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ARLESEY TOWN COUNCIL NEWSLETTER SPRING 2008 County Councillors Cllr J Saunders 07850 542984 Cllr J Street 01462 730174 District Councillors Cllr I Dalgarno 01462 735510 Cllr H Harper 01462 731891 Town CouncillorsCllr H Harper – Chairman 01462 731891 Cllr I Dalgarno – Vice Chairman 01462 735510 Cllr Mrs D Archer 01462 731392 Cllr D Beatham 01462 730295 Cllr J Caffrey 01462 733997 Cllr N Daniels 07791 171755 Cllr Mrs H Frost 07904 667179 Cllr R Harris 07951 104995 Cllr C Howitt 01462 731437 Cllr Ms C Marshall 07931 862619 Cllr D Page 07790 927201 Cllr M Rainbow 07771 827337 Cllr Mrs S Sarll 01462 834176 Cllr D West 01462 834821 Cllr V Williams 01462 731767 Arlesey Town Councillors give their time on a voluntary basis, and are available to the residents of Arlesey to help sort out problems and grievances. District Councillors Hugh Harper and Ian Dalgarno will be holding a surgery every 3rd Tuesday of the month from 5.00pm to 6.30pm in the Village Hall. TOWN COUNCIL OFFICE Town Clerk: Mrs Elsie Hare Assistant Clerk: Mrs Lesley Rowe Town Council Office, Arlesey Community Centre, High Street, Arlesey, Beds SG15 6SN Telephone: 01462 733722 Fax: 01462 730860 E-mail: atc@4thenet.co.uk or www: arleseytc.co.uk atc1@4thenet.co.uk Arlesey Town Council Office is situated in the High Street in the centre of Arlesey, in the same complex as the Health Centre, Nursery and Lower School, Resource Centre and Village Hall. The office is open to the public Monday -Thursday between the hours of 9am-3pm and Friday 9am-12noon. Outside these hours you can contact us by fax or email (as listed above). The office is the focal point for the business of the Town Council and here you can view copies of the minutes of all Town Council meetings. By visiting the office you can also: View planning applications Report defective street lights Report potholes and other highway issues Rent allotments Get latest bus time tables Book the village hall Get advice on cemetery matters Doggy Bags We are always pleased to help with enquiries; if we cannot give an immediate answer we will look into it and report back. The Arlesey Town Council Web site is www.arleseytc.co.uk – please have a look. FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TOWN COUNCILThe Town Council has some challenging decisions before us, namely the Local Development Framework (LDF) and Anti Social Behaviour in the Town. Firstly the Local Development Framework. You will have had a leaflet delivered to your home with details of a consultation of issues and options for the future planning of housing and employment. The Town Council fully supports the proposals for the East and West of the High Street with a mixed use of housing, industrial, commercial and retail. Our reasons for supporting these proposals is following the Town Plan consultations a relief road and further retail businesses will be very much part of these developments. Arlesey has been identified as a Minor Service Centre in the merging Core Strategy but where significant development is proposed. We firmly believe that to reject these developments will jeopardise Arlesey for the future as a vibrant rural community. Many of the problems and issues identified in the past have been either directly or indirectly because there was no infrastructure in place. We will ensure that these mistakes are not made again. Secondly, the office receives numerous calls relating to the Anti Social Behaviour in the Town. I can assure you we are in daily contact with the police concerning these complaints and have regular meetings with PC Steve Holbrook. With the police support we are now applying to Mid Beds District Council for a blanket alcohol free zone licence for the whole of Arlesey Parish, this will help the police in cracking down on drink related crimes such as vandalism. We will continue to work in trying to stamp out unsociable behaviour. From April this year the Council will take over the management of the MUGA. We will be looking at ways to improve this facility. I am pleased to say with the continuous arrival of new books in the Resource Centre the use from residents has greatly increased. I would like to thank Heather and her staff for all their hard work in replacing the old books for new. Finally if you have any questions and concerns on the Local Development Framework or any other issues please contact me, myself or one of my colleagues who will always be available to talk to you. Dates for your diary 27 April 2008 – Civic Service 12 July 2008 – Family Fun Day Hugh Harper Mayor and Chairman of Arlesey Town Council THE TOWN COUNCILLORS Arlesey Town Council consists of 15 Town Councillors, who, on a voluntary basis, aim to provide an effective and efficient service to the community. In exercising their power as a corporate body, the Town Council operate under a strict Code of Conduct and on election must agree to work within this code. The leader of the Town Council is the Mayor, who chairs all Town Council meetings. The majority of Town Council business is undertaken through its various committees. The work of the committees involves making decisions and recommendations on behalf of the residents of Arlesey, many of which have financial implications. The committees consider how and why money is spent ensuring that expenditure is both appropriate and cost effective. The Town Council committees meet regularly and make recommendations to the full Town Council meeting, which meets on the first Tuesday of the month (except for August) at 7.00pm in Arlesey Village Hall. Residents can attend all meetings and are invited to speak at the Public Participation Sessions which are held at the beginning of the meetings. Further information from the Town Clerk. --------------------------------------------------------- TOWN COUNCIL COMMITTEES: Planning: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of monthThe Planning Committee considers and deals with all planning matters appertaining to Arlesey. If you wish to object to a planning application write to The Planning Officer, Mid Beds District Council, Priory House, Chicksands, Shefford, Beds SG17 5TQ. Environmental The Environmental Committee meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the months of January, March, May, July and October following the Planning Committee meeting. This committee is responsible for grass cutting, reporting highway and street lighting faults, the management of the play area and recreation field, public open spaces, public seats, footpaths and litterbins, and the BMX track and Skate Park facility. Property The Property Committee meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the months of February, April, June, September and November following the Planning Committee meeting. The Village Hall, Cemetery, allotments and MUGA are the responsibility of this committee. If you wish to hire the hall, reserve a plot in the Cemetery or rent an allotment, please call in at the Town Council Office. Due to vandalism in the Cemetery the gates will be closed from 8pm to 8am during the summer and dusk to 8am during the winter. Anyone wishing to access the Cemetery during the closed period please contact the Town Council Office during office hours, when arrangements can be made. Due to the ever increasing problem of parking in the Village Hall Car park, which is NOT the car park for either schools, it has been necessary to put in bollards to allow the staff working in the Medical Centre, Town Council Office and Resource Centre to park without confrontation. The allotment site is situated at the rear of Hillary Rise and is reached via the track at the side of Arlesey Nursery School and Gothic Mede Lower School. At the present time we have a waiting list for allotments. General Purposes and Finance: 3rd Tuesday each month The General Purposes and Finance Committee deals with all other business of the Council, the precept to be levied on the District Council, to recommend the payments of any donations, grants or non routine payments. It also deals with the general financial administration of the Council’s affairs including administration of personnel management. Arlesey’s wonderful War Memorial is looked after by this Committee, as is the financial and budgeting aspect of the Council and the running of the Resource Centre. Public Relations Committee The Public Relations Committee promotes and publicises the Town Council and its activities. Activities held in the Village Hall include: Monday - 1.30-3.00pm Kidsercise Tuesday - 9-11.30am Parents and Toddlers, Toy Library - 7.00pm Town Council 1st and 3rd TuesdayWednesday - 5.30-8.15pm Dance Beat Thursday - 9-11.30am Parents and Toddlers, Toy Library 6.15-8.15pm Weight Watchers Friday - 2-4pm Short Mat Bowls
To book the Village Hall for your parties and special occasions please contact the Town Council Office. If you have any interesting information that you would like to be included in the next newsletter please send it to the Town Council Office for consideration.
ARLESEY MEDICAL CENTRE Currently the surgery is running at capacity with almost 2100 patients registered. This is putting significant pressure on appointment availability as some of you may have realised. We always aim to ensure patients can be seen within 48 hours and reserve a small number of appointments for genuine emergencies. For review of medications and results of tests (blood, xrays etc) such appointments are routine and cannot be booked for the same day. The Primary Care Trust recognise these pressures and to assist with appointments, we now have a Nurse Prescriber, Liz Wade, who runs two sessions a week. She can deal with many minor injuries and illnesses, thus leaving the doctor able to use his expertise in dealing with more difficult problems. In the next financial year we are hoping for some additional sessions to be run by a doctor and will let you know of any developments. We would remind adult patients who have internet access that appointments can be booked with the doctor online at any time of the day or night. This service is now been extended so that appointments can be booked through digital television sets or WAP enabled mobile phones. Patients must register at the surgery for this service and further information can be obtained at Reception. We also have a website with full details of our services and where we will post any news affecting patients. From the website you can book your appointment with the doctor and also communicate with the surgery on non-urgent matters. In due course it is expected that repeat prescriptions can be ordered through the website. The address is:- www.arleseymedicalcentre.nhs.uk Health Shuttle to Lister Hospital Just as a reminder, the shuttle is available to our patients who wish to travel to Lister Hospital Monday to Fridays (excluding Bank Holidays). Leaflets giving details of the service are available at the surgery, or call the Health Shuttle Desk on 01438 726219.
LOCAL BEAT MANAGER Report from Arlesey Beat Manager Firstly let me wish all of you a somewhat belated New Year. I would like to take this opportunity to give you an update of what has been happening in your community since November 2007. The recorded crime figures over November and December are as follows: House Burglaries: 2 Burglary to Other Buildings: 2 Criminal Damage: 18 Theft from Motor Vehicles: 3 Theft of Motor Vehicles: 1 Violent Crime: 4 Theft etc: 5 Fraud: 0 Drug Offences: 0 All Other Crime: 0 As you can see Criminal Damage is by far the highest area of recorded crime. I would urge anyone who witnesses any of these offences to either contact Bedfordshire Police by telephone on 01234 841212 or myself on 01234 842513 or by email at steven.holbrook@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk I would also like to take this opportunity to invite you to attend one of the Mobile Police Station days that are held in Arlesey. This is hosted by PCSO 4617 Patrizia Vetere and they are your opportunity to meet and engage with your Neighbourhood Police Team. We also offer a property marking service at these events, where we will mark bicycles, mobility scooters and mobile telephones. We also supply ‘Sat Nav’ their prevention kits at the events, as this is currently one of the main items of property that are targeted. There are a few measures that can be taken in an attempt to prevent this and they are as simple as: 1. Removing the device from the vehicle, including the cradle and cable. 2. Once the cradle has been removed use a cloth to wipe away the ring marks that are left on the windscreen as a result of the suction cap. 3. If you are leaving the device in the vehicle, hide it and refer to point 2 above. If you require any other information or advice please do not hesitate to contact any of the numbers above, and if you are wanting to report a crime that you are witnessing happening or you require immediate Police attention please dial 999. PC Steve Holbrook With the introduction by the Government of Neighbourhood Policing and Safer Neighbourhood Teams, which include all statutory and voluntary partners, we believe that the time has come to re-visit this consultation mechanism. We hope to engage with local residents and community groups to ensure that we deliver a service more aligned with the expectations of the population in general. Although the consultation will be co-ordinated through Bedfordshire Police Neighbourhood Police officers, all replies will be considered and forwarded to the most appropriate partner for action. Thus if you were to identify litter as a priority we would bring this to the attention of Mid Beds District Council, we would however work with the Council to deal with any issues. We would like you, as a local resident to identify up to 3 issues, which affect / concern you and forward them to me either by post or e-mail Your Safer Neighbourhood Team will then target their work to incorporate those issues you have highlighted. We will work with other agencies to deliver against those priorities and we will record our activity to report back every 3rd month. PC Steve Holbrook Biggleswade Police Station Station Road Biggleswade Beds SG18 8AL Email: SNT.Arlesey@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk These are the two winning road safety posters created by pupils at gothic Mede Lower School
Katie Cleverly Year 4
Ella Burns Year 3 NO COLD CALLING ZONE The Town Council has supported the initiative from the Bedfordshire Bogus Caller Task Force which means Arlesey is a “No Cold Calling Zone”. Leaflets available from the Town Council office. Bogus Caller Hotline – 08454 040506, if anyone starts cold calling, residents are asked to contact the Hotline immediately. NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH Our Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in Arlesey has been fairly quiet in recent years and sadly we have not replaced some Street Co-ordinators who have left. Arlesey has grown considerably and the newer estates – Howberry Green, Ramerick Gardens, Glossop Way, Chapel Drive, St John’s Road, Wesley Close, The Hermitage, Chancellors – plus many established areas are not covered at all by Neighbourhood Watch. As the name implies, Neighbourhood Watch is simply that – keeping a watch in the area where you live, i.e. being aware of unknown vehicles or persons hanging around, helping neighbours when they are on holiday by moving papers and post from doors, moving bins and so on. It DOES NOT mean being a “nosey parker” – nor is it a vigilante group. We have a Beat Officer and a PCSO who are both helpful and supportive but without the public’s help their hands are tied. Could I ask anyone who is interested in becoming a Street Co-ordinator to contact me and I will pass on details. It will not cost you anything – you will need the support of as many of your neighbours as possible, and of necessity, you will be subject to a police check. Some time after the death of my husband I took on the role of Arlesey Area Co-ordinator, a role which I find that I can no linger fulfil. Family commitments are are a priority and it really needs someone who is much younger than me, preferably with a computer to easily access information between the Police and the Co-ordinators, and who has the time to target the new areas of the town. My telephone number is 01462 731647 – please call if you feel that you can help your community in any way. TOWN PLAN UPDATE Traffic & Transport Three new interactive signs have now been installed. Relief road has been identified with a suitable corridor. Housing plans to be developed with better infrastructure. Leisure Resource Centre now has a long term agreement with the County Council. Developers are being encouraged to provide better playground facilities. The Town Council’s Family Fun Day and Arlesey in Bloom are now annual events. Environment Dog fouling: the Council are identifying problem areas. The green spaces and wildlife have been identified with suitable areas. Community Facilities New bus shelters have now been installed. Adult evening classes continue in the Resource Centre. Health The local pharmacy is now excellent. The Town Plan Group are still very much active and will continue to work for the good of the Town. They would like to thank Langford Garden Centre for their donation of bulbs that have been planted around Arlesey. Free insulation for over 70s 100% grant funded loft and cavity wall insulation is now available to all residents aged 70 years and above. This offer, which became available earlier this year, is made irrespective of your income and savings and whether or not you are in receipt of benefits. In fact, the only requirement is proof of age and name and address. For most households, insulating has never made better financial sense. Following autumn’s record oil prices and surging wholesale gas and electricity prices, insulation could be our last best defence against rising energy bills in 2008. All homeowners and private tenants qualify for discounted loft and cavity wall insulation. Fully insulating your home could easily reduce your fuel bills by £100 a year. The payback time is typically short and the long term financial and environmental benefits are high. For more information, contact the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512 012. WASTE DISPOSAL Refuse collection scheme – Collection day for Arlesey is Friday (you will be informed of any changes to this for example Christmas and Public Holidays) MBDC will collect all domestic waste that is placed at the property boundary, in a wheelie bin or sack – bins should be left ready for collection by 7am. When the contractor is at fault MBDC will collect reported missed bins within 24 hours. Report missed bins on - 08452 304040 MBDC WILL PROVIDE ASSISTED COLLECTIONS FOR THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM UPON REQUEST – 08452 304040 Fortnightly Collection Dry Recyclable (green lidded bin) and Garden Waste (2 polypropylene bags) is collected one week and Residual Household Waste (wheelie bin) the next. WHEELIE BIN: Domestic Waste ONLY DO NOT place paint, oil, clinical waste, commercial waste, poisonous or noxious waste, scrap metal, soil and building materials in this bin, Waste produced as a result of construction or demolition will not be collected. PLEASE DO NOT PUT MATERIALS FOR RECYCLING IN THIS BIN. COMING SOON NEW WEEKLY FOOD WASTE COLLECTION Soon you will have a brown kitchen caddy and a brown outside collection bin. These will be for food waste and will be collected on a weekly basis. Yes Please: Meat and fish – raw and cooked Raw and cooked vegetables and fruit including peelings All dairy products such as cheese and eggs (including shells) Breads, pastries and cakes Pasta, rice and beans Teabags and coffee grounds Uneaten leftovers from dishes and plates (including fish bones) Out of date food No Thanks: Bones from meat Liquids like cooking oil, fruit juice or soup Packaging of any sort Plastic bags or wrappings Green Waste and Green Lidded Bins (recyclable waste) to be placed out for collection together, GREEN WASTE: Two polypropylene bags are provided by MBDC for your hedge and grass clippings. No soil or building waste – these will not be collected GREEN LIDDED BIN: This bin is recyclable materials only. Materials that can be placed in the green lidded bin are: Food and drink cans (aluminium and steel) and aerosols Plastic bottles eg washing up bottles Magazines, newspapers, junk mail, directories & catalogues including Yellow Pages Cardboard packaging (cereal, detergent boxes etc) Place all these materials loose in your green lidded bin: please do not bag your recyclables. EXCESS RUBBISH OR WRONG RUBBISH IN BIN WILL NOT BE COLLECTED. To prevent smells arising from bin – double wrap food waste that cannot go in the new food waste bins before putting in bin – storing your bin out of direct sunlight can also help prevent smells – keep the lid of your bin firmly closed to prevent animals and flies getting in. Nappies should be double wrapped to hold in smells. COMPLAINTS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO MID BEDS ON 08452 304040 ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE. Your Local Recycling Sites In Arlesey, recycling bins are at: Bury Mead car park: Clear, green and brown bottles/ jars Football Club car park: Clear, green and brown bottles /jars (Hitchin Road) Methodist Church car park: Paper (newspaper, magazines, etc) (High Street) - helps to raise funds for Methodist Church. For further information contact your local council on 08452 304040 Your Home Composting Scheme You can also compost your garden waste using a home compost bin. You can put fruit and vegetable peelings in a home composter that can’t go in the kerbside garden waste container or to the Household Waste Recycling Centres. To order a reduced price home compost bin from your local council call: 08451 306090 Your Nearest Household Waste Recycling Scheme Biggleswade, Bells Brook telephone 01767 313684 From the A1 turn into Biggleswade on the A6001. At the first roundabout turn left towards Sainsburys, The site is on the left past the Sainsburys car park entrance. For further information on recycling in Bedfordshire visit Beds County Council website www.recycle-now.co.uk You may be required to obtain a permit before you enter the sites. This depends on the type of waste you want to deposit and the vehicle you are using. The permits are totally free of charge but must be obtained before you visit the site. For further information pick up a leaflet from site staff or call: 01234 408386 or visit www.bedfordshire.gov.uk/wastepermit DOG FOULING DOG FOULING IS NOT ONLY UNSIGHTLY AND ANTI-SOCIAL, IT IS A HEALTH HAZARD. WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR CHILD TO PICK UP A BALL COVERED IN FAECES? THE TOWN COUNCIL CONTINUES TO MAKE NUMEROUS REQUESTS FOR OWNERS TO PICK UP THEIR DOGS’ FAECES ESPECIALLY IN THE RECREATION FIELD – IT IS A VERY GREAT DANGER TO CHILDREN (may cause blindness) – AND THE TOWN COUNCIL WILL NOT HESITATE TO PROSECUTE ANYONE NOT CLEARING UP AFTER THEIR DOGS. New dog fouling legislation in Mid Beds – The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. These are areas where everyone who exercises their dog MUST CLEAN UP after it has messed. Failing to do so is a red card offence and conviction could lead to a fine of UP TO £1,000. The law enables a £25 ON THE SPOT PENALTY to be given. For further information on: · The new regulations · Dog tagging · Responsible dog ownership · Micro-chipping · Toilet training for dogs Call the Dog Warden on 0845 8495 390 THE “FOUL FREE ZONES” are the following areas: + All roads with a speed limit of 40mph or below and all adjoining paths and verges + All parks, amenity and recreation land owned or managed by Beds County Council, Mid Beds District Council or Arlesey Town Council. + All land where organised ball games are played + All churchyards or cemeteries + All hard surfaced footpaths and adjoining grassed or landscaped area. ARLESEY TOWN COUNCIL
DOGGY BAGS
There is no need to let your dog foul on the recreation field where children play
WE HAVE DOGGY BAGS IN THE OFFICE please call in and collect them Office hours: Monday to Thursday 9am – 3pm Friday 9am to 12 noon IMPORTANT DATES IN ARLESEY’S HISTORY 1180: The church was originally built about 1180 by the monks of Waltham Abbey in Essex 1220: About this time the church was widened and windows put in 1646: Sir Samuel Brown, having done well as a judge in London, bought Arlesey Manor and settled down to live the life of a country gentleman 1750: The Parish of Astwick was unable to provide for a priest of its own, so it was combined with Arlesey 1800: The church tower fell down and was replaced by a small wooden steeple it was later replaced by a stone tower 1804: Arlesey Enclosure Act passed 1805: The White Horse at 243 High Street opened 1840: The Lamb Hotel opened the whole site covered some 6 acres of land 1845: The Three Tuns, 86 High Street opened 1850: The Great Nothern Railway opened linking London to the North via York. It was this railway development that encouraged the growth of the brick making industry in the Arlesey area. The original station at Arlesey was known as Arlesey and Shefford Road 1852: Brickworks opened in the South of the Parish by Robert Beart of Godmanchester, described at the time as ‘immense works’. By 1858 the annual production was estimated to be 8,000,000 bricks plus 1,000,000 agricultural drainage pipes. By the late 1860s Beart’s had been joined at Arlesey by three other brickworks all ranged alongside the railway 1857: The True Briton public house opened 1857: The opening of a tramway from the GNR Line to the site of The Three Counties Asylum to carry the construction material and later goods and passengers to the Asylum. The track was lifted in 1953 1860: Three Counties Asylum opened. On the 8 March the first patients were admitted, six men and six women were transferred from the Bedford Asylum. Their ages ranged from 27 to 77 years and their history of hospitalisation from 7 weeks to 34 years 1861: There were 460 patients in the Asylum, 212 men and 248 women and during the year 44 patients had been discharged and 47 had died. On average 125 men and 131 women were regularly employed. Of these 66 men worked in the garden and farm while 33 women worked regularly in the laundry and wash house MORE DATES TO FOLLOW IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER Arlesey - the pits! Looking around the village it is obvious that there have been a lot of holes dug. The older locals tended to refer to them as pits, be them sand pits, clay pits or chalk pits. This long association with pits has now more or less come to an end with the closing of the landfill tipping at the former London Brick Pit. There were actually four brickworks at the southern end of the village. Many have long gone and not even some of the older residents would be able to recall them. One such works was situated south of the landfill site in Mill Lane and is shown on the ordnance Survey map of 1891 (with details from 1840). This was accessed via a track next to the houses south of the cemetery and shows both chalk pits and a brickworks. Many small pits were dug by local farmers for chalk to spread on the fields. However the pit now known as the ‘Blue Lagoon’ was commercially quarried for the production of cement. In its heyday in 1903 1,500 tons of lime and cement was produced weekly. The cement was marketed as Eddystone Cement. More information can be found on the web at http://www.bluelagoon.org.uk/history.asp. At the North end of the village, the Arlesey Station Gault Brickworks was opened by James McCallum Craig in 1882 now Etonbury Farm. This was originally the site of Hermitage Farm. The new estate off Stotfold Road, The Hermitage, is built on part of the former holding. The brickworks produced Yellow Gault Bricks (Arlesey Whites). After being brought out by Eastwoods & Co in 1890 Craig moved back to Peterborough to become involved in the Fletton Brick industry. The brickworks finally ceased operations in 1907 and the works were dismantled during World War II. Eastwoods & Co applied to re-open the ‘diggins’ in 1947 and although permission was granted in 1952 this was never taken up as by then it was thought economically unviable. Permissions are still in place to work the site south of the former brickworks in Mill Lane, but I doubt if in the current economical and environmental climate this would be commercially viable. With pits you get landfill and this has also had long associations with Arlesey. The site that has recently closed first started taking household waste in 1951. Prior to that, well over a hundred years ago household waste was carried from London via the railway. This was buried in a pit where the current industrial site in Mill Lane is situated. It could be said that the first to deposit their waste in Arlesey were the dinosaurs, as in the late 1800’s coprolite was dug and taken away to be converted into fertiliser. Coprolite is the phosphate rich remains of both dinosaur droppings and bones. Although nodules of phosphate rich rock do occur naturally in some rock formations, this is not the case in Arlesey. Bernard O’Connor, a local expert, has written many interesting articles and short books on the subject of coprolite and its industry.
ARLESEY FAMILY FUN DAY Put the date in your diaries – 12 July 2008 11.00am to 5.00pmHopefully the weather will be kind again for this year’s Family Fun Day, we hope to have lots of attractions and stalls. If you are interested in having a stall or organising an arena event please contact Elsie or Lesley at the Town Council office. There will be a fancy dress competition for different age groups – start planning your costume now. There will be an Arlesey in Bloom Competition, there should be an entry form inside this newsletter, if not call into the Council Office for one.
or Best Hanging Basket
Look out for the age categories for the Fancy Dress Competition ARLESEY GROUPS A.P.P.L.E. (Arlesey Plays and Productions for Light Entertainment) Arlesey’s very own amateur dramatic group. New members very welcome. Contact APPLE secretary 01462 641431. AISLE O’VAR BACKSWORDING CLUBBE LTD “Bringing England’s Country Heritage to Life!” Have you ever thought about learning Historical European Martial Arts? Well now’s your chance! Come and learn the ancient and noble science of defence both armed and unarmed. Study the art of the English single handed broadsword/Backsword Circa 1600 and that most excellent ancient English country sport of backswording with Aisle O’var backswording Clubbe. Held at Arlesey Youth Centre. Sessions run from 7pm to 8.30pm, You must prebook your place. Places are limited and will be on a first come first serve basis. Male/Female Ages 16+. For further information or to book your place. Contact Pete on 01462 733874 or email info@backswording.co.uk. Further information can also be found on our web site www.backswording.co.uk ARLESEY HISTORICAL ARCHIVE GROUP The Historical Archive Group was set up by the Town Council’s Public Relations Committee. The archive material is managed from the Town Council Office and at the present time this is being categorised by the group. If you are interested in becoming involved or in donating archive material please contact Mrs Lesley Rowe at the Town Council Office. The Group are always on the look out for old photographs of Arlesey, if you have any you think they may be interested in and you are willing to lend them to the group they would scan them and return them to you within days. The Archive Group will be taking photographs of Arlesey as it is today, if you do not want your property photographed could you please notify the Town Council Office. TWO BLUES ART GROUPThe Adult Art Group meets each week at Arlesey Town Football Club on Thursdays from 9.30am to 12noon. There is no annual fee only 50p per week towards tea/coffee and a Christmas Dinner. And membership to Arlesey Town Football Club is a nominal fee. There is no tutor, but we help each other as we have different abilities. Come and see what we do and have a coffee and a chat, you would be most welcome. Contact: Chris White – 01462 639468 or Arlesey Town Football Club on 01462 734504 VIVACE Vivace is your exciting LOCAL SATB choir which rehearses every Wednesday (7.30pm) during school term-time at Edgeworth House, 121 High Street, Arlesey SG15 6SX. We give a concert every term, sing at weddings and other events, and have enjoyable social functions. Recent music has been by Mozart, Bernstein, Rossini, Gilbert and Sullivan and others. Details can be found on our website www.vivacechoir.co.uk, including information on our conductor John Andrews and pianist Kate Elmitt, both busy professionals in the music world. For further information contact Kate Elmitt on 01462 622222 or elmitt@btinternet.com ARLESEY COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE Resource Centre Manager - Mrs Heather McLaughlin. It is now a year since Arlesey Resource Centre was taken over by the Town Council, we are pleased to report that there has already been an increase in the use of this facility. Regular monthly meetings have taken place with good reports from the Centre Manager. In the main that with the increase of new books in the library has come an increase in children’s and adult issues, the children’s issues being the larger part of the borrowing. Members of the library can request and renew books on line and new members will shortly be able to join on line. Arlesey Resource Centre now appears on the Bedfordshire Virtual Library website and a library link has also been added to the Town Council’s website. The Spark Adult Learning Course started in the autumn. This was a Painting, Drawing and Water Colour Techniques evening course and has again this year been so successful it will go continue into the summer term. Yoga classes will start on 15 April 2008 from 9.20am to 10.50am. There was a good response last year to the Children’s Summer Reading Challenge and this year we participated in the Bedfordshire Libraries winners’ scheme. So come and drop in there is always something interesting going on at the Resource Centre The Resource Centre comes under the running of the Resource Centre Strategy Group and reports to the General Purpose/Finance Group. At a recent meeting we gave an annual report to Barry George Head of Libraries at Bedfordshire County Council. He also reported back to the meeting that he was pleased with the first year’s results and figures and appreciated all the work that had been done in the last year. The Resource Centre Strategy Group consists of: Cllr Hugh Harper (Town Council Chairman) Mrs Heather Mclaughlin (RC Manager) Cllr Ian Dalgarno (Town Council Vice-Chairman) Mrs Doreen Rix (Group Adviser) County Cllr John Street Mrs Elsie Hare (Town Clerk) The Centre is open to the public as a library and business facility for word processing, photocopying, faxing, laminating, colour printing/copying. There are 6 computer stations available during the opening hours for word processing and internet use. It is also available for public hire outside its opening times and hosts a variety of Adult Education Courses during term time run by Spark Adult Learning, these vary throughout the year, Computing for Beginners, Yoga, Drawing and Watercolours, Digital Photography and Web Design are just a selection of the subjects that have been held over the last few terms. During the School Term there is Craft & Story time every Friday morning between 10.00am – 11.00am for under 5’s and their carers, a small charge is made to cover refreshments and craft materials. Opening times: Monday Closed Tuesday 1.00pm – 5.30pm Wednesday 8.30am – 12.00pm Thursday 1.00pm – 5.30pm Friday 9.00am – 12.00pm Saturday 10am – 1.00pm Tel/Fax: 01462 731469 Email: enquiries@arleseyresourcecentre.org.uk CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES ARLESEY PRE-SCHOOLArlesey Pre-School is held at the WI hall. We offer a warm friendly environment and quality childcare by qualified staff for children from 2-5 years. We are ofsted registered and fully insured. All needs are catered for and children don’t have to be potty trained. We are open 5 days a week and offer luncheon club Tuesday and Thursday.Please call in and see us anytime or telephone. 07815 293670
Arlesey Parent and Toddler Group Do you live in Arlesey or surrounding area? Do you have a baby or toddler?
Would you like to meet other parents and enjoy a cuppa and a chat? YES then come and join us!
We meet during term time, every Tuesday and Thursday in the village hall between 9.00 and 11.30am. We welcome all parents with children under 5.
It’s a great place to meet other parents, and a fun environment for your children to play and make new friends!
The cost per session is just £1.50 per adult, which includes refreshments and raffle. Hope to see you soon! Contact: Justine Mills on 07929 418190
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