Charlie Last (age 6)
APRIL & MAY 2015 Charlie Last (age 6) Welcome to the Downside Magazine! Dear Downsiders Welcome to our Spring Edition of the magazine. Congratulations to Charlie Last (age 6) for winning our drawing competition and making our front cover of the magazine! To see all 3 entries please visit www.facebook.com/DownsideMagazineDunstable The magazine is also available free in digital form on our website, go to www.downsidemagazinedunstable.co.uk WG&D Residents Association is organising 2 trips this Spring and Summer. Please check pages 3 and 7 for more details. There is also an update on Our Place project on page 5 and lots of other interesting articles and events. For a full list of what’s on please check our Dates for Diary on the last page Downside Magazine Volunteers Don’t forget to read the latest Paul Heley’s Clive Bates, Mary Cuckson, article, this time about Dunstable but Amanda Evans, Kama Langham, 3000 miles away. Silvie French, Jana Veyres, Moira Wollington Enjoy! Your Downside magazine team If you would like to advertise or write an article for the next edition, please contact: Kama Langham, Centre Leader on 01582 666 403 Downside Neighbourhood Centre, Oakwood Ave, LU5 4AS. Pop in, write to us or send us your article and photos on an email: [email protected] If you require any help writing your article, we’ll be happy to assist. DEADLINE FOR JUNE 2015 EDITION IS 21ST APRIL 2015 Key Contacts Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) 0300 300 8000 CBC REPAIRS (e.g. Pot holes) 0300 300 8049 STREET LIGHT - report a problem (lamp identification number on the lamp post) 0300 300 8049 Downside Neighbourhood Centre 01582 666 403 St Augustine’s Academy 01582 661 778 The Mayfield Centre 01582 670 695 Police Contact Non-emergencies 101 SNT.DunstableHR&[email protected] 2 Dunstable Town Council 01582 513 000 Cllr T A W Stock Dunstable Town Mayor Tel: 01582 891 404 Cllr R Pepworth DTC Tel: 01582 538 414 Cllr N Reynolds Tel: 07963 377 087 Cllr Peter Hollick (CBC) & DTC Tel: 01582 665 133 Ms Denise Davidson Estates Officer 0300 300 5388 Any opinion expressed in these articles is not necessarily the opinion of the editor. SOUTHEND-ON-SEA Sunday 3rd May 2015 Adult £8 Child £5 Downside departure: 8am Coach will be leaving from Mayfield shops Southend-On-Sea departure: 5.30pm If you would like to book tickets or find out more please contact Tony Cootes on 07860 402735 PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT Bo u Ca ncy stle s 7th June 2015 The Community Centre, Suffolk Road E FRE que e rb Ba 3 Downside Neighbourhood Centre Regular Programme Monday - Friday Oakwood Ave LU5 4AS Tel: 01582 666403 / 666418 Monday % Breastfeeding brasserie 12:00 - 1:30pm % Baby Clinic 1:00 - 3pm % Tiny Tots 1:30 - 3pm Tuesday % Lone parent advisor (Job Centre Plus) by appointment Thursday % Stay & Play 1:30 - 3pm Friday % G.T.T. Clinic by appointment 9:00 - 12:00 % Bromford Support 1:00 - 2:30pm appointment only 4 As some of you may be aware Dunstable South Children's Centre has been managed by the Children's Society on behalf of Central Bedfordshire Council. As of 1st April we will be managed by YMCA. There will be lots going on behind the scenes, pop into the centre or check our Facebook page for up to date information. We welcome comments, complaints and suggestions so please feel free to speak to a member of our team. Our Place A community survey was undertaken in July/August 2014 as part of the 'Our Place' project. Resident responses given included the need for health related services and for other services to be delivered outside of regular office hours. As a result Dunstable Town Council worked with partners to deliver on these requests. Services included; Health Checks, Stop Smoking and the Lifestyle Hub, Citizens Advice Bureau evening outreach and Financial/budgeting advice provided by Dunstable Salvation Army. However, the Wednesday evening sessions have not proven to be popular, with only 12 individuals accessing the services over 5 months. As a result both have now ceased. Any resident needing advice from these agencies can obtain help and support by visiting their town centre locations, it is advisable to make an appointment: · Citizen Advice Bureau, 76 High Street North, Dunstable - 661384 · Salvation Army, Bull Pond Lane, Dunstable - 606031 A number of other services continue to offer help and support to local residents from The Mayfield Centre and they are reported under The Mayfield Centre opening hours. What next for Our Place? The partnership have submitted plans for work post April 2015 and are committed to working with local people to improve the delivery of services. However, without resident's involvement we can't move forward. Because of the variety of skills within the local community there have been conversations and ideas about establishing a community enterprise, what this looks like and what it does is down to you and those who step forward. So if you are interested in getting involved in your local community please pop into The Mayfield Centre, give us a call: 670695 or send us an email: [email protected] FREE COURSE Springboard for Women Returners Fed up at home? Want to build your skills and confidence to prepare for a return to work or training? Starts 16 April 2015 at Downside Neighbourhood Centre, Dunstable Runs Thursdays 9.45am to 2.45pm for 6 weeks Childcare and travel costs met. CVs, interview skills, benefits advice and much more ... ENROL NOW! Contact Jo: 01525 850559 Voluntary and Community Action email: [email protected] 5 Grove Corner If you are aged 13 to 18 and would like a place to hang out with friends, listen to music, play a free game of pool or table football and use the internet for free then Grove Corner could be for you. Grove Corner is warm, dry, light and bright. Friendly staff are on hand, if you need any information we are always happy to help. We are open for drop-in's on Monday and Wednesday evenings 7pm to 9.30pm and Friday evenings 8pm to 9.30pm. Sounds good but you are not yet 13? Don't worry we have a junior youth club for 10 to 13 year olds on Friday evenings 6pm to 7.45pm. For more information visit www.dunstable.gov.uk or contact Jacqui on 01582 891434 email: [email protected] Every Saturday between 2:00-3:30pm at the Downside Community Centre It’s FREE! Creative church is a creative, fun filled, informal time for all of the family, involving crafts, action songs, drama, music, stories and much more that teach important life values. The aim of Creative church is to provide a place where families can come to meet, share, create, learn, talk and eat together. Creative church is sponsored by the Dunstable Seventh-day Adventist Community Church HAVE YOU BEEN HURT BY SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU, OR THREATENED WITH ABUSE? What is domestic violence? Domestic violence includes !· Threats of further violence or harming the children !· Breaking objects, hurting pets, abusive language !· Isolating an individual from family and friends !· Controlling access to money, prevented from going to work !· Physical and sexual violence !· Living in fear of further violence It is not just about physical violence and it doesn't just happen to women. If you think that any of the above things are happening to you, there are people who can help. 6 Christmas Raffle Report on the Residents Association Christmas Raffle 2014 The Woodfield Green and Downside Residents Association would like to thank all residents that took part in the Christmas Raffle. The raffle was very successful and all money raised will be going back into community events and trips. The Residents Association would like to thank local businesses who generously donated prizes. SCA Hygiene Products, Horse and Jockey, The Sandwich Bar, Mayfield Fish and Chip shop, The Mayfield Take Away, Mayfield Mini Market and Mayfield Newsagent. All prize winning ticket numbers are displayed on the notice boards around the estate. Look out for the next RAFFLE during SUMMER 2015 SUMMER TRIP TO HASTINGS WG & D Residents Association is organising a summer trip to Hastings on Sunday 23rd August 2015. If you would like to book tickets or find out more please contact Tony Cootes on 07860 402735 Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch Once again the Woodfield Green & Downside Residents Association held their annual Christmas Lunch for the senior citizens of the Downside estate on 7th December 2015 at The Community Centre, Suffolk Road. Guests at the event were Dunstable Town mayor and mayoress and other council members. Over 75 people attended the event which was thoroughly enjoyed. All the ladies attending received a small Christmas present. Please note: There is a change of location for the Woodfield Green and Downside Residents Association meetings every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7.15pm. They no longer are held at The Mayfield Centre. The new location is Downside Community Centre at Suffolk Road. 7 The Mayfield Centre Core opening hours are: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm on Monday 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Tuesday 9.30 am to 5.00 pm Wednesday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm on Thursday 10.00 am to 12 noon Friday Monday Bromford Support - 12 noon to 4pm for anything tenancy related. Westminster Drug Project - 2pm to 4pm for any alcohol or drug advice. Tuesday Stop smoking clinic - 8.30am to 10.30am help and support to give up smoking Drop-in - 10am to 5pm for local people to access the computers for job and/or house searching and/or specific information relating to services for the elderly etc. Sight Concern community group 12.30pm to 3pm Life Style Hub - 12 noon to 5pm for information and advice on health and well being. Wednesday Work Club - 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1pm to 3pm. Homework drop-in - 3.30pm to 5pm Thursday Drop-in - 10am to 5pm for local people to access the computers for job and/or house searching Homework drop-in - 3.30pm to 5pm 4YP - for information, advice and guidance for 16 to 19 year olds, by appointment only. Friday Mayfield Makers and Creators Craft Club - 10am to 12 noon new members welcome 8 Dunstable Town Council has listened to local residents and works with partners to provide additional services from The Mayfield Centre, currently this includes: Wednesday Health Walks in partnership with Sustainable Transport. If you would like to join this friendly group meet at The Mayfield Centre 9.00 am for a short walk and finish back at The Mayfield Centre for refreshments and a chat. The Mayfield Makers and Creators – Craft Work Shops Every Friday 10.00 am to 12 noon. Come along and learn and share skills within a friendly and supportive group. Adults with children welcome for this free activity (school term times only). Coming Soon Library Point - Working in partnership with the Library Service, The Mayfield Centre will shortly be offering a library point service from the Centre on Tuesdays. You and your family will be able to register as a library user and borrow books from the Centre. Space is limited so suggestions of topics/titles/authors are welcome. English & Maths - Central Bedfordshire Adult Education Services will shortly offer assistance to adults in improving their English and Maths at The Mayfield Centre on Wednesday's. Please visit www.dunstable.gov for updates or call into the Centre for more information. The Town Council would really like to hear from you on suggestions of services and activities you would like to see provided for you and your family. Please feel free to call in and discuss your ideas with staff at The Mayfield Centre or contact us on 01582 670695 or 01582 513000 or email: [email protected] 9 St Augustine’s Church St. Augustine of Canterbury Church continues to meet for worship, social and fundraising events, as well as encouraging the community groups that meet in our halls. These include: A lunch Club for the over 55's, Painting for Pleasure, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, an Alzheimer's support group, Foodbank, Ladies Guild, U3A Yoga, Karate. We like to encourage our younger members, and were delighted to see the older group encouraging younger members at the Crib Service in December. Throughout the Christmas Season, residents may have noticed our colourful window display… Easter Activities: Holy Week Mon 30th 7.00pm Lent Course Meal Tue 31st 7.30pm Taizé Service at Priory Church Wed 1st 7.30pm Reflective Service at St. Fremund's Thu 2nd 7.30pm Maundy Thursday Meal and Vigil Fri 3rd 10.30am Walk of Witness starting at St. Mary's Church, West Street, finishing in the Quadrant. 2.00pm An Hour before the Cross Sun 5th 10.30am Easter Holy Communion April Our regular pattern of services will continue Sunday 26th 10.30am Family Service Race Night: Saturday 25th April Please call the Church Office on 01582 661645 if you would like tickets and we will get back to you. Downside Pre School Our New Garden We have been refurbishing our garden. We had artificial grass laid in January and eagerly waited for our new equipment to arrive. The first to arrive was the train. The children can climb, crawl and jump off. Or they can sit and have conversations or share books. The children were very excited to see it. We are very much looking forward to the arrival of our new playhouse. Places available at Downside Pre School Downside Pre-School offers high quality education and care for children from 2 to 5 years old. We are open 5 days a week, from 8.45am to 3.15pm and have 15 hours funding for eligible 2 year old children, and 15 hours of funding for children of 3 and 4 years. Our prices are £4.20 per hour. Visits are welcome at any time. Julie Russell, Downside Pre School manager, Oakwood Ave, Dunstable tel. 01582 660833 10 The Wildlife Trust Events on Blows Downs this Winter Birds on Blows - Spring walk Join us for a spring morning guided walk with RSPB local group leader, Mick Price. Climb above the urban sprawl and enjoy the far-reaching views whilst watching, listening and learning about the birds. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and footwear. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. Limited places, booking essential. Price: £3 per head Date and time: Saturday 25th April from 8am to 11am Meeting Point: Skimpot Road/Hatters Way roundabout entrance, LU5 4GZ Contact: Sue Turner on 07706131942 Wildlife Rangers (Exclusively for young people aged 13 to 19 years) Wildlife surveying and practical hands on conservation, helping to make a real difference for local wildlife, whilst learning new skills and meeting like minded friends. New members very welcome to join our small friendly group. Add something amazing to your CV, work towards the nationally recognised John Muir Conservation Award. No previous experience required. Outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear required as it is an outdoor activity. Booking essential. Price: Free Date and time: Thursday 28th May from 1pm to 3.30pm Meeting point: Oakwood Avenue, LU5 4AU Contact: Ruth Sneath on 01525 874317 or email [email protected] Additional information for the above events: Wheelchair access: No Mobility: Uneven surfaces, slippery when wet, steep slopes, rough grass paths Funded early learning for 2 years olds To find out more visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/childcare or call us on 0300 300 8119 11 Another Dunstable 3000 miles away by Paul Heley You'll be aware that there are quite a few places in the UK with the same name. For example, there are 6 Downsides; 4 Lutons; something like 80 places based on Milton (eg Milton Keynes); roughly 250 places with either Newton or Newtown in their name; endless Nortons, Eatons, Suttons and Wettons. But there is only one Dunstable. But if you now extend your horizon to the north eastern corner of America - and in particular to the six states collectively known as New England - you'll find a mass of places with English names: including a little town on the Sailing for the New World Massachusetts/New Hampshire border called Dunstable. You'll also find that there are well over 200 English place names in New England alone and that Massachusetts takes the lion's share with more than 80 (of which Dunstable is one). How did this plethora of English names come about? The answer, of course, is history since what is now Massachusetts was the area that English settlers - the "Pilgrim Fathers" - landed in 1620. Eventually other settlers along the American eastern seaboard joined forces to create the original American colony of 13 states. This lasted until the American War of Independence in the late 1700s by which time it stretched from the far north to Georgia in the deep south. Apart from a few places like Jamestown (named after James 1st) in Virginia (named after Elizabeth 1st, the "virgin queen"), most of the other place names reflect where the settlers originally came from. The reason for this mass emigration to America was mainly religious even though by 1620 Protestants and Catholics in England had largely stopped killing each other with gay abandon and the Anglican Church of England was fully established. But groups such as the Puritans, Quakers, Baptists, Independents and other "non conformists" were far from happy with the dictatorial manner in which the Anglican church exacted its control. And here in Dunstable, for example, there was considerable dissent when a popular vicar, Zachary Symmes, was victimised for not preaching as the church demanded. Eventually Zachary, together with a number of his followers and other disgruntled preachers, decided that enough was enough and sailed to Boston in 1632. There he was welcomed with open arms. I find it amazing to think that so many settlers, having a similar background history, named their new communities after the places back home where they'd been subjected to ridicule and victimisation. Perhaps they were extremely nostalgic; perhaps they were very forgiving; or perhaps they hadn't got much imagination! Although many immigrants remained in the area around Boston, many others ventured inland into what was dangerous Indian country. Maybe some were fired with a missionary zeal; some with a quest for adventure. Who knows? But a contempory quote reads:- "In the fathers of New England we behold a body of men who, for the liberty of faith alone, resolutely and deliberately exchanged the delights of home and the comforts of a civilised life for toil, danger and for an ungenial climate and a rugged soil". Another Dunstable man, Edward Tyng (1600 - 1681), first emigrated in 1630 and by 1639 he was settled as a merchant in Boston. But he then pushed inland to found an area of land known as "Dunstable" which by 1656 had attracted its first settlers. The nearby settlement of Tyngsborough also takes his name and, later still, the community of Dunstable was officially established and incorporated in 1673. From these humble beginnings Dunstable gradually grew - but it has never been large. Originally "Dunstable" had occupied a 200 square miles area of land and straddled the NH/MA state boundaries but, with time, this large area was broken up into smaller communities some of which have since become important towns. Dunstable, however, has always remained either rural or, as at present, largely dormitory for Boston 28 miles away. Its present population is about 3200 and census returns show that in 1850 there were roughly 600 people. A 'flu epidemic in 1920 caused it to drop to 350 but thereafter it has continued to rise slowly. Looking at recent civic statistics shows Dunstable to be fairly affluent with higher than state average income together with good educational qualifications and low unemployment. Its standard of living appears to be high (and is most likely much better than that which its "parent" town back in the UK currently enjoys. Ouch!) But to return to its history, for seven years following 1774, America was embroiled in its War of Independence when it tried - successfully - to shake off the yoke of British colonialism. The war started with the so called "Boston Tea Party" and gradually moved south over the years. The folk memory of the people of New England recalled Britain's former high handedness and, in Massachusetts in particular, recruits were quick to join. It is interesting to note that, in these parts, there has always been a sense of "genteel rebellion" and a reluctance to "do as you're told". Bloody mindedness if you like! From the very start, 40 Dunstable men volunteered for the local army contingent and numbers quickly grew. It is recorded that in May 1775 the whole male population of Dunstable between the ages of 16 and 50 was only 128 but that each one of these men was somehow engaged in the conflict. New England men were particularly valued as fighters since they had already experienced warfare against Indian tribes and the French regarding Canada. Described as " hardy, fearless and indefatigable, almost every one of them is a trained marksman. They have experience of savage warfare and forest hunting is familiar to them all. They can aim their weapons at a human oppressor as readily as at a bear". In June 1775, many Dunstable men were involved in the famous Battle of Bunker Hill and as the war continued and moved further south, so they were involved in later battles. Another quote says "They were in almost every fight from Bunker Hill to Yorktown. There were victories, there were defeats; but they were there at Yorktown when the whole British army capitulated and independence was won". But isn't it terribly ironic that less than 100 years later, many of these soldiers, northeners and southerners, who had fought side by side in the War of Independence now found themselves on opposite sides during the American Civil War; and that they were now killing each other? Such is the nature of war. After these two very different conflicts, Dunstable went back to sleep and continued to develop its quiet Area existence gradually around becoming the prosperous Boston and and typical New England Dunstable country town of today. 13 The Notice Board THE 9TH DUNSTABLE SCOUTS ARE ONE OF THE FIRST TO USE NEW, FREE TEXT MESSAGE SERVICE TO RAISE FUNDS The Scouts will be amongst the first charities in the country to use its own, unique personalised text code, TENT09 to raise funds using JustTextGiving by Vodafone. This is a brand new, free service for charities that has no set up or fundraising costs for charities, no network charges for people making donations and every penny donated goes to charity. Gift Aid can also be added to donations. From today, supporters of The 9th Dunstable Scouts can make donations of up to £10 by texting TENT09 and either 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 to 70070 to make their donation. The text message is free and all of the donation will be passed to The 9th Scouts Dani Bailey of The 9th Dunstable Scouts said: “This is a wonderful way for us to raise money as it's speedy, simple and spontaneous. Most people have a mobile phone these days so we expect this to be very popular with our supporters.” DEBT ADVICE SERVICE 01582 606031 [email protected] The Salvation Army Bull Pond Lane Dunstable Bedfordshire LU6 3AH The Salvation Army offers a free, confidential, professional service to all people in the Dunstable area The Salvation Army Registered Charity Number 214779 and in Scotland SC009359 Authorised and regulated by Financial Conduct Authority Supported by Dunstable Town Council Have you or anyone you know: !Been offered a cash loan without paperwork? !Been threatened when you couldn’t pay? !Had your benefit or bank card taken from you? !Had a loan which keeps growing even though Email: [email protected] you are making payments? Text: loan shark + your message to 60003 If you answer yes to the above you may have Web: www.direct.gov.uk/stoploansharks been bitten by a Loan Shark. For confidential help and advice contact the Illegal Money Lending Team 0300 555 2222 14 (local call rate, including inclusive minutes from mobiles) 15 Dates for your Diary Every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7.15pm - Woodfield Green and Downside Residents Association meeting at a new location - Downside Community Centre, Suffolk Road. Everyone is welcome! APRIL 4 16 25 25 Easter Egg Hunt - 10am to 3.30pm at Ashton Square Area, see page 6 Springboard for Women Returners - Free 6 weeks course. For more details please see page 5 Race Night - St Augustine’s Church, please call the Church Office on 01582 661645 if you would like tickets, see page 10 Birds on Blows - Spring walk organised by The Wildlife Trust. for more information and contact details please see page 11 MAY 3 28 Trip to Southend-On-Sea organised by WG&D Residents association For more details please see page 3 Wildlife Rangers - 1pm to 3.30pm organised by The Wildlife Trust, for more information and contact details please see page 11 Please let us know about any other events happening at Downside which you would like to have included in our Dates for Diary. You can contact us via Facebook or email us on [email protected] Police Contact As always, if you need us: in emergency please dial 999 non-emergencies call us on 101 Email address: SNT.DunstableHR&[email protected] We take great care to ensure all information in the Downside magazine is correct at the time of going to press. However, we would advise everyone to phone and check details prior to making a long trip ... or promise! Special thanks to the following sponsors for their contribution Funded by the Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation’s London Luton Airport Operations Ltd Fund and Dunstable Town Council Our Place project Simon Whitbread Charitable Trust
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