Great Ashby Welcome Pack Contents

Foreword ...... 3 Introduction ...... 3 and Local History ...... 4 Your Local Councils ...... 6 Neighbourhood Centre Amenities ...... 6 Playgrounds & Parks...... 8 Woodland Walks ...... 10 Retail shops & Supermarkets ...... 11 Pre-School, Schools & Education ...... 13 Local NHS Services ...... 15 Pubs & Restaurants ...... 17 Nearby Attractions ...... 19 GACC Contact Details ...... 20

P a g e | 2 Foreword

On behalf of the Great Ashby Community Council, I would like to welcome you to Great Ashby! We are delighted you have chosen our neighbourhood, and are sure you will enjoy living here. The Community Council have prepared this welcome pack to help new or existing residents get to know the area, as we believe Great Ashby offers the best of both worlds; proximity to the amenities of a large town, whilst being on the doorstep of rural countryside. Chair of GACC

Introduction

The Great Ashby community is a thriving and growing one; Town has some superb amenities and facilities (such as the Gordon Craig Theatre, the Leisure Park and Fairlands Valley Park, to name just a few) and by living in Great Ashby you get both easy access to these places as well as the benefits of living so close to the immediate countryside. Indeed, it is a combination of these factors that attract so many people to Great Ashby. The Great Ashby Community Council is a little younger than Great Ashby itself as we were formed in 2011. GACC is working towards making Great Ashby as pleasant and an enjoyable a place to live in as we can. We look to support the community in many ways, with some of the current activities being landscaping the roundabouts, maintenance of a number of the playgrounds and the provision of dog-litter bins to name a few. We have provided financial grants for the Great Ashby community centre for a number of years, as well as grants for groups who run activities and classes within the community. We periodically conduct a neighbourhood survey so we are able to focus on what the community itself views as being important. So welcome again to the Great Ashby community we truly hope you enjoy living here.

P a g e | 3 Great Ashby and Local History

In the rural, leafy district of North and located on the north eastern outskirts of Stevenage lies the of Great Ashby. Development began in 1999 and the area now boasts approximately 2200 dwellings with a population of around 5700, a primary school, an inclusive community church and a neighbourhood centre with local shops and a community centre. Many of Great Ashby homes enjoy a modern feel and provide private and social housing for our thriving community. A recent survey demonstrated that residents are very happy living here. There is a good community spirit and residents overwhelmingly state they feel safe, which is reinforced by low crime statistics for the area. Whilst Great Ashby is predominantly built on farmland, the area surrounding is rich in history: Great Ashby is fortunate to border the Weston Park character area with its gently sloping chalk plateau. This area contains ancient woodland containing oak and thorn, winding paths and intersecting lanes within an area of beauty and designated green belt. To the north and east of Great Ashby ancient woodland provides nature trails for walkers and the district park is popular with the local community.

P a g e | 4 Between the nearby village of Graveley and the area of Chesfield Park lies farmland known as Forster Country, famed by the English novelist E.M. Forster, the author of A Room with a View, Howards End and A Passage to India amongst other novels. He famously described the surrounding countryside as being ‘the loveliest in ’. Also of note, some historic buildings are situated close to Great Ashby which show evidence of the remains of medieval life: probably most well known locally is the ruin of the Grade II listed 14th century church of St Elthelreda, which although sited within a private garden, is visible from the road in Back Lane. Historical websites also report other medieval sites to the north east of Great Ashby near to Halls Green and south of Weston where evidence was found of a 12th century medieval manorial site and Romano-British burials. South-east of Weston, there have been finds of prehistoric earthworks including flint scatters and pottery from the woods and fields indicating evidence of occupation dating back to the Neolithic period – suggesting settlement as early as circa 4000 BC.

P a g e | 5 Your Local Councils

The Great Ashby neighbourhood falls under two different local Councils depending on which area of the neighbourhood you live in. These councils cover planning, waste & recycling, parks and leisure. ▪ North Herts District Council (NHDC) – www.north-herts.gov.uk ▪ Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) – www.stevenage.gov.uk The Great Ashby Community Council is a parish level council set up in 2011 to support the North Herts District of Great Ashby. We support a number of projects to improve life for residents of Great Ashby. You’ll find minutes from the Council meetings on the Great Ashby Community Council notice board outside Budgens and also pinned on the notice board in the Community Centre. ▪ Great Ashby Community Council (GACC) – greatashbycouncil.org Hertfordshire County Council covers the whole of the county, and is responsible for roads, drains, schools and healthcare ▪ Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) – www.hertfordshire.gov.uk

P a g e | 6 Neighbourhood Centre Amenities

Blades Barbers Unit 1 St Francis House • Gents barbers • Closed Sundays • bladesbarbersstevenage.co.uk Budgens Unit 6 • Mini Supermarket • Open 7 days a week • ATM • budgens.co.uk Post Office Within Budgens in Unit 6 royalmail.com Sun Booth Unit 5A • Sunbed tanning salon Fortunes Place Unit 1 • Fish bar • Chinese Takeaway • Closed Sundays • fortunesplace.co.uk Dumb Blondes Unit 2 • Beauty Nail Hair salon • Closed Sundays • beautynailhairsalons.com Geoffrey Matthew Estates Unit 3 • Estate Agents • geoffreymatthew.co.uk Jhoots Pharmacy Unit 4 • Pharmacy • Free prescription collection & delivery • Closed Sundays • jhootspharmacy.co.uk Roebuck Veterinary Group St Francis House • Health care & advice for small animals • Manned 24hrs • roebuckvets.co.uk

P a g e | 7 Playgrounds & Parks

Playgrounds There are several children playgrounds located throughout the Great Ashby neighbourhood including: ▪ Snowdonia Way • Toddler swings • Older children's swings • Climbing frame ▪ Mendip Way and Cromdale Walk • Toddler swings • Other play equipment ▪ Cleveland Way • Toddler park ▪ Chilterns • Small play area ▪ Merrick Close • Small play area ▪ Fairfield Way / Great Ashby Way • Accessible roundabout ▪ Quantock Close • Toddler swings • Slides • Areas for older/younger children

Parks ▪ Great Ashby District Park Picnic area • Play area • Woodland • Meadows • Free parking • Access by car via Serpentine Close from Great Ashby Way ▪ St Nicholas Park c0.5miles • 28 acre parkland • Play areas • Football pitch • BMX track • Fitness area • Access by foot from Great Ashby ▪ Fairland Valley Park c3.5 miles • 120 acre parkland • Lakes • Play areas • Water play facility • Woodland • Grassland • Sailing club • Café • Free parking ▪ Stanborough Park c13.4 miles • 126 acre riverside green area • Lakes • Watersports centre • Walking trails • Café • Car parking charges apply

P a g e | 8 Locations of Playgrounds and Parks shown on the map below.

P a g e | 9 Woodland Walks

Covering all the mini walks below, with info board at the Great Ashby Community Centre. Brooches Wood Info board at start of walk off Cleveland Way. Claypithills Spring Running down the back of Quantock Close, info board off edge of District Park. Serpentine Wood Running between Serpentine Close and Thirlmere, with info board on Thirlmere side. Thirlmere Wood Around woods on other side of Thirlmere, no info board.

P a g e | 10 Retail shops & Supermarkets

Stevenage Old Town c2.5miles • Village feel • Coaching inns & pubs • Coffee shops • Restaurants • Independent shops • Free parking, restrictions apply Stevenage Town Centre c3miles • Pedestrianised shopping area • High street shops including Next, Boots, Wilkinsons & Primark • Range of parking options available Westgate Shopping Centre Indoor mall • 35 retail outlets • Located Stevenage Town Centre • Multi storey car park

P a g e | 11 Roaring Meg / Monkswood Retail Park Shops, restaurants, DIY & leisure facilities • Free parking for 3 hours no return (reduced hours on Stevenage Football Club match dates) Tesco 2 available in Stevenage Larger ‘Extra’ store located in Stevenage New Town • Smaller store located in Broadwater • Free parking Sainsburys 2 available in Stevenage Corey’s Mill and Poplars • Free parking Asda Located in Stevenage New Town • Open 24hrs • Petrol station • Parking can be claimed back when you spend an amount. Aldi Located in Stevenage New Town • Parking

P a g e | 12 Pre-School, Schools & Education

Busy Bees Nursery Private childcare provision • 0-5 years • Opening times 7:30am-6:30pm Mon-Fri • Large outdoor play area • Private parking Strawberry Fields Children's centre Part of Stevenage North group of Children centres • Located Great Ashby Community Centre & Round Diamond School site • Clinics • Groups • Support • Visit: stevenagenorthchildrenscentres.org.uk The Early Bird Pre School Located at Great Ashby Community Centre • 2 to under 5 years • Mon-Fri 9am- 12pm • Term time only • Lunch club • Visit: earlybirdpreschool.co.uk

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Round Diamond Primary Primary school • Located within Great Ashby • 5-11 years • Breakfasts & After school clubs available • Visit: rounddiamondprimary.net

North Hertfordshire College From 16 years + • Occupationally focused • Full and part-time courses • Opening times 8:30am-5pm Mon-Thurs and 8:30am-4:30pm Fri • Private parking • Visit: nhc.ac.uk

University of Hertfordshire c15.3 miles • Undergraduate and postgraduate courses available • Uno shuttle bus • Park & ride • Only visitor parking on site • Visit: herts.ac.uk To find your nearest school please visit: hertfordshire.gov.uk

P a g e | 14 Local NHS Services

P a g e | 15 Lister Hospital, Stevenage c2.9 miles • General hospital • Accident & emergency services • Visiting times vary • Visit: enherts-tr.nhs.uk/our-hospitals/lister/ QEII Hospital, Garden City c10.3 miles • Out of hours GP services • Urgent care centre • Visit: http://www.newqeii.info/ St Nicholas Health Centre (1) c0.9 miles • Accepting new patients • Online prescription ordering • Online appointment booking • Visit: stnicholashc.co.uk Manor House Surgery (2) c1.3 miles • Accepting new patients • Online prescription ordering • Online appointment booking • Visit: manorhouse-surgery.org.uk Chells Doctors Surgery (3) c1.4 miles • Accepting new patients • Online prescription ordering • Online appointment booking • Visit: chellssurgery.co.uk Exeter Close Dental Practice (4) c0.5 miles • Accepting new patients • Visit: nhs.uk/Services/dentists Chells Dental Practice (5) c1.5 miles • Accepting new patients • Visit: stevenagedental.co.uk Bedwell Dental Practice (6) c2.2 miles • Accepting new patients • Visit: nhs.uk/Services/dentists

P a g e | 16 Pubs & Restaurants

1 The Rising Sun 11 Three Horseshoes 21 The Plume of Feathers 2 Waggon & Horses 12 Orange Tree 22 The Squirrel 3 Red Lion 13 The Bull 23 The Chequers 4 The Bull 14 The Yew Tree 24 Marquis of Lorne 5 The Pig & Whistle 15 The Crown 25 Royal Oak 6 Saint Nicholas Pub/Tavern 16 The Chequers Beer House 26 Mulberry Tree 7 The Fisherman 17 Hermit of Redcoats 27 Rump and Wade 8 The Cricketers 18 Bucks Head 28 The Jolly Waggoner 9 George And Dragon 19 The White Lion 29 The Dun Cow 10 Red Lion 20 The Green Man 30 The Chequers Local Hero

P a g e | 17 The Rising Sun, Hall's Green, Weston, SG4 7DR

Saint Nicholas Pub/Tavern, Canterbury Way Stevenage, SG1 4LJ

The White Lion, High St, Stevenage, SG2 7PA

The Yew Tree, High St, Walkern Stevenage, SG2 7NX

The Crown, Long Lane, Aston End Stevenage, SG2 7HD

The Chequers, Bragbury End. Stevenage, SG2 8TH

Three Horseshoes, Hooks Cross, Watton at Stone, SG14 3RY

The Bull, High St, Watton at Stone, SG14 3SB

The Cricketers Pub, Weston, Damask Green Rd, SG4 7DA

The Green Man, Great , Rd, Hitchin, SG4 7EU

Orange Tree, Hitchin, Stevenage Rd, SG4 9DR

Waggon & Horses, High St, Graveley, Hitchin, SG4 7LE

George And Dragon, High St, Graveley, Hitchin, SG4 7LE

The Jolly Waggoner, , Stevenage, SG1 7AH

Rump and Wade, Old Town High St, The Cromwell Hotel, Stevenage, SG1 3AZ

Mulberry Tree, Old Town High St, Stevenage, SG1 3EA

Red Lion Old Town High St, Stevenage, SG1 3DW

There are many more pubs, restaurants, and chains available in Stevenage Old Town, New Town or Leisure park

P a g e | 18 Nearby Attractions

Knebworth House, c5.3 miles • Day passes from £9.50 • Knebworth House & Gardens • Adventure Playground • Dinosaur Trail • Special events • Tea room • Free parking • knebworthhouse.com Church Farm, Ardeley c6.5 miles • Day passes from £3 • Farm trail • Woodland play area • Indoor play room • Horticulture garden • Free range animals • Farm shop • Free parking • churchfarmardeley.co.uk Standalone Farm. c8.8 miles • Day ticket from £5 • Farm animals • Tractor trailer rides • Play area • Café • Gift shop • Free parking • standalonefarm.com Hatfield House & Farm, Hatfield c14.6 miles • Day ticket from £5 • Hatfield House & Gardens• Farm • Stable Yard shopping • Coffee shop • Free parking • Visit: hatfield-house.co.uk Jordan’s Mill, Biggleswade c18.1 miles • Free • Tours from £1.65 • Food heritage attraction • Historic flour mill • Gardens • Riverside Café • Store • Free parking • Visit: jordansmill.com Willows Activity Farm, c18.1 miles • Tickets from £8.50 • Animal feeding • Tractor trailer rides • Funfair rides • Adventure playground • inflatables • Visit: willowsactivityfarm.com Wimpole Estate, Royston c23 miles • Prices from £2.50 • Wimpole Hall • Home farm • Gardens • Café • Tours available • Shop • Visit: nationaltrust.org.uk Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire c24 miles • Footpaths & circular walks • Kite flying • Picnics• Café • Shop • Free parking • Visit: nationaltrust.org.uk

P a g e | 19 GACC Contact Details

[email protected]

Great Ashby Community Council C/O Great Ashby Community Centre Whitehorse Lane, Great Ashby Hertfordshire, SG1 6NH

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