Arlesey
NEWS
January 2024 Issue 55
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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From the Editor HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Most of you will know that in order to prepare our magazines in plenty of time for the month ahead we compile our issues very, very early. For that reason it seems strange to be wishing you all a Happy New Year when in reality, Christmas is still a couple of weeks away! We have thoroughly enjoyed the lead up to Christmas this year and hope that however you spent yours, you enjoyed yours too. We were delighted to hear that so many people enjoyed the Christmas Light Switch on event in December and thank everyone that was involved in making this a wonderful event. Special thanks as always to Arlesey Community Events. The New Year brings with it a feeling of hope as we make resolutions (which we try to keep!) and reflect on the last twelve months. We hope that 2024 brings with it positivity good health and happiness for us all. Wishing all of our readers a very prosperous New Year! Until next month...
Joanne
With thanks to this month’s contributors:
Jo Loach, The Need Project, ACORN, Our local schools, local Churches & local groups and organisations. Arlesey Town Football Club, St Peter’s Church. Arlesey Community Events. Contact: arlesey.news@yahoo.com or write to us at Arlesey News Magazine, 78 Hitchin Road, Stotfold, Hertfordshire, SG5 4HT Tel: 01462 731986 You can also contact us via our facebook page.
Deliveries: We have over 120 volunteers that deliver the News Magazines. If for any
reason you do not receive your copy of the magazine please contact us to let us know. Published by Stotfold News Ltd. Printed in memory of Roy West.
CONTENTS Local News Your letters News from Arlesey Community Events News from Fairfield Lower School News from Gothic Mede News from Pix Brook Academy News from Etonbury Academy Family Announcements News from ACORN Update from the Need Project Local Church News January fun quiz Mental Health Matters News from Arlesey Town FC
Page 4 Page 5 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19
All this alongside all our usual news from our local churches groups, clubs & organisations.. www.justgiving.com/gardenhousehospice Announcements: We are happy to accept family announcements by post telephone, email or through our facebook page. If you would like to make a donation in return for your announcement then please visit the website above. Please mention that the donation has been made on behalf of the Stotfold & Arlesey News Magazine.
NEXT ISSUE - FEBRUARY Advertising/Editorial deadline 6th January 2024 see www.stotfoldandarleseynews.co.uk
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Local News Round-up Arlesey Relief Road Opens The new relief road created between Arlesey High Street and the A507 opened at the end of November. Work started on the new relief road in Spring 2022, the aim being to help with easing congestion, improving road safety, and reducing journey times for motorists heading toward the A507. As part of the comprehensive scheme, there are new cycleways and footways alongside the carriageway as well as a new foot, cycle, and equestrian bridge over the busy A507.
This will complete a safe route linking Arlesey to the popular Etonbury Woods and local schools.
CRIME FIGURES ARLESEY October 23
The most recent crime figures available from the Poilce national website: REMEMBER the more we report crime related offences, the higher we feature on the ‘to-do’ list of our local constabulary. If you see a non-urgent matter which you feel needs reporting, use the 101 number to make our local force aware. Violence & sexual offences - 13 Anti social behaviour - 2 Other theft - 3 Other crime - 5
Source: www.police.co.uk
Short Mat Bowls,
We are a voluntary organisation who meet every Monday 2 - 4 pm approx. just a short drive awya in the Memorial Hall, Stotfold, to play Short Mat Bowls. Perhaps you would like to join us? We are a friendly club where everyone is welcome. For more details contact Ann Watmough - Club Secretary on 01462 629575
Arlesey Community Larder
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BRICKWORK & PAVING Covering all aspects of brickwork old & new, plus patios, driveways & fencing.
All work completed to a very high standard. Friendly, family run business
Tel: 07703 171857 / 01462 731829 4
Arlesey Community Larder is a Community Interest Company supporting local residents and surrounding areas with food support. We are working in partnership with Arlesey Town Council and Central Bedfordshire Council to provide the service. The larder opened to local residents a year ago and has helped a number of families and individuals who require food support. If you require our support we will help you without judgement or prejudice.Please find up to date information on our facebook page @arleseycommunitylarder. Donations of in-date, non-perishable food items to the basic's larder is very much welcome as well as monetary donations to keep our larder stocked. Any monetary donations can be BACS transfer to: Arlesey Community Larder CIC Sort Code: 04-06-05 Account 19621234 Arlesey Community Larder can be found at the Arlesey MUGA Pavillion behind the W.I Hall on the High Street. For enquiries and to find out how you can get involved, contact 07427 650080 Email: thom@arleseycommunitylarder.org
Your LETTERS Larksfield and Arlesey Medical Partnership Patient Participation Group (PPG) Committee Dear Editor, I’m sure that the ACORN article in the Arlesey News December issue did not mean to refer to either the late Ann Brown and David Harrowell, as well as myself, as being former councillors who chose to ignore the import of land in Arlesey and agreed to build houses on our flood plain. We never agreed to such and, indeed, always spoke up for the protection of our environment (especially flood plain) and the need for council housing, as opposed to expensive housing that prices our local citizens out from local accommodation. Unfortunately, the Conservative Party have been in control of our local and national government for most of the past decades and have taken decisions to favour developers at the expense of local needs. What we really need – as in Scotland – is a growing number of community buy-outs of land so that local needs can be truly met. Yours sincerely Doug Landman
WE ARE RECRUITING. Join other patient representatives to support the practice and improve outcomes - The Committee meets 8 times a year, for 1½ hours each time, along with other activities throughout the year to support the practice. Production of a newsletter and supporting a survey. We are particularly looking for people with the following skills: Good IT skills, Social Media skills/an interest in producing a newsletter Open to all residents registered with Larksfield & Arlesey Medical Practice If you are interested in applying please contact: ppg.larksfield@nhs.net. In this email you can tell us a bit more about yourself, and what you would bring to the PPG. Following receipt of your email we will be in contact about next steps. (Please note that the PPG is not there to enable members to resolve their or their own families health issues or complaints )
Dear Editor, We'd like to recommend Andy and Sean from AJB fencing to your readers. We have used them twice this year for different fencing jobs in our garden and have been so happy with the quality and finish of their work. They're very polite and respectful and they go above and beyond to make sure the job is done correctly and the end results are top standard. We're very happy with the work they've done for us and would highly recommend. Emma & Jonny Garside
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To contact the Arlesey News Magazine please call 01462 731986
News from - Arlesey Community Events Thank you to everyone that took part in our fantastic advent windows for 2023. We hope everyone enjoyed seeing them around the village, there were some fantastically imaginative windows on display!
If you are thinking about the year ahead and maybe looking to join a new group or maybe volunteer some time, why not consider joining us at Arlesey Community Events? We have a few events each year where we need as much help as possible and maybe have some fun long the way! For more details you can find us through our facebook page. Happy New Year to everyone!
Fabulous window display from Arlesey Town Council
Presents by the tree in Chase Close.
Crown Lodge and their stunning snowflake tree.
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News from Fairfield Park Lower School
At the beginning of January all of our children will be taking part in our International Project Week where we will take a deeper look at the seven continents of the world; both human and physical geographical features and the art, music and culture of different countries too.
The week will culminate with year groups sharing their learning with each other. We will also be learning about Buddhism during one of our five Religious Diversity Days. The Young Voices Choir continues to practice in advance of their performance later in the year – some members even visited our local care home, Baycroft, to sing carols before Christmas so they’ve had a taste of performing to a real audience too. Our eco monitors are also continuing to keep us focused on our environmental priorities in our classrooms – helping us save energy and re-use resources. These are all fantastic examples of how our additional, bespoke curriculum of the Arts, environment and diversity are woven through our learning opportunities in additional to the ‘normal’ national curriculum.
Value of the Half Term: Positivity Fairfield Park Lower School, Dickens Boulevard & Ruskin Drive office@fairfieldparklower.uk 01462 830000
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31 High Street, Arlesey, Beds SG15 6RA To contact the Arlesey News Magazine please call 01462 731986
News from Gothic Mede Academy
Deceber was an incredibly busy time and the start of some festive events. Thank you to our wonderful choir who were fantastic at Arlesey Light Switch On event - The children sang two Christmas songs before the countdown to the light switch on began. Thank you to Mr Warlow and some of our School Councillors for representing Gothic Mede at The Arlesey Memorial Service. As well as taking part in the parade, they also laid a wreath on behalf of Gothic Mede. We have also had Anti Bullying Week. In Birch class, we have been looking at a poem by Maya Angelou called ‘Still I Rise’. Based on this, we have
created a class version with a focus on bullying which you will see on the right of this page.
Gothic Mede would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!
North Herts Road Runners
Now that Christmas is over why not start the New Year joining our running club. We meet on Tues & Thurs evenings in Letchworth at 7pm and have training sessions from beginners to experienced runners all under qualified coaches. Our1st Sat of the month 5k at Letchworth Common will be on 6th Jan at 9am with free entry and is open to anyone. For more in information call Ian 07506 429928 or visit our web site nhrr.org.uk
Our poem: You may jeer and taunt, ignore me, With mocking repeated lies. You may slap me down with your bitter twisted lies, But like a phoenix, I rise. Just like stars shine bright at night, With the guarantee of winter turning into spring, Just like dreams and wishes streaking out wide, I rise. Did you want to see me heartbroken with horrible laughs behind my back? Did you want to see me cry with your bitter twisted lies and horrible replies? Curled up like a frightened hedgehog? Still I rise. Across the bumpy, rough ground, joyfully galloping, I rise, Across the dirty ocean, powerfully diving, I rise, I am a castle, standing up straight, I am a soldier, ready to fight. Moving on from the heartbroken days of sorrow, I rise, Emerging into a new chapter of my glorious fairy tale dreams, I rise, Bringing respect that my friends gave me, I am the pride of my school, I rise, I rise, I rise.
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To contact the Arlesey News Magazine please call 01462 731986
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News from Pix Brook Academy
The start of 2024, remarkable that another year has flown by. Working in schools it is nice that we have an opportunity to have two starts, the first in September when all pupils return to school and the other in January when all of us look to a new year and consider the opportunities that might exist.
The next few months for the school will undoubtedly be as busy as usual, this is the case in all schools but perhaps even more so for us as we continue to develop the school and its provision. A large body of new staff will once again be recruited. We will be enhancing our curriculum offer to enable the delivery of new GCSE subjects in addition to the continued growth of our core curriculum of Science, Maths, English and PE. It is an exciting prospect to be involved in such growth and we have been extremely fortunate to have such enthusiastic and experienced colleagues looking to join us. For pupils the curriculum continues. Books are being read in English, calculations undertaken in Maths, experiments in science, activities in PE and the host of normal school experiences are played out each and every day at school. The busyness of a normal school day is all part of the process of being at school and all the more reason why it is so important that all pupils attend as regularly as possible. It is one of the idiosyncrasies of school attendance that in almost all walks of life a score of 90% would be considered excellent. Unfortunately this level of attendance in school is very low, representing a pupil missing one day every two weeks! It is for this reason that the government and the school prioritise attendance. So much happens in a normal school day that pupils whose attendance is less than 95% are far less likely to achieve their potential and consequently be disadvantaged in future life. It is also the case that those experiences gained while at school, being with friends, following the curriculum, attending clubs and just being in a social environment are so important to young people as they develop. It is always interesting talking to young people who are unable to attend for extended periods due to ill health, they are always desperate to come back to school and would do anything to be able to. We often agree that the only thing worse than getting up to go to school on a cold Monday morning is not being able to! There is much to look forward to this term: PE competitions continue, preparation for the school’s first Ski trip to Italy will ramp up, visitors and visits will be undertaken and learning will be prioritised. We have much to do and never quite enough time to do it, but that’s life at a school! Steve Adams.
WALKS FOR HEALTH January Walks:
Walks start at 10.45am Thursday 4th,11th,18th Arlesey Station Thursday 25th Etonbury Woods For the Etonbury woods walk we meet at the entrance to the wood just before the nursery not the school gates. More details contact Beth Overfield 01462 815672 10
To contact the Arlesey News Magazine please call 01462 731986
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Etonbury Academy
ok ok Post Post Sparks Sparks HUGE HUGE Response! Response!
Happy New Year from all at Etonbury and welcome back to the Spring Term. This time of the school year always brings optimism and hope as many of us are desperately trying to stick to our new year’s resolutions and the days begin to get just a little longer and brighter. At school, we begin to start the countdown to the GCSE examinations in the summer! There will be much work for our pupils to do in this time including beginning to plan their revision timetables and focusing on the importance of these exams for their futures. We will of course support them as much as possible at school with revision sessions, recap lessons and intervention work, so that they can achieve the best possible outcomes.
We are now in our sixth year of GCSE examinations at Etonbury and next year this will include A Level exams too. We are really proud of our school and our achievements and fortunate to be based on such a large, open beautiful green site. Walking around the school I have had the pleasure of seeing many excellent lessons where the pupils are fully engaged in their learning.
our PE Legends of the week which are shared in school during our celebration assemblies and externally via our Etonbury X page. Our children are incredibly responsive to our positive ethos and our staff enjoy interacting with them and acknowledging individuals’ achievements.
We are continuing to show prospective parents, carers and pupils around Etonbury Academy. Please do get in touch with us on 01462 730391 or via email etaoffice@bestacademies.org.uk to book. School tours for prospective parents provide a real sense of what we offer here at Etonbury. We believe we are a small, compassionate and exceptional educational community. Our children are happy and achieve their full potential, come and see for yourself what makes Etonbury special. Kind regards Mrs J Young Principal
As I begin to approach my three-year anniversary at the school at the end of this term I take a sense of pride in realising how far we have come as a school over that time, but also a determination to ensure that our pupils get the very best opportunities that we can provide for them as the schools continues to develop and grow. Positivity and achievements in the school are a real focus throughout all years. Our students are rewarded daily with praise points and weekly with praise texts which are sent home to their parents and carers on Fridays. We also have
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Family
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Family Announcements are FREE! We are happy to accept family announcements by post, telephone, email or through our facebook page. If you would like to make a donation to the Garden House Hospice in return for your announcement then please mention that the donation has been made on behalf of the Stotfold & Arlesey News Magazine.
HANNAH
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NICOLA & JOSHUA SPINKS Happy 1st Wedding Anniversary on 1st January!
Happy Birthday! With all our love,
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With all our love, Natasha, Grant, Chloe & Billy xx
DAN REEVE Happy Birthday! Love Becca, Anna, Katie & Joe xx
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We hope you enjoy your celebrations! Love Michaela, Cameron & Darcie x
JOE REEVE Happy Birthday! Love Dad, Mum, Anna & Katie xx
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News from - Arlesey Conservation for Nature (ACORN) As we start the New Year Arlesey Conservation for Nature, ACORN for short, continues to work on behalf of Arlesey and the local area to deliver the long standing aim to;
•Preserve local wildlife habitats •Promote access to the countryside •Record the flora and fauna of Arlesey To achieve these objectives we seek to raise funds, through membership donation and occasional grant applications, and act as representatives of Arlesey in relation to conservation, natural history and public access issues. A shining example of the group’s work continues to be the maintenance of the Nature Reserves at the Arlesey Old Moat and Glebe Meadow, bought with local funds raised by ACORN for everyone to enjoy. Replacements of gates, benches and keeping paths clear. Towards the end of 2023 a new Committee was elected as follows; Richard Liversidge - Chairman Andrew Knight - Vice-Chairman. Mick Jackson - Treasurer Tony Kirchin - Warden of Glebe Meadow and Old Moat Nature Reserves
Members - Linda Clapham, Phil Davies and Geoff Page make up the rest of the committee.
A big ‘thank you’ goes to Linda and Geoff for their support over the years, most recently for Chairing the committee and for remaining members to support us going forward, retaining their vast knowledge will be a great help.
Our thanks also go out to all members for your support and donations this year.
The last 12 months has seen the ongoing maintenance of the Nature Reserves and numerous working parties targeting our local path network. We recognise that there is always more to do and we have sought to formalise this work and plan our activities more closely with partners including the Wildlife Trust BCN, Arlesey Town Council and Central Beds Council Rights of Way Officer who have been very helpful. Much of this voluntary work has recently centred on making representations about planning applications and how these affect access and natural environments.
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To help in this our Vice Chair, Andrew, has developed a detailed database of our existing paths, informing what is needed to maintain them and when, to meet the challenges of the ‘growing season’ seen last year!
A newly formed group of Footpath Champions who regularly walk and run on the paths are helping to Some of the wonderful photogrpahs taken by our Acorn members. identify short-term issues that need attention. This is already proving successful when trees have fallen or fly-tipping is found. As this is being written we eagerly await the new ACORN calendar featuring the 12 ‘Photo of the Month’ competition winners and the results of ACORN’s entry to St Peter’s Church Christmas Tree Festival. Looking ahead into 2024 all of this work will continue but will be made all the easier for your support. To quote the railway slogan of ‘see it, say it, sort it’, please get involved by walking the paths, reporting your concerns, picking up litter, joining a work party or becoming a member. New members are always welcomed and the support of individual households or businesses are a real boost to our activities, allowing us to maintain kit, structures and hopefully plan some events this year. To become a member or support us as a local business you can contact ACORN by email at arlesey.acorn@gmail.com Or find out about volunteering on a Work Party on the Facebook page where you are free to post a picture of your walk or flag a local related issue. In the meantime, Happy New Year and enjoy your walks in 2024! Richard Liversidge Chair - ACORN
Update from the
Need Project
Our latest facts & figures..
www.theneedproject.org
•829 parcels provided. •398 top-up-bags collected from our Pop-up sites •£57,865 -the estimated value of the food for the month of October. •£6,602.50 - the average monthly cost to run the charity (Rent, Insurance, Fuel, Van, Staff related expenses) •28% - the increase in food parcels delivered this month. •2002 - the amount oi adults we have managed to nake a difference to this month with your help. •60 - the amount od pensioners we have helped. •1,613 - the number of children we have managed to help this month (figures above include our best before food.) Well, what a massive month, the second biggest since we started the project. We are so grateful for all the support we get, the incredible kindness, the financial support, the prayer support, all the things that make it possible to carry on doing what we’re doing. It so so sad the numbers are going up month on month and we have no idea when it’s gonna stop. We are doing something which is important and making a difference but without you we can’t do anything. Christmas is coming fast and that always is massive for us. But we don’t find out how massive till about the 8th of December, when our referrals list closes for Christmas parcels, (so please continue to pray for us,) but we will still be working up till the Friday before Christmas. If the trend follows, we are sadly going to break all previous numbers which should sadden us all.
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Exterior & Interior Property Maintenance * Decorating * Furniture Building We gave away last month food, if we had to purchase it, with a total value of £57,865.00 and * Painting top up bags at our weekly drop ins in Stotfold, Shefford and Sandy numbering 398. This also * Carpentry & more sadly is on the increase. * Carpet Cleaning FREE QUOTATIONS Our volunteers are amazing and without exception go the extra mile and for that I am T: (01462) 234292 personally so so grateful. The preparation for Christmas is very very busy, buying all the food and getting all the additional Christmas extras, arranging presents and getting our pickers and or 07887 871212 packers sorted for the week of the 11th of December. Then, we hit the ground running and will pack, maybe over 1000 hampers in a week and at the same time getting them delivered, while still doing our top up shops in Stotfold, Sandy and Shefford.
Now finally, we are still pushing for premises of our own which will give us stability in the future, along with making a massive contribution to our local community. It is a critical time for us but if it is in God's plan for us then it will be fine. By the time this goes out, we will hopefully have had good news and will be progressing with our plans. Anyway, thank you all again for everything. The only way things will change, the sadness, a despair we see daily, is to do something about it. I will leave you with this Chinese proverb – ‘Man stand on hill with mouth open wait for long time for crispy duck to fly in!!!!’ Praise God Always, Gordon.
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News from St Peter’s Church A very Happy and Peaceful New Year to you all..
2024, a new year and new beginnings. Do you make a New Year Resolution? We all have good intentions! Perhaps that puts too much pressure on us. So this year, maybe we should concentrate on being kind to each other, praying for peace in the world and as Jesus asks us “Love your neighbour as yourself”.
St. Peter’s is pleased that with the Reverend Simon Tibbs as our Interim Priest, now in place, we will have some new ideas and opportunities for the coming year. He will be working with us and the Benefice of Shillington and Stondon and Astwick, so four churches in all. Plans are being made for some joint services and activities, which we will publish next month. - News from our Christmas activities will be in next month’s issue. We are still advertising for a permanent Priest and will keep you updated of progress. In the meantime, please get in touch if you need help or have any questions, using any of the details below.
Services Our service times are:1st, 3rd,4th,5th Sundays 9.30am 2nd Sunday All Age Worship 10.00am Refreshments are served after each service an opportunity to chat and socialise.
Weekdays Coffee Mornings Tuesday 10.30am in church 10.30am-12 noon Toddler and Parent/Carer Group 1st Wednesday in the month Afternoon Tea 2- 4m All Welcome (no tea in January)
Helen Bardell - Churchwarden 01462 731227 07967144571 email;vicar@arlesey.org.uk churchwardens@arlesey.org.uk or tibbs.simon@gmail.com
Pictured left, The wonderful Advent candle at St Peter’s church this year - The wreath is made of various evergreens and signifies continuous life.
The first candle, which is purple, symbolises Hope. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah.
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January Fun Quiz In our New Year fun quiz, compiled and presented by our very own Brain of Britain, David Stedman, as we look forward to the days ahead in 2024, the theme is DAYS OF THE WEEK. Clues contained in each question or answer (Answers on page 18) 1 Which British rock band had a US number one hit single during the 1960s with “Ruby Tuesday”? 2 The so-called Monday Club is a sometimes controversial political pressure group, formed in 1961, to align with, and seeking to influence, which major British political party? 3 Pictured above, an American film actress and model born with the forenames Susan Ker Weld was once married to British comic actor Dudley Moore and later to the violinist Pinchas Zukerman. What day of the week was her stage forename? 4 The Sunday (or Whitsunday) Islands is a group of 74 tropical islands situated between the Great Barrier Reef and the coast of which Australian state? 5 In a US film series starting in 1991, what is the surname of the family of characters whose forenames are Morticia, Gomez, Wednesday, Pugsley and Uncle Fester? 6 Detective Inspector Fred Thursday is a mentor character in a British television spin-off series, pictured right, and based on the early career of Inspector Morse. What is the title of this series? 7 According to the traditional British nursery rhyme, on what day was Solomon Grundy married? 8 “Here we all are sittin' in a rainbow; Gor blimey hello, Mrs. Jones; How's old Bert's lumbago?” The lazy afternoon of what day were the Small Faces singing about in the 1960s top ten hit? 9 Give the title of the 1960s British ‘kitchen sink’ film, based on a novel by
Alan Sillitoe, which stars Albert Finney as working class lothario Arthur Seaton? Pic right? 10 In pop music, which day of the week connects UK tip ten hit singles for The Bangles, Boomtown Rats and the Mamas and Papas? 11 What two-word French term, meaning ‘fat Tuesday’, is applied to Shrove Tuesday and celebrated by many carnivals held around the world? 12 “Friday On My Mind” was a track covered on a 1973 album entitled “Pin Ups”, cover pictured right, by which British pop superstar? 13 Give the surname of the 19th-20th century British writer who created the clerical detective Father Brown and whose other works include “The Man Who Was Thursday”? 14 Name the US pop music duo who originally called themselves Tom and Jerry and whose 1964 album was entitled “Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.”? 15 Give the professional surname, which she shares with a great Victorian novelist, of Joanna (pictured right), the British writer whose works include “A Village Affair”, “The Rector’s Wife” and “Friday Nights”? 16 The expression Man Friday, also now modernised to Girl Friday, describes a faithful assistant and is derived from a character in which 18th century novel? 17 In Canada and the US, a “____ night Special” is a term applied to a
cheap pistol used for criminal purposes. What day of the week completes that term, as indicated by the dash? 18 The name of only one day of the week is an anagram of another common English language word. What is that word? 19 Which Caribbean island country, capital Roseau, was supposedly named by Christopher Columbus because he sailed past the island on Sunday and gave it the Spanish name for Sunday? 20 A 1786 anthology of poems included such famous works as “To A Louse”, “To A Mouse” and “The Cotter’s Saturday Night”. Who was the author, whose day is celebrated this month?
For more fascinating facts and to download and read my novels, completely free of charge, please visit my website at davidstedman.co.uk or Google david stedman author.
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We are NOW OPEN Our revised opening hours: Tues: 2pm-7pm Wed: 10am-7pm Thursday: 3pm-7pm Friday: 10am - 1pm Saturday: 10am-2pm
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Mental Health Matters- with Jo Loach MA MBACP A fresh start Each new year offers a chance to begin afresh. None of us can change that which is behind us but each of us can change our approach to that which lays ahead. Often January can be a month of trying not to do some things and feeling we should be doing others. This could be in relation to not drinking this, or not eating that, or trying to do this exercise, or that. There is nothing wrong with any of this particularly following a season of excess consumption and activity.
However, considering and committing to new habits is not just about reducing what is unhealthy for physical health but also increasing what improves our mental health.
These are typically the things we love and enjoy doing, which can easily get squeezed out by all the ‘must-do’s’ that accompany adulting. And yet when we permit ourselves to do constructive things that we love, we can feel uplifted, comforted and sustained.
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These in turn can help us to maintain healthy habits and reduce the unhealthy ones. That which make us smile or bring us joy can look different for each of us and that’s ok. The important thing is to know what they are and commit to protecting time to practice them. January can be a good time to reflect on what you love doing but didn’t find enough time for last year and to think about how to actively incorporate these into this year. A commitment to practising healthy habits is not just about reducing what is unhealthy but also permitting ourselves to do that which boosts our mental health. This new year offers an opportunity to approach things differently based on what went well or not, last year and what we need in this year.
Jo is a BACP Accredited Psychodynamic Counsellor and an Integrative Supervisor with an MA in Contemporary Therapeutic Counselling .
ANSWERS to JANUARY FUN QUIZ on Page 17. . . 1 Rolling Stones; 2 Conservative Party; 3 TUESDAY; 4 Queensland; 5 Addams; 6 “Endeavour”; 7 WEDNESDAY; 8 SUNDAY; 9 “SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING”; 10 MONDAY (“Manic Monday”, “I Don’t Like Mondays”, “Monday, Monday”); 11 Mardi Gras; 12 David Bowie; 13 G. K. Chesterton; 14 Simon and Garfunkel; 15 Trollope; 16 “Robinson Crusoe”; 17 SATURDAY; 18 Dynamo (anagram of Monday); 19 Dominica; 20 Robert Burns
To contact the Arlesey News Magazine please call 01462 731986
News From
Arlesey Town Football Club
Here are our fixtures so far for January - Due to the time of submitting these this month, these may be subject to change so please do check our social media and website for the latest updates. Everyone is welcome at the club, our bar area is open to all with great facilities. Why not pop along for a drink over the festive period or support us at our next home game?
Our club continues to grow - The club however does need the support of the community and we would really like to see some new faces at our club and to see more and more Arlesey residents enjoying our club and all it has to offer. You will be assured of a very warm welcome! Please remember to follow us on our facebook page for the latest fixture and results news!
First team JANUARY FIXTURES: Saturday 6th January - London Lions - AWAY Tuesday 9th January - Potton AWAY Saturday 13th January - Leverstock Green HOME Saturday 20th January - MK Irish HOME Tuesday 23rd January - Colney Heath HOME
Arlesey Town Football Club, Hitchin Rd, Arlesey SG15 6RS E: info@arleseytownfc.co.uk T: 01462 734504
JANUARY 9th
Bedford Flower Arrangers are coming to give us a display (which we will raffle off at the end) The start time will be 7.30pm . Arlesey W.I Hall, High Street, Arlesey.
To contact the Arlesey News Magazine please call 01462 731986
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Down Memory Lane
This wonderful photo above was kindly leant to us by Chris Kermath and features his Grandfather, Bill (William Robert) Edlin, (second from the left in this picture.) The photo itself was taken at the brickworks sometime in the 1960’s. Chris’s Grandfather Bill was invalided out to the Three Counties Hospital during the First World War having taken shrapnel in his back at Gallipoli - He was a Cockney. His grandmother, Ethel Johnson was Arlesey born and bred. Both of Chris’s parents, Bill (William Frank) Edlin and Rita Ellen Bowskill were born and brought up in Arlesey. They married at St Peters on 4th March 1944 where they now rest, together with his older brother Martin who sadly died aged just 10 days in October 1947.
Both of Chis’s parents were involved in the church with his Dad as a choirboy and in later years reading the lesson. His Mum played the organ. Both Chris and his younger brother Richard and were both christened at St Peters Church.
Chis’s Mums parents were Frank and Doris Bowskill who lived initially in the High Street and then Stotfold Road until they moved to Hitchin in 1960. his Grandma was very active in the WI and Grandad worked as an Occupational Therapist at Three Counties/Fairfield Hospital. Thank you Chris for allowing us to share this, we know many people will recognise some of the men pictured here.
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Established 1971
Useful
Telephone Numbers
Citizen’s Advice Bureau
01525 402742 01525 841217 0300 300 8136
Trading Standards Advice Line Churches St Peter’s Church, 01462 731227 Arlesey Methodist Church Rev Graham Claydon-Knights 01438 721674 Fairfield Community Church 07376 740410 Kings Baptist Church 01462 730521 Salvation Army Stotfold Corps 01462 731072 Council Arlesey Town Council Town Council Office Arlesey Community Centre, High Street, Arlesey, Beds SG15 6SN Phone: 01462 733722 Email: clerk@arlesey-tc.gov.uk Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Chicksands, Shefford SG17 5TQ 0300 300 8000 Email customer.services@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk Web www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk Waste Collection / Recycling / Dog Warden / Flytipping / Grass Cutting / Street Cleaning / Abandoned Vehicles 0300 300 8631 or 0300 300 8632 Doctor Arlesey Medical Centre 01462 732144 www.arleseymedicalcentre.nhs.uk Larksfield Surgery Stotfold: 01462 732200 Out of Hours Service 111 Emergencies Electricity Emergencies 0800 7 838 838 Gas Emergencies 0800 111999 Helplines Childline 0800 1111 National Menengitis Trust 0845 6000800 Samaritans 08457 909090 NSPCC 0800 800 5000 Housing First Garden City Homes 01462 683307 Pioneer House, Norton Way South, Letchworth Garden City, Herts, SG6 1NY Grand Union Housing - all enquiries 0300 123 5544 Miscellaneous Arlesey Community Larder 07427 650080. ACORN - Arlesey Conservation For Nature Mick Jackson 07970 734416 (Treasurer) arlesey.acorn@gmail.com Beds Rural Communities Charity 01234 838771 Letchworth MS Unit 01462 487172 Births, Deaths & Marriages 0300 300 8089
Police Beds Police (Crime reporting) 01234 841212 Crimestoppers 0800 555111 Hospitals Bedford Hospital 01234 355122 Lister Hospital 01438 314333 NHS Direct 0845 464700 300 8068 Library Arlesey Resource Centre & Library 01462 731469 Stotfold Library 0300 300 8068 Pubs The White Horse 01462 621118 The Old Oak 01462 612536 The True Britton 07494 563496 Schools & Nurseries Etonbury Academy 01462 730391 Pix Brook Academy 01462 416243 Gothic Mede Lower School 01462 732002 BEST Nursery (Arlesey) 01462 732168 Arlesey Preschool @ WI Hall 07815 293670 Children’s Centre Stotfold and District Children's Centre 01462 730623 Transport Trains (National Enquiries) 08457 484950 Whitbread Wanderbus 0300 123 3023 Boxall Taxis 01462 433 333 Greenacre Transfers Airports & Chauffeur Services 07555 70 78 48 www.greenacretransfers.co.uk"
CAN YOU HELP US?
We are keen to find a couple of extra delivery volunteers to help us with our deliveries in The Rally, Jubilee Crescent and Ramerick Gardens. If you have half an hour once a month to spare then we want to hear from you! Volunteering with us is a great way to help keep Arlesey connected - (and is also a great way to volunteer for the Duke Of Edinburgh scheme!) Call us on 01462 731986 or email arlesey.news@yahoo.com
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Local Directory Accountancy & Tax Sue Matejtschuk (SCM Accountancy) 01462 624926 ACORN Arlesey Conservation For Nature 07970 734416 AD Garden Rooms 01438 313765 AJB Fencing 07837 791365 Alfie’s Barbers 01462 658449 All Wrapped Up - Balloons and Florist 07886 569134 Andy Leonard Painter & Decorator 07889 903283 Arlesey Community Larder 07427 650080 Arlesey Walking Group 01462 638286 Arlesey Pharmacy 01462 731200 Arlesey Social Club 01462 731361 Aquarius Garden Design 01462 731292 Ashwell Software / Sigma Office 01462 742783 Barn Hair Studio 01462 835611 Bal & Co Motor Care 01462 731500 Bews Electrical 01462 834488 Big Minibus Hire 07817 766997 BK Electrical / Brian Kelly 07817545314 Box Of Cakes Cafe & Cake Shop 07812 055587 Britannia Coaches 01462 436125 Broadband Communications 01462 732628 Brontë’s Floral Designs 07787 847141 BSH Glazing (Windows & Doors) 01462 730884 Bugs ‘n’ Things Pest Control 01462 735999 Builders - SJ Brock 01462 231257 Carpentry by Ray 01462 732814 Carpet Cleaning - ACCS Ltd 01462 629302 Carpets & Flooring - Letchworth Carpet Centre 01462 481312 Carpets & Flooring - Paul Faulkner 01462 731674 Catsitter - Claire 07984 344997 Centroheat Domestic Boiler & Heating Services 07885 415363 Computer Repairs - NIck Saunders 07521 279960 The Cooker Buddy Oven Cleaning 01462 810065 Chris Webster, Stotfold 01462 834108 (Correspondent for The Comet ) Darren Peters Property Maintenance 01462 733322 Dennison’s - House & Garden Clearance 07522 354141 ECO Clean Carpet Cleaning 07748 857012 EH Crouch Funeral Directors 01462 834040 Electrician - Terry C Seymour 01462 236559 Fairfield Bowls Club 07811 738599 Fencing (AJB) 07837 791365 Finesse Interiors 01462 896046 First Step Estate Agents 01462 659730 Foot Health Professional - Vicki Eagles 07812 399659 Foot Pro Podiatry 07377 536685 Gifford Dance Academy 07585 221513 Graham Smith Brickwork & Paving 01462 731829 Greenacre Transfers Airports & Chauffeur Services www.greenacretransfers.co.uk 07555 707848 Guides - Stotfold Guide Association 01462 235273 Henlow Vets 01462 416416 07497157531 Hypnotherapy - Pathway Hypnotherapy Rooms James’s Carpentry & Handyman Service 01462 234292 Jarvis Footcare 07816 329363 Kumari Chiropractic 07479 945995
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Locksmith Services Loved Gardens Maintenance Services - SHMS Mow & Weedit Garden Services New Kitchens North Herts Road Runners Oven Clean & Repair Services Painter/Decorator - Paul A Robinson Paul Adler Opticians Paul Eley Tiling Paul Thomas Landscaping Piano Lessons - Christine Walker Piano Lessons - Elmitt Piano Academy Pilates - Zanna Newton Plumbing - ALM Plumbing Plumbing - C Plumb Plumbing & Heating - GSP Heating & Plumbing Plumbing - J D Heating & Plumbing Services LTD Plum-tek RH Gardens Regency Flowers Removals - AG Jenkins Stotfold & Arlesey Royal British Legion Satchells Estate Agents Saunders Garage Sheldon Electricals Shel's Shabby Chic, Vintage painted furniture & workshops Solicitors - HRJ Foreman Laws The Arlesey News Magazine Tailoring Service The Rooms Hair and Beauty The Rooms Holistic and Beauty Academy Warrens Windows Wate Removal (Josas Waste) Windows - Repairs & Installations (J Garside) Window Cleaning - ACCS Ltd Yoga - Freda Dodsworth
01462 290226 07981 275663 01462 887366 07765 495200 01462 812826 01462 639215 07878 444559 07761 751634 01462 232642 01462 732393 07818 000508 07889 811065 01462 731357 07449 461465 07719 862371 07950 311963 01462 700862 01462 615922 07474 444288 01462 618058 01462 612033 01462 732616 01462 730562 01462 734133 01462 733730 01462 730222 01767 448188 01462 234228 01462 458711 01462 731986 07575 417217 01462 835538 07946 521266 01462 261401 07739 488472 07951 473505 01462 629302 01767 627611
WELCOME TO RCCG HOUSE OF MERCY, ARLESEY.
It’s a great privilege and honour to welcome you to our Church, where we experience mercy beyond measure. Join us every Sunday. Our service starts at 10:00 am - 12:00 noon RCCG House of Mercy, Arlesey Village Town Hall, High Street, Arlesey SG15 6SN Telephone: 07903 985690
To contact the Stotfold News Magazine please call 01462 731986
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Christmas
Hero 2023
We are delighted to announce the winner of our
CHRISTMAS HERO Competition for 2023!
In association with Satchells Estate Agents, the Arlesey News Magazine are once again proud to present this award to one extra special Christmas Hero from within our local community. We were astounded with the volume of entries that we have received yet again this year and would like to thank everyone who took the time to send in their nominations. This year we decided to have a joint winner of this award as our winner works in Arlesey but lives in Stotfold. This nomination really stood out to the judges for the amount of amazing work this lady has done, often going above and beyond her role serving customers in Arlesey Chemist. We heard some extremely touching stories of how this nominee has helped so many people over recent years - even better, this award also happens to coincide with her retirement.
We are delighted to present this years Christmas Hero award to LINDSAY EVANS. The judges felt that the many ways in which Lindsay’s had helped people within our community were a shining example of exactly what the Christmas Hero award is all about. MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO LINDSAY! Alongside Lindsay and receiving special recognition certificates were; John & Ann Talbot for their work with the Stotfold Good Neighbour Group, Jen Powell for her incredible fundraising events this year, Arlesey resident Les Hayes for his neighbourly care of others and Phillip Johnys for the fantastic work he continues to do for the Royal British Legion.
LOOK OUT IN NEXT MONTH’S ISSUE OF THE MAGAZINE FOR PICTURES OF LINDSAY RECEIVING HER PRIZE AFTER HER WELL EARNED HOLIDAY!
Thank you to everybody who has taken the time to nominate their Christmas Hero this year, we really did think that each nomination was incredibly worthy, making it a very tough decision for the judges to make. The Christmas Hero was once again proudly sponsored by Satchells Estate Agents At the heart of your community