Your letters Page 4,5 Update from Larksfield Surgery PPG Local News Page 8,9 Local Sport News Page 10,11

Update from Larksfield Surgery PPG

Larksfield Surgery’s new partnership

Larksfield Surgery would like to introduce you to our new partners. MKGP Plus Ltd are supporting the new partners in running the surgery. Collectively we have taken on the challenge to improve the way we care for our patients. Joining forces means the surgery will adopt new and more efficient processes, as well as getting some new friendly faces, including new management and GPs. We will keep you updated on our Facebook page, our website, through the PPG and for our analogue patients, when they call or visit us at the surgery.

Online Appointment booking enabled

Thanks to our new partnership Larksfield Surgery has re-introduced online appointment booking. Now you will be able to book telephone appointments through system online or the Airmid UK app, these slots will become available 2 weeks prior to the appointment date. If you have not already registered, you can request access to online services on our website www.larksfieldsurgery.co.uk Please note, for our online services you will need to complete the registration form on our website and visit the surgery with two forms of identification, including one photo ID.

Face to face appointments

Larksfield surgery has reintroduced some face-to-face appointments as there are conditions which require a face-to-face consultation and medical examination. Our team will advise you which clinician you are booked to see, this may not be a GP but it will always be a clinician who is able to see and treat your condition.

Larksfield is going paperless!!

Don't worry we'll still be taking your paper prescriptions at the surgery, but we do encourage you to order your prescription online where possible. Please be aware during busy periods, your prescription may take up to 72 hrs to be processed, so we would encourage you to submit your prescription 1 week before it runs out.

Larksfield Surgery, Arlesey Road, Stotfold, Herts SG5 4HB Appointments: 01462 732244 (Option 1) Test Results: 01462 732200 (Option 2)

Local News

Brown Owl bows out after 20 years of volunteering.

Retirement is a strange place to be, for I have loved every minute of providing a safe space for girls to grow and learn, make lifelong friends and create everlasting memories. When I moved to Stotfold in 2001, being new to the area I didn’t know anyone, and I commuted to my job in South Hertfordshire. I wanted to do something that would give back a little to the community I was now living in, and I wanted to get to know local people. Having been a Brownie, Guide and Venture Scout myself and the fact that my parents met when they were both Scout Leaders, Guiding was already in my blood. In 2002, I approached the District Commissioner and I volunteered to join any group that was in need of Leaders. I was placed with 4th Stotfold Brownies - There I stayed for the next 20 years.

Over the past 20 years I have seen hundreds of girls from Stotfold and the surrounding area start as a Rainbow, move on to being a Brownie and then becoming a Guide. Some of these girls have then become Young Leaders and even Adult Leaders. It has been a real pleasure to run weekly meetings, organise outings and Brownie camps. Weekly meetings are full of fun with arts and crafts, games and badgework. Many a fun time has been had staying on the rollercoaster and going around 5 times in a row, each time with a different Brownie, so they could each experience the thrill of the ride. The annual trip to the pantomime always brought much joy. Going on Camp is a real highlight for the Brownies and Leaders alike. Girls get to share dormitories with their friends and learn how to prepare and clear up after meals. Providing opportunities like this is very valuable to the girls, it gives them space to be themselves and to find out what they like to do. The pandemic hit hard and we had to stop what we love doing. Meetings became different and we met on Zoom. Keeping the momentum and enthusiasm going and keeping peoples spirits high was difficult. Meetings are now back to as they were pre-pandemic and we have regrown our units to full strength. For me, this is a good time to step down knowing that I leave Girlguiding, Stotfold, in a strong position with full units and healthy waiting lists. I would like to reach out to you though, the adults, and potential volunteers. Organisations like Girlguiding and Scouts cannot run without the volunteers,. From the start I have tried to “be the adult you needed as a child” . If I have done this for just one girl during my 20 years of Guiding, then mission accomplished!! I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers, many of whom have volunteered for much longer than I have. families. I am grateful that we live in such a wonderful community and that I have made a lot of friends along the way.

Dawn Peters, Brown Owl

Dawn Peters with daughter Lauren

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Local News

Bishop, MP, to join public in chalk river pilgrimage to protect River Ivel

The public is invited to join a chalk river pilgrimage starting at Ivel Springs Local Nature Reserve in Baldock, along the River Ivel, and ending at All Saints Church in Radwell, on Sunday 11 September. The walk is being organised by All Saints Church, Radwell and the RevIvel Association, which was formed in 2019 to protect the Ivel’s future. The river runs through Baldock, Radwell, Stotfold, Arlesey and Henlow and is one of just 250 chalk streams in the world. “We all have a responsibility to be good stewards to care for and help protect our local environment, ” said Revd Bill Britt, the Vicar of Radwell, Stotfold and Fairfield.

If they wish, those taking part in the walk can join in prayers at various points on the route, led by the Bishop of Bedford, the Rt Revd Richard Atkinson. After the walk, everyone is invited to a short church service at Radwell’s fourteenth century church, to pray for the stewardship of the River Ivel and that a healthy flow be restored so that it can provide a unique habitat in which special plants, invertebrates, fish, birds, and mammals can thrive. North East Herts MP Sir Oliver Heald, who helped set up an All-Party Parliamentary Group on Chalk Streams, will be joining the walk.

Historically, the Ivel was deep enough to be filled with fish while supporting four watermills, breweries and a watercress industry, but it is now a trickle. RevIvel believes that the upper reaches of the River Ivel are drying up because Affinity Water is taking too much water from the source of the river or from the aquifer.

The two-mile walk will begin at Ivel Springs Local Nature Reserve, north of Baldock at 2.00pm, followed by a short service at All Saint Church, Radwell at 3.30pm. We will leave at 2.00pm from the parking lot on Norton Road for the The Arena postcode - SG7 5AU (please check the route before arriving)

There will be refreshments in Radwell, where there are toilets at the campground.

RevIvel has worked with North East Herts MP Sir Oliver Heald, and are currently seeking investment to develop a range of alternative water sources, or significantly reduce water wastage.

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Local Sport News

Success for Stotfold Bowlers.

The members of Stotfold Bowls Club in Brook Street are delighted to announce the results of the Bedfordshire Ladies County Finals Weekend held at Stewartby Bowls Club.

Debbie Roe won the 2 Wood County Championship against Jackie Bryant of Potton Bowls Club and will represent Bedfordshire in the National Finals at Leamington. Debbie was also narrowly beaten by Jayne Christie in the County Singles Championship Final but will represent Bedfordshire at Leamington in this discipline too.

Elaine Blyth won the Unbadged Championship Final against Diane Bigley of Henlow Bowls Club and is the proud holder of the Irene Pyte Trophy.

Bedfordshire Men’s County Finals Weekend was held at Linslade Bowls Club and Mark Amos won the 2 Wood Final against Grant Osbourne of Sandy Con Bowls club.

Mark will also be representing Bedfordshire at the National Finals at Leamington in September.

Stotfold Bowls Club members would like to congratulate all three members on their success and wish them well in the future.

Debbie Roe, 2 Wood County Champion

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Local Sport News

Twirling success for local athletes.

Stotfold Twirlers and their 2 Bellettes members have had a fantastic year competing at both local, National and International level!

They started the year with regional and area competitions with most of their members taking part and winning many top three placings. In March, the group attended England Selections where Mila, Grace, Eleanor and Rheanna gained placings for the England squad for Eurocup Spain in July.

Stotfold twirlers had six Stotfold members and our Bellettes take part in BBTSA Nationals at Crawley in April, Lottie, Grace and Rheanna all came back as National Champions, with again many top seven placings for everyone.

Training didn’t stop for the twirlers as they then took part in the British Open competition in June, with Mila winning British Open champion in pairs and Grace winning 2nd place in Pair, their team also picked up 2nd place. The girls entering Solo and Freestyle also gained many top 7 placings.

The four girls attending Eurocup in Spain had a fantastic time representing

England, Grace won a silver Medal in the Junior Level A 2 Baton category, a fantastic achievement for her. Mila and Grace were in the Bellettes team placing 7th, Rheanna placed 6th and Eleanor placed 9th both in the Youth level B 2 Baton.

To end the competition season Grace is off to WBTF Worlds in Italy to compete in Pair with her Bellettes teammate Eliza.

If anyone is interested in joining the Twirlers, please contact Sonia Crook at Sonia.crook@hotmail.com

Pictured left to right, Mila, Rheanna, Grace and Eleanor.

Eleanor Marriage pictured left and Rheanna Bowles, right.