18 minute read
Jo Leach - Mental Health matters
Mental Health Matters with Jo Loach
Freedom day; too much, too soon?
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Let me introduce myself to you, I’m Jo, a resident of Arlesey. I work as a counsellor within a local counselling charity, I have a private practice, give talks, teach and preach on mental health. In short, I am passionate about mental and emotional health. This is because as recent times have reminded us, life can be hard, we can and do get hurt and we don’t always know what to do with all the horrible thoughts and feelings that arise in the face of life’s challenges. But, I’ve repeatedly seen the difference that asking for help and receiving the right support, whether counselling or otherwise, can make to an individual’s ability to grow beyond the unavoidable trials of life. This pandemic has certainly been the biggest, most prolonged trial of our time. It has impacted us all in individual ways depending on circumstance, but the loss of life as we knew it, is universal.
Now, as freedom day looms ever closer, levels of anxiety are on the increase. For many, this is simply too much too soon. Whilst the speed of the vaccine rollout has been phenomenal, knowledge around the efficacy and side effects remain in their infancy. Not to mention the disruption caused through continuing efforts to contain the increase in infections. -With so many unknowns on the path ahead, it is natural to feel uncomfortable about such uncertainty. Whilst our responses to this situation will vary, all are valid.
And so, as we emerge from this pandemic with mental health at the forefront of our thinking, I will be contributing some thoughts and tips around this. If you would like particular topics covered or if you have benefitted from any local support organisations that you would like to recommend, even if anonymously, please write in to stotfold.news@yahoo.co.uk using the reference ‘Mind Over Matter.. ’
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Teasel News
After a late start to the growing season this year, we have been trying to keep up with the growth along the footpaths that we help to maintain. As the summer progresses, tall nettles comfrey and grasses along the edges start to collapse into the nearest available space – usually the path that has just been cleared! New growth along the hedgerow – and especially brambles – continue to shoot out at an alarming rate.
August is a great time of year to spot common butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies –drawn out by the heat of a sunny day. Keep an eye out for the Painted Lady butterfly – the number reaching Britain varies each year. Some birds, like swifts and swallows, are already preparing for their migration back south to warmer countries. In mid-summer, most birds are too busy raising their young, to be out singing – but by August the new chicks are mostly “fledged” and out of the nest, so birdsong returns.
TRIBUTE TO JOHN AND LUCY ROGERS
It is with much sadness that we note the death of John Rogers – longtime member of Acorn in Arlesey. With his wife Lucy – who sadly passed away a while back – they were active in many local projects and were well known both in Arlesey and within the local area.
They will both be remembered most for their kindness and sense of fun.
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
Walks for Health
We are a friendly informal group who meet Thursdays at 10.45am
17th & 24th June, 1st & 8th July - Meet at Arlesey Train Station 15th July - Etonbury Wood (Arlesey Rd entrance) 22nd, 29th July & 5th Aug - Hospital Road, Arlesey 12th & 19th August - Stotfold Scout Hut 26th August & 2nd Sept. The Green, Stotfold
All welcome to join our friendly group!
For more details telephone 01462 638286
RAY THE CARPENTER Building Maintenance
Kitchens & Bedrooms Windows Internal/External Doors Skirtings-Architraves-Dados Stairs-Handles-Balustrades Handle & Lock Replacements Loft Hatches Flat Pack Furniture All aspects of carpentry No job too small
Stotfold W.I
Are you looking for an evening out? Then come along to our meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. We are not all jam & Jerusalem but we are a mixed group of very friendly ladies that enjoy a chat, tea & biscuits, social evenings, meals out and listening to speakers on a whole range of topics. Wednesday September 8th at 7.30pm Speaker: Alan Gray MBE Alan’s talk is titled Tales of Wimbledon Memorial Hall, Stotfold Meeting will go ahead if Covid restrictions lifted. Outing planned for August 4 Contact Jill Shepherd 01462 730751
Local News
New homes developments under construction may look like exciting places to explore for youngsters, but David Wilson Homes is warning children and their parents that they can be extremely hazardous. As St Mary's CofE Academy is nearby David Wilson Homes’ Stotfold Park development in Stotfold, the housebuilder has developed a virtual site safety video to teach the children to stay away from this dangerous environment during the summer holidays.
After watching the video, David Wilson Homes enlisted the help of the local school children to create a poster that aimed to raise awareness of the dangers of playing near building sites. After receiving a variety of entries from the school, David Wilson Homes selected Annie Pollock (7) as the competition winner for her artistically designed poster. The judges were particularly impressed with the use of colour and imagery to highlight the hazards of a building site, in addition to the value of information included.
Mrs Joan Welch, Annie’s Class Teacher at St Mary’s CofE Academy, said: “Annie has a good imagination and is very creative. We are pleased to be able to support David Wilson Homes with their site safety campaign. ”
Annie was presented with a £30 Amazon voucher as a thank you gift for her design as well as helping David Wilson Homes promote site safety. Jason Hearn, Sales Director at David Wilson Homes South Midlands, said: “It’s our responsibility to make children aware of the hazards and we’re very grateful to Annie and the pupils of St Mary’s CofE Academy for helping us raise awareness of site safety. ” “We would like to thank all of the pupils for participating in our poster competition. After receiving such high quality entries, we can see the children strongly understand the value of health and safety and we’re very pleased to have worked with the school on this project. ” Conditions treated include spinal and extremity injuries, neck related headaches and sprains/strains.
We are NOW OPEN
DWSM - Winner of the Site Safety Poster Competition, Annie Pollock, with her class teacher Mrs Joan Welch
To advertise call 01462 731986
Our revised opening hours: Tues: 2pm-7pm Wed: 10am-1pm Thursday: 3pm-7pm Friday: 10am - 1pm Saturday: 10am-2pm
RE-OPENING THE TOWN COUNCIL RECEPTION All being well, we hope to re-open our Town Council reception window at the Greenacre Centre to the public at the beginning of September. This will initially be on a reduced hours basis and will be closed on a Wednesday for the time being. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for more information – we will also display a poster on the outside noticeboard of the Greenacre Centre confirming the re-opening date and hours. In the meantime, you can still get hold of us in the usual ways, by post at The Greenacre Centre, Valerian Way, Stotfold, SG5 4HG, email enquiries@stotfoldtowncouncil.gov.uk and by phone 01462 730064. COUNCILLORS – WE GAIN ONE AND LOSE ONE At our June Town Council meeting, we were very pleased to co-opt a new council member - Councillor Talvinder Bhasin, who brings an interest in the education of our young residents, and a wish to encourage the community spirit in Stotfold. She will be joining our Cemetery Management Committee and Planning Committee, once our regular meetings resume in September. At the June Council meeting, we also said goodbye to one of our council members, Humphrey Pickering, who has relocated to north Wales. We wish Humphrey well in his new home, and welcome Talvinder to the Town Council. Humphrey’s vacant post has been advertised through the normal route with Central Bedfordshire Council, and if the required number of requests for an election are not received, we are permitted to fill the vacancy by co-option. If this is the case, please keep an eye on our Facebook page, website and notice boards for more information.
DOG FOULING
Stotfold Town Council is working with Central Bedfordshire Council to highlight problem dog fouling in the town, and we are asking residents to advise us of locations you consider to be the worst dog fouling areas. Please send in your thoughts to enquiries@stotfoldtowncouncil.gov.uk, post to Greenacre Centre, Valerian Way, Stotfold, SG5 4HG or put through our letterbox.
COMMUNITY GRANTS Local organisations are invited to make application for grants that will directly benefit Stotfold; applications from individuals will not be considered. Please contact the Council offices for an application form and guidance notes. These can also be downloaded from our website www.stotfoldtowncoucnil.gov.uk (Council/Administration/Useful Docs). Completed applications must be received (by post or email to our enquiries address above) no later than Wednesday 15th September 2021.
WELCOME BACK TO BUSINESS STOTFOLD! In these difficult times, some businesses are finding it really hard, so Stotfold Town Council would like to show its support for Stotfold businesses, to help them to re-open and build back strongly and safety following the most recent lockdown.
Businesses of all sizes in Stotfold are invited to forward contact details and a brief overview (350 words max.) of the businesses that you operate to businessdirectory21@yahoo.com. You will receive free advertising in a dedicated publication focussed on Stotfold based businesses. The publication will be created by Stotfold News Magazine and will be distributed to every household in Stotfold. This opportunity has been made possible by the Government’s ‘Welcome Back Fund’ and made available via Central Bedfordshire Council.
PUBLIC ART – GREENACRE PARK By the time you read this article, the project to install public art at Greenacre Park should be completed! 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 with 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, we eagerly awaited confirmation that the grant blocks were ready, and at the end of June this year, the granite blocks were put in place, with the mosaics to follow. The planned completion and handover of the artwork, which now includes two sundial seating areas, is the middle of July.
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.
RIVERSIDE PLAYING FIELD MULTI USE GAMES AREA (MUGA) The Town Council is currently looking at the MUGA at Riverside Playing Field, its condition, usage and thinking about a potential refurbishment with improved facilities. We have now opened a consultation exercise using SurveyMonkey and would really like to hear your views on the MUGA and Riverside Playing Field please.
You can access the survey using the QR code, or through the SurveyMonkey link. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RiversidePFMUGA
We will leave the survey open until the end of August, so you still have time to let us know your views!
CEMETERY GARDEN OF REST In last month’s edition of this magazine, we advised that work was due to start on the existing Garden of Rest in the Beacon Section of Stotfold Cemetery, replacing the old wooden sleeper surrounds which were in really poor condition, with a new bricked wall surround. This work is now underway, and contractors S.J. Thompson Builders Ltd have been undertaking the work in a respectful manner, allowing families to ashes graves of their loved ones and ensuring that they are not disturbed during works. Weather depending, the work should be completed by the end of July.
Down Memory Lane
With the lifting of restrictions and more people enjoying going back to their local pub we thought you’d enjoy this photograph which was taken at The Chequers circa 1950. Do you recognise anyone pictured here? We’d love to hear from you if you can help place some names to faces... stotfold.news@yahoo.co.uk T: 01462 731986
HOPE Strict Baptist CHAPEL, Mill Lane
I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord. SERVICES O OF WORSHIP Every Sunday @ 10.30 a.m. & 2.15 p.m. Wednesday 4th; 11th; 25th; @ 7.15 p.m.
PRAYER M MEETING Wednesday 18th .
YOUNG PEOPLE S MEETINGS (age 15+) Next meeting 2nd October @ 7.00 p.m.
BIBLE CLASS No class this month;
SUNDAY SCHOOL No school this month
ALL ARE MOST WELCOME TO JOIN WITH US. [See Chapel Notice Board for full weekly details]
Minister: Mr. G.E.Hadley. Tel: 01462 686803 Web site: www. hopechapelstotfold.org my cry; [Psalm 88:2]
Useful Telephone Numbers
Citizen’s Advice Bureau
Trading Standards Advice Line Samaritans Births, Deaths & Marriages Stotfold Good Neighbour Group Churches Hope Chapel King’s Baptist Church Methodist Church Salvation Army Hall Ladies Fellowship St Mary’s Church St Mary's Church Hall Friends of St Mary’s Fairfield Community Church 01525 402742 01525 841217 0300 300 8136 01462 455333 0300 300 8089 07599 925587
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Council 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 Dentist Ashwell Dental Stotfold Dental Surgery Emergencies Electricity Emergencies Gas Emergencies Helplines Childline National Menengitis Trust Samaritans NSPCC 01462 732244 01462 732200 Call 111 01462 735700 01462 732144
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Library Stotfold Library Arlesey Resource Centre & Library
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Pubs Coach & Horses Fox & Duck The Chequers Pub The Crown The Stag Tavern
Cafe Box of Cakes Cafe & Cake Shop
Schools Etonbury Academy Pix Brook Academy Fairfield Park Lower School Roecroft Lower School St Mary’s Academy Samuel Whitbread Academy
After School Clubs Pippin Pre-School SMASH, St Mary’s School
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Nurseries Pippin Pre-School Poppies Nursery Poppyfields Nursery Treetops Day Nursery Transport Trains (National Enquiries) Whitbread Wanderbus Boxall Taxis Greenacre Transfers Airports & Chauffeur Services www.greenacretransfers.co.uk 01462 683307
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Local Directory
Accountancy & Tax Sue Matejtschuk (SCM Accountancy) Abery Motor Centre AD Garden Rooms 01462 624926 01462 733246 01438 313765
AJB Fencing AJ Day Builders Alfie’s Barbers Andy Leonard Painter & Decorator Arlesey Walking Group Arlesey Pharmacy Aqua Sensation Water Softeners Aquarius Garden Design Ashwell Software / Sigma Office Barn Hair Studio Bal & Co Motor Care Beale Bros Butchers 07837 791365 01767 314445 01462 658449 07889 903283 01462 638286 01462 731200 01462 835693 01462 731292 01462 742783 01462 835611 01462 731500 01462 730392
Bews Electrical 01462 834488
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First Step Estate Agents Foot Health Professional - Vicki Eagles Foot Pro Podiatry The Garden Robin Limited 01462 659730 07812 399659 07377 536685 01462 815968
Gifford Dance Academy 07585 221513
Graham Smith Brickwork & Paving 01462 731829
Greenacre Transfers Airports & Chauffeur Services www.greenacretransfers.co.uk 07555 707848 Guides - Stotfold Guide Association 01462 733322 HB Decorators 01462 732960
Helpers Homecare Henlow Vets 01462 896853 01462 416416
Heritage Paving Hypnotherapy - Pathway Hypnotherapy Rooms
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James’s Carpentry & Handyman Service 01462 234292 Kumari Chiropractic 07479 945995 Leigh Skelding Counsellingwww.ls-counselling.com 07876 826880 Locksmith Services 01462 290226 New Kitchens 01462 812826 Nick Sayer Plumbing & Heating 07456 559756 North Herts Road Runners 01462 639215 Oven Clean & Repair Services 07878 444559 Painter/Decorator - Paul A Robinson 07761 751634 01462 232642
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Plumbing - ALM Plumbing Plumbing - C Plumb Plumbing & Heating - GSP Heating & Plumbing Plumbing - J D Heating & Plumbing Services LTD Plum-tek RH Gardens Roecroft Centre - Maureen Winters Stotfold & Arlesey Royal British Legion Satchells Estate Agents Saunders Garage Sheldon Electricals Simply Sorted Professional decluttering/organising Slimming World Solicitors - HRJ Foreman Laws St Mary's Church Hall Stotfold Art Group Stotfold Bowls Club Stotfold Conservative Club Stotfold Football Club Stotfold Gardening Club Stotfold Good Neighbour Group Stotfold Junior Football Club Stotfold Judo Club Stotfold Twirlers Stotfold Mill Stotfold News Magazine Stotfold Parents Association Stotfold Pharmacy Stotfold Short Mat Bowls Club Stotfold Women’s Institute Tailoring Service The Rooms TidyTime Cleaning Services Tree Surgeon - 4 Seasons Warrens Windows Windows - Repairs & Installations (J Garside) Window Cleaning - ACCS Ltd 07950 311963 01462 700862 01462 615922 07474 444288 01462 618058 01462 612033 01462 730264 01462 734133 01462 733730 01462 730222 01767 448188 07792 405246 01354 462322 01462 458711 01462 730264 07734 304590 01462 628204 01462 730534 01462 539297 01462 834854 07599 925587 07706 951263 07734 563970. 07732 505614 01462 734541 01462 731986 01462 730570 01462 730249 01462 730841 01462 730751 07575 417217 01462 835538 07856 205626 01462 834136 01462 261401 07951 473505 01462 629302
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