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Stevenage Museum

Stevenage Museum Event and Exhibitions 
Telephone 01438 218881

Exhibitions
World War I: A Soldier’s story (closes 13 March 2010)
Follow the experiences of Stevenage men who served.  Step into the recruiting office and walk through a trench.  Find out how the town chose to remember those who lost their lives.

Short Courses: Art Classes
Fridays 1:00pm to 3:00pm.
Explore your creative side in our relaxed and friendly art class.  This course promises to be fun and rewarding for all.  For further information please contact kate.johnston@stevenage.gov.uk Cost £25, contact the museum for an equipment list.

Town wide activities / events

March 2010

Fortnightly Thursday Group meet at the Hyde out, Shephall from 11am till 12.30. New members over 60 welcome.

Any enquiries telephone Dot Brown 01438 721818.

Small Business Meet-Up on Tuesday 2 March.  Local business people, new start-ups and self employed people can get together at The Cinnabar Cafe, 56-58 High Street, Old Town, Stevenage SG1 3EF on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm.  This is a new venue for our meeting, planned to be easy to get to for everyone around Stevenage.  Local FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) volunteers host this easy going meeting with other local independent business people.  We charge £4 for the buffet - free parking behind the venue.  Contact Pam on pam.charman@kuaconsulting.com or leave a phone / fax message at 01992 421722 if you would like more information.  No need to book.

Poplars W.I. next meeting will be on Wednesday 3 March, 2:00pm at The Shephall Centre, Shephall Green, (off Hydean Way).  The speaker will be David Wass the title of his talk will be “The humorous side of shoplifting”.  Visitors welcome.

The Stevenage Arts Society has received a grant towards running a 10-week structured watercolour painting course for beginners, starting on Thursday 4 March.  The venue is Springfield House, Stevenage Old Town, the cost is £80, and the course will run from 9:30am - 11:30am.   Art materials will be provided for the first lesson but then participants will be expected to provide their own. You will be painting simple pictures using the skills learnt on the course.  The tutor, David Gale, is well known in local circles for his beginner's classes.  For an application form please contact Mrs J Meek 01438 880253.  You must be at least 19 yrs old to join this course.

Little Learners Pre-School has been running in Ridlins Pavilion for 25 years on Thursday 4 March.  Despite being burnt down in July 2004, we re-built and are still flourishing.  We now have a new building, new equipment and an even newer outside area, thanks to a grant from Herts County Council.  Our group has been full throughout the whole 25 years, often unfortunately having to turn children away if they did not put their names down on the waiting list before they were 18 months old.  We are now finding that many of the children, who attended in the early days, are bringing their children back to enjoy the fun and learning that the group has to offer.  We, the present staff at Little Learners would like to send a big thank you to all the past staff, parents and children who have supported the group throughout the years and enabled it to continue and grow to become the well thought of group that it is today.  If any past staff, parents or children would like to visit we would be happy to see them any morning after 9:45am or on a Tuesday afternoon between 1:00pm and 2:00pm.  We are now looking forward to another successful 25 years.

Nearly New Sale on Saturday 6 March, 2:00pm - 4:00pm In aid of Church Building Improvement Fund.  St. Hugh & St. John Church, Mobbsbury Way, Stevenage, SG2 0HL www.sthughandstjohn.org.uk.  Books, Toys, Bric-a-Brac, Clothing, Bags, CDs, DVDs and Videos.  Refreshments available.  Admission 20p (Accompanied under 16’s free).  If you have any items that would be suitable for selling this sale, they would be gratefully received.  The Church is open on Fridays from 10:30am - 11:30am and on Saturdays from 10:00am – 11:00am.

News from Holy Trinity and Christ the King: The parish, a keen supporter of the Fairtrade movement, is holding a Fairtrade coffee morning as part of Fairtrade Fortnight on Saturday 6 March at Christ the King, Filey Close, Symonds Green, from 10:00am to 12 noon.  Many members of the congregations at both churches will be going to the Women’s World Day of Prayer events on Friday 5 March.  These include a meditation led by the Rev Don Dowling, vicar of St Nicholas; Bible study by Joan Lazenby; an afternoon service at St Paul’s Methodist church in south Stevenage; and an evening service at Christ the King in Filey Close. The March issue of the parish magazine, Trinity, out now, contains a variety of articles and news of forthcoming events such as the Trinity Festival (29-31 May) and the Friends of Holy Trinity’s quiz night on Saturday 10 April from 6:30pm with Ian Hamilton as quizmaster.  Also featured is news of a pilgrimage to Taize leaving on 24 July and returning on Monday 1 August.

North Herts Ramblers invite you to join them on two walks.  On Saturday 6 March we have a 5 and a half mile morning walk by bus.  Catch the SB8 at 09:50 from the Bus Station to Hertford Road.  We then walk STOOP 3 to Datchworth (with fine views looking back to Stevenage), returning to Stevenage via the Poplars and the SB1 bus.  Call Mary on 01438 362027 for more details.  Then on Sunday 7 March a walk of 10 miles in the Kimpton area led by Ron (on 01438 237747).  For this walk meet outside Stevenage Library, ready to depart in shared cars at 9:30am.  Since this is an all day walk, you will need a packed lunch.

Royal Naval Association meets on Monday 8 March for serving and ex-serving members of the Naval service-R.N, W.R.N.S, F.A.A, R.M, R.F.A and families, new members welcome.  Just come along to meet both new and old friends at Howard Social Centre, Norton Way South, Letchworth from 7:00pm.  For further information, contact the secretary on 01438 243393 or the chairman on 01438 314297.

The Stevenage Society for Local History will meet on Monday 8 March at 7:30pm for 8:00pm at Stevenage Museum when Margaret Ashby and John Cartwright will talk about “The Stevenage Old Town Vets”.  All welcome, members free, visitors £2.50.  Further details from the Hon Secretary Colin Killick on 01438-358679.

Stevenage Trefoil Guild very much welcomes new adult members.  We support Girlguiding UK., and the local community.  Join us for friendship, fun and activities on Tuesday 9 March in Stevenage.  For further details please ring Barbara 01438 353766.

Stevenage International Club meets Friday 12 March, 8:00pm at the United Church Hall, Cuttys Lane.  An audience with Don Hills.  Members £2.50, Special evenings £3, Surcharge for non members £1, Membership per annum £3.50.

An evening of Clairvoyance with Graham Morris at Douglas Drive Day Centre, 32 Douglas Drive, Pin Green, Stevenage on Friday 12 March at 7:30pm.  £3.00 entrance, teas / coffees.  Tel 01438 357227 for more information.

"Swap, Don't Shop!"  Save the planet and refresh your own wardrobe by recycling your unworn and nearly new quality ladies clothes at a clothes exchange and pamper evening to be held at the John Henry Newman School on the evening of Friday 12 March.  Admission: £5 to include a glass of wine.  Bring your friends and visit our make-up, massage and other stalls.  For tickets or more information please call 01438 229277.

Free Family Fun Day at Stevenage Library on Saturday 13 March, 11:00am - 3:00pm.  Bookstart Bear and a Fire Engine will be among the attractions at the free Family Fun Day at Stevenage Library.  Families are welcome to drop in at any time between 11:00am and 3:00pm and enjoy all sorts of activities including card making, henna painting, Baby Rhyme Time, IT sessions as well as visiting displays by local organisations involved in support of families.  Families can also visit the Mobile Library and a Fire Engine.  For younger children there will be a Baby Rhyme Time sessions from 11:00am - 11:30am.  Bookstart Bear will be making appearances in and around the library throughout the day.  Local organisations such as North Herts College and Children’s Centres will be on hand to explain the local services available.

Nearly New Sale for the Stevenage and Knebworth Twins Club on Saturday 13 March at the Chells Park Pavillion, Gresley Way, Stevenage, from 10:30am – 12 noon.  Entry is 50p.  We have on sale Clothing ageing from birth to 8 year olds as well as shoes etc, Nursery equipment, Toys, Children Books, DVD, Videos, Car Seats, Pushchairs, Highchairs and Outdoor toys.  There will also be an Easter Raffle / Tombola.

Stevenage Kadoma Link are holding an Extraordinary General Meeting at 7:30pm on Monday 15 March at Daneshill House, Danestrete, Stevenage.  Any Stevenage resident or person working or studying in Stevenage is welcome to attend.  The EGM will vote on the proposed constitution for SKLA.  If you would like a copy of the proposed constitution prior to the meeting please contact Rose Hamilton on 01438 354088 or rose.hamilton1@care4free.net

Coffee Morning at St Hugh & St John's Church, Mobbsbury Way, Stevenage on Friday 19 March from 10:00am – 12 noon in aid of Bridgebuilders Christian Trust.  All Welcome Raffle - Cake Stall.

General Interest

Douglas Drive Day Centre drop in coffee mornings from 10:00am to 1:00pm.  Pop in for a cuppa or two and find out more about us.  For more details contact Jackie or Janet on 01438 357227.

Children's Birthday parties - The Oval Community Centre, Vardon Road have a special offer on hall hire for Children's Birthday parties, for a limited period.  £50 for a 3-hour booking in our large hall.  The large hall is suitable for parties with bouncy castles or discos, etc.   A smaller hall is available at £36.75 for a 3-hour booking (maximum 35 people).  For further details please telephone (01438) 359404.

Miss Hertfordshire 2010 Official heat for Miss England 2010.  Could you be our next Miss Hertfordshire?  Heats have already started around the country to find the next Miss England.  If you are aged between 17-24 then audition today (rules apply).  The 2010 winner of Miss Hertfordshire will go directly through to the Miss England finals in late summer.  Enter today for your chance to become Miss World!!!  Apply online at www.misshertfordshire.co.uk and successful applicants will be contacted in the New Year with details of our Photo Auditions taking place in February at the Galleria.  Finalists will be raising money for our chosen charity, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.  The Miss Hertfordshire organisation has raised over £20,000 in he last 4 years!  The Galleria is proud to sponsor Miss Hertfordshire 2010 for the 3rd year running.

The Whomerley Church and centre is open Monday, Thursday and Friday, drop in times are from 10:00am till 3:00pm. Healing is available during these times plus during our healing service from 1:30pm - 3:00pm and 7:30pm -9:00pm on Tuesdays.  We have Clairvoyant evening the first Saturday of every month.  We do meditation, philosophy and open circles.  Please look at our website. www.whomerleycenttre.co.uk

Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.  The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the gymnastics centre Marriotts School, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN).  Meet them there at 7:00pm.  The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7:30pm every Monday and 7:00pm on Thursdays.  Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9:30am sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9:15am.  Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.  Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £25 per year.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk.  For more information about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (01438 354505 or 0793 9687509), Sara O’Callaghan 07791 151986 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Stevenage Photographic Society meet at 7:45pm every week at the Roaring Meg Arts Pavilion next to Costa Coffee. New members are always welcome and all types of photography is encouraged.  Experienced members are always available to help. Log onto our website  http://stevenagephotographicsociety.org.uk/sps/ for more information.

News from Holy Trinity and Christ the King:

Mondays

Circuit Training Classes A great way of keeping fit and losing weight.  All fitness levels welcome.  Classes held on Mondays at Symonds Green Community Centre between 8:00pm and 9:00pm.  For more information please contact Simon on 07730 619114.

Egyptian-style bellydance classes in Stevenage.  Raqs Sharqi (Egyptian dance) classes return to Shephall Leisure Centre (by Barnwell School) from Monday 14 September.  Raqs Sharqi is a wonderful form of exercise and suitable for women of all ages, regardless of size or body shape.  Classes are on Thursday evenings from 7:30pm to 8:30pm and cost £35.00 for six classes if paid in advance.  Newcomers can pay £5 for one class and then the balance if they wish to continue.  For more information or to reserve a place, please contact Bridget Poulter on 07766 086183 or visit www.egyptiandance.co.uk, or email raqssharqi@ntlworld.com

Stevenage Chess Club meets every Monday evening from 7:30pm at Holy Trinity Church Parish Room.  We have four teams playing in the Herts League, with the Stevenage 1st team newly promoted to Division 1.  We welcome players of all abilities, from Grandmaster to beginner.  For further details, contact Mike Price on 01438 239638.

Breathe Easy North Herts, part of the support network of the British Lung Foundation holds its next monthly meeting at 2pm on Monday 22 February at Great Ashby Community Centre.  Members and non-members are invited to come and listen to Martha Ross (mother of Jonathan and Paul) who will talk about her career as an actress and her current project.  There will be plenty of opportunity to chat.  There is no charge for admission and refreshments are provided.  Contact Sue Churchman on 01438 357319 for further details.

Tuesdays

Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society meet every Tuesday at the Stevenage Resource Centre, Chells Way, Stevenage, SG2 0LT from 7:30pm until 9:00pm to discuss and experiment with all things radio and electronic.  RSGB Foundation course about to commence, you could be on the air by Christmas!  Come along and meet us any Tuesday or see us in action at the Bedfordshire Steam Fayre.  For further details Google ‘SADARS’ or ring 01462 459254.

Stevenage Bridge Club meets on a Tuesday night at 7.30 prompt for an evening of duplicate bridge at the St John Ambulance Hall in Stanmore Road, Stevenage. New members are always welcome and Stevenage is an excellent club for a friendly introduction to duplicate bridge. Anyone who has played Rubber Bridge or is learning bridge is welcome and partners can be found by arrangement. Table money is £2 which includes tea and coffee. Stevenage Bridge club is affiliated to The Herts Federation and the English Bridge Union and participates in the "master points" scheme. Telephone Phil Cooper on 0795 781 3434 for more detail.

South Stevenage Flower Club: We are a small friendly group who meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month and visitors are given a very warm welcome.  Demonstrations and workshops take place throughout the year, with visits to Gardens and Shows around the area.   We also hold Flower Arranging classes – please ring 01438 227084 if you would like to find out more.

Yoga Divine Tuesdays 7:30pm to 9:00pm at Springfield House Community Centre, Old Town Stevenage.  Cost £7.00.  Mixed level class.  Please Bring a Mat.  Other Props Provided. For More Information Contact Jacqueline on  07979362130 or via email whytejacqueline@hotmail.com

Wednesdays

Phoenix Club a club for unattached over 40s from Stevenage and surrounding towns.  We meet on Wednesdays at Holiday Express, Danestrete, Stevenage from 7:30pm.  Social events and outings arranged.  Contact Lin on 01438 224205.

Card Making for Improvers, 10:00am - 12:00noon at Pin Green Community Centre.  If you would like further details please speak to Helen the Manager at Pin Green Community Centre, or contact North Herts College on 01462 424242 and ask for the Adult, Community and Family Learning team. www.nhc.ac.UK email Community@nhc.ac.uk

Join the new Stevenage Health Walks taking place at Fairlands Valley Park every Wednesday from 24 February to 31 March. These free, volunteer-led walks are a great way to get outside, get more active and meet new people. A slower, shorter (approximately 30 minute) walk will take place at 10am with a longer (45-60 minutes), quicker walk starting afterwards at 10.45am. Walks start from the cafe. Speak to Kristina on 07751 319097 or Pauline on 07983 557168. For more details about health walks visit. www.hertsdirect.org/healthwalks

South Stevenage Flower Club Flower Arranging Classes, beginners only on Wednesdays from 10 March, 10:00am to 12 noon.  For more details contact Edna Holt on 01438 227084.

Bike Rides Go Week The CTC's popular easy evening cycle rides have gone weekly.  There's now a ride from Old Stevenage EVERY Wednesday at 7:15pm.  All welcome that can cycle 10 to 15 miles at a sociable pace.  Just bring a roadworthy bike with good lights.  Meet near Springfield House Community Centre and the war memorial at the very north end of the High Street (SG1 3EJ).  The ride will be "led and swept" so no-one gets left behind.  It's free but be prepared for a short refreshment break in a country pub.  Everyone should be back in the old town by 10:00pm.  For more information including the programme of Saturday and Sunday rides go to www.stevenagectc.org.uk

Thursdays

Beginners Tai Chi classes are being held at the Oval Community Centre on Thursdays at 7:00pm and Fridays at 10:00am.  If anyone would like to make any enquiries please contact Steve on 01767 316679.

Circuit Training Classes A great way of keeping fit and losing weight.  All classes are designed to provide an all over body workout.  Exercising in part of a group is great for motivation and circuit training is a fun and exciting way to keep in shape.  All fitness levels welcome.  Classes held on Thursdays at Bedwell Community Centre between 8:00pm and 9:00pm.  For more information please contact Simon on 07730 619114.

Roundabouters Country Dance Club meets every Thursday, 8:00pm - 10:00pm, at the Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane. We offer a varied programme of mainly English country dancing, led by different callers each week. Beginners and experienced dancers are all very welcome. For more information call Sandra (01438 239402).

Stevenage Offshore Cruising Association meets on the second Thursday of every month, 8:00pm, at the Stevenage CIU, next to the Standing Order Pub in Stevenage Old Town.  Meetings include presentations on a wide range of nautical subjects.  For further information, email commodore@socasailing.org.uk

Stevenage Plus: a local social group for people aged between 18 and 35, to meet and make new friends.  We meet on Thursday nights at the Holiday Express, Danestrete, we host quizzes and other fun events and also have Saturday events which can range from BBQ’s (in summer) to bowling.  We are also part of a national organisation of plus groups and annual events taking place during the year.  For more information, contact Natalie on 07837 733830 for further information.

Fridays

The Friday Afternoon Bridge Club welcomes new members to play Chicago Bridge from 1:30pm at Springfield House which overlooks the War Memorial at the north end of High Street.  Table money £2 includes tea or coffee and biscuits. No partner required as we cut in.  Duplicate scoring at 1penny /100.  Easy going Bridge with pleasant company.

Sundays

Come Dine with Me Sunday is the day of rest so what could be better than enjoying good food and good company without having to lift a finger?  Stevenage is full of a variety of restaurants that provide the perfect setting for just that... If you would be interested in enjoying Sunday lunch with new people and new faces then call Phyllis on 01438 228022.

Contact

Tracey Parry
Town Centre Manager
Tel: 01438 740884
Fax: 01438 743828
Email: tcm@stevenage-town-centre.co.uk
Website: www.westgateshopping.co.uk

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