Established 1998 SPRING 2018 Community Delivered to 13,000, Door to Door www.pottersbarcommunitynews.co.uk Distributed in Potters Bar, Little Heath, South Mimms, Ridge, Northaw and Brookmans Park Do you play an instrument and enjoy singing? I think there are two groups of people who should meet more often. The first group is made up of the residents of care-homes and day-centres, crying out for live music that their home simply cannot afford. The second group is amateur musicians who need a reason to dig out their instrument and practise. These two groups of people often live on the same streets. All that separates them is a spark of inspiration. A simple repertoire of twenty songs or so, using just three or four chords, can be enough to bring joy to a Hello. My name is Glenn and in the NEWS last few years I have led perhaps room full of people. And nowadays the 1500 music sessions for people internet can immediately tell you the lyrics and with dementia and people with chords to practically anything. learning difficulties. It’s If you are shy of singing, don’t worry – no one tremendous fun, and I wouldn’t really cares about vocal wobbles as long as want to do anything else, frankly. you make the words clear so people can join But I’m not a trained musician – in. That’s what it’s all about, really: getting folks to join in. Performing with people, just an amateur strummer with rather than for them. lots of experience. And the benefits aren’t just for the audience. I wonder how many people reading this have We amateur musicians can gain a huge sense a musical instrument at home that they started of purpose and fulfilment from giving playing some years ago, but which is now vulnerable people a chance to sing out and gathering dust in a corner, or in a cupboard re-live their youth. somewhere? Well, once that was me too. The key to finally learning to make some nice For further details, see my blog-post here: sounds with your instrument is, I think, having www.telmenow.com/2016/08/music- a reason to practise. And the simplest reason sessions-people-with-dementia. is having some kind of performance already Glenn Bassett (aka My Mate George) Website lined up. [email protected]. SPONSOR: The Shower What’s Local Room Ltd In this issue schools sports Organisations Pages 6–9 On Pages 16 and 17 s 26 and 27 Pages 13–15 Page Potters Bar Community News Contacts for A message from the Editor In this spring edition you will find our usual mixture of factual information together with a great variety of articles from local clubs and organisations. Hopefully we get Potters Bar the balance right and the contents are found to be both useful and interesting. In particular, we are pleased to promote the front page plea for musicians and to give Community News publicity to the Atlantic Discovery team. www.pottersbarcommunitynews.co.uk With this issue we say goodbye to Kim Swift who has made a considerable contribution to our editorial team over the past few years. Thank you, Kim. Chairman The Community News continues to be operated entirely by volunteers, ranging from John Connell 01707 851445 those in the editorial team to our extensive team of deliverers, whose contribution to Joint Editors our success is vital. New recruits in either category are always welcome and anyone Debbie Usher and John Connell interested should contact the Editor. [email protected] John Connell Advertising Debbie Usher 01707 655948 [email protected] How to send articles What’s On Email to [email protected]. Please keep articles to Sue Weaver around 300 words or less, using plain text word. Handwritten or typed articles are [email protected] also acceptable if you do not have access to a computer (contact John Connell on 01707 851445). Photos, logos, etc should be sent as tif, bmp or jpg file. Schools Diane Thompson 01707 857246 How to supply adverts Distribution Ring to book a space, bearing in mind that there is usually a waiting list. Artwork Peter Silverthorne 01707 655464 must be supplied in pdf or jpgs format, created at the specified size according to your Peter Weaver 01707 850147 booking. Advertisers are responsible for advising us of any alterations to adverts which have been previously published. Email to Design [email protected]. GREENGilbert 07956 222296 Printing Sizes and prices of adverts Ushers Print & Design Ltd 01707 851242 Black and White Colour Treasurer Width Height Width Height 43.75mm x 50mm = £25 43.75mm x 50mm = £40 Peter Weaver 01707 850147 92.50mm x 50mm = £50 92.50mm x 50mm = £70 Editorial Team 92.50mm x 100mm = £75 92.50mm x 100mm = £100 Gill Connell 01707 851445 92.50mm x 130mm = £90 92.50mm x 130mm = £120 John Godfrey 01707 645955 Joy Stovell 01707 655464 Website sponsorship Price per issue = £200 Deadline dates for next edition Potters Bar Community News Advertising Articles welcomes contributions for publication 18th May for July issue 31st May for July issue from individuals and community groups. Where there is a linked commercial, political or individual Delivery of Community News interest in items for publication, the The Community News would not exist without its volunteer team of deliverers and managing committee reserves all the Editor would like to take this opportunity of thanking all of them once again for editorial rights. Potters Bar their fantastic help over many years. Community News does not accept Some of the delivery team have been on board since the inception of the News nearly responsibility for the accuracy of 20 years ago and they, in particular, are owed a deep expression of gratitude. information contained in published items or views expressed in those items. If you do not receive a copy at your home or would like to add your name to the team of deliverers, please contact Peter Silverthorne or Peter Weaver. 2 www.pottersbarcommunitynews.co.uk Community News Website Sponsorship We would like to express our sincere thanks to the following who have generously sponsored the website: Spring 2016: Potters Bar Beer Festival Spring 2017: Green Thumb 01707 273090 Summer 2016: The Plumbers Mate 01707 665616 Summer 2017: Ushers Press 01707 851242 Winter 2016: The Tree Feller 01707 656865 Winter 2017: Energise: 07900 895990 This issue is sponsored by theshowerroom 01707 852123 or www.theshowerroom.com Should anyone wish to join us, or has any spare wool, Interested in volunteering? please contact Sheila on 01707 651650. Ever thought of giving some of your time to Thank you help others in the community? Also look here Sheila Moule for items wanted by organisations; you may be able to help them. Barnet Hospital Charity Shop If you are a local organisation or charity and are looking for volunteers or looking for items for your group, why not Barnet Hospital charity shop at 55 Darkes Lane is looking email me at [email protected]? for volunteers from the age of 14 upwards who are able to commit to a minimum of 4 hours (one shift) a week. There are a variety of roles available, including working on the till, Are you a retired or semi-retired helping to sort bags of donated goods or steaming and accountant? Could you spare a little labelling clothes. Maybe you have a creative flair and want to help with store presentation or window dressing, or even time to help a local charity? help promote sales through social media? This could be Sixty Plus provides lunches, maintaining essential contact great for your CV and provide valuable experience of for older people in Potters Bar and the surrounding areas. working in retail. We are based below Wyllyotts theatre and most of our For more details about volunteering and how to apply, clients are over the age of 80. Our current accountant has please contact [email protected], worked with us for almost 15 years on a voluntary basis and telephone 01707 658779 or pop in and ask to speak to is looking to take his well-earned second retirement! the manager or assistant manager. Working with our voluntary treasurer, you will advise on keeping the accounts clean during the financial year and prepare the end-of-year accounts. This could involve one Scouting for volunteers afternoon per month, possibly 7–10 days at the end of the Scouting in Potters Bar is thriving and there is now a real financial year. Knowledge of Quickbooks is preferable and need for more volunteers to support their activities. Anyone familiarity with the Charity Commission would be helpful can volunteer with the Scouts, and there are plenty of but not essential. opportunities to get involved as a leader, assistant, If you would like to discuss the possibility of helping us with instructor or administrator. Most of our volunteers have this worthwhile cause, please contact Lindsey Greig, full-time jobs and help out on a flexible basis, maybe Administrator on 01707 643602. weekly or fortnightly, with others helping once a term or at summer camp. One thing is certain – regardless of the amount of time given up to volunteering – we know you will Knit and Natter enjoy the experience. Can I say how grateful we are to all our knitters for all the To find out more Call Mike on 01707 658644, email wonderful knitting they produce. We deliver to many [email protected] or visit our charities who all appreciate the items they receive.