Rennie Grove and Peace Hospice Care merge

Could you be a Compassionate Neighbour?

As part of its merger, the new hospice is bringing the Compassionate Neighbours project to St Albans and the surrounding areas.

Compassionate Neighbours is an award-winning social movement that sees volunteers matched with Community Members in their area, to offer friendship and emotional support to people who are lonely, ill or isolated due to life-limiting illness or bereavement.

Peace Hospice Care has been running the project for four years and is now expanding it to offer the benefits to people in and around St Albans.

Compassionate Neighbours are asked to commit to around one hour per week to support a carefully matched Community Member, which could include visiting them at home for a chat, taking them out locally or simply sharing an activity together, such as a short walk.

Volunteers don’t need any kind of experience or relevant background, as full training and support is given. We’re looking for people of all ages with a range of life experiences and interests.”

To find out more about either accessing the support of a Compassionate Neighbour or offering your time, email compassion@peacehospicecare.org.uk or call 01923 330 330.

Could you organise a Street Party? for The Coronation Big Lunch 6th - 8th May

If the road does not need to be closed, it may not be as difficult to organise as you think. From a cup of tea with a neighbour to a street party, the event is a great way to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and get to know your community a little better. For inspiration, top tips and practical advice, visit the Eden Project Communities website.

www.edenprojectcommunities.com/the-big-lunch Planning your event

You’ll need to identify which category your event fits into. The Government has identified two different types of celebrations for the Coronation:

1. Street parties

• Only for residents/neighbours

• Publicity only for residents

• In a quiet residential road, block of flats or local green space

• Self-organised

• Normally no insurance

• No formal risk assessment needed

• No licences normally necessary unless the sale of alcohol is involved.

• There is no requirement to complete a risk assessment or other documentation, however residents will be responsible for their own health and safety. It is important to ensure that access for emergency vehicles is available at all times.

Further advice on safely planning your event is available from the Eden Communities Project, The Government and the The Street Party Site.

2. Public events

• Anyone can attend

• External publicity (such as online or posters)

• In buildings, parks and so on

• Professional/skilled organisers

Redbourn in Bloom

CAN YOU HELP? If you can spare an hour or two to help either once a month or just occasionally, we would be delighted to hear from you. We need volunteers for planting, weeding and dead-heading, assisting at events, and with occasional “heavier” tasks such as setting up tables, chairs or the gazebo, or repairing and filling planters.

Please contact Ann Davis on 01582 792518, email: ribhelpers@yahoo.com

• Insurance needed

• Risk assessment common to be written

• Licence usually needed.

• Public events are ones that can be attended by the local community and are in public locations. These should follow the Council Safety Advisory Group process.

Road closures

Street parties on a public road, will need permission to close the road. Road closures needed to have been made before Sunday 26th March.

Refurbished Car Park for Caddington Sports Club

Refurbishing the car park has been a long term aim of the Caddington Recreational Association, a registered charity that has run the clubhouse and sports field for the last 40 years. The refurbishment was made possible by grant funding that both Caddington Parish Council and Central Bedfordshire District Council helped the charity unlock. Paul Deacock, Chairman of The Caddington Recreational Association (centre left) said, "I'm delighted with the newly refurbished car park and very grateful to the assistance we have received from staff and councillors at both Caddington Parish and Central Bedfordshire Councils. North Herts Surfacing Limited, a contractor regularly used to maintain Central Bedfordshire's roads, have done a super job of refurbishing the car park and we are very grateful to Ron Brodie and his team who have carried out their work so professionally." Club Manager Terri Peak (far right) said, "The £100k refurbishment of the 80 space car park has really improved the Club's kerb appeal. We regularly hire out our hall that comes complete with its own bar and other facilities for birthdays and weddings and the income we receive from that helps the charity to provide adult's and children's sporting activity at the club that is so important to so many people in the village and the surrounding area." Readers wishing to contact Caddington Sports Club can do so on 01582 450151 or at: enquiries@caddingtonclub.co.uk.

Big News For Redbourn

Following our success in winning GOLD IN Anglia in Bloom and 1st in the Small Town category last year, Redbourn has been put forward into the Final of Britain in Bloom this year. Judging will take place in late July/early August, after the regional judging.

Besides colourful planting, the judges look at community participation, involvement of children and young people, business support, sustainability and care for the local environment.

This is exciting news, but will mean a lot of hard work! We are asking all sections of the community and organizations in the village to join in, either by joining us and helping with our planting schemes, making special efforts with their own frontage planting, letting us know of any planting or environmental projects we can include in Redbourn's Portfolio, and maybe joining in village litterpicks to help keep Redbourn tidy. Donations are also very welcome to help towards the costs of our planting efforts.

For further details,please contact Pat Schofield, 01582 793096, email pandjschofield@talktalk.net. See "Groups & Societies" for details about joining or volunteering.

Forthcoming Event:

TALK - THE LABOUR-SAVING GARDEN by Philip Aubury, former Director of Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Wed. 14th June, 7.30 pm at Redbourn Parish Centre. Tickets £8 (members), £10 (non-members) available after Easter from Terry Hunt, 01582 792363 email terry@drjhunt.co.uk

Tell us your local news to share with your community...

If you have some local news to share with our readers, please email your information and photos to: sue.mimagazine@gmail.com. This magazine is delivered to bi-monthly to 10,000 homes in Redbourn, Markyate, Studham, Kensworth, Caddington, Flamstead, North Harpenden, Slip End, Aley Green, Whipsnade, Gaddesden Row and the bits in between!