Arlesey NEWS
News Events Information
From the Editor
Welcome to August
We hope that ever yone is enjoying the long hot days as we head in towards the summer holidays. If you have small children to keep occupied this summer, there are lots of completely free activities to get involved with during the next few weeks - (turn to page 4 & check out the Amplius QR code) Why not take a picnic and make a day of it?
Inside this issue we have lots of ar ticles and a flurr y of letters this month (which we always love to receive)please do keep emailing us and letting us know your news and your views The Arlesey News is YOUR village magazine, written entirely for you as residents Have something you’d like to see included? Get in touch with us and let us know!
We’d like to end this month by saying a HUGE thank you to our 25+ team of deliver y volunteers who have delivered for us in such warm temperatures throughout the last couple of months - we are so grateful to you all for all of the help we receive! Thanks also to Joe Polack for a lending us the photograph we chose to use as our cover shot for this issue!
We hope you enjoy your August magazine, remember, if you take it on holiday to read somewhere sunny, be sure to let us know!
Until next month!
Joanne - Editor
With thanks to this month’s contributors: Joe Polack (FRONT COVER) Jo Loach, Local schools, groups, organisations, Arlesey Brownies, Cllr Jodie Chiller y, Arlesey Town Council, The Need Project, St Peter ’s Church, Arlesey W I, ATFC plus our regular adver tisers
Her tfordshire, SG5 4HT Tel: 01462 731986 You
Your Letters
Local Life
News from Gothic Mede Academy News from Etonbur y Academy Mental Health Matters
News from St Peter ’s Church Family Announcements
Update from The Need Project Local Spor ts News Update from ATFC Special Ar ticle - Cllr Jodie Chiller y Memor y Lane
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All this alongside all our usual news from our local churches groups, clubs & organisations..
Announcements: We are happy to accept family announcements by post telephone, email or through our facebook page If you would like to make a donation in return for your announcement then please visit the website above Please mention that the donation has been made on behalf of the Stotfold & Arlesey News Magazine
Arlesey Brownies Week Away At Whipsnade
The Brownies have just got back from a fantastic weekend away at Whipsnade We slept in bunk beds, visited the zoo and tried our hand at tomahawks! We’ve also been learning outdoor Brownie skills, being leaf detectives and practicing our map reading skills Brownies is for girls aged 7 to 10, who like to tr y new things, make brilliant friends and have fun We’re finished for the summer now, but why not come for a taster evening in September!
Check out our Facebook page to see all the things we do and DM us or email us at arlesey.brownies@hotmail.co.uk to find out more about joining
Do You Have A Baby Or Child Under 12?
Did you know there are a whole wealth of ser vices accessible to new parents and parents of young people in our area
From baby drop in centres, weighing clinics, hearing screening, advice on funding isues, help with early education and more, Shefford & Stotfold Children’s Centre can help
ARLESEY WI
ANNUAL GARDEN PARTY
Why not come along and join us at Edgewor th House, 121 High Street Arlesey SG15 6SX Tuesday 12th August 6.45pm for 7pm star t WI Committee member Kate Elmett has kindly offered the use of her garden for our annual Garden Par ty, if the weather isn't kind to us, we can also have use of her hall. A picnic buffet and a glass of Presecco will be provided, your welcome to bring your own drinks as well Please bring your own garden chair with you If you’re not a member and would like to join please call Rita on 01462 638347.
Nor thants and surrounding areas
patios, driveways &
All work completed to a very high standard. Friendly, family run business Tel: 077 03 171857 / 0146 2 731829
Henlow Vets Voted Best Vets In Bedfordshire! For The Second Year Running!
Henlow Vets are incredibly proud to have been named Best Vets in Bedfordshire for the second year running at the Best UK Vets Awards! To top this off, the practice was also ranked among the Top 25 veterinar y practices in the UK!
Owners
Anna, Graeme, Melanie, Becky T and Becky K travelled to London on behalf of the whole team to attend the prize giving ceremony and accept their award
These awards are extra special to the team at Henlow as they are judged purely on client reviews. Joint Practice Owner Graeme Mason told the Arlesey News Magazine
”This achievement is a true reflection of the trust and suppor t our community has placed in us, and we’re so grateful for the votes we received.”
”Henlow Vets is committed to continuing to provide the highest level of care making sure ever y pet receives the treatment, attention, and respect they deser ve.”
Henlow Vets is an independent veterinar y practice with RCVS accredited Hospital Status
Based in Lower Stondon, Henlow Vets offer award winning care for animals and pets within our local area.
The team are incredibly thankful to allof their clients for voting for them once again this year
Congratulations Henlow Vets!
DID YOU KNOW?
You can place a family announcement message in the Arlesey News Magazine for FREE? Why not surprise someone you know with a message in our next issue?
Simply pop us an email to arlesey.news@yahoo.com or call us on 01462 731986
Practice
Graeme (second from left and Anna, far right, alongside some of their team attending the recent awards ceremony
Local Dog Lover Shares Her Stor y O f A doption.
My name is Elizabeth, I live locally and volunteer for Stray2me Rescue I have 3 Romanian rescues, you may have seen me walking my group of dog along Arlesey Road Dotti is disabled and needs a wheelchair to enable her to go out for walks, she was found in a ditch with her spine broken, she was in a pitiful state, having to have her legs amputated however, she now lives a full life with my 4 other dogs.
Stray2me Rescue is a small charity based in the UK, run by volunteers most of whom have adopted dogs from Romania. Primarily we suppor t a number of different rescuers saving lives in areas such as Constanta, Tulcea, Craiova and Bucharest. Our rescuers in Romania save both dogs and cats. The Strays are then placed in safe shelters, for which we help to raise foster funds, money for food and money for veterinar y treatment. Our aim is to find loving 4ever homes for all the Strays we help.
If you are thinking of adopting a rescue dog, please take a look at our website or facebook page, we have both dogs and cats in need of loving homes, some have spent years in our shelters and although they are cared for and provided with food and veterinar y treatment , it's no substitute for a loving home. Not all our rescues are on our website so even if there isn't a dog or cat that catches your eye straight away, we can give you information on our other rescues that may be suitable for your circumstances
We will guide you through our adoption process and, if you are successful, we guarantee rescue back- up for the life of the animal You can rest assured you will always be able to get suppor t and advice
If you would like more information, please complete the enquir y form at www Stray2Me com and one of our volunteers will be more than happy to give you a call at a time convenient to you
If you are not able to adopt but would like to sponsor a stray please visit our website where we have a section on sponsorship.
Registered charity No: 1186687
Two of Elizabeth’s adopted dogs, including Dotti enjoying life to the full
Your LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor,
Celebrating Our Community’s Unsung Heroes: The Kids, Families, and Volunteers Who Shine
If we are to believe all we read in Facebook we are living in a ghetto Now I may be overstating this a bit, but here like so many places across Britain hundreds of young people are thriving thanks to the dedication of their families and an army of unsung volunteers. While headlines often focus on childhood obesity or youth disengagement, let’s take a moment to applaud the quieter stor y of resilience, effor t, and community spirit that unfolds ever y week on our spor ts pitches, dance studios, and scout halls Locally children are learning far more than just skills they’re building character From toddlers kicking their first football to teenagers navigating Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, our village buzzes with activity
Take our local football clubs, dance clubs, Scouts, mar tial ar ts, rugby, and DofE groups all adding to the tapestr y, offering discipline, camaraderie, and adventure beyond the classroom
Nationally, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award alone drew 250,000 young par ticipants last year and here, we regularly see backpack- toting groups setting off into the countr yside, guided by devoted volunteers. I’d wager similar scenes play out in towns ever ywhere, where parents and mentors give tirelessly to keep kids engaged, active, and hopeful
Yes, challenges exist, and they demand attention. But today, let’s cheer, and be proud for the children who show up, the families who suppor t them, and the volunteers who make it all possible Their quiet commitment is the antidote to despair and it deser ves our recognition.
Stewar t Craig
Dear Editor,
Please see below Fair field’s W.I entr y into the Fair field in bloom event The topper was made by members the Knit and Natter group which is par t of the Fair field WI
We hope your readers enjoy it!
Dear Editor,
A couple of years ago when walking down to the One Stop Shop in Stotfold, I encountered a Senior Citizen who I could see wanted to chat, and I was happy oblige He introduced himself as Edward Hyde, and informed me he was the oldest person in Stotfold We had a nice chat, and I was glad to have met him I believe he now lives in a care home in Arlesey. I would like to take this oppor tunity to wish him a ver y Happy 100th Bir thday.
Yours sincerely
Chris Hall
Dear Editor,
We wanted to write in to praise one of your adver tisers Jonny Garside Windows & Doors Jonny was extremely helpful and kind Whether you have a small or big problem he will always help. He came just recently and repaired a couple of windows He comes highly recommended’ Many thanks.
Betty Mitchell
LOCAL life..
1.Ben, you opened your business at The Wellness Centre at Waterloo Farm just a while ago - how have the first few months been and are you enjoying working in such lovely surroundings?
Busy! People have been ver y generous in suppor ting me and thank you to ever yone including the Arlesey News. Alex at Waterloo Farm Wellness has done a fantastic job offering a professional yet relaxing environment which is great to work in, my room even has air-conditioning! (a big plus at the moment) I came from a stressful work environment previously and it’s been fantastic to focus on helping patients again
2 It is repor ted that over 60% of adults will experience some type of back pain throughout their lives and live with reoccurring pain for much of their adulthood What are your top tips for things we can we do ever yday to help avoid this?
i t h e r
s a c o m p e n s
n f o r a p a s t i n j u r y o r b e c a u s e o t h e r a r e a s o f t h e b o d y
My general advice would be to encourage gentle pain free movement, doing something that you enjoy rather than something you feel you must do (as you are more likely to continue doing it). Watching our weight can also help avoid back pain as well. If you do find yourself with back pain that reoccurs or has been around for a while then you may want to speak to someone like me to see if we can help.
3. When you are not busy helping people and working Ben, how do you like to relax and unwind?
I do a lot of teaching in the UK and around Europe so I don’t get a lot of time off When I do I like to go scuba diving locally or kayaking in the Lake District I have a 2 year old golden retriever who likes to join in the kayak as well!
4 Finally, we know you would advocate for healthy eating as we know this helps reduce the chances of lots of health issues as we all get older - we also know however that sometimes ever yone is allowed to break the rules! We like to know what your favourite cheat meal would be and why? (alongside your favourite tipple!)
I’m a massive fan of Indian food and really enjoy spicy food so probably something along those lines As for a tipple I’m quite for tunate to go to Italy regularly so I’d say a glass of red wine (Valpolicella) would be my favourite
We lo ve to learn more about the people that make Arlesey such a wonderful commun ity to live in
If you know somebody who would like to par ticipate in a future LOCAL LIFE feature then get in touch!
Ben Adams - Adams Osteopathy
News from Gothic Mede A c ademy
SPORTS DAY
YEAR 3 ROMAN DAY
Ashley from Roman Britain Schools Workshop visited Gothic Mede on Tuesday to deliver a Roman workshop to Year 3, and what a fantastic experience it was! From dressing up to taking par t in Roman inspired crafts, games, and battle formations, the day was packed with immersive learning and fun Pupils explored Roman culture, language, and daily life, deepening their understanding of this fascinating period in histor y
Spor ts Day on Wednesday was brilliant! The children gave it their all in a variety of events, all cheered on by classmates, staff, and proud families A huge well done to all our pupils who showed great spor tsmanship and determination throughout the afternoon Thank you to ever yone who came along to suppor t, and to our staff team who organised such a successful and enjoyable event! Congratulations to our winners, Pur well Team! Thank you to Max and Imogen for accepting their trophy
The children all enjoyed Roman day
deal!
Congratulations to Pur well team! - Spor ts Day WINNERS!
It has been a term with lots of transition events for ever yone - We welcomed all Sixth Form applicants to our Induction Day where they had the oppor tunity to experience Sixth Form, meet their new cohor t, staff and Mrs Dowden our Head of Sixth Form
National Step up day has also been and gone Students had a taste of the exciting world of the next academic year for September We welcomed year 4 students from feeder lower schools into year 5 to experience our school, their class teacher and their peers, All of these activities are designed to prepare and reassure the pupils in readiness for their return in the new school year
This summer has also produced a wonder ful season of athletics for the students at Etonbur y, with a fantastic mixture of personal per formances, teamwork and resilience displayed by all. Our Junior and Secondar y Spor ts days were filled with lots of laughter, fun and energy! Well done ever yone, a fantastic example of The ETA Way!
This year most of our pupils have attended a school visit or trip to complement and suppor t their teaching and learning, expand their subject knowledge and provide a learning oppor tunity outside the classroom
If you haven’t already applied for our Sixth Form, it is still possible to apply Mrs Dowden can be contacted via email during the summer break: cdowden@bestacademies org uk Our next Open Evening for prospective Years 5, 7 and 9 pupils and their families is Thursday 2 October Principal talks at 5pm, 5 30pm, 6pm and 6 30pm Booking is via the Etonbur y website Our Sixth Form open evening is scheduled to take place slightly later in the academic year, Thursday 6 November
Come along and see what makes us special Our Sixth Form has the per fect mix of being small, where all staff
News from Etonbur y A c ademy
know their students well, which results in high aspirations for all. We wish all our GCSE and A Level pupil’s the ver y best of luck for results day this month.
If you would like to book a school tour, please get in touch with us at 01462 730391 or via email at etaoffice@bestacademies org uk
We believe we offer a small, compassionate, and exceptional educational community, and we invite you to come and see for yourself what makes Etonbur y special
Each and ever y year is different and we are excited for the next!
Mrs J Young Principal
We invite you to visit us to see for yourself what makes us special
Mental Health Matters with Jo Loach
Do no-thing to improve functioning.
Summer has officially arrived bringing with it what are at times scorching, energy sapping temperatures. We often associate these longer, sometimes warmer, days of August as a time for holidays, rest and reduced activity. However, we don’t have to wait for official breaks to practice the impor tant business of resting. And while our culture often treats rest as a word for the weak, it is, at least in health, an essential business for all requiring equal priority with work and play
Within the world of mental health, some disorders of the mind are described as being ‘ treatment resistant’. We could describe our culture as being largely ‘rest-resistant’, as it prioritises busyness and productivity in what is generally a fast paced, noisy, non- stop culture. A wise friend regularly reminds me that as we are not machines, we do not have to earn rest, for it is the body’s best treatment for maintaining functioning, healing and recover y
As rest is not reser ved for official holidays, it is a non-negotiable requirement of daily living, to maintain optimum functioning Recently I read an ar ticle evidenced by neuroscience which highlighted the benefits of having daily windows of doing nothing, rather than expecting ourselves to be mentally ‘on’, all the time
Incorporating daily brain breaks of as little as twenty minutes has been shown to improve concentration, focus and executive functioning. While it may feel counterintuitive to stop and be, especially when deadlines are looming,
it is proven that over time, it is counterproductive not to. The neuroscience evidence suggests these brain-breaks can involve movement, music, napping, nature -bathing, meditation, prayer, daydreaming etc It’s official it’s not enough to know this, we must regularly practice our preferred forms of brain-breaks, if wishing to benefit by resetting the system and enhancing productivity
Getting together in the summer months, with family, friends or neighbours is a great way to enjoy being together and if it is sunny enough, to enjoy the outdoors! Being with others can be a way for some, to have fun, relax and even re -energise It is also a great reminder that sometimes, and in all sor ts of ways, we need each other
In the Bible there are many examples of Jesus valuing other people. Jesus also recognised the value of being with other people. When Jesus sends his disciples and his followers out in mission, ahead him or out instead of him, to tell the people about him, Jesus would send them out in pairs, two by two. At the time, this would have offered protection and safety on the road, it would help give perspective when things were difficult and being with others would be a great encouragement, to keep going when things were not working out as planned Jesus understood the value of good relationships and the value of caring and suppor ting each other on the journey
It is a great example of how to live well together and perhaps even a challenge about how we live our lives and to remember we are always par t of something bigger and we matter to each other
Sometimes though, this can feel difficult, especially in the moments when we are alone, for all the reasons this may be And perhaps it is in those moments that Christians remember that it was God who sent his followers out, it was God’s authority Jesus gave to them, it was God equipping them for the journey,
News from St Peter ’s Church.
meaning that they were never ever alone, as God was always with them, just like Christians believe God is today
So, as the summer months roll on, why not think about who you connect with and give thanks for the people around you And maybe if you know someone on their own, why not get in touch and remind them that you are there
St Peter ’s Church is open ever y day and ever yone is welcome to come into the church to enjoy the cool of the space, a place of peace and prayer or join in any of our ser vices. We look for ward to seeing you.
All are welcome to Ser vices at St Peter ’s in August 2025
3 August 9.30am Holy Communion
10 August 10 00 am All Age Worship
17 August 9 30 am Holy Communion
24 August 9 30 am Holy Communion
31 August at 9 30am All Age Worship
New for weekdays! Ever y Wednesday at 9 15 am – Morning Prayer
An informal, shor t time of prayer and reflection for 30 minutes
Weekdays in Church in August:
Coffee Morning
Ever y Tuesday at 10 30 am Morning Prayer
Ever y Wednesday at 9 15 am
Afternoon Tea
No Afternoon Tea in August
The church is open ever y day for visitors – do come in and sit a while in the cool, read a book in the Book Nook, or write a prayer and hang it on the prayer tree.
Ever y Blessing
Revd Jenna Dearden
Email: revjennadearden@gmail com
Mobile: 07708 666612
Church Landline: 01462 731227
Announcements:
Family announcements
JACK COOPER 30th August Happy 16th Bir thday!
Enjoy your celebrations!
Love us all x
MICK & JULIA BARROW
7th August
Congratulations on your Diamond Wedding Anniversar y With love from your family & friends.
NICOLE & ZACH
Congratulations on your Wedding Day in St Lucia!
Wishing you all th l k in the world love Mum & D
OLIVIA SAUNDERS
20th August
Wishing you a Happy 24th Bir thday
With love from Mum, Dad, Oliver, Lucy, Alex, Nancy and Nanny Von x
SUE MATEJTSCHUK
11th August
Happy xxth Bir thday Sue!
With love from all of your family and friends both locally and afar! xx
Update From The Need Project
Another busy month, much the same as last month but a 25% increase in top up bags, which, if we don’t give out goes to landfill So that’s pleasing to know, we are achieving something in food waste The value, approximately, if we sold it would be about £5000 in June We continue to suppor t other food providers, like Feed up warm up and Kings community church on the Jackmans estate in Letchwor th, on a weekly basis with food going out to those in most need Our shop in Stotfold, continues to help with saving food going in the bin, as does Sandy Baptist Church on a Tuesday and Shefford Methodist Church on a Wednesday. This par t of the project, which is so impor tant, could not operate without the army of volunteers we have and for that we are truly blessed.
We cannot operate, without the suppor t we receive, be it by food donations or financial suppor t, but to me all this is priceless. We still need your prayers, for the future, as we are moving for ward into a new chapter for the project and things are changing. We have a place to call home at last! It is well on the way to phase 1 being ready, which means we can move our food operation and continue with our ministr y seamlessly, from one building to the other As I said, phase 2 is something that we pray will come in the near future, when the funds become available, but God has got us this far, so we trust in his favour The chapel is taking great shape, it looks really different and the builders are doing a great job
654 parcels provided in 21 working days • 499 top- up-bags collected from our Pop- up sites • £47,500 estimated value of the food for the month • £6,602 50, the average monthly cost to run the charity 1690 adults, 1464 children & 306 pensioners helped (includes best before food )
We are all excited about the move, well I am!, but, I think some are a bit ner vous about the flow from one to the other but we will all be glad when we are in as it seems a lifetime since we decided to take it on
In closing, as always, I want to thank ever yone who has the hear t for our project, you are the reason we do what we do
The Bible tells us to feed our hungr y neighbour, we tr y to do this without judgement, because scripture tells us to and that is how Jesus would and did act towards those in difficult situations.
Praise God always, Gordon.
Maintenance
Decorating * Furniture Building * Painting * Carpentry & more * Carpet Cleaning FREE QUOTATIONS
Save The Date
Local Spor ts News
For The 38th Standalone 10k
October 5th will once again see hundreds of runners take to the local roads as the Standalone 10k takes place for the 38th year! Whether you’re chasing a PB, running for fun, or soaking up the atmosphere, this is one day you don’t want to miss Spots go fast, so grab yours now and get ready to hit the road! You can enter by simply scanning the QR code on the adver t below From social runners to GB Masters athletes the race really is for ever yone. The event is run by Nor th Her ts Road Runners More details below:
Pan-Disabilit y Footb
Do you have a young person with a sensor y, physical or learning disability who loves to play football? Stotfold Juniors
Pan-Disability Football sessions re - star t on 27th September and take place each Saturday at the Pendleton Spor ts Centre, Stotfold Rd, Arlesey, between 4-5pm All sessions are lead by fully qualified coaches and offer fun and inclusive sessions for all Why not go along and give it a tr y?
For more details please contact Paul: paulstotfoldjuniors@gmail com
Stotfold Karate club JKSK celebrated their latest gradings with great success. Many of those taking par t star ted their journey at the club aged just 6 or 7 years of age 1st Dan - Jacob Mathias and Nicholas Charnley 2nd Dan - Oliver Clarke, Harrison Cooper, Gianluca Grant, Kiera Wan, Caydence Denton, Spenser Denton and Louis Maria
To get involved in your local Karate club, contact 07742 820956 or info@jksk co uk www.jksk.co.uk for fur ther details
WELLBEING WALKS
Are you looking to make new friends?
Wellbeing Walks are a local walking group where ever yone is welcome Walks star t at 10 45am August 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th Meet at Arlesey Train Station Contact Beth Over field on 01462 815672
Nor th Her ts Road Runners
Entries are now open for the Standalone 10k on 5th Oct with entr y details on www nhrr org uk/standalone 10k
The 1st of the month at Letchwor th Common will be on 2nd August at 9am and is open to runners of all abilities with free entr y We continue our training sessions on Tues and Thurs with qualified coaches and meet in Letchwor th at 7pm
We welcome runners of all abilities so come along for a taster session. Our details are on nhrr.org.uk or contact Ian 07506 429928
Update From Arlesey Town FC
We are currently in the thick of preseason here at Arlesey Town FC By the time you read this, the 2025/26 campaign will be upon us, and the squad is taking shape ver y nicely indeed
Our backroom staff were first to all sign on, with our Manger Tommy Cooney back at the helm for his second full season in charge. He will be suppor ted by Luis Navarro, who steps up to the Assistant Manager rank, alongside new recruit Kevin Christou, who we are delighted to welcome to the club. Since then, we have been able to retain many of your favourites from last season, as well as some exciting arrivals, which will no doubt bolster the side
It is star ting to look like one of our most exciting squads for many years We are hoping to bring a monthly “Player Focus” feature to Arlesey News over the coming season, so that you can all get to know the boys a bit more.
The first batch of fixtures should be announced by the middle of July, so we will be able to share those in next month’s edition As mentioned in last month’s ar ticle, we have already gone on sale for Season Tickets They are just £120 00 Standard/£70 00
Concessions and offer the unique oppor tunity of a generous saving of 5 home league games, along with free entr y to all preseason matches and selected home cup games They will only be on sale until Friday 25th July, so don’t miss your chance to secure a bargain
Finally, and most impor tantly, we need your help The club are looking for sponsorship for the upcoming campaign and beyond We have a range of oppor tunities to fit all budgets and aspirations, from adver tising boards around the stadium, to shir t sponsorship, matchday programme adver ts, player & shir t sponsorship, to stadium naming & branding
We want to ensure that the clubs for tunes and prosperity remains intact long term into the future, for the whole of the village and wider community to enjoy Without your suppor t and help, this will simply not be possible If you have a local business or find yourself personally in a position to help,
please do get in touch at info@arlesey townfc co uk We would love to hear from you and are open to any ideas or proposal you may have Thank you so much
As ever, matchday/Season tickets, club events, and Membership can be purchased online from our website www arlesey townfc co uk our ticket shop at: www ticketsource co uk/arlesey-townfootball-club or by scanning this QR Code:
Get in touch for club sponsorship deals for the for thcoming season
Luis Navarro - Assistant Manager
Arlesey welcomes Kevin Christou
Update From Cllr Jodie Chiller y
SPECIAL REPORT: “Kids don’t come with a manual!”
…but I have found something that may come close. Its called Home -Star t Bedfordshire
“It takes a village to raise a child” a long - standing parenting mantra, but when life’s difficulties, unfairness and cruel tendencies dominate, parents and caregivers can feel alone, isolated and disconnected from the suppor t of the “village”.
In 1984 an organisation called Home -Star t Bedfordshire was formed to protect the health of families, prevent child cruelty, relieve sickness, pover ty and need in families and promote better standards of childcare.
Four decades later Home - Star t Bedfordshire has expanded to suppor t those living with special educational needs and disabilities, domestic abuse, bereavement, and mental health issues
Its free at the point of use and any family facing challenges in Arlesey and Fair field can access it You can ask your school SENDCO, safeguarding lead, children’s centre or social worker to signpost you to the appropriate ser vice or you can self-refer to one of their courses or ask for a home visit
I was invited to an open morning last autumn to learn more about Home Star t and celebrate their 40th anniversar y, and I’ve since taken some time to understand their offering in detail
Their home visiting volunteer ser vice and the Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities (EPEC) parenting programmes are fully funded by Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) and delivered as par t of the Early Help offering Early Help is a suppor t offering from CBC Social Care and Children’s ser vices which assists families to find local suppor t ser vices tailored to the needs of the individual family The Home Star t EPEC course is just one of those suppor t ser vices
There are three EPEC courses; general, ADHD specific, and Autism specific The number of families affected by both Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is growing Both conditions have been vastly under-diagnosed and awareness around them sparse and inconsistent. But as families and professionals alike become more adept at spotting the signs, a shift in under-diagnosis to catch up has led to years -long NHS waiting lists. Neither condition is rare, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) estimates the global prevalence of ADHD in children to be around 5%, but given the number of children and adults currently on waiting lists for assessment in the UK alone of between 2 & 7 years (depending on your postcode), and then factor in all those remaining undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, there are estimates the figure is more likely around 10% to 20% of population prevalence
Home -Star t Bedfordshire can offer help & resources to local families
“Kids
Don’t Come With A Manual.”
It can affect people ver y differently and there is a huge amount of unhelpful misinformation out there While these are relatively common conditions and can not be described as rare, I would argue that useful understanding and genuine awareness in the community IS rare
ADHD for example is a serious condition that can have a negative impact on a person's health and wellbeing if left unrecognised and unsuppor ted
It can be severe, affecting daily life with behaviour, concentration, impulse control and emotional regulation making it difficult to focus, stay organised, and complete tasks.
We all have personality ‘quirks’ and occasionally struggle sitting still, paying attention, talking too much or controlling impulsive behaviour, but where ADHD or ASD is diagnosed, these challenges are so per vasive and persistent they inter fere with ever y aspect of life
Co-morbidities such as, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dysgraphia commonly occur alongside ADHD and ASD and that’s before I’ve even thought about some of the physical struggles that can come with ASD
So with all this to factor in it can be a real battle to get through the day for
ever yone in the family
Imagine you’re a parent and face some of these challenges – you’d WANT a village to help out, right?!
These are lifelong conditions that need to be managed, and the first place to star t that is in the home with family who can advocate for each other
BUT HOW?
The EPEC courses provided by Home Star t Bedfordshire are a good star t You don’t need a diagnosis, you can self-refer or ask for referral via your school, the Early Help team, children’s centre, or social worker and attendance is free and confidential.
They run for ten weeks, with professional and peer suppor t – this makes it quite unique and usefully dynamic. They also run online and, in the evening, so VERY accessible! It offers useful strategies, understanding of how the brain responds, a place to share stories and most of all it offers hope Its constantly evolving so provides up to the minute relevant take home information
The journey for any family facing this type of challenge is a maze, any hope of a diagnosis, suppor t or adjustments often seem unreachable Then chuck a bereavement or a loss of job or serious illness in the mix and ver y quickly not having a village or instruction manual to rely on for family life becomes unbearable Home Star t has been filling that gap for 40 years and long may it continue
If you feel you could benefit from their ser vices, please take a look at their website or contact your school, children’s centre, or social worker if you have one. https://homestar tbedfordshire.org.uk/about/
Help is at hand with the EPEC courses
Down Memory Lane
Arlesey Timeline - 1086 - 1900
This month we look back at the Arlesey timeline dating back from 1086 when it was first mentioned in the Doomesday book:
1086: Arlesey is mentioned in the Doomesday Book
1180: The church was built by the monks of Waltham Abbey in Essex
1750: The parish of Astwick was combined with Arlesey
1800: The Church tower fell down and was replaced by a small wooden steeple it was later replaced by a stone tower
1850: The Great Nor thern Railway opened linking London to the Nor th via York 1852: Brickworks opened in the south of the parish by Rober t Bear t of Godmanchester 1857: The tramway opened (from the GNR Line to the site of The Three Counties Asylum)
1860: Three Counties Asylum opened On the 8th March the first patients were admitted, six men and six women were transferred from the Bedford Asylum. Their ages ranged from 27 to 77 years and their histor y of hospitalisation from 7 weeks to 34 years.
1866: On the 1st April Arlesey Sidings Station opened, on the 1st July 1886 the name was changed to Three Counties Station.
1876: Arlesey Sidings School opened on the 2nd October. 1877: Church tower rebuilt to house six bells.
1884: A serious outbreak of smallpox occurred in the Asylum and thir teen patients and a nurse died.
1895: The number of patients in the Asylum had reached 1,116
1896: Arlesey Football Club was founded
If you have any thing you are willing to lend us for this feature then we would be delighted to receive it - You can email us at: arlesey news@yahoo com or by call us on 01462 731986
Three Counties Asylum (later named Fair field Hospital)
Useful Telephone Numbers
Citizen’s Advice Bureau
01525 402742 01525 841217
Trading Standards Advice Line 0300 300 8136
Churches
St Peter ’s Church, 01462 731227
Arlesey Methodist Church
Rev'd Emmanuel Onabanjo
07464 881751
Fair field Community Church 07376 740410
Kings Baptist Church 01462 730521
Salvation Army Stotfold Corps 01462 731072
Council
Arlesey Town Council Town Council Office
Arlesey Community Centre, High Street, Arlesey, Beds
SG15 6SN Phone: 01462 733722
Email: clerk@arlesey-tc gov uk
Central Bedfordshire Council, Prior y House, Chicksands, Shefford SG17 5TQ 0300 300 8000
Email customers@centralbedfordshire gov.uk
Web www.centralbedfordshire.gov uk
Waste Collection / Recycling / Dog Warden / Fly tipping / Grass Cutting / Street Cleaning / Abandoned Vehicles
0300 300 8631 or 0300 300 8632
Doctor
Arlesey Medical Centre
www arleseymedicalcentre nhs uk
01462 732144
Larksfield Surger y Stotfold: 01462 732200
Out of Hours Ser vice 111
Emergencies
Electricity Emergencies
0800 7 838 838
Gas Emergencies 0800 111999
Helplines
Alcoholics Anonymous
01438 747475
Childline 0800 1111
National Menengitis Trust
0845 6000800
Samaritans 08457 909090
NSPCC 0800 800 5000
Housing
First Garden City Homes 01462 683307
Pioneer House, Nor ton Way South, Letchwor th Garden City, Her ts, SG6 1NY Grand Union Housing - all enquiries 0300 123 5544
Miscellaneous
Arlesey Community Larder
07427 650080. Arlesey Good Neighbours 01462 732210
ACORN - Arlesey Conser vation For Nature
Mick Jackson 07970 734416 ( Treasurer)
arlesey acorn@gmail com
Beds Rural Communities Charity 01234 838771
Bir ths, Deaths & Marriages 0300 300 8089
Police
Beds Police (Crime repor ting)
01234 841212
Crimestoppers 0800 555111
Hospitals
Bedford Hospital 01234 355122
Lister Hospital 01438 314333
NHS Direct 0845 464700 300 8068
Librar y Arlesey Resource Centre & Librar y 01462 731469
Stotfold Librar y 0300 300 8068
Pubs
The White Horse 01462 621118
The Old Oak 01462 612536
The True Britton 07494 563496
Schools & Nurseries
Etonbur y Academy 01462 730391
Pix Brook Academy 01462 416243
Gothic Mede Lower School 01462 732002
BEST Nurser y (Arlesey) 01462 732168
Arlesey Preschool @ WI Hall 07815 293670
Children’s Centre
Stotfold and District Children's Centre 01462 730623
Transpor t
Trains (National Enquiries) 08457 484950
Whitbread Wanderbus 0300 123 3023
Boxall Taxis 01462 433 333
Greenacre Transfers
Airpor ts & Chauffeur Ser vices 07555 70 78 48 www.greenacretransfers.co.uk
Business Directory
ACORN Arlesey Conser vation For Nature
AD Garden Rooms
A JB Fencing
Alfie’s Barbers
07970 734416
01438 313765
07837 791365
01462 658449
All Wrapped Up - Balloons and Florist 07886 569134
Andy Leonard Painter & Decorator 07889 903283
Arlesey Community Larder
Arlesey Walking Group
Arlesey Pharmacy
Arlesey Social Club
07427 650080
01462 638286
01462 731200
01462 731361
Ask Phil - Windows, Driveways, Garden Rooms 01462 545729
Aquarius Garden Design
Barn Hair Studio
Bal & Co Motor Care
Bews Electrical
Big Minibus Hire
BK Electrical / Brian Kelly
01462 731292
01462 835611
01462 731500
01462 834488
07817 766997
07817545314
Box Of Cakes Celebration Cakes to order 07812 055587
Broadband Communications
BSH Glazing ( Windows & Doors)
Bugs ‘n’ Things Pest Control
Builders - SJ Brock
Carpentr y by Ray
Carpet Cleaning - ACCS Ltd
Carpets & Flooring - Paul Faulkner
Cascade Water Ser vices
Catsitter - Claire
01462 732628
01462 730884
01462 735999
01462 231257
01462 732814
01462 629302
01462 731674
07887 531034
07984 344997
Computer Repairs - 0777 7113107
The Cooker Buddy Oven Cleaning
01462 810065
Chris Webster, Stotfold 01462 834108
(Correspondent for The Comet )
Darren Peters Proper ty Maintenance
Dennison’s - House & Garden Clearance
Do It All Dan
Electrician - Terr y C Seymour
Fair field Bowls Club
Fencing (A JB)
Finesse Interiors
First Step Estate Agents
Foot Health Professional - Vicki Eagles
01462 733322
07522 354141
07908 674890
01462 236559
07811 738599
07837 791365
01462 896046
01462 659730
07812 399659
Foot Pro Podiatr y 07377 536685
FullFlow Pressure Washing/Cleaning
Gifford Dance Academy
Graham Smith Brickwork & Paving
Greenacre Transfers Airpor ts & Chauffeur Ser vices www.greenacretransfers.co.uk
Guides - Stotfold Guide Association
Henlow Vets
House of Fitness Pole fitness
07306 085207
07585 221513
01462 731829
07555 707848
01462 235273
01462 416416
07840 268099
Hypnotherapy - Pathway Hypnotherapy Rooms 07497157531
James’s Carpentr y & Handyman Ser vice
Jar vis Footcare
Locksmith Ser vices
Loved Gardens
Maintenance Ser vices - SHMS
MJ Ryall 01462 730169
Mow & Weedit Garden Ser vices 07765 495200
New Kitchens 01462 812826
Nor th Her ts Road Runners 01462 639215
Orange Henn Travel 01707 913761
Oven Clean & Repair Ser vices 07878 444559
Painter/Decorator - Paul A Robinson 07761 751634
01462 232642
Paul Eley Tiling 07818 000508
Paws & Claws Pet Grooming 07913 005268
Piano Lessons - Christine Walker 01462 731357
Piano Lessons - Elmitt Piano Academy 07449 461465
Pilates - Zanna Newton 07719 862371
Plumbing - ALM Plumbing 07950 311963
Plumbing - C Plumb 01462 700862
Plumbing & Heating - GSP Heating & Plumbing 01462 615922
&
Saunders Garage 01462 730222
SHA Care Ser vices 0333 0062644
Sheldon Electricals 01767 448188
Shel's Shabby Chic, Vintage painted furniture & workshops 01462 234228
Solicitors - HR J Foreman Laws 01462 458711
Tally Bookkeeping 01462 506144
The Arlesey News Magazine 01462 731986
The Rooms Hair and Beauty 01462 835538
The Rooms Holistic and Beauty Academy 07946 521266
Warrens Windows 01462 261401
Waste Removal (Josas Waste) 07739 488472
Windows - Repairs & Installations (J Garside) 07951 473505
Window Cleaning - ACCS Ltd 01462 629302
01462 234292
07816 329363
01462 290226
07981 275663
