News from Stotfold Junior Football Club

Stotfold Junior Football Club

Stotfold Junior Ladies

3rd April: Stotfold Ladies VS Everett Ladies 2pm kick off Arlesey Road Playing Field, Stotfold, SG5 4HE 24th April: Buntingford Ladies VS Stotfold Ladies 2pm kick off London Road, Buntingford, SG9 9HZ

Under 13 Girls.

The girls, coached by John Clark play in League One of the Bedfordshire Girls Football League. The team’s sponsor New Edge are thrilled to be supporting the Stotfold Junior Under 13 Lilacs Girl’ team again for the forthcoming season, Andrea Lewis of New Edge told the Stotfold Magazine “This will be the fifth season we have supported the girls and it has been a joy to see them develop their skills from when they started as the Under 9’s team. They have matured into an amazing group of young players who are committed to performing to their best abilities in every game. ” New Edge are a local business specialising in property and development consultancy services provided to Housing Associations, Developers and Local Authorities. www.newedge.org.uk. The team are looking for new members for when they move to 11-a-side football. Please get in touch at www.stotfoldjuniorfc.co.uk

Stotfold Junior Under 13 Lilacs proudly show off their kits.

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GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS

Local voluntary organisations are invited to make application for grants that will directly benefit Stotfold. Applications from individuals will not be considered. Please contact the Council offices for an application form and guidance notes. Completed applications to reach the Town Council office by Wednesday 13th April 2022.

QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE

What are your plans? We’d like to hear from you if you are organising a street party, a special event or activity. Nearer the time, we will produce a programme of events taking place throughout Stotfold, to include events you may be organising yourselves, so please contact us on enquiries@stotfoldtowncouncil.gov.uk and let us know. For more information on the town council’s plans, please visit our website.

RIVERSIDE PLAYING FIELD REFURBISHMENT

Following a recent community survey, the town council is now considering two options:

Refurbish existing MUGA, provide new skate park and play equipment One option is to retain and refurbish the existing MUGA using specific S106 funds available and an awarded grant, bringing it back into full use. We would provide a relocated, much larger skate park (than the original one, now removed due to safety issues) and would look to the community to help with the layout. We would provide a larger area with new play equipment, replacing the old and outdated pieces. This would be of a wooden design, to complement its edge of town and countryside surroundings, and the existing wooden zip-wire which would remain.

On the diagram to the left, the yellow square is the existing football pitch, the black square shows the existing MUGA, the red area shows the proposed location for the new play equipment, the blocked out brown square shows the site for the relocated skate park, the white square shows a possible car park extension, and the blue area is the existing ‘pond’ area, which is subject to a separate improvement programme in coming months.

The hatched pink area running alongside the River Ivel could be managed to provide increased biodiversity, with paths cut in to access certain areas.

Location for proposed new play equipment Replace MUGA with an ‘activity hub’ – new building, with car park and play equipment This alternative option would see the existing MUGA removed and replaced with a new building, housing two large courts and associated hireable space. It would come with a large car park and access road from Malthouse Lane. A replacement skate park would also be provided as per project proposal above, together with a smaller area for new play equipment.

With both projects, the existing youth shelter and football pitch would remain. We would also be looking to provide additional or replacement picnic benches in suitable locations. Security of the car park is being improved by provision of new lighting and a new height barrier of 2.1m.

As the refurbishment of the existing MUGA already has funding allocated, and if the second larger proposal were to go ahead it would be some time before work on the ground started, we have agreed to commence the refurbishment of the MUGA at the earliest opportunity. This will ensure the community has somewhere to play sports, learn to ride a bike, have a kick-about or perhaps to test your new remote-controlled car! In terms of timing and finance, the first project would be around £400,000, with funding already identified/available for some elements. The second project for an ‘activity hub’ would cost around £4million. Funding for this project needs to be identified. For either project, we would need to go out to tender for these sized projects and obtain planning permission. Residents should be aware that this process can be lengthy. We would like to hear your views on our initial proposed options, and if you would like more information, please

ask. Thank you CITIZENS AWARDS 2022

At this year’s Annual Town Meeting, two local residents were presented with a Citizens Award to recognise the outstanding contributions they have given to the community of Stotfold, often on a voluntary basis and outside of their everyday occupation.

Chris Hall Has quietly worked hard to keep verges and hedgerows around the town clear of litter, improving the cleanliness and wellbeing of our surroundings. He extended his own efforts in removing litter from our streets by personally funding the purchase of litter pickers, bag support rings and high visibility jackets and offering them free of charge to motivate other residents to take part in their own litter pick. He goes further than that, in keeping an eye on the town and spotting issues such as fallen trees in recent fierce winds, and tethering watering pots at the cemetery so they don’t get blown around on a windy day. He has a true community spirit.

Mollie Jennings Has been a long-standing member of Stotfold Bowls Club and was a founder member of the Ladies Bowls Club with her first personal competition win coming in 1966. Over the years she has been Captain of both Club and League Teams, Ladies and Joint President, Club Chair and Secretary. As well as being involved in the official running of the club and competitions, she helped in social events for the club and in support of charities and worthy causes. She stepped down as Chair in November last year and at their latest Award Night, Bowls England, the governing body of outdoor lawn bowls, recognised Mollie’s achievements and support to the bowls community with a Certificate of Merit. Full write-up of each successful Citizens Award winners’ achievements can be found on our website, on The Town Mayor page.

SCHEDULED MEETINGS Please see our website for details of upcoming meetings www.stotfoldtowncouncil.gov.uk

STOTFOLD & ASTWICK NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

We are still looking for people who have a keen interest in the future of Stotfold, who might have useful skills they can bring to the Neighbourhood Plan Group, such as data analysis, report writing, social media skills. Please contact us on 01462 730064 or enquiries@stotfoldtowncouncil.gov.uk to register your interest in joining the Group or provide assistance along the way, or just to receive progress updates. All residents can be part of the Neighbourhood Plan process - you will be consulted along the way, and then asked for your views on the final plan. Before we get underway, the first things we’re asking you to start having a think about are what you like or dislike about Stotfold, what you might want to see protected or changed? In coming months, we’ll be carrying surveys, having a presence at events, etc so keep an eye out for further information and let us know your thoughts!