312 st even age@w r igh t sof .com

Ow n Hom es, 2 M iddle Row , St even age

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Tel 01438 367753 sales@ow n -h om es.com

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Call 0800 0248 914

8 M ar k et Place, St even age

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Tel 01438 728444 st even age@con n ells.co.u k

74 High St r eet , St even age

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Tel 01438 870673 en qu ir ies@agen t h ybr id .co.u k

The independent local estate agent Text

2 M iddle Row , St even age Tel 01438 367753

w w w.ow n -h om es.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

our properties in both windows.

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

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

Placing the focus our customers Text

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ht t ps://my.mat t erport .com/show/ ?m=GCbcjmCyYn

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

w w w.agen t h ybr id.co.u k

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Putterills Stevenage - talk to the professionals Text

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

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

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

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

Our specialists help landowners maximise the development opportunities for usually previously

w w w.pu t t er ills.co.u k

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For a top service Text

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Portfolio - for serviced apartments in #Herts Text

Tel 0800 0248 914

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

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

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

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

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

Privacy? W hat privacy?

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

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

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

Money money money!

Straight to the point hotels aren?t cheap.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Partners with vast knowledge of the local area Text

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

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

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

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

From H.

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

Mr K & Miss T

Click here for MarkSimon Twitter

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

The W ?s

Click here for MarkSimon Facebook

The agent with more than 18 years experience Text

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Connells team that you can trust Text

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

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

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

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

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

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

Connells Lettings would love to help you rent your property.

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

alike.

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

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

In house Mortgage Consultant.

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

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

Their in-depth and up to date local experience.

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

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

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

Geoffrey Matthew property innovators Text

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

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

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

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

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

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