News from Kings Baptist Church

Kings Baptist Church & Churches Together

Welcome to our January article from Minister Alistair Sanders of King’s Baptist Church.

Author Susan Beaumont says there is a danger of defining this time of disorientation and confusion “in terms of failure or loss… ” She says that, when we face uncertainty, we tend to go back to doing the same old thing that we have always done. In the gospel of John, we see Simon Peter doing that— He goes fishing. Fishing is what he has always done. It is where he is most comfortable. It is the most natural thing in the world for him to do. But he forgot that he wasn’t a fisherman anymore.

Another author (Selwyn Hughes) tells us, “There are many times in life when one has to face ambiguity and uncertainty. How a person handles the feelings that arise when this takes place will depend on how secure they are in Christ… ” The Bible encourages us to turn to God in our struggles: “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken… Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. ” (Psalm 62:5–8)

Beautiful shot of King’s Baptist Church as featured in our Stotfold Calendar for 2022 and captured by Paul Edwards

May you know the comforting presence and the life-changing power of God in your life throughout this new year.

The Greenacre Centre, Valerian Way, Stotfold, Hitchin, Herts, SG5 4HG Telephone number: 01462 730064 Email address: enquiries@stotfoldtowncouncil.gov.uk Website: www.stotfoldtowncouncil.gov.uk

SCHEDULED MEETINGS Meetings of the Council and its Committees are held in the Council Chamber, Greenacre Centre, Valerian Way, Stotfold, SG5 4HG Meetings start at 7.00pm, except where one meeting follows another

Agendas for meetings can be found on our website and Greenacre Centre notice board

WINTER WEATHER During the winter months, apart from keeping yourselves warm and safe, please keep an eye out for your neighbours, particularly the elderly or infirm. They may require help to keep warm or may not be able to venture out in icy conditions to get supplies. Central Beds Council provides some useful assistance during winter weather on their website (www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk). You can also sign up on their website for notices on school closures and obtain information on which roads will be salted during icy conditions, their website also details priority roads.

VISITING THE GREENACRE CENTRE AND MEMORIAL HALL What are we doing to protect you and others using our facilities? We encourage anyone visiting our buildings to continue wearing face coverings and to socially distance, particularly when close to others you wouldn’t normally be in close contact with. We will continue to provide hand sanitiser gel at entrance/exit points and rooms hired and will keep up our thorough cleaning regime. NHS Test & Trace QR codes will remain at entrances to both buildings for your use. Please do not enter our buildings if you are displaying Covid-19 symptoms or have tested positive. Please continue to be cautious and considerate to help protect yourself and others.

CITIZENS AWARDS 2022 The Town Council is looking for nominations for Citizens Awards. Nominees must be someone who has made a valuable contribution to the life of the community of Stotfold. You can’t nominate yourself, and councillors may only be nominated by non-councillors for things they have done outside of council work. A decision will be made early in the New Year, and a certificate for the successful recipient/s will be presented at the Annual Town Meeting in March. Please forward a letter to the Town Clerk at the above address, giving the name of the nominee (address if you know it) and full details of why you feel they should receive a Citizens Award. We cannot accept nominations from anonymous sources. Nominations must be received by the Town Clerk no later than Monday 10th January 2022.

TOWN COUNCILLOR VACANCY Do you want to make a difference and help your community to thrive? We are looking to fill our current councillor vacancy, which will bring us back up to the full complement of 15 council members. No special qualification is required to be a councillor; indeed, it is important that all sorts of people serve as councillors to give good representation of the community. You must meet the following criteria: • Be over the age of 18, • Be a British Citizens, or of the Commonwealth or of the European Union, • Be on the electoral role for the Parish of Stotfold; or a person who during the whole of the 12 months before application for co-option occupied land or other premises as owner or tenant in the Parish. Or has, during the same period, resided in that area or within 3 miles (4.8km) thereof, or has during the same period, had a principal or only place of work in that area.

Training for new councillors is provided to help assist with understanding the responsibilities of the role. Please contact the Town Council office on 01462 730064 or enquiries@stotfoldtowncouncil.gov.uk for more information and an application pack (this can also be downloaded from our website http://www.stotfoldtowncouncil.gov.uk/Useful _ Documents _ 22464.aspx (Useful Documents page). Completed applications must reach the Town Clerk by 24th February 2022.

STOTFOLD NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN This year, we will be concentrating on the production of Stotfold’s Neighbourhood Plan. A Steering Group has been formed and has had its first few meetings. In the coming months we will be looking to our community for some input, so please start having a think about how you might want to see Stotfold develop and how you can help shape its future? We will be organising events to invite the community to come along and find out more about Neighbourhood Plans, what their purpose is and how they can benefit the future of our town. Please keep an eye on our website, Facebook page, posters around the town, and the Stotfold News Magazine.

SJFC Girls Under 14’s New Kit Sponsors

Stotfold Junior Football Club were proud to host The Stotfold & Arlesey Branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) at one of their senior matches against Bedford on November 13th. The branch were able to promote their poppy appeal during and after the game. The RBL would like to thank Stotfold FC for enabling them to help promote their fundraising for 2021 and look forward to working together with the club in the near future. The match day itself was extra poignant as the Stotfold FC U14 Girls also used the opportunity to unveil their new Stotfold & Arlesey Branch RBL match strip during an exhibition match at half time.

The Stotfold FC U14 girls match kit was sponsored by the business of branch Poppy Appeal Coordinator and Membership Secretary Mr Phillip Johnys. A special logo was designed for the kits which you can see below. The logo will feature on the girls shirts for the duration of the next season. Phil told the Stotfold News Magazine ”‘I am extremely proud to sponsor the girls kit on behalf of the Stotfold & Arlesey Branch of the RBL and wish the girls the best of luck this season” Phil has chosen to use the RBL logo for the shirts to further promote the charity and to help increase awareness of this fantastic cause and hopes the shirt sponsorship will increase awareness of the local branch membership and activities.

Phil wishes it to be clear that no charity donations were used to sponsor the girls kit and all funding came solely from his own consulting business.

This year marks the 100th year of the poppy appeal. Since it was first worn as an act of remembrance the poppy has become an enduring symbol of support for our armed services, past and present. For 100yrs Remembrance has been a part of the fabric of our society, reminding us of our shared history and today continues to unite people across all backgrounds, communities, and generations If you would like to hear more about the branch activities and how to get involved Phil would welcome your call on 07973 376649.

The Stotfold Girls Under 14 team proudly show off their new match kit.

Conditions treated include spinal and extremity injuries, neck related headaches and sprains/strains.

We are NOW OPEN

Left: The act of remembrance held before the senior team match on 13th November. Our revised opening hours: Tues: 2pm-7pm Wed: 10am-1pm Thursday: 3pm-7pm Friday: 10am - 1pm Saturday: 10am-2pm

Window and door repairs and installations

* Misted/broken units * Handles * Mechanisms * Door barrels Supply and fit windows and doors Soffits and fascias

Jonny Garside 79 Regent Street, Stotfold 01462 732248 or 07951 473505

Planning to upgrade your

home in 2022?

Contact us for free advice and a no-obligation quote.

Turn your conservatory into a room for all seasons with our tiled roof system. Composite doors offering the latest security features and low maintenance in a huge range of colours.

Need more space? Our garden rooms come in a variety of sizes and configurations.

Modernise your home and connect your living space to your garden with Bifold or Sliding doors.

If you are looking to upgrade your existing windows or doors in PVCu, aluminium or wood contact your LOCAL, family run, Stotfold based experts.

Make more of your outside space with this fantastic range of aluminium pergolas.

T: 01462 730884 M: 07973 851414

Stotfold Calendar 2022

There is still time to grab yourself (or somebody you know) a copy of the ‘Stotfold in

Pictures’ 2022 calendar from Stotfold Town Council.

With spaces to write down all those important birthdays, anniversarys and appointments the A4 glossy calendar is the perfect way to never miss an important date!

All proceeds from the calendar are donated to the Stotfold Christmas Lights Fund and will help provide more festive decoration for the town for years to come...

Each photograph inside the calendar is a winning entry in the recent competition run by the Stotfold News Magazine to find the most wonderful selection of images from in and around our town.

There is a huge variety of beautiful

CLAIRE’S CAT SITTING

To purchase your simply call 01462 730064 or email enquiries@stotfoldtowncouncil.gov.uk

Hurry! - grab your wonderful piece of Stotfold memorabilia today for ONLY £6.

DON’T MISS OUT! photographs including local wildlife, Stotfold landmarks and activities synonymous with where we all live.

Stotfold based cat sitting service

Now in our 10th year! Your cats looked after in your own home while you are away, giving you complete peace of mind.I am fully insured & can feed your cats once or twice a day. Other small animals can also be catered for.

Please call Claire 07984 344 997

North Herts Road Runners

THE NEXT FIRST SAT OF THE MONTH 5K AT LETCHWORTH COMMON WILL BE ON 1ST JAN. STARTING AT 9AM.

We are now meeting at the Mrs

Howard centre in Letchworth on Tues

Thurs at 7pm

for training. Our qualified coaches help runners of all

abilities to improve their running and if

you are new to the area why not come

and join us. Further information on our website www.nhrr.org.uk or call ian 07506429928