February 2021 Stotfold News Magazine

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Stotfold

NEWS

Town News Magazine Issue 190 February 2021

Delivered FREE to 4,700 homes in Stotfold & Fairfield

News Information Your letters

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From the Editor

Welcome to our February issue!

February 2021

Another month another challenge, as we all find ourselves staying safe and having to stay home to protect ourselves and others. For those of us home schooling, you are doing a magnificent job. We are in absolute awe of the way in which our local schools have ‘picked up and run’ with the new way of schooling and we commend them all for their hard work and determination in ensuring our youngsters are able to access learning in whichever way possible.

Thank you also to everyone that has sent us in their news and letters this month. We are still very much open and will continue to publish and deliver so long as government guidelines allow. We may not have the usual selection of events and activities in Stotfold to bring you, but we are pleased to still be able to bring some enjoyment and connection to your local community through your letterbox each month. We would especially like to draw your attention to the Larksfield News this month with some useful information regarding the covid vaccinations.

It is with great sadness that we learned about the passing of Sheila Bundock this month and bring you an excellent tribute to her written by Stotfold Mayor Alan Cooper on page 7 of this month’s issue. Without doubt, Sheila's commitment to our community and the people living within it was second to none, and we send our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends at this very sad time.

The final thank you this month goes to Karen Webster for sending us in the absolutely stunning picture of the snowdrops we have chosen to use for our front cover this month - the photograph was taken on The Green in Stotfold.

Al that remains is to say we hope all of our readers are staying safe and keeping well. Remember to keep an eye out for those that may be struggling, a small ‘check-in’ with our friends and neighbours during this time can go a very long way.

Until next month...Joanne.

Contents

CONTENTS

Articles:

Your letters Tribute to Sheila Bundock News from Stotfold Mill Lock down Quiz Recipe with Trace Buggins Family Announcements Larksfield Surgery News Stotfold Juniors Club News Stotfold Football Club News

Page 5,6,9,10 Page 7 Page 8 Page 13 Page 17 Page 23 Page 30 Page 24 Page 25

Church news:

Stotfold Methodist Church St Mary’s Church

Page 20 Page 28

News from St Mary’s Academy News from Pippin Pre-School News from Etonbury Academy News from Poppies/Poppyfields News from Roecroft Lower School

Page 15 Page 16 Page 18 Page 21 Page 22

Local school/nursery news:

Editorial: Please email your letters or articles to stotfold.news@yahoo.co.uk or write to us at: Stotfold News Magazine, 78 Hitchin Road, Stotfold, Hertfordshire,

SG5 4HT You can also call us on 01462 731986 (Mon - Fri, 9.30am to 5pm) You can also contact us via our facebook page.

Advertising: It’s easy to advertise in the Stotfold News You’ll find all you need to know at: www.stotfoldnews.co.uk - Our deadline is always 6th of every month

preceding publication.

Deliveries: We have over 100 volunteers that deliver the Stotfold News Magazine. If for any reason you do not receive your copy of the magazine please contact

us to let us know.

Announcements: We are happy to accept birthday announcements by post, telephone, email or through our facebook page. If you would like to make a donation

in return for your announcement or please visit: www.justgiving.com/gardenhousehospice or send a cheque made payable to Garden House Hospice to: Garden

House Hospice, Gillison Close, Letchworth Garden City, Herts SG6 1QU Please mention that the donation has been made on behalf of the Stotfold News Magazine.

Published by Stotfold News Ltd in association with Woodbury Printing Services.

Printed in memory of Roy West.

To contact the Stotfold News Magazine please call 01462 731986

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Everybody Needs Good

Neighbours!

In the midst of the strange times we find ourselves living in, we were overwhelmed at the response we received for Stotfold residents to tell us all about their good neighbours!

After much deliberation, winners Margaret and John Tomlin of Brayes Manor - nominated by neighbours Joe and Rachel Benson were chosen for the way in which they had helped their neighbours settle in to their new home some time ago. ‘We moved into our house in November’ Joe told the Stotfold News Magazine, ‘Margaret and John were instantly very welcoming. We spent the first week without any of our possessions, but they kindly lent us a few essential items such as dining chairs to sit on, a spare TV with DVDs to keep us entertained, and they even gave us spare batteries in case the remote stopped working!’ He went on to explain. ‘We thought this was exceptionally kind as we were complete strangers at the time. They’ve continued to be friendly and kind ever since and we’d like to recognise their generosity by entering this competition for them to win the hamper.’

In association with ‘The Fruit and Veg Man’ Stotfold, the Stotfold News Magazine were delighted to present winners John & Margaret with their very own hamper of fresh fruit and vegetables. The fruit and Veg Man, co-owned by Stotfold resident John Huxtable not only delivers fresh vegetable and fruit hampers direct to your door, they also help raise much needed funds for local children’s charity Keech Hospice at the same time. 10% net profit of all box sales goes directly to the charity.

The Fruit and Veg Man accepts one-off orders or regular deliveries, you can find out how you can order whilst supporting Keech Hospice at: www.thefruitandvegman.com.

Good Neighbour hamper winners John & Margaret Tomlin with their prize!

Bookings now being taken

Established 1971

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www.stotfoldnews.co.uk

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Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, I would like to give a message of appreciation to a local business who came to the rescue of my 91 year old neighbour Ann, who locked herself out of her house while going to the garage. This was on a Sunday morning just before Christmas.

I live two doors away and she managed to reach my house after an enormous struggle, we looked in the Stotfold News Magazine for some idea as to who we could contact!...Jonny Garside of Regent Street, Stotfold was the lovely man who came to the rescue, arriving within a few minutes and getting everything promptly sorted, on top of which, he refused to take any payment.

On behalf of Ann I would like to express enormous gratitude. I do not know what we would have done without him. I realise that this will be too late for the ‘Heroes’ nomination of 2020 which I spotted in the December magazine, but I just wanted to try and make sure that Jonny gets a mention for his expertise and his kindness. He was definitely the hero on that day!!

Mrs M Hopkins.

Dear Editor, FOR SALE: We have an item for sale which your readers may be interested in. It is a brand new wheelchair, never been used.

We are in Stotfold and are asking £65.

For further details please contact 01462 638642

Dear Editor, Bright ending to an awful year.

During 2020 we have all endured a year which many of us would prefer to forget due to the continuing Coronavirus pandemic bringing hardship and personal grief to many households.

Despite all of this is was very much appreciated to see the efforts of so many residents in creating a bright seasonal ending to the year.

With the sponsorship and support of this magazine for bringing extra Christmas cheer to the town it has been amazing to see so many homes adorned with illuminated displays to spread a little happiness to others, particularly the young and those living on their own.

Great thanks go to everybody who took part even if they were not prize winners (this year), your efforts have been greatly appreciated.

Similarly, thanks are also due to the many local businesses who have supported the Town Council organised seasonal lighting around the town in one way or another be they the retailers along and around the High Street or others such as T.C.S. Electricals, Stotfold News Magazine, Stotfold Co-Op, Saunders Garage, M.J. Ryall Ltd. The last two of these helped in collecting and erecting the tree outside the Greenacres Centre prior to T.C.S. adding the lights while Saunders also helped with the Santa tour around the town on Friday 18th December.

In addition, generous financial donations have also been received from both Saunders Garage and the Stotfold Co-Op towards further illuminations for 2021 which we hope will round off a better year for many than this.

Happy New Year to you all.

Cllr. Alan Cooper – Town Mayor.

Please mention the Stotfold News Magazine when responding to adverts

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Box of Cakes

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor,

Coffee Cakes Lunch Milkshakes Breakfast Baps Afternoon Tea

On Christmas Eve between 50 to 60 residents of Hazel Grove and Coppice Mead turned out to sing a few carols and celebrate (socially distanced of course.)

Hopefully this will become an annual event in the future!

Tel: 07812 055587 Hallworth Drive, Stotfold www.boxofcakes.co.uk

We thought your readers may like to see a picture of myself and son Neil enjoying the occasion.

Happy New Year.

Mrs Keryle Rutherford.

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Tribute.

A tribute in memory of Mrs Sheila Mary Bundock.

It is with great regret that we received the sad news that Sheila had passed away during the early hours of 5th January and deepest sympathy is given to her family and close friends.

This was not only a sad loss to those closest to her but also to the many people of Stotfold whose lives she had touched in so many ways.

At the annual town meeting in March 2018, I was honoured to present Sheila with a ‘Stotfold Citizens Award’ for her services to the community while listing just some of the many organisations and events she had been a key part of during over 50 years of living in the town.

Sometime after their marriage in 1957 she and husband Geoffrey settled in their home at The Crofts where they were later joined by son Gary and daughter Amy, sadly Geoffrey died in 1980 leaving Sheila and the children all at relatively young ages.

Sheila was determined to be an active member of the community and was a founding member of the Stotfold Parents Association organising holiday activities, coach trips, craft events and Mrs Sheila Bundock swimming lessons. In 1972 she joined the Carnival Committee as SPA representative and assumed various organising roles including float decoration (and producing her own costumes). She continued to present the Carnival (later becoming Festival) Quiz for over 30 years, never once allowing the quizmasters answers to be challenged!

She Chaired the Women’s Fellowship Group for many years providing a meeting point for talks and activities by residents, also organising their float in the Carnival parade. She initially helped organise, and later run until 2016 (after 47 years) the annual Arts & Crafts Exhibition where residents of all ages could demonstrate their creative skills.

In November 1983 the old Stotfold Boys School in Church Road became The Roecroft Centre and Sheila became a prominent member of the management committee, her enthusiasm being key to its foundation. For several years she acted voluntarily as booking secretary and caretaker. She continued to be associated with this historic building as a Trustee and Secretary to the Limited Company registered charity, although threatening to retire since around 2007 she retained the caretaker and keyholder roles until very recently. Within the building, providing a venue for the benefit of local residents, she also assisted in the running of a playgroup for pre-school children.

Sheila receiving the Stotfold Citizens award in March 2018

Over and above those activities already mentioned Sheila has been an active member of the Town Council for over 25 years where she would resolutely argue in support of issues she saw as being of importance. She Chaired the Buildings Committee for many years and sat on various others, was the Council ‘watchdog’ of footways & highways in liaison with Central Bedfordshire Council and champion of the Bus Users group becoming the ‘bus timetable guru’. During Þãőőã͓Ĭãƈ͓þČČő͓ that time, she also took on her role as a highly active Governor for ŇČãĆıőĥ͓ĬČƀ͓͋ĬıĥĬŇƺ͓ the Roecroft Lower School. ƀČÿŚŏŏČőĆČĆ͓͌ ıŇãƔČƈ͓ ÿŇãƈƈČƈ͓ƈıőÿČ͓ˠ˞˞ˢ̮ Throughout it all she was always supportive, principled, and straight ŇãƈƈČƈ͓ãƀČ͓ãƳãıŇãþŇČ͓ talking. As a fellow councillor put it; “I feel that her steadfast ŇıƳČ͓Śő͓ÞŚŚŏ̳͓ŚőČ́Ślj͓ resolution to ensuring that only the best would do for her community ƈČƈƈıŚőƈ͓ãƀČ͓ãƳãıŇãþŇČ͓ was very much appreciated and she will be greatly missed by her ƔŚ͓Ɣƀƺ͓ãƈ͓ƴČŇŇ͓ãƈ͓ƴĬŚŇČ͓ fellow councillors”. ÿŚƜƀƈČƈ̮ ĬČÿń͓ƔĬČ͓ƴČþƈıƔČ͓ƔŚ͓ Sheila will indeed be missed and fondly remembered by many ƈČČ͓ÿŇãƈƈ͓ãƳãıŇãþıŇıƔƺ͓ Stotfold residents and remain an example to those who have known ãőĆ͓þŚŚń͓ŚőŇıőČ̮ her.

Cllr. Alan Cooper – Stotfold Mayor

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To contact the Stotfold News Magazine please call 01462 731986

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News from

Stotfold Watermill

Living and Learning in Lockdown ……

First of all, some suggestions for parents who are having to cope with lockdown home learning for their children.

LOCAL HISTORY – Go to https://www.stotfoldmill.com/the-watermill/history and read about the history of the mill. You could also consult our published book ‘They’ll Never Do It’ available from Stotfold Library which tells the story of the mill’s restoration.

Possible activities – • Draw a timeline of events in the mill history • Look at the mills archive collection at https://www.stotfoldmill.com/display/index.php choose one item to write a short paragraph about • Imagine you were woken by the fire at the mill on the night of 14th December. Write a short story about what happened.

SCIENCE • Stotfold Mill is a watermill. Look at information about the mill and explain the part of water in driving the mill • What else has been used to drive the mill in the past? Why does the mill have a chimney?

• What does the mill produce and what can it be used for? What is it produced from?

ENGLISH – CREATIVE WRITING

• Imagine you were a mouse living in the mill. Write a story about what you got up to at night when the miller had gone home.

• On the website History page there are three photos of people – two men and a girl on the bicycle. Make up a story about one of them.

You could email any story you write to us at enquiries@stotfoldmill.com. We would love to read them and might be able to display them when we are next open.

Another possibility is to take some exercise by walking around the nature reserve – Yes, it is open and you are allowed out to do this! If children did this once a week, they could keep a record of what changes they saw. When did spring flowers appear? When did buds open? When did the water birds nest? Some adults have put some amazing photos on Facebook but it would be good to see some children’s photographic efforts – perhaps labelled with their age.

AND FOR THE GROWN UPS! We desperately need to reform our marketing group which has fallen into abeyance. It is going to be very important to us once we are able to make positive plans for future opening and events. If you are finding a little more time on your hands during lockdown and feel you could contribute to helping to publicise the mill, please contact us by going to Volunteer on our website or emailing volunteersupport@stotfoldmill.com.

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To contact the Stotfold News Magazine please call 01462 731986

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Letters to the Editor Dear Editor,

Dear Editor, I would like to say a big thank you to the Stotfold Good Neighbour Group (SGNG) for all their help and support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Myself and my wife have lived in Stotfold for the last 60 years and have never had to depend on any community support but this group as been vital and continues to be while we are in the unprecedented times.

The SGNG have supported me and wife by picking up our medication from the chemist and delivering it to our door step within 24 hours of calling them. I think this is exceptional service and one that should be recognised as a valued service in our community. The people that have delivered our medication have been very friendly and professional and don’t ask for anything in return. These people are truly remarkable and make me proud to be British and part of this wonderful community.

Can you please put a big thank you to this group of people in the next edition of Stotfold News? This group of people have and continue to do so, make a big difference to the quality of our lives during the COVID pandemic.

Your sincerely Mr & Mrs Flanagan

Many thanks to everybody who supported our Christmas Quiz in aid of Church funds. It reached far and wide with many people sending copies to relatives across the UK and even as far as the USA and Australia!

Several correct entries were received so the winning entry was drawn by the Rev. Bill Britt from those entries.

Congratulations to Stotfold resident, Tina Lilley, who won a Christmas hamper.

If anyone would like a copy of the answers please email lyn.hayes@ntlworld.com.

We love receiving your letters!

Email them to stotfold.news@yahoo.co.uk or pop them to us by post using the address on page 3 of the magazine!

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To contact the Stotfold News Magazine please call 01462 731986

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Letters to the Editor Dear Editor,

Stotfold Garden Club Update I do hope you had an enjoyable and safe festive season and you are enjoying the new year. You should have read my Annual report and I hope that we will be able to start to meet again, although I don't think it will be before April or May, we live in hope !!! As Boris guides us through the end of the pandemic and halls are opened up, we shall be ready to start as soon as we are allowed.

Stay safe, Peter

Dear Editor, Regarding the old photo in the January issue of The Stotfold News, l believe this was taken in 1966.

The names I recall are: Back row - James Bunn, Christopher Dale, Vijay Singh, Kevin Smith, Jack Clark, Peter Hare, Ian Fitzpatrick, Neil Reeds, Michael English.

Standing row - Martin Ryde, Stephen File, Roger Palmer, Trevor Bailey, Alan Shields, Paul Day, Keith Webb, Glen Cherry, Kalman Filo, Clive Pooley, Ivan Maynard, David Preston.

Sitting row - Nicholas Dalton, Peter Cramp, Alan Jones, Nigel Tookey, Mr Ingram (sir), Michael Keane, Duncan Mc Kenzie, Keith Deighton, Graham Willis.

Front row - Gordon Bevan, Philip Brown, Roy Humphries, Tony Lewis.

Not a bad memory considering it's now 55 years ago! We would all have been around 10 years old. Apologies for any misspellings. I think they are all correct.

Has anybody else responded with name suggestions?

Keep up the splendid work.

Kind Regards.

Steve File

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To contact the Stotfold News Magazine please call 01462 731986

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Keith Dips For Dementia & Raises £10,000!

During December, Stotfold resident Keith Digby spent his time in a rather unconventional way..by taking a dip in his garden pond! All for a fantastic cause, Keith, pictured to the right with wife Sian was raising money for Dementia UK, a charity extremely close to both their hearts.

‘ My Mum has been in Chase House Nursing Home with vascular dementia for four years and now my Mother In Law who is 84 and lives in Wales is also starting to show signs of early Dementia.’ Keith told the Stotfold News Magazine.

‘As you can imagine this had a big impact on both sides of the family and so we decided to do something positive to help Keith and wife Sian taking a dip on Christmas Day! raise awareness and to raise some very much needed funds for the charity Dementia UK’. ‘Cold water therapy is now thought to help reduce the risk of developing Dementia for all age groups so we thought, why not give this a try!’

As a 54 year old Firefighter who is more used to extreme heat than extreme cold, Keith realised that this challenge was going to be a very hard challenge to complete.

With huge thanks to everyone that has shared their story Keith and wife Sian are incredibly proud to have raised over £10,000 with their efforts alongside raising some amazing awareness of this incredibly cruel disease. “I am absolutely amazed with the amount of money that the pond dip has raised so far and how generous people are being in these tough times; it shows how Dementia is affecting most families these days.’

“It has been a hard challenge both mentally and physically; naturally our body doesn't like the cold, especially for 10 minutes at a time. My breathing gets a bit restricted as my chest feels tight, and my skin feels like it's burning. Also my head keeps telling me don't do it, especially when I've been at work on a bitterly cold day and have to get in around 7.30pm in the evening,but it has been so worthwhile.’

Huge congratulations to Keith and his family on such a magnificent fundraising effort - we are sure the money raised will make a significant difference to Dementia UK and to those families with loved ones affected by this illness.

Keiths fundraising page can be found at: https://gofund.me/0b700e66

To contact the Stotfold News Magazine please call 01462 731986

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Stotfold Art Group News..

Welcome to the next update from Stotfold Art Group, we hope you enjoyed our piece last month..

This wintry view will be recognised by local people who walk down Mill Lane.. Barbara Hook's lovely watercolour was used as the mill's Christmas card a few years ago. Many people will know Barbara's craft work, including beaded decorations and cards.

She started her career in art in the 1960s On leaving school she joined the Banner Studio, working on flags and banners for various organisations. including the Orange Order of Northern Ireland, various Coal Miners Trade Unions and Agricultural Workers Unions.

CLAIRE’S CAT SITTING Stotfold based cat sitting service

In a pre digital age these actual artefacts were of enormous importance and beautifully made.

Barbara worked as a teaching assistant at St Francis' College in Letchworth GC where she put her design, art and craft skills to practical teaching use.

Your cats looked after in your own home while you are away, giving you complete peace of mind.I am fully insured & can feed your cats once or twice a day. Other small animals can also be catered for.

Now in our 9th year!

Please call Claire

07984 344 997

On taking retirement in 2012, she joined Stotfold Art Group and has shown her stunning watercolours at our summer and winter exhibitions and at Stotfold Mill.

Details of our group are listed in the back of the magazine.

ARLESEY PHARMACY

Artwork by the very talented Barbara Hook of Stotfold Art Club.

FREE Prescription delivery service to ALL Arlesey and Stotfold residents

FREE Repeat prescription "drop-off" and collection service from Arlesey Medical Centre and Larksfield (Stotfold) Surgery.

Mon to Fri 8.45am - 1pm & 2.00pm - 6.15pm Saturday & Sunday - Closed

Tel. 01462 731200

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To contact the Stotfold News Magazine please call 01462 731986

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Lock Down Quiz...All

About Nature

Each month while we are in lock down we thought it would be nice to include a small quiz to help keep those braincells active! This month it’s all about nature. It’s true we have all been out and about more these past few months! - How much do you know about the living things around us?

With thanks To Teasal and Acorn volunteer Roger Watson for sourcing this quiz!

Answers can be found at the back of this month’s issue on Page 32 - Good luck!

1 How many lenses in one Monarch butterfly eye? a).3,000 b).6,000 c).9,000 d).12,000

2 What is the more commonly used name for Musca Domestica, which can cause disease?

3 The animal with the Latin name Cricetus-cricutus is more commonly known as a what?

4 A mouflon is a wild what?

5 What do the Cassowary Kakapo and the Kagu have in common?

6 Newborn Bactrian camel have how many humps?

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7 A howdah is typically placed where?

8 Cats are feline, cows are bovine, what are eagles?

9 Which animal has a name that comes from the Sanskrit "to steal"?

10 According to a popular fable, who sold a cow for five beans?

11 What types of animals are Grevys and Burchells 12 What kind of a snake builds a nest?

13 On the TV show Frazier, what was the dads dogs name?

14 What part of a sleeping person do vampire bats prefer to bite?

15 What is a baby rabbit called?

16 Which animal is the fastest, a hare, greyhound, or horse?

17 What type of animal is a Tasmanian Devil?

18 In the Lone Ranger, what was Tonto's horse's name?

19 How many types of panda are there?

20 The longest beetle in the world is how long (in inches)?

Please mention the Stotfold News Magazine when responding to adverts

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When everything else is standing still...

We’ll keep you moving.

Satchells

We continue to work extremely hard, ensuring all of our clients receive the very safest, most efficient service in these challenging times.

To discuss all aspects of your next move please call Kevin Duff on 01462 733730 e 14

At Satchells we continue to keep our customers at the very heart of what we do.

Use our experience to get you moved.

47b, High Street, Stotfold, SG5 4LD To contact the Stotfold News Magazine please call 01462 731986

February Stotfold 2021 qxp_Layout 1 14/01/2021 13:38 Page 15

News from

St Mary’s Academy

We are up and running (but not closed!) as part of Lockdown. Our Critical worker children are hard at work in school and those children at home are working hard too via our remote learning. Staff have been brilliant at getting this up and running effectively and we’d really like to thank our families for being so supportive.

We said a sad goodbye to one of our Teaching Assistants, Mrs Thomas, at the end of last term as she has relocated. We’d like to thank her for all of her work in school and wish her all the best in her new home!

We are hopefully joining in with virtual sports competitions this term, organised by the Redborne Sports Partnership. A different way of competing but still fun and active!

On 2nd February our Year 4 children will be taking part in ‘Young Voice’s Biggest Sing!’ This is to mark the 25th Anniversary of Young Voices – a nationwide event which has previously seen schools from across the country perform concerts in venues such as the 02. As these concerts can’t take place at the moment they are attempting to break the Guinness World record for the largest number of people singing simultaneously. We are excited to be part of a world record!

Our warmest wishes of health and happiness to all of our community in these difficult times. Our community contact and events are sorely missed. Please feel free to visit our website or contact us should you require any information regarding St Mary’s life.

Mrs Thomas being presented with a card

The Salvation Army Womens Fellowship.

Unfortunately we are unable to meet during these times however we wish to send our thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the current ongoing pandemic.

Details of their re-opening will be publicised in the magazine as soon as it is safe to do so.

To contact the Stotfold News Magazine please call 01462 731986

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News from

Pippin Pre-School

NEWS FROM OUR PRE-SCHOOL

At the time of writing this article we are currently open to our families, however this may change by the time the article is published!

Should we be open the children will be celebrating Valentine’s Day, Chinese New Year and Pancake day. We have lots of exciting activities planned for these topics including food tasting, dragon crowns, heart printing and pancake decorating. Throughout this period of lockdown we will posting weekly home activities on Facebook, please take a look if you are looking for ideas to occupy your children.

Due to current restrictions our February half term holiday club facility will not be open. We will update you on our Easter holiday club next month.

Like many charities our fundraising opportunities are currently restricted. We are registered charity with AmazonSmile. Amazon Smile is a simple and automatic way for you to support a charity of your choice every time you shop at no cost to you. Please visit smile.amazon.co.uk on your web browser and select Pippin Playgroup. For each eligible purchase Amazon will pay us 0.5% of the net purchase price.

The Committee are always looking for new members so if you have a child attending Pippin and can spare a little time each month to attend our meeting and help out with future fundraising activities we would love to hear from you, please email pippincommittee@gmail.com for further information.

Thank you for your interest in our Pre-School. We look forward to sharing more of our news with you again next month.

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February Stotfold 2021 qxp_Layout 1 14/01/2021 13:38 Page 17

February Recipes-Valentine’s Night In!

with Trace Buggins, Head Chef at Mount Pleasant Golf Club Hello all, Here we go again !!

With the possibility of us still being in lockdown this month, this months offering is aimed at serving up a menu to your loved one on Valentine’s Day (as we can’t book a nice table at a restaurant) This is a complete three course menu, which is easy and not complicated but will show your partner what a magnificent Chef you are!

Menu: Warm potted prawns, Parma ham stuffed chicken breast & Lemon posset.

Ingredients: 200g cooked prawns, 150g butter, 1 finely diced onion,Pinch of Canaan pepper, chopped dill .

Melt the butter in a pan gently ,add onions and sauté for 3 or 4 minutes then remove off heat Stir in pepper, dill then prawns . Portion into dishes that can go into the oven and then place in fridge These just need to be place in the oven to warm through for 4 or 5 minutes Served with crusty bread and baby leafs.

Local chef Trace Buggins

Staying home is the new going out!

Parma chicken with fondant potato & green beans Two chicken breast, garlic and chive cream cheese( primula is good), four slices of Parma ham, Salt and pepper

Take a skin off chicken breast and with the pointed end facing away, make a cut to open up a pocket Spoon the cream cheese into the pocket and wrap with the Parma ham making sure the join is underneath the chicken. Place on a oiled tray, season with salt and pepper and cook gently @180 for 20/25 mins If the ham starts to crisp up then just cover with foil .

Fondant potatoes Shape your potatoes into a round shape ( trim the sides off the potato place flat on your worktop, and use a metal cutter to cut the potato into a round …rolling pin comes in handy to bang out……keep in water until ready to cook ).

Melt butter in pan with a splash of oil… ( this keeps the burning point of butter higher) Throw in two cloves of garlic broken with your knife and some fresh rosemary and then the dried potato cook until golden brown reduce the heat and cook for 40 mins Conditions treated include spinal (depending on potato size )

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Green beans Top and tail the beans and drop into boiling salted water for about five minutes , Drain and toss in the butter kept from the fondants Lemon Posset 600ml double cream, 300g sugar, 100ml lemon juice

Bring the cream and sugar to the boil, stir in the lemon juice until it thickens slightly, pour into glasses or dishes and leave to set in the fridge overnight .

Have a great month and Valentine’s Day! - Any questions email me at Stotfoldchef@gmail.com Email: info@stotfoldnews.co.uk

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News from

Etonbury Academy

First day back after Christmas we were hoping to welcome our Junior School children back in. Sadly, that wasn't the case but we were pleased to see our Critical Worker and vulnerable children.

It has been full steam ahead with remote learning including live lessons and looms. It has been quite remarkable, as for some, both teachers and children were moved to a whole new way of working in less than 24 hours following a government announcement. Well done to all our community for pulling this together and making it happen. By the end of the first week, all parents of 1000 students had been contacted by telephone to go through any support they required. It was a real boost to our staff to receive such lovely feedback.

Despite the announcement of GCSEs no longer going ahead, our BTEC examinations have continued. The student's resilience is amazing, and they really deserve to have the best outcomes. We share the huge disappointment for our Year 11 students who have had one of the toughest years of education, and will continue to support them as we work through the implications of them no longer taking their examinations. Our learning, careers advice and guidance is ongoing and so important for their futures.

Critical Worker and vulnerable children returned to school, and it has been great to have them to maintain some normality. They have been working hard, and dealing with the change to remote learning in the classroom. It is quite different to last Summer, with much more structure so it feels like a normal school day.

With thanks to our current staff team, our Lateral Flow Testing site was up and running on the first week back. It has been no mean feat to set up with staffing, training and the extensive equipment required to ensure the maximum safety for everyone, but we did it. We were very grateful for the offers of help from the Stotfold and Arlesey communities to support this scheme, and may well be calling on you when all students return should we have to continue.

Praise texts continue to be sent out to our parents and carers, this is important to us, and even more so right now, to acknowledge that our students are working hard and remaining focused on their learning at home. Each week we reward three at random to receive some e-vouchers.

We don’t underestimate how hard a task it is for our parents to juggle children at home, working and having to ‘stay at home’., We are doing everything we can to provide the best education possible to keep our children on track.

We have incredibly creative and innovative staff, who are encouraged and supported to further develop this new challenge of inclusive remote learning. We are fortunate to be have the skills across Primary and Secondary and learn from each other, and build on our in-house expertise.

We are all in this together.

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News from Stotfold

Methodist Church

My diary tells me that February has four notable dates in quick succession: Friday 12th is Chinese New Year Sunday 14th is St Valentine's Day Tuesday 16th is Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) Wednesday 17th is Ash Wednesday

Pancake Day sometimes sees me with an excess of pancake eating, and not just because of the start of the Lent fast on Ash Wednesday. I enjoy trying to make my own pancakes, and I like the old-fashioned lemon and sugar topping (as well as the more recent ice-cream and maple syrup varieties).

A friend told me of a parable to do with making pancakes: The flour reminded her of Jesus “the bread of life” celebrating the Passover meal with friends; The eggs that have to be broken reminded her of Jesus body, broken on Good Friday (and eggs also represented the “new life” that Christians celebrate at Easter, the empty shell representing the empty tomb); The milk, basic to all of us, our first food, reminded her of God’s Holy Spirit, sustaining her; All the ingredients stirred together, and air whisked in, she saw as welcoming God’s guidance into her life; the heat, changing the batter into pancakes, reminded her that God is able to bring wonderful changes to people’s lives. Lastly, she mentioned that often pancakes are eaten with lemon juice and sugar, which reminded her that life has both bitterness and sweetness, temptations to be fought, difficulties to endure and the sweet experience of the God's presence to help her through.

Many have experienced more bitters than sweets this last 12 months. Ash Wednesday is a time to acknowledge the path of suffering, which Jesus Christ also walked in these weeks up to Holy Week, Good Friday and then Easter Sunday on April 4th. My prayer is that Jesus, who suffered to set people free from suffering, will help us to find the sweetness that we need in this time.

Revd. Graham

Stotfold Methodist Church Revd. Graham 07340 857386 Graham.Claydon-Knights@methodist.org.uk

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February Stotfold 2021 qxp_Layout 1 14/01/2021 13:38 Page 21

Poppies &Poppyfields Nursery News Welcome to the news from Poppies and Poppyfields Nurseries and After Hours Club.

As we write this, we are busy planning for January and February, in light of the new national lock down. We are remaining open, providing care to nursery and after school children and their families at St Marys and Fairfield Lower School during these extraordinary times.

We would like to take this opportunity to share our nursery ethos of the value of the outdoors for enhancing well-being for children- and also for adults! Our nurseries are both operating outdoors as much as we possibly can. Our after school children will also be benefiting from outdoor play. We have completed a huge amount of research into the benefits of nature and the outdoors and from our observations, children are very much more settled and happy when in our beautiful outdoor surroundings plus, fresh air is healthy!

We found this little saying and would like to share it with you:-

Encouraging a child

One of the wooded areas we like to explore in!

To go outside in all weather Builds resilience, but More importantly it Saves them from spending their life merely Tolerating the “bad” days In favour of a handful of ‘good’ ones- a life of endless Expectations and conditions Where happiness Hinges on sunshine.

(Anon)

Other news; A Big Thank You to First Step Estate Agents for donating this amazing hamper for our Christmas Raffle.

Well done to Natalie, Lewis's Mummy for Winning it!

Stay safe! - all at Poppies and Poppyfields.

Lucky prize winner Natalie with her hamper!

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News from

Roecroft Lower School

As I sit here, I am writing a very different version of the Roecroft news than expected. I also wonder if we will be experiencing a different normal by the time you read this, the speed at which things have been changing has been extraordinary.

I did not think we would find ourselves here again. However, my incredible team have gone above and beyond to change and adapt to this new way of working. So a huge thank you to them all. Also to my families, thank you all for your kindness and understanding, the start to the year was certainly not the one we had all planned and hoped for.

Hopton

Holiday Village

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Luxury 8 Berth Caravan available for ‘When you have to pick a role, because at some point you will, choose connection. Pick playing a game holiday let. over fighting over school work. Pick teaching your child to do washing rather than feeling frustrated that Secure your dates NOW. Fully double glazed with they aren’t helping. Pick laughing, and snuggling and reminding them they are safe. If you feel stressed, lower your expectations where you can, and virtually reach out for a connection. central heating.

Call Bernie for details on 07860 462244

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We are in this together to stay well and this means mentally well, too.’ (adapted from ‘Public Service Announcement’ by Dr Emily W. King) I hope the community are able to look after each other and find some much needed resilience once again.

There is an end in sight, things will get better.

Warmest wishes, Mrs Cross

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For more information: go to our website https://fairfieldcc.org.uk or email info@fairfieldcc.org.uk or call Allison on 079983730291

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February Stotfold 2021 qxp_Layout 1 14/01/2021 13:38 Page 23

Family announcements Leah Angus,

Happy Birthday for the 16th February with love from all the family xx

Francesca Richardson

Dan Beauchamp

Happy birthday Daddy!

You are the best!

Lots of love Elodie & Esme (& Mummy)

Happy 10th birthday Love from Mummy, Daddy, Chloe & the hamsters xxx

Jaime Collings

Happy 11th Birthday!

Lots of Love from the Collings clan xoxox

Alison Weston

Happy Birthday for February 24th Wishing you a wonderful birthday with love from Glen, Josh and Jared xxx

Gemma Wood 26th February Teenager at last!

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Happy 13th Birthday Gemma!

Love from Us all xx

Nicola Judd Robbie Fone

Happy Birthday!

Have a smashing day!

Love always Mum xx

Happy 19th Birthday

We hope to see you soon!

With love from Becky, Noah & Elizabeth x

Chloe & Liliy

Happy 15th Birthday!

I love you both so much and I'm so proud of both of you.

All my love, Mum xxx

To contact the Stotfold News Magazine please call 01462 731986

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Stotfold Junior Football Club News Covid-19 may have temporarily stopped play but a team of young Stotfold footballers are ready for all weathers with new waterproof jackets, thanks to a grant from a power company.

The Stotfold Juniors Under 7 five-a-side team are enjoying their first season together in a youth league. The jackets are going to be worn both on and off the pitch after a grant of £250 from UK Power Networks.

The award is thanks to Gareth Cottenden, a cable jointer based in Stevenage, under his company’s Team Sports Award. His son Teddy, 7, plays for the team and Gareth is the manager coach. “Getting this award has really helped as we have to buy all our own training gear. The boys are really pleased and will use them on training days and match days,” said Gareth.

Hundreds of community and sports groups have benefited from grants since the scheme was set up. This year (2020) teams have benefitted from a total of more than £15,000.

Stotfold Juniors Under 7s five-a-side team.

For now training and games for our Stotfold Junior’s is on hold.

In the meantime, to register your interest in our club please look us up through our facebook page or through our club website.

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February Stotfold 2021 qxp_Layout 1 14/01/2021 13:38 Page 25

News from

Stotfold Football Club

We have played a limited amount of football since moving to our new ground and as we go to print, we have just gone into full lock down again and all football at grassroots level is once again suspended and the clubhouse remains closed.

Our leagues will be looking at all options if football is able to re-commence in the spring, but it is unlikely that that a full season’s fixture will take place.

We look forward to the time when a football season can start and finish when expected and that all planned social activities and events can take place.

Keep the faith everyone, we will get there! - When we do, we look forward to welcoming everyone back to our ground and to our facilities.

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The new Stotfold football ground and clubhouse on Arlesey Road.

JSJ Stadium New Roker Park Arlesey Road Stotfold, SG5 4HE Tel: 01462 539297 www.stotfoldfc.co.uk Twitter @stotfoldfc Facebook @stotfoldfc Email enquiries info@stotfoldfc.co.uk

North Herts Road Runners Now is the time to get your running shoes out and join your local running club. We are continuing with our training under the covid rules and our qualified coaches are offering schedules to suit all abilities from the novice to elite runners.

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To contact the Stotfold News Magazine please call 01462 731986

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Join our 2021 Calendar Competition!

WE WANT YOUR PHOTOS...

You often hear us asking for your local photographs - only this time, we are looking for those EXTRA SPECIAL shots of Stotfold taken throughout the year.

Next year, in partnership with Stotfold Town Council, The Stotfold News Magazine are delighted to be launching the official annual Stotfold Calendar entitled ‘Stotfold in Pictures.’ We are on the hunt for 12 stunning photographs depicting the wonderful town we live in. The calendar will be on sale during late 2021, with all profits made going towards the Stotfold Christmas Lights Appeal.

Each month, the chosen picture should reflect the relevant season which is why we are asking you to start sending us your photographs NOW. If you are planning on getting out and about over the lock down priod then please take along your iphone or your camera and see if you can capture us the perfect shot. - what better way to spend an afternoon!

What are you waiting for? We welcome pictures from any of our local residents, you do not have to be an expert to take part!

Photos should be sent to stotfold.news@yahoo.co.uk and captioned Calendar Competition.

Photograph send in to us from Nikki Lane - a regular contributor to our Stotfold News front pages!

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February Stotfold 2021 qxp_Layout 1 14/01/2021 13:38 Page 27

Stotfold Twirlers Make National

Finals!

Like many sports, the Stotfold Twirlers have had a tough 2020 with training, classes and competitions either cancelled or postponed. At the beginning of the year, the club entered both regional and area competitions, with five girls qualifying for Nationals. Two members of the squad then entered England selections and qualified for the European Cup to be held in Spain in July!

The Nationals were due to be held in April, which was then postponed until September, eventually taking place as a virtual competition in December. Stotfold Twirlers had six athletes take part, with them taking top 4 placings in all of their events. The girls were all so pleased to be able to get back in to their competition wear and back in to the competitive enviroment.

In all, Stotfold twirlers won seven National Champion sashes! Mila Crook won the senior intermediate sections for Solo, 2 Baton and Senior+Poise, Lottie Marriage won the senior beginner sections for Solo and 2 Baton, Grace Endersby won the Junior 2 Poise section, Rheanna Bowles won the Juvenile 2 beginner section for 2 Baton and Katiey Baulk won the Pre Beginner Junior 1 solo section, also gaining a sash. Eleanor Marriage came so close to picking up a sash, with two 2nd placings.

The girls have had so many distractions over the past year making these achievements so much more amazing. They endured so many disruptions to their training with Zoom training taking the place of face to face classes and and classes being held in local parks and open spaces to be covid secure.

Stotfold Twirler Katiey

Grace in her competition costume

The group have also been working towards their new Grades, nine girls passed the recent ones held once again over Zoom back in October and are now starting on the next ones.

Mila, Senior intermediate winner

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News from St

Mary’s Church

News from St Mary’s, The Parish Church of Stotfold & Fairfield

In line with the government restrictions announced on 5 January, the doors of your Parish Church continue to remain open for communal worship and private prayer in a Covid-secure environment adhering to our risk assessments.

Every Sunday we offer a short, reflective service at 9.00am which does not include Holy Communion, followed by the 10.00am Parish Communion Service, to which everyone is welcomed.

We continue to hold a 20-minute service of Morning Prayer in church at 9.00am Monday to Saturday. A short midweek service of Holy Communion takes place each Wednesday at 9.45am.

Our church is also open to anyone in the parish for private prayer and reflection on Sundays from 11.00am to 12 noon and on Wednesdays from 4.00pm to 6.00pm. You can find online versions of our services at www.stotfoldchurch.org.uk. These times are subject to change. Please check our website, www.stotfoldchurch.org.ukm, and the notice board outside the church for updates.

There will be a single Ash Wednesday service at 9.45am on 17 February at 9.45am. There will not be an evening service this year.

You are warmly welcomed to all our services but please first make your own assessment of whether or not to attend in person at this time. If you do attend, please wear a face covering throughout the service and follow the hygiene and social distancing guidelines which are displayed as you come into church.

There are hand sanitiser stations at both entrances and a sidesperson will guide you to where you can sit to allow for social distancing. If you would like to receive St Mary’s weekly newsletter, the Weekly Messenger, and a link to our online services, please email stotfoldparishchurch@gmail.com

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February Stotfold 2021 qxp_Layout 1 14/01/2021 13:38 Page 29

Stotfold Library Hitchin Road, Stotfold

SG5 4HP

0300 3008068

The Library is still OPEN for “Select and Collect” in lockdown!

Don’t worry, the Stotfold Library staff are still available to provide you with book bundles to keep you busy during lockdown. Why not ask us for a children’s bundle to help with home schooling? Each child can also get a FREE craft pack in their collection bag to keep them entertained too!

How it works: Order your books for FREE from home either online (www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/libraries), via our Bedfordshire Libraries App, or over the phone (0300 300 8068): - Either choose a genre based book bundle selected by our staff by going online or over the phone, or - Reserve individual titles via “Arena” our online library catalogue, or by using our Bedfordshire Libraries App or over the phone.

Collect your books from the library when they are ready (You will be notified with either a confirmation email or letter in the post depending on your preference. Please remember to bring your reference number or Library card with you.)

Return the library books you have at home to our front door during our Select and Collect opening hours using the returns boxes under the welcome table provided. *Please note* We cannot take any form of payment, so there are no fee’s or charges during this time. All requests are FREE and there will be no overdue charges added to your account from 20th March 2020.

Strictly NO ACCESS into the building will be given to the public at this time so we’re afraid you will not be able to browse, use the public computers or photocopier services.

Thank you and see you soon!

Home Schooling Helpful Links There are plenty of ways the Virtual Library website can help you with home schooling during these tough times. Go to www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/libraries and check out the “Children & Teen” tab. Under “Children’s Pages” and “Teen Turf” you will find many useful Quicklinks to homework help sites. These include links to FREE reference books online, FREE newspapers and magazines, and information about where you live in Bedfordshire like people, places and its history.

Visit the library from the comfort of your sofa!

Discover the wide range of online services and resources available through the Virtual Library www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/libraries, including e-books, audio books and e-magazines. Not a member?

Don’t worry you can register or request a PIN online. Other resources including newspapers, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Credo reference sources, are available online by logging in with library card number and pin. Visit the Virtual Library today and check out the following:

· BorrowBox - downloadable audiobooks · RB Digital - downloadable e-books, audiobooks and magazines all in one place (including children’s books!) · PressReader - Thousands of national and international newspapers and magazines to be read online or downloaded · Freegal - Millions of tracks to be streamed for up to 5 hours a day or download 5 tracks a day to keep Social Media, follow us for great online events!

Facebook - @CBCLibraries Instagram - @CentralBedsLibraries Twitter - @CBC_Libraries Events include, Lego Club, Storytime, Rhymetime, Read and Recommend and many more!

To contact the Stotfold News Magazine please call 01462 731986

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News from

Larksfield Surgery

Provided by Larksfield Patient Participation Group.

COVID-19 VACCINATIONS Here are the COVID Vaccination Priority Groups, as advised by the Government: 1. Older adults in a care home and care homeworkers 2. All those who are 80 years of age and overand health and social care workers 3. All those who are 75 years of age and over 4. All those who are 70 years of age and over/clinically extremely vulnerable individuals, excluding pregnant women and those under 18yrs 5. All those who are 65 years of age and over 6. Adults aged 18 to 65 years in an at-risk group 7. All those aged 60 and over 8. All those aged 55 and over 9. All those aged 50 and over 10. Everyone else We are currently working on groups 1 & 2, (highlighted). We will begin to invite 75 + after we have contacted 80+ year olds.

The vaccine programme is being delivered as a PCN (Primary Care Network), which includes Larksfield, Shefford, Arlesey and Lower Stondon patients. This is taking place at Shefford Surgery- please be patient with us.

Doctors Working at Larksfield There have been questions raised on our PPG Facebook page in regards to which doctors work at Larksfield Surgery. We merged with Stanmore Medical Group in 2019, and we can confirm that 6 doctors are solely based in Stotfold. These are: Dr Aubin, Dr Chin, Dr Saunders, Dr Shah, Dr Skinner and Dr Parmar. We also have several doctors that share their time between Larksfield and Stanmore Medical Group. These are: Dr Gunwardene, Dr Hoda, Dr Joshi, Dr Kaja, Dr Moodley, Dr Nederstrom, Dr Mubarak, Dr Murray and Dr Townsend.

Medicines Management We are seeing an increase in patients leaving their unused medication in our post box. Please note as we are no longer a Dispensing surgery we are not allowed to accept any medication as we cannot safely dispose of it. If you have out of date or unused medication please return it to the chemist As a surgery we are keen to go paperless and would like to let patients know that if you would like to registerfor online services, you can send a copy of your ID to Reception723.larksfield@nhs.net so that you can request medication online. This service enables you to book appointments, check blood results and order your repeats from your phone or any electronic device.

Requesting Prescriptions In a bid to minimise patients coming to the surgery during the ongoing outbreak of Covid-19, when requesting prescriptions, please select a chemist to collect from rather than the surgery.

We ask that patients do not call to request prescriptions.

We would prefer you not to bring slips into the building, to help reduce footfall, and spread of the virus. If this is your ONLY option, please use the box at the gate.

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Communications Patients may notice that our text messages come from a mobile number, 07903 587 381 and can sometimes cause confusion on whether this is a legitimate text from the surgery. The text messaging system that we use is completely secure. To stop confusion when our text messages are sent, if you save the mobile number as Larksfield Surgery TEXT ONLY it will show in future that it is from us.

To contact the Stotfold News Magazine please call 01462 731986

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Safety First - Double Check The Database This New Year The Stotfold News Magazine was contacted by our friends at Safer Central with an important message to give to all of our readers. Safer Central is Central Bedfordshire's Community Safety Partnership. A partnership of statutory and non statutory organisations aiming to reduce crime and disorder and make Central Bedfordshire a safe place to live and work.

Due an increase in this type of crime, Safer central are urging anyone thinking of having a new drive, new paving or landscaping to check to see their trademan has an Environment Agency Waste Transfer Permit.

You can do this very simply by checking the website: https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/index

If they do not have a EA permit and do not use skips to get rid of your waste an go on to fly-tip the earth/rubble, asphalt, you are equally liable and can be fined £300.

Fly-tipping of this type of waste is as an increasing problem. The waste usually ends up dumped on arable farming land, polluting soil and crops that we all may eat.

During lock down period many people are choosing to spend their time and money on improving their homes. Please don’t make the mistake of just choosing the cheapest option or the company which clearly does not follow the legal requirements for waste disposal.

Thoroughy question the company and their disposal methods to avoid being caught out.

You can follow the Safer Central team on their facebook page to join them as they go about their work in and around our local area.

Fly-tipping could land you with a fine

Window and door repairs and installations * Misted/broken units * Handles * Mechanisms * Door barrels

Supply and fit windows and doors Soffits and fascias

Jonny Garside

79 Regent Street, Stotfold

01462 732248 or 07951 473505

James’s Carpentry & General Handyman Service NO JOB TOO SMALL

Exterior & Interior Property Maintenance You name it and we’ll do it! * Decorating * Furniture Building * Painting * Carpentry and much, much more STOTFOLD BASED - FREE QUOTATIONS Contact us on (01462) 234292 or mobile: 07887 871212

Email: stotfold.news@yahoo.co.uk

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Down Memory

Lane...

Can you name the year and any of the people pictured in this photograph taken at Etonbury School?

Email us or call us if you can help! stotfold.news@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 01462 731986

LOCK DOWN QUIZ ANSWERS (Page 13) 1.12,000 2.The common housefly 3.(Common / European) Hamster 4.Sheep 5.Both are flightless birds 6.None (baby camels don’t get their humps until they start eating solid food). Adults have 2. They live in Central Asia. 7.On the back of an elephant -it's a basket 8.Aquiline 9.The mouse (“musuka” = mouse; “mus” is thief) 10.Jack 11.Zebras 12.King Cobra 13.Eddie 14.The toe 15.Kit or Kitten 16.Hare 17. Marsupial 18.Scout (Lone Ranger’s was Silver) 19.Two, the giant and the lesser 20. Six inches.

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www.stotfoldnews.co.uk

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Useful Telephone Numbers Hospitals Citizen’s Advice Bureau

Trading Standards Advice Line

01525 402742 01525 841217 0300 300 8136

Hope Chapel King’s Baptist Church Methodist Church Salvation Army Hall Ladies Fellowship St Mary’s Church Friends of St Mary’s Fairfield Community Church

01462 01462 01462 01462 01462 01462 01462 01462

Churches

Council

686803 730521 646562 731072 730739 730218 834108 733230

Stotfold Town Council 01462 730064 Email: enquiries@stotfoldtowncouncil.gov.uk Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Chicksands, Shefford SG17 5TQ 0300 300 8000 Email customer.services@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk Web www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk Waste Collection / Recycling / Dog Warden / Flytipping / Grass Cutting / Street Cleaning / Abandoned Vehicles 0300 300 8631 or 0300 300 8632 More Central Bedfordshire Council telephone numbers can be found listed at www.stotfoldnews.co.uk

Doctor

Larksfield Surgery Appointments Enquiries Out of Hours Service: MDoc Physiotherapy & Spinal Injury Clinic Arlesey Medical Centre www.arleseymedicalcentre.nhs.uk

01462 732244 01462 732200 Call 111 01462 735700 01462 732144

Ashwell Dental Stotfold Dental Surgery

01462 742353 01462 731938

Electricity Emergencies Gas Emergencies

0800 7 838 838 0800 111999

Childline National Menengitis Trust Samaritans NSPCC

0800 1111 0845 6000800 08457 909090 0800 800 5000

Howard Cottage Housing Association, Pioneer House, Norton Way South, Letchworth Garden City, Herts, SG6 1NY Grand Union Housing - all enquiries

01462 683307

Beds Police (Crime reporting) Community issues (Not crime reporting or emergency) Crimestoppers

01234 841212 01234 842515

Dentist

Emergencies Helplines

Housing

Police

0300 123 5544

0800 555111

Bedford Hospital Lister Hospital NHS Direct

01234 355122 01438 314333 08 45 46 47

Stotfold Library Arlesey Resource Centre & Library

0300 300 8068 01462 731469.

Beds Police (Crime reporting) Community issues (Not crime reporting or emergency) Crimestoppers

01234 841212

Coach & Horses Fox & Duck The Chequers Pub The Crown The Stag Tavern

01462 01462 01462 01462 01462

Box of Cakes Cafe & Cake Shop

07812 055587

Etonbury Academy Pix Brook Academy Fairfield Park Lower School Roecroft Lower School St Mary’s Academy Samuel Whitbread Academy

01462 01462 01462 01462 01462 01462

Pippin Pre-School SMASH, St Mary’s School

01462 834897 07971 354093

Tiddleywinks

01462 731072

Library Police

Pubs

Cafe

Schools

After School Clubs Toddler Groups Nurseries

0800 555111 734135 732434 732333 731061 731098

730391 416243 830000 730336 730343 629900

Pippin Pre-School Poppies Nursery Poppyfields Nursery Treetops Day Nursery Stotfold and District Children's Centre

01462 834897 07833 927906 01462 830008 01462 734306 01462 730623

Trains (National Enquiries)

08457 484950

Boxall Taxis

01462 433333

Transport

Whitbread Wanderbus

Greenacre Transfers Airports & Chauffeur Services www.greenacretransfers.co.uk

Miscellaneous

Beds Rural Communities Charity Letchworth MS Unit Births, Deaths & Marriages Stotfold Good Neighbour Group

To contact the Stotfold News Magazine please call 01462 731986

0300 123 3023

07555 70 78 48 01234 838771 01462 487172 0300 300 8089 07599 925587

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DIRECTORY. Accountancy & Tax Sue Matejtschuk (SCM Accountancy) Abery Motor Centre AD Garden Rooms AJB Fencing AJ Day Builders Alfie’s Barbers All Wrapped Up - Balloons and Florist Andy Leonard Painter & Decorator Arlesey Ladies Football Club Arlesey Pharmacy Arlesey Walk Groups Aqua Sensation Water Softeners Aquarius Garden Design Ashwell Software / Sigma Office Barn Hair Studio Bal & Co Motor Care Baycroft Care Home Beale Bros Butchers Bews Electrical Big Minibus Hire BK electrical / Brian Kelly Bookks Bookkeeping services Boxall Taxis Box Of Cakes Cafe & Cake Shop Brian McInally - Gas & Heating Engineer Broadband Communications BSH Glazing (Windows & Doors) Bugs ‘n’ Things Pest Control C J Flooring Carpet Cleaning - ACCS Ltd Carpets & Flooring - Letchworth Carpet Centre Carpets & Flooring - Paul Faulkner Catsitter - Claire Centroheat Domestic Boiler & Heating Services Chequers Pub Chimney Sweep (Jesel Heat) Cole’s Decor Painter & Decorator The Cooker Buddy Oven Cleaning Chris Webster, Stotfold (Correspondent for The Comet ) DK Home Improvement Darren Peters Property Maintenance Dennison’s - House & Garden Clearance DMC Tiling Dog walking & cat sitting - Smiley Pets Electrician - Terry C Seymour Switched On Electrical Services Fairfield Bowls Club - Stella Wilson Fairfield Players Fencing (AJB) Finesse Interiors First Step Estate Agents Foot Health Professional - Vicki Eagles Foot Pro Podiatry The Garden Robin Limited Gifford Dance Academy Graham Smith Brickwork & Paving Greenacre Transfers Airports & Chauffeur Services www.greenacretransfers.co.uk GoEVCharge Guides - Stotfold Guide Association HB Decorators Helpers Homecare Henlow Vets Heritage Paving James’s Carpentry & Handyman Service

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01462 624926 01462 733246 01438 313765 07837 791365 01767 314445 01462 658449 07886 569134 07889 903283 07981 432798 01462 731200 01462 638286 01462 835693 01462 731292 01462 742783 01462 835611 01462 731500 01462 530465 01462 730392 01462 834488 07817 766997 07817545314 01462 734623 01462 433333 07812 055587 01462 337218 01462 732628 01462 730884 0800 026 8823 01462 732665 01462 629302 01462 481312 01462 731674 07984 344997 07885 415363 01462 732333 01462 733406 01767 310475 01462 810065 01462 834108

01462 701214 01462 733322 07522 354141 01462 231459 07894 561765 01462 236559 01462 730895 07811 738599 01462 624369 07837 791365 01462 896046 01462 659730 07812 399659 07377 536685 01462 815968 07585 221513 01462 731829

07555 70 78 48 07960 979229 01462 733322 01462 732960 01462 896853 01462 416416 01462 730682 01462 234292

Jo Jingles Ken Seaby Carpets Kip McGrath Education Centre Kumari Chiropractic Leigh Skelding Counselling www.ls-counselling.com Locksmith Services New Kitchens Nick Sayer Plumbing & Heating North Herts Road Runners Ovenclean Painter/Decorator - Paul A Robinson

01462 456777 01462 733203 01462 672227 07479 945995 07876 826880 01462 290226 01462 812826 07456 559756 01462 639215 07954 300043 07761 751634 01462 232642 Paul Thomas Landscaping 07889 811065 Piano Lessons - Christine Walker 01462 731357 Pilates - Zanna Newton 07719 862371 Plastering - Sam’s Plastering 07856 428261 Plumbing - A D Taylor Plumbing 01462 834713 Plumbing - ALM Plumbing 07950 311963 Plumbing - C Plumb 01462 700862 Plumbing & Heating - GSP Heating & Plumbing 01462 615922 Plumbing - J D Heating & Plumbing Services LTD 07474 444288 Plum-tek 01462 618058 Podiatry - FootPro 07377 536685 RH Gardens 01462 612033 Right @ Home Care 01462 559159 Roecroft Centre - Maureen Winters 01462 730264 Stotfold & Arlesey Royal British Legion 01462 734133 Samaritans 01462 455333 Satchells Estate Agents 01462 733730 Saunders Garage 01462 730222 Scott Geekie Building Contractor 01462 732396 Sharp Security Systems 01462 734766 Sheldon Electricals 01767 448188 Simply Sorted Professional decluttering/organising 07792 405246 Slimming World 01354 462322 Solicitors - HRJ Foreman Laws 01462 458711 St John Badgers (6-10yrs) & Cadets (10-18yrs) 01438 218058 Stephens Estate Agents 01462 732121 Stag Public House 01462 731098 Stotfold Art Group 07734 304590 Stotfold Bowls Club 01462 628204 Stotfold Christian Choir 01462 731142 Stotfold Conservative Club 01462 730534 Stotfold Football Club 01462 539297 Stotfold Gardening Club 01462 834854 Stotfold Golf Society 07909 983956 Stotfold Good Neighbour Group 07599 925587 Stotfold Jujitsu Club 07970 329761 Stotfold Junior Football Club 07706 951263 Stotfold Judo Club 07734 563970.

Stotfold Karate Club (JKSK Karate) 07742 820 956 Stotfold Twirlers 07732 505614 Stotfold Mill 01462 734541 Stotfold News Magazine 01462 731986 Stotfold Parents Association 01462 730570 Stotfold Pharmacy 01462 730249 Stotfold Short Mat Bowls Club 01462 730841 Stotfold Women’s Institute 01462 730751 The Rooms 01462 835538 TidyTime Cleaning Services 07856 205626 Tree Surgeon - 4 Seasons 01462 834136 Warrens Windows 01462 261401 Windows - Repairs & Installations (J Garside) 07951 473505 Window Cleaning - ACCS Ltd 01462 629302

List your business here for just £30 per year.

February Stotfold 2021 qxp_Layout 1 14/01/2021 13:38 Page 35

TRUSTED CARE IN YOUR OWN HOME

We can support you to stay safe at home or accompany you outdoors * Photography taken pre-pandemic Our services include: • Companionship • Meal preparation • Personal care • Live-in care • Running errands • Dementia care We follow Public Health England guidelines on using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

01462 559159 rightathomeuk.co.uk/stevenage-letchworth-hitchin

THE ONLY LEGAL ADVICE YOU’LL EVER NEED

www.hrjforemanlaws.co.uk

for your business or personal matters :HȇYH EXLOW RXU Č´UP DURXQG D FRUH WHDP RI VSHFLDOLVWV WR VXSSRUW \RXU OHJDO QHHGV WRGD\ DQG LQWR WKH IXWXUH 7KHVH LQFOXGH Č? DGYLVLQJ RQ EXVLQHVV RU FRPPHUFLDO SURSHUW\ DÎ?DLUV Č? SURYLGLQJ VSHFLDOLVW SURSHUW\ GHYHORSPHQW DQG EXVLQHVV VDOH VHUYLFHV

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Contact us: t: 01462 458711 e: info@hrjforemanlaws.co.uk

Or visit us at: 25 Bancroft, Hitchin, SG5 1JW to make an appointment.

We provide experienced and bespoke legal advice for businesses and individuals. Since 1591.

COMPANY & COMMERCIAL • COMMERCIAL PROPERTY • EMPLOYMENT CONVEYANCING • FAMILY • LITIGATION • WILLS, TRUSTS & PROBATE

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