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JUNE 2022
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A charity has launched a project to encourage more young people to volunteer in hospitals, including Lister in Stevenage. The East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity supports three hospitals – Stevenage’s Lister, Hertford County, and the New QEII in Welwyn Garden City – as well as Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Northwood. The charity has received funding from the Volunteering Futures Fund – created by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and NHS Charities Together – which aims to help more young people access volunteering opportunities. The East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity particularly wants to encourage young people experiencing loneliness, those with disabilities and those from ethnic minority backgrounds to volunteer. The project is also aimed at helping young people who wouldn’t normally consider volunteering, perhaps because of travel costs, overcome those barriers and sign up. Claire Lyon, voluntary services manager at the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, which runs Lister, the New QEII, Hertford County and Mount Vernon, said: “Volunteering is such a valuable experience. It gives people opportunities to learn new skills, to meet new people and to feel part of their community.
companionship to patients at the end of their lives, and support for their loved ones.
“We want to open up volunteering to young people who might have been put off before, so they don’t miss out on these important opportunities that will help them in the future. “Young people often think volunteering isn’t for them, but we want to encourage them to join our team. They bring a fresh perspective and energy which we value and welcome.”
Harriet said: “Volunteering has helped improve my people skills and enabled me to help people who are in need. I’d encourage anyone who is thinking about it to sign up. “You can volunteer with the Butterfly Volunteer Service, like I do, or with the Response volunteers, who help with a range of tasks across the hospitals. There is something for everyone. Come on, join our team!”
Harriet Smith, who is 18 years old and from Letchworth, volunteers with the Butterfly Volunteer Service at Lister Hospital. The service provides
For more information, or to apply to be a volunteer, email volunteer.enh-tr@nhs.net, with ‘young volunteer’ in the subject line.
A controversial planning application to turn a Grade II* listed 14th century house into a children’s nursery and crèche has been withdrawn. The applicant, John James, had wanted to transform Chells Manor House, on Chells Lane in Stevenage, into a day nursery and crèche, with 30 full and part-time staff and capacity for up to 68 children. The currently vacant Chells Manor House is an imposing timber frame building built by the Wake family in the 14th century, with further wings added in the 16th and 17th centuries. The application to turn the manor house into a nursery and crèche has been withdrawn, after dozens of people objected to the plans, with concerns regarding increased traffic and congestion, parking, noise and loss of heritage. Tanya Carless, of Hayfield in Stevenage, called the proposal “ludicrous”. She said: “There is no infrastructure and parking to accommodate the amount of through traffic. Residents will be subjected to cars being parked everywhere as families do drop offs. Chells Lane is an extremely narrow road.” Chaleen Heller, also of Hayfield, said: “The lane is not fit to facilitate the volume of traffic this could
bring. It’s already a popular walking route for children to access schools. The risk of accidents would be high.” Herts Highways said there was “insufficient information submitted with the application to fully assess the highway implications of the proposed development” and recommended refusal of the planning applicaion “due to doubt over possible implications for highway safety, sustainable travel, convenience and amenity”. Historic England and BEAMS – the trading company of the Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust – both raised concerns about the impact the change of use would have on the fabric of the building. A spokesman for BEAMS said: “The necessary changes could harm the significance of this designated heritage asset through required alterations to the interior and through an adverse impact upon its setting.” Property consultant Carter Jonas, on behalf of the applicant, said: “We do not consider that a children’s day nursery use would adversely affect the structure of the listed building or the residential amenity of the area.” However, the application, submitted in March, has now been withdrawn.
A church flower festival which was based on a Biblical theme attracted a mayoral visit at the weekend. St Nicholas Church, Stevenage held their biannual flower festival which was titled Bible Stories and which saw floral arrangements displayed throughout the church with each representing a story. The event, which was opened by Mayor Cllr Margaret Notley, had been put on by the St Nicholas Flower Team which had already enjoyed a number of sessions of training. They were also joined by The Leys and Almond Hill School, who provided their representations of the Easter Story and the Feeding of the Five Thousand. The St Nicholas flower team was also supported by St Mary’s Graveley and members of the Stevenage South flower Group.
Tributes to a teenager who was “a continual source of pride” have been paid after he was killed on his way home from his school prom. Kajetan Migdal, a pupil at The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School in Stevenage, was fatally wounded on Friday, May 27. Police were called at about 11.20pm to Cuttys Lane in Stevenage, following an incident during which 18-year-old Kajetan sustained a stab wound. He died in Lister Hospital during the early hours of Saturday, May 28. In a statement, Kajetan’s family said: “Kajetan was a loving, joy-filled young man with a bright future. “He was known for his love of dance, animals, hard work and caring friendships.
“As a high achiever academically and in his hobbies, he was set for big things. He had just finished school and had his life to look forward to. “The entire family is devastated at the loss of a much-loved family member and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.” Clive Mathew, headteacher at Saint John Henry Newman, said: “Kajetan was a much-loved member of the school community who had been looking forward to a gap year before further study. “He was a continual source of pride for the school and was well-known for his love of dance. He was a member of Prospects Fraternity - the dance troupe that captured the heart of the school and the nation
in doing so well in the BBC’s The Greatest Dancer show in 2019.
“As a family, we are in complete shock and devastated at this huge loss.
“The loving nature of the school and the wider community means that all will work together to support those affected to the best of our ability over the coming days, weeks and years.
“He had his whole life ahead of him and an exciting summer planned, and a sick, evil individual has taken all that away from him and all of us.
“We will use this heart-breaking event to redouble our efforts to work with parents and parishes to form young people willing and capable of going out into the world to make it a better place, a place where such a terrible event becomes much less likely.”
“He leaves behind his parents, Gemma and Janusz, along with his younger brother, Fabian, and our extended family across the globe.” The Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit is investigating Kajetan’s murder.
Joanna Heasman, Kajetan’s form tutor at Saint John Henry Newman, said: “I had the pleasure of being Kajetan’s form tutor from Year 8 to 11 and during this time he was always loving life, with the enjoyment of his dance and his many friends.
Patrick Sharp, 18, of Cuttys Lane in Stevenage, appeared at Luton Crown Court on Wednesday, June 1, charged with Kajetan’s murder, as well as with possession of an offensive weapon, attempted robbery and possession of Class A drugs.
“His exuberant personality made him popular with the year group and Kajetan could always make me smile and laugh.
He was further remanded into custody ahead of a pre-trial preparation hearing on Monday, August 8. A provisional trial date was set for Monday, November 28. No plea was entered.
“In the recent Year 13 leavers’ mass, I sat just behind him and smiled as he sang out to the final hymn, as he would often ask if that was going to be the hymn in whole school assemblies. The hymn was ‘I send you out.’ “The year group will never be the same again, as a link in our chain has been lost. “I know a new shining star will be in the sky. Rest in peace Kajetan.” A Go Fund Me page, to help pay for Kajetan’s funeral and family members’ travel from foreign countries to attend, has raised close to £20,000 so far. Kajetan’s aunt, Corrie Everett, who set up the fundraising page, said: “My handsome, talented, smart nephew was murdered by a complete stranger on his way home from prom in Stevenage.
Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins, who is leading the case, said: “As the case is now progressing through the court, we would ask that people please refrain from commenting and speculating on social media, in order to prevent any issues during the criminal justice process or prevent witnesses coming forward.” Herts police are asking witnesses, or anyone with information, to contact them at herts.police.uk, or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 498 of May 27. Alternatively, you can stay anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or by filling in their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.
The new Stevenage Bus Interchange on Lytton Way has opened as of Sunday June 26th. The opening has seen buses arrive and leave to serve local communities and visitors. From this date, there are no more services from the existing station on Danestrete. Designed by Stephen George + Partners (SGP), the Bus Interchange was recently awarded ‘Project of the Year’ at the Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire Constructing Excellence Club Awards 2022. The awards highlight design and innovation in construction. Construction on the new facility began in late 2020, funded by a £9.6 million Local Growth Fund Investment from Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Passenger experience is a key focus, with modern facilities such as a climate controlled waiting area with seating, live passenger information boards, a fully accessible toilet and changing facilities, in addition to further unisex toilets with baby changing facilities. A café and shop will additionally be coming soon. Visitors to the town centre will see an improved public environment with new granite planters, paving and additional seating areas, improving the walkway from the town centre to the Bus
Interchange. This includes seating and newly landscaped areas with planted trees and wildflower meadow areas with bulbs to add colour, but also performing a vital role as part of a sustainable drainage strategy. The project has also delivered new coach stands along Lytton Way – a new facility including shelter, seating and live information boards. The new landscaped cycle and walking routes connect the railway station, coach stands and the new Interchange to the Town Centre. Cllr Sharon Taylor OBE, Leader of Stevenage Borough Council and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, said: “This is a really exciting development for Stevenage, offering our communities and visitors an improved bus experience right in the centre of the town. The opening of the award-winning Interchange brings with it modern facilities, an improved public realm and increased accessibility between our main transport hubs. Furthermore, this marks a pivotal moment in our wider regeneration programme, as we look ahead to a proposed new development at the soon to be vacant bus station site on Danestrete. We are delighted to have a confirmed opening date and would like to thank all of our partners for helping us to achieve this”.
Cllr Lloyd Briscoe, Portfolio Holder for Economy, Enterprise and Transport at Stevenage Borough Council, commented: “We are creating a sustainable travel hub for Stevenage of which the Bus Interchange is a key element. Together with the Interchange, the new multi-storey car park which is under construction and will include spaces for electric vehicle charging and secure storage for bikes - and the railway station will offer residents and visitors a number of ways to travel”. Live passenger information boards have been installed within the Interchange, providing real time information as to the status of services to and from the town. These will enable passengers to better plan their travel and be kept informed in real-time regarding their journey. Adam Wood, Head of Infrastructure & Regeneration and Herts IQ Programme Manager at Hertfordshire LEP, said: “We see this as a game-changer for Stevenage. The Bus Interchange marks the next major step in the reinvigoration of the town centre and demonstrates the importance of carefully targeted public investment to secure major private sector regeneration schemes. We very much welcome the improved connectivity that this new transport Interchange will bring to Stevenage, both for those already travelling around the town and
to encourage more people to come for work and leisure.“The LEP invested £9.6m Local Growth Fund in the Interchange which is a key element of our £34m Local Growth Fund commitment towards the town’s regeneration, which is already providing new homes, public amenities, and retail and business space to maximise the town’s economic potential. We look forward to seeing Stevenage evolve!” Accessibility between the main transport hubs and town centre has been enhanced, with level access pedestrian crossings across Lytton Way. This provides an alternative route to the bridge. Simon Mathieson, Area Operations Director – Midlands & South from Arriva, the primary bus operator using the Stevenage Interchange, added: “We are pleased that the new Stevenage Bus Interchange is completed and ready for use, we are excited to see our passengers enjoy the brand new facilities that this investment into the local transport network will have on them.” A planning application has been submitted to the local planning authority for proposals to transform the current bus station on Danestrete when the Bus Interchange opens and the existing station becomes vacant.
The sun shone and we had a Stevenage Day to remember as the crowds flocked back to King George V Playing Fields.
The sun was shining for this year’s Stevenage Day, attracting huge crowds to what has been described ‘as the best one yet.’ People of all ages spilled onto King George V Playing Fields on Sunday to enjoy the return of Stevenage Day as a live event, following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
“great to see so many people at our biggest event of year.” The event had been given a boost by a grant from the Arts Council to support the cultural entertainment at Stevenage Day.
As part of a new arts programme to celebrate the diversity of the Stevenage community and The event, organised by Stevenage Borough its culture and creativity, a colourful carnival Council, was first held in 1959, and this year’s theme parade with live music entertained the crowds, was ‘Re-imagining Stevenage’, with a specific focus with creative costumes ranging from birds and on arts and culture in the community, the Queen’s butterflies to lotus flowers, harlequins and even Platinum Jubilee and the Commonwealth Games. witches. From fairground rides and bouncy castles, to free fun activities and funfair stalls, there was plenty to Community engagement charity Kinetika had entertain the children. worked with community groups across Stevenage to discover stories and create 10 flags which were The twin stages of Rock in the Park, supported by flown as part of the carnival parade. Stevenage’s Practice Roomz recording studio, and The events under the new arts programme also refreshments including a bar on a double decker included storytelling and a craft tent, an interactive bus, ensured the adults were also catered for. zone for local artists to offer creative workshops There was also a main performance arena, and promote their work, and a world music specialist food vendors and more than 200 stalls programme. dedicated to charities, voluntary organisations and local businesses. Visitors to this year’s Stevenage Day have been praising the event on social media. One said: “It was Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland was one on the a brilliant day. I think it’s the best one yet.” thousands of visitors and said it was “an amazing Another said: “It was so good to be back at Stevenage Day.” Stevenage Day. I’ve been supporting it since I was a He continued: “The weather was glorious and the kid and now I’m enjoying it with my own children. atmosphere bouncing. “It was a well-run event this year, with great “So many stalls, activities, events, music, food and performances and range of stalls.” lots of great charities to support.” A third said: “What an awesome day. I loved every Stevenage Borough Council called it “a vibrant moment. Great music, activities and food. Thank Stevenage on a Sunday afternoon,” and said it was you Stevenage.”
By Paul Fry WHILE it is the actors who take all the applause and standing ovations, spare a thought for the people behind the scenes that help bring the magic of theatre alive. There are two unsung former Stevenage residents doing just that - hair and make-up artist Christine Blundell and design and costume director Stephen Brimson Lewis, who plies his trade at Stratford’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Both have been recognised for their work in the profession and by their peers. Christine won an Oscar, while Stephen, who has worked in theatre, opera at home and abroad, has won an Olivier Award for Best Set Design for his work on Les Parents Terribles and Design for Living and been nominated for a Tony Award. Christine, who used to run a hairdressers in Middle Row during the punk era and played in a punk band. Stephen, a former Barclay pupil, says he has been involved in helping to stage 27 Shakespeare plays not far short of the Complete Works. It is a work that has engulfed his social life and he has worked closely with some of the best actors, including Dame Judi Dench (many times over the years), Michael Sheen and Michael Gambon.
Christine won the Oscar for her work on TopsyTurvey, the 1999 musical period drama starring Jim Broadbent, Timothy Spall and Lesley Manville. It was directred by Mike Leigh, who employed Christine on several of his film projects. She also worked closely with Brad Pitt on 7 Years in Tibet and created the look for Daniel Craig’s Bond from the first of is 007 films, Casino Royale. For one scene, when he emerges from the water, Christine was just out of shot, treading water, with her kit strapped around her middle in waterproof compartments, ready to apply to the star in between shots. Her son has another British actor, David Thewlis and his godfather, while a frequent visitor to her home has been Benedict Cumberbatch sometimes to have hair dye applied for a role!
“My kids see it as nothing out of the ordinary. They have grown up with this amazing people around them,” she says. One of her more recent projects is the TV sci-fi series The Nevers. Stephen’s latest project at the RSC, Richard III, has been 10 years in the making. “We knew we were going to work through the history plays, the Henrys and now RIII, and we’d scribble little notes of ideas for this one and refer to them when the project began in earnest,” he said. The play was meant to have been staged two years ago but was hit by the pandemic. Covid dealt a blow to many but opened the door for Arthur Hughes, who plays Richard of Gloucester, the future Richard III the king whose remains were discovered under a car park in Leicester in 2012. “Arthur would not
have been in the role two years ago,” says Stephen, “so he got a break as a result of it.” At one point the RSC was using a stage outside, beside the river Avon. Stephen gets name checked on the posters promoting the play, as designer but he says that is a sweeping description. “I have been involved with the set design, staging and costumes, and that often involves late changes of plan when we look at things like theatre sight lines or just want to change things for the better,” he says.
Among his West End stage credits was Dirty Dancing. He had a budget of around £4m to make the stage play as close a rendition as possible of the hit movie that starred Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. “Normally we have a lot of room to manoevre with productions but the demands on that one were very specific.” Stephen, who cut his teeth on pantos at the Gordon Craig Theatre when he was only 15, and also worked with CADS and the Lytton Players, has designed for productions at the National Opera, plays on Broadway and the Sydney Opera House. He was also a production designer on the Film 4 movie Bent, though his forays into the film world have been rare. He knows and is a great admirer of Stevenage-bred Giles Terera, who played in Hamilton in the West End and recently reprised the role for the Queen at her Jubilee concert outside Buckingham Palace. “He was perfect for that role. He was brilliant.” Stephen, 60, won the Olivier Award for Best Set Design in 1995 for his work on Les Parents Terribles and Design for Living. He has also been nominated for a US Tony award. And, like Christine, he does much to bring on the next generation in learning the craft. “You actually acquire so many skills, even things like plumbing! We do a lot of computer-aided visuals and technology is increasingly coming into the theatre as we have seen with Abba avatar concerts. I can see a day when we bring back some of the stage greats like Oliver Reed to feature in RSC productions. “We have already pushed the boundaries with things like the giant puppet in the Magician’s Elephant. Mervyn Miller was the man behind the elephant puppet and his group had a dragon taller than a double-decker bus in the Queen’s Jubilee parade. “And we got in incredible super computers with mega wifi capability for scenes in The Tempest. That was a bit nerve wracking. Intel were fantastic with it though, meeting the challenge of processing masses of data in real time.” The RSC takes on two young people each year who get to work closely with the production and design teams, trying to perfect the skills that could take them to a career in theatre and design.
Christine takes on a dozen or so students at her Camden-based hair and make-up academy and students get to work on incredibly complete hair and make-up designs - right down to realistic scars and wounds. Some then get to work with her on a film or TV set. Neither her nor Stephen ever imagined when they were schoolkids in Stevenage that they would find careers in the performing arts. Both admit they kind of stumbled into theri roles - but they had to be savvy enough to recognise the opportunities they were given and grab them. And both now seem born to their roles and can’t ever imagine having done anything else. They will feature in Paul Fry’s book, Home is Where the Art Is, on the Arts people who have put Stevenage on the map - a companion to Town’s Got Talent on the sports heroes from the town, which is on sale now at Stevenage Museum and is the focus of a two-month exhibtion and series of events there from July 2. Richard III is on at the RSC until October 8. Book at rsc.org.uk
Paul Fry starts a series of interviews with Stevenage councillors by spotlighting one of the newest members, Nazmin Chowdury, who represents Bedwell. A solicitor specialising in clinical negligence, she sees herself as very much a community champion CALL it providence, timing, or an adaptation of that saying about an ill wind. But Nazmin Chowdhury had no ambitions to get into politics two years ago. You could almost call her the accidental councillor. Covid was the catalyst. Just when she was about to start her training contract in law and her final step towards qualifying as a solicitor, it was March 23, 2020 when life changed for Nazmin; that fateful day when the country went into lockdown as it was gripped by the first wave of coronavirus infections. It was to have huge consequences on the lives of so many people. Thousands perished in care homes despite the so-called ‘protective ring’ put around them. Many families could not even visit or mourn loved ones. We were forbidden to mix and people were fined for taking walks with friends while clutching takeaway coffees. And let’s not mention those Downing St parties... For Nazmin, it was the day she was supposed to start her training. She had completed her A-levels at sixth form in Nobel before going to the University of Hertfordshire for her law degree, but had also attended Collenswood and Barnwell amid school reorganisations. That first lockdown put her legal career plans on hold for six months. It is a measure of her character that she didn’t retreat to the sofa for some TV therapy and extended spell of generally taking it easy. As a part-time radio presenter at SG1 Radio, she literally brought the radio station home to continue broadcasting her shows live from home, she got involved with helping out in her local community and eventually joined Stevenage World Forum (Bedwell) as their community connector. And she loved it. Then things gathered pace, with a growing impetus that took over. Before she knew it Nazmin was talent-spotted by the local Labour party and
encouraged to stand for election to the borough council. She was astonished that people thought she might make a suitable candidate, let alone a councillor. But people from the many organisations she was by now involved with could see the potential too and supported and encouraged her. Former mayor Sandra Barr believed Nazmin would have a tough fight on her hands as a first time , though she said: “If anyone could win it, Nazmin can.” She won comfortably - with 56.8pc of the vote (up almost 3pc on the previous election there), to hold beat her nearest rival, Tory Catherine Bibby, and hold the seat for Labour. “I was in a bit of a daze for days,” Nazmin said. And she had a family one-upmanship card to play, with her family friend, Uncle Forhad coming second in Chells to Tom Wren of the Lib Dems. Overall, Labour upped their vote by 7pc, gained three seats and still controls the council with 24 seats to nine for the Tories (down two) and the Lib Dems’ six (unchanged). And now Nazmin is busy undergoing inductions and training in order to best serve her constituents - and that is her sole motivation, she says. “I really enjoy helping to make people’s lives better if I can, even in a small way.” Born in Ipswich, Nazmin moved to Stevenage with her family in 2004 when her dad got job in Hertfordshire. “I am from a close-knit family from a Bangladeshi background so when moving to Stevenage one priority was we needed two houses on the same street because my grandparents would be moving with us too... we were lucky to find homes just six doors away.” She studied for her A-levels at Nobel, which was closest to home in Martins Wood. “I was a pretty average student I think. butmanaged to get A-Levels in law, psychology and English. “Psychology was the direction I thought I’d go in but my dad wanted me to do law. A relative then graduated in psychology at the time and was struggling to find a job, so my dad gave me a gentle nudge towards law and that’s what I do now, working as a clinical negligence solicitor defending
throughout the legal process. “ During the pause in her studies at the start of the pandemic, she wondered what she could do in the community and began to get involved with Stevenage World Forum, who are based at the Sherma Batson Centre in Exchange Road.
pharmaceutical claims at National Pharmacy Association, an organisation I truly care for.” “It was not an option in my family as to whether or not we were going to university! My dad, who was the eldest of five brothers, moved to the UK when he was 14 and he later went to university to study physics. It was rare then for immigrants to go to university - many would work in family businesses such as restaurants. “He made sure all his brothers went to university and it was the same with me and my two younger sisters. He knew that it opens doors for you. At the time I thought I had pushy parents but now I am grateful for what they did. Staying local for my studies helped, too, as I was able to live at home and save money.” While studying, Nazmin had a part-time job for three years as a dispenser at the Oval Pharmacy. “I learned some great skills there. That helped with my job now in clinical negligence.Many ask me how it is like working as a defendant lawyer but most will say that whenever there is a strong case against our client, we advise clients to admit liability. This is the best way forward for both parties. Medical professionals are required to comply with their duty of candour meaning to put their hands up when things go wrong. This is something we encourage
They are involved in a wide variety of projects and act as a voice for the ethnic communities of Stevenage and the surrounding areas. “I am still a part of it todayand Stevenage World Forum is very close to my heart,” Nazmin adds. “I received a call from one of the trustees. I didn’t have a job then, so that was when I got seriously involved and to learn what it is that communities need. The group reaches out to those who struggle to voice their concerns. “I noticed how the older people struggled with tech to keep in touch with relatives so I started organising training sessions on the basics such as social media and video calling. “That led to getting involved in a number of things behind the scenes, which I enjoy. I started working with some local councillors, too. Former Cllr Michelle Gardner suggested I get involved and I just laughed. I didn’t think it was me. “But you should never say never. And my love for the community edged me towards joining Labour and standing for election because I might be able to do more to help. “With all the hats I wear, I see myself more as a community worker. You need to listen to the people. Being a councillor is not about the title or badge, but the responsibility and privilege to serve our people - we do a lot of training and I am still having inductions into the many different areas involved. “You certainly don’t do it for money, no matter what people may think, because you get a small allowance and you have to fit the job around your day job. I am often up late at night reading reports or working on cases. “I think one of the barriers to people stepping forward as a potential councillor is the lack of understanding about what is required. Former Mayor Sandra Barr walked me through things., I was required to be a member of local party, hold membership for 12 months, go through the interview process and followed by selection of wards. I also attended a taster session with councillors talking about their experiences, including a newly-elected councillor, Myla Arceno,
who is a very good friend of mine.” Nazmin said she wanted to represent a ward where she would be needed most, where she could put in a lot of work and implement positive change. “The people in Bedwell are incredibly nice and there is a great community spirit but it needs more facilities and I will be campaigning for that. “I have been speaking to residents a lot and the Community Centre has been a great hub for groups such as the Irish Network and Active Local Bedwell. I genuinely want to see what changes we can make - but I can’t do that alone. “One of the first things we did was an extra cleanup. The Labour Action Team do them regularly in any case. When you do that you get to meet more of the residents and engage with them.”
She sees that one issue that comes up more often is the council being criticised for things that are not within its remit. “I see that with the shops in town. Retail businesses are going online - its their choice to do that and close up. People blame the council for a commercial decision when that really isn’t the case. It is a national issue. “My social life is somewhat restricted these days. I just have to keep checking my diary more now as it is so busy. Even on my birthday, there were a million and one commitments and it was about 10pm before I cut my cake!” We talk only briefly about ambition and Nazmin prefers to focus on the here and now - and her life as a community champion. It really was, for her, a happy accident.
Highlighting how a Stevenage secondary school has been tackling racism and “working towards becoming an anti-racist school” over the past two years, the headteacher said “we have a long way to go, but are committed to our journey”. May 25 marked the two-year anniversary of the murder of American black man George Floyd by a police officer who knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes. Bethany Honnor, headteacher at Marriotts School in Stevenage, said: “It brought worldwide attention to race inequality and the need for action to drive fundamental change. “Systemic racism is an issue within wider society and also within education.” Sharing the school’s anti-racism strategy with parents, she said: “Over the last two years at Marriotts, we have been working towards becoming an anti-racist school. “We have a long way to go, but are committed to our journey to become an anti-racist organisation. “Simply being ‘not racist’ is not enough. We want our students and staff to be ‘anti-racist’ - to actively challenge racism when it happens and to work to prevent it. This is vital, as we know the attitudes of the young people in our school community will become the attitudes of future society, and we are committed to helping shape these attitudes in a positive, progressive and inclusive manner.” To this end, Ms Honnor has delivered a series of assemblies about racism and the Black Lives Matter movement, and the school has appointed a teacher as an ‘anti-racist school advocate,’ who Ms Honnor said will “be a representative for people and families of colour within our community”. Marriotts also has an active equality and diversity committee, and has been involved in the Hertfordshire Great Representation Programme, which is designed to highlight and share antiracism initiatives in the county that have had a demonstrable impact in schools.
Ms Honnor said: “The committee takes an incredibly active role in supporting our education of students through assemblies, personal development lessons and in-school activities.” Explaining how racist incidents at Marriotts are handled, she said: “As a school, we will never dismiss racist comments or actions as ‘banter’ or ‘kids being kids’. We are committed to investigating any incident that is reported to us.” Ms Honnor says the school’s next steps include “producing a diversity calendar for the next school year” and recruiting a governor from the BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) community. She added: “We are continuing to consider our library and all of our lesson resources - 80 per cent of characters in children’s books are white and only four per cent have a minority ethnic hero. “We will continue to develop our anti-racism strategy and will publish our approach for next year at the start of September. “Our approach will include continued development for teachers and support staff, restorative and collaborate discussions and development for students, an ongoing review of the curriculum and identification of further opportunities for recognition and celebration of diversity. “We want to do all we can to eradicate systemic racism within education. “We will continue to strive towards our ambition to become an anti-racist school and work to build our strategy and approach, so every single member of our school feels seen, feels heard and feels they belong. “Whilst we are proud of what we have achieved, we recognise we have much left to do and will continue to invest time and resources in this critical work.”
Residents and visitors to Stevenage can now access immediate support when in a mental health crisis with the launch of a new facility by Hertfordshire Mind Network with the backing of Stevenage Borough Council. The Nightlight Crisis Café is available to anyone in need of support amid a mental health need between 7pm and 1am at the Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre on Lytton Way. The café has been set up to offer people who are feeling distressed a person to talk to in a relaxed, non-clinical setting, which aims to help those in need of immediate support. Staff will offer a non-judgemental listening
ear for emotional and practical support and to signpost or refer to other local sources of therapy or advice. Head of Children & Young People, and Crisis Services, Carys Norman of Hertfordshire Mind Network said: “We are delighted to be working alongside Stevenage Borough Council and the wider community to launch this new Crisis Café for local residents. This will ensure that residents of Stevenage have easy access to mental health crisis support, and a safe space to talk with a skilled mental health worker.” Mayor of Stevenage, Councillor Margaret Notley said: “We are
delighted to be involved in this great new partnership. “We believe in the power of mental health support and the need for alternative places for people to get support when they are experiencing crisis.” The Nightlight Crisis Cafe will be open to those who need it between 7pm and 1am, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and will be staffed by professionals, including people who have experienced mental health problems themselves. The Nightlight Crisis Café can be accessed by calling 01923 256391 or email: nightlight@ hertfordshiremind.org where a member of staff will support you to arrange a visit.
Stevenage NightLight Crisis Café
In a crisis and need someone to talk to? We are here for you Our Crisis Café is open every day from 7pm - 1am If you would like to arrange a visit, call us on:
01923 256391 We are based at Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, SG1 1LZ
E: nightlight@hertfordshiremind.org
W: www.hertfordshiremind.org
A charity fun day is being held to raise money for a specialist early years centre in Stevenage for children with an autistic spectrum condition. The event in aid of TRACKS Autism will include a bouncy castle, face painting, toy tombola, raffle and cake sale, and will be held at The Pear Tree pub on Stevenage’s Valley Way from 12.30pm to 4pm on Sunday, July 3. There will also be a men’s football match on the astroturf pitch at Marriotts School in Stevenage, kicking off at 9.45am. The fundraiser has been organised by Ellese, whose two-year-old son currently attends TRACKS. He has autism and sensory processing disorder and therefore requires extra support that is not available in a mainstream setting. Ellese said: “I would like to give back, as they have been amazing to me and my son since he has had his placement there. “The one-to-one he receives and the support has really been life-changing. “All money raised will go towards indoor and outdoor toys for the children at TRACKS, and also for sensory stuff.”
Established in 2004, TRACKS offers personalised high-quality education, therapy and support. A spokesman for the charity explained: “We provide a calm environment for up to eight children per session in which they can learn, play and explore their world safely. We have a very high staff ratio, allowing for a mix of 1-1 and small group activities. “Children are initially offered a 2.5-hour session on a Monday morning to settle them into TRACKS and then, once a space becomes available, two mornings or two afternoons per week. “Every child is a unique individual which is why we create a tailored learning plan that aims to enable them to achieve their potential.” In 2019, TRACKS was accredited by the National Autistic Society following a two-year process, making it the only independent early years setting in England to gain the NAS Accreditation Award. If you would like to support TRACKS by making a donation, visit gofundme.com/f/tracks-autismfundraiser-stevenage. The TRACKS spokesman said: “We are an independent charity and rely on fundraising and donations to continue our work.”
A headteacher with the “vision, commitment and desire to ensure students receive the best provision possible” has won a national award. Tony Fitzpatrick, headteacher at Stevenage’s Barnwell School, has won bronze in the 2022 Pearson National Teaching Awards, which have celebrated excellence in education in the UK since 1998. The award comes after Barnwell was rated ‘good’ by Ofsted in 2021, for the first time in the school’s 63-year history. Tony, whose bonze award was in the ‘Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School’ category, said: “I was overwhelmed when I found out my governing body had nominated me. “I am very honoured to have been awarded bronze. It is a fabulous achievement for Barnwell. “This award comes on the back of our good Ofsted outcome, continuing a great year for Barnwell. “So many people contribute so much to make Barnwell such an amazing school. Receiving this award is a very proud moment for me but, more importantly, it recognises the work of the Barnwell team.”
Tony has spent most of his 29-year teaching career at Barnwell, having joined as an assistant headteacher in 2001, before progressing to deputy head in 2006 and becoming headteacher in 2012. The chair of governors at Barnwell, Jo Lawson, said: “Tony’s vision, commitment and desire to ensure students, parents, carers and colleagues receive the best provision possible was exemplified through the pandemic. “Tony is a calm, measured and inspirational leader. He has created a greatly improved school, increased student numbers, created a very stable staff structure and improved outcomes and life opportunities for young people. “This award is a fantastic achievement for the school and a fitting recognition of Tony’s success.” At Hertfordshire County Council, Tony is acting director for SEND and Inclusion, supporting the development of services for children with special educational needs and disabilities. The council’s cabinet member for education, Terry Douris, said: “Being recognised with this national teaching award is testament to Tony’s passion for education and ensuring all children in Hertfordshire are able to achieve their full potential.
A charity dedicated to offering guidance before, during and after hair loss due to cancer treatment is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Cancer Hair Care on Stevenage’s Middle Row was founded by Jasmin Julia Gupta in 2012. Jasmin, now the UK’s leading cancer hair loss expert, explained: “We run regular services at Stevenage’s Lister Hospital, as well as supporting 89 NHS hospitals around the UK.” Cancer Hair Care is also a regular consultant to charities including Macmillan Cancer Support and the Teenage Cancer Trust. “Cancer Hair Care is the only UK charity solely dedicated to offering guidance before, during and after hair loss due to cancer treatment. “We concentrate on all aspects of hair loss and hair loss prevention, right through to new hair growth into recovery.” Explaining her motivation behind founding Cancer Hair Care, Jasmin, a hairdresser, said: “I have always been passionate about helping people with illness and hair loss, as I feel it is an area surrounded by much confusion and, without support, can be such a traumatic experience. “I have seen time after time what a devastating effect the thought of possible hair loss can have on someone who has cancer, but it doesn’t need to
be this way, as I have also seen the empowerment and relief on someone’s face when I have explained potential changes in their hair and hair loss fully, offering options, advice and suggestions with care and sensitivity. “There is nothing that is as satisfying, challenging or heart-warming as when you see the look on someone’s face when they try on their wig for the first time and are happy with it, or cutting that first hairstyle of new hair regrowth into a funky pixie cut on someone who thought short hair would never be for them. “I really care about every person’s experience of hair loss and hope that my charity service Cancer Hair Care is one small way of helping people through illness and into recovery.” To celebrate Cancer Hair Care’s 10th anniversary and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Stevenage Postbox Knitters - an informal group of individuals and established knitting groups who enjoy sharing creations for Stevenage to enjoy - knitted a series of postbox toppers, with a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee theme, to raise money for the charity. To make a donation to Cancer Hair Care, visit justgiving.com/campaign/cancerhaircarecouragecrowns. For support, visit cancerhaircare.co.uk or call 01438 311322.
A former pupil of The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School in Stevenage has become a NATO youth ambassador. Ellie Hurer, who lives in Knebworth and is studying for a PhD in biochemistry at the University of Hertfordshire, has been personally invited by the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stolenberg, to represent the UK as a NATO youth ambassador for social media. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member countries. Created after World War II, the organisation helps defend its members by having regular consultations and discussions of current issues and responding to operations and missions as a part of crisis management. Through her Instagram blog @myphdexperience, 27-year-old Ellie shares her struggles and triumphs as a PhD student living with chronic and mental illness. Ellie has suffered from sublingual and submandibular masses with a plunging ranula - in layman’s terms, severely debilitating cysts in her mouth - for more than eight years. More than a dozen operations to remove them 10 of which involved major surgery - have proved unsuccessful.
Ellie’s debilitating illness has taken a toll on her mental health. Through her inspiring Instagram posts, which show both honesty and vulnerability, Ellie has gained more than 30,000 followers and captured the attention of NATO, who reached out to her looking for inspiring influencers. The organisation selected two influencers from five NATO countries - the UK, USA, Latvia, Spain and Germany - to come together for a series of summits, where they’ll meet NATO leaders and participate in discussions on current and future issues. As an ambassador, Ellie will be supporting the future of young people by using social media platforms to document her journey, and working collaboratively across borders.
Ellie explained: “Due to having so many surgeries and treatments, I have been left with permanent damage to my lingual and hypoglossal nerves. My tongue is half paralysed, and my bottom right lip. “This has also left me with really bad nerve pain, mandibular arthritis, trigeminal neuralgia, lymphodemia in my cheek, massater muscle atropy and chronic migraines.”
Ellie said: “When I initially received my invitation from the Secretary General, I didn’t think it was real because I couldn’t believe I was chosen to do this. “There was no application process at all, they just scouted influencers through a massive database to find the ones they wanted to work with. “They picked young inspirational and potential leaders who had already gained a massive following just from being themselves.”
Her illness has also left Ellie needing a nasogastric feeding tube, due to being unable to chew and swallow food herself, and is frequently rushed to A&E with serious breathing difficulties due to swelling in her tongue and face. She added: “Due to the ranula and masses growing continuously, it’s putting pressure on my nerves, so my right eye can’t focus at all, and when I am having bad flare ups, my eyesight disappears altogether, where I can only see outlines of dark and light.”
Recently, Ellie travelled to NATO’s headquarters in Brussels to attend the annual Youth Summit ‘Securing Our Shared Future’, with major issues discussed including climate change, fake news and misinformation, the Ukraine war and cybersecurity. She said: “From these trips, I want to be able to learn a lot more about NATO and what they do. I also want to capture what the youth of the UK are worried about and be a voice for them. “I am so excited for this journey, and I feel so ready!”
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVAL The return of the family-friendly festival Todd in the Hole promises to “feed your soul”, with something for everyone to enjoy. The three-day event in Bury Wood, in Stevenage’s Todd Green, will be held from July 15 to 17 this year, with options to camp or glamp, or just make a day trip. Todd in the Hole launched in 2018, and in 2019 attracted more than 9,000 people over the course of the weekend, but the festival could not be held in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Boasting five stages and more than 80 artists over the three days, this year’s event will see tribute acts including Killerz, Mused, Wrong Jovi, Amy – a tribute, and Strictly UB40. On Sunday, July 17, there will be a dedicated folk stage for Folk in the Woods, featuring music from the likes of Baldock Folk Club. “From the world’s best tribute acts on the Main Stage, to emerging talent on our infamous Buskers’ Stage, we’ve got something for everyone,” said a spokesman for the festival, which this year has the East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity as its charity partner. Afterparties will include 70s and 80s disco, and Classic Ibiza hosted by DJ Dave Pearce - the original
presenter of BBC Radio 1’s Dance Anthems. As well as music, there will be a kids’ arena with plenty to entertain the little ones, including a traditional fairground, an interactive outdoor theatre, circus skills workshops, sand art and storytelling. A wellbeing area will be new for 2022, and a tug of war tournament will raise money for Letchworth’s Garden House Hospice Care. Food vendors will be offering everything from pizza, paella, hog roasts and Mexican dishes to sweet treats, milkshakes and ice-cream. There will be several bars, including one for Pimm’s and one for real ale and scrumpy, as well as a VIP bar. “Our festival is more than a music festival - it’s a family-friendly, food and drink extravaganza,” said the spokesman. “The location is in a gorgeous rural setting, easily accessible by road and rail. In fact, to make your journey as smooth as possible, we offer a complimentary shuttle bus service to and from the station. “From the talented musicians, to the real ale and delicious food, this is a festival that will not only feed your soul, but also show it a darn good time!” For more information and tickets, visit the link.
Austin’s raise almost £250,000 over 20 years of their Charitable Fund There are celebrations all round as this year marks 20 years of the Austin’s Charitable Fund. The fund was set up back in 2002 by the Austin family to support and benefit charities and organisations in the local community, and includes a local Annual Charity selected by the family alongside some significant other financial support to local causes. Managing Director, Claire Austin, explained that, prior to the Fund being set up, they would always have a lot of people writing to them with small charity requests, such as sponsorship for the London Marathon and other challenges; so they decided to focus their efforts and raise even more money for a few, select causes each year instead. Each Annual Charity is promoted through their branches, website and social media. Funds are raised through families donating to the cause after losing a loved one, a percentage of profits, annual events such as the Christmas Carol Service at Harwood Park, and donation boxes in all of the branches. Claire said: “The original concept of the Austin’s Charitable Fund was to find a way to ‘give back’ to the community we serve. The bereaved families we look after live and very often work locally.
Jackie Lawrence and Maggie Bashforth hand over the cheque to EHAA Many of them have been supported by local hospices and care providers. Therefore, we feel we are creating a ‘circle of giving’.” Over the last 20 years the fund has raised an incredible £242,385.54, after the most recent donation of £5,709 was made to 2021 Charity of the Year, the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT). A representative from Austin’s always visits the charities to hand over their cheques and this year it was Jackie Lawrence and Maggie Bashforth who were delighted to present the donation to EHAAT at their base in North Weald. “We chose Herts Air Ambulance as our 2021 charity because they provide an amazing, but largely unseen, lifesaving service to our community and are
funded purely by charitable giving,” said Claire. A blog published last year by the Charity Commission stated that over 90% of charities had experienced some negative impact from Covid-19, “whether on their service delivery, finances, staff, or indeed on staff morale, resulting from the months of frustration and uncertainty”. Furthermore, 60% saw a loss of income, and 32% said they experienced a shortage of volunteers. While charity fundraising is always vital to their survival, the last few years have been particularly tough for everyone and highlights the impact something like the Austin’s Charitable Fund can make. Just some of the charities represented by the Fund over the years include: Riding for the Disabled (2005), Hertfordshire Young Homeless Group (2007), Cancer Hair Care (2014), North Herts Samaritans (2015) and Resolve (2018), as well as local hospices, hospital charities and bereavement charities. They’ve all received donations between around £5,000 and £7,000, and some even more. Alongside the Charitable Fund, there are other avenues of fundraising that Austin’s finds to raise more essential funds.
Claire herself has had her fair share of challenges, visiting India in 2010, Vietnam in 2015 and, most recently, the Arctic Circle just before Covid hit, to raise funds for Home Start Hertfordshire. In fact, Home-Start Stevenage (as it was called back then) was Austin’s first ever Charity of the Year back in 2002. Another avenue is the recycling scheme at the crematorium at Harwood Park. The metal that is left over after a cremation (hip joints etc.) is collected and sent over to Holland who then send some money back. Around every 4-6 months, Austin’s submit an application to the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management with a suggestion of who this money should be donated to. We will shortly be donating £15,000 to the Rennie Grove Hospice. This year’s chosen Charity of the Year is the Anne Robson Trust. Austin’s look forward to raising funds for this wonderful charity and another 20 years of fundraising, because, in the words of Helen Keller, “alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
You can find out more about the history sporting excellence that the town has nurtured with the launch of a new exhibition by the town’s Mayor at Stevenage Museum, due to open on Saturday 2nd July. As a new town, the area was planned to encourage sports and leisure and included swimming pools, cricket and golf clubs and an athletics track at Ridlins Park. Why has Stevenage produced so many high achievers in sport? As a town, we have a range of sporting stars that other towns of a similar size just can’t match. Come along to find out more. The exhibition itself was inspired by Paul Fry’s book Town’s Got Talent. Appearances are likely from some of the inspirational sportspeople who feature in the exhibition and you can try your hand at cup stacking, netball and more. The exhibition runs until September 17. Stevenage Museum is open Wednesday to Friday 10am to 4.30pm and Saturday 10am to 5pm. For more details, email: museum@stevenage.gov.uk