great ashby welcome pack
TRANSCRIPT
Great Ashby Welcome Pack
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Contents
Foreword ............................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 3
Great Ashby 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
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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; Stevenage 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.
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Great Ashby and Local History
In the rural, leafy district of North Hertfordshire and located on the north eastern
outskirts of Stevenage lies the civil parish 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.
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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
England’.
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.
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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
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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
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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
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Locations of Playgrounds and Parks shown on the map below.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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Local NHS Services
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Lister Hospital, Stevenage
c2.9 miles • General hospital • Accident & emergency services • Visiting times vary •
Visit: enherts-tr.nhs.uk/our-hospitals/lister/
QEII Hospital, Welwyn 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
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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
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The Rising Sun, Hall's Green, Weston, SG4 7DR
Saint Nicholas Pub/Tavern, Canterbury Way
Stevenage, SG1 4LJ
The White Lion, High St, Walkern
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 Wymondley, Hitchin 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, Ardeley, 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
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Nearby Attractions
Knebworth House, Knebworth
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. Letchworth
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, London Colney
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
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GACC Contact Details
Great Ashby Community Council
C/O Great Ashby Community Centre
Whitehorse Lane,
Great Ashby
Hertfordshire,
SG1 6NH