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ARLESEY TOWN COUNCIL NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2009 Central Bedfordshire Councillors Cllr I Dalgarno 01462 735510 Cllr J Saunders 07850 542984 Cllr J Street 01462 730174 Cllr Mrs C Turner 01462 835962 Town Councillors Cllr H Harper – Chairman 01462 731891 Cllr I Dalgarno – Vice Chairman 01462 735510 Cllr Mrs D Archer 01462 731392 Cllr D Beatham 01462 730295 Cllr Mrs L Bowskill 01462 731348 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 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. Town 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 Admin Assistant: Miss Heidi Clark 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 Library, Youth 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) or leave a message on the answerphone. 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· Pick up doggy bagsWe 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 COUNCILWelcome to the summer edition of the Arlesey Town Council newsletter. The Local Development framework is now going through the process of identifying the sites for housing development. I will keep you informed when a decision is given on the sites for Arlesey. To keep you up to date on the progress of the Alcohol Free Zone, it does seem that I keep informing you that it is now nearing implementation only to find that the process is very slow. The Town Council have been working hard in identifying the areas that are in need of policing. It is now with the Legal Services at Central Bedfordshire who are in the process of going to public consultation for their views, this I am informed will take about a couple of months to complete, following that we do hope it will soon be up and running. We are now looking for more land to be used for allotments, we have identified a piece that is available and will be investigating its potential. We now do have a waiting list for plots and hope we will be able to meet the demand. The Arlesey Safety Group has now been re-formed and meets regularly in the Village Hall. If anyone is interested in joining will they please get in touch with me. We are currently looking at areas of particular concern, vandalism and speeding traffic. It is hoped that further play equipment will soon be installed in the play area on the field behind the school. We do have the funding available to do this. The MUGA has now had a planning application to upgrade the play area and additions and renovations to the pavilion approved. When the funding is available work will begin. It is our intention to make this more accessible for all kinds of sport. I am more than pleased to tell you the Resource Centre is now going from strength to strength with many activities now being held there, my thanks to Heather and her team for their hard work. I have to again thank Elsie, Lesley and Heidi for all their support they continue to give me, also, their dedication in the daily running of the office. This year we have our FUN DAY again on Saturday 18 July on the recreation field. We have many attractions coming also the helicopter returning again. I do hope you can join us and we get a nice sunny dry day. Finally, as always if you have any problems or concerns please contact me. 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. ACTIVITIES HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL INCLUDE: Tuesday - 8-8.45am Tae Kwon Do - 9-11.30am Parents and Toddlers, Toy Library - 7.00pm Town Council 1st and 3rd Tuesday Wednesday - 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. ARLESEY COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE & LIBRARY Manager: Mrs Heather McLaughlin. It is now over 2 years since the Town Council took on the Arlesey Resource Centre and Library and we are pleased to report that there has been a continual increase in the use of this facility, not only as a Library and Resource Centre but as a popular meeting point for the community where many activities are now held. The Resource Centre is managed by Mrs Heather McLaughlin and comes under the running of the Resource Centre Strategy Group reporting to the General Purpose/Finance Committee. The Library stock is constantly being updated with new books for both adults and children offering a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction, many of these being recent book releases. The Centre is open to the public as a library and business facility for word processing, photocopying, faxing, laminating and colour printing/copying. It has 6 computer stations available during opening hours for word processing, homework and internet use. Members of the library can request and renew books on line. Arlesey Resource Centre appears on the Bedfordshire Virtual Library website and a library link has also been added to the Town Council’s website. The Courses and Activities at the Centre. Kundalini Yoga Classes are held on Tuesday mornings at 9.20am to 10.50am and Wednesday evenings at 7.20pm to 8.50 pm – for further details call Jane Oppegaard on 01462 731543 or the Resource Centre on 01462 731469 NCT ( National Childbirth Trust) Antenatal Courses – for further information please contact Lisa Oestreicher on tel: 01462 735985 or email: lisaandmartin@talktalk.net NCT Bumps and Babes Classes – Monday’s 1.15 -2.45 pm for Mums-to-be/carers of young babies, this is an excellent opportunity to meet expectant mums and new parents for support and socialising. £1.00 donation to cover refreshments. Contact Jessica tel: 01462 733369 Rhyme Time - Singalong and Stories with musical instruments These sessions are provided by our local Sure Start Children’s Centre Tuesday - under 5’s 2.15 -3.00pm Wednesdays - 2 - 5 years 9.30 -10.15am - under 2’s 10.30 -11.15am For further details and booking, which is recommended as places are limited contact the Resource Centre on 01462 731469 NEW - Baby Massage Classes Friday’s 1.30pm - 3.30pm starting June 12th – July 17th These sessions are provided by our local Sure Start Children’s Centre To book a place, phone the Resource Centre on 01462 731469 Story Time and CraftsEvery Friday morning Term Time between 10.15am – 11.15am for under 5’s and their carers. A small charge is made to cover refreshments and craft materials. Booking is not necessary. So come along and join the Library or just drop in there is always something going on. 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 10.00am – 1.00pm The Resource Centre is available for public hire outside its opening times. Contact: The Manager on Tel/Fax: 01462 731469 Email: enquiries@arleseyresourcecentre.org.uk Website: www.arleseyresourcecentre.org.uk ARLESEY MEDICAL CENTRE The number of patients registered at the surgery continues to grow and is now approaching 2250. As before there is 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 recognises these pressures and to assist with appointments, we now have an additional clinician, Dr Michael Croft, who works here on Tuesdays. Dr Croft also works with us on Wednesdays in place of Dr Attias. 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. We believe patients will find this an added convenience and saves trying to speak to the surgery at our busier times. 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 and eventually new patients may be able to register online. The address is:- www.arleseymedicalcentre.nhs.uk The surgery is open:- Monday 08.00 – 12.00 14.00 – 18.00 Tuesday 08.00 – 12.00 14.00 – 18.00 Wednesday 08.00 – 11.00 Thursday 08.00 – 12.00 14.00 – 18.00 Friday 08.00 – 12.00 14.00 – 18.00 Outside these hours please telephone the surgery on 01462 628128 to access emergency care. 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. OPERATION PINLOCK – THE BLUE LAGOON MURDERThe decapitated body of 26-year-old Michael Gilbert was pulled from the Blue Lagoon on Sunday May 10th having been put there at the end of January. His body was wrapped in layers of plastic and in a wheelbarrow. Detectives from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit are investigating his murder and want to speak to anyone who has information about his death or may have seen the people responsible disposing of his body in the lake. Enquiries have established that Michael was killed on or around the 21st of January 2009 and that his body was then dismembered and disposed of in the Blue Lagoon in Arlesey. Detective Chief Inspector Jon Humphries is leading the murder enquiry. He said: “Our enquiries are beginning to uncover the facts surrounding the murder of Michael Gilbert and as a result we have established that he was actually killed in January this year. Clearly this affects the time scales of the investigation and I would therefore like to renew my appeal for anyone who has information about what happened to Michael to contact the police. “Our original appeal was to people who frequent the Blue Lagoon in Arlesey only went back two weeks from when his body was discovered on Sunday May 10. We clearly need to be appealing to anyone who may have seen someone, or people acting suspiciously in and around the lake at the start of the year. So anyone who was around the lake at the end of January, particularly around 21st and 22nd, is urged to come forward and speak to the police.” “It is important to remember that daylight hours are short at this time of the year so it may have been dark when people were there. I would make a direct appeal to dog walkers and ask ‘Were you walking your dog at the time?’ as we believe those responsible may have encountered a dog walker who disturbed them.” Michael was from Luton and is survived by his mother, sister, three brothers and nephews and nieces. In a statement issued by his family he was described as the ‘BFG’ the Big Friendly Giant. They said: “He was only 26 when he was murdered and we are still shocked by what has happened to him, words cannot describe the anger we feel. Michael wouldn’t hurt a soul – he didn’t have it in him. He has been brutally murdered. If anyone has information about what happened to him and why then please contact the police and help bring his killers to justice.” Anyone with information about Michael’s murder should contact the Operation Pinlock Major Incident Room on 01707 355959, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or text Bedfordshire Police on 07786 200011. LOCAL BEAT MANAGER Report for the last 12 months: Anti-Social Behaviour: The reports of ASB between March ‘08 and February ’09 have been lower than the previous year. A lot of work has been undertaken through partnership to tackle the issues as they have arisen. The most recent example being the Operation between MBDC, British Transport Police and Beds Police at Arlesey Railway Station. In 2008 restructuring work was completed at the Blue Lagoon and we have seen our best period for reports of ASB from this location. The Community Safety Group has also reformed and is in the very early stages of re-establishing itself as another tool to help the community. The monthly breakdown is as follows: 2008: March - 14 September - 25 April - 26 October - 22 May - 22 November - 10June - 24 December - 14 July - 48 2009: January - 15 August - 36 February - 28 This gives a total of 284 incidents for the year with the worst months being July and August, which coincides with the School summer break. November saw the least amount of ASB reported, which is a surprise when the same month in 2007 caused the highest level of complaints for 2007. Crime: There have been a total of 207 crimes recorded for the period, which averages 17 per month. This is a fall of 26% on the total crime recorded in the previous year. However there were still significant peeks in recorded crime, which have greatly affected the total, these being May and December. The monthly breakdown is as follows: 2008: March - 17 September - 26 April - 14 October - 13May - 32 November - 12 June - 10 December - 30 July - 19 2009: January - 14 August - 11 February - 9 If anyone requires any more information please do not hesitate to contact me on: 01234 842513 or 01234 841212 or by email at steven.holbrook@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk or SNT.Arlesey@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk 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, Biggleswade Police Station, Station Road, Biggleswade, Beds SG18 8AL Cold Calling ZoneTrading Standards has designated the whole of Bedfordshire a No Cold Calling area, and incidents of Cold Calling can be reported directly to Trading Standards. There is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding surrounding the No Cold calling scheme so here are a few pointers to help make some sense. No Cold Calling zones are not legally enforceable and callers do not break any law at the first point of contact (they may do so if they are allowed to progress). The scheme is designed to notify traders that they are likely to be challenged or turned away, and to remind householders that they can say no, and should not consider it rude to do so. Many callers will be genuine but you should consider whether you would have bought their product if the caller, often using high pressure tactics, had not called. Don’t be panicked into buying or paying for services. If your roof does need attention the chances are it will wait another 24 hours, while you get your own quotes, and find out if it’s really necessary. Most high value purchases should be considered carefully, and quotes obtained from 2 or 3 companies in order to get the best deal. Ask neighbours where they obtained similar services, or products or contact Trading Standards Approved: 01234 228280 (or visit the website at www.bedfordshire.gov.uk/tsapproved) NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH As we start the summer we must all be aware that crime does not stop. We must all be on our guard by keeping garages, sheds and outhouses securely locked at all times. Keep all tools under lock and key. Keep your eyes open for that stranger strolling around, also strange cars and vans, which could contain those uninvited guests who would break into and steal from our property. Due to the present recession we will find that villains will be more interested in our unlocked doors and windows especially to the rear of your property. Local Beat Officer PC Steve Holbrook has stated that the Neighbourhood Watch is doing well in Arlesey and we must keep the pressure on. Telephone 999 if a crime is spotted and also inform your street co-ordinator if known or contact John Button on 01462 732419 or June Adamson on 01582 473158. If you wish to join our watch contact John or June. TOWN PLAN UPDATE Work continues in identifying the 2005 Town Plan. The Green Infrastructure Plan with the areas that we need to keep green has now been completed. I thank the organisations and residents who helped to identify the areas that are important to have as a greenway. The cycle network plan has also been completed. If anyone wishes to see these results I will be pleased to meet and discuss them with them. Again this year we are asking for entries to the hanging basket and front garden Arlesey in Bloom Competitions. If you would like to enter please collect an entry form from the Council office. Councillor Hugh Harper on 01462 731891. CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE CONTACT DETAILS CALL: 0300 300 8000 CLICK: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk EMAIL: customer.services@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk WRITE: Central Bedfordshire, Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford SG17 5TQ VISIT: Six customer Service Centres at: Ampthill – Woburn Street Biggleswade – Saffron Road Houghton Regis – Bedford Square (due to be opened May/June 2009) Leighton Buzzard – West Street Dunstable – High Street North (Council Offices) Shefford – Priory House, Chicksands (Council Offices) Bottle banks are at: Bury Mead All colours of bottles/ jars Football Club All colours of bottles/ jars Three Tuns PH All colours of bottles/ jars Clothing banks are at: Arlesey Superstore, 82 House Lane and Three Tuns PH Methodist Church car park: Paper (newspaper, magazines, etc) (High Street) helps to raise funds for Methodist Church. Your Nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) Biggleswade, Bells Brook, behind Sainsburys, off A1 If you are taking anything to the HWRC in a van or some type of trailer you will need a FREE PERMIT. Please call 01234 276386/408486. Summer Opening Times: 1 May to 31 August: 9.00am – 7.00pm Winter Opening Times: 1 September to 30 April: 9.00am – 5.00pm 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 ARLESEY GROUPS 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 VIVACE Vivace is the local choir for Mid Beds and North Herts which brings together people of all abilities who love singing. It helps if you can read a little music but there are no auditions, just come along and raise your voice with a friendly group of people. Vivace is proud and privileged to be supported by our accompanist Kate Elmitt who has been making music for many years and our up and coming young music director John Andrews who has recently been on tour with the English Touring Opera Company, conducting at venues all over the UK. Their combined musical knowledge and sense of fun makes learning new pieces a real pleasure. We meet in Arlesey on Wednesday evenings during term time and give about 3 concerts a year in venues around the area. We recently took part in the Hitchin festival. Move your voice out of the bathroom and onto the stage with a group of like minded, fun loving people! You can find out more from our website www.vivacechoir.co.uk. AISLE O’VAR BACKSWORDING CLUBBE LTD Have you ever thought about learning Traditional English Martial Arts?Well now's your chance! Come and learn TE-MA the ancient and noble science of defence both armed and unarmed. Study the art of swordsmanship using the single handed Backsword/Broadsword under the tuition of the 2008 UK Backswording and English stick fighting Champion Peter Holland as well as indigenous English wrestling styles and Pugilism. Clubs are held at Samuel Whitbread Community College, Shefford, Bedfordshire on Tuesday evenings at 7-30pm to 9pm and at Sandy Sports Centre, Sandy Upper School, Engayne Avenue, Sandy Bedfordshire 8pm to 9.30pm Male/female 16+ For further information or to book your place contact Pete on 07880605377, email info@backswording.co.uk or go to www.backswording.co.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 do not need to be potty trained.We are open Monday to Thursday 9.10am – 11.40am and 12.45pm – 3.15pm. On Fridays we are open from 9.10am – 11.40am.We also offer luncheon club Monday to Thursday.Please call in and see us anytime or telephone 07815 293670 for more information. ARLESEY NURSERY SCHOOL AND CHILDCARE CENTRE The Nursery is situated in the centre of the village and offers Nursery education for children from their 3rd birthday until the age of 5 years. It offers Childcare facilities for children from 3 to 9 years. During term times the Nursery is open from 9am – 3.30pm and the childcare is open from 8am to 6pm. The Holiday Club runs during most school holidays from 8am – 5.30pm. The Holiday Club is open to children aged 3 to 11 years old. Nursery is free and Childcare and Holiday Club costs £3.10 per hour. The Nursery has a very large, well resourced classroom area and large garden and playground. Childcare has its own room and also uses the garden, playground and classrooms. Children have 2½ hours free education every day in the Nursery until the term before they start school when they have 4½ days. The curriculum is planned according to the National Early Years Foundation Stage, i.e. planned daily activities and work with a staff member based on a child’s individual stage development. Children are closely monitored and records of their progress towards Early Learning Goals are kept. These records are available for children and parents to see at any time. The Nursery has 3 teachers and 3 Nursery Nurses. All staff work with all the children but we are a key worker system that ensures close, personal support for each child. We also have trainee teachers, NVQ 2 and 3 students and other childcare students throughout the term. Visits to the Nursery are welcome – please phone for an appointment 01462 732168 email arleseynursery@schools.bedfordshire.gov.uk. Please also see our website: www.arlesey.beds.sch.uk Arlesey Parent and Toddler Group We meet during term time, every Tuesday and Thursday in the village hall between 9.00 and 11.30am. We welcome all parents and carers with children under 5. The cost per session is just £1.50, which includes refreshments and raffle. Recently we had the shed holding the toys upgraded and Bedford & Luton Community Foundation kindly donated money to replace all the soft matting for the children to play on. Thank you to all the people who have kindly donated toys this is very much appreciated. This will allow the Toddler Group to resume their full facilities for carers and toddlers. We are always looking for new committee members to help us run the group efficiently. Hope to see you soon! Contact: Heidi Clark on 07794186280 or 01462 627533 |
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