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MAY 2022
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Celebrating the Love Your Local Market annual event, it’s time to nominate your favourite Stevenage Indoor Market traders. The Love Your Local Market initiative runs from May 13 to June 5 and people are being asked to nominate their chosen trader for the following categories: Best New Market Trader, Best LongServing Market Trader and Best Overall Market Trader. “So many great traders, we just can’t choose,” said a spokesman for Stevenage Borough Council. Stevenage Indoor Market opened in Market Square in December 1973, following the closure of the Stevenage Forum outdoor market. The indoor market offers a lively, alternative and traditional place to shop, with more than 130 stalls offering a wide and varied range of goods and services, as well as a food court, and next year celebrates its 50th anniversary. To make a nomination for one of the three
categories in this year’s Love Your Local Market event, email indoor.market@stevenage.gov.uk by June 5 with your nomination and supporting reasons. A spokesman for the indoor market said: “Support your local market and help us celebrate.” Discount packages are available to potential new donors throughout the Love Your Local Market period (May 13 to June 5), and goodie bags are up for grabs to customers. For more information, email indoor.market@stevenage.gov.uk or call 07522 233438. The market spokesman also said: “Stevenage Indoor Market currently has places for new and enthusiastic traders who can add to the market. If you’re interested, please contact the market’s office on 07522 233438 or 07526 171053.” She added: “If you have not recently visited Stevenage Indoor Market, why not come and give us a try? You will be pleasantly surprised by the range and quality of goods and services on offer.”
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planning application to turn a Grade II* listed 14th century house into a children’s nursery and crèche has been withdrawn.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 The application to turn the manor house into a nursery and crèche has been withdrawn, after dozens of people objected to the plans, with concerns regarding increased traffic and congestion, parking, noise and loss of heritage.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 telecommunications company has submitted a planning application for a 15-metre high 5G phone mast in Stevenage. CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd wants to erect the mast on land between Lytton Way and Primett Road. The proposed height of the mast has been reduced by five metres after the original planning application, submitted in 2020, resulted in Stevenage Borough Council refusing permission. At the time, the borough council said: “The size, appearance and siting of the 20m monopole in the proposed location on Lytton Way would result in a harmful impact on the character and appearance of the area and street scene generally. “Furthermore, the applicant has failed to adequately evidence that there are better less visually intrusive alternative locations to site the mast.” Now, the developer says: “The reasons for refusal have been robustly addressed in this resubmission by proposing the monpole in a new location, whilst also reducing the overall height and bulk of the installation.”
It says: “In this area, there is an acute need for a new mast...to bring this new [5G] technology to the people. “The proposed works on this site would not be to the visual detriment of the surrounding area, would not result in demonstrable harm to the character of the area, but are necessary to ensure improved delivery of service, would respect and continue to maintain the character of the area, and would be suitably distant from potentially sensitive users.” To view the planning application and have your say, visit stevenage.gov.uk and search for 22/00381/ PATELE on the planning portal. A decision is expected to be made in June.
There is still time to have your say on plans to build a Morrisons supermarket in Stevenage, which will create up to 285 jobs if approved. The supermarket giant wants to build a store on Wedgwood Way, on the current site of tyre wholesaler Bond International. Before submitting a planning application to Stevenage Borough Council, Morrisons is seeking people’s views on the proposed development, which includes a purpose-built store with a full range of fresh food, including a Market Street with specialist butchers, bakers and fishmongers. The multi-million-pound plans also include a café, garden centre, a six-pump petrol filling station - with electric vehicle charging, 234 parking spaces and a separate commercial unit to provide additional employment. A spokesman for Morrisons said: “Bond International currently operates from a warehouse building on Wedgwood Way. The existing building is reaching the end of its useful life and Bond International has decided to relocate to a larger, purpose-built site in Biggleswade later this year.
“At the moment, the north-east of Stevenage is poorly served for major supermarkets, meaning many residents have to drive up to four miles to stores elsewhere in the town. “By providing a new supermarket on this site, Morrisons will improve shopping choice and help reduce the distance local people travel by car, as well as more than doubling the number of people employed at the site. “We will soon be submitting a planning application to Stevenage Borough Council, asking for permission to build the new store. “Before the council makes its decision, we’d like to hear what residents think about our plans.” For more information about the proposed development, visit morrisons-stevenage.co.uk/ get-in-touch, where you can also complete a feedback form. Alternatively, submit your views by emailing feedback@morrisons-stevenage.co.uk, calling 07380 851821 (during office hours) or writing to Morrisons Consultation, 25 Kingspark Court, London E18 2DD.
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To mark the first anniversary of the death of Stevenage 11-year-old Julia Blackham, pupils at her school learnt about plans for a ‘friendship garden’ in her memory. Julia Blackham, a Year 7 pupil at Marriotts School in Stevenage, died suddenly on April 29 last year after becoming seriously unwell at school. To mark the first anniversary of her death, staff and pupils wore bright colours and took part in a oneminute clap to celebrate Julia’s life, with form time dedicated to pupils learning about detailed plans for a ‘friendship garden’ in Julia’s memory.
A spokesman for Marriotts School said: “We lost a wonderful member of our school. She was a lovely, kind and vibrant member of our school community. Julia loved school, her friends, her family, pink, rainbows and unicorns. “Rainbows are a symbol of hope and solidarity and we stood together to remember Julia and celebrate her life, with hope for brighter days ahead.” The garden will include a theatre for drama and
music performances, debates, discussion and dance, with raised grass terraces for audiences to sit surrounded by wildflowers. It will also include a wild zone – a quiet space with a shallow pond and overhanging deck and tepee. The school’s spokesman said: “Last year, we had a vision to create an area within the school grounds, where pupils of all ages could go when they needed a safe space to think and
reflect and to be supported in making friendships. “We want this area to have many uses, so all students can benefit. A safe space where flowers, plants, fruit and vegetables can be grown; a central area where music, dance and drama can be performed, watched and enjoyed; a quiet space to read, draw and paint. “We also want an area where we can remember people who have played an important and special part within our school community.
“The space will be constantly developing and evolving over time and will become something beautiful, at the heart of our school. “We all want to contribute to building it, with an emphasis on working together as a community to build this very special place, which we hope will be enjoyed for many years to come. A special place we can be hugely proud of.” If you would like to offer your time or resources to help with this project, email FriendshipGarden@marriotts.herts.sch.uk
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.
Earlier this year Stevenage Borough Council asked the local community to share their thoughts on how they would like to see the soon to-be-vacant bus station on Danestrete transformed. Almost 300 people responded with their views, with a wide range of ideas that will help to transform this space in the heart of the town centre. SBC asked people to complete a survey which included sharing views on what leisure activities, events and food facilities should be provided in the space. There was support for music performances with other suggestions for a community area including dance shows, comedy performances, markets, parks and art exhibitions. A high proportion of those who responded would like to see ice skating or roller skating as part of the leisure offering, with other ideas including arcade games and community yoga.
The majority of respondents wanted to see street food on offer. In response to feedback, the planning application submitted features a large multi-purpose events space at one end, surrounded by seating and canopies. This will allow spectators to enjoy the area in most weathers, including impromptu performances. The importance of this being an active space even without events, and so green space, seating and lighting are proposed to act as a ‘pop-up park’ with informal play features and natural seating areas that face the performance area has been recognised say SBC. The planning application for the scheme has been submitted to the local planning authority. If approved, construction works are expected to begin in the summer.
Cllr Sharon Taylor OBE, Leader of Stevenage Borough Council said: “Providing active spaces for our communities in the heart of the town centre is important to us. Not only are we building on what we already offer in the town, but we will be providing an area that people can enjoy throughout the year with a range of activities for everyone. 82% of people who responded to the survey would like to see new facilities in the space, highlighting the need for this area to be transformed.” Cllr John Gardner, Executive Portfolio Holder for Regeneration & Environment at Stevenage Borough Council said: “I would like to thank everyone who shared their views with us. This is an important space for the town and we want to continue to work together as we move these designs forward. Stevenage town centre is going through a really exciting period of change, and the work we are doing on this particular site reflects our community
spirit and will increase the time people spend in the town centre, in turn supporting our businesses”. The number of new elements in the space will be limited where possible to make the designs sustainable. SBC are aiming to retain and relocate the elements in the space where possible. This includes utilising the existing trees on site and working with the SDS service to see whether we can use recycled elements in our proposed design. The current station will close when the new Bus Interchange opens and the council will be delivering a first phase of works to begin to transform the area to provide a very different look and feel. Although the wider redevelopment of the current bus station site will happen later as part of the SG1 masterplan, when these works begin in full we would like some of these ideas to be integrated into the permanent scheme.
Can you support an appeal to help raise £440,000 to provide an outside terrace so patients in the intensive care unit at Stevenage’s Lister Hospital can be pushed outside in their beds to see the sky? The Sunshine Appeal project, led by the East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity, also includes providing a deck and garden area outside the restaurant for staff, patients and visitors to enjoy a break outside in the open air. Kate Flavin, consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine, said: “During the peak of the pandemic, we saw how patients in intensive care responded well to feeling fresh air on their face and seeing the moving sky, instead of ceiling panels. “Currently, we can push beds out onto a rooftop area but it isn’t very easy and requires an experienced doctor and nurse, lots of equipment and fine weather! Although the area is safe, it was not designed for patient use and it doesn’t look very attractive. “A new rooftop garden balcony will allow us to move patients in their beds, with all the necessary equipment, out into the open air.
“We want to create a beautiful space in which patients can feel fresh air, see the sky and have some time away from the machines and bright lights of the wards. “The sad fact is, in some cases, it may be the last time they get to see the sky.” Subject to funding, the transformation is set to start in January next year and be completed in June. To support the Sunshine Appeal, visit https://www. enhhcharity.org.uk/appeal/sunshine-appeal, call 01438 285182 or text SUNSHINEAPPEAL to 70085 to donate £5. Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message, and you’ll be opting into hearing more from the East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity. If you would like to donate but don’t wish to hear more from the charity, you can text SUNSHINEAPPEALNOINFO instead. Alternatively, you can send a cheque made payable to ‘East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity’ to Frogmore Building, Flat 63, Lister Hospital, Coreys Mill Lane, Stevenage, SG1 4AB. Eloise Huddleston, head of charity, said: “We all know the value of spending time outside, so we hope you will help us transform these areas into spaces that will benefit us all. Thank you.”
A planning application for a new secondary school to be built in Stevenage has been submitted to the local authority for approval. The plans submitted to Stevenage Borough Council include demolishing the vacant former Collenswood and Barnwell School buildings in Collenswood Road and Redwing Close and building the Michaela Community School, with capacity for 1,260 pupils aged 11 to 19.
If approved, the new school building will extend to four storeys, split over three interlinked blocks. The application also includes the siting of a fourcourt MUGA and upgrading the existing sports pitches, with the sports facilities available for community use outside of school hours. The existing Stevenage Education Support Centre on site, which remains in use, would be upgraded
Opened in 1962, Collenswood School closed in 2006 and the site was then used by the Barnwell School as its ‘middle campus’ until 2014. The one and two-storey school buildings are currently largely disused. In a supporting statement submitted with the planning application, Bowmer and Kirkland, on behalf of the Department for Education, said: “The proposed development will provide much-needed school facilities for pupils aged 11 to 19. “It seeks to bring a vacant, neglected site into viable use and redevelop an existing school site to provide enhanced teaching facilities. “It will enhance the education offer within the borough by providing high quality specialist education provision for families. “The proposals will result in a significant amount of investment into education provision in Hertfordshire, which will benefit families in the area.” with a new single-storey building to replace the dated buildings, which would be demolished. One existing accommodation block would be retained. The SESC provision is for 36 students at Key Stages 3 and 4.
If approved, the Michaela Community School will open with an intake of 180 Year 7 students, growing with the same intake each year. Traditional subjects will be given additional lesson time within a longer school day.
The proposed development will create 141 direct jobs and 212 indirect jobs during the proposed 1.8year demolition/construction period.
To view the planning application, visit stevenage. gov.uk and search for 22/00369/FPM on the planning portal. A decision is expected in July.
More than 430 wraps of crack and heroin have been seized during a police operation in Stevenage. The Stevenage Operation Scorpion team seized the drugs through multiple operations executed in targeted areas of the town during April.
We will continue to act on your intelligence and target those who think Stevenage is an easy market.”
Nine people have been arrested for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, and police investigations are ongoing.
If you have any information regarding drug-related crime in your area, you can report information online at https://orlo.uk/Hk0JU, speak to an operator in the Force Communications Room via the online web chat at https://orlo.uk/N2WwQ or call the non-emergency number 101.
A spokesman for Hertfordshire police said: “Our Operation Scorpion officers work in a small team and predominantly target drug-related crime in Stevenage.
Alternatively, you can stay anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.
Often one operation can take weeks to put together, as intelligence - much of which comes from you - is analysed to make sure we get the right people, in the right place and at the right time.
The Herts police spokesman said: “You can also use our community voice platform ‘echo’.
“Thank you to everyone who has passed on information about drug dealing and drug-related crime in Stevenage.
However, as this is also an anonymous platform, please leave as much detail as possible. Visit https://orlo.uk/W9tRa.”
A FREE FAMILY FUN DAY OUT The event has been given a boost by a grant from the Arts Council to support the cultural entertainment to be featured at Stevenage Day. Stevenage Borough Council is planning to introduce a new major arts programme, which will celebrate the diversity of the Stevenage community and its culture and creativity.
Stevenage Day – a free family fun day out – boasts being the largest free event of its kind in Hertfordshire, and is returning as a live event for the first time since 2019. With the first ever Stevenage Day held in 1959, the event has a 63-year history and will be held this year on Sunday, June 12, at King George V Playing Fields. The event, organised by Stevenage Borough Council, has been held virtually for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so this year’s much-anticipated Stevenage Day is expected to top the 30,000 people it attracted for its 60th anniversary in 2019. The theme for 2022 is ‘Re-imagining Stevenage’, with a specific focus on arts and culture in the community, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the Commonwealth Games. There will be lots of free, fun activities for a variety of ages, as well as specialist food vendors and over 200 stalls dedicated to charities, voluntary organisations and local businesses. Stevenage Day will also include a main performance area and the twin stages of Rock in the Park, supported by the Practice Roomz recording studio.
The events under this programme will include storytelling and a craft tent, a carnival parade with live music, an interactive zone for local artists to offer creative workshops and promote their work, and a world music programme. Mayor of Stevenage, Councillor Sandra Barr, said: “Excitement is building ahead of this year’s Stevenage Day - all the more so as this is our first as a town since 2019. “Residents and visitors of all ages will find something they can look forward to on the day. “It’s a great opportunity for local people to come together and have fun. “Perhaps most of all, this year’s event will give a significant boost to our local charities, now they can benefit from face-to-face contact with people once more, after the last two difficult years of the pandemic.”
As the cost of living crisis grips the nation, we’ve put together 10 ways you could save money in Stevenage. Food Rescue Hub Stevenage Food Rescue Hub – an environmental project aimed at rescuing food destined for landfill and offering it to people on a pay-as-you-feel basis – is held at The Old Red Lion in Hydean Way every Saturday, between 9.30am and 11am. People are invited to take two empty bags and fill them with fruit, vegetables, flowers, bakery goods and store cupboard staples. The perfectly good food is collected from supermarkets by volunteers the night before. The suggested minimum donation for two full bags is £5, but making a donation is not essential. You don’t have to meet any criteria either – it is not a food bank. Visit foodrescuehub.uk for more information.
Foodshed The Foodshed, coordinated by Stevenage Vineyard Church, distributes donated food to people who are struggling financially. Open from noon to 2pm on Wednesdays at The Orbital Centre in Stevenage’s Cockerell Close, a spokesman said: “Don’t forget to bring your referral voucher, if you have one, but if you don’t have one, come down anyway.
Spruse – Stevenage Reuse Scheme Donated good quality secondhand furniture and white electrical goods are available at low prices. All residents can buy from Spruse, but if you receive benefits or a pension, you can register and buy at a reduced price. Spruse is located in Willows Link, off Broadwater Crescent. For more information and opening times, visit spruse.org.uk, call 01438 362900 or email info@spruse.org.uk
Charity shops Save money and support good causes by going on a charity shop trawl. There are plenty of charity shops across Stevenage, filled with everything from clothes and accessories to toys and homeware, so you’re bound to find what you need. What’s more, Cancer Research UK’s superstore on Oaklands Retail Park in London Road even has a wide range of furniture in store.
Citizens’ Advice Stevenage If you are struggling financially, Citizens’ Advice Stevenage can provide free confidential and impartial advice. Advisors can also help make applications for any discounts or grants you may be eligible to claim, as well as check your benefit entitlement. Visit stevenagecab.org.uk or call 0800 144 8848 (free from mobiles and landlines) to get help. The advice line is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Household Support Fund
Choosing between heating and eating? Check with We can still help you out, and can signpost you to Stevenage Borough Council if you are eligible for further support in getting a referral voucher for next the Household Support Fund. The last tranche has time.” just closed, but there is a new one. The council may also be able to point you to other help. For more information, visit stevenage-vineyard. Visit stevenage.gov.uk/contact-us or co.uk/compassion/foodshed call 01438 242242.
Outdoor gyms
Fairlands Valley Park
Take advantage of the free-to-use outdoor gym equipment in Stevenage’s green open spaces, including St Nicholas Park, Town Centre Gardens and Hampson Park.
Situated within the heart of Stevenage and covering 120 acres of parkland, Fairlands Valley Park provides plenty to keep the family entertained, including a large children’s play area and aqua park.
Stevenage Museum Looking for a trip out that won’t break the bank? General admission to Stevenage Museum is free, with just a small charge for some events. Located underneath St Andrew and St George’s Church on St George’s Way, the museum has a wide range of displays and children’s activities on offer. Opening times are 10am to 4.30pm Wednesday to Friday and 10am to 5pm on Saturdays. stevenage.gov.uk/stevenage-museum to find out more.
Why not take a picnic, feed the ducks, fly a kite, or play football or frisbee? There’s so much to do and, best of all, it’s free!
Freegle and Freecycle Join websites such as ilovefreegle.org and freecycle.org where people advertise their unwanted items that they are giving away for free! You can filter by town, so it’s easy to see what’s up for grabs in Stevenage. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!
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. Many of them have been supported by local hospices and care providers. Therefore, we feel we are creating a ‘circle of giving’.”
Jackie Lawrence and Maggie Bashforth hand over the cheque to EHAA 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.”
In formally objecting to plans to expand London Luton Airport, the MP for Stevenage says the airport must first “successfully demonstrate it is a good neighbour”. Owner London Luton Airport Operations Limited (LLAOL) has plans for the long-term expansion of the airport to increase capacity from 18 million passengers per year to up to 32 million, which it says will create 12,000 new jobs and an additional £1.6billion in economic activity. LLAOL proposes a second terminal to deliver this passenger growth by 2041. Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland said: “I recognise the airport is a valued local facility, but it should not expand until it has successfully demonstrated it is a good neighbour. “My constituency is adversely affected by the expansion, with many living under the flight path for Luton and many more affected by aircraft noise. “Local people clearly do not consider the airport to be a good neighbour.” Mr McPartland said the environmental impact must also be considered, as “the massive expansion” will
“increase air travel and air traffic despite our current climate crisis”. He added: “An expanded airport will encourage more traffic to and from the airport. There is no east to west rail link, so many passengers will be forced to travel by road. This will again impact on the local environment and infrastructure.” Mr McPartland said the expansion should not go ahead “while infrastructure and technology are not in place to offset noise, environmental and traffic concerns”. A spokesman for LLAOL has previously said: “We are an airport owner entirely focused on supporting and improving people’s lives, and driving economic and employment growth, both in Luton and neighbouring communities. “We see it as vital that we continue to plan for how prudent investment in the airport and our other assets can continue to benefit future generations. “Growing the airport will also act as a catalyst for Luton to become a leading hub for green technology, research and finance. It will therefore play a crucial role in delivering a more sustainable, prosperous and healthier future for the people of Luton – a very important example of levelling up.”
Stevenage Borough Council is proud to be part of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons and Associated Activities on June 2, 2022 Stevenage Borough Council has announced plans to light a beacon for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on the evening of Thursday, June 2, 2022. The beacon is one of thousands being lit in the UK and the Commonwealth, and forms part of the official programme announced by Buckingham Palace for the Jubilee Weekend. The beacon will be lit at 9.45pm in the town centre and it will be one of over 2,022 lit by charities, communities and faith groups all over the UK. In addition, beacons will be lit in all 54 Commonwealth capitals and the principal beacon lighting will take place in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace on the Thursday evening. This will take the form of a lighting installation with The Queen’s Green Canopy ’Tree of Trees’ sculpture and projections onto the front of Buckingham Palace. This innovative new way of taking part in the beacon lighting will reflect the Royal Family’s long history championing environmental causes. Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR, Pageantmaster of The Queen’s Jubilee Platinum Beacons said; “Building on a long tradition of lighting beacons to mark significant royal celebrations, thousands of beacons will be lit across the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth. They will enable local communities to join together to pay tribute to Her Majesty as part of the official programme of events. “For the first time, town criers, pipers, buglets and choirs from the UK and the Commonwealth will come together to join in the celebrations in their own individual and special way. It is wonderful to see the range of support
for beacon lighting, which will highlight both the diversity and unity of the nation and the Commonwealth. The Queen has lit up our lives for 70 years through her dedicated service and commitment. We would like to light up the nation and the Commonwealth in her honour.” Cllr Sharon Taylor, Leader of Stevenage Borough Council said, “We are proud to be part of this momentous celebration. It is only appropriate that this unique milestone in history is marked with beacons and music. We are honoured to be part of this special event for Her Majesty, The Queen’s 70th year as our Monarch and Head of the Commonwealth on her Platinum Jubilee.” The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons and associated activities have been conceived and organised by Pageantmaster Bruno Peek and his dedicated team. Details of the event and those taking part can be viewed by going to the Guide To Taking Part found at www.queensjubileebeacons.com Timeline for many beacons lightings, although events might change at individual locations. • At 9:30pm, the Mayor of Stevenage will announce a specially-written proclamation heralding the beginning of the lighting of the beacon. • At 9.35pm local time across the UK and Commonwealth, traditional and Northumbrian pipers and pipe bands will play Diu Regnare, a unique tune specially written for the occasion by Piper Major, Stuart Liddell, the world’s leading piper. • At 9.40pm buglers linked to local beacon lightings across the UK and the capital cities of the Commonwealth will officially announce the lighting of the beacons with a specially written bugle call, entitled Majesty. • Then at 9.45pm exactly local time, and to coincide with the lighting of the beacons, community choirs across all nations will sing Song for the Commonwealth, which has been written and composed by Lucy Keily, from Australia and Vincent Atueyi Chinemelu from Nigeria.