News & Events In & Around St Neots

Transcription

1 Your Town News & Events In & Around St Neots February 2013 Edition St Neots Town Council Welcome to this issue of Your Town, the community newsletter from St Neots Town Council. Over the past two years, so many successful events have been held in St Neots that there s no space here to list them all, some by the Town Council and others by dedicated community groups in Eynesbury, Loves Farm, the Eatons and Priory Park. Unlike towns which have grown from a single community, our heritage is from communities expanding until they have come together to create present day St Neots. Our job as a Council is to stand up for those communities and ensure you get the services and facilities you tell us you want. It s a difficult job Our job as a Council is to stand up for those communities and ensure you get the services and facilities you tell us you want. during an economic recession which is why it s good to see so much still happening here. We have the Willow Bridge now joining Eynesbury and Eaton Socon, the new pedestrian bridge being built this year between the communities of Loves Farm and Priory Park, the many new children s play areas, the community building at Loves Farm, the cinema leisure development, new public toilets and much more. We are working closely with our communities, District and County Councils as well as raising the town s profile further afield. This includes supporting local business, our community radio station and advertising St Neots. This year we are bringing the prestigious Young People of the Year Awards to St Neots, the town s first Charity Dragon Boat Race, Music in the Park concerts, Armed Forces Day celebrations and much more. All of the above is being achieved for a third year running without any increase in your Town Council tax. This is possible not only because of greater efficiency of the Council and its staff but also through working more closely with other Councils and the invaluable support received from you, the people of those many St Neots communities. Barry Chapman Policing Update See page 07 Community News See page Dates For Your Diary! See page 12

2 St Neots Town Council Scan to link to our website Contact us for. Priory Lane, St Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 2BH Tel: Fax: Web: Follow us on Like us on Facebook: St Neots Town Council Churchyards at St Mary s Church, Eynesbury, St Mary s Church, St Neots and St Mary s Church, Eaton Socon Cemeteries at Eynesbury (Cromwell Road), St Neots (Cemetery Road) and Eaton Socon (Little End Road) The Priory Centre and the Eatons Community Centre Play areas at Brickhills, Saxongate, Swift Close, Chamberlain Way, Beatty Road, Ackerman St, Dukes Road, Nelson Road and Riversmead Village Greens at Eynesbury, Eaton Socon and Eaton Ford Allotment Sites at Hardwick Road and Cemetery Road Contact Huntingdonshire District Council for. ( ) Council tax and housing benefits Priory and Riverside Parks Weekly refuse collection Grass cutting Contact Cambridgeshire County Council for. ( ) Street lighting ( ) Highways including road and pavement repairs ( ) St Neots Recycling Centre ( ) Social Services ( ) St Neots Library ( ) Forthcoming Meetings Finance & General Purposes Committee 21 February 2013 Policy & Audit Committee 26 February 2013 Planning Committee 28 February 2013 Operations & Amenities Committee 5 March 2013 Town Council 7 March 2013 Planning Committee 14 March 2013 Finance & General Purposes Committee 21 March 2013 Policy & Audit Committee 26 March 2013 Planning Committee 28 March 2013 Operations & Amenities Committee 2 April 2013 Planning Committee 11 April 2013 Annual Town Meeting 18 April 2013 Policy & Audit Committee 23 April 2013 Planning Committee 25 April 2013 Finance & General Purposes Committee 25 April 2013 Operations & Amenities Committee 7 May 2013 Annual Town Council Meeting 9 May 2013 Planning Committee 9 May 2013 Finance & General Purposes Committee 16 May 2013 Tel: info@blueprawndesign.co.uk Web: blueprawndesign.co.uk Follow us on Keep up-to-date with the latest news and events in and around St Neots via our website and social media 02

3 Here Come The Dragons! St Neots Town Council, the Rotary Club of St Neots St Mary s and St Neots Dragon Boat Team have joined forces to organise the town s debut charity dragon boat race this summer. The racing will take place on the River Great Ouse alongside Regatta Meadows, Riverside Park on Saturday 31 August More than 21 crews from locally based companies and organisations are expected to battle it out in 30ft brightly painted Chinese dragon boats over the 200m course, watched by thousands of spectators. Each crew has up to 10 paddlers, a beating drummer at the front of the boat and a steering helm (provided by the organisers) at the tail end. The ancient festival promises a fantastic day for competitors and spectators alike, with live music, Chinese lion dancing, food, drink and plenty of fun for all the family. The event is being held to raise money for the charity, Dementia UK, which works to improve quality of life for all people affected by dementia. Money raised will also be put towards local charities supported by the Rotary Club and Mayor of St Neots. Commenting on the Challenge, Mike Truswell, Chairman of the Rotary Club St Neots St Mary s, said: other towns and cities in the region have been holding similar events for some years; with the superb facility of the Riverside Park, a venue perfectly suited to such an event, we hope that local companies, sporting clubs, pubs and groups of friends will enter to raise funds for charity and at the same time enjoy a great day out by our lovely river. Katie Williams, Town Centre Manager said: We are delighted to be putting on this unique event for the town. It s a great chance for people to get together and take up a fun challenge, whilst raising money for local charities. For those that prefer to take it easy and watch all the action, the event provides a fun filled day of entertainment for all the family. Dan Clarke, Manager at St Neots Dragon Boat Team said: We are delighted to be working with both the Town Council and Rotary Club to bring this great sport into the eye of our local people. The thrill of dragon boat racing cannot be compared to any other sport, it s truly unique and is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK - after this event people will realise why! For more details and team entry forms contact St Neots Town Council: Tel: Web: stneots-tc.gov.uk Imagery courtsey of Infinite Images Visit us at Like us on Follow 03

4 St Neots is only months away from having its own cinema Work on the long awaited cinema complex, which has been an aspiration for St Neots for many years, is finally underway and is set to open in the autumn. The 7million complex in Huntingdon Street, will be named the Rowley Arts Centre in recognition of St Neots landowner, Peter Rowley s generous contribution towards the development. The complex will include an 18,600 sq ft six-screen Cineworld cinema, live performance space, four restaurants Pizza Express, Frankie & Benny s, Prezzo and one other to be confirmed a public plaza and parking area. Tune into Black Cat Radio! Our very own community radio station - the purrfect sound of St Neots! A dedicated team of volunteers play the world s greatest music live from the Riverside Studios at the Priory Centre. You can listen now on DAB Digital Radio and online at: Contact Black Cat Radio: / office@blackcatradio.co.uk What is a Children s Centre? Children s Centres support all families with children under five. They offer easier access to health and family support, help with finding jobs and training, drop-in sessions, activities and information about local childcare and early education. There are three Children s Centres in the St. Neots area: The Eatons at Bushmead School, Eaton Socon Butterfly at Winhills School, Eynesbury St Neots Rural at Little Paxton School, Little Paxton They look and feel very different from each other, but all offer services to children 0-5 and their families. Weekly drop in sessions are available for families, such as: Mucky Pups, Bouncers, Stay and Play, Shake and Wiggle, Young Parents Groups and Additional Needs Groups. Drop-ins are also available from Luminus Housing, Job Centre Plus and Mind in Cambs. Adult learning courses such as: literacy, numeracy, first aid and parenting courses are also available. All of our sessions and courses are free so please come along and see us! Families are welcome to drop in, telephone and access the website. Opening Times: The Eatons, Monday Thursday 8.45am 4.30pm Friday am-1.00pm Butterfly, Monday Thursday 8.45am 4.30pm Friday am-1.00pm St Neots Rural, Monday Friday 8.45am 12.45pm For more information visit Keep up-to-date with the latest news and events in and around St Neots via our website and social media 04

5 Town Team St Neots As a result of St Neots recently awarded 10,000 funding from the Mary Portas Town Teams initiative - to help towards reviving the High Street - plans are being put in place to decide how the money should be spent. Business and Community leaders from St Neots have been invited to a meeting at the Priory Centre on 19 February to discuss town centre improvement ideas and to decide which projects should be carried forward. The group will discuss these important themes, crucial to a successful town centre: Marketing & Promotion Events, Entertainment & Leisure Access & Environment Cleanliness & Safety Discover the benefits of shopping locally... There are lots of reasons to shop locally you will save valuable time, money on fuel, parking costs, queuing and most of all you will be helping to boost the local economy by shopping local. As Town Centre Manager I urge people to be a tourist in their own town come and explore what we have to offer. Shopping locally is good for your pocket, the local economy and environment. St Neots has a variety of shops selling everything from food to fashion and crafts. There are many independent specialist shops as well as branches of larger national chains. Most of our shops are located in and around the High Street in the town centre, which offers plenty of parking as well as restaurants, pubs and cafes all in close proximity. The weekly Thursday market and popular twice monthly Farmers Market held on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, also adds variety to the shopping offer. Developments with this project will be reported in each issue of Your Town; if you have any queries in the meantime or are interested in getting involved with the project you can contact the Town Centre Manager on or katie.williams@stneots-tc.gov.uk Town centre shopping made easy A new 2013 Shopping & Parking Guide for St Neots has been produced by AboutMyArea/PE19 and is now available for you to pick up throughout the town. Sponsored by Barretts of St Neots the guide is a useful map of the area with contact details of lots of the local shops. Visit for further details Visit us at Like us on Follow 05

6 Rotary in St Neots To most people Rotary is a word more commonly associated with a type of washing line, than a service organisation of business and professional leaders, which exists in 166 countries and has a membership of 1.25 million in over 30,000 clubs. St Neots has two clubs, St Neots Rotary Club which was formed in 1946 and meets every Monday at 1pm at St Neots Golf Club, and St Neots St Marys Rotary Club which formed in 1985 and meets on Tuesdays at 8pm also at St Neots Golf Club. Each week speakers are invited from a wide variety of organisations to talk to members and provide a range of interesting facts about local, national and international topics. The original concept of Rotary, which started in Chicago in 1905, was to bring together people in business on a weekly basis to enjoy each others company, have fun, help those less fortunate than themselves wherever possible and to try to work towards world understanding and peace. These ideals remain the cornerstone of the Rotary movement and the two St Neots clubs do a great deal of work in the local community, helping youth, elderly, and disabled groups with charitable donations and also with members time, all of which is donated voluntarily. The Rotary hold fundraising events and have supported many good causes locally including St Neots Voluntary Welfare in Church Walk, the St Neots Talking Newspaper for the Blind, the Sensory Garden at Hinchinbrooke Hospital Children s Ward and the Cambridgeshire Life Education Unit. The Rotary Foundation also operates internationally as one of the largest Charitable Funds in the world, helping to eliminate polio in third world countries. Through the provision of immunisations to more than two billion children, polio has been eradicated from 99% of the world s population. As well as carrying out serious work in the local and international arena, the Rotary clubs provide a forum where friendships are made, enjoyment is the main priority and members have the opportunity to put something back into the local community. Pictured is the Cambs Life Education Trailer at Bushmead School with President Michael Matthews presenting a cheque from the Rotary Club of St Neots St Marys to the school. For further information on Rotary in St Neots visit: St Neots Rotary Club - St Neots St Marys Rotary Club ROTARY CLUB OF ST NEOTS ST MARYS - Annual Sportsman s Charity Dinner The 24th Annual Sportsman s Charity Dinner takes place at the Priory Centre on Thursday 7 March. This year Graham Poll the ex Premier league and World Cup referee will entertain more than 300 guests to raise money for charity. He is certain to have many interesting stories to tell about his time at the top level of soccer refereeing. Also supporting is top line comedian Jimmy Bright to end the evening. Since 1990 the event has raised over 150,000 thanks to the generosity of those attending, all of which has been distributed to local worthy causes as well as supporting Rotary Charities in under developed countries. Tickets are available now and can be purchased in tables of 10 at a cost of 450 per table or individually by contacting Rotarian Barry Jordan on You will need to act fast however as this event always sells out very quickly. Keep up-to-date with the latest news and events in and around St Neots via our website and social media 06

7 Special Feature by Sgt Garry Webb I have been the local Sergeant in St Neots since April My primary role is to look for and tackle the long term issues which affect the people who live, work and visit St Neots. I look to the Peelian Principles which were defined so many years ago stating: The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder. The St Neots police and safer neighbourhood teams have worked tirelessly to reduce crime in the district saw many challenges for the police services nationally including large scale disorder in our cities along with the fantastic spectacle which was the Olympics, both of which directly affected Cambridgeshire Constabulary with supplying specialist resources. The police also continues to face financial challenges along with delivering an effective and efficient service, but despite this St Neots and District has seen a reduction in crime by 7.2% - that s 126 less crimes - compared to the same period last year (April to date). Included in this is a significant reduction in criminal damage and violent crime. Through appealing for witnesses in the local press and broadcasting live on Black Cat Radio I have not hidden the fact that the town has seen a spike in shoplifting and burglary dwelling - two crime types I recognise to be important to tackle and I d like to give my assurance that these remain our priority. Our success can only be achieved with the assistance of partner agencies and working closely with the public. Going back to Peelian Principles, they also state Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public... and I would encourage all in our community to work together with me and the wider policing family to create a safer St Neots. I can be seen in The Priory Centre every 1st & 3rd Thursday at 10:00am 11:00am Recent success has seen 3 prolific offenders arrested and charged with burglaries in our area, all of which are currently in prison. Reductions All crime: 126 offences 7.2% All violent crime: 97 offences 26.9% Criminal damage: 93 offences 25.9% Theft of pedal cycles: 11 offences 17.2% Increases Burglary dwelling: up 50 offences +42% Shoplifting: up 44 offences +33% Have you ever dreamed of starting a business but were unsure who to ask for advice? Outset Huntingdonshire has the solution. We are a FREE programme, funded by Huntingdonshire District Council that helps people from the Huntingdonshire area to start their own business. We offer a range of options including information sessions, one-to-one advice, business start-up workshops and e-learning. This is not an academic qualification, but hands on, vocational support and guidance tailored for you. Since 2009, Outset has enabled over 8,000 people to explore enterprise as an option. We have helped to start more than 1,300 sustainable new businesses, creating over 1,500 new jobs. Our next Information Session in St Neots will be at the Priory Centre on Tuesday 19 February, 10am-12pm. Book your place now by visiting our website or Freephone Visit us at Like us on Follow 07

8 Community News Civic News. The Mayor s Annual Charity Ball - 1 March 2013 Tickets have now sold out! This is fantastic news and has put us on target to raise thousands for the Mayor s Charities. Thank you to all who have purchased a ticket, it s going to be an amazing night. Armed Forces Day - Saturday June 29th This year St Neots will be proud to hold their Armed Forces Day celebrations in the town centre with military displays, stalls and a flag raising ceremony. This is an opportunity for the community to show their support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community. Full details of the event will be posted on the Mayor s Blog. Mayor Barry Chapman with members of the military Armed Forces Day 2012 Other Civic Events Coming Up. 22nd August Mayor s Charity Golf Day 8th September Civic Service 7th December Civic Carol Concert Visit the Mayor s Blog Contact Karen Pollecutt at the Mayor s Office on or karen@stneots-tc.gov.uk Eynesbury Village Association has moved its venue... To The Bargroves, Cromwell Road, Eynesbury, St Neots, Cambs, PE19 2EY for meetings and social evenings, which alternate with each other on the 1st Monday of the month. Other activities include an Easter Egg Clue Hunt on 23rd March, St Georges Day 21st April followed by our Mad Hatters Tea Party on 16th June. Look out for posters and adverts with full details nearer the time. For more details see our website or contact eva.voice@hotmail.co.uk Love s Farm Community Association The association is currently working to clarify the bus stop locations and route of the new No.62 bus route, proposed to start in February. Also the newly re-designed community building is underway at long last. The Café Church, held on 1st Sunday of each month is going from strength to strength and the Coffee, Cake and Chat club held every 3rd Friday of the month, also has a growing interest. Both sessions are held at the Football club; everyone is welcome and there is no cost! Other popular events include the Quiz Night held on the last Wednesday of the month. Coming up over the summer there are Shopping Nights, Pamper Evenings, Children s events and much more planned, so look out for more information about these coming soon. Visit our website for regular updates: The committee of LFCA look forward to meeting you in the near future! Keep up-to-date with the latest news and events in and around St Neots via our website and social media 08

9 Visit us at Like us on Eatons History Exhibition St Marys Church, Eaton Socon Saturday May 4th and Monday May 6th 10am 4pm The annual local history exhibition will once again feature many photographs comparing old views with new views. This photograph of Pecks butchers shop recalls a time when meat hung outside the shop and no one worried about flies or dust from the Great North Road. There was no need to venture as far as St Neots for shopping as everything could be bought in the local bakers, butchers, general shops, sweet shops, shoemenders and the local Co-op. There were also plenty of pubs for drinking and Eaton Socon held its own annual fairs on the village green. So why not come along over the May Weekend, buy a book and reminisce over the past with the old photographs. If you are a newer resident then buy and book and see what life was like before the fields were covered with housing. Follow 09

10 Community News St Neots Town Initiative The St Neots Town Initiative was formed in 1996 from a group that advised Huntingdonshire District Council on the refurbishment of the Market Square. Over the years the group has received support from over 30 businesses and we now operate two active business clubs - a Retail Club, which has just completed its 4th Town Centre Retail Audit, and Manufacturing Club to support this large sector in Neots. The Town Initiative also works closely with organisations such as the Environment Agency, community groups and local residents with particular skills. We also have close links with the Town, District and County Councils. Our Promotions and Tourism Group works closely with the Town Centre Manager to market and advertise St Neots to visitors and residents alike - our links with Cambridge Tourism help us to do this. Other activities led by this group include Town Trails, History Exhibitions and Heritage projects. The group s Transport and Environment club works closely with planners and developers and also raises funds for important wildlife projects in the St Neots Green Corridor. The whole structure is run by a Management Group, which reflects this wide spread of interests. The Initiative s funding has been reduced this year, which meant the end of the former Priorities newsletter, which is why we welcome St Neots Town Council s Your Town magazine to serve the community. Need an odd job doing? No time to do it? How can you afford not to join Eynesbury & St Neots TimeBank? Collecting prescriptions, help with shopping, sewing, gardening, just keeping someone company for an hour, those housework jobs that are just too much and more. JUST ASK. Time Banking is a controlled exchange of voluntary work. No money is exchanged this is all voluntary work. You just pay for any materials used. You deposit time in the Bank by giving practical help or support to others. Then you withdraw time when you need something doing by another member. Everyone s time is valued equally One hour = one-time credit. All you need is spare time. Time can be banked to save up hours for bigger time consuming jobs or as a gift to someone you care about. and register: timevolunteers@hotmail.co.uk For more details see: or Tel: Keep up-to-date with the latest news and events in and around St Neots via our website and social media 10

11 St Neots Ward Councillors Eaton Ford Bob Farrer Tel: / a Crosshall Road, Eaton Ford, St Neots, Cambs PE19 7GB bob.farrer@cambridgeshire.gov.uk David Harty Tel: Sambar Close, Eaton Socon, St Neots, Cambs PE19 8QG david@davidharty.co.uk Colin Thompson Tel: Cornwall Court, Eaton Socon, St Neots, PE19 8PR 28ckthompson@uwclub.net Graham Welton Tel: Lottings Way, Eaton Ford, St Neots, Cambs PE19 7QX eatonfordgraham@gmail.com Neal Weston Tel: Green Gables, Eaton Ford, St Neots, Cambs PE19 7SL nealweston.eatonford@gmail.com Eaton Socon Stephen Davison Tel: Viceroy Close, Eaton Socon, St Neots, Cambs PE19 8DG Stephen.davisonintown@hotmail.co.uk Roger Harrison Tel: Bushmead Road, Eaton Socon, St Neots, Cambs PE19 8GQ harrison.roger@talk21.com Andrew Jennings Tel: Green Gables, Eaton Ford, St Neots, Cambs PE19 7SL Keith Prentice Tel: / Ushers Court, Eaton Socon, St Neots, Cambs PE19 8EL keithprentice10@gmail.com Priory Park Rob Moores Tel: / Hampden Way, Eynesbury, St Neots PE19 2JH robmoores999@yahoo.co.uk Brian Allen Tel: Childs Pond Road, St Neots, PE19 1TU drbad@hotmail.com Barry Chapman Tel: / Kipling Place, Eaton Ford, St Neots, Cambs PE19 7RG barry.chapman@ntlworld.com Ian Gardener Tel: Haycraft Close, Grafham, Huntingdon, Cambs PE28 0GA idg@asc-geomatics.co.uk St Neots East David Wells Tel: Dixy Close, St Neots, Cambs PE19 6BA davidjwells@hotmail.co.uk Eynesbury Adrian Usher Tel: Luke Street, Eynesbury, St Neots, Cambs PE19 2TW Adrian.usher@ntlworld.com Catherine Hutton Tel: St Mary s Street, Eynesbury, St Neots, Cambs PE19 2TA Catherine.hutton@cambridgeshire.gov.uk Karl Wainwright Tel: Berkley Street, Eynesbury, St Neots, Cambs PE19 2ND karl.wainwright@btopenworld.com David John Ruck Tel: Barnard Close, Eynesbury, St Neots, Cambs PE19 2UP david.sntc@druck.org.uk Andrea Louie Ruck Tel: Barnard Close, Eynesbury, St Neots, Cambs PE19 2UP louie.sntc@druck.org.uk Paul Keith Ursell Tel: Luke Street, Eynesbury, St Neots, Cambs PE19 2TP pk.ursell@ntlworld.com Andrew Hansard Tel: Potton Road, Eynesbury, St Neots, Cambs PE19 2NN Andrew.hansard@huntsdc.gov.uk Visit us at Like us on Follow 11

12 What s On in St Neots 2013 Follow us on for the latest event information Town Events... St Georges Day Celebrations Sunday 21 April Coneguere, Eynesbury For details contact EVA: / eva.voice@hotmail.co.uk Rugby Club Festival Friday 26 Sunday 28 April St Neots Rugby Club snrugbyfest@gmail.com Eaton Socon May Day Celebrations Monday 6 May Eaton Socon Village Green For details contact ESCA: / escansca@gmail.com Armed Forces Day Celebrations Saturday 29 June Town Centre / Paxfest Saturday 13 July Little Paxton / littlepaxton@hotmail.com St Neots Rowing Regatta Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 July River Great Ouse & Regatta Meadows (Riverside Park) For details visit: Medieval Heritage Festival Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 July Market Square / Food & Drink Festival Saturday 3 August Market Square National Play Day Celebrations Wednesday 7 August Riverside Park (near the Ambience Cafe) Annual Flower Show Saturday 10 August Little Paxton Village Hall For details contact St Neots Gardening Club: Charity Dragon Boat Race & Summer Festival Saturday 31 August River Great Ouse & Regatta Meadows (Riverside Park) For details and entry forms contact: / Civic Service & Parade Sunday 8 September Town Centre & Parish Church Music in the Park Sunday 15 September Riverside Park (near the Ambience Cafe) Young People of the Year Awards Monday 23 September Priory Centre Christmas Lights Switch On Friday 29 November Market Square & Town Centre Christmas Carol Concert Saturday 7 December Parish Church Priory Centre Events... Jubilee Darts Tournament Thursday 28 February Prom Fayre in association with Be On Cloud Nine Events Saturday 2 March Southside Wrestling - Battle of the Ego s 3 Sunday 3 March Hunts Camra Booze on the Ouse festival Thursday 14 Saturday 16 March St Neots Camera Club Photography Exhibition Saturday 6 April Vamps present Producers Wednesday 17 Saturday 20 April Bump, Baby and Children s Show Saturday 27 April 70 s & 80 s Disco Over 21 s Friday 3 May St Neots Players present An Inspector Calls Thursday 16 Saturday 18 May Priory Centre Wedding Fayre Sunday 26 May Contact the Priory Centre for further details about all events. T: E: priory.centre@stneots-tc.gov.uk W: National Children s Trust (NCT) Sale Saturday 13 April Folk Festival Friday 7 & Saturday 8 June Visit us at Like us on Follow 12