#Stevenage May 2018

# STEVENAGE May 2018

WHAT A VIEW:

TOLLERS:

STEVENAGE IN

SPOTLIGHT ON OUR

PICTURES BY

LEGAL EXPERTS

BRENDAN FALVEY TOUR SERIES:

TOLLERS: TOP LEVEL CYCLING BACK IN TOWNSPOTLIGHT

LEGAL EXPE

2

What's on in

#Stevenage

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

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

IN M Y VIEW Dean Th om pson on St even age

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

PARKRUN POWER Get ou t at t h e w eek en d

UNLIM ITED FILM S

AM AZING PICTURES OF STEVENAGE

Win Cin ew or ld t ick et s

Look at som e of t h e r em ar k able pict u r es by Br en dan Falvey

Town ready for return of Tour Series cycling Stevenage will host the round 6 of the 2018 Tour Series on Bank Holiday Monday, 28 May, building on the success of the town having hosted the Tour Series for the last two years and the 2015 Women?s Tour finish event.

teams topping the entry list: Trek-Drops and Storey Racing. Ten teams in total will contest the full Series, including three squads who make their debut ? Admiral LIV Awol, Boompods EDCO NRG and YRDP.

18:30 MEN?S WARM-UP

In addition to the televised professional men and women?s circuit races, Stevenage will also host a Team Time Trial event for the 10 men?s teams, who will compete to be the fastest over two laps of the Stevenage circuit. Highlights of all of the events will be shown on ITV4 on Tuesday 29 May.

Team Breeze, Team OnForm, NJC-Biemme-Echelon, Torelli-Brother and Jadan-Weldtite Vive Le Velo join Trek-Drops and Storey Racing in returning to the OVO Energy Tour Series.

Canyon Eisberg, Holdsworth Pro Racing, JLT Condor, Madison Genesis, MorvĂŠlo Basso, ONE Pro Cycling, Team WIGGINS, Vitus Pro Cycling

Both the men and women?s Series will both feature invited guest teams in selected rounds. Eleven men?s teams will race in one of three mini-competitions comprising the Midlands, North or South events, while four additional women?s teams will also participate in selected events to aid their development.

Women?s Teams

Defending champions JLT Condor and Trek-Drops head the line-up for the men and women?s OVO Energy Tour Series, which gets underway in Worcestershire in less than three weeks?time.

JLT Condor, overall winners of the past two editions, head the list of eight men?s teams that will contest every round of the OVO Energy Tour Series.

Seven UCI Continental teams will race in the Series including 2015 Champions Madison Genesis, as well as the ONE Pro Cycling and Canyon Eisberg squads.

The Vitus Pro Cycling and Holdsworth Pro Racing teams make their Tour Series debuts, while Team WIGGINS will return to the Series after a year?s absence.

Completing the line-up will be top amateur team MorvĂŠlo Basso, who raced in the 2017 Series and are targeting building on their last years? experience.

2018 will see the women?s Series again in Stevenage with two UCI

Eight towns and cities across England, Scotland and Wales will welcome Britain?s leading cycle race Series, highlights of which will again be shown on ITV4 in the UK and to over 100 countries

St evenage Timet able 12:30 JUNIOR SPORTIVE 13:15 OPEN COURSE, FAMILY RIDE BRING A BIKE AND RIDE THE CIRCUIT 14:15 ?THE STEVENAGE GRAND PRIX? 15:00 MEN?S WARM-UP 15:30 MEN?S TEAM TIME TRIAL 16:30 WOMEN?S WARM-UP 17:30 WOMEN?S TOUR SERIES RACE

19:30 MEN?S TOUR SERIES RACE The full list of teams for The Tour Series Men?s Teams

Admiral Liv AWOL, Boompods EDCO NRG, Jadan-Weldtite Vive Le Velo, NJC-Biemme-Echelon, Storey Racing, Team Breeze, Team OnForm, Torelli-Brother, Trek-Drops, YRDP Cycling Team

The Tour Series in Stevenage will have a host of free family entertainment including, live music, free fast karts, your favourite mascots, free family photos, come and try bike sessions, health and wellbeing advice, community stalls, promotional zone, free gifts, secure bike parking and free parking in the town centre. For further information contact 01438 242206 or email the.tour@stevenage.gov.uk

Highlight s of every round of The Tour Series will be shown on ITV4, wit h programmes also be available on demand via t he ITV Hub.

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

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So proud that Stevenage High Street is going from strength to strength A year has passed since the Hotel Cromwell opened the door of Rump & Wade, and it seems that the High Street has gone from strength to strength.

followed once again by the Cycling Tour Series should see the High Street buzzing again.

We are trying to put on Events that will appeal to everyone that uses the Hotel and Restaurant. We have been holding the very successful comedy dinners, where whilst being served, actors will recreate some of your favourite scenes from Only Fools and Horses, Fawlty Towers and Allo Allo. We also have booked to appear with us in September the brilliant Nat Augustin, who will perform as Stevie Wonder in the early part of the evening and then a wonderful selection of Motown and Soul numbers.

We've invited people from all walks of life, from a couple that had their 1st date at a 'dance' 50 years ago at the Cromwell, to people of my age, reminiscing about drinking in Oliver's in the 90's, to the younger generation, again coming out for dinner in a great surrounding on a family event, birthday, baby shower, anniversary or their own '1st date'!

We've tried to offer great value for money coupled by great food and nice surroundings. Something different to the chain pub food offering. Not much comes out of packets. In fact I don?t think we would get away with it!

Our Pork Belly and Shin of Beef along with the Apple and Rhubarb crumble are all made from scratch.

We have changed a few dishes a few times, and recently removed the Pimms Trifle and Lemon Tart as well as the Haloumi Burger. This was met with outcry from our regulars. We'll probably see these return in the next menu change in June. We try to listen to our

customers, and give them what they want.

The good weather is finally upon us, so I am looking forward to seeing the front terrace full again, with people sitting with a nice G&T watching the people go by.

The Old Town seems to be going from strength to strength, the recent Easter Egg hunt had an amazing amount of entries. The Beer Festival happening in some of the pubs and our own Sausage and Cider festival on the 27th May,

The Cromwell suite is pretty much booked up for the rest of this year, with weddings, birthdays, celebrations and dinner dances, so if you have a special occasion coming up in 2019 please book us early.

Dean Thompson, GM Cromwell Hot el

Tollers, helping the Stevenage business community to prosper Tol l ers Corporat e and Commercial Services: hel ping t he St evenage business communit y t o prosper.

Our Stevenage office was opened in 2014 and represents Tollers?first steps in to the Hertfordshire legal market. This doesn?t make us strangers to the region, we have solicitors who have worked in Stevenage and the surrounding areas for many years and who enjoy excellent links with the Stevenage business community and its professional network, offering a wide variety of legal services for individuals and businesses.

The Tollers corporate and commercial services team specialises in providing practical advice to owner-managed businesses on a wide range of legal issues that may arise from inception of a business all the way through to exit. We advise on business reorganisation and structuring, shareholders?and partnership agreements (which are often required when a business is in its infancy), through to securing that all important exit when the business

owner has an opportunity to sell or retire.

We advise businesses on the issues that they face such as commercial contracts, regulatory issues, joint ventures, acquisitions and corporate finance right through to insolvency and corporate recovery. Our team are proud to assist owner-managed businesses and corporates to prepare for the future ensuring every eventuality is covered and that their interests are protected ? enabling everyone to do business effectively and efficiently.

Assisted by specialist colleagues in our employment, real estate, dispute

"We are abl e t o of f er a joined-up approach t o of t en compl ex, mul t i-discipl inary l egal chal l enges. In an ever changing l egal and regul at ory l andscape, st rengt h in dept h has never been more import ant ."

resolution and restructuring teams, we are able to offer a joined-up approach to often complex, multi-disciplinary legal challenges.

In an ever changing legal and regulatory landscape, strength in depth has never been more important.

It is also important to recognise that in such a fast-moving legal climate, clients will often want much more than just traditional legal advice.

Commerciality in approach is what many clients now demand and at Tollers we deliver a seamless service with a commitment to providing solutions and ensuring that our clients make the most of their opportunities.

For more inf ormat ion on how t he corporat e and commercial t eam at Tol l ers can assist you wit h your businesses l egal requirement s? Tal k t o t ol l ers on 01438 901095 and a member of t he t eam wil l be happy t o assist .

Except ional Peopl e ? Except ional Service ? Except ional Del ivery.

PAUL FRY on # St evenage

Nod to the past as North Stand plots our future You can't fail to have noticed, passing along Broadhall Way, that you can suddenly see rather more of the pitch at the Lamex Stadium than usual.

The old North Stand - the last part of the football club's ground to be redeveloped, has been bowled in preparation for a shiny new one and one that I think should be named after a club hero.

The scene will look radically different soon, as what is the club's most visible facade, fronting the busy A602, proudly demonstrates what can be achieved by a club at the heart of its community - with the work funded largely by the club's loyal supporters.

It won't quite mimic the titanic transformation of Tottenham's White Hart Lane Stadium over the past year - and Boro won't have to ground-share with Luton for a season! - but it will nevertheless be a much more than a cosmetic tidy-up.

It will bring the ground into the 21st century and make it a whole.

And it is a far cry from the days of my youth, when that end of the ground sported a rickety wooden

stand, with piles of potentially dangerous litter beneath it. It truly does seem incongruous in these health and safety-conscious times to imagine such things were ever allowed. Or later when it was just cambered cinders.

Mind you, I also recall standing on the East Terrace (home to the Boro Barmy Army) before it was fully redeveloped, and watching Boro take apart Conference title-rivals Woking 4-0 on Easter Monday 1996. I stood (being somewhat vertically challenged) on a low pile of bread crates near the North Stand corner flag - and still think of the East Stand as my self-styled Sunblest Terrace!

Former chairman Victor Green, who oversaw the East Terrace development, told me that that stand was future-proof, in that it

could be converted to take seats, and could even be built higher in future years, should the need allow, with some fairly simple reconfiguration.

The new North Stand will take the stadium to a whole new level. And it has cost a significant amount of bread - reportedly ÂŁ1 million.

It will have 1,428 seats, house disabled supporters much more comfortably and appropriately, and has been financed partly by the Football Foundation, with the balance - more than ÂŁ600,000 coming from Boro fans who poured cash into a visionary bond scheme that was reportedly the first of its type in the country.

Current chairman Phil Wallace has long wanted to develop that end of the ground. While the club's main entrance and club shop is around

the corner, the North Stand is the club's focal point from Broadhall Way and has long let the place down in terms of how it presents to the public. He said the funding model "put two fingers up" to those who said it could not be done. Indeed, the money cascaded in from the moment of the bond offering.

Former Boro manager Darren Sarll, still a youth team coach at the club, said the North Stand had reflected the club's days in non-League football. He said: "We have to embed this as a Football League club. The new North Stand is the last part."

League because the stadium did not meet minimum capacity requirements before a set deadline - though it did after the next season kicked off.

to success - and Paul had been a teacher before he rocked up at Stevenage from Hertford Town, his first management job, in the summer of 1990.

One man central to much of that success on the field was Paul Fairclough - and I would love to see him rewarded by having the new stand named in his honour.

He had two spells, of eight and two years at Borough and transformed the club's fortunes on the pitch.

The club, formed from the ashes of Stevenage Athletic's demise, was still finding its feet and languishing in Isthmian League Division Two North when Cloughie took over.

I saw him a few months ago, when Boro's 1998 FA Cup heroes met up to mark 20 years since that epic chapter when Stevenage held Kenny Dalglish's Newcastle United

It wasn't plain sailing, and he told me of one occasion, on being

The ground was built by the Old Stevenage Development Corporation in 1961. Stevenage Town and their successors, Stevenage Athletic, played there.

After that club's demise, Stevenage football was effectively reborn on a park pitch at St George's, before Stevenage Borough moved back to the club's spiritual home in 1980.

The North Stand was an open terrace until 1994, when a roof was added.

The stand's completion will in many ways signal the club's arrival as a 'proper' League club, even though it has largely cemented its place in League Two despite not having the financial advantages of many of its rivals. It is a club with a history - seven promotions, two relegations, three famed FA Cup triumphs and survival from extinction in 1999.

And that is not including the bittersweet Conference title success in 1996 when the club was denied promotion to the Football

to a draw in the FA Cup Fourth Round then lost the replay, in part to a controversial Alan Shearer goal that VAR of today would surely have ruled out.

Cloughie, now 68, cut something of a frail, greying figure on familiar ground that evening, yet the warmth of welcome from his players shone through.

It was clear that they held him in massive respect - and huge affection. And they with him. The Band of Brothers were reunited.

It was like going back to your old school years later and seeing the teacher who set you on your way

barracked non-stop by a Stevenage supporter standing behind his dug-out about the standard of football on offer that Cloughie put his hand in his pocket and offered to pay the bloke's admission money if he'd leave or shut up.

But with a shrewd backroom team and some canny signings and management, Paul lit the blue touch-paper for Boro's memorable rise and rise.

A swift series of promotions through the football pyramid took the club to the Vauxhall Conference - just one tantalising step away from the long-held goal

of a place in the Football League.

quick throw.

After a stuttering start, with just one win in their first nine, the ship was steadied and Boro soon became one of the division's powerhouses. And Paul's sides entertained.

The team had to move with the times, to take on new coaching and training methods, to achieve their goals - methods that later served Paul as manager of England's C team.

Cloughie was one for going into detail, as the FA Cup clash with Newcastle attested: he ran training sessions with crowd noise in the stadium and one team in Newcastle shirts, and even got a psychological expert in to help prepare his players for what for many would be the enduring challenge of their playing careers.

That was cutting edge for football management at the time.

He would have achieved his ambition of taking the club into the Football League but for a High Court ruling that denied Boro promotion in 1996. Shortly afterwards, and with other clubs knocking for his services as he sought to push his personal ambitions, Green sacked him.

I also recall him going ballistic one time, in a league match at home, when the ball went out of play and his defenders switched off momentarily. The ball bounced straight back off the terrace step into an opposition player's arms and Boro were caught out by the

But he was back in 2000 following inauspicious spells for the club under Richard Hill and Steve Wignall. By now, Wallace was in charge and thought Paul could rekindle his old magic.

But Cloughie's second stint delivered little of his former success - and, by a twist of fate, he was out before the 2001-2 FA

Trophy run, when Wayne Turner took Paul's players on to runners-up medals.

And while Paul could only look on from afar in 2009-10 when Boro won the Conference and lost in the FA Trophy final, he would surely have reflected with some pride on his part in a football fable.

That is why I feel it is only right that the club celebrates that by dedicating the North Stand to him.

Complete the stadium where he achieved so much and celebrate his story.

I understand there may be a commercial backer in line to lend its name to the stand. But there are surely ways to accommodate both.

After all, sponsors may come and go - but Boro fans won't forget the contribution Paul made to their club in a journey that is still fresh in the mind of so many.

Make a date for the Knebworth Garden Show On 5-7th May, The Hertfordshire Garden Show at Knebworth House will inspire visitors to make their garden look extra special this year.

Entry is included with Park & Gardens admission, making for an extra special day at even better value. Open 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, last admission 4:00 pm.

Numerous growers from across the region will be happy to share helpful tips and insider expertise to make even the most aspirational and extravagant garden plans a reality.

Exhibitors will be selling a huge range of top quality potted plants, flowers, herbs, accessories and garden furniture. There will be craft and cut flower marquees, musical entertainment on the show field and plenty of fresh ideas. Get inspired for the forthcoming spring months.

There have been gardens at Knebworth House since at least the 17th Century, but the present layout was largely designed by architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, who married into the Lytton family. The gardens remain one of the finest examples his designs.

Each subsequent generation of the

family has enhanced the gardens and the recent wood carvings are particularly interesting.

Part of the RHS Partner Gardens scheme, the 28-acres of Formal Gardens at Knebworth House are delightful throughout the season and include an Edwardian maze, colourful borders, fine trees and a walled vegetable garden planted with unusual vegetables. Younger visitors will particularly enjoy the Wilderness area with its Willow Huts, wind-up sound boxes and the famous Knebworth Dinosaur Trail, with over 70 life-sized pre historic creatures.

Come and play in the extensive Park area and at the Adventure Playground with Fort Knebworth.

It?s a fantastic value day out ? all included with one price of just £9.50 per person or £34.00 for a family ticket/group of four. Tickets booked online before the day of the event qualify for a 10% discount. Full priced tickets will be available at the gate on the day. Entry is free for Season Ticket

holders and children aged under 3.

House tickets are available at a supplement of £3.50 for adults, £3.00 for senior citizens / children at the door.

Pop into the Gift Shop where you can find a further range of plants grown in-house and other exclusive gifts to take home. And why not follow your visit with a cup of tea and some delicious home-made cakes in the Garden Terrace Tea Room? Season ticket holders qualify for 10% off in both!

For more information visit the Knebworth House website at www.knebworthhouse.com, or phone the estate office on 01438 812661.

Phot ography by Brendan Fal vey From Great Ashby Park t owards Walkern

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

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

Looking at t ree t ops in Box Wood

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

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

St Nicholas Church from Forst er Count ry

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

Focus on t he West gat e Cent re

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

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

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

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

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

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

Come and see them in the Westgate,

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

01438 725288

Focus on t he West gat e Cent re

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your invitation to watch the royal wedding on our Town Square big screen Come along and join in the fun, we?ll be partying all afternoon until 4pm.

A few days later, half-term school holidays begin and we are offering a packed programme of fun all week, from Monday 28 May to Saturday 2 June. We have a range of things to keep children entertained, some free and some paid-for, including free giant darts daily, free face painting, a children?s inflatable ride, balloon

I hope you?re all enjoying the warmer weather and now spring is here it?s the perfect time to look forward to some outdoor fun. I?m very excited about the Royal Wedding and to celebrate the big day we?re planning a street party in the Town Square.

We will start the day with a big screen showing of the wedding, at Stevenage Indoor Market, from midday on Saturday 19 May. Then at 1pm the street party begins in the Town Square with some free and some paid-for nibbles and soft drinks, as well as a mobile bar.

There will also be an inflatable slide, face painting and a free children?s show (at 1.30pm and 2.45pm), as well as a DJ to give the whole event a party atmosphere.

modelling, sand art and a pancake bar.

To stay up-to-date with the events planned in the town centre throughout the year, make sure you?re following Stevenage Town Centre/@lovesteveneagetc on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Or if you would like to contact me directly please email tcm@stevenage.gov.uk to talk all things town centre. www.stevenagetowncentre.com

M ar ym ead sh ops n ow an d t h en

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

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

Below : Hou sin g of f of Du n n Close Above: Th e cast of Sw een y Todd at Ch ells Sch ool Below : Kn ebw or t h 1990

60 PBs as pacers set the times in Parkrun Stevenage Parkrun April 29 Event #93 Run Report.

The warm weather?s gone ? it was just 6 degrees The pacers today produced 60 PBs There were 29 heroes in hi-vis-vests And 26th May is fancy dress!* (*please dress up and join in the 2nd birthday fun) This week 265 runners, 4 pushchairs and 5 dogs ran two laps around Fairlands park in hot pursuit of 8 pacers: volunteers who by some form of witchcraft (or years of dedicated practice) ran their allotted time to within 5 seconds of the time posted on their backs! ? Amazing! (and thank you!)

We had several milestoners this week: lots of congratulations and parkrun-love to the following: Junior athletes: John East (10) and Jamie Clark (50) Slightly less-Junior runners: Ian Clark (50), Ben Parry (50), Heidi Mollart -Griffin (50) and Kris W hit more (100 ? while pacing at 20 minut es and finishing in 19.59 ?

brilliant !)

(The numbers in brackets correspond to their milestone, not their age!)

There were 60 personal bests, 16 very-first timers and 6 others first at Stevenage: welcome to the parkrun family here at Fairlands: we look forward to seeing you again next week.

The top 3 gents were: Peter Males (18:39), Stuart Haycroft (18.45) and Jonny Pennell (18.54) and top 3 ladies: Helen Cairns (21.37), Tracy Pitcairn (22.37) and Tina Randall (23.36 ? this was also the highest grading this week with 77.75%). Fastest junior members were: Lounis Guemache (20.47) for the boys and Harriet Allington (27.39) for the girls.

Our cold and shivery but still happy and loudcheeringly tastic hi-vis-hero volunteers this week were Phil Deaves, Emma Sout heringt on, Tim Robinson, James Marshall, Kris West cot t , Philip Beight on, Gordon Cowan, Kris W hit more, Karen Broom, Helen Giffin, James Sout h, Tracy Norris, Nick Gill, Tony Randfield, Danielle Lewis, Helen Harris, Richard

Glaist er, Sally McBride, Trevor Broom, Mat t hew Pat t man, Clare Townsend, Nat han Hadfield, Alan Ford, Alan Goodwin, David Morley, Greg Bradbury, Jack Lunnon, Shelbe Moonbeam and Juliet t e Mullen.

Thank you to all of you who set up, briefed, directed, marshalled, mega-phoned, paced-people-to-personal-bests, guided, timed, tokened, tail-walked and collected in signs at the end: parkrun wouldn?t have happened without you!

We are always looking for volunteers and would be very, very pleased and grateful to hear from you if you'd like to help, please email us at stevenagehelpers@parkrun.com We are on also on Twitter ' @stvengeparkrun" - nearly 350 followers (!) and Facebook 'Stevenage parkrun' See you at the park next Saturday! (Don?t forget your barcode!)

Parkrun t akes place at Fairlands Valley Park every Sat urday st art ing at 9am.

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

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

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

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

visitwww.stevenagechurch.org.

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

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

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

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

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

Evening rides from the green by Springfield House Community Centre take place every

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mol l y Vickers School of Dance:Lessons in Ballet, Tap, Freestyle and Contemporary at Bedwell Community Centre, Stevenage. For children (18 months+) and adults, first trial class is free! For

more details call Lisa Holt on (01438) 723450 or Stacey Hurst on (01438) 315580.

Oval Communit y Circl e:Come along to a free social group held on the first Thursday of the month anytime between 9:30am and 11am at the Oval Community Centre, Vardon Road. For more information contactenquiries@ovalcommunity.comor 01438 359404.

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

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

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

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Writing an obituary for a loved one An obituary gives notice of a person?s death along with details of the funeral service and memorial information. You might want to write a short obituary for the local paper and a longer version to be read as a eulogy at the service. This can celebrate the deceased by including more about their personality, their achievements and significant life events. A detailed obituary makes a lovely lasting tribute that can be used on a memorial website or as a remembrance in a family scrapbook.

Here are a few tips that we hope will help you when writing an obituary?

Announcing t he deat h The obituary should start by detailing the name and age of the deceased along with their place of residence and the time and place of death. Use language that you feel comfortable with ? some people prefer to say ?died?while others might want to write something like ?passed away?.It?s

also up to you whether you state the cause of death. In the case of sudden death, it may help you having to repeatedly explain the cause to people around you.

List ing t he family As part of the obituary, you need to list surviving family members as well as immediate family who preceded the deceased, starting with the closest relative first.

Write the relative?s first name followed by the first name of their spouse in brackets and then the surname ? for example: Helen (Rory) Jones. If the couple aren?t married, follow this format: Helen (Rory Brown) Jones. With a large family, it may not be possible to list everyone so here you can keep it to numbers, such as ?ten grandchildren?.

Not ifying mourners An important part of the obituary is to let mourners know details of the funeral service and this should include the time, date and venue plus the officiant?s name. Similar details should be given for the

burial or cremation.

Leaving a special message It?s not compulsory but you may want to end the obituary by thanking a particular hospital, hospice or care home. You can also use the last part of the obituary to inform people about making a donation rather than leaving floral tributes, or sign off with a line from a poem or prayer.

Showing a phot o You don?t have to include a photo with the obituary, but it will help the notice to stand out and make it easier for friends and neighbours to spot in the newspaper. For this reason, it?s best to use an up-to-date photo of the deceased so that they are easily recognisable. * If you have any questions about writing an obituary, please contact Austin?s on 01438 316623 or come in to any of our branches

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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

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

Save the date to enjoy the High Street Beer and Cider Festival On Sunday May 27 the High Street will play host to its inaugural beer and cider festival.

different local brewery?s lines of beers.

In each venue, you will be able to sample in 1/3rd, 1/2 or pints, and simply pay as you go for the drinks you want to try. When you have completed your tour, you will be able to vote for your favourites in various categories and the most voted for will be award winners.

In association with Stevenage Old Town Business and Community Partnership, various venues will be playing host in a pub crawl style festival.

From 2pm on the day, start at On The Green restaurant to pay the ÂŁ3.50 entry fee, which buys you a festival glass, map, tasting notes and a voting form. While there, you will have the chance to sample Bog Brew beers and have a look into the brewery.

Then move on to the next venue of your choice ? Hotel Cromwell for the chance to try from a selection of around 100 ciders and perrys,

and Standing Order, Mulberry Tree, Drapers Arms and Red Lion who will each be championing a

Organiser Marie-Claire Clinton, current chair of the partnership, said ?It?s very exciting to be holding our first High Street Beer & Cider Festival, and it?s great that so many venues have got on board. ?Being a Bank Holiday Sunday and with the bike race the following day so more people will be visiting Stevenage for that Raise your glasses! First Beer & Cider Festival comes to High Street advertisement feature On The Green is a stop on the Beer & Cider Festival route event, we hope that the weather will be kind to us to draw people out.?

For more information and to be updated on latest news, like the festival?s Facebook page: Stevenage High Street beer & cider festival 2018.

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

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

Ashr idge Est at e