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a news magazine for the community of arlesey – delivered free to every home in the town Issue 1 September 2012
news
information
email: info@onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk
local business
tel: 01462 834265
www.facebook.com/groups/onthebutton/
useful numbers
web: www.onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk #infoonthebutton
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welcome
would just like to say hello and welcome to the first issue of 'on the button' news. Our aim is to bring local news, up to date information and interesting features to every house in Arlesey. It will also hopefully enable local business to put their products and services in front of the community, and with their support we can offer a fresh and interesting publication every month. We also need local groups and organisations to add their details, news and events, so please send these in to us.
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rlesey Residents Association held their monthly meeting on 22nd August at the Methodist church. The agenda included plans for the Arlesey expansion, the development of Fiveways Corner and a new application to extend the travellers site at 197 Hitchin Road. There was a larger number than usual of residents plus a few Arlesey town councillors who attended, and the items brought forward some heated discussion, with residents voicing their frustration. One item, the expansion of Arlesey, was the subject of a consultation in June where almost 400 residents turned up. The consultation was reflected in a questionnaire, but disappointingly only 79 of the forms were sent in. Chairman Hugh Harper had to call the meeting to order a few times as residents with strong views vented their anger. Items such as parking, traffic calming, the relief road and the amount of houses were big talking points. Central Beds Councillor Ian Dalgarno and ARA member Richard Harris had to point out that the ARA were there to help residents get their points across to the right authority, and channel their anger into positive results for Arlesey. This development will go ahead, but residents need to shape the way it happens. Architects for the development, are to hold a second consultation on the expansion plans later in the year, and residents should attend to put forward their views. Questionnaire results are now online at the Arlesey Cross website: www.arleseycross.co.uk The development should be up for planning consideration by spring 2013 with a possible start by late 2013 or early 2014. Fiveways corner was also up for discussion, with plans on display. Again residents had strong views on the lack of parking for the size of development plus no upgrade of amenities around it. Chairman Hugh Harper stated the development was separate from the overall expansion plans, but it was felt the developer could hold the authorities 'to ransom', by only completing what was needed, to put in the housing and retail units without finishing the roadway. Comments on this application needed to be in by 30th August 2012. The travellers site also created a strong talking point as there was evidence that the landowner had contravened the terms of existing planning plus he had already started development to the north of the site at 197 Hitchin Road without first gaining permission. The existing allocation is for a total of 10 pitches running to the west. 6 pitches have been installed so far and the new plans are for the further 4 to be added, these should be to the west of the site, as originally agreed. Again the residents were urged to make their views known to restrict future plans to what is good for Arlesey. Application number:CB/12/02799/FULL. The overriding feeling, from the meeting, was that residents should make their case loud and clear on all aspects of any of these developments. It is not in the interests of Arlesey to be apathetic
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Published by: 32 Stotfold Road, Arlesey, Bedfordshire. SG15 6XT ©2012 When responding to an advert please let advertisers know that you contacted them through ʻon the buttonʼ. Editorial Please send any letters or articles to ʻon the buttonʼ email: info@onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk or write to us at the address above. Advertising Please call for advertising rates on 01462 834265 or visit the website: www.onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk and click on advertising rates Printed by Woodbury Printing Services Limited
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Running alongside the local news is the website 'on the button' which has had some very positive feedback in its first year. The website is updated regularly with all sorts of local information and items of interest. So please take time to look at some of the pages and send in comments, ideas and photos if you like. We hope you enjoy reading our first issue of ʻon the buttonʼ and if you have news or something to say please contact us and we will try to add it in. I have loads of people to thank for helping me get the first issue to your door, but have no room to list them all. But I would still like to say a very big Thank You to you all.
Steve Maddox – editor
St Peter’s Church September Dates
• Sunday 2nd: Holy Communion at St. Peterʼs 9.30am • Wednesday 5th: Parish Lunch in St Peterʼs Church 12.30pm • Saturday 8th: Historic Churches BikeʼnʼHike • Sunday 9th: Morning Praise at St Peterʼs 10.00am • Sunday 16th: Harvest Festival at St Peterʼs 10.00am Followed by lunch in the Village Hall
• Saturday 22nd: ʻWine, Women & Songʼ Concert – A musical evening of popular classics from two stunning sopranos, a heavenly harpist and a pianist in St Peterʼs Church at 7.30pm.
Tickets £10 each (includes wine & nibbles) available from: Arlesey Resource Centre (01462 731469) or Margaret Thoroughgood (01462 834041)
All proceeds from this concert will go to the church restoration fund
• Sunday 23rd: Holy Communion at St. Peterʼs 9.30am • Sunday 30th September: Holy Communion at St Peterʼs 9.30am
St Peterʼs Church continues to be open on the first Saturday of each month for a 2nd-hand ʻBring & Buyʼ Book Sale, 10am—1pm.
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Arlesey Town FC Fixtures
(all kick offs 15.00 on Saturday and 19.45 midweek unless stated) Date First Team Reserve Team Women 1st Sat 01/09/12 Gosport Borough H Blunham A Sun 02/09/12 Crystal Palace A Tues 04/09/12 Hemel Hempstead A Sat 08/09/12 FAC 1st qual A Bedford Sports H Sun 09/09/12 Brentwood H Sat 15/09/12 Leamington A Renhold H Sun 16/09/12 Norwich A Tues 18/09/12 Chesham Utd H Sat 22/09/12 FAC 2nd qual Ickwell & Old warden A Sun 23/09/12 Ebbsfleet UnitedH Sat 29/09/12 St Albans FAT 1st qual A Lidlington Utd H Sun 30/09/12 Chichester City A
to advertise please contact us on 834265 or email: info@onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk
or visit the website to view advertising rates www.onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk
tidytime Wednesdays open until 7.00pm
Quality used vehicles at affordable prices Part exchange welcome All vehicles can be viewed on our website Cars & vans bought for CASH We collect 7 days a week
54 Stotfold Road, Arlesey, Beds. SG15 6XT e: churchendcarsales@hotmail.co.uk w: www.churchendcarsales.co.uk
The Roll Inn
2 hitchin road, arlesey, beds, sg15 6rp Tel: 01462 733488
• freshly made sandwiches, rolls & baguettes • fresh bread rolls • hot savouries • buffets • phone orders welcome • Mon – Fri
Open
7.00am – 2.00pm
Sat 8.00am – 12pm
Cleaning, ironing and laundry services
Cleaning
Domestic and offices • Weekly and fortnightly • Blitzes • End of let cleans • Sparkle cleans
Ironing
£3.50 per kg – approx 4 - 5 shirts
Laundry
bring this a d into the sho p and get a 1 0% discount
Service wash, dry and fold – from £8, Football kits – £13.50 Duvets, pillows, curtains and more
Dry Cleaning Gents suit £9.95
Primrose Lane, Arlesey, Bedfordshire. SG15 6RD
Call: 01462 732470 for more details www.onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk
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the ‘village’
rlesey today is very different from its beginnings in the 9th and 10th century. From the Danish settlement and the entries in the Doomsday Book it has grown in different stages. In the early twentieth century times these places were referred to as Church End, Mid Village and Green End. New Town, a new settlement referred to the terrace houses south of the football club.
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Arlesey has a long history in the brickmaking industry but today there is very little outward evidence of its huge impact on the town. At one time there were six brick making factories along the river and railway, plus a cement works and gas works; Arlesey was one of the wealthiest places in this part of Bedfordshire. The chimneys that stood proud over the town could be seen for miles and have been referred to as the ʻSeven Sistersʼ. The railway has always had a huge influence on the town and this boosted the efficiency of the brickworks with easy access to London and the north via its two mainline stations. Although the shutting of many stations in the 1960ʼs saw the town without a station, a new one was opened on 3rd October 1988, on the site of the previous Arlesey and Henlow station. The town also boasted nineteen public houses, of which, sadly, there are only four left plus Arlesey Social Club in the High street. The oldest remaining pub is the White Horse, built in 1805. Arlesey has some older historic houses, such as the Edgeworth House, Arlesey House, Chase House and St Peters School plus more still being used as homes and businesses. One notable omission from the list is Arleseybury and its grounds. Built in the early 1800ʼs it stood just to the west of the War Memorial where the Chase Hill Road estate is now. The old ʻburyʼ was built by Sir John Jackson for his family, after demolishing the older Arlesey Place. The site that covered many acres included a sunken garden, a heated greenhouse and walled garden.
Arlesey Service Garage your friendly local car servicing and maintenance specialists
• MOT’s • Servicing • Air conditioning • Car sales • serving the people of Arlesey for around 100 years
74 Stotfold Road, Arlesey, Beds. SG15 6UX • Telephone: 01462 731284 4 |
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The land spread all the way to railway from the High Street. A local myth says there was a tunnel from the Bury to St. Peterʼs church, no evidence of this has come to light. Another of its major influences and employers for 139 years was the Three Counties Asylum (Fairfield Hospital) with its tram link to the Three Counties station at the southern end of the town. The hospital was opened in 1860 and the first patients were admitted on the 8th March, six men and six women were transferred from Bedford. The site closed in 1999 and was sold to a London based developer for housing. The one thing to keep in mind living here is that no matter where you are in the town, within five minutes you can be walking in open countryside, so it is the ideal place for an outdoor pursuit whether it is cycling, walking, running, photography or football there are areas around for people to get to easily. Recently the Hicca Way footpath opened, and with help of local landowners and some dedicated volunteers Arlesey has a footpath from the north by the A507 bypass which links through to Ickleford, Hitchin and Charlton. This combined with The Kingfisher Way that goes from Baldock to Biggleswade passing the north of Arlesey and the various accesses around Hitchin there is scope to get to most places in the area without using roads at all. Along the way there are many watering holes and places of interest for a detour too.
Arleseyʼs brickmaking past will soon be reflected by the building of some brick entrance signs in Hitchin Road and Stotfold Road. These are being co-ordinated by Arlesey Town Council, but built and funded by private companies. Work is due to start on these soon, so that they can be made part of the celebrations for the Queenʼs Diamond Jubilee. Along with a new town centre, Arlesey could have new or refurbished industrial sites, new roads and over 1000 new houses. This development needs to be shaped by residents to get the best for the town, and ongoing consultations are planned. Today, Arlesey has approximately 2600 houses, an estimated population of around 6000 people, and the town is on the verge of largescale changes which could add another 50% to its size. This coupled with the extension of the platforms on the railway station will give rise to more commuter access for the area. The town has a strong sense of community and is still referred, by many local people, as the ʻVillageʼ, despite having had Town status for many years. The fact that Arlesey still has a ʻVillage Hallʼ shows it doesnʼt want to let go of the value of this.
• Classic Greene King ales • Large family garden • Food
• Texas hold’em poker thursday nights
• Sunday night Quiz plus ‘Play Your Cards Right’ • Live music timetable • Weekly and sunday food menus 85 Church Lane, Arlesey, Beds. SG15 6UX • Telephone: 01462 612536 web: www.oldoakarlesey.co.uk • email: pub@oldoakarlesey.co.uk
• Large screen TV for major events
• Old Oak golf society • Pool & darts
www.onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk
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local photographer
award winner!
hris Gravett is an Arlesey based photographer. His career has seen Chris working in the communications industry in London, South Wales and Milton Keynes and travelling the world extensively, and throughout his career has lived in Arlesey. Eighteen months ago, somewhat disenchanted with the corporate world, Chris turned his back on it to take up his passion for photography full time, creating some fantastic images. Chris joined Ampthill Camera Club and has shown photos in exhibitions and started winning awards for his photography. In 2010 Chrisʼs image ʻSummer Frocksʼ (right) reached the finals of ʻThe Great British Photoʼ. Critics have likened the image to Martin Parrʼs work. Another image ʻCamel Trainʼ (below) has won a number of regional competitions. Today he is studying part time for a BA (Hons) Photography at the University of Westminster whilst pursuing numerous photography interests, with a major exhibition this Autumn at The Espacio Gallery in East London. www.facebook.com/PublicPrivate Chris enjoys photographing live music, social documentary, and portraiture in particular. He has also had success in photojournalism and fashion photography. With another photographer, Joanne Fernandes, Chris provides a wedding and family lifestyle photography service.
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You can checkout Chrisʼs work and contact him through his website and photoblog: www.LeFlic17images.com or alternatively visit J & C Photography: www.joandchrisphotography.co.uk
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useful numbers Arlesey based balloon company catering for all occasions
Contact Group Scout Leader Stuart McGuire on: 07762 732661
1st Arlesey Scout Group
Contact Julia on: 01462 451053
Arlesey Brownies
Contact Hugh Harper on: 01462 731891
Arlesey Community Safety Group
• Special childrens party packages available •
Contact Christina Harris on: 01462 734076
For more information contact: Tel: 07886 569134 or 07968 172858 email: sharon.allwrappedup@gmail.com
High Street, Arlesey SG15 6SW Contact: Rev Bob Forrest
www.facebook.com/balloonsandfavours
ACORN – Arlesey Conservation for Nature
High Street, Arlesey, Bedfordshire. SG15 6SN Contact: 01462 628128
Arlesey Medical Centre
Arlesey Methodist Church
High Street, Arlesey. Contact: 01462 732168
Find us here:
Arlesey Nursery School and Childcare Centre
Hitchin Road, Arlesey, Bedfordshire. SG15 6RS. Contact: 01462 734504
Contact Roger Watson on: 01462 731963
Arlesey Town Football Club
Arlesey Old Moat Nature Reserve
High Street, Arlesey. Postal address: 21 Stotfold Road, Arlesey, SG15 6XL. Contact: 01462 638286
Contact: 07815 293670
Arlesey Women's Institute
Arlesey Pre-school
Contact: Hugh Harper 01462 731891
Arlesey Residents Association
e: customers@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk Councillor for Arlesey Ward – Ian Dalgarno: 01462 735510 Councillor for Arlesey Ward – Mrs Rita Drinkwater: 01462 850187
Central Beds Council
High Street, Arlesey, SG15 6SN tel & fax: 01462 731469
Arlesey Resource Centre,
High Street, Arlesey, Bedfordshire. SG15 6SL. Contact: 01462 731361
Arlesey Social Club
Arlesey Community Centre, High Street, Arlesey, Bedfordshire. SG15 6SN tel: 01462 733722 fax: 01462 730860
Arlesey Town Council
High Street, Arlesey, SG15 6SL. Contact: 01462 732002
Gothic Mede Lower School
Area Co-ordinator: John Button 34, Church Lane, Arlesey, Bedfordshire. SG15 6UL. Contact: 01462 732419
Neighbourhood Watch
Poppy Appeal Organiser for Arlesey – Mr. Vic Williams Contact: 07746 464260 Royal British Legion local branch secretary David Langridge Contact: 01462 734133
Royal British Legion
Church Lane, Arlesey, Bedfordshire, SG15 6UX. Contact: 01462 731227 (Vicar)
St Peters Church
2
meals for the price of
1
THE WHITE HORSE
Available all day Monday to Wednesday on selected meals.
Available all day Monday to Wednesday on selected meals. 243 High Street, Arlesey, SG15 6TA telephone: 01462 731431
Contact: Chris White 01462 639468
Two Blues Art Group
Contact: Elaine Fox on 01462 735642
Vivace Choir
Brian and Katie Juffs. Contact: 01462 638286
Walk4Health
Please let us know if you have details you would like to add here. For more details including email and web links go online to: www.onthebuttonarlesey/inandaround.html
emergency Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. Emergency – 999, Non-emergency 101 Biggleswade Police Station, Station Road, Biggleswade, SG18 8AL Contact: 01234 841212
Bedfordshire Police
Southfields Road, Kempston Bedford. MK42 7NR tel: 01234 845000 fax: 01234 845035. Emergency – 999
Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service
Smell gas? Call 0800 111 999
Gas Emergencies
For a list of local companies, go to our Business Directory online at: www.onthebuttonarlesey/directory.html www.onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk
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