A packed summer of events

Countdown to Stevenage Day 2018

Wildlife flourishing across the town

Promoting building site safety

What’s happening at Stevenage Museum?

Stevenage Borough Council’s magazine for Stevenage people Summer 2018

Chronicle

Chronicle Magazine

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Welcome to summer in Stevenage Once again we’re set for an active summer in Stevenage and the pages of this issue of Chronicle are packed with news about many of the exciting events happening here over the next few months.

Stevenage Day has been a fixture of our summer calendar since 1959 and it gets better and better every year. This year’s Stevenage Day is on Sunday 17 June – save the date and turn to page 5 to find out what’s planned for the big day.

Our second annual Stevenage Cycling Festival is on throughout June and July. Cycling is an important part of the heritage of Stevenage and the festival gives us the chance to celebrate this and to promote the benefits to everyone of being active outdoors, whether or not you’re a regular bike rider. You’ll find details of the festival on page 4.

On page 13 is a handy guide to fun family events across the summer. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from school holiday activities for youngsters, fun in the parks and the town centre, to a tour of our recycling depot.

The centrespread in this Chronicle provides a picture of how the council works to provide the services and functions that are important to people who live and work in the town. It’s a snapshot of some of the things that have been done or are being planned in response to your suggestions, ideas and concerns. And there’s some information about how you can have your say or become more involved.

The Royal Wedding last month was the perfect excuse for a community celebration. A street party is nothing new in Stevenage – those new-town cul-de-sacs are perfect venues – and this issue’s archive picture shows a Silver Jubilee celebration from 1977. Flick to page 10 and see if you recognise anyone.

I’m sure, like me, you’re excited about what’s coming up this summer. Please do let us know what you think of our events and activities – and remember to share some pictures on our social media sites.

Here’s hoping the sun continues to shine!

Happy reading.Councillor Sharon TaylorLeader of Stevenage Borough Council

Leader’s column

facebook.com/stevenageboroughcouncil@stevenageboroughcouncil @StevenageBCstevenage.gov.uk chronicle@stevenage.gov.uk

Did you know? We are on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Following our social media is a great way to keep up-to-date with what is happening around the town, without having to wait for the latest issue of Chronicle!

Our pages are monitored daily and regularly updated with the latest council and town news, events and service information.

You can interact with the latest posts, ask us questions (or even just chat to us!) through all of our profiles.

Tag us in your photos of the town using #stevenage for a chance to be featured on our Instagram page!

Facebook: Stevenage Borough Council Twitter: @StevenageBC Instagram: @stevenageboroughcouncil

Cover: Stevenage resident Blake Boon enjoying the Aqua Park at Fairlands Valley Park.

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The magazine for Stevenage people

Local children have had a part to play in helping us redesign play areas at The Oval, Martins Wood, Chepstow Close and Canterbury Way. The children picked their favourite pieces of play equipment, including adventure trails, which we included when the play areas were done up.

Almost everyone in Stevenage lives within eight minutes’ walk of a play area and the improvements are part of a £1.5million programme to renew them across the town. We began last year and have already completed more than a dozen.

We talked to local children to pick their favourite designs for the play areas in Blenheim Way, Balmoral Close and Holly Leys, where work is now underway. And soon we’ll be asking children to help shape our plans for the play area in Fairlands Valley Park.

Keep an eye on our social media and on the News and Events section of our website for details of how they can get involved. stevenage.gov.uk/news-and-events/

Children get arty for safety’s sakeArtwork created by youngsters from Martins Wood Primary School, promoting construction safety messages to local people, is now on display at a new housing development in their neighbourhood.Year three pupils learnt all about house building and site safety after a visit to the Wedgewood Way site and a school competition to design safety posters. The winning artwork, by Nity Ramprasad, Abi Iles, and Tarik Bulgurcu, is now displayed on the hoardings at the former Du Pont headquarters site, where Chase Homes and housing association Metropolitan are building more than 240 affordable homes.

The council is working in partnership on the development, which includes 40 homes to rent to people on the housing register, and 200 homes which will be offered for shared ownership.

Child’s playNity, Tarik and Abi with their winning designs.

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Let’s get physicalHertfordshire Year of Physical Activity is in full swing and this summer we have lots of special events to boost your health and fitness.

There will be new activities in parks and extra events for families, women and people who are just returning to exercise.

Month by month

June is Bike Month and This Girl Can. As well as the Stevenage Cycling Festival, this month we have events to encourage more women into sport. This Girl Can week is 18 June to 24 June.

July is Parks Month and there will be various classes held in parks around the town, including Family Yoga,

Pilates and a class for beginners, Introduction to Outdoor Exercise.

August is Families Month and as well as more of our park exercise classes, we have a Get Active day planned in the town centre on 3 August where you can try lots of different activities.

September is Get Back Into Month, and we will promoting new activities and services provided by Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre and other sport centres to help ease you back into exercising.

GET ON YOUR

BIKEAND JOIN THE FESTIVAL FUN

This June and July a host of fun – mostly free - cycling activities and events is coming to Stevenage with the 2018 Cycling Festival.

There is something for everyone to enjoy and take part in, whether you’re a cyclophobic, an absolute beginner or a regular cyclist, whatever your age and ability.

It will celebrate Bike Week – 9 to 17 June – with different events including a range of free, led rides, in and around Stevenage. And most of them are free to join and open to anyone to take part in.

On Thursday 28 June a School Cycling Festival is planned, giving youngsters the chance to try a range of cycling activities and fun games provided by Outspoken Events.

Other highlights of the Festival include a fun skills course for children (aged 5-14) at Pin Green play centre on Saturday 7 July, including Pedal Power Smoothie

Making, and adult cycle training on Monday 2 July.

The Festival Finale is a Family Fun Day at Hampson Park on Saturday 8 July.

The festival is brought to you by a dedicated team of volunteers and professionals from Herts Cycling, Cycling UK (Stevenage branch), British Cycling Breeze and Ride Social Champions, Decathlon, Stevenage Cycle Hub, Outspoken Cycles and Stevenage Borough Council.

There are lots and lots more events taking place throughout June and July. To keep up to date with what’s planned, visit:Stevenage.gov.uk/cycling-festivalwww.letsride.co.uk/eventswww.stevenagectc.org.uk/contact.php#stevenagecyclefest18 on Twitter and Instagram

The Stevenage Cycling Festival is supported by presenting sponsor Mulalley, Wates, and Kyle Smart Associates Ltd.

stevenage.gov.uk/news-and-events/HertsYOPA18 hertsyopa18@HertsYOPA18 #HertsYOPA18 #stevenage

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The magazine for Stevenage people

It’s almost time for Stevenage Day 2018. This year’s event – our 59th annual town show – is on Sunday 17 June with the fun set to start from 12 noon and continue all afternoon.The event, at King George V playing fields, will include a beach with Victorian seaside activities, a petting farm and birds of prey, and free hot air balloon rides, as well as a host of stalls and rides.

To celebrate Fathers’ Day there will be free dads and

families photo shoots on offer, and the chance to have a go at electric go-karts and giant Scalextric.

There will also be a food court offering a range of delicious and diverse snacks, along with musical entertainment, and a licensed bar,

and the best of our fabulous local talent on show in the main arena.

The popular Rock in the Park music festival is back for 2018, with acts performing on twin stages from midday to 7pm. The line-up will be announced

soon.

Stevenage Day 2018 is sponsored by Specialist Cars, and supported by a

range of local businesses who have generously

donated raffle prizes. These

include a Cineworld annual pass, a £50 Rump and Wade voucher, a family ticket for the Gordon Craig Theatre, a free horse riding lesson at Courtlands Riding School and free tickets for Airspace.

Stevenage Day is a great opportunity for local people to come together to have fun and support local charities and organisations.

Keep an eye on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date details of the day’s schedules and share your photos on Instagram #stevenageday2018.

The magazine for Stevenage people

Stevenage Dayour hottest summer park event

SUNDAY 17 JUNE

FROM NOON

Chronicle Magazine

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Your questions answeredWho can get a council home? You need a strong local connection, normally because you’ve lived in Stevenage for at least five years, before you can join the housing register. Once you’re on the register, you can bid for properties online.

We advertise properties each week, and you can choose which ones you are interested in.

Do some people ‘jump the queue’?We assess people’s priority for homes based on a fair and transparent system. Those with greater needs are given a higher priority, rather than those who

have been on the list longest. People with serious medical needs are ranked highest.

Why does my position on the list go up and down?People who bid for a home are shortlisted in strict priority order and the more popular a home is, the more people bid. So you might be the 200th person shortlisted if you bid for a family-size house, as they are in high demand. If you bid for less popular homes, you are more likely to make it to the top of the list.

Will I ever get a council home if I’m not in urgent need?Around 300 homes become

available each year, as well as some sheltered housing, but there are more than 2,000 people on our housing register. However, we do let a few homes a year to people assessed as low priority and your best chance is to bid for flats and maisonettes as well as houses, and consider any location.

Details of how to apply for housing and bid for homes, and of how we assess priority, are available online. stevenage.gov.uk/council-housing/

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Work starts this year on essential repairs to hundreds of blocks of flats around the town. It’s a five year programme to ensure the homes in these blocks are warm and sustainable.

Two contractors, Mulalley and Wates Living Space, will carry out the repairs.

Work will vary from block to block, but could include roofs, windows, structural repairs, rewiring, fencing, paving, signs and some redecoration of communal areas.

If you live in these flats we’ll contact you before work starts to let you know what is planned.This £45million programme is part of the council’s plan to invest in

maintaining and building quality council homes for local people.

We have already renewed kitchens and bathrooms where needed, over the last seven years, to bring them up to a decent standard.

Further information is available online: stevenage.gov.uk/council-housing

Investing in flat blocks

We often get calls about how to get a council house. Here we answer some of your most frequent questions.

Chronicle Magazine The magazine for Stevenage people

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The butterflies are among the wildlife flourishing in Stevenage since we started leaving some of our roadside verges and areas of parkland to grow long during the summer months. Native wildflowers have flourished in the longer grass, which in turn has encouraged greater numbers of butterflies and bees and, in some meadow areas, crickets and grasshoppers. Some of the meadows, on road verges and in Fairlands Valley Park, also act as corridors, enabling wildlife to move around the town more easily. The mini-meadows don’t just attract butterflies, crickets and grasshoppers.

They also encourage other small insects, which encourages more birds. In some of our meadow areas there is now evidence of small mammals including voles, which in turn provide a valuable food source for larger birds such as Tawny Owls.

We cut most of the meadows each year once the flowers have set seed, and we leave others long over winter as grasshoppers and crickets lay their eggs in the grass, and these will hatch the following spring.

Every year, for the past five years, some of our Green Space Volunteers have been out and about noting the numbers and species of butterfly benefitting from these mini-meadows and then sharing their findings with Butterfly Conservation (a charity devoted to saving butterflies, moths and their habitats in the UK). Although butterfly numbers are also affected by weather conditions throughout the year, we have generally seen an increase in Stevenage.

To have the best chance of spotting some of the butterflies visit an area of meadow grassland on a warm summer day when there is little or no wind. The meadow in Fairlands Valley Park South Field is probably the best place to spot butterflies, and if you visit in July you will also be able to listen out for the crickets and grasshoppers – see if you can spot them too. There are six different types there, including the Great Green Bush Cricket – the UK’s largest insect, growing up to 5cm long.

You don’t need a huge garden to attract more wildlife – a simple window box can provide a haven for butterflies, and other pollinators.

If you would like more advice on how you can create a meadow, attract butterflies or help bumblebees please visit stevenage.gov.uk/biodiversity

Wildlife flourishing across our townLast summer more than 20 different species of butterfly were recorded on four meadow sites in Stevenage. They included the Common Blue, Meadow Brown and Green Veined White, as well as the better known Peacock, Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral.

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Chronicle Magazine

Listening to what you say and meeting your prioritiesOver the past few years we’ve been working hard to address the things that you’ve told us you care most about in our town. Here’s a snapshot.

Working together for you and our town

What do you think?Could you work with us and make a greater contribution to life in our town?

• We’re continuing to work in wards across the town: we’ll be in St Nicholas and Martins Wood this year then Bedwell and Longmeadow.

• We encourage resident and community groups to get involved.

Tell us what you want and we can all work together to achieve great things.

Contact us on:

Town centre regeneration - it’s happening• Planning SG1,regeneration of the central

area, with our development partner, Mace

• Creating a vibrant town centre, including homes, retail and leisure

• Creating brighter public spaces

Building new homes for local people• Regenerating neighbourhood areas with

homes and local services

• Building 500 new council homes in the next 10 years at sites across Stevenage

• Working with developers and housing associations to provide quality new housing, including affordable homes

• Providing homes that meet different needs, including some for older people and those with health issues

Improving space and facilities for younger residents • Investing almost £1.5m in play areas

across the town

• Involving children and young people in designing the space

• Providing more facilities for teenagersneighbourhood.wardens@stevenage.gov.uk

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Working together for you and our town

What do you think?Could you work with us and make a greater contribution to life in our town?

• We’re continuing to work in wards across the town: we’ll be in St Nicholas and Martins Wood this year then Bedwell and Longmeadow.

• We encourage resident and community groups to get involved.

Tell us what you want and we can all work together to achieve great things.

Contact us on:

Continuing to engage with you and understand what’s important to you Through our recent residents’ survey, most of you said that you are happy living in Stevenage but that there are areas that you want us to keep working on.

Continue to work on town centre regeneration• We are committed to this and you will see real progress over the

next 12 months

• Talking to business and property owners and potential investors

Keeping our town clean and litter-free• We should all work together to keep our town clean

• £1m of your money is spent clearing up litter

Help people living, working and visiting here feel safe • Addressing crime and anti-social behaviour including

domestic abuse

• Understanding the issues in different neighbourhoods

• Working jointly with partners

Provide services and support to you digitally• More online, self-serve features

• A new, improved website

• Active social media

The magazine for Stevenage people

neighbourhood.wardens@stevenage.gov.uk

Provide more homes for local people• Building work is set to start at Kenilworth Close, Scarborough

Avenue and at Ferrier Road

• New council homes ready to let

Let’s get together and have some funHello everyone, the sun has been shining and we’re looking forward to a busy summer of fun in our town centre.

Later this month we’ll be celebrating Armed Forces Day with stalls, activities and British food to enjoy in the Town Square. It’s on Saturday 30 June, from 10am to 4pm. 

A week later there will be a Make A Wish charity fun day in the Town Square, to raise money for the charity that makes dreams come true for seriously ill children. There will be an inflatable slide, rides, a golf game, car boot sale, cake sale and more, all on Saturday 7 July, with free parking available in St George’s multi-storey, 8am to 6pm.

As if that’s not enough we will have lots of events throughout August including a visit from a Fun Fair and a big outdoor film day with three films on offer, for different ages to enjoy. We’re bringing back a few more of your favourites from last year, including a visit from a fun petting zoo, with snakes, llamas and donkey rides. There’s a fitness event to show what you can do to Get Active, and Stevenage International Day with music, dance and food from different cultures.

If you’d like to hold an event in our town centre or have suggestions or comments, contact me via social media @lovesteveneagetc on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to talk all things town centre.

Hope to see you this summer!

Chronicle Magazine

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Tina Benson

Step back in time

Some Stevenage residents celebrated the Royal Wedding last month with a street party, bringing back memories of previous soirees in Stevenage streets.

Back in 1977, people got the trestle tables out on the tarmac and joined their neighbours to toast the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. These residents of Eastbourne Avenue look like they’re celebrating in style!

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Help us celebrate our local heroes – those wonderful people who give their time, passion and skills to help make Stevenage a great place to live, work and play.

Dedication Award for long service in voluntary or community work in StevenageThis award will go to someone who has spent many years carrying out voluntary work to benefit Stevenage communities, or to someone who has a long record of success with community groups and organisations in the town.

Team Award for a group of people who work together to improve their local areaThis is for the team behind an event, activity or project that has enhanced people’s everyday lives in their local area. It might be something that reduces crime, improves the environment, provides support to community members, creates opportunities or simply promotes community spirit.

Enterprise Award for making real contribution to commercial life in StevenageThis is for a business, individual, organisation or project that supports and develops Stevenage businesses or one that improves employment prospects for local people. Or it could be a business that is highly valued by customers and the local community.

Young Star Award for a young person or young people who make a difference in their local communityThis is for someone under 18 who has made significant achievements at school, in their local community or neighbourhood, or in the voluntary sector. Or it could go to a young person who has overcome challenges to reach their goal or achieve a personal ambition.

Green Award for helping keep Stevenage clean, safe and greenThis will go to an individual or an organisation such as a school or community group. It could go a group of litter pickers, a gardening enthusiast or enthusiasts, or a recycling champion - just anyone who promotes the green and clean message in Stevenage.

Caring Award for someone’s act or acts of kindness It could be someone undertaking charity work or fundraising, someone who helps care for other people or animals, or who looks after facilities or buildings. Or it could go to someone whose actions make life easier or more pleasant for those around them.

Sporting Award to recognise a major contribution to sporting life in Stevenage This could be a person or team who has achieved great things in an amateur sport - playing, coaching or supporting. Or it could recognise someone who has improved their own or other people’s health and wellbeing by taking part in or promoting physical activity.

Previous winners have included The Friends of Hampson Park, Stevenage Community Food Bank and Camps Hill School as well as individuals who have made a difference in their communities.

Nomination forms and information about the entry criteria can be found online at stevenage.gov.uk/pride-awards and paper forms are available at the Customer Service Centre in Danestrete.

Nominations must be made by 10 August 2018.

Nominations for the Pride of Stevenage Awards 2018 are now open for you to celebrate the achievements of Stevenage people who go the extra mile. Anyone is welcome to nominate friends, colleagues, local groups, businesses… people who make great things happen in Stevenage. A panel of judges will select the winners and the awards will be presented at a prestigious community reception in the autumn, when the Judges’ Special Pride Award will also be presented.

The seven Pride of Stevenage Award categories to nominate in are:

Show your Pride for

Local heroes in Stevenage

The magazine for Stevenage people

Chronicle Magazine

All change at the railway station

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Go online nowYou can now apply for all Council Tax benefits online – whenever and wherever you choose.

A standard Council Tax bill is based on two adults living in a property. If there is only one adult, they are entitled to a 25% discount on their council tax.

Some people may qualify for a discount on their council tax, depending on their circumstances. These include students and student nurses, members of religious communities, people who are carers, or those who live in residential care homes.

You can find the full list, along with qualifying details and online application forms, on the council’s website Stevenage.gov.uk/council-tax

In May this year, a completely new timetable for Great Northern services (trains between Peterborough/Cambridge and Kings Cross/Moorgate) was introduced. It’s part of the biggest train timetable change in decades and is necessary to help increase capacity and improve reliability on the busiest part of the UK rail network.

As well as changes to train times, there are now new services and trains that take you directly from Stevenage to Gatwick Airport and Brighton. Two direct trains per hour go from Stevenage to Gatwick in an hour and 34 minutes, and one an hour gets you to Brighton from Stevenage in an hour and 50 minutes.

There have been some teething problems and cancellations. You can find out more information and check the timetables for all Great Northern and Thameslink services at www.railplan2020.com/timetables

Train services at Stevenage station have changed.

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The magazine for Stevenage people

We’ve got lots of fun events planned over the summer months in Stevenage. Most are free and many are very popular so you’ll have to book a place in advance. Keep an eye on

Stevenage.gov.uk/events for final details and guidance on how to book.

Here’s a quick guide to what’s planned – cut it out and keep it handy for when you’re planning your summer schedule.

14 July – Wildlife Walkabout hosted by Herts Middlesex & Wildlife Trust – Fairlands Valley Park – 10.30am -12.30pm

1 August – Teddy Bears Picnic – Hampson Park – 11am to 4pm

3 August - Get Active: information and advice about achieving a healthier mind and a healthy body - Town Square

4 August – Depot Open Day: visit our depot to find out what happens to your rubbish after it is collected – limited places – please book

4 – 5 August – Fun Fair, Southgate Car Park. Rides for adults and children 12noon – 6pm both days

10 August – Animal crackers: Petting farm plus children’s rides and more - Town Square 10am – 4pm

15 August – Sports Fun, Hampson Park

18 August – Stevenage International Day: food, music and performances from different cultures – Town Square - 11am – 3.30pm

22 August – Bat Walk – Fairlands Valley Park

25 August – Outdoor movie day – Town Square - 10am kids movie, 1pm family movie, 4pm grown-up movie.

Remember it’s Stevenage Day on Sunday 17 June

– full details on page 5.

Don’t forget Stevenage Cycling

Festival 2018 – a host of cycling activities for

everyone to enjoy – find out more on

page 4.

Holiday play schemeOur free play schemes are open throughout the summer holidays, at different locations in the town, all offering a range of play, sport and craft activities for you to take part in. They all have things to do both inside and outside, including games, gardening, cooking and competitions. Most of the activities are based on ideas suggested by the children and young people who attend our play centres.

Our playcentres are supervised by playworkers who will try to help you have the best time possible when you are here. They are open access, which means you can choose how long you want to stay at the playcentre and when you want to leave. Playworkers cannot stop you from leaving but they can ring home if you need to be collected. Always remember to tell your parent/carers if you choose to come along to the playcentre so they can keep a check that you are safe.

Ask for a copy of our play scheme brochure, given out at your school in July, and see what’s happening at a holiday play scheme near you. And for more information on the play schemes on offer, visit Stevenage.gov.uk/news-and-events

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Councillors and ward surgeriesBandley HillLabour & Co-operativeMichelle Gardner21 Fellowes Way, SG2 8BW 01438 729010 michelle.gardner@stevenage.gov.ukConservativeRoni Hearn15 Little Hyde, SG2 9RP01438 217840roni.hearn@stevenage.gov.ukLabour & Co-operativeJoan Lloyd (Mrs)413 Vardon Road, SG1 5BA01438 359627 joan.lloyd@stevenage.gov.uk

BedwellLabour & Co-operativeDavid Cullen1 Holly Copse, SG1 1QT 01438 364610 david.cullen@stevenage.gov.ukLabour & Co-operativeLiz Harrington50 Rockingham Way, SG1 1SH 01438 721012 liz.harrington@stevenage.gov.ukLabour & Co-operativeLizzy Kelly7A Inskip Crescent, SG1 1JX07961 626478lizzy.kelly@stevenage.gov.uk

ChellsLabour & Co-operativeHoward Burrell39 Hastings Close, SG1 2JG 01438 214720 howard.burrell@stevenage.gov.ukLabour & Co-operativeJackie Hollywell36 Hayfield, SG2 7JP 01438 316005 jackie.hollywell@stevenage.gov.ukLiberal DemocratTom Wren13 Scott Road, SG2 0BZ07786 517 218tom.wren@stevenage.gov.uk

LongmeadowConservativeDoug Bainbridge21 Lingfield Road, SG1 5SG 01438 240542 doug.bainbridge@stevenage.gov.ukConservative Matthew Hurst30 Oaks Cross, SG2 8LR01438 219037matthew.hurst@stevenage.gov.ukConservativeAdam Mitchell C.C.18 Holly Leys, SG2 8JA 01438 365021 adam.mitchell@stevenage.gov.uk

ManorLiberal DemocratAndy McGuinness403 Vardon Road, SG1 5BA 01438 219569 andy.mcguinness@stevenage.gov.ukLiberal DemocratRobin Parker C.C.8 Cameron Close, SG2 0HG 01438 724746 robin.parker@stevenage.gov.ukLiberal DemocratGraham Snell177 Durham Road, SG1 4JP 01438 238399 graham.snell@stevenage.gov.uk

Martins WoodLabour & Co-operativeLloyd Briscoe27 Hazelmere Road, SG2 8RX 01438 229795 lloyd.briscoe@stevenage.gov.ukLabour & Co-operativeMaureen McKay 583 Lonsdale Road, SG1 5EA 01438 234363 maureen.mckay@stevenage.gov.ukLabour & Co-operativeSarah Mead 43 Angle Ways, SG2 9AP 01438 216433 sarah.mead@stevenage.gov.uk

Old TownLabour & Co-operativeJim Brown106 Oaks Cross, SG2 8LT01438 354505 jim.brown@stevenage.gov.ukConservative James Fraser23 Orchard Crescent, SG1 3EN 01438 743700james.fraser@stevenage.gov.ukConservative Jody Hanafin22A Walkern Road, SG1 3RD01438 517495jody.hanafin@stevenage.gov.uk

Pin GreenLabour & Co-operativeLin Martin-Haugh 44 Whitney Drive, SG1 3BJ 01438 351467 lin.martin-haugh@stevenage.gov.ukLabour & Co-operativeSimon Speller45 Shackleton Spring, SG2 9DF 01438 239459 simon.speller@stevenage.gov.ukLabour & Co-operativeJeannette Thomas191 Chells Way, SG2 0LX 01438 721258 jeannette.thomas@stevenage.gov.uk

RoebuckLabour & Co-operativeJohn Gardner21 Fellowes Way, SG2 8BW 01438 729010 john.gardner@stevenage.gov.ukLabour & Co-operativeJohn Lloyd413 Vardon Road, SG1 5BA 01438 359627 john.lloyd@stevenage.gov.ukLabour & Co-operativeSarah-Jane Potter104 Spring Drive, SG2 8BB07813 440697sarah-jane.potter@stevenage.gov.uk

The magazine for Stevenage people

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Councillor surgeries

ShephallLabourRob Broom16 Hastings Close, SG1 2JG 07960 915130rob.broom@stevenage.gov.ukLabour & Co-operativeJohn Mead43 Angle Ways, SG2 9AP 01438 216433 john.mead@stevenage.gov.ukLabour & Co-operativeAnn Webb (Mrs)10 Shephall Green, SG2 9XR 01438 352612 ann.webb@stevenage.gov.uk

St. NicholasLabour & Co-operativeSandra Barr53 Exeter Close, SG1 4PW01438 217426sandra.barr@stevenage.gov.ukLabour & Co-operativeRichard Henry36 Hayfield, SG2 7JP 01438 316005 richard.henry@stevenage.gov.ukLabour & Co-operativeRalph Raynor6 Edmonds Drive, SG2 9TH 01438 726118 ralph.raynor@stevenage.gov.uk

Symonds GreenLabour & Co-operative Laurie Chester22 St Albans Drive, SG14RU 01438 239053 laurie.chester@stevenage.gov.ukLabour & Co-operativeMichael Downing9 Essex RoadSG1 3EZ01438 213870                                                               michael.downing@stevenage.gov.ukLabour & Co-operativeSharon Taylor OBE C.C.10 Townsend Mews, SG1 3AP Member Services-01438 242330 sharon.taylor@stevenage.gov.uk

WoodfieldConservativePhil Bibby C.C. 5 Gloucester Close, SG1 3RQ 01438 316955 philip.bibby@stevenage.gov.ukConservative Graham Lawrence71 Woburn Close,SG2 8SW01920 461459 graham.lawrence@stevenage.gov.ukConservativeMargaret Notley (Mrs)547 Scarborough Avenue, SG1 2QG 01438 222754 margaret.notley@stevenage.gov.uk

You can get a list of Council meetings by logging onto: stevenage.gov.uk/ council-meetings

Come and meet your local councillor at one of these monthly sessions. Councillors can help if you want to obtain information and advice, make a complaint or enquire about services that the council provides. You don’t need an appointment just come along.

Bandley Hill and Poplars(Labour Councillors)Saturdays 7 July, 4 August, 1 September, 10 to 11am, at The Phoenix Building at The Hyde Out.BedwellWednesdays 11 July, 8 August, 5 September, 10 to 11am, in the Café at Bedwell Community Centre.Chells6 July, 3 August, 7 September,6 to 7pm, at Timebridge Community CentreLongmeadowSaturdays 14 July, 11 August, 8 September, 10.30 to 11.15am, at Hertford Road Shops, opposite the Community CentreLiberal Democrat Surgeries for Chells and Manor wardsThursdays 12 July, 13 September, 7 to 8pm, at Chells Manor Community Centre. 9 August, 7 to 8pm, Timebridge Community Centre.Martins WoodSaturdays 14 July, 25 August, 22 September 11am to 12noon, at The Oval Community Centre.

Pin GreenSaturday 7 July, 1 September, 10 to 11am, 4 August 7 to 8pm at Hampson Park Community Centre.RoebuckTuesdays 10 July, 14 August, 11 September, 12.30 to 1.30pm, at St Peters Church HallShephallSaturdays 14 July, 11 August, 8 September, 11am to 12.30pm, Phoenix Building at The Hyde Out.St NicholasSaturdays 7 July, 1 September, from 10 to 11am, at St Nicholas Community Centre, Canterbury Way.Symonds GreenSaturdays 7 July, 4 August, 1 September, 10 to 11am at Scarborough Centre, Scarborough Avenue. Tuesdays 10 July, 14 August, 11 September, 10 to 11am On The Green Coffee Bar, Symonds Green Community CentreConservative surgeries for Bandley Hill, Longmeadow,Old Town and Woodfield wardsTuesdays 17 July, 21 August, 18 September, 6 to 7pm, in room 002 in the Daneshill Main Reception.

Please recycle Chronicle when you’ve finished reading it by putting it in your blue recycling box. © Stevenage Borough Council 2018

Stevenage Borough Council, Daneshill House, Danestrete, Stevenage, SG1 1HNTelephone: 01438 242242 web: stevenage.gov.uk

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Get your local news in this magazine The next edition is delivered in September. If you would like information to be included please email: chronicle@stevenage.gov.uk Chronicle is provided by Corporate Communications. Please be aware that the Editor reserves the right not to print articles. While every effort is made to ensure the information contained in Chronicle is correct, Stevenage Borough Council cannot be held liable for omissions and inaccuracies.

What’s happening atStevenage Museum?

We’re exploring the history of Stevenage’s iconic Bowes Lyon skatepark in

an exhibition this summer. Bikes and Boards runs from 21 July to 5 October and will also share stories of some of the skateboarders and BMX bikers who have used the skate park since it first opened back in the 1970s.

If you have memories of using the skatepark that you’d like to share or early photographs of the park in use, we would love to hear from you. You can get in touch by email museum@stevenage.gov.uk or on the Museum’s Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/stevenagemuseum/ or Twitter @StevenageMuseum or phone 01438 218881.

The museum is hitting the road this summer, with A Walk Around the Old Town on 27 June, from 7pm to 9pm. Hugh Madgin will guide a walking tour of the old town, telling its story along the way.

There are also more of our Lunch and Listen events, where you can come along and enjoy a talk while eating your own sandwiches. On 13 July we’ll be exploring The Story of Orchard Road and on 14 September, in Greens, Ends and

Commons, we’ll look at the villages and hamlets that were here before the new town.

At the end of the summer the museum will also open up the Bath House and St George’s Church to visitors, for Heritage Open Weekend on 15 and 16 September. When times are confirmed we will share them on Facebook and Twitter, and on our website.

Stevenage Museum is open Wednesday to Saturday 10am-4.30pm weekdays, 10am-5pm Saturdays. For talks and walks please book in advance. Details at stevenage.gov.uk/museum