Issue 21 the stevenage magazine

FREE

Bi-Monthly guide to Stevenage

Issue : 21 January/February 2015 thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

Happy New Year!

Win! With Party Ease Get Up..Get Out..Get NORDIC WALKING! Discover Laughter Yoga

DELI

VERE D F R EE TO 6 00 & BU 0+ HOM SINE SSE ES THE O LD TO S IN WOO WN CHE DFIELD & , LLS M A AREA NOR S Photograph - Katie Budge

SUPPORTING LOCAL LIVING

WillScript Lasting Power Of Attorney

Special Offer £175

Could you do with a helping hand?

Talk to Extra Help for the complete solution We can help with: • Cleaning & tidying • Ironing • Gardening • Dog walking • Household maintenance • Shopping • Meal preparation ….and so much more!

From £10 per hour.

Fully inclusive price includes

*LPA Document ready for signing* *Completed registration application forms* *Home visit at your convenience* *Professional help and information*

For further information contact: WillScript Will Drafting Services 01438 214333 www.willscript.co.uk Serving the people of Stevenage for 15 years

Tel: 0845 219 8978

www.extra-help.co.uk

Will script issue 10 v1.indd 1

07/02/2013 20:15:45

Personal, caring and independent.

The complete funeral service

The Ultimate Work from Home Opportunity

With 35 Years of Experience

24 hour service

• Private Chapels of Rest • Memorial Stonemasons • Funeral Plans •

Whatever your profession, could you benefit from a secured second income?

Here is the simplest business opportunity we have ever encountered

Own Crematorium S TEVENAGE

Part-time £500-£1500 per month, Full-time £3000-£5000 per month.

HITCHIN

01438 316623 01462 438422

No experience necessary as full training and support program available.

Interested?

Call free phone 0800 87 86 084 Mobile 07733 364144 or visit our website www.Multralife.com

www.austins.co.uk

Serving the local community for ten generations austins_A5_DOVE_ads_artwork.indd 1

12/7/11 12:25:23

TM

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk Happy new year… …and welcome to issue 21 of The Stevenage Magazine!

We hope you’ve had a fabulous Christmas and are looking forward to a happy and healthy 2015!

We’re kicking the New Year off to a great start with the introduction of not one but THREE new regular columnists!

You can find out more on their respective pages but, needless to say, we’re delighted to welcome the expertise of Sarah Kinsella, owner of ASK Physio, Helen Wardle, Independent Financial Advisor at Sterling Law and Sally Marchant, owner of Naturally Happy Dogs to the magazine and look forward to hearing all they have to say.

We are also excited to be running a regular news column from the talented students of Thomas Alleyne Academy, sponsored by Frank Cooper & Son Ltd. In this issue, the students are reporting on their WW1 commemorations.

The regular favourites are still here too – this issue’s prize draw comes courtesy of local bespoke party supply company Party Ease who are offering one lucky winner a £25 voucher to spend on party goodies. With 365 days left in the year, you’re bound to have an occasion for this.

There are three ‘Meet the Business’ profiles to enjoy and they’re all worth a read, as well as plenty to keep you occupied in the What’s On pages. We’ve also got some handy (at this time of year) fitness and health advice on the Health & Wellbeing pages – Laughter Yoga or Nordic Walking, anyone?

Finally, pop on to our Facebook page - The Stevenage Magazine – and ‘like’ us! We’re going to be running a few competitions on there this year so keep your eyes peeled.

And if you’re a business who likes us, we can like you!

See you in March and don’t forget to send us your news.

Louise & The Stevenage Magazine Team

contact thestevenagemagazine Editorial: editor@thestevenagemagazine.co.uk 07583 826088 Advertising: ads@thestevenagemagazine.co.uk 07583 826088 / thestevenagemagazine

contents welcome.........................................3 news & community......................4-7 business....................................7-13 health & well being..................14-18 art & creativity........................18-19 prize draw.....................................19 education................................20-21 whats on ................................22-23 organisations..........................24-25 pets care......................................26 garden..........................................26 useful numbers.............................27 business directory........................27 Please don’t forget to mention The Stevenage Magazine when responding to advertising!

@TheStevenageMag Publisher: Old Town Publishing editor@thestevenagemagazine.co.uk 07583 82 6088

Old Town Publishing Limited - trading as The Stevenage Magazine.

Company No. 07678409 Printed by The MANSON Group Ltd Reynolds House 8 Porters Wood Valley Road Industrial Estate St Albans Hertfordshire AL3 6PZ

welcome

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without permission of the publisher. All content is published in good faith and correct at time of going to press.

NOT YET ADVERTISING WITH US?

Why not give us a call to discuss what The Stevenage Magazine can do for you? Discounts on block bookings available.

Leaflet Delivery

The Stevenage Magazine offers both leaflet insertion and individual delivery.

Our prices are competitive and we are reliable.

Delivery areas covered - all SG1 & SG2 postcodes in Stevenage.

Outside of Stevenage: Ashwell, Baldock, Bennington, Datchworth, Gravely, Hatfield, Hitchin, Knebworth, Letchworth, St Albans, Stotfold, Walkern, Watton-at-stone, Welwyn, Woolmer Green, Wymondley.

Contact ads@thestevenagemagazine.co.uk for further information 3

news & community

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

Pin Green Community Centre wants your memories and photos Pin Green Community Centre (also known as Archer Road Community Centre) will celebrate its Golden Jubilee in January 2015!

It’s 50 years since the original centre opened its doors in early 1965 and the present trustees plan to celebrate with a party on Saturday 24th January, 2-4pm.

Mrs Sheila Kennedy, who is the present chair, was involved at the very beginning, canvassing newly moved-in residents to see if they wanted a meeting place. The hall was originally called the tenants’ meeting hall and was only half its present size.

The trustees are asking for anyone who has been involved at the centre either on the committee, as a member of staff or as a volunteer over the last 50 years to get in touch. They are also looking for any photos, either of the centre or of functions that residents came to. Did you have your wedding reception there? Were you a member of a group that met there? The centre would love to get copies of any photos and hear about any stories you may have that they can add to a commemorative memory board.

If you have something to share or were involved in the centre, please contact the office on 01438 354662 or email pingreencc@yahoo.co.uk

Cover Star This issue’s charming front cover (who can resist a cheeky robin?) comes courtesy of local resident Katie Budge, taken on the bridge between the two lakes at Fairlands Valley Park. Katie didn’t make the choice easy, providing the magazine with many stunning pictures to choose from (so don’t be surprised if her work pops up on the front again).

Her talent speaks for itself, but here is a little more information about Katie in her own words.

“My interest in photography started when I was 16 just playing around with my dad’s camera. I decided to buy myself my own camera and am now on number six (though not through clumsiness!).

At the moment it is a hobby, but I love to share it with as many people as possible. I have my photos displayed at the Indoor Market in Stevenage and so far have sold 4 prints it’s great knowing people have my photos displayed in their homes! I won the front cover competition for Country Properties Magazine earlier this year and I recently did my first photography exhibition.

I love capturing nature and wildlife as it is all true, pure beauty and every detail is exquisite.

I have always lived in Stevenage and I am a stay at home mum. I'm 23 years old and writing poems and children’s stories are my other hobbies.”

Check out Katie’s latest work at www.facebook.com/ katiebudgephotography

4

What a night! Thank you to everyone who attended our third annual Christmas Light Switch-On on Saturday 29th November - what a night (and day) it was!

A fabulous effort from all the children who attended the Messy Church in the afternoon ensured the lantern parade was lit up with a wonderful array of lanterns. Carols were sung, tombolas were won, faces were painted, glasses of Baileys were drunk (if you happened to nip into Cardies that evening!). And we think it is fair to say Father Christmas truly earned his mince pies on the day, handing out treats and listening to requests. Thank you, Father Christmas!

Own Homes’ very own snowman even made an appearance handing out glo-sticks, much to the delight of the younger members of the crowd. And a huge thank you to all the people who took to the trouble to email their thank-you messages after the event; it meant an awful lot to those who put so much effort and hard work into making it all happen.

So, what’s in store for 2015?

Well, we have our next meeting on 20th January at the Cromwell Hotel, when we will start planning the year ahead and dare we say next year’s Christmas event! Please feel free to join us for the meeting and get involved. You can check meeting details and changes on our Facebook page closer to the day.

We are also planning to produce another SOTBCP leaflet as feedback on the first has been overwhelmingly positive. Amendments will be made, thank you to all who flagged them up! From now on, we will only be including businesses and organisations that are members of the SOTBCP so if you want your business to feature, come and JOIN the partnership!

We’ll be continuing with our continental market plans and holding more goody bag giveaway days. Ideas, feedback and attendance always welcomed.

Look forward to seeing you in 2015. Happy New Year from all at SOTBCP. e: sotbcp@yahoo.co.uk Facebook: /sotbcp

Send your news, stories & advertising enquiries to editor@thestevenagemagazine.co.uk Deadline for Issue 22 (Mar/Apr) is 10 February 2015

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

news & community

Demonstrating the feel good factor of floristry Back in July, local resident and Chairperson of Stevenage Floral Art Society, Margaret Brett, was approached by the Stevenage Museum to run a session on floristry as part of the Museum’s regular outreach project.

The demonstration was to be given to residents at local care home Wisden Court, many of whom live with dementia. The theme of the demonstration was ‘Reminiscing’, to link with the museum’s own project on the 1960s and 1970s when (as Margaret tells us) flower arranging was all the rage!

The demonstration proved so successful with the residents that Margaret was approached by the care home to come back and run another session and she has being doing so every month since!

Margaret explains, “After the residents had finished the flower arranging on my initial visit, we all had tea and the lady from the museum read old pudding recipes from a war time cookbook. We had such an enjoyable time reminiscing that I didn’t hesitate to say yes when I was invited back.

I usually get around 12 people taking part in the demonstrations and I’ve chosen to continue with the reminiscing theme as it really seems to get everyone animated. The group end up talking about many things they have enjoyed and can remember - it’s great to leave them chatting to each other and admiring their floral creations at the end of a session. We have had pictures and discussions on where we were for the Queen’s Coronation in 1952 and I did one demonstration entitled ‘The Eagle Has Landed’ to provoke memories of the first man walking on the moon!

Natalie Pinder, activity co-ordinator at Wisden Court commented, “Margaret’s visits are a huge success with residents, every aspect is enjoyed and the creations really are amazing. Residents gain a real sense of satisfaction by having an end product to show for their efforts. Margaret thoughtfully plans the demonstrations and kindly gives us her time and knowledge for free - we are very grateful to her and the Stevenage Museum for having the idea initially!”

Margaret added, “Flower arranging is creative and fun, it’s a great stress reducer. I am delighted to be able to bring the joy of floristry and flowers to others. I hope to be able to replicate this in another care home very soon.”

Margaret Brett is Chairperson of Stevenage Floral Art Society and can be contacted on 01438 880086 or email margaretjbrett@btinternet.com.

Wisden Court is a care home in Stevenage specialising in dementia, for further details please contact Tracey Fletcher, senior home manager on 01438 354770 or email wisden.court@runwoodhomes.co.uk

WE REPAIR

steamed-up windows & doors, broken hinges, handles, locks.

• See more clearly • Feel warmer • Be better protected

PE VENTURES Ltd., t/a

NEW CONTACT NUMBERS: M: 07703 193 613 E: sales@thewindowgeeks.co.uk

NO CALLOU T CHARGE! NO MINIMU M CHARGE!

FREE SURVEY: 0800 1223955 5

news & community

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service Firstly, I would like to wish you all a belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I am hoping that as you read this you are getting your homes back in order after a hectic but enjoyable festive period.

I thought I would take this opportunity to pass on a few tips on fire safety in the home and also some guidance on preparing your vehicles for adverse weather conditions which we may (or may not!!) experience in the coming weeks.

In relation to fire safety in the home, my tip for the year is to focus on the security of any property outside your house. Of late, we have seen a rise in the number of deliberate fires in sheds and outbuildings and this may be down to a lack of security in that particular area. Without going into too much detail, we suggest you keep any outbuildings secure, fit motion sensor lighting if possible and generally make the area more of a deterrent to anybody looking to break in to steal or ultimately set fire to flammable materials. We are also aware that over the festive period, people tend to move belongings outside to make more space. Please remember to keep any valuables safe, and any flammable materials locked away.

I suggest you call our helpline (0300 123 4046) and request a FREE home fire safety check. Alternatively go online at www.hertsdirect.org/fire Driving in adverse weather conditions can be unavoidable, so our recommendation is to keep the acronym ‘POWDERY’ front of mind.

This stands for:

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

Walk the Bridges of London 2015

and help raise money for Garden House Hospice Join us on Sunday 10th May for a sponsored walk with a difference & a great day out for the whole family!

Registration fee £15 (adults) £8 (children 12yrs & under) (covers coach travel & administration costs) £7 for participants not travelling by coach

Book online at www.ghhospice.co.uk or email cathy.white@ghhospice.co.uk or call 01462 679540 for further information

P - Petrol or fuel levels. Have you got enough for your trip?

O - Oil. Check levels once a month.

W - Water. Check radiators & screen wash once a month.

D - Damage to wipers, lights etc E - Electrics. Are they all working properly?

R - Rubber tyres, tread depth inflation, are they legal?

Y - Yourself. Are you fit, well prepared for a potentially longer journey?

For more information, please visit www.highways.gov.uk/winter Mark Burgess Watch Commander & Community Safety Coordinator for Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) mark.burgess@hertfordshire.gov.uk 01438 202554

Austins’ Family Funeral Directors say farewell to one of their own Austin’s Family Funeral Directors recently paid tribute to one of their own after long-serving employee Sue Herd of Collenswood Road in Stevenage, died peacefully at the Garden House Hospice in Letchworth on 3 November. Sue had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just six weeks earlier.

Sue had worked for the family funeral director for nearly fifty years, joining after she left Heathcote School in 1966. The company’s managing director Claire Austin, who was a child when Sue started at the firm said, “Sue has always been like a member of the family to me and will be greatly missed by everyone here.”

Sue’s funeral took place at Harwood Park in Watton Road, Stevenage. Thoughts are with her family and friends.

6

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

news & community

MEET THE BUSINESS: BoxBike Delivery Tell us about BoxBike Box Bike Delivery is a delivery service within Stevenage which uses Dutch-built cargo bikes to deliver items such as goods, packages and parcels that would otherwise be delivered using a van or car. We are using the cycle network commercially, which eases congestion and emissions on residential streets and around the town.

When was the business established?

The business was established in April 2014, and after a limited trial period we began to take on more work and customers.

What services do you provide?

We deliver what is known as the ‘last mile’, though in reality this might be up to three miles. Goods might come to us from outside Stevenage, or else we can pick up from local businesses. We also offer a daily postal collection service for businesses and organisations, taking post to the delivery office. We regularly carry 80kg in the cargo boxes - it’s the perfect excuse to eat cake!!

How did you come up with the idea?

In February 2013, I began to wonder why large vans were used to deliver small packages within towns and cities, and why we couldn’t use bikes to do some of that work. A little research led me to companies in the UK that were doing just that; I spent time with Outspoken Delivery in Cambridge and also a day with Last Mile Leeds. After attending a key workshop for would-be operators in early 2014 we were ready for the trial period.

What is unique / different about BoxBike?

We are possibly the greenest courier operating within Hertfordshire, even with an e-assist. In addition, we’re a small company, and I really believe this resonates positively with people. The other thing that sets us apart is our visibility, and the bikes act as a superb marketing tool, something that Riverford have already discovered.

BoxBike Delivery | Safestore, Unit 3-4 Argyle Way, Stevenage, SG1 2AD www.boxbikedelivery.co.uk |e: marcus@boxbikedelivery.co.uk | Twitter: @BoxBike1

Your Friendly Local

Taxi Company

Located on the High Street Stevenage Borough Council Licensed & CRB Vetted Professional Drivers

A l l J O U R N E Y S C AT E R E D F O R

• Large Fleet of Vehicles - MPV’s, wheelchair accessible & 9-16 PSV • Corporate Taxi Account Available • Ace Ladies Club - female driver for female customers • Key Ring Discount Deal - £1 off taxi fare to and from our offices in the Old Town for fares £5+ • Discount Cards For OAP’s & Students

FREE

taxi phones at all entrances of Lister Hospital, Waitrose, Leisure Park & Wilkinsons

• Automated GPS Despatch System • Ring Back / Text Back On Arrival Of Taxi

• Debit/Credit Cards Payments Accepted • Text Bookings & On-line Bookings

For more information & up-to-date airport price list please check out our website:

w w w. a c e t a x i s - s t e v e n a g e . c o . u k 7

business

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

Local businesses show their support for Cancer Hair Care November has been a busy month for Cancer Hair Care.

The locally-based, national charity has been working with several local businesses who have generously donated their time to help host and organise events to raise awareness of Cancer Hair Care’s very important work.

Cancer Hair Care supports people living with cancer and the realities of coping with hair loss.

Austin’s Funeral Directors host a wine and nibbles evening

Jasmin Gupta, founder of Cancer Hair Care, appealed to a group of professional ladies who were invited

by Claire Austin to attend an awareness evening at Harwood Park Crematorium on Thursday 6th November. After wine and nibbles, Jasmin demonstrated a variety of techniques women can use when faced with hair loss, including wigs and headscarves with fringes. Austin's Funeral Directors hosted the evening and their Managing Director, Claire Austin said, ”Jasmin and her team provide invaluable support to women and young girls who are going to or have suffered hair loss as a result of cancer treatment.

They understand hair loss, new hair growth, scalp care and provide ideas for new looks with specifically designed headscarves and accessories as well as help with wigs and practical advice.”

Let The Music Play Charity Doo raises oodles of cash for Cancer Hair Care!

Will Provencal of Fatboy Productions, Moulton Security and Jo Gates Hair Salon hosted a fabulous evening of 70s, 80s, soul, jazz-funk, motown and funky disco house classics at Knebworth Barns on Saturday 22nd November.

The event, which drew a crowd of over 900 guests, raised an incredible £5,000 for Cancer Hair Care. The money raised will be used to maintain the charity's Lister Hospital Clinic during the winter months, giving FREE head scarves to keep heads warm and in comfort through the cold season. The money raised will also give FREE services in cancer hospitals to children and teenagers with cancer, enabling children to receive one-to-one care and free wigs, scarves, hats and all that they need to cope with hair loss.

If you would like to make a donation to Cancer Hair Care this Christmas, please call the studio on 01438 311322 or visit www.justgiving.com/CaringHair/

• Appointments available at our office, or

by home visits (in Hertford, in Stevenage and surrounding areas).

• We are upfront and honest with our fees Conbar House, Mead Lane Hertford, Herts SG13 7AP 01992 535135 0845 3133353 info@abbottswills.co.uk www.abbottswills.co.uk

8

from the offset.

• We offer continuing support and secure storage for your documents.

• All our consultants have undertaken a STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) qualification.

A Will is the only way to ensure your wishes are carried out upon your death.

Q U A L I T YBU SI NE SS I NSU R A NC E C A N’ TBER U SH E D We ' l lt ak e t h e t ime t oh e l p yo u ge tt h e righ tc o v e rf o r yo ur busine ss.

C al l0 1 7 63 24 161 1f o r a quo te o r po p in

K il nH o use Y ard,Bal do c kR o ad,R o yst o n, R o yst o n,SG8 5 A Y

NF UM ut ualis T h e Nat io nalF arme rs U nio nM ut ualI nsuranc e So c ie t yL imit e d( No .

1 1 1 982) .R e gist e re d in E ngl and.

R e gist e re dO f f ic e :T iddingt o nR o ad,St rat f o rd upo nA v o n,Warw ic k sh ire ,C V 377 BJ .A ut h o rise d by t h e P rude nt ial R e gul at io nA ut h o rit y and re gul at e d by t h e F inanc ialC o nduc tA ut h o rit y and t h e P rude nt ialR e gul at io nA ut h o rit y.Ame mbe r o ft h e A sso c iat io no fBrit ishI nsure rs.F o r se c urit y and t raining purpo se s,t e l e ph o ne c al l s may be re c o rde d and mo nit o re d.

Make a Will Week for Garden House Hospice Do you need to make or update your will?

Making a will and letting your family and friends know your wishes is vital; and it can be a lot more affordable than you may think. Garden House Hospice is hosting its first ever ‘Make a Will Week’ campaign; the week beginning 9th March 2015.

Solicitors throughout North Hertfordshire have agreed to provide a free basic will-writing service. All you have to do to take part is make an appointment with one of our participating solicitors, and instead of paying the usual fee to the solicitor you simply make a recommended donation to the Garden House Hospice.

For more details go to www.ghhospice.co.uk

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

business

MEET THE BUSINESS: NFU Mutual Tell us about NFU Mutual.

NFU Mutual is one of the UK’s largest insurers with over 300 branches nationwide. Our branch in Royston offers a personal local service to customers. As a mutual company we are not under pressure from shareholders so we can concentrate on putting your interests first.

When was the business established?

NFU Mutual was originally set up by farmers, for farmers, back in 1910 and we remained this way until 1998 when we started insuring individuals and businesses outside of the farming industry.

What services do you provide?

We offer a wide range of insurance products, from car insurance right though to commercial and rural insurances. A lot of people think we only cater for farmers, but in fact half our customers are not from a farming background. We also offer pensions, protection and investments.

What is unique about NFU Mutual?

We’re not on comparison sites and pride ourselves on our local knowledge and personal service. Phone calls come through to our local office, so you can speak to the same person each time. Most of our business comes through recommendation, and we’re really proud about this. We are available to visit you either at home or at your business to provide you with a quote based on sound advice.

Anything else we should know / may not already know?

Our products and services are highly rated – our home and car insurance both have a 5 Star Rating from Defaqto. In 2014 we were awarded Which? ‘Best Insurance Services Provider’. These accolades speak volumes to our customers who can see the benefits of being insured by us. We tend to specialise in larger homes in rural locations, and our local knowledge sets us apart from the market.

In addition to this, our personal service is often in demand for commercial insurances. We are on hand to visit premises to assess the insurance need, and tailor our cover to suit the business.

NFU Mutual Royston Branch, Kiln House Yard, Baldock Road, Royston, Herts SG8 5AY www.nfumutual.co.uk/royston | royston@nfumutual.co.uk | 01763 241611

At BBW whether you’re a private individual, running your own business, working for a charity or representing a large corporation, we’re ready to listen, consider and advise.

Areas of Expertise: Company & Commercial | Commercial Property Commercial Litigation | Residential Conveyancing Employment | Disputes | Family & Children | Crime | Licensing Matters Wills, Tax & Financial Planning | Probate All of our three offices are conveniently located in the heart of the local community along the A1 Corridor Forum Chambers, The Forum, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 1EL Telephone: 01438 35 93 11 Broadway Chambers, Letchworth Garden City, Herts, SG6 3AD Telephone: 01462 48 22 48 2 London Road, Biggleswade, Beds, SG18 8EP Telephone: 01767 31 38 13

Or visit us online at www.bbwlaw.biz Brignalls Balderston Warren - Solicitors

Letchworth | Stevenage | Biggleswade

9

business

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

De-clutter your finances in 6 simple steps...

It’s this time of year where everyone is having a clear out and sorting out all the things that got on top of us the year before.

Clutter is defined as a confusing and disorderly state of collection and a possible symptom of compulsive hoarding. It is associated with traffic, congestion, pollution and a lack of freedom. Financial clutter can lead to paralysis when making financial decisions, and can impede your ability to progress and develop financially. In other words, financial clutter is bad.

How does it happen? Older people often look back in wonder at how beautifully simple their financial affairs were when they were younger. A student loan perhaps, rent payments and the odd credit card bill was everything financial back then. Things start to get more complex over time. Add a new mortgage to the mix, a gym membership, insurance policies, subscriptions, charity payments, pensions, childcare, various investments, loans, store cards, utility bills, council tax and it all becomes too overwhelming to manage. You then bury your head in the sand. Before long, you are in denial and simply can’t bear to look at your bank statements!

How to de-clutter: The first thing to do is to simplify things.

The fewer accounts you have, the fewer statements you’ll need to juggle. The fewer things you need to juggle, the easier it is to keep track. The more you automate your life, the fewer decisions you’ll have to make.

Worried about computers and online safety?

We can help keep you safe online! We offer ..

• Online safety & security awareness training • Basic Microsoft Office training • Independent advice & consultancy for families and small businesses • PC & laptop upgrades and repairs

Contact David : 07404 603604 | david@web-safe.org.uk www.web-safe.org.uk

Having worked in the nancial services industry for the last eight years, Helena has a wealth of knowledge to help with all your nancial needs, including:

1: Buy a scanner and a shredder. There is no reason to hang onto old utility bills and bank statements. These days, with online access to everything, you can scrap almost every piece of paper that comes in. Scan your bills into various folders on your computer and shred the originals.

• Investments & Saving

2: Get rid of debt. The fewer debts you have, the fewer payments you will have to make each month and your bank statements will look great deal healthier. Getting rid of debt takes discipline, commitment and most importantly, sacrifice; but it can be done and is definitely worth the pain.

• Retirement Planning

3: Pay your bills straight away. Only ever touch a bill once.

Some people think it’s smart to wait until the bill turns red and threatening. It isn’t smart at all; it just delays and prolongs the pain of having to pay. Only open your bills when you are in a position to pay them – better still, pay by direct debit. That way you can simply scan the paid bill into your folder and shred.

4: Automate your savings. If you are a saver, make sure you do this automatically by direct debit, whether you are saving into a bank deposit account, cash ISA or Stocks & Shares ISA. This way, you can build up capital without having to think about it.

• Estate Planning & Inheritance Tax Mitigation • Protection and Insurance • Mortgage advice

Helena prides herself in explaining complex areas of nancial planning in a simple and easy to understand manner.

She empathises with her clients and will listen and understand their nancial needs before basing her recommendations on what matters most to them.

Appointments can be arranged in the comfort of your own home or at her office. Initial consultations are free and without obligation.

Helena Wardle, Sterling & Law - Independent Financial Consultants Invision House, Wilbury Way, Hitchin SG4 0TY Phone: 01462 420544 Email: helena@sterlingandlaw.com

5: Consolidate your pensions. Most people end up with various pension plans with different companies as they change jobs. This can be a right pain, and unless you’re a financial whiz, impossible to keep track of. Seek the advice of a financial adviser and see where it makes sense to consolidate your pensions. This makes it much easier to monitor important things like performance, risk strategy and your retirement goals.

6: Outsource. Think of how difficult it would be to de-clutter a cluttered house yourself. Now imagine you hired the help of the House Doctor. She would make it look easy. With an iron will, you could de-clutter your finances on your own, however, hiring the services of a financial adviser would make it that much easier.The result would hopefully be a nice open financial highway, free of congestion, traffic and pollution. It would give you freedom and save you time, and time as we all agree, is money.

Helena Wardle, Dip PFS Independent Financial Consultant email: helena@sterlingandlaw.com phone: 01462 420544

10

#HERTSHOUR

HertsHour - social media and networking at its best

Tweet with #HertsHour to reach businesses around the county Every Monday, 8-9pm Tweet, retweet and reply to build your network B2B - reach 2,000 businesses online during the live conversation Sponsorship opportunities available Find out more: @HertsHour or www.hertshour.biz or hertshour@gmail.com

The cyclone 7 extractor range comes with a 7 years’ parts and labour guarantee and the PIV units with 5 years parts and labour. There is also a money back guarantee.

www.homeventilation.com gbarsdell@envirovent.com 08452727807 /Envirovent Hitchin

12

S A DV ERT T HI

EN

V

Anything else we should know?

If you have any of the following in your home, Envirovent products may have a solution: • Streaming windows • Damp patches on walls, behind furniture & in corners • Wallpaper peeling off • Blackened window frames • Mould growth, usually black mould • Mould & mildew on soft furnishings and fabrics

MR

Tell us about Envirovent, what is the service you provide?

Envirovent provides a cure for condensation, mould and damp in your home. In simple terms, our products Whole house energy efficient improve homes by solutions making them fresh and healthy places to live Extensive technical support and in, by ensuring they are free from condensation, mould expert advice and damp. This can be one of a number of the latest technological award winning products, such as a Positive Input Ventilation Unit (PIV) for the whole house or an extractor unit to the kitchen or bathroom.

Starting with a free survey Envirovent will talk you through your problem and offer solutions.

In the words of one happy customer: “Every upstairs room had mould throughout the winter.

The windows would be running with condensation, puddles on the window sills. The Mr Venty product has removed all of that. I cleaned the mould when it was installed and it hasn't come back, not even in the bathroom. The condensation is gone. On the coldest of mornings there is a tiny bit at the bottom of some windows. It's a life changing transformation, better than I dared hope for.”

Condensation is unfortunately a bi-product of the way we live today as our homes are so well insulated.

Condensation combined with high humidity leads to mould and can ruin walls, ceilings and furnishings. Mould spores will continue to grow as long as the condensation is in the house. Dust mites also start to thrive when humidity reaches 65%. Exposure to condensation, damp and mould is clinically linked to respiratory symptoms, allergies, and asthma.

The good news is that we can eliminate condensation damp in your home. Surprisingly, it is easy to resolve once you have identified the problem areas within the home and ruled out any issues with rising or penetrating damp.

What is unique / different about Envirovent?

Envirovent is a British based manufacturing company with over 20 years’ experience. Envirovent only deal with mould and condensation and provide a turnkey solution from survey, manufacturing our own products, installation and aftercare. Envirovent has won numerous awards including the Queen’s award for industry!

OFFER IAL

TY

IT

H

MEET THE BUSINESS: Envirovent

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

SPEC

business

I N STA L L W

• High efficiency heat

• Bespoke system design to

• Whole house energy

• Extensive technical support

recovery products efficient solutions

• SAP Appendix Q products

meet building regulations and expert advice

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

business

Stevenage means business!

Thursday 27th November saw the annual Hertfordshire Business Awards take place at Knebworth Barns. Hosted

by BBC Look East presenter Stewart White, over 450 guests came together to celebrate Hertfordshire’s thriving businesses and inspirational leaders.

Every year, hundreds of businesses from across the county enter these prestigious awards. With 12 categories open for entry, competition is high both in volume and quality.

Judges have a difficult task of narrowing the entries down to a finalist list of just four or five per category, before announcing overall winners on the night.

It’s fair to say that Stevenage’s local businesses did not let the town down this year, taking the top spot in not one but TWO categories and providing no less than six additional finalists! We’re thrilled to announce that our new columnist, Sarah Kinsella of ASK Physio, took the winning spot for Best New Business 2014. We’re sure that all ASK Physio’s clients will agree it is a truly well-deserved accolade.

Readers who are familiar with The Crown at Aston End won’t be too surprised to learn they came away as winners of Best Commercial Business in the Community.

Many congratulations to everyone at the Crown. What a great Christmas present!

We’d also like to extend our congratulations to all the Stevenage businesses and individuals who made it to the finalist list. They are: Stevenage Borough Football Club Foundation (finalists of Social Enterprise of the Year), Academy 21 Ltd (finalists of The Innovation Award), LCN. com and Lawrence Dean Recruitment (both finalists of The Customer Service Award), Primary Care People (finalists of the Best New Business Award)and Hannah Chapman of The Ibis Hotel, (finalist of Young Entrepreneur of the Year).

So, once more, our heartfelt congratulations to all who entered and took part in representing the county. Here’s to continued success in 2015!

HFSC flyer new.pdf

1

08/08/2013

11:12

HERTFORDSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE

FREE C

M

H O ME FIRE SAFETY VISIT

“It won’t cost you a penny and it could save your life”

Y

CM

MY

CY

Emergency First Aid at work – is your organisation covered?

Picture this. You are in your office, shop, workshop (place of employment). One of your customers comes in looking rather pale and a bit sweaty and out of breath. You ask if they are ok and if they need a seat. They say that they are fine. You keep a close eye on them.

You are confident that if anything should happen you have the correct procedures in place. The staff on duty are all first aid trained and as such are ready for this sort of situation. They are confident in the training that they have received. You have the accident book in a place where everybody can get access to it. The first aid kit is fully stocked and ready for deployment. You are ready.

Is this your organisation? Can you be this confident?

Could you help a person at your place of work until the ambulance arrives?

When we talk about First Aid most people believe that it is a tick box exercise, especially at work. The law states that every workplace should have some kind of first aid provision in place and there are a number of layers for this compliance. They range from having somebody who knows how to call an ambulance and where the first aid kit is kept (An Appointed Person for low risk environments), to somebody who has attended a 3 day course on how to be a fully-fledged First Aider in the workplace (for large organisations or high risk environments). In both instances a risk assessment should have been conducted and provisions put in place from the results of this.

There are a number of organisations that can help you decide what you need with the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) being the first point of call http://www.hse.gov. uk/firstaid/first-aider.htm.

But then how do you decide who your training should be with?

Since 2013 there have been a number of changes within the industry which has resulted in the deregulation of training providers and the removal of Council approvals.

Never fear however because Training providers should be members of reputable industry bodies and/or Awarding bodies.

Take a look at FAIB – The First Aid Industry Body or FOFATO (Federation Of First Aid Training Organisations) for a list of reputable companies that can provide your training (of course you will find us under Herts, Bucks and Cambs!) or give us a call. We will be more than happy to quote for you.

First Aid shouldn’t be a tick box exercise. It involves real people and real lives. With just one day First Aid Training with ABC Life Support - you could just save one.

Check out our website for a list of First Aid Courses running in Stevenage for 2015. http://www.abclifesupport.co.uk/#/efaw-hse-first-aidcourse/4569046486

This service is completely free and it could save your life.

CMY

K

We will also supply and fit free smoke detectors where necessary.

Visits are by agreed appointment only Only uniformed staff will call They will always use an agreed password and show an official ID card Please call this number to arrange your FREE home visit

0300 123 4046

or go online at www.hertsdirect.org/fire

WORKING TO PROTECT. ACTING TO SAVE.

13

health & well being

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

The Body Matters : Welcome to our first column in The Stevenage Magazine.

Over the coming issues we will be demonstrating our work through various case studies, to show how physiotherapy may help you.

First, we would like to introduce ourselves as Rachel Canning from Physio-Life and Sarah Kinsella from ASK Physio, situated next to each other in the Old Town.

Many people have been confused by the fact that our clinics are next door to each other, assuming we are in competition with each other. This is not the case as we both treat very different problems. We also work very closely together and our first patient profile demonstrates this very well.

Patient profile

Come and speak to our friendly team about the wide range of services and treatments we offer Why choose ASK Physio?

• Senior staff with over 18 years experience working in the NHS • Strong links with local GP’s and consultants from both Lister and Pinehill Hospitals • Services and treatments for all ages

Name: David Barnham Condition: I had a stroke in June 2014, affecting my left side.

How did you hear about ASK Physio? Sarah Kinsella was recommended by three different people.

What teatment did you have? Initially hydrotherapy. I just felt that I wanted to be in water. Having a stroke can make your body feel ‘heavy’, so the weightlessness in the water was very helpful and it felt good to be able to exercise more in the water.

I had a bit of a setback when my left shoulder became very painful. Sarah suggested I saw Rachel Canning from PhysioLife, who is a neuro physiotherapist. Rachel has extensive experience treating stroke patients. Between them, Rachel and Sarah have been working on improving my recovery following my stroke, and I had the benefit of two physios with different skills both assessing my shoulder at the same time, and coming up with a treatment plan. I have had exercises to do, and have continued the hydrotherapy, and also had some acupuncture. My shoulder is much less painful now, and I am able to do more each week, due to the improvements I am seeing from the input from Sarah and Rachel. I understand it will be a long journey, but I do feel I have a good team working with me.

If you have suffered a stroke or know someone who has, Rachel Canning is a specialist Physiotherapist at PhysioLife in Stevenage Old Town, who may be able to help with rehabilitation. You can call Rachel on 01438 487814.

ASK Physio specialises in bones, muscles and joint problems, and offer hydrotherapy as a service. Call 07523 005743 of you wish to discuss potential treatment.

• Physiotherapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy and exercise rehabilitation me • Winner of Hertfordshire’s Best f spend ti “The staf gs so you fully New Business Award 2014 in th . I found laining exp ndition ise d your co understan wledge and expert ds their kno one, and their han n second to ment excellent.” on treat avid D

ASK Physio Kestrel House (Rookery Yard) Primett Road, Stevenage SG1 3EE

In the alleyway between The Venue and The Bank, near Waitrose in the Old Town.

Phone: 0333 577 0017 (charged at local rate) or 07523 005743

Email us: info@ask-physio.co.uk Website: ask-physio.co.uk

As members of both the CSP (Chartered Society of Physiotherapy) and the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) we are bound by their standards and codes of conduct. This includes strict patient condentiality.

Running London?

Got a place in the London Marathon?

Every year Fairlands Valley Spartans successful train thirty or more people, many of them first timers, to run the London Marathon.

There are training groups from starters to fast fives to suit everyone. Why not have a look at www. fvspartans.org.uk or contact Jim Brown 0793 968 7509 or Karen Palmer 0773 467 8566? Newcomers very welcome.

BreatheEasy North Herts

Rachel Canning MCSP – Specialist Physiotherapist Physio-Life 01438 487814 www.physio-life.co.uk

Sarah Kinsella MCSP - Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist ASKPhysio 07523 005 743 www.ask-physio.co.uk

Free monthly meetings for anyone affected by lung disease BreatheEasy meetings offer a varied programme of speakers, refreshments and time to chat.

Carers, friends & family all welcome.

Meetings held at Great Ashby Community Centre, Stevenage, SG1 6NH For more details contact Sue Churchman t:01438 357319 | e: benorthherts@gmail.com | www.blf.org.uk/north-herts Helpline 03000 030 555 Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm British Lung Foundation charity no. 326730

14

Kestrel House, Primett Road Stevenage SG1 3EE Tel: 01438 487814 Email: enquiries@physio-life.co.uk

Provider of Neurological, Vestibular & Respiratory Physiotherapy Physio-Life is a leading specialist physiotherapy practice serving patients in Herts, Beds and Cambs.

We specialise in neurological physiotherapy (including Hydrotherapy), vestibular rehabilitation and pulmonary/respiratory rehabilitation, working with patients to create realistic treatment plans that enable them to reach maximum rehabilitation potential and enjoy an improved quality of life.

Below you will nd a comprehensive list of conditions we treat – visit us at www.physio-life.co.uk to nd out more Neurological Disorders (Brain and nerve conditions) • Cerebral Palsy • Dyspraxia • Fibromyalgia • Guillain Barre Syndrome • Head Injuries • ME • Motor Neurone Disease • Multiple Sclerosis • Parkinson’s Disease • Spinal Cord Injuries • Stroke

Respiratory Disorders (Breathing and lung problems) • Asthma • Breathlessness • Bronchiectasis • COPD • Emphysema • Hyperventilation • Lung Disease • Persistant Cough • Pulmonary Fibrosis • Recurrent Chest Infections

Vestibular Disorders (Dizziness and balance problems) • Acoustic Neuroma • Balance problems • BPPV • Dizziness • Labyrinthitis • Meniere’s Disease • Migraine Associated Dizziness • Vertigo • Vestibular Neuritis

Ph i Lif has Physio-Life h ab brand d new, ffully ll accessible ibl clinic li i iin Old T Town S Stevenage, b but we also l carry out home visits or care home visits for patients who nd it hard to get to us.

We are covered by most private healthcare providers – please call us to check your company covers Physio-Life.

What our patients say! ‘‘After just one session you have cured me - I feel wonderful - it’s a miracle’! Martin, BPPV (dizziness) ‘If I had to sum up the service that Physio-Life provides, I’d say it’s caring, reliable and you know that they’re always doing the best for you and your situation”. Lewis, Stroke “My son, family & friends say what a huge difference there is in my breathing since my rst session with you. I didn’t want to leave the house. Your time, patience & advice have given me the condence to improve my quality of life & I am now attending the gym!” Ann, Hyperventilation

health & well being

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

Try something a little different...

As we begin 2015, many of us will be thinking about how we can do things differently to 2014. The New Year traditionally brings with it the perfect opportunity to set the re-start button and achieve new goals.

Getting fit is, of course, a popular choice so we’ve been talking to a few local experts about some ‘alternative’ and relatively new ideas for physical and mental well being.

Have you heard the one about the Laughter Yoga?

We’ve all heard the age-old saying ‘laughter is the best medicine’, but did you realise there is scientific evidence to back it up? What’s more, Laughter Yoga groups exist to help us achieve it. It may sound crazy but it’s true and it works.

So, we need to get straight to the point here and explain just what Laughter Yoga is.

Laughter Yoga was founded in Mumbai in 1995 by Dr Madan Kataria. He wanted to prove how good laughter is for us both mentally and physically, so after much research and study he developed ‘Laughter for no Reason’. Now there are over 10,000 clubs in over 70 countries practicing just this. It’s a unique concept which anyone can do - simulated laughter is used until it naturally leads to real hearty belly laughter. Since scientific evidence states that the body cannot differentiate between natural or fake laughter, the body receives the same benefits regardless.

As children we typically laugh between 300 and 500 times a day; sadly, as adults this tends to be far less, around 15-20 times. By experiencing and practicing regular laughter we improve our breathing and an increase of oxygen flows into the body (that’s the Yoga bit). And by stimulating our diaphragm with prolonged releases of endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers and ‘feel-good’ hormones), we enjoy a sense of well-being.

So, where and how do we kick start this laughter? Well, if forcing yourself to laugh for no reason feels somewhat impossible, why not join a Laughter Club? Professional life coach, Geraldine Strohm, has been running Groovingmad Laughter Clubs across Hertfordshire for some time and popularity is certainly on the increase.

Geraldine explains, “As we get older we become conditional about happiness and laughter. We think ‘I’ll be happy once this happens…’ or ‘If only this would happen and then I’d be truly happy.’ Laughter Yoga teaches us to reverse this way of thinking.”

To join or find out more about your nearest Groovingmad Laughter Club or to arrange a corporate teambuilding session, contact Geraldine Strohm at Gerry@groovingmad-lifecoaching.com or call 07793 009655.

Nordic Walk Into the New Year!

Nordic Walking! It is as easy as putting one foot in front of the other; anyone can do it regardless of age, level or physical ability. Nordic Walking gives you a fabulous fresh air boost, is an easy and safe way to improve general fitness, it will burn away body fat and belly inches (perfect for post Christmas and New Year) and creates an immense sense of general wellbeing, much like going out for a run (without the damaging pounding on your joints). Nordic Walking is one of the FASTEST GROWING ways get fresh air fit and feel great in the UK and your will feel and notice results in very little time! Walking is the most ‘natural of all workouts’ as human beings are designed to walk and is among the best forms of activity to improve overall fitness, health and general wellbeing.

Nordic Walking uses two specially designed walking poles and together with the correct Nordic Walking Technique, which you can easily learn, will maximize your regular walking and you can start to enjoy the many extra benefits that this activity will bring to you and your life. Nordic Walking poles also add an element of safety, they give you balance and stability, perfect for people with joint or back problems and increases calorie burn with every single step you take.

Nordic Walking burns up to 40% more calories than normal walking and can be adapted to anyone’s fitness level. It brings less shock and impact but boosts bone and muscle health and is much kinder to your joints. It uses 90% of your body muscles, it strengthens as well as tones, corrects your posture, improves back/hip/knee issues and brings an immense sense of wellbeing. With ever step you take you plant your poles which means it also engages, tones and strengthens the deep core abdominal muscles (all without doing a single sit-up!) which is why people feel and notice a difference in their waistlines quite dramatically by Nordic Walking.

So, if you are looking to get back into exercise this New Year, want to look and feel better, fitter, healthier and fresher, want to try something NEW or add a new dimension to your existing walking routine, you can HUGLY benefit by trying Nordic Walking. Come and discover the immense tracks and trails on your doorstep, enjoy the great outdoors and even make some new friends. Nordic Walking will make you outdoor healthier, fitter, more active, slimmer, energised, happy, refreshed and alive!

To find out about local Nordic Walking session contact Mel Townend at FitHaven Ltd on 07900 823553, mel@fithaven.co.uk or visit www.fithaven.co.uk. Details of Mel’s January Taster Session can also be found on page 23 of this issue!

16

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

health & well being

10 Reasons to have a Colour Analysis Pamper Session

Mary McLaughlin

Mobile Chiropodist

1. The pamper session will take you through a process which shows you a wide range of tones and shades of colours that will enhance your complexion and all of your best features when you buy new clothes.

For all your footcare needs in the comfort of your own home

2. It will teach you how to select makeup which makes your skin glow and your eyes sparkle.

HCPC Registered

3. It will help you find jewellery and accessories that enhance all your best features.

www.marymclaughlinchiropodist.co.uk

4. Colour Analysis even helps you understand how best to enhance your hair colour.

5. The Colour Analysis Pamper Session is highly educational and will lead to increased confidence in the way that you look and feel in a wide range of situations.

01462 484085 | 07986 920965

6. It will speed up the time you spend shopping for clothes and accessories.

7. It will save you money because you will only be buying things that make you look good and enhance all your best features.

8. It will also show you what colours to avoid and what happens when you get it wrong, so that you can ensure this doesn’t happen going forward.

9. The Colour Analysis session is a great way to pamper yourself and have some me time which ends in a makeup session in your own colour pallet.

10. It is the perfect way to spend time, an educational session which includes personal pampering and a full make over which has long term time and money saving benefits.

To book your Colour Analysis Pamper Session contact Holistic Eyes on 07808 365171.

HOLISTIC EYES

Specialist Beauty Therapy

�ea�t� � ho� �o� �ook� �hera�� � ho� �o� fee���� We take care of both!

All traditional beauty treatments • Professional make-up Specialist colour analysis • Holistic therapies To book an appointment or nd out about our extensive range of treatments, contact us...

Tel: 07808 365171 Grove Road, Old Town SG1 3NT Web: holisticeyes.co.uk :@HolisticEyes :Holistic Eyes

Brand New Salon Stevenage Old Town We offer a high end salon experience with a high street price tag...   

10% off

for readers of The Stevenage Magazine upon presentation of this voucher

  

01438 316900 102 High Street, Stevenage, SG1 3DW (situated above the Old Town Barbers)

17

health & well being

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

Time to fight the festive bulge!

It’s that time of year when we start to feel the effects of the festive season’s indulgence. The belt is a little tighter and we daren’t step on the scales. Believe me, I know how it feels!

As a weight loss specialist, I show people how simple changes can kick start their health and rid the stuffed turkey look (which is so last season)!

Here are just a few of my top tips to help you get clean and lean for 2015: 1) Cut down on sugar and starchy carbohydrates. Sugar is the biggest culprit in weight gain and it’s abundant in our diets. Starchy carbohydrates such as pasta, rice and bread rapidly convert to sugar in the body and have the same effect on our waistlines. The average westerner consumes the equivalent of 60tsps of sugar a day!

Swap the carb heavy breakfast cereal for a good quality protein and fat rich breakfast. It will sustain energy, facilitate weight loss and stop you reaching for the biscuit tin at 11am. I love making ‘powershakes’ in the morning with Vegan protein powder, avocado, coconut flakes and almond milk.

2) Forget about calories. One of the biggest myths with regards to weight loss is that a calorie is a calorie. Some foods that may be high in calories actually help to burn fat! Focus on nutrient dense foods.

3) Eat more fat! One of the biggest myths out there is that fat makes you fat. Thinking fat makes you fat is like thinking blueberries will make you blue. Cutting out fat will hinder health and any weight loss attempts. Avocados, nuts, seeds, coconut oil – all winners!

4) Get enough sleep. Sleep has a very powerful effect on metabolism.

5) Move! We have become a nation of ‘sitters’. High intensity interval training is the perfect way to increase your fat burning potential. Just a few short workouts a week can have dramatic effects on your metabolism.

6) Have a support network. Accountability is vital to help keep you on track.

In my clean and lean for 2015 plan, we have a Facebook group which offers support and guidance and it works wonders for people’s morale. Facebook / Clean and Lean 30 Day Detox For a complimentary weight loss consultation or more information on following the clean and lean for 2015 plan, feel free to contact me: sarah@sarah-may.biz www.sar

Snippets Needlework • Bridal Alterations • Bespoke Designs • Lessons Available

Call Deborah Aungiers: 07534 173663 or 01438 311095 First Floor, 7 Middle Row Stevenage SG1 3AN email: info@snippetsneedlework.com web: www.snippetsneedlework.com

Learn to dance like ‘Strictly’!

Salsa, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Waltz & much more

Weds 7.30 - 8.30pm

Pin Green Community Centre, 291 Archer Road, Stevenage, SG1 5HF Classes also in Hitchin & Letchworth | Private lessons available

Singles & couples welcome

www.mirrorsdance.com Call Jayne: 07747 153 133

Sarah May Stubbins Dip CNM, MBant

Botanical beauty, skin health & weight loss specialist sarah@sarah-may.biz www.sarah-may.biz

Treatments for men & women Gift vouchers available Visit our facebook page & website for fantastic new offers every month!

Monday – Friday 9am – 8pm Saturday 9am – 5pm

105 High Street • Old Town • Stevenage • Herts • SG1 3HR Telephone: 01438 317191 • www.maximum-beauty.co.uk :maximumbeauty

18

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

WIN

prize draw / arts & creativity

£25 voucher

for Party Ease

Party Ease is a local online party supply company providing a wide and original range of themed tableware, decorations and accessories to suit all budgets.

Whether it’s a baby shower, christening, naming day, special birthday or seasonal event or just a party for the sake of a party, Party Ease have the perfect pieces to make it go with a bang!

We pride ourselves on great customer service and will treat you as an individual, listen to your requirements and tailor a package to suit you! We believe in personal touches - handwritten cards and a friendly voice at the end of the telephone. We can also create bespoke and handmade party supplies and decorations including invitations, banners and decorations. Just give us a call to discuss! In the meantime, why not enter our competition and win yourself a party? Your £25 voucher can be used to purchase supplies for a children’s party, baby shower or seasonal event.

Party Ease also host and organise regular seasonal events - check our Facebook page www.facebook.com/partyease for more details. We also run competitions on there from time to time!

To enter, simply email the answer to the question below along with your name and contact number to editor@thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

Question: What date is New Years Eve? a) 31 December b)1 April

c) 21 June

Closing date for entries is 28 February 2015. The winner will be chosen at random from the entries received.

Terms and Conditions 1. No cash alternative available 2. Retail value of products available are at Party Ease’s discretion.

3. Winner will be notified via email by 15 March 2015

www.partyease.co.uk /partyease @partyease t: 07577 740407

Snippets Needlework Workshops for 2015 Snippets Needlework will be running their popular workshops again this year, so if you fancy taking up a new hobby for the new year or brushing up on the skills you already have check out the classes below! More workshops will be added to the timetable, contacting Snippets directly on 07534 173 663 or 01438 311095 for the latest information.

Sat 7th February - Lavender Bags & other Pretty Bits. Time: 10 am -1pm. Cost £60 all inclusive.

Sat 28th February - Spring Blouse. Make a short sleeved collar revere blouse for the upcoming warmer days (we hope!).

Time: 10am - 4 pm. Cost £130 all inclusive.

Sat 7th March - Baby Clothes Workshop. The last workshop we ran on this was a great success, so come on in and make some enchanting little dresses or a pair of dungarees for the baby in your life!

Sat 11th April - Summer Skirt Come and look at the gorgeous fabrics we have here in the little shop. Then make up a pretty summer skirt. Time: 10 am - 4 pm. Cost: £130 inclusive.

19

education

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

News from The Thomas Alleyne Academy We are delighted to welcome The Thomas Alleyne Academy as regular contributors to The Stevenage Magazine. Each issue pupils from the school will be updating us on their achievements, events, topics being studied and plans that are in the pipeline! The words are entirely the pupils own and we look forward to hearing more from them in future issues.

The school would like to thank Frank Copper & Son Limited for kindly sponsoring this column.

This issue, three pupils talk us through their the Schools recent WW1 commemorations.

World War One Week

World war one week was to remember and understand the life of soldiers during the Great War during 1914-1918.

We found out that it was a horrid time for many of the soldiers. The students at the school undertook a series of events to learn about a number of ways that they suffered.

Every student also was provided with a World War One book of their choice such as War Horse or Private Peaceful.

The school put together a memorial garden where students wrote their name on a stone painted red, and they were placed on the ground in the shape of a poppy. Also to add to the beauty and atmosphere, we added poppies on crosses and head stones to remember all 15 soldiers that came to our school. They sadly didn’t survive. Their names are written on our front gates. Every year new students will put their name on a red stone and add it to the poppy. This is to provide a legacy for the men. Many things were also provided by local businesses to help it look really nice too.

To find out more about the 15 soldiers who came to our school staff set up an exhibition. This contained a wide variety of information and some sources from the museum. Students took part in a history project to create an artefact from the Great War. We created diaries, letters, and models of tanks, planes and trenches as well as comics and paintings. Some of the best pieces of work were put into the exhibition. The public were allowed to come in and visit to find out about the history of the soldiers.

As well as our students we also hosted students from Almond Hill Primary School who came and learned all about the Great War and the lives of the men who fought and died from our school.

Overall, I think that world war one week was an amazing way to learn, understand and remember world war one. I would like to do something like this in the future for another aspect of history and everyone enjoyed it.

Kelisha Daniel

Year Seven Trip To Belgium

On Friday the 14th of November forty three of the year sevens at Thomas Alleyne took a trip to Belgium near France. On that trip we visited several cemeteries that held British and German soldiers that fought during WW1.

One of the cemeteries we visited was the Langemark German cemetery that contained over 44,000 soldiers!!

We laid a reef made from poppies and took a minute to remember the fallen from both sides.

Another cemetery we had a look at was Tyne Cot, home of the Commonwealth War Graves and Memorial to the Missing. (This is another place where we laid a reef.) It is a Cemetery that is a resting place of 11,954 soldiers of the Commonwealth Forces. This is the largest number of burials contained in any Commonwealth cemetery of either the First or Second World War!!

The students had plenty of fun on the trip and we also had a brilliant tour guide to help us about information and show what graves are what rank, what different memorial statues were called and inspired us in many ways. In fact one student was so inspired he decided to go off looking at the graves and found his great uncle!!

Darcy Mcdonnell

World War One Week

On the 11th of November we remembered the lives lost in World War One. To the school this is very important because fifteen students from this school fought and lost their lives during `the war to end all wars.’ We have a memorial gate at the front of the school with their names inscribed in stone. We also built memorial garden where we all signed a stone a laid it in the shape of a poppy which will stay there forever as a legacy to the men who died. Another thing we did was to lay wreaths on the gate and above the memorial for the men who died during World War Two that are on a board in the hall.

We remember this important 100 year anniversary in many ways like being given a world war one book such as war horse, private peaceful, all quiet on the western front, remembrance and a couple more. We used these in lots of lessons both in form and English classes.

We held an exhibition to commemorate them and also had homework projects to create an artefact such as a piece of writing or a scale model of a tank or trench. This was a lot of fun to do and some got put in the exhibition alongside real artefacts from the museum.

I really enjoyed world war one week because we did some fun activities and we got to learn while doing so.

We also learnt about the lives of the solders before the war and things that they accomplished, as well as reflecting on their sacrifice.

Charley Brown

FRANK COOPER & SON LIMITED Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping Contractors

Commercial and Private clients in the Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Essex, and North London areas.

www.frankcooperandson.co.uk • Tel: 01438 880660 • Fax: 01438 880661

20

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

education

Just Be A Child Back in 2012, Stevenage resident Lenka Mcallinden visited Ukunda, Kenya. Whilst there, she was struck by how little there was for children to do; no real playgrounds, opportunities to swim or activities generally, while schools, especially the really small community run ones, were run down, boring and a very old fashioned approach of teaching was being applied. Lenka decided that she could help change this somehow and she has!

Having been left the small but not insubstantial sum of £5,500 by her parents, Lenka generously set about using it to start up a charity and ‘Just be a Child’ (JBAC) was born!

Lenka explains, “JBAC aims to enrich and enhance children’s childhood experiences.

My hope is that through the charity, children from both the UK and Kenya can benefit and learn to help each other. We have organized many fundraising events including collaborating with UK dance groups who organised Flash Mob routines, these were a great success, raising both money and awareness of our charity.

We work with small community groups in Ukunda, Kenya that would otherwise miss out on international aid work. To date we have provided approximately 19,000 children with fun activities! These include trips to the beach and zoo, competitions and games, the installation of a playground and upgrade of classrooms.

And hopefully a birthday party or two! Our latest project, ‘the playground’ has been an enormous success. We expected maybe 10 helpers to come on board yet in reality we had the helping hands of over 150 volunteers.

Now complete, the playground has been truly tested to its limits by the children and the local community are taking great pride and joy in maintaining it. JBAC has instilled pride and responsibility in a community that is not entrusted with either very often.”

Lenka adds, “Our latest project is the formation of a Sport Centre, which will include a football pitch, volleyball and basketball courts, and also a library. We are now looking for books for all ages, but primarily for children. We also need a 40’ shipping container unit which will be converted into the library. The volleyball court is next on our list - and we will need pretty much everything for this!”

In order to raise some much needed funds, we have joined Clothes4Charity that will collect clothes on our behalf. If you can, please donate your unwanted clothing through www.clothes4charity.org.uk For more information about JBAC and to offer help and support please visit www.justbeachild.com or follow us on Facebook /Justbeachild.

Messy Church at Holy Trinity Messy Church is something for children of all ages to come and enjoy. As the title suggests, we tend to do things that are messy painting, sticking, designing things from cardboard boxes and usually a food activity. The activities are linked to a theme and take place for an hour. We then clear up and have a time of worship celebration before ending our time together by sitting down for tea (usually sandwiches, maybe beans on toast!).

It’s a time for the children to find their artistic talents but also for parents and grandparents to have a chat and a cuppa.

Messy Church takes place every two months on a Saturday afternoon, from 4pm-6pm (unless stated otherwise). Dates for 2015 are Jan 17, Mar 14, Apr 3 (Good Friday, times 12-2pm with lunch), May 23, July 18, Sept 26 and Nov 28 (timings for November may change).

The Easter celebration on Good Friday follows the Old Town Walk of Witness.

Come along and join us, everyone is welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Sessions are free, but we ask for a donation. For further details contact Anne Price 239638 or e: anneprice18@ntlworld.com.

Please send your news, stories & advertising enquiries to editor@thestevenagemagazine.co.uk Deadline for Issue 22 (Mar/Apr) is 10 February 2015 21

what’s on

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

WHAT’S ON S T E V E N A G E J

A

N

/

F

E

B

/

M

A

R

2

0

1

5

Stevenage Family History Society: Research Evening Wed 7 Jan, 7.15pm Share your progress in researching your family. We can give tips to make searching more effective.

Have you hit a ‘brick wall’? We may be able to help. Various resources will be available, including access to internet resources such as FamilySearch and Ancestry. Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage.

Visitor £3. www.stevenagefhs. webspace.virginmedia.com or e: stevenagefhs@virginmedia.com

Stevenage Farmers Market Sat 10 Jan, 10am -2pm High Street market place (opposite the White Lion pub) Stevenage, Herts, SG1 3UA

Baby Rhyme Time - Old Town Library Tues 6 Jan, 2.15-2.45pm Join in songs & rhymes with your babies, first Tuesday of every month.

High Street, Stevenage, SG1 3EF

Exhibition: Chuckle in the trenches Until 17 Jan Exhibition of humorous cartoons showing life in the trenches.

Sketches & postcards by Bruce Bainsfather, F Mackain & Donaly McGill. www.stevenage.gov.uk/ about-stevenage/museum/ e: museum@stevenage.gov.uk, t: 01438 218881, St George’s Way, SG1 1X

Stevenage Floral Art Society: Demonstration by Sue Papa “Backwards and Forwards” Thurs 8 Jan, 7.00pm for 7.45pm start Visitors welcome £6.50 includes refreshments and flower draw.

Sales table of floral sundries. High Street Methodist Church Hall. Call Margaret 01438 880086 for details.

Baby Rhyme Time - Central Library Fri 9, 16, 23, 30 Jan, 10-10.30am & 11-11.30am Join in songs & rhymes with your babies, every Friday. Southgate, Stevenage, SG1 3EF Make It Fri 9 Jan, 12noon-2pm Come along, get creative and meet others who enjoy the fun and benefits of sewing, knitting and rug making. Just bring sandwiches and whatever you are working on or materials to start from scratch. Tea & coffee provided. www.stevenage. gov.uk/about-stevenage/museum/ e: museum@stevenage.gov.uk, t: 01438 218881, St George’s Way, SG1 1XX Toddler Tales - Central Library Fri 9,16,23,30 Jan, 2-2.30pm Stories & rhymes for toddlers. Every Friday at Stevenage Central Library.

Southgate, Stevenage SG1 1HD Toddler Tales - Old Town Library Fri 9,16,23,30 Jan, 2.15-2.45pm Stories & rhymes for toddlers. Every Friday (term time only) at High Street, Stevenage, SG1 3EF Super Saturdays: Up to the Sky Sat 10 Jan, 11am-12noon, 2.30pm3.30pm Look at the planets & the stars, find out some fascinating & far out facts (and share what you know with us).

Make a beautiful journal to take home and record the changing sky day & night. Quizzes & colouring. www.stevenage.gov.uk/aboutstevenage/museum/ e: museum@ stevenage.gov.uk, t: 01438 218881, St George’s Way, SG1 1XX

22

Under 5s: Dr Seuss, Green Eggs & Ham Fri 16 Jan, 1.30-2.30pm Stories, games, art & craft fun for children under 5 & their parents & carers. Cost £1. www.stevenage. gov.uk/about-stevenage/museum/ e: museum@stevenage.gov.uk, t: 01438 218881, St George’s Way, SG1 1XX

Messy Church Sat 17 Jan, 4-6pm Join us, everyone is welcome.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Sessions are free, but we ask for a donation. Painting, sticking and creating. Followed by tea. Holy Trinity Church, High Street, Stevenage. For further details contact Anne Price 239638 or e: anneprice18@ntlworld.com RSPB: Northern Isles Tues, 20 Jan. 7.30pm A new speaker to the group – Bruce Bennett, will present an illustrated talk about the Northern Isles – Shetland, Orkney & Fair Isle.

Contact: Ann Collis on 01438 861547 Lunch & Listen: Wedding Dresses through time Fri 23 Jan, 1-2pm Enjoy a lunchtime talk on a variety of subjects. Numbers are limited so please book in advance. Tea & coffee provided just bring your own sandwiches! Cost: £3.75 (£3 concessions). www.stevenage.gov. uk/about-stevenage/museum/ e: museum@stevenage.gov.uk, t: 01438 218881, St George’s Way, SG1 1XX The Fifth Annual General Meeting of The Betty Game Opportunities Trust Sat 24 Jan, 2.30 pm After the business meeting, the Mayor of Stevenage, Cllr Sherma Batson, MBE, will speak and we will also hear from some of the students we have helped during the past year. Refreshments and a slide show will follow. Everyone welcome. Holy Trinity Parish Room, High Street, Stevenage, SG1 1HT.

Events are FREE to list.

Please email your events to editor@thestevenagemagazine.co.uk Deadline for the Mar-Apr issue is 10 February Stevenage Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert Sat 24 Jan, 7.30pm Returning for the 7th year, the programme features Dvorak Symphony No. 9 “From the New World” and also includes Modlau

by Smetana and Mahler’s Ruckert Lieder for which we will be joined by the wonderful mezzo soprano Mona Abboud. Tickets : £9 (£7 Concessions). Available from Gower House Interiors, 135d London Road, Knebworth, or on the door.

St Martins Church, St Martins Road, Knebworth, Hertfordshire SG3 6ER

Baby Rhyme Time - Central Library Fri 6, 13, 20, 27 10-10.30am & 1111.30am Join in songs & rhymes with your babies, every Friday. Southgate, Stevenage, SG1 3EF

RSPB : Walk – Willington Dovecote.

Sun, 25 Jan, 9.30am A morning walk near the River Great Ouse. Meet in the car park near donation box. The Danish Camp café should be open for refreshments at the end of our walk.

Contact: Ann Collis on 01438 861547

Under 5s Fri 6 Feb, 1.30-2.30pm Cost: £1. Stories, games and art & craft fun for under 5’s & their parents & carers. T: 01438 218881 E: museum@stevenage.gov.uk www. stevenage.gov.uk/museum

Stevenage Choral Society: open rehersal Mon 26 Jan, 7.30pm Join us for a rehearsal of our latest work. This term we are performing Beethoven’s wonderful Mass in C! We welcome anyone who would like to try singing with a classical choir, no audition ! Nobel School, Mobbsbury Way, Stevenage SG2 0HS. www.stevenagechoral.org.uk Exhibition: Growing up in the New Town Opens 31 Jan An installation by artist Clare Marsh, who grew up in Stevenage. The work represents the comings and goings in her new town home as the family grew and moved on.

Plus childhood memories of family and play from the 1950s to the 1960s taken from the Museum oral history archive. www.stevenage. gov.uk/about-stevenage/museum/ e: museum@stevenage.gov.uk, t: 01438 218881, St George’s Way, SG1 1XX Stevenage Ostomistics: Fun Quiz with a difference .. John Burlison Sat 31 Jan, 10.30am-12.30pm Oval Community Centre, Vardon Road, Stevenage SG1 5RD, No charge, refreshments available Contact Alfred Levy at alfred@levy1. plus.com or tel: 01767 376958 Baby Rhyme Time - Old Town Library Tues 3 Feb, 2.15-2.45pm Join in songs & rhymes with your babies, first Tuesday of every month.

High Street, Stevenage, SG1 3EF Stevenage Family History Society: “Wills - an under-used research source” Wed 4 Feb, 7.15pm Speaker: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies (HALS). Discover how wills can help in tracking your ancestors. Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage. Visitors £3. www.stevenagefhs.webspace. virginmedia.com or e-mail stevenagefhs@virginmedia.com

Make it!

Fri 6 Feb, 12noon-2pm Free. Get creative, sewing, knitting or rug making. Bring sandwiches & whatever you are working on or materials to start from scratch. Tea & Coffee provided. : 01438 218881 E: museum@stevenage.gov.uk www.stevenage.gov.uk/museum

Toddler Tales - Central Library Fri 6,13,20,27 Feb, 2-2.30pm Stories & rhymes for toddlers. Every Friday at Stevenage Central Library.

Southgate, Stevenage SG1 1HD Toddler Tales - Old Town Library Fri 6,13,20,27 Feb, 2.15-2.45pm Stories & rhymes for toddlers. Every Friday (term time only) at High Street, Stevenage, SG1 3EF Stevenage Floral Art Society: 54th AGM Thurs 12 Feb, 7pm for 7.45pm start Refreshments will be followed by a talk given by Angela Travis. Title “Herbs and Remedies” Visitors £5 High Street Methodist Church Hall.

Call Margaret 01438 880086 for details.

Lunch and Listen Fri 13 Feb, 1-2pm £3.75 (£3 conc) Enjoy a lunchtime talk on a variety of subjects. Spaces limited, please book in advance.

Tea & coffee provided. T: 01438 218881, E: museum@stevenage.gov. uk, www.stevenage.gov.uk/museum Stevenage Farmers Market Sat 14 Feb, 10am -2pm High Street market place (opposite the White Lion pub) Stevenage, Herts, SG1 3UA British Heart Foundation’s Knebworth Park 5k & 10k Run Sun, 15 Feb, 9.15am (gates open) Kick off the New Year with our this 5k or 10k run through the rugged parkland of Knebworth. The route is multi-terrain with lots of muddy stretches, grass and track so prepare to get dirty. In 2015 we will be celebrating 10th anniversary of running at Knebworth, so there’ll be extra entertainment around the park with a fairground, stalls and live entertainment. So whether you want to walk, jog or run, help us run all over heart disease. Entry fee Adult £12, Child £6. On the day registration 9.30-10.30am. Sign up online https:// www.bhf.org.uk/get-involved/ events/runs/knebworth-parkrun. Knebworth Park, Knebworth, Hertfordshire, SG3 6PY

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

What’s On continued....

RSPB: Presentation Tue 17 Feb, 7.30pm Paul Forecast from RSPB Eastern Region will present a talk entitled Around the UK in 80 reserves.

Contact: Ann Collis on 01438 861547 Half Term Holiday Activities Weds 18, Thurs 19, Fri 20 Feb Gorgeous Georgians: games and fashions. Cost: £2 per session on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning, free on Friday afternoon.

Tel: 01438 218881 Email: museum@ stevenage.gov.uk Visit www. stevenage.gov.uk/museum RSPB: Walk – Fen Drayton Sun 22 Feb, 10am A morning walk (plus afternoon, if you wish) visit to this RSPB reserve near Cambridge. Meet in the car park at 10am. Contact: Ann Collis on 01438 861547 Down Memory Lane : Day to Remember Fri 27 Feb, 10.30am -12noon Free. Join us for a drink & chance to share your memories. Why not bring a photo or something else to share that brings back memories? T: 01438 218881 E: museum@stevenage.gov. uk www.stevenage.gov.uk/museum Make it!

Fri 27 Feb, 12noon-2pm Free. Get creative, sewing, knitting or rug making. Bring sandwiches & whatever you are working on or materials to start from scratch. Tea & Coffee provided. : 01438 218881 E: museum@stevenage.gov.uk www.stevenage.gov.uk/museum Make it!

Fri 27 Feb, 12noon-2pm Free. Get creative, sewing, knitting or rug making. Bring sandwiches & whatever you are working on or materials to start from scratch. Tea & Coffee provided. : 01438 218881 E: museum@stevenage.gov.uk www.stevenage.gov.uk/museum Stevenage Ostomistics: Expedition “Everest Base Camp and Island Peak” Graham Carter Sat 28 Feb, 10.30am-12.30pm Oval Community Centre, Vardon Road, Stevenage SG1 5RD, No charge, refreshments available Contact Alfred Levy at alfred@levy1. plus.com or tel: 01767 376958 Stevenage Family History Society: “Guilds and Apprentices” Wed 4 Mar, 7.15pm Ian Waller. Many ancestors will have started their working lives as apprentices, records produced as part of the apprenticeship process can be valuable tools in building a picture of the life of an individual. Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage.

Visitor £3. www.stevenagefhs. webspace.virginmedia.com or e: stevenagefhs@virginmedia.com RSPB: Walk – Lemsford Springs Thurs 5 Mar, 9.30am A morning visit to this lovely Herts & Middlesex reserve near Welwyn (donation requested). Meet outside reserve gates. Contact: Ann Collis on 01438 861547

Make it!

Fri 6 Mar, 12noon-2pm Free. Get creative, sewing, knitting or rug making. Bring sandwiches & whatever you are working on or materials to start from scratch. Tea & Coffee provided. : 01438 218881 E: museum@stevenage.gov.uk www.stevenage.gov.uk/museum Stevenage Society for Local History Mon 9 Mar, 7.30pm (for 8pm start) A talk by David Short called “What People Had in Their Houses 1600 to 1700”. Springfield House, 24 High Street. Cost is £4 for guests or £20 for a year’s membership (£18 concessions). For further information contact 01438 811439. New guests are always welcome.

Stevenage Floral Art Society: Spring Sensation Thurs 12 Mar, 7pm for 7.45pm start.

Gill McGregor gives us a floral demonstration on stage at High Street Methodist Church Hall.

Visitors welcome £6.50 includes refreshments and flower draw. There will be a sales table of floral sundries.

Call Margaret 01438 880086 for details. This is the start of our club Emerald Anniversary year (55years in the Old Town) Stevenage Farmers Market Sat 14 Mar, 10am -2pm High Street market place (opposite the White Lion pub) Stevenage, Herts, SG1 3UA Messy Church Sat 14 Mar, 4-6pm Join us, everyone is welcome.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Sessions are free, but we ask for a donation. Painting, sticking and creating. Followed by tea. Holy Trinity Church, High Street, Stevenage. For further details contact Anne Price 239638 or e: anneprice18@ntlworld.com Stevenage Choral Society: Beethoven Mass in C Sat 28 Mar, 7.30pm The choir will be performing this enduring classic with the East Herts Youth Orchestra. A wonderful, uplifting piece, the Mass is described by the Penguin Guide to compact discs as ‘a long under-rated masterpiece, and has a direct emotional appeal that tugs at the heart and the spirit.

Venue: St Andrew and St George Church, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door, under 16s £5. www.stevenagechoral.org.uk

what’s on

A Message from the Churches of Holy Trinity and Christ the King 2015 is so full of opportunities. It is another year in life’s journey which provides opportunities for new beginnings.

What will it bring?

There may be opportunities to make new friendships and to renew old ones. Either will demand making time to be in places where we can meet people or making time to contact old ones.

I sometimes meet people who have a loved one who is in their last weeks or months and who tell me how precious every minute has become.

‘Why did we wait so long to tell each other that we love each other?’ is a fairly common theme.

Sometimes we allow relationships to degenerate. It is so easy to get into a vicious cycle of criticism, when we could have looked for things to affirm or praise in another. There is a much misused text from the bible ‘speak the truth in love’ which can be used as an excuse to criticise others, but which really means ‘speak the Good News’ in love if read in context.

Even if we choose to use it the wrong way, speaking the truth is not all about criticism; nor is it about giving undeserved praise; it means honestly looking for the good in others and acknowledging it. It is so easy to be cynical and so difficult to be affirming. Cynics easily destroy relationships and indeed people.

Will 2015 provide opportunities to make our homes, workplaces and work happier?

Vincent Oram, Vicar Holy Trinity, High Street and Christ the King, Symonds Green

Down Memory Lane : Growing up in the New Town Fri 27 Mar, 10.30am -12noon Free. Join us for a drink & chance to share your memories. Why not bring a photo or something else to share that brings back memories? T: 01438 218881 E: museum@stevenage.gov. uk www.stevenage.gov.uk/museum

A parish walk to see the Benington snowdrops. Led by the Vicar of Holy Trinity, the Revd Vincent Oram (centre back) and Robyn-Anne Oram ( second row, blue jacket).

23

organisations

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

ORGANISATIONS G R O U P S & C L U B S Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings - Old Town, Springhouse, Tues 8pm & Methodist Church, Chells Manor Weds 12.30pm, Chells Manor Community Centre, Weds 8pm. For other meets t: 0845 7697555 or www. alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Al’s Cafe (Dementia Drop in Cafe) Mon, 6-8pm, Glaxo Unit (rear of Lister). Friends and family of those with dementia welcome.

Friendship, info, share concerns. T: 01438 723501/ 07799 267555. e: normawarden@hotmail.com Alzheimers Society Support Group Last Wednesday of every month at The Ibis Hotel, Stevenage. Contact: Cate Mitcham - 01462 433999/07720 946034 / Annette Cooke 07720 946032 Bedwell Rangers F.C. Boys teams: Under 6 to Under 18s. Girls’ teams: Under 8 to Under 18s. Adults, Men’s & Ladies teams, plus Disability teams for Under 12s and Under 16s. www. bedwellrangersfc.co.uk The Betty Game Opportunities Trust (charity no. 1133370) Provides small grants to Stevenage residents who are studying with the Open University, or on certain higher education courses, and who need financial help. Info or application form, e:bgotrust@ virginmedia.com or t: 01438 354171 Breathe Easy North Herts (charity no: 326730) Part of the support network of British Lung Foundation.

Free monthly meetings with speakers & entertainment at Great Ashby Community Centre. T: Sue - 01438 357319 Dementia Cafe Third Weds of every month.

Community Arts Centre, Roaring Meg. t: Jennifer Hewson 01923 894222/07834 420760 Douglas Drive Senior Citizens Centre Centre for Stevenage seniors (55+), care & therapy for stroke patients. 32 Douglas Drive, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 5PF. douglasdrivesca@ hotmail.co.uk t: 01438 357227 Extend Exercise Fridays, 10.45-11.45am Exercise class for people who need gentle but effective exercise. Can be done sitting down. Run by qualified instructor.

Costs £2.50. Archers Road Community Centre t: Helen on 01438 354662

24

Friday Club: Tea & Chat Meet Friday PM at St Paul’s Methodist Church Hall, Turpins Rise. Friendly chat and occasional guest speakers. All ages welcome.

Contact: Janis Daniel t: 01438 317270 Grace’s Space First Sat of month. Volunteer led group for families with with children 3-14 yrs with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC). Space for children & siblings to play, experience activities, form friendships with peer who understands family life. www.gracesspace.org e: graces_space@live.co.uk 07972 345797/07583 554 053 Indoor New Age Kurling Indoor Kurling, great fun sport, can be played by all ages including those with disabilities. No experience necessary. Archers Road Community Centre. Contact Helen t: 01438 354662 INS Supporting older members of in Stevenage & surrounding areas.

Stevenage World Forum for Ethnic Communities. 10-12 Exchange Road, Bedwell, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 1PZ t: 01438 725400 e: info@ irishnetworkstevenage.org. uk Knit & Natter Weds, 12.30pm Archers Road Community Centre 291 Archer Rd. t: 01438 354662 Lace Group Thurs term time only. 10am12noon & 1pm-3pm. With a tutor who teaches all kinds of lace work. Beginners welcome. Broadhall Community Centre, Hydean Way, Stevenage. t: Sandra Langworthy 07840 722 108 or e: pearl.shaw@btinternet. com Meet & Eat Club 1st & 3rd Weds of the month.

10am-12 noon. FREE cuppa & chat Pin Green Community Centre 291 Archer Rd. t: 01438 354662 North Herts Ramblers’ Group Sat & Sun, long & short walks, Dogs welcome walks, evening pub walks! Walks start at Stevenage Library Visit www.nhrg.co for our full programme Over 55s Luncheon Club Mon - Fri, 12.30pm, Springfield House Community Centre. Fri lunch is served at 12.30pm Cost £4.00 Overcomers Outreach A Christian 12-step recovery support group. Weds, 8pm, Christ the King, Filey Close, Symonds Green. www. immanuel-stevenage.org.uk

Phoenix Group for Deaf Children Charity for deaf children based in Stevenage.

Support children, young people & families from all across Hertfordshire. Contact info@phoenixgroup.org.uk or 01438 722142 Singing For The Brain Support Group Thur, 2pm. Group acitivity for those suffering with Alzheimers. Friendly & social.

Run by Alzheimers Society.

The Community Arts Centre, Roaring Meg. T: Sharon Meakin 01707 265326.

Springfield House Bridge Club Friday 1.30-4.30pm Springfield House, 24 High Street SG1 3EJ South Stevenage Flower Club 3rd Tues of month, Arts Pavilion, Roaring Meg. Demos workshops & flower classes. T: Edna Holt 01438 227084 Stevenage Arts Society Painting, drawing & pottery activities. Meetings throughout the week.

Info visit www.artistscooperative.co.uk or t: 07565 912656. Springfield House 24 High Street, SG1 3EJ Stevenage Basketball Club Meet Tues & Suns, all ages junior to adult welcome.

Marriotts School Leisure Centre. Contact Mark t:07921 828316 www. stevenagebasketball.co.uk Stevenage Bridge Club Tues, 7.15pm St John’s Ambulance Hall, Stanmore Road. Contact: Phil Cooper t: 07957 813434 Stevenage Chess Club Mon, 7.30pm Holy Trinity Church Contact: Mike Price t: 01438 239638 Stevenage Choral Society Every Mon during term time, 7.45-9.45pm. Christ the King Church, Symonds Green, All voices welcome. Heather Heritage t: 01438 365769 www.stevenagechoral.org Stevenage CTC Cycle rides every Weds 7.15pm. Start at Bowling Green, High St. Bring lights.

All welcome. t: Jim on 07939 687509 www.stevenagectc. org.uk Stevenage & District Amateur Radio Club Society Tues, 7.30-9pm Stevenage Resource Centre, Chells Way. t: 01438 489045 / 07986 367537 Stevenage Family History Society 1st Weds of month 7.309.30pm. Those interested in researching their ancestors.

Friends Meeting House, Cutty’s Lane. t: 01438 721296 www.stevenagefhs. webspace.virginmedia.com

Stevenage Floral Art Society 2nd Thurs of month, 7.45pm.

High Street Methodist Church.Demos, workshops, events. t: 01438 880086 Stevenage Gamers, Tabletop Role Playing Games Club, 7-11pm The Shephall Centre £5 per session, Cons, £2.50. First session free. Members must be 18+ unless accompanied by adult. e: enquiries@ stevenagegamers.org Stevenage-Kadoma Link Association (SKLA) Town twinning link with Kadoma (Zimbabwe), meet every month at 7.30pm. e: skla@hotmail.co.uk Stevenage & Knebworth Twins Club First Mon of the month 2-4pm. Great Ashby Community Centre, White Lane. e: info@stevenageand knebworthtwinsclub.co.uk / www.stevenageand knebworthtwinsclub.co.uk Stevenage Ladies Choir Meet Thurs in term time 8-10pm at St Nicholas JMI School, Six Hills Way, Stevenage SG2 0PZ. www.stevenageladieschoir. co.uk Stevenage Locomotive Society Last Thurs of the month, 7.30pm Presentation & discussions. Roaring Meg Community Arts Centre.

Stevenage Lytton Players Amateur dramatic and musical society.

Lytton Theatre, Vardon Road, SG1 5PZ. Visit www.lyttonplayers.co.uk Stevenage Male Voice Choir Rehearsals every Friday at 7.30pm, Roaring Meg Community Arts Centre.

Contact: Ed Furye t: 01462 672502 www.smvc.org Stevenage Ostomistics Support group for those with a stoma. Meet last Sat of the month. 10.30am Oval Community Centre, Stevenage. Enjoy company of others, listen to talks, visit places. Contact Alfred Levy 01767 316958 or email alfredlevy@me.com or your stoma care nurse.

Stevenage Photographic Society Mon, 7.45pm Roaring Meg Community Arts Centre.

Visit www.photograp hicsociety.org.uk Stevenage Plus Thurs evenings at the Holiday Inn Express. A local social group for people aged 18-35, to meet and make new friends. Contact: Natalie t: 07837 733830 Stevenage RSPB Meets third Tues of month.

From Sept-May at 7.30pm.

Friends’ Meeting House, Cutty’s Lane. Entry £2.50 for RSPB members & £3.50 nonmembers.

Stevenage Senior Forum ‘Maturity Matters’ 2nd Thurs of month. 1.303.30pm Open to anyone 50+Meetings take place at Bowes Lyon Centre.

Stevenage Sword Dancers Tues, 8.30-10.00pm, Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage, SG1 1UP. Rapper sword and longsword dancers. Tel: Dave 07952159668 www.stevenagesword.org. uk Stevenage (North) Trefoil Guild Meet 2nd Weds of the month, 2.30 - 4.30pm Hellards Road Community Room. All ex-Guiders, Guides and Brownies welcome. t: 01438 351155.

Stevenage World Forum The Together Centre, 10-12 Exchange Rd, Bedwell Neighbourhood Centre, Bedwell Crescent, Stevenage, SG1 1PZ. T: 01438 725400 www.worldforum.org.uk The Rotary Club of Stevenage Meet Mon, 6.15pm for 6.30 start. Novotel Hotel. For further info please contact mg@gommarchitects.com or t: 07970 750302 The Royal British Legion Stevenage Branch meet at CIU Club Old Town on 1st Thurs of month 7pm for 7:30pm. New members most welcome. Contact Hon Secretary Mr Richard Mott 01438 233505 The Stevenage-IngelheimAutun Association Town Twinning link with towns in Germany and France. Meeting dates vary but see www.tsiaa.org. uk for information. e: tsiaa@hotmail.co.uk The Stevenage Society for Local History Meets second Mon of the month from Sept to May inclusive, 8pm. Springfield House Contact: Jill Campbell t: 01438 811439 auntduuk@yahoo.co.uk.

Timebridge Widow Every Tues, 1.30-3.30pm, Timebridge Community Centre, Mobbsbury Way, Chells. Tea, chat & new friends. Newcomers welcome. Occasional trips. Contact: Pat, Events Scretary on 01438 314587 The Wednesday Club Every Weds, 9.45-11.25am.

Methodist Church,High Street (term time). Enjoy a variety of speakers and demonstrations. Tea and coffee served. Contact Alanah t: 01438 361324 Women’s Institute - Great Ashby Meet first Fri of each month, 7.45pm at the Great Ashby Community Centre, Whitehorse Lane, SG1 6NH Contact Sylvia Urbanowski - 07967 091857 or e: greatgatsbywi@hotmail. com.

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk Women’s Institute (WI) Old Town Meets once a month, Tues 7pm. Holy Trinity Church, High Street. Joan McAdam t: 01438 216850 joanmcadam@ntlworld.com Women's Institute (WI) Poplars Meet first Weds of the month at Broadhall Community Centre, Hydean Way, Stevenage 2-4pm. Contact Joan Bellott t: 01438 220724 e: pearl.shaw@btinternet. com

TODDLER GROUPS High Street Methodist Church Parent & Toddlers Mon, 9.30-11.30am £1.50 t: Tim Hoof 07788 448592 Funky Feet Weds, 1pm-2.30pm, £1.50 adult & 2 children, 30p additional children at Symonds Green Community Centre. 07967 326082 Happy Hedgehogs Mond 10-11.30am, St Nicholas Church, Rectory Lane, £1.50 adult & 1 child (additional adult/child 50p) E: happyhedgehogs1@ hotmail.co.uk Little Lambs Fri, 9-10.30am, donation welcome, babies upwards.

St Nicholas Church, Rectory Lane. Judy Brown on 01438 213587 or Sarah Metcalfe on 07903 717645.

organisations

A chat with... The Herts-Made Project (THMP) THMP is a local initiative made up of a handful of women affected by health and employment barriers with similar aims, passions and interests. The group offers a chance for sometimes isolated, creative and talented women working from home to meet others, share ideas and opportunities. We meet at each other’s homes in Stevenage, to discuss ideas on how to sell and promote the products we make. We also have a nominal group membership fee which helps towards sharing the cost of resources and local craft events.

We hope primarily to help individuals by showcasing their talents, giving them the opportunity which they may not otherwise have to trade. We'd also like to involve the community in any way we can. By showing what can be done by local disadvantaged women, we also hope to provide demonstrations and workshops on Asian arts and craft, jewellery making, fabrics, beauty treatments and other life skills activities. Over the last year we've shared craft markets with Mixed Bag, a Bedfordshire based CIC providing employment for vulnerable adults through craft. We've also been generously supported by INS (Irish Network) at the Bedwell Community Centre and were participants in the International Women's Day event held in Stevenage Town Centre in March. In addition, two of our members have provided workshops in a local special needs school.

As a voluntary organisation, we'd like to reach as many women and service providers. We have members who gained their PTLLS (Preparing to Teach Lifelong Learning Sector) Certificates, enabling them to deliver life skills workshops and would like to hear from service providers who would be interested in us providing skills workshop for their users.

We are currently looking for new craft members and volunteers to join our group steering committee. Anyone interested in joining or finding out more can email us at info@thehertsmadeproject.org.uk or visit us on Facebook.

Little Lunchers Thurs, 10am - 1pm, High St Methodist Church. Cost: donation. Acitivities, story, songs followed by lunch together round a table, with high chairs, lunch & bibs provided. Tim Hoof 07788 448592 or hoof@gmx.co.uk Old Town Toddlers Tues, 9.45-11.15am £2.50 at Trinity Church. t: Dinah, 01438 229663 Pin Green Pandas Thurs, 9.30-11.30am £1.50 at Pin Green Play Centre. t: Diane, 07886 256 703 Tiny Tearaways Tues, 9.30 -11am £2 adult & 2 children. The Hyde, Shephall t: Lynn, 07971 971793 Tiny Tykes Thurs, 9.45-11.15am 50p at Pin Green Community Centre 291 Archer Rd. t: Bridget, 01438 355734 Twinklers Tues, Weds, Thurs 9.15-11.15am Bunyan Baptist Church, Basils Rd. There is a waiting list for places. Kirsty HomfrayCooper - 07719 599 109

Get UP... Get OUT... Get NORDIC WALKING! Mel from FitHaven has been Nordic Walking for over 10 years, is fully

qualified with NWUK and British NW, is First Aid trained and holds full public liability insurance. She will be introducing Taster Nordic Walking sessions in STEVENAGE in 2015. Join her TASTER sessions from either Hampson Park, Fairlands Valley Park, or Great Ashby District Park, Saturday Mornings, 10 to 11am during January 2015. Taster sessions are £5 (includes Nordic Walking Pole hire, technique instruction & a short Nordic Walking around our fabulous parks and countryside). Come and join this friendly, fabulous and fast growing outdoor way to get fit, healthy and active on your doorstep.

To avoid disappointment contact Mel to book your place NOW. Call/Text Mel on: 07900 823553 or Email: mel@fithaven.co.uk.

Follow FitHaven with Mel on

It’s FREE to list your not-for-profit organisation,club or group on this page!

Please email details to editor@thestevenagemagazine.co.uk Deadline for the Mar/Apr issue is 5 Feb 2015

25

pet care / gardens

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk

Dog Training: teaching your dog where to go!

Your dog does not naturally know where he is allowed to go to the toilet, to him the carpet is just as suitable as the grass! Because of this, never tell your dog off for going in the wrong place, instead, teach him it is good to go in the right place.

Your dog is most likely to need to go to the toilet: when waking up, after playing and after eating. At each of these times, and every hour or so during the day, take your dog outside and wait for him to go. If he does, give a command such as ‘quickly’ and then reward him with treats or toys when he has finished. If he doesn’t go, just bring him inside again.

Dog cages can be useful for house training as dogs are unlikely to mess in their own beds. Remember to take your dog out to the garden as soon as you let them out of a cage and do not leave them shut in for too long.

If you have to leave your dog for longer than an hour or so, shut them in a room that is easy to clean and leave a tray of grass turf in the opposite corner to their bed.

Newspaper is yet another surface and just confuses pups.

Overnight, leave your dog in this room but take them out every few hours. It shouldn’t take more than a few nights before you can start to reduce the number of outings.

If you do have to clean up after your dog, use a biological washing powder as this will remove the ammonia and discourage the dog to toilet in the same place.

Sally Marchant runs www.naturallyhappydogs.com the online video library with video articles about everything you need to know about dogs. You can use the voucher code THESTEVMAG to sign up for a month for free. If you are interested in seminars about dog training, visit www.dog-and-bone.co.uk.

DOES YOUR PET SUFFER FROM

Itchy skin or delicate stomach Arthritis Hyperactivity Are they over or under weight Are they fussy eaters Or do they simply enjoy good food….

F

TALK TO US ABOUT QUALITY PET FOODS Rachel & Andy Jackson 01438 359757

Please send your news, stories & advertising enquiries to editor@thestevenagemagazine.co.uk Deadline for Issue 22 (Mar/Apr) is 10 February 2015

F

O

F

RO

26

T}P

AR

CH A

N T}P

RO

O

F

}P

RO

O

oscars.co.uk

Happy New “gardening” year!

It’s arrived, the new year of 2015! So what are your plans and resolutions? People often talk about holidays, new cars and kitchens but what about your garden? That open space that you want to enjoy through the warmer months but generally leave to the summer months before you remember it’s there! The overgrown borders, knee high grass and a bbq that has got lost in the shrubbery!

Now is the time to start planning, get out there and make a start – a great way to burn off that festive dinner. You may only want to revamp one border but anything done now will mean that you can enjoy those long, warm days of summer. So draw back the curtains and take a look, what do you see? Take a piece of paper and pencil and roughly sketch the main points in the garden and then mark the changes you want to make, it is amazing how this simple process can help you see the garden in more detail. Where do you want the seating area and/ or bird table? Where would be the best area for growing your own vegetables? And not forgetting the children’s climbing frame!You may want a fruit tree but worry you don’t have the space. However, don’t be put off as there are a number of dwarf varieties available now that can be grown in pots, cordons or even stepovers. Your local garden centre or nursery will be able to advise you.

These can all be planted now in the dormant season, if you ask for bare root specimens they are cheaper than the potted varieties you see in the summer months.

So if your New Year’s resolution is to get more exercise and enjoy the fresh air, why not start in your garden this weekend?

Caroline Howells www.arch.uk.com 01462 686491

thestevenagemagazine.co.uk U S E F U L

business directory / useful numbers

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

N U M B E R S

CHURCHES Bunyan Baptist Church 01438 369263 Church of Christ the King 01438 226857 The Church of Transfiguration (RC) 01438 226857 High Street Methodist Church 01438 721674 Holy Trinity Church (C of E) 01438 353229 Seventh Day Adventist Church 08432 890400 St Nicholas (CofE) 01438 213587 Stevenage Vineyard Fellowship 01438 233310 JEWISH North Herts Liberal Jewish Community 01438 300222 CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU 08444 111 444 COMMUNITY CENTRES Archers Road (formallly Pin Green) 01438 354662 Chells Manor 01438 748792 Bedwell Community Centre 01438 314839 Springfield House 01438 356705 COUNCILS Stevenage Borough Council 01438 242242 Hertfordshire County Council 0300 1234040 DENTIST (NHS) Shephall Dental Surgery 01438 351556 DOCTORS’ SURGERIES King George Surgery 01438 361111 Manor House Surgery 01438 742639 Stanmore Road Health Centre 01438 313223 Symonds Green Health Centre 01438 316393

Abbots Wills & Probate Services The Poplars Surgery 01438 351359 HOSPITALS Lister Hospital 01438 314333 Queen Elizabeth II 01707 328111 Hertford County Hospital 01707 328111 LEISURE CENTRES Stevenage Leisure Centre 01438 242605 / 08700 132068 Stevenage Swimming Centre 01438 218770 Fairlands Valley Park & Sailing Centre 01438 35324 John Henry Newman Leisure Centre 01438 218791 Shephall Leisure Centre 01438 210100 LIBRARIES Old Town - 01438 737333 Central Library - 0300 123 4049 SCHOOLS Almond Hill Junior School 01438 233660 Fairlands Primary School & Nursery 01438 351053 Letchmore Infants’ & Nursery School 01438 234400 Woolenwick Infant & Nursery School 01438 216070 Woolenwick Junior School 01438 216565 The Barclay School 01438 232221 The John Henry Newman School 01438 218791 The Thomas Alleyne School 01438 344344 STEVENAGE POLICE STATION 101 (non emergency) Stevenage Town Centre Management Company 01438 740884

TRAPPED? THERE IS A WAY OUT C O N T A C T

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Tel: 01438 747475

0845 769 7555

www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk ALL ENQUIRIES ARE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE

PUBLISHED BY THE GENERAL SERVICE OFFICE A.A

01992 535 135 / 0845 313 353

ABC Life Support

40171111

0800 0467 410

Ace Taxis

01438 317777

Andre Etienne

01438 728 358

ASKPhysio

07523 005743 / 0333 577 0017

Austin’s Family Funeral Directors

01438 316 623

bbw Solicitors

01438 359 211

Breathe Easy North Herts

01438 35 7319

Envirovent

0845 27 27 807

Extra Help

0845 219 8978

Expressive Art

01438 726 955

Fit Haven

07900 823 553

Garden House Hospice (Walk The Bridges)

01462 6795401

Garden House Hospice (Wills)

www.ghhospice.co.uk

George Hay

01462 708810

Green Oak

01438 314240 / 07770 381409

Helena Wardle Herts Hour

01462 420544 @hertshour / hertshour@gmail.com

Holistic Eyes

07808 365 171

Jazzercise with Kerry Matthew J Photography

www.matthewjphotography.co.uk

Maximum Beauty

01438 317191

Mirrors Dance Multral Life

07747 153 133 07733 364 144 / 0800 878 6084

Mobile Chiropodist NUF Mutual

07743 183 036

01462 484 085

01763 241 611

Oscar Pet Food

01438 359757

Oven Clean

07445 073 648

Pure

01438 487170 / 07759 856 532

PhysioLIfe

01438 487 814

Signing Babies

07813 315 914

Snippets SOTBCP

The Dressing Room Web-Safe Herts

07534 173663 sotbcp@yahoo.co.uk 01438 316 900 01438 351 253 / 07404 603 604

Will Script

01438 214333

Window Geeks

07703 193 613

WHERE CAN I GET ONE? We get many requests for the magazine from people people outside our current delivery area. We’re delivering to new roads as fast as we can, but in the meantime you can pick up a regular copy from: Stevenage Museum, St George’s Way, SG1 1XX t: 01438 218881 Old Town Library on the High Street Central Library, Danstrete Chells Manor Commnity Centre, 12 Emperors Gate, SG2 7QX Pin Green Community Centre, 291 Archer Road, SG1 5HF

27