Your letters Page 4,5,6 News from Stotfold Mill Local News Pages 8,9,10,11

News from Stotfold Watermill

It’s great to be back….. On the last Sunday in July the mill was once again open to visitors. The team of millers, like boys with their toys, were excited to be back after almost two years, demonstrating their skills and techniques for turning grain into flour. There were 50 people who came along to watch the mill in action, with guides on hand to recount the mill history and to explain the workings as well as to ensure everyone followed the covid safeguards. Visitors were able to buy flour, oats and gifts from the Kingfisher Shop and enjoy delicious refreshments in Randall’s Tearoom. Hopefully by the end of August many more will have taken the opportunity to re-acquaint themselves with the mill and all those residents, particularly those new to Stotfold, who have yet to discover this heritage treasure will have been along to see us. (NOTE We are not open on 29th August – even our volunteers enjoy a Bank Holiday break)’

On Sunday 26th September we are hoping to hold an exhibition of the pictures taken by the many local photographers that have been appearing during lockdown on the Stotfold in Pictures Facebook page. Look out for further information and get snapping.

Our attention is now focussed on the Working Steam Weekend, which is little more than a month away. The event kicks off on the evening of Friday 8th October, with Live@TheMill. Traditionally, a key feature of our May event we have chosen to celebrate our move out of lockdown by holding this ever-popular evening of live rock music to begin our weekend. With a real ale and cider bar available, gig lovers can have a night to remember with the return of Allergy, the popular three-piece indie/rock band and Hertfordshire’s exciting top rock band, Delorean. Further details can be found on our website https://www.stotfoldmill.com/rock/, where advance tickets can be at £10 can be purchased. New to Stotfold? This is the rock lover’s night of the year not to be missed!

Saturday and Sunday, 9th/10th October is the day out for the whole family. Upgraded from our usual steam event, we are expecting an even bigger display of working steam engines taking us through the history of steam power. There will be demonstrations of ploughing by heavy horses, steam engines and vintage tractors and the historic harvesting method of threshing grain from the vintage wheat crop grown on the field this year can be seen. We have a large number of craft stalls on site and an array of food outlets to go along side the real ale bar. Children can enjoy rides on the vintage fair ground equipment. This will be far and away the biggest attraction in Stotfold this year and we anticipate thousands of visitors from far and wide to one of the few national steam rallies to be held in 2021. Again, if you are new to the town or have never been to the Working Steam Weekend please do come along and experience this heritage event raising funds to secure the future of Stotfold Mill for future generations. Whole day tickets costing £10 adults and £5 children over four can be obtained in advance at a 20% discount on our website, www.stotfoldmill.com/working-steam-2021/. For those wanting to make it a really enjoyable family weekend, particularly if coming from further afield, we are offering the opportunity to camp on site for the weekend from Friday onwards. A pitch costing £75 for up to 2 adults and 3 children, giving access to both days at the show (but not Live@TheMill) can be booked on the website.

Local News

New Public Art Installation

Have you passed the Greenacre Park lately and spied the two fantastic pieces of public art that have been recently installed?

In 2019, artist Tim Ward put forward a design proposal to install a sundial with mosaic inserts and, after being successfully commissioned, began a community engagement exercise to determine the artwork detail. With the design confirmed, he worked alongside our local schools and the community to produce some amazing mosaics to be fixed to the granite sundial seats. With supply and delivery delays caused by the Coronavirus pandemic the granite blocks and mosaics now take pride of place behind in the park behind the Greenacre Centre.

During July the official 'handover' of the two sundial seating areas took place with Tim Ward presenting the artwork to Councillor Alan Cooper, Town Mayor, who accepted it on behalf of the town. This fantastic artwork has been made possible using Section 106 funding from developers Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes, and artwork by Tim Ward of Circling the Square Ltd www.circlingthesquare.com

If you take a close look at each of the granite pieces, each block represents part of Stotfold’s heritage ranging from themes including the Stotfold steam to some of our greatest sporting achievements. The use of birds and precious gems that sit along the sides of the stones depict the names of the classes from each of our Stotfold Lower Schools, Roecroft and St Mary’s Academy.

Members of our local community together with local school pupils were encouraged to join in with the creation of the mosaics at special workshops both inside school and at The Greenacre Centre during Spring 2019. Local sisters Daisy and April (pictured below) both thoroughly enjoyed seeing their hard work come to life as they visited the newly installed blocks during a park visit in the summer holidays! Mum Louise told us how exciting it was for the girls to actually see their hard work in place after waiting patiently for the stones to be put into place.

Roecroft’s Puffin Class represented on the mosaic

Free Estimates Free Measuring

Full Fitting Expert Advice

Carpets, Laminates, Vinyls and Woods

Insurance and Contract Work

1 Such Close, Works Road,Letchworth, Herts SG6 1JF

Tel: 01462 481312

Letchworth Carpet Centre

Number ONE for Price Quality and Service YOUR LOCAL NO.1 www.letchworthcarpetcentre.co.uk

Email orders@letchworthcarpetcentre.co.uk

Open by apointment only

Please call us on the number below or email orders@letchworthcarpetcentre.co.uk to arrange a time convenient to you.

Local News

Representatives from local schools including pupils from Etonbury Academy, some of which were involved with the formation of the mosaics attended the official opening and enjoyed watching a demonstration on how the human sundial worked, telling the time using the sun.

Town Mayor Alan Cooper told the Stotfold News Magazine “We were thrilled to be able to involve so many members of our community in creating these wonderful pieces of art for the community to enjoy. ” “ We hope that people will not only use the blocks for recreation but also stop and read them to find out more about the town in which they live. ” “The blocks provide a wonderful insight into our local heritage and celebrate the local area in such a unique way. ”

Noah and Olivia Hall both enjoyed helping to create one of the bird mosaics. Dad Andrew commented “Both children were fully engaged in helping to create something that would be a permanent fixture in the town in which they are growing up in. ” “It was such a fantastic opportunity for them to enjoy being creative and they were both very excited to see the stones once they were in place!”

Why not pop along to the Greenacre park, situated behind the Greenacre Centre and see for yourself the incredible amount of work that has gone in to creating these pieces.

Huge congratulations to all of the budding young artists and members of our community for getting involved!

Town MayorAlan Cooper receiving the art fromArtist Tim Ward

Some of the granite stones surrounding the sun dial. Conditions treated include spinal and extremity injuries, neck related headaches and sprains/strains.

We are NOW OPEN Our revised opening hours: Tues: 2pm-7pm Wed: 10am-1pm Thursday: 3pm-7pm Friday: 10am - 1pm Saturday: 10am-2pm

Noah & Olivia helping to create the bird mosaic.

All New Plumbing & Heating Installations All New Plumbing & Heating Installatio Bathroom & Shower Installations Bathroom & Shower Installations Bathroom & Shower Installations Boiler & Gas Cooker Installations & Servicing Boiler & Gas Cooker Installations & ServicingBoiler & Gas Cooker Installations & Serv Power Flushing & Heating Upgrades Power Flushing & Heating Upgrades Power Flushing & Heating Upgrades Andy Martini 07950 311963 | 01462 835617 almplumbing17@gmail.com www.almplumbingandheating.co.uk 25 Marigold Way, Stotfold SG5 4HQ

nsAll New Plumbing & Heating Installatio

comalmplumbing17@gmail. eating.co.ukwww.almplumbingandh

Andy Martini 3561701462 807950 311963 | 35617 eating.co.uk HQld SG5 4

Local News

The Olympic Silver Medalist With Stotfold Roots!

If like us, you are following the tremendous success of Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics you will be familiar with our British Cycling Team and their triumphant Silver Medal win but did you know one of the team - Ryan Owens had roots in Stotfold?

Born into a keen cycling family, both Ryan’s father Andrew and Grandfather John rode competitively for Hitchin Nomads with Ryan following in their footsteps and racing competitively by the time he had reached 16. Both Ryans father and Grandfather were originally from Stotfold with some of his relatives still living in the town today.

Ryan’s Aunt Carolyn told the Stotfold News Magazine “We were so very proud of Ryan and his team for winning a silver medal at the Olympics - he has worked so hard over his racing career and always had his sights set on an Olympic medal” “We added an Olympic flag and photographs on to Ryan’s Grandparents grave in Stotfold cemetery to mark the occasion as they sadly passed away before Ryan got selected for the Rio Olympics (as a reserve rider) and now Tokyo Olympics. ”

Huge congratulations Ryan on such a wonderful achievement!

Ryan (top picture, centre) with his Silver Olympic medal winning team.

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

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

BRIAN MCINALLY

DOMESTIC GAS AND HEATING ENGINEER

Installation, Servicing and Repairs to domestic gas appliances. Gas Safety Checks and Landlord Inspections.

Local Engineer with over 25 years experience.

TEL: 01462 337218 MOBILE: 07714 230877

Email: brian.mcinally@talktalk.net 9 Arlesey Road, Stotfold, Herts. SG5 4HA

Local News

Harriets 4x4x4 Challenge.

During early July I came across the 4x4x48 challenge. I have always been into fitness and train 5/6 times a week so decided then and there I was going to do it the following weekend. The 4x4x4 challenge involves running 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours! I thought 4 miles was a nice easy distance and didn’t actually think it would be too hard...I wasn’t initially going to do it for a charity I was going to take part just for fun, but as my mum wanted to sponsor me, I set up a justgiving page for The Garden House Hospice. They cared for my Little Nanny so its always a charity I have liked to support..

Within 30 minutes of setting up the page I had raised £130 and before each run I checked the page, just to spur me on. It really really helped thinking of the money I was raising. I ended up raising £815 for the charity, through the kindness and generosity of friends, family, and some people I don’t even know! Here is a summary of my challenge, run by run! Run number 1, Thursday 5:45pm. My husband walked through the door after work, and I left straight away. I finished this run in 32 minutes. This was very straight forward, accompanied by my Mum on her bike it was nice to chat to on the way round. Run number 2, Thursday 9:45pm. After feeding my 10 month old I set off again. This run was a bit slower, probably because my legs were still a bit achey. 33:23 mins Run number 3, Friday 1:45am. I set the alarm for 1:30am, It was a lot colder than I had expected and I just wanted this run over and done with. I ran with a head torch and a panic alarm. I shared my location with my Mum and my husband for safety and ran in 34:23mins. Run number 4: Friday 5:45am. Hardest run by far. My legs were sore and I felt exhausted 34:25 minutes. Run number 5: Friday 9:45am. I was bored of my standard route so decided to mix it up 33:48 minutes Run number 6: Friday 1:45pm. My feet really hurt and I was drained. I ran this one really slow to give me a bit of a breather. 35:44mins Run number 7: Friday 5:45pm. A friend who lives down the road cycled this one with me, again, was nice to have company.35:20mins Run number 8: Friday 9:45pm.. Everything hurt and I was mentally drained. Definitely was feeling it now 37:30mins Run number 9: Saturday 1:45am. I called my brother who lives in NZ and set off. We had a bit of a chat, but I was too breathless to hold a conversation so I ran the rest in silence. Again, my mum and husband were both tracking me. The minute I arrived at my front door my mum text me saying ‘ well done. ’ Run number 10: Saturday 5:45am. This one was fairly straightforward. Up and out. 36:23 mins Run number 11:Saturday 9:45am. Was hot, but great knowing I only had one more to go. 34:10 mins Run number 12 – final run, Saturday 1:45pm. I decided to do this one alone as I wanted to get a good time, madness, I know!

I would say it is definitely a challenge worth doing. Its more of a mind game. Coming home from a run, knowing in 3.5 hours, you’ll be back out. On numerous runs, within minutes of walking through the door I was back doing general mum things! I did feel selfish for doing this, having time away from the girls, but I also want them to know the importance of exercise, and how amazing it feels to achieve something you have set out to do. I was thrilled to have achieved this challenge and raise money for such a wonderful cause all at the same time Would I do it again? Possibly!

Harriet Evans ready for her 4x4x4 Challenge!

taste the

Contact your local Slimming World Consultant and join a warm and friendly group today!

Greenacre Centre, Stotfold Tuesday 4pm, 5.30pm & 7pm call Dawn 07515 557803 for further details

Arlesey Village Hall

Wednesday 10am

No booking necessary, just turn up or call Shari 07737 300372 for further details