#Stevenage October 2019

# STEVENAGE Text

The unique digital magazine for Stevenage promoted by social media

Oct ober 2019

What a party!

Clair e Au st in (lef t ) w it h Lou ise Yexley

#St evenage magazine was proud t o be t he sponsors of t he first St evenage 10k race in Sept ember.

See inside for our pict ure special from t he event and also our links t o t he full result s and det ails from t he day.

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What's on in

#Stevenage It'sbeen a busy time for #Stevenage.

STEVENAGE 10K Spon sor ed by #St even age

And first and foremost we have to say a big well done to Chirs Leigh and the Stevenage Striders for their hosting of a superb Stevenage 10K race thismonth.

From launch and promotion (which #Stevenage were proud to sponsor) to the finish line and cake, the whole event wasbrilliant and we look forward to backing it next year.

This triumph isa testament to the town and just what can be achieved - long may all of these new events flourish.

FILM ING HUB Kn ebw or t h celebr at es

if you have a story you think that we should tell then don't forget to contact usat the addresses below.

And of course if you are a business which islooking to really get your name out there through the powerful medium of digital and social media then make sure that you advertise with usand see uspromote your products and services to the people of #Stevenage. Digital allows people to read about you on the go - on their mobiles for instance, and they are also just a click away.

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PAUL FRY on # St evenage

Are we nearer to a multi-racial Britain For all the talk for Britain being a beacon of multi-racial inclusiveness, racism has never really gone away but merely been covered with a thin layer of topsoil.

A number of incidents in recent weeks have shown that tensions, long held in an uneasy check, are bubbling just beneath the surface.

The Naga Munchetty controversy is perhaps most troubling ? a woman of colour being reprimanded by the BBC for calling out the racism of Donald Trump. More worrying still is that the BBC was clearly too insulated not to see the backlash that would follow.

The R word resurfaces, it seems particularly at times of conflict and stress in society, such as with the ultra-divisive Brexit deadlock which, essentially is a long struggle of whether we want to be the EU's 28th state or the USA's 51st.

The author and political commentator also threw a hand-grenade into the mix when he told Mark Francois MP, the poor man's Captain Mainwaring, in a brutal TV put-down that ?not

everyone who voted Leave is a racist, but all racists voted Leave?.

The ultimate divide could be the break up of our 300-year-old United Kingdom, if we are not careful ? pitting tribe against tribe.

And race is essentially a tribal issue.

Racial tensions here, I have always felt, are largely the result of the British way of not tackling the issues head-on, but brushing them aside.

The stiff upper-lip approach has meant we never properly discussed how society might change at the time of the Windrush arrivals in the 1950s, or during unfettered access to our shores, through freedom of movement (FoM) with the EU which accelerated during the Tony Blair years. Many will recall how his warning of 60,000 arrivals from Poland became 600,000 which pushed our services to breaking point ? a sistuation only fuelled by Tory austerity cuts.

Now we hear the post-Brexit landscape may see EU FoM replaced with a similar arrangement with Australia. And

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then every other nation we then trade with will surely demand similar arrangements, be it New Zealand, India, Canada and Pakistan ? truly, we will be looking at Empire Revisited.

Immigration itself is not the issue. I believe it to be a good thing, on balance. Newcomers contribute far more than they take.

Rather, it is the way we have treated immigrants that worries me more ? recalling Theresa May's hostile environment that brought us the Windrush scandal and a Home Office culture that is fostering a post-Brexit scandal of even larger proportions concerning EU immigrants of the past 40 years.

A former Sunday League football team-mate, whose parents settled in England from the West Indies in the immediate post-Windrush wave, gave me his perspective on what it was like as a young black boy growing up in Stevenage in the 1970s ? and how things have changed.

Audley Cardines is known more for his music than his football (unlike brothers Nigel and Colin,

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who both played for Stevenage Borough). He runs regular soul music nights in town that attract up to 200 fans.

He says: ?I can still picture the day we arrived in 1974 from Edmonton, in north London. We walked up this long road in Pin Green, about 250 yards, before turning right - and there was our new home in Grace Way.?

Besides settling into the house, Audley recalls how his parents' first priority was to integrate. It must have been challenging.

I also recall how few black faces there were in Stevenage then ? you probably knew the families. It meant a huge culture shock for the young Audley. ?I remember turning up at Bedwell School and I was one of no more than 10 black faces in a roll of hundreds. I wouldn't say it was intimidating. And I soon made white friends as well as black ones, like Curtis Irish. ?I was so lucky to have a very good teacher, Ruby Younge, who was a rarity herself, being black, and she took me under her wing, really. ?She had three great boys, Gary, Wayne and Patrick.?

Gary is an author and columnist for The Guardian and Patrick is former a head of BBC production and now MD of Sugar films, a BAME-led production company that has even commissioned a series by brother Gary for Channel 4.

A strong family has kept Audley grounded. Patrick and Wilma were doubtless, as Fletch famously said

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in Porridge, like the Leeds United back four in the 70s - 'firm but fair?

of the language used meant they could never be re-run today.

?Mum died last Christmas and was a strong proud lady with arms like Popeye.?

I think there is more than a thin residue of that attitude still in society and the majority of us rightly see no humour in it. But that is of course to judge those times through the prism of our lives now. Things have moved on, but the debate has never been had.

Audley says he didn't get into many scrapes at school nor do I remember his Sunday League team-mates having to defend him from racist abuse on the field. We would surely have stepped in strongly. ?I didn't get any verbals, maybe a few sly digs; it was more over-aggression in tackles. ?But I took that as a back-handed compliment about my ability, though I was nowhere near the level of my brothers. ?I looked up to black players who were forging their way in the professional game ? like Clyde Best, John Chiedozie and the lads at West Brom.?

He means Brendan Batson, Laurie Cunningham and Cyrille Regis, who were christened perhaps none-too-tactfully by then-manager Ron Atkinson as the Three Degrees, after the American soul-singing trio.

Big Ron was later shown the door from his ITV punditry job for what was perceived as racist comments.

I am not convinced he was overtly racist, but that he was a widely typical creature of his time.

Remember this was a time when poking fun at black people in TV comedies such as Love Thy Neighbour and Til Death Us Do Part, which were huge hits but also subtle influences on how we perceived people of colour. Some

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?Football has changed so much, for a start,?says Audley. ?There must have been barriers that my brothers faced in going up the grades because we have seen how players were treated ? and not just by fans.?

Indeed, John Barnes was famously pictured back-heeling a banana that had been thrown at him from the terraces, to the accompaniment of monkey chats.

A sustained Kick It Out anti-racism campaign, led by Brendan Batson, seemed to have put a lid on such behaviour for a while, but the issue has never really, in true British fashion, been properly put to bed in wider society, which after all what the terraces reflect.

Barnes recently defended his former Liverpool and England team-mate Peter Beardsley, who was found guilty by the Football Association of racially abusing Newcastle's young black players and was banned from football for seven months. Barnes, though, dismissed Beardsley's comments as 'banter'. The issue is to properly define what is banter and what oversteps the mark.

Audley is encouraged by the changing face of the England team.

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?We have gone from one or two black faces to games when they are actually in a majority. They have made great strides in the game. But proper integration will only have happened when we get black managers and, better still, black board members and club owners. But I think that is still a way off.?

He feels that black coaches have more barriers to success and are excluded following a failure much more quickly than their white counterparts. ?I think the racism is more sub-conscious these days,?

Audley adds. ?I admire people like Sol Campbell, starting at the bottom of the League, at Macclesfield last season. He kept the club up and they are moving forward. And yet other former England players like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have found top clubs

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soon after hanging up their boots. ?I don't think either have proven their value yet as coaches. They may well do, but something is not right there. ?American football has been a good model in many ways, there are many top black coaches now.

But that didn't happen overnight.

They brought in a rule that meant clubs had to interview a certain number of ethnic minorities as part of the hiring process. ?I am not sure that is the approach we need ? but we need to debate the issue openly and honestly. ?But racism isn't all about colour.

You see the struggles of people from the EU who have settled here. So many have done well for themselves and tried as we did to integrate. Many will go home at some point but for others, this is their home.?

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Audley is a cheerful, funny and largely optimistic bloke. He brightened our dressing room and now he has a growing band of music fans jumping to his beat.

He looks back at his family's path through his dad's eyes ? with three sons all with white partners. The very picture of integration. How things might have panned out had they stayed in north London is clearly another issue. But life is not about 'what ifs'.

And it is a measure of how much Audley's now 86-year-old father's mission of integration has been accomplished that he watches Gareth Southgate's boys play and cheers them on as loudly as any Englishman.

The cricket might be a different issue, though...--

10K event success as Striders deliver The first ever Stevenage 10km race hosted by Stevenage Striders and sponsored by #Stevenage magazine took place on Sunday, September 15 and proved to be an amazing success.

popular Stevenage 5K ParkRun. Whilst there will be members of local running clubs taking part, the expectation is that the majority of participants will be keen runners who are not part of a running club.

Starting and finishing in Hampson Park, Pin Green. The route took in some of the other parks the town has to offer such as Fairlands, Kings George V and in the Old Town. Nearly a year of planning, lots of Striders team members out in force to marshal, bake cakes and other duties, the race was all done and dusted in 35-44 when Oliver Wallace crossed the line to clinch first place.

However, it was a tight finish with Sean McKenna from Cambridge and Coleridge AC took second place, finishing three seconds behind him. Third place fell to Tom Hargreaves in 37-08. First lady to finish was Clare Thurgood from Orion Harriers in 41-00.

Stevenage Striders are very grateful to the support they have received from the main sponsors and supporters Wagstaffs accountants, ASK Physio, odyssey sports club, Mather Marshall Knebworth, #Stevenage Magazine and Stevenage Community Trust. The latter have been a regular supporter of Stevenage Supporters throughout the period since the club was launched in 2013.

In this race, the home club had forty-eight runners with first home was Jonny Nicholls in 38-23 taking fifth place overall. Glenn Cuzner (14th) was second Strider home in 43-19 and Tom Sclanders(15th) in third for 43-30. First Strider lady home was Emma Sclanders in 52-44 (106th), Esperanza Castro was second 54-04 (122nd) and Vicky Nolan-Walker was third in 58-06 (177th).

Chrissie Parry of the Striders said after the race: Every runner, volunteer, marshal, baker, organiser did the striders proud today. The strider family truly came together to host an amazing first race. There has been an enormous amount of organising going on behind the scenes for a number of months, and a special mention needs to go to Chris Leigh and Marc Hagland for their huge contribution, without which today would not have happened. So thank you, it was a good Sunday run.

It was back in 1995 that it was the last time a 10K road race was offered to all members of the public.

The Stevenage 10K has been set up to encourage the local population to get their running shoes on, take part in this community event and take on the course! For many, this builds on to their regular running of the ever

The race is limited to 400 entries in its inaugural year but it is expected to grow each year. Part of the proceeds from the race will be donated to the two elected charities for 2019 - TRACKS autism and Stevenage and Community Trust. The money raised for charity will be a key theme for the race and is expected to grow year on year as the race grows.

Runners in the race received a finishers t shirt and bespoke medal. There was also a free cake stall for runners, with donations also being taken for TRACKS autism. Trophies were also awarded to the first three men ad ladies, as well as those winning their age category. The race was started by Simon Speller, mayor of Stevenage. https://www.racesonline.uk/results/2019-results/ stevenage-10k-2019-results/ http://stevenagestridersrc.org.uk

Heroes named at Pride awards Stevenage Borough Council hosted another remarkable Pride of Stevenage awards on September 28 at which a number of amazing local heroes were celebrated.

Winner of the Team Award was the Lister Butterfly Service while the Caring award went to A Bloody Good Cause.

The Dedication Award was handed to Christina Luchies for her work with Stevenage Music School.

Warriorz Performing Arts and Zara Richards won the Sporting Award while Seasons Shop was named as the Enterprise Award winner.

Harley Sarll from Camps Hill School set up Forest School to win the Green Award.

Stacie Field won the Young Star Award while fundraiser Andy Smith won Judges' Special Award.

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Town getting ready to promote benefits of Entrepreneurship Week From the 12-18 November, Global Entrepreneurship Week inspires people everywhere through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators.

And Stevenage will be among a host of major towns and cities which will be helping to highlight and promote this key event.

These activities, from large-scale competitions and events to intimate networking gatherings, connect participants to potential collaborators, mentors and even investors? introducing them to new possibilities and exciting opportunities.

This year, GEWUK is joining forces with a group of leading enterprise and entrepreneurship organisations to provide participants and hosts with targetted content and support in the areas that are of most importance for entrepreneurs. We're helping the UK map their entrepreneurial journey. Find out more about the GEW Compass Points throughout the site.

Last year in the UK hundreds of partner organisations hosted around hundreds of events that reached more than 340,000 entrepreneurial people across the country.

If there?s ever a time to make it happen, it?s during Global Entrepreneurship Week!

The challenge is simple: while more than half of the population consistently say they would like to start their own business, less than 5% ever do.

W hy GEW and why ent repreneurship?

Entrepreneurs fuel economic growth, by creating jobs and improving communities through the creation of new products and services. But in the UK, although around one-third of the adult population say that they

would like to set up their own business, only 7% ever do.

Mass participation in activities designed to promote entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial thinking have proven outcomes in addressing these issues and helping aspiring or prospective entrepreneurs to get started GEWUK is the perfect vehicle to engage more people into the transformative power of entrepreneurship.

Global: The UK sits at the heart of a vibrant community of 150 countries participating in the campaign, offering participants unparalleled opportunities to connect globally. As we enter uncertain times for UK business, these global connections are more important than ever.

Ent repreneurship: Our campaign celebrates all kinds of entrepreneurship, from the sole traders and business owners who keep the UK moving to the next Richard Branson and everyone in between.

Week Seven days to get the whole country talking about entrepreneurship and business - and still it does not?t feel like enough time,. The week long nature of the campaign gives us and our partners plenty of opportunities to reach the right people and lots of

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time for the right people get involved in the campaign.

UK Trends Entrepreneurial ambitions are even more acute among certain demographic groups ? particularly among young people and women.

Young people in the UK are three times more likely to be unemployed than adults.

More than twice as many men start up businesses as women.

Mass participation in activities designed to promote entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial thinking has proven outcomes in addressing these issues. Global Entrepreneurship Week ? which began life in the UK back in 2004 as Enterprise Week ? is the world?s largest campaign to promote entrepreneurship and is

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recognised by organisations all over the UK as the highlight of the entrepreneurship calendar.

As a result of t he 2015 campaign: 86% of participants said that they felt more confident about starting a business or making their business a success 74% of participants said they are more likely to start a business 63% of participants who were not entrepreneurs said that they had gained a new business idea or been inspired 54% of participants said that they had acquired new skills 50% of entrepreneur participants said that they had made new contacts to help them in their business

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Knebworth launch App When visiting Knebworth House and Gardens next season visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the interactive virtual reality App ?Knebworth Watch?, which shows the view from the top of Knebworth?s Watchman?s Tower.

Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, and using information from the Knebworth House archive, the virtual reality app takes the user on a journey through history showing what Knebworth House and Park may have looked like in Anglo - Saxon, Norman, Tudor and Victorian times, up to the modern day.

The ?Knebworth Watch?App has

been funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Watchman?s Tower project, a two-year project running until September 2020 to restore access to the Victorian Watchman?s Tower at Knebworth House. Harmony Studios, who developed the App, generously matched the National Lottery funding for the App development.

Help was also received from year 5 students at Roebuck Academy in Stevenage who designed Saxon villages which inspired the Saxon scene within the App. The ?Knebworth Watch?App is now available to download for free from the Apple Store and the Play Store.

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Katherine Dunstan, Education Officer at Lytton Enterprises, commented: ?We are delighted that visitors will be able to see what Knebworth House may have looked like in different eras of history, and are extremely grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Harmony Studios for making this possible.?

Jason Higgins, Managing Director at Harmony Studios, Commented: ?To see history come to life in an interactive and engaging way, delivered using technology that younger audiences are so familiar with, is a really amazing and forward thinking way of engaging with visitors.?

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Town's new mural A new mural has been created in Stevenage Town Centre to celebrate the Town?s heritage and future regeneration.

Commissioned by Stevenage Borough Council, the installation on the side of the Paddy Power unit by the bus station, represents Stevenage's arts and heritage strategy and the ongoing, 20-year regeneration programme.

Hitchin and Stevenage-based Graffiti artists Mark Meana and Silvi Noel volunteered to design the piece and completed the installation on Thursday 12 September.

Commenting on the artwork, Silvi Noel said: ?This amazing project gave us the opportunity to design a mural that represents the

Stevenage?s history and future regeneration. We have both lived in the area for a long time so it?s great to be able to contribute to the town in this way. As a female graffiti artist, I hope I will be able to inspire young people through this piece.?

Cllr Richard Henry, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Leisure for Stevenage Borough Council said: ?This fantastic piece of work represents our rich history and heritage as the UK?s first new town, while at the same time aligning with our exciting regeneration projects.

The artwork is something we can all be proud of and highlights the artistic and creative flair we are lucky enough to have in our town.?

The artwork, inspired by

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Stevenage?s New Town story, flows from left to right, representing past to present, and future.

The piece represents the modern, geometric design of the New Town with cubist-like representations, while the minimalism and monumentalism of the town is represented in a black and white design.

Visit Stevenage Re-Imagined to learn the town?s Arts and Heritage strategy and http://stevenage-even-better.com/ to learn more about the town?s regeneration.

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Stevenage World Forum?s annual Celebrate!!! event returns to the Gordon Craig Theatre on Saturday 19 October to bring you an exciting display of multicultural performances that the whole family can enjoy.

Run in partnership with Stevenage Borough Council and now in its seventeenth year, a variety of local and well-known performers will come together to put on a diverse range of music and entertainment.

This year, spectators can look forward to Black History Month celebrations, a steel band ensemble, folk singer Kelly Oliver, jazz guitarist Ben Brown, soul artist Decosta Boyce Irish, Polish, Filipino and Punjabi dancers and many more fantastic performers.

Kate Belinis, Chair of Stevenage World Forum said: ?On behalf of the Board of Stevenage World Forum for Ethnic Communities, we are delighted that the Celebrate Team

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has once again worked very hard to put on this annual show to showcase our local talented communities and to bring awareness of the rich and vibrant cultures we have across Stevenage. We hope that people will come and enjoy the fantastic show planned.?

communities in Stevenage. They were Albert Campbell, our first Black Mayor of Stevenage in 1987 and Reba Younge, a Caribbean mother and nurse who set up a support group for Asian women whilst fostering children and raising her own three sons alone.

Commenting on the importance of Celebrate!!! event, Cllr Michelle Gardner from Stevenage Borough Council said: ?Celebrate!!! is an excellent way for our community to reflect on the diverse histories of those from minority backgrounds, taking note of the achievements and contributions to the social, political, economic and cultural development in Stevenage and modern Britain.?

Since the first Celebrate!!! in 2002, more than 1,100 performers have participated in the event and we hope 2019?s event will be the biggest yet. This year we want you to get involved! Use the hashtag #CelebrateStevenage2019 to show us how you celebrate diversity in Stevenage. Our favourite posts will be shared on Stevenage Borough Council?s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

Celebrate!!! will also be hosting the Campbell Younge Award, which is presented each year to a person who deserves recognition for their outstanding achievements or service to their community. The award is named after two local pioneers who worked tirelessly on behalf of all

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Tickets for Celebrate!!! are available for a cost of just ÂŁ9.50 and can be purchased online at www.gordon-craig.co.uk or by calling the Gordon Craig Theatre box office on 01438 363200. =

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Historic house marks filming It may have been an iconic location for some high profile rock events through the years, but many people are unaware that Knebworth House has also played host as the backdrop to some key moments in cinema history as well.

It has a happy history of working with film & television crews for over 70 years and has featured in a number of high profile TV and cinematic productions.

For an excellent example of Knebworth House, Gardens, Park and Woods on film Henry Lytton-Cobbold tells us the story of filming The King?s Speech. saying: ?There was a fearful snow blizzard during the first day of filming and a number of roads became impassable. Most of the crew were staying at the Novotel in the park, so they were able to make their way through the elements to find a bed for the night. ?Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter were less fortunate ? they ended up spending the night with us: Colin in the Queen Elizabeth Room and Helena in Mrs Bulwer?s Room. The following morning, trying to find Breakfast Colin was ejected from the house by our head of maintenance, who, not recognising him was of the opinion he shouldn?t be in the house. So Colin found himself trapped in a locked courtyard in the snow!?

The diverse filming history is extensive: from major movies to TV films, commercials and stills shoots.

Highlights include:

Transformers 5: The Last Knight, Paddington 2, Goodbye Christopher Robin, Victoria & Abdul, The Kings Speech, The Scapegoat, St Trinians 2, 28 Weeks Later, Nanny McPhee, Cody Banks 2, Possession, Eyes Wide Shut, Wilde, Batman the Movie, The Shooting Party, The Big Sleep? .

TV Films: the detectives: Miss Marple, Poirot, Midsomer Murders, Foyles War, Judge John Deed, Inspector Linley, Lovejoy, Jonathan Creek?

Other TV productions: The Crown, Dr Thorne, Keith Lemon Sketch Show ? The Hairy Bikers, Flog it, The Hour, The Queen, East Enders, Antiques Roadshow, Great British Railway Journeys, Food Glorious Food, Saturday Morning Kitchen.

Movies:

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The Best Business Women Awards have announced t heir finalist s for 2019. The business world is full of t alent ed and dedicat ed female ent repreneurs who not only run successful businesses but , in many cases, also juggle t he needs of t heir families. The Best Business Women Awards are designed t o recognise t he achievement of t hose women across a wide range of business cat egories.

Local businesswoman Karen Greenall from A R K Last ing Powers & W ills Lt d has been short list ed as a finalist in t wo cat egories ? Best for Cust omer Service and Best woman in Legal services. She is being recognised for t he import ant work t he company do in helping local people t o prot ect t heir families wit h W ills, Last ing Powers of At t orneys and pre-paid Funeral Plans. They also offer Probat e services aft er a loved one has passed away.

Debbie Gilbert , organiser of The Best Business Women Awards said ?This is t he 5t h year of t hese prest igious awards.

We were delight ed wit h t he number of ent ries t his year, which came in from all over t he UK. This is a t ough compet it ion judged by business expert s. To be a finalist is a major achievement . Finalist s have been select ed for t heir business acumen, det erminat ion, creat ivit y and t enacit y.

Well over 80% of st art -ups fail in t he first 3 years and all our finalist s are all shining examples of being successful

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Best Business Women Award shortlist for Karen Greenall ent repreneurs who have proved t heir success t o our judges?.

Karen Greenall said ?I am t hrilled t o be short -list ed as a finalist in not one, but t wo cat egories. It is import ant t o all of us at A R K t hat we provide an excellent level of service t o our client s ? preparing legally valid document s at cost -effect ive prices. We offer a friendly, professional service wit hout using unnecessary jargon, and we are so happy t hat t he judges have chosen us as finalist s over so many ot her companies?.

The winners will be announced at gala final of The Best Business Women Awards on 11t h Oct ober 2019, which will be held at The Tower Hot el in London.

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ARK team ready to give clients peace of mind The Team at A R K Last ing Powers & W ills are qualified t o act as W ill, Last ing Power of At t orney and Funeral Plan consult ant s. They are regulat ed by t he Societ y of W ill W rit ers. You can have peace of mind knowing t hat your needs will be looked aft er by a professional company wit h all t he processes, syst ems and insurances in place t hat are necessary in order t o ensure t hat you and your family will be prot ect ed from t he worst . Comment ing on t he t eam, Karen Greenall (pict ured far right ) said: "Our et hos is t hat want t o focus on t he local communit y and on helping local people.? ?We are a professional but caring service. I have been in cust omer service all my life and have an NVQ in cust omer service, as well as W ill indust ry relat ed qualificat ions. Those who use A R K know t hat it is a very personal service ? we get t o know our client s and offer a friendly, jargon-free service. There is absolut ely no pressure t o buy when you are speaking t o any of our consult ant s.?

Amazingly around 66% of t he populat ion don?t have a W ill and while t here are some circumst ances and scenarios where t hey not so import ant , people should always double check what would happen wit hout a W ill before deciding not t o make one. Sadly, even when people do realise t hat t hey should make a W ill t o prot ect t heir family, it is always a backburner job.

As Karen confirms, W ills can be essent ial for many people in a number of circumst ances saying: "W hen you have children, appoint ing guardians is vit al and oft en couples don't underst and t hat t he way t heir est at e will go can be dependent on t he order in which t hey die. If you have children from different relat ionships t hings can easily go wrong. A

W ill is needed t o t ry t o prot ect propert y from t hird part ies such as care cost s and new part ner scenarios.?

A R K can also assist wit h Last ing Powers of At t orney. Alt hough associat ed wit h t he older populat ion and Alzheimer's or dement ia; loss of ment al capacit y can be as a result of an accident or st roke at a younger age. W hen ment al capacit y is lost all account s belonging t o t hat person are frozen, and it t akes a long and expensive court process t o get t hose account s freed up. If you have a Last ing Power of At t orney in place before you lose capacit y all of t hat st ress for your family will be avoided.

The provisions of Probat e services is offered in conjunct ion wit h a firm of solicit ors, but t he t eam at A R K hold an init ial meet ing wit h t he client t o give advice, and t o gat her informat ion and document s.

They are aut horised t o act as consult ant s for bot h Dignit y and Safe Hands Funeral plans and offer no obligat ion home visit s t o explain t he opt ions t hat are available. www.arkpowers.com info@arkpowers.com

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Herts Visual Arts enjoy link with Btc Stevenage This Alpaca has just found a new home!

This magnificent Alpaca original past el paint ing was one of many fant ast ic saleable art works t hat are proudly displayed on t he walls of t he bt c in St evenage.

The fourth sale in recent months took place recently when Anita, who works for a business based at the bt c fell in love with this cute Alpaca, created by local Stevenage artist Sally Taylor.

Art ist Sally Taylor said: ?It isa real pleasure to have my work on the wallsof the btc and such a delight to be able to share my work with othersand find it a new home. I am so grateful that the btc hasbeen running thisinitiative and I?m delighted to be part of it too!?

Sally cont inues: ?Asa member of HertsVisual Arts, I have been able to connect with many other local artistsaswell asbeing encouraged to exhibit my work too. Thisis definitely a real boast to me personally and the exhibition isa joint collaboration between the btc, a businesscentre community for local start-upsand growing businesses, and HertsVisual Arts, a volunteer-run organisation which promotesawarenessof Hertfordshire artists.?

The bt c has provided four floors of wall space for ten Hertfordshire artists, each showing their own original work. The range of work includes photography, oils, watercolour, acrylics, glasswork and textiles. Home to over 120 businesses the centre is managed by social enterprise, Wenta, on behalf of Stevenage Borough Council.

Comment ing on t his joint collaborat ion, Jo Kiely ?

Cent re Manager of t he bt c, said: ?We?ve had the pleasure of hosting thiswonderful artwork here created by local artistsand it?sgreat to be able to be a part of this. We?ve had many positive commentsfrom the businessesbased here at the btc and long may this collaboration continue.?

The bt c encourages entrepreneurship and creativity, providing free start-up business advice, free training workshops and so much more. The centre also offers workspace to start-ups and small businesses ? this includes artists and other creatives too!

If you want to know more about Herts Visual Arts, or wish to join, visit www. hvaf.org.uk or engage on social media @HertsVisualArts.

To find out more about the business support services available at the bt c, visit www.btcstevenage.co.uk or search bt cst evenage on socials.

About ? Furt her Informat ion about Hert s Visual Art s Herts Visual Arts is the largest county-wide volunteer run organisation for amateur and professional artists and makers in Hertfordshire. An annual programme includes members meetings, exhibitions, Art Showcases, the Big Art Fair and Herts Open Studios.

Many join simply to be part in Open Studios each year ? but there is so much more to the excellent value annual membership (currently just ÂŁ40 per year) Benefits of annual membership include a gallery on the HVA web site, social media promotion across HVA platforms and a PRIVATE Facebook group to connect with other members. There?s also access to opportunities and a full annual programme of meetings and events, just for members. A monthly newsletter includes news, opportunities and exhibitions across Hertfordshire, as well as hints, tips and articles on Open Studios, marketing and more.

Members can also promote their workshops, classes, exhibitions and publications and contribute to the newsletter itself.

Non-members can sign up to our newsletters Free of Charge.

7t h-29t h Sept ember: Herts Open Studios 2019 Herts Open Studios is Herts Visual Arts annual flagship event, when artists open their doors to visitors. Details of participating venues and artists will be available on line and in print from summer 2019, with the brochure launch at the Big Art Fair. There is also a comprehensive advertising and sponsorship offering.

The easiest way to join HVA is online Web: www.hvaf.org.uk Twitter: @HVAF #HertsOpenStudios Facebook: @HertsVisualArts Instagram: @HertsVisualArtsChair

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Just the business Looking for something different for your next corporate event, or Christmas party?

WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED! Mr Mulligans is the par-fect venue for your next corporate event. Choose from some seriously great packages or exclusive venue hire that takes

your corporate event to the next level.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE? You are invited to attend our Christmas Showcase on 3rd October from 5:30pm - 7:30pm - Come and see everything we have to offer. Get in touch to receive your invite.

NEXT SHOWCASE Th u r sday Oct ober 3 5.30pm - 7.30pm

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A meal at Mr Mulligan's At Mr Mulligan's Lost World of Golf you celebrat e any special occasion by playing a round.

And along wit h a great game, you can also have a great meal t hanks t o a new cafĂŠ upgrade.

They are now serving hot dogs, paninis, wraps, sharing plat es and kids meals.

You can also creat e your own sundae and creat e your milkshake. W het her it 's our 11 Thursday night Dat e Night s or a family day out for big and lit t le kids of all ages, you know t he answer, make it Mr Mulligans!

For full updat ed informat ion on t his and all event s which are coming up at Mr Mulligan's Lost World of Golf head t o our Facebook page ht t ps:// www.facebook.com/

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Tollers help you through the dispute process To Lit igat e or Mediat e t hat is t he quest ion?

Unfortunately, almost all of us will be involved in a dispute of some kind or other in our lives. You may have purchased something that is not working correctly or received a service which is not to the required standard.

Tollers Solicitors Dispute Resolution team in Stevenage has a wealth of experience not only in advising clients on the merits of their claim and the court process, but also in resolving disputes through using Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Here Nicholas Phillips from the team looks at the alternative options available to you should you decide to pursue a claim.

Nicol a Hol t on ? Senior Associat e, Duncan Nichol son ? Managing Part ner , Trist an Benson ? Part ner and Head of Disput e Resol ut ion, Vict oria Graham ? Sol icit or , Nichol as Phil l ips ? Senior Associat e.

W hat are t he alt ernat ives?

The most common alternatives are adjudication, mediation, arbitration or negotiation.

Adjudicat ion Adjudication is widely recognised as the ?pay now, argue later?mechanism for resolving disputes. It is generally used to resolve construction disputes and is designed to protect cash flow for business, by preventing one party withholding cash payments for significant periods of time.

Mediat ion Mediation is becoming the most common method of Alternative Dispute Resolution. It involves appointing a neutral independently trained mediator whose aim is to try and narrow the issues in dispute, with the ultimate view of achieving a settlement. The intervention of a third party mediator can often help the parties to take a step back and consider matters with more objectivity.

Arbit rat ion During an arbitration, an impartial professional is instructed to make a decision on the dispute. The decision of the arbitrator is binding on the parties and there are limited grounds to appeal any decision. Arbitration is generally quicker than pursuing matters through the Court process.

Negot iat ion Negotiations will generally be the first port of call when trying to resolve a dispute. They can take many forms including discussion between parties, calls between instructed solicitors or even a round table meeting between the parties. Negotiation can be the quickest and cheapest means of resolving matters, however, the parties must engage with the process and be willing to compromise.

W hy should you look t o resolve mat t ers t hrough alt ernat ive met hods?

The main reason, as with most things, is cost. Litigating matters through to a contested trial can be a costly process and incredibly time consuming. For businesses especially, it can be very disruptive.

There is an expectation from the courts that parties will engage in some form of ADR before going to trial. A failure to do this, or an unreasonable refusal can result in costly consequences for a party. In our experience, more disputes are settling these days by way of negotiation or mediation, and parties should certainly consider these options before engaging in the costly court process. Having clear advice on what the best options are for you can help to save time and costs. If you would like more information on your options ? t alk t o Tollers on 01438 901095 and Nicholas and t he t eam will be happy t o assist .

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On the final journey Funeral t ransport : Making your last journey personal There are many sayings in life about journeys and travel. A journey is a common metaphor for life itself and they form the basis of numerous inspirational quotes.

But we?re also a generation of physical globetrotters. We plot where we want to go, what we want to do; we have scratch maps to complete, bucket lists to fulfil.

So the final journey we make after we?ve passed away is, surely, just as significant. By choosing a mode of transport and a route to take to the final resting place, which are personal to the deceased, a funeral can feel more about their life than their death. It?s not about going into the dark and unknown, but celebrating life and creating more memories.

Our blog on personalising funerals [link to personalising funerals blog] touched on transport, but here we?ll look at it in more depth.

Why is funeral transport so significant?

There are two aspects to personalising funeral transport.

Firstly, it allows the deceased to travel in a way that is very personal to them, whether this is

by their own planning before they pass away, or down to friends and family fulfilling their wishes on their behalf. This might be in a vehicle they owned themselves, something they loved going in, or perhaps even always wanted to experience!

There was a story in the news recently of a man who?s dying wish it was to have his coffin transported in the bucket of the JCB he drove for 30 years. There are some beautiful pictures online of the JCB taking him on the short journey from his home to the funeral, followed by his family and friends on foot. (https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/24/ granddad-taken-funeralbucket-jcb-9294632/) The second aspect is about those left behind. Depending on the transport chosen, they can walk alongside, drive, or, in the case of a hand pulled bier, even carry their loved one themselves and be beside them right until the end. In some cases, following a traditional black hearse in a funeral car may feel quite distant and unfamiliar for the bereaved, perhaps even a bit stressful. It?s important to see how something as seemingly insignificant as the transport can

help our stress and mental attitude at such a difficult time. [link to funeral stress blog] A study by the Co-op revealed that more and more people want their funerals to be personal and celebratory affairs with Land Rovers and rainbow-hued vehicles to take them to their final resting places ? and companies are responding to these wishes up and down the country!

W hat t ypes of t ransport are available?

At Austin?s, we can arrange various modes of transport and always do our best to make your wishes happen. Aside from our traditional black hearses and limousines, we can offer?

A motorbike hearse with a sidecar for the coffin A VW campervan, A variety of different model Land Rovers A 1950 vintage lorry A hand pulled coffin bier, which has been in the Austin?s family for generations A horse-drawn carriage with black or white horses

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Wedding and party package Can you af f ord t o miss t he Forum's wedding package?

As l ong as booking is made by t he end of t his year wit h deposit paid it can be used f or t he ent ire 2020.

For a remarkabl e ÂŁ3,000 you can have excl usive use of t he f ul l suit e upst airs incl uding Fairview suit e. Incl udes: -

Room f rom 10am-midnight Cat ers up t o 500 Ful l use of t he kit chen and abil it y t o bring in booze and f ood.

Incl ude securit y 1 hot el room Col our t heme upl ight ers and use of screens f or phot os

For part ies, weddings recept ions, birt hdays and charit y event s we are t he venue f or you.

Book by Sept ember 30 2019 and use t his t o t he end of 2019.

Part y package incl udes: -

Noon - Midnight Ext ended bar l icence on appl icat ion ÂŁ500 per room, accommodat e 200 peopl e.

Can increase capacit y by booking a second room f or a 50% discount .

Incl udes dance f l oor, securit y, t abl e l inen and bar st af f , upl ight er and screens.

Cal l us now on 01438 779955

And how about our amazing part y package?

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Book the best conference facilities for your business

Do you want t he very best f or your business?

The Forum Conf erence and Banquet ing Suit es in St evenage of f er t he f inest f acil it ies and t he best rat es - and we now have a special booking of f er which wil l al l ow you t o book f rom now unt il April 30 2020.

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Dail y Del egat e rat e - f rom just ÂŁ25 f or a minimum of 10 peopl e Every 10t h person is f ree and a bot t l e of f izz f or t he booker.

Ideal meet ing space f or 20 peopl e, af t ernoon t ea cof f ee and cakes and l unch

Arrival t ea cof f ee and f resh baked past ries avail abl e Take a break wit h mid-morning t ea, cof f ee and biscuit s Af t ernoon hot and col d working buf f et l unch avail abl e Af t ernoon t ea, cof f ee and a sweet t reat f or al l del egat es Al l bookings incl ude f ul l use of st at ionery, room hire and equipment hire

Quot e Code: Forumbiz19 Cal l 01438 779955 and book now

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Brilliant businesses in High Street need you After our amazingly successful piece in our last edition on Middle Row and the independent shops in that area, we have turned our focus on other shops in Stevenage High Street.

The shares and likes we have gained by putting these businesses in the spotlight has been amazing, so don't forget make sure if you need a product or a service which they offer head down to them and keep them in business in #Stevenage

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Phot ography by Brendan Fal vey

If you have enjoyed t hese images of #St evenage by Brendan Falvey and would like t o find out how t o order t hem cont act on t he det ails supplied here

Email: bjpfalvey@gmail.com Search for Bren's Phot o's on Facebook

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For r esult s t oday speak t o t he com m unicat ion exper t s at Spit f ir ePR Media rel at ions

Copy writ ing

Social media market ing

Media t raining

Market ing

Crisis management

Proud publ i sh er of #Herts @h ash tagh erts For al l your mark eti ng and soci al medi a needs: 07539 782979 w w w .spi tf i repr.com darren@spi tf i repr.com @DarrenI sted1 @h ash tagh erts

What 's on in # STEVENAGE INS: Every Friday afternoon, So Healthy, a gentle exercise class takes place from 1.30pm to 2.30pm at Bedwell Community Centre. Please contact the INS for more information on 01438 725400 or emailinfo@irishnetworkstevenage.org.ukor follow the group on Facebook or Twitter.

St evenage Fl oral Art Societ y: Call Margaret 01438 880086 for more details.

St evenage Liberal Synagogue: For further information phone 01438 300222 or visitstevenageliberalsynagogue@gmail.com St evenage Fibromyal gia Support Group:Meet on the second Wednesday evening, 7.30 to 9.30pm, and last Tuesday of the month, 12.30pm to 2.30pm, at Poplars Community Hall. A weekly coffee drop in from 1pm to 3pm takes place on Wednesdays at Encore Coffee House, in the foyer of the Gordon Craig Theatre. Call the helpline 0844 8872 373 or 355 for more info. All welcome.

St Andrew and St George:Parish Mass on Sunday at 10am. A toddler group takes place on Wednesdays from 10am to 12pm. All welcome. For further details please email Kimcuttylanegroups@gmail.com.Morning Prayer Monday to Thursday at 9.30 am. Weekday Masses on Monday at 10am, Tuesday at 12.30pm and Thursday at 10am. Compline at 8:30 pm on Thursdays. For more information visitwww.stevenagechurch.org.

Debt ors Anonymous:Meetings are held every

Tuesday evening at 8pm at The Living Room, No 15 The Glebe, Chells Way. For more information visit:www.debtorsanonymous.org.uk St evenage Corey?s Mil l Lions Cl ub:Lion are part of the world's largest community based Service Organisation and are looking for more members to assist with the work in the community as volunteers. Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month in Symonds Green starting at 7.45pm. Membership fee is nominal. To find out more call 01438 489247 or 07903 444052 or visit the group on Facebook.

St arl ight Dance Academy:Adult tap dance classes, for all ages, with a fully qualified teacher take place from 1.15pm every Friday at the Community and Arts Pavilion, Roaring Meg Retail Park, Stevenage.

Age Concern, St evenage:Pop in for a cuppa every Monday, 10am to 12pm, at Swingate House. Age Concerns provides bookings for Britannia Coaches,a hire service for mobility scooters and wheelchairs during opening hours. Free 20-minute appointments for benefits and legal advice, and a footcare clinic are held every Tuesday and Thursday (fee payable). Age Concern's offices are open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 3pm and Thursday 9.30am to 1.30pm, ground floor, Swingate House, Stevenage town centre.Call01438 314164 for more.

St evenage Museum:St George?s Way, Stevenage, hosts a wide range of events throughout the year for families, children and adults. Open 10am to 4.30pm Wednesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm Saturday. Call 01438 218881 or emailmuseum@stevenage.gov.ukfor more.

Cycl e UK St evenage:Starter cycle rides will set off from Costello?s Cafe by the Sailing Centre in Fairlands Valley Park at 10.30am every Saturday.

Evening rides from the green by Springfield House Community Centre take place every Wednesday at 7.15pm. For more information go towww.stevenagectc.org.ukor call Jim on 07939 687509 or Jill on 07816 625901.

What 's on in # STEVENAGE St evenage Writ ers:Meet every Wednesday from 5.30pm to 7pm in The Snug Bar at The Dun Cow, Letchmore Road, Stevenage. Mutual support for writers at all levels, something for everyone. Next two months the group is working on getting their Annual together. For more details contact Tony Burtonponytailpoet@gmail.com.

Pl ay Go:Takes place every Tuesday from 7.30pm in Letchworth or Stevenage on alternate weeks.

Persons under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. For more information, visithttp:/ / www.letchworth-go.org.uk/ letchgo St Hugh and St John's Church: Blaze Youth Club for anyone aged 7 to 14 takes place every Thursday during term-time from 5.45pm to 7.15pm. Have fun playing games, sports, making crafts, baking, cooking, and art, The first Thursday of the month is family night where families are invited to come for a meal and a short service. ÂŁ1.50 per week.

Roundabout ers Count ry Dance Cl ub:English country dancing every Thursday, 8pm to 10pm, at Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane SG1 1UP. Newcomers are always welcome, both beginners and experienced dancers. To find out more call 01438 727239, visitwww.roundabouters.org.ukor just come along.

St evenage Bridge Cl ub:New players are needed at Stevenage Bridge Club and Springfield House Friday Bridge Club. Stevenage Bridge Club meets at 7.30pm to play Duplicate Bridge at the Priory Nursery, Stanmore Road, Old Stevenage. Contact Phil Cooper on 0795 7813434. Springfield House Friday Bridge Club meet on Friday afternoons at 1.30pm to play cut-in Chicago Bridge at Springfield House. Contact Richard Bean on 01438 221517.

Mol l y Vickers School of Dance:Lessons in Ballet, Tap, Freestyle and Contemporary at Bedwell Community Centre, Stevenage. For children (18 months+) and adults, first trial class is free! For more details call Lisa Holt on (01438) 723450 or Stacey Hurst on (01438) 315580.

Oval Communit y Circl e:Come along to a free social

group held on the first Thursday of the month anytime between 9:30am and 11am at the Oval Community Centre, Vardon Road. For more information contactenquiries@ovalcommunity.comor 01438 359404.

Love t o Dance:Fun and friendly sessions for anyone aged 50 and over take place every Friday from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Hampson Park Community Centre, Webb Rise, Stevenage, SG1 5QU. Just ÂŁ5.50 per session. For more information call 0203 675 7215 or emailclarebellchambers@saracens.net St evenage Spirit ual Group:Meet every Sunday (except Bank Holidays) at Springfield House, Stevenage Old Town. Sunday meetings take place from 7.30pm till 9pm with a different Medium each week. All welcome.

Just Sing Communit y Choir:Come along and sing every Thursday during term time from 7pm to 9pm, at Grace Community Church. Hydean Way, Stevenage. First taster session free and no auditions are required. Contact 07785568463 or visit the websitewww.justsingcc.org.uk Pil at es:Sessions take place at Datchworth Village Hall on Thursdays from 1.30pm to 2.30pm/ Beginners are recommended to attend an introductory class. Call 07732897404 for more information.

Wou ld you lik e t o pr om ot e you r gr ou p or even t f or f r ee?

Do you w an t t o sh ow t h e people of #St even age you r gr ou p in act ion ?

Sen d you r copy an d pict u r es t o dar r en @spit f ir epr .com an d w e w ill do ou r best t o pu blish t h em in Wh at 's on in #St even age

Join the SportScene team There is a new radio show on the circuit that any sports fan in the area would be mad to miss.

SportScene started broadcasting their weekly show earlier in August on SG1 radio, the online radio station broadcasting live from their studio in Stevenage Town Centre.

Presented by Steve Watkins, Jay Drackford and Dean Thompson, there is a wealth of local sporting knowledge that has been tapped into, with the trio aiming to showcase any sport local to the area.

Steve Watkins said ?It was an idea that was dreamed up by Jay, who quickly shared his thoughts with myself and Dean, and we were hooked. We went to station owner Ray Medwynter and he loved the idea, and two weeks later we were live on air! ?In the first show we were honoured to have former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson as a guest, speaking about his charity, the Welwyn Garden City based

?Willow Foundation?, and his golf tournament recently held at Hanbury Manor. ?The response has been phenomenal in the early days. We have had local clubs represented, with sports including Football, Netball, Running, Iron-Man, Cricket Rugby and Cylcling, and have even included the great work being done with the Aqualina Synchronised Swimming club. ?It has so far been a case of building relationships with the clubs, so that we can follow their fortunes in the future. But we are also keen to get involved ourselves, with Jay already running the local Park Run, and Dean is lined up to have an evening of Synchronised Swimming, which of course will be covered on the show! ?We still need to hear from any new clubs with a story to tell, whether it be news, results, fixtures or events, and we are happy to speak on the phone, get guests into the studio , or simply

read out any news from a club. The aim is to cover ANY local sport, without prejudice or bias. Where at all possible of course!?

The show can be contacted at any time via email at sportscene@sg1radio.co.uk, via twitter @sg1sportscene, or on the SG1 Radio Facebook Page.

The show is broadcast every Wednesday evening between 9-10pm, and can be accessed at www. sg1radio.co.uk, on mobile phones by downloading the SG1 Radio app, via tune-in radio on a smart device such as sonos or alexa, and is also now being broadcast live with video on Facebook, which has added an extra dimension, and encouraged interaction from the sportspeople of the area.

Previous shows can also be played again, with links on Facebook and Twitter.

For further details, contact the team at sportscene@sg1radio.co.uk

Make the most of the Unlimited Card to enjoy Cineworld benefits ENJOY UNLIMITED FILMS Watch all the films you can handle at any Cineworld for just one monthly fee SAVE ON SNACKS AND DRINKS Get 10% off all in-cinema food and drink. Plus get 10% off at Cineworld Starbucks licensed stores.

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Unlimit ed: How t o apply online Step 1 Make sure you have your bank details and a recent passport photo Step 2 Complete the easy application process and use your temporary pass straight away Step 3 We will post your Unlimited card to you Step 4

Visit one of our Cineworld cinemas Step 2 Find a member of staff or use a sign up tablet in cinema Step 3 Complete the easy application process and use your temporary pass to start enjoying Unlimited movies Step 4 Start enjoying Unlimited and related offers We are delight ed t o t eam up wit h Cineworld St evenage t o offer you t he chance t o win five pairs of 2D t icket s t o any film (subject t o availabilit y).

To ent er simply follow and like our Facebook page @st evenage magazine and ent er our compet it ion when post ed asking who you would t ake wit h you.

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Ashr idge Est at e

# St evenage Oct ober 2019

PROPERTY

The unique guide to property news in #Stevenage

#STEVENAGE PROPERTY: THE INTERACTIVE WAY TO VIEW YOUR AGENT

DIRECT LINKS TO WEBSITES, EM AILS, VIDEO AND PROPERTY DETAILS

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Agent Hybrid falls bet ween t radit ional and online est at e agency. Our aim is t o deliver a personal, one-t o-one est at e agency experience, whilst delivering a service of excellence.

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Our marketing packages are inclusive of: - Professional photography - Extensive Online Advertisement - 3D Floor plans - Local High Street Office - Accompanied Viewings and Open House Agent Hybrid offer two fee options and both include a full estate agency service.

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Homes and Mortgages Estate Agents are ready and waiting to help the Stevenage community with all its property needs, be it buying, selling or renting, Homes and Mortgages are committed to providing great value customer service for all our clients.

Situated in the heart of the historic Old Town and set over three floors, each department provides a professional, welcoming and comfortable environment for all of our customers. We have a team of 9 full time, experienced Sales and Lettings staff on hand to deal with any property enquiry.

W hat 's new? The rebranded branch and heavy investment in IT has set Homes and Mortgages up to stand out in 2017 and for the future. Our experienced and dedicated staff all share the same view in providing a fantastic customer experience and are heavily focused on the importance of transparency between ourselves and our customers.

The IT software is excellent at allowing vendors and Landlords 24/7 access to information regarding their property. At the click of a button, vendors can see feedback, current interest from web portals and can track the progress of a sale online. Likewise, Landlords have the option to view property maintenance schedules and access statements. mailt o:st evenage@homesand mort gages.co.uk

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rely on A-TOP A-Top Pr oper t y Let t in gs, 1 Dr aper s Way, St even age Tel 01438 369173

em ail con t act @a-t oplet t in g.co.u k

If you are looking for a t eam t hat you can t rust t o deliver t ime aft er t ime t hen A-Top Propert y Let t ings in Drapers Way, St evenage is t he one for you.

A-Top, which is owned by founder Mervyn Terret t , has gained an impressive reput at ion as t he go-t o agent for all your propert y needs whet her you are looking t o rent or are a landlord seeking t enant s. W it h a combined market experience of more t han 60 years, t he st aff at A-Top are t he most knowledgeable in t he business and along wit h advice on t he rent al market , t hey can also provide informat ion which allows cust omers t o make t he most informed choice possible. Over t he past 33 years t he t eam lead by Mervyn has seen t he local market undergo a wide number of changes, but t hrough t hem all A-Top and it s experienced st aff have always given t he very best and most informed service.

There have been plent y of changes which have alt ered t he let t ings landscape in St evenage. Through t hem all however t he reliabilit y of A-Top Propert y Let t ings has remained a const ant and t heir port folio of excellent landlords has increased dramat ically.

Comment ing on t he t eam Mervyn said: ?W hat once was a rarit y in t he UK i.e. rent ing, is now so common as a source of income/ invest ment for landlords and of mobilit y for professional working t enant s.

We are delight ed t o be able t o use our expert ise t o help bot h t enant s and landlords.?

For furt her det ails cont act 01438 369173 or email cont act @a-t oplet t ing.co.uk

For a top service Text

rely on A-TOP A-Top Pr oper t y Let t in gs, 1 Dr aper s Way, St even age Tel 01438 369173

em ail con t act @a-t oplet t in g.co.u k

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The independent local estate agent Text

2 M iddle Row , St even age Tel 01438 367753

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St ephen Harris and Michael Not schild est ablished Own Homes in 2008, operat ing as a successful, independent local St evenage est at e agent .

Here at Own Homes, we understand that each property and sale is individual and therefore tailor our service to suit your specific requirements.

We have prominent offices ideally situated in the heart of Stevenage Old Town. One in Middle Row covering lettings and mortgages and one on the High Street to deal with sales.

Our recent expansion and our double fronted office allows us the scope and ability to serve Stevenage and the surrounding residential areas.

Passionate in all we do, we pride ourselves on delivering the highest level of service.

Selling and letting a property can be a stressful time, which is why we go the extra mile to make your involvement with us as enjoyable and professional as possible.

Working in Hertfordshire for the past 10 years has enabled Own Homes to develop a comprehensive understanding of residential property in the local areas of Stevenage, Hitchin and surrounds.

We have an established an experienced team, on hand to work with you throughout the selling and buying process, ensuring personal contact is maintained from start to finish.

We use a number of marketing styles to ensure your property, whether you are selling or letting, gains maximum exposure and a smooth efficient sale. This includes advertising in local newspapers and glossy magazines, as well as Internet marketing. Our double fronted office also allows people to see

our properties in both windows.

To arrange a free valuation, or to find out more about Own Homes and the services we provide, simply call 01438 367753 or email sales@own-homes.com. You can also visit our office.

Awards In recognition of our outstanding service, we've been awarded two gold winner awards by the British Property Awards, one for being the top Estate Agent in Stevenage and another for the top Estate Agent in the South East. We're very proud of these awards as the Own Homes team has worked tirelessly to provide industry leading property services in and around the area.

Award winners!

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2 M iddle Row , St even age Tel 01438 367753 w w w.ow n -h om es.com

Putterills Stevenage - talk to the professionals Text

61-63 High St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 316846

Founded by Tony Putterill in 1992, with our first office in Welwyn Garden City, Putterills are now celebrating 26 years of serving the Hertfordshire community.

We have grown from our original branch in Welwyn Garden City to having offices in Knebworth, Hitchin, Stevenage Old Town and St Albans, as well as a partner office in London?s Mayfair. Each of our sales offices are overseen by a Director who is actively involved in the day to day running; this helps to ensure that we are providing the highest possible levels of advice and service. All of these offices are prominently located to ensure all properties receive the best possible exposure.

In addition to our network of sales offices, we have an award winning Land and New Homes department.

Our specialists help landowners maximise the development opportunities for usually previously

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used land known as Brownfield, as the country struggles for space for new homes. We have always believed that our task is to provide our clients with the best, up to the minute, expert advice when dealing with what is usually their greatest asset.

Our clients have a wide range of emotions and circumstances and we help guide less experienced first time buyers, provide yield information and advice to investment buyers, schooling information to families, hold the hands of those who have not moved for many years and deal sensitively and professionally with those. Over the last few years, we are proud to have won a number of national awards which we believe underline our philosophy of being Trusted Property Experts.

2017 saw Tony Putterill retire and hand the reins of the company over to Mark Shearing. Mark has been in agency in Hertfordshire since 1982

and joined Putterills in 1993. As the company moves into a new era with changing markets, advances in property marketing and the use of technology, our aim is simple - to keep at the absolute forefront of full service Estate Agency and to continue the exceptional levels of service and advice that our clients have been able to rely on over the last 26 years.

Our primary purpose has always been to provide an outstanding customer experience and our core values continue to represent this: EXCEPTIONAL ? we are passionate about delivering excellence.

RESPECT ? we respect and value those we work with, both our colleagues and our customers.

EXPERTISE ? we deliver outstanding skills and knowledge in all we do.

TRUST ? we act with honesty and integrity at all times.

Putterills see massive rise in sales on 2018 Text

61-63 High St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 316846

Putterills are delighted to report that despite stories that the property market is sluggish, year to date they are a staggering 50% ahead in sales than this time last year!

Managing Director Mark Shearing says ?Many buyers and sellers believe that the property market is slow at the moment, but our results to date show this is clearly not the case. The market has indeed been tough over the last year or so, but there are always people that need to move. Having over 25 years?experience in Hertfordshire gives us a huge advantage in tougher markets and enables us to adapt to a good old fashioned estate agency service, like talking to people, finding out their real moving requirements and matching them with like-minded sellers, something many online agencies or even younger firms either cannot do, or seem to have forgotten how to do.

Prices have softened a little, so realistic pricing is essential, but equally you are likely to end up paying a little less for your next home, so it all balances out in the end.

We are also encouraged by the numbers of first-time buyers coming back into the market place, as low interest rates remain it is often cheaper to buy than to waste money

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renting.

Hertfordshire enjoys almost full employment with a wide diversity of employers, so whilst we are close enough to London to have many commuters living in the county, we are not dependant on London buyers.

Our sales of new homes have risen significantly this year, with our specialist New Homes Department now handling 20 sites offering over 200 homes for sale. Many new homes? buyers are using the Government?s Help to Buy Scheme, which, contrary to most people?s understanding, is NOT just for first-time buyers.

There have been some very notable performances from our branches. Our Hitchin sales office has just had its best sales month EVER! Outstanding results.

Our Welwyn Garden City office has sold more homes in excess of ÂŁ1 million this year than in all of last year, a clear sign of returning buyer confidence in the upper market.

Our Stevenage office has had a stunning month for listing new properties to sell and this improved choice has encouraged more buyers to commit.

St Albans office has had its best month this year for both sales and new instructions and we are actively looking for additional staff to meet

demand here.

In Knebworth, again, they are ahead of last year as many people want to take advantage of this thriving village?s excellent facilities - including its own station.

The conveyancing process remains painfully slow, with some chains taking many months to get to the point of exchange. Sales progression and dealing with issues during the conveyancing period is one of the most important and time-consuming jobs an estate agent carries out.

Having experience and being well-known by local surveyors and solicitors is paramount and something Putterills are professionals at.

Choosing an estate agent who does not offer this service, or has a remote centre dealing with all their cases, is a false economy and can cause considerable stress and frustration at what can be an already difficult time.

In summary, the market is fine, with a good level of buyers, but they need to be encouraged and looked after, so at this time, more than ever, choosing the right agent to handle your transaction is paramount and we hope that our selling success this year speaks for itself!!!

Click h er e f or you r in stText an t on lin e valu at ion

Shepherding you home the life of an estate agent Text

61-63 High St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 316846

w w w.pu t t er ills.co.u k

W ho'd Be An Est at e Agent ?

Duncan Price of Put t erills explains what being an est at e agent really means.

Some people t hink our job is easy. They t hink t hat propert y just sells it self. That a buyer appears from nowhere, loves a house or flat and agrees t o buy it - just like t hat . Some t hink t he sale t hen speeds effort lessly t o a sat isfact ory conclusion and wit hout any ot her assist ance. Let me t ell you it doesn't work like t hat well not for most of t he t ime anyway.

A 'proper' est at e agent 's job is not t o sell houses; rat her it is t o move people. Moving anyt hing is oft en complicat ed, can be fraught wit h difficult y and have unforeseen consequences. Just t hink about moving t win six-year-olds singlehandedly from home t o school every morning, or moving a cent ral heat ing boiler, or moving 250,000 t ons

of crude oil half way round t he world, or moving a herd of sheep from one hillside t o anot her. It all t akes planning, pat ience, knowhow, experience and resolve. It means expect ing t he unexpect ed, problem solving and, when ot her people are involved, t he highest level of t act and diplomacy.

I don't know about you, but if I want ed t o move a herd of sheep I would hire a shepherd.

And, in a way, t hat 's what est at e agent s are. We arrange for somet hing wit h lot s of moving part s - each wit h a mind of it s own - t o end up where it should be on t he dat e it is supposed t o be t here.

Est at e agent s shepherd people, cont ract s, surveys, mort gages, removals, wit hdrawals,

gazundering, false st art s, disappoint ment s, t he unforeseen and t riumphs from one place t o anot her.

Somet imes it 's a smoot h process. But all t oo oft en it isn't . You may not t hink it 's wort h paying for a shepherd at t he beginning. But believe me, at t he end, when it has been sheet ing down wit h rain all day, t he quad bike has broken down, a fox snat ched a lamb and a large group of unreasonable ewes made a long break for freedom you will t hink a shepherd is wort h every penny.

W hy are we est at e agent s? We do it because we enjoy being shepherds. Some may t hink t hat selling houses is not much of a job, and in many ways t hey might be correct . But moving people and families on t o t he next st age of t heir lives and making it as seamless and st ress-free as possible is a job we enjoy and t hink is well wort h doing.

Click h er e f or you r in stText an t on lin e valu at ion

Portfolio - for serviced apartments in #Herts Text

Tel 0800 0248 914

Booking a holiday is possibly one of the greatest feelings and counting down the days when you?re having an awful day at work or are just desperate to get away from home can seem like a joy, but there can be a downside. Hotels. While some people may see staying in a hotel like a dream, it can actually be a nightmare if you?ll be staying there for a long time, especially if on a business trip or secondment. With that said, here are the top reasons to stop staying in hotels for your business travel trips.

Limit ed Wardrobe Space Packing for a holiday or for a business trip puts you on one of two teams, you?re either naturally gifted and find it a breeze or it?s the worst part of the trip for you, but one thing unites these two camps ? limited hotel space.

If you love to pack an outfit for every possible occasion you will know how difficult it can be to cram your clothes into tiny hotel wardrobes, or even worse live out of a case. Staying in a serviced apartment fixes this and means you have a home away from home and all the storage you could need.

You feel like you?re t rapped Walking into a hotel room can at first glance feel wonderful, everything is conveniently within arm?s reach and for the first day you love it. Then the second day comes and the third day and by the fourth you feel like you almost can?t breathe.

Hotels just aren?t feasible for long periods of time or for anyone who likes a sense of space, after all, who wants to feel trapped by the same four walls for the entire of their trip?

Privacy? W hat privacy?

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Hotels may seem like a good idea for a romantic night away, but if you?re travelling with family or small children or even colleagues, then all sense of privacy goes straight out of the window when you?re all sharing a room just feet away from each other.

Forget staring dreamily into each other?s eyes when you wake up, you?ll probably be staring at a toddler who immediately wants to play or be woken by another family member?s snoring and that?s not even mentioning the housekeeper who always turns up at the most inconvenient times!

Serviced apartments let you have time to yourself no matter how many you have brought along for the trip, so you can sleep well and feel like you have privacy if you are all loved up.

Money money money!

Straight to the point hotels aren?t cheap.

Even for the savviest of spenders and the keenest bargin hunters, you may think booking your hotel means it?s all done, dusted and paid for but you will undoubtedly end up incurring extra fees.

Whether you give in to the lure of room-service with its extortionate service charges, or buy a film to keep energetic youngsters occupied, your bill when you check out can hit you like a smack in the face and leave you wanting a more affordable option.

Meals on wheels Speaking of room-service, while this may seem like a decadent treat on the first night, by the time you come back from a long day of exploring and are tired, it is so easy to have a burger brought straight to door along with its crazily hiked-up price and extra delivery charges. This can not only wreak havoc on your bank account,

but also on your waist-line and by the time you leave, the only thing that will be thinner is your wallet.

Serviced apartments absolutely win here, as having a fully equipped kitchen at your fingertips means it?s easy to rustle up something quick and delicious that will probably be healthier for you and will also save you money! If you want some tips on how to eat well when working away from home check out next weeks blog post, or check out our apartments to find out why it?s time to say goodbye to hotel hell and wake up to apartment heaven!

Though staying in a hotel may seem like the obvious option at first, there?s no denying that a serviced apartment brings with it a number of benefits that a hotel just can?t offer.

At Portfolio Serviced Apartments we specialise in providing luxury serviced apartments and temporary homes for corporate and business travellers. We offer a secure spacious base which can become a home from home for longer staying guests. Portfolio Apartments are located throughout all of Hertfordshire including Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, St. Albans and Hatfield, whilst through our partners we have access to over 90,000 luxury apartments across the globe.

So whether it?s a placement in St Albans or a secondment in San Francisco, Portfolio is consistently the favoured choice for travelling professionals.

For more information,get in touch. Our team at Portfolio looks forward to helping you soon.

Give our friendly team a call on 0800 024 8914 (Mon ? Fri 9-6pm) or visit our website to view our modern serviced apartments.

101 High St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 231200 w w w.m ar k sim on est at es.co.u k pr oper t y@m ar k sim on est at es.co.u k

Partners with vast knowledge of the local area Text

Mark Simon Estates is an established Estate Agency situated at: 101 High Street, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 3HR. Here at MarkSimon Estates, we have over 40 years combined experience of Estate Agency within Stevenage and its surrounds.

Our Partners Mark Sollis & Simon Jacob both grew up in Stevenage and therefore have a vast knowledge of the area and its surrounds.

This in itself, is proving an invaluable asset to prospective Vendors and Purchasers seeking a property which meets both their needs and expectations in a home.

?To Mark, Many t hanks for all your hard work selling my house for us in Jessop Road. You went t he ext ra mile in so many ways. You always kept me well informed and I knew I could t rust you t o carry out everyt hing you promised.?

From H.

?To MarkSimon Est at es & your t eam, Thank you for being t here t o help us. ?

Mr K & Miss T

Click here for MarkSimon Twitter

?To Mike and everyone at MarkSimon Est at es, A Big t hank you for all your help selling our house, Best wishes.?

The W ?s

Click here for MarkSimon Facebook

The agent with more than 18 years experience Text

TLC est at es, 4 Bak er St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 219282

em ail let t in gs@t lcest at es.co.u k

TLC est at es is sit uat ed in t he delight ful set t ing of St evenage Old Town.

We pride ourselves on t he personal and professional services we offer t o all landlords and t enant s alike We offer very compet it ive rat es we are one of t he very few let t ing agent s only left in t he t own . W it h over 19 years of experience in t he St evenage market we are sure t o offer you t he best of services from under one roof.

Renowned for our open and honest approach ,TLC will give you t he full informat ion on t he market .

Many of our landlords and t enant s have been wit h us since we opened in 2000 and we are known for our close work wit h bot h.

Pop int o our Baker St reet off ice or give us a call and find out how TLC can help wit h your let t ings needs.

The Connells team that you can trust Text

8 M ar k et Place, St even age Tel 01438 318080

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Connells Estate Agents in Stevenage are located in the Town Centre along Market Place, and within walking distance of the Train Station.

We would love to help you sell or rent your home or find a property to rent or buy in and around the Stevenage area, as well as the villiages Walkern, Knebworth, Little & Great Wymondley, Gravely & Aston.

Connells Estate Agents in Stevenage are managed by Gary Young. Gary has had a successful estate agency career over the last 20 years. Gary is supported by Callum Souter who is the Sales Executive with four years experience behind him, Oz Ansari who is the branch valuer, and Melanie Retberg the Branch Administrator.

Our in-house Mortgage Consultant Juliet Twining, is fully trained and qualified to advise you on the right mortgage product to suit your needs.

Connells Lettings would love to help you rent your property.

Lettings Manager Patricia Bowden has 10 year's experience within the Lettings industry and is assisted by Trainee Lettings Negotiator Ben Brooks. With their combined experience and extensive knowledge of the area and rental market, are always happy to offer their assistance to new and experienced buy to let investors and first time landlords

alike.

Whether you are looking to sell or rent your property, we offer FREE market appraisals. Please feel free to pop into the branch or call 01438 318080 (Sales) or 01438 318258 (Lettings).

We offer a range of property related services all under one roof.

In house Mortgage Consultant.

Premium Marketing Packages available including Floorplans, Professional Photography, audio tours, and premium listings on Rightmove & Zoopla We have pioneered a dedicated service called The Property Finder

- You tell us what you are looking for and we will find it We know how the Stevenage market moves - our staff are local and extremely knowledgeable.

Their in-depth and up to date local experience.

Over 10 years?worth of experience and knowledge within the local market.

A professional team providing services to suit all your needs including property management, accounts and high quality administration.

We accompany all viewings, we believe it is really important, we?ve been trained to do it so you get really good feedback.

Making the Wrights choice

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19 M ar k et Place, St even age Tel 01438 312312

Wrights is proud to be an independent estate agency with our own unique values and ethos.

We have been in business in Hertfordshire for over 30 years and our experience in helping our customers to buy, sell or rent their properties is second to none. Over the years we have built a professional and enthusiastic team and we now have three branches based in the towns of Hatfield, Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City.

Wrights was founded in 1983 by Melvin Wright. Melvin was an experienced estate agent who began his career working for W.H.Lee based in the village of Ware and then moved on to their Stevenage office. As he progressed in his career Melvin was asked if he would open another branch of W.H.Lee in Harlow. Whilst pondering this decision Melvin happened to see that a shop unit in Hatfield was for sale and this made up his mind ? he would start his own estate agency! He picked up the phone to the agent and said he wanted to buy the unit, and so

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Wrights Estate Agency was born on the 15th August 1983.

Due to Melvin and his team?s hard work and determination Wrights Estate Agency really took off in Hatfield. Just 10 years after Wrights first opened its doors in Hatfield Melvin made the decision to open another branch in the lovely town of Welwyn Garden City. And so in 1993 Wrights of Welwyn Garden City was founded.

As the Wrights team had such a wealth of knowledge about the Hertfordshire housing market it made sense to open another branch, and because Melvin had previously worked in Stevenage he decided to based his next office in this lively town. Wrights were the first independent estate agents based in the town centre and where we led others followed - it soon became a prime location for a number of estate agencies.

Independent agency, independent values When asked just what makes Wrights so successful we tell

people that it is our independent values and experience. We pride ourselves on our professionalism, our knowledge and our honesty.

We really care about our customers and put them at the heart of everything we do.

Our success is also built on great teamwork and our family values extend to the whole of the Wrights team. We make our offices a welcoming place to work and this is evidenced by the fact that we have team members who have been with us for over 20 years!

So now you know our history let us help you plan your future in the property market. Whether you are looking to buy, sell or rent get in touch with any of our three branches and we will be happy to help you.

19 M ar k et Place, St even age Tel 01438 312312 h t t ps:/ / w w w.w r igh t sof .com / br an ch / st even age/

Geoffrey Matthew property innovators Text

24 M ar k et Place, St even age Tel 01438 720100

w w w.geof f r eym at t h ew.co.u k

Geoffrey Mat t hew Est at es are a propert y business wit h offices in Harlow, St evenage and Great Ashby t hat specialise in t he sales and let t ing of resident ial propert y.

Over 25 years of experience in propert y and finance give us an unparalleled insight t o t he needs and desires of sellers, purchasers, landlords and t enant s alike.

W it h a dedicat ed, hardworking, innovat ive forward-t hinking t eam t hat use modern met hods and good old-fashioned cust omer service, we offer a unique bespoke service t ailored t o you.

Tel 01438 720100 w w w.geof f r eym at t h ew.co.u k