The Friends of Danesbury Fernery have published the 2019 edition of their Promotional Leaflet.

Everything Within for Residents of Welwyn Parish

The Welwyn Parish Plan Group has been publishing its Directory regularly over the past decade, this is the sixth edition.

Hard copies are available at the Community Café, at Bridge Cottage, in the Library and at the Danesbury/QVM shop. It can be accessed on line, as here and on the Parish Council website.

Go to Parish Directory

Ian Skidmore, Chairman of the Parish Plan Group, reports “I saw a notice in a hardware shop window in a High Street recently that said:

“If we don’t have it you don’t need it”

While we do call this “Everything Within” we do that with our fingers crossed. If you think there is something we need to add please let us know via . We can then update the online version although the hard copy will have to wait for the next edition.

We hope you find this useful

PRESS RELEASE                                      09 March 2019

WELWYN TO LOSE ITS ONLY BANK AT THE END OF MARCH

Barclays Bank’s scheduled closure will go ahead on 29^th March.  This is despite the Petition co-ordinated by Christina Raven, bearing 1184 signatures, which asks that the bank should stay open for a few more years.

At a meeting with Barclays on Friday 8^th March, Grant Shapps MP presented the petition on behalf of the community to Donna Hagan-Grenfell, Community Banking Director.  Also present were Cllr Tony Kingsbury, Leader of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, Sandra Kyriakides for the Welwyn Planning & Amenity Group, Jane Carr for St Mary’s Church and Delene Miller, proprietor of Welwyn’s Post Office.  Lisa Webb, Barclays Community Relations Officer and Dean Body, Director of Business Banking at Welwyn Garden City were also present.

Grant Shapps spelled out the major issues that the closure of the Bank will create.   These are of great concern to the local community and Mr Shapps asked that Barclays find ways to help the community in the short-term, until long-term solutions are implemented.

Sandra Kyriakides pointed out that the nearest banks to Welwyn are either 4 miles away in Welwyn Garden City or 5 miles away in Stevenage.  This can involve half a day on buses for the elderly and less able, for whom Barclays in Welwyn has been a lifeline for so many years.  She also said that the defibrillator needs to be as near to its current location as possible as this is the part of the village with the highest footfall.  She raised the concern of businesses that operate mainly on a cash basis and the problems they will have.

Dona Hagan expressed a willingness to help on behalf of Barclays.  She was unable to give definitive answers at the meeting but will be seeking approval for the suggestions made and will report back to those present at the meeting as soon as possible.

The meeting was very positive.  Agreement, in principle, was reached for the following:

1. The ATM machine is to be relocated to a suitable site within Welwyn Village and will be paid for and maintained by Barclays, provided they can do this without incurring a rental charge.  Barclays will endeavour to keep the current machine operational until then.  Grant Shapps stressed that there must be no break in availability of cash provision.

• The Defibrillator can remain on the wall of the Barclays Bank building until approval for the new site is finalised and Barclays will continue to supply the electrical connection.  This could take some months.   Barclays has agreed to cover the cost of moving and reinstalling the defibrillator.

•  A Banking Assistance service will be provided by Barclays for as long as is appropriate to those who need help with online banking procedures.  This will be of particular benefit to the older members of the community who are less mobile or unsure of technology.  St Mary’s Church has offered space in Church House to run these sessions on Tuesday mornings when Community Café meets.

• Businesses that are Barclays customers are invited to contact Dean Body at Welwyn Garden City to discuss arrangements that may be possible for provision and collection of cash, called “Business Collect”.  Dona Hagan also agreed to investigate the possibility of providing this service to the Charity Shop and Church.

Although Barclays’ decision is irreversible and the loss of the bank will be difficult for Welwyn, they are at least listening to the problems that losing the bank will cause to the village and seem to be willing to help.

Our thanks to Grant Shapps MP for his support and to Christina Raven for all her work putting together the Petition, which Barclays say they will acknowledge.

Sandra Kyriakides

Project Manager

Welwyn Planning & Amenity Group

Ian Skidmore reports on the success of 2018

The Community Cafe makes a surplus each year. The surplus has grown slightly over the years even though the cost of coffee, biscuits and teacakes has increased. This is because, as the message gets around, more people come here on Tuesday  and also because increasingly people come back for second helpings!

The surplus this year was a little over £1200, this is divided between the PCC who provide the facility and the Parish Plan. The Parish Plan share goes towards the projects we run.

Go to the Parish Plan Group for more information about the background to the formation of the Community Cafe, and a fuller report for 2018.

The following Report was prepared by Sandra Kyriakides, WPAG Project Manager and former Welwyn Hatfield Borough Councillor who took all the photos.

A very popular event in the Welwyn Social Calendar is the weekly “Get Together” at Welwyn’s Community Café, held in St Mary’s Church House every Tuesday morning from 10:00am to 12:00 noon.

On 3^rd November 2017, the Community Café celebrated its 8^th year of successful operation and, to mark this occasion, visitors this week were treated to complimentary delicious home-made sausage rolls and yummy cakes from Katie’s along with their teas and coffees.

The project was the joint venture of the Welwyn Parish Plan Group and St Mary’s Parochial Church Council.  It was launched in 2009 and has grown from strength to strength in popularity and attendance and has created a vibrant facility for residents from Welwyn and surrounding areas to socialise in an informal and friendly atmosphere.

Delicious freshly brewed coffee, biscuits and toasted teacakes are on offer at a very reasonable price.  All are welcome in an ambiance that buzzes with lively conversation and provides the opportunity to meet up with existing friends and to make new ones.

Local volunteers staff the kitchen under the joint guidance of volunteer supervisors Jean Perriman and Lesley Watson.  Since taking over the running of the Community Café from Barbara Spencer in February 2017, Jean and Lesley have been doing a wonderful job with impressive efficiency, combined with their boundless enthusiasm and friendliness.

It might be a bit wet outside today, and a little late to remind you, but not too late to ask you to consider donating to a good cause.

Today, Saturday 10th September 2016, is the Annual Bike and Hike Event organised by St Mary’s Church, Welwyn.

This year the money raised is split half and half between ‘Bliss‘, a charity that helps babies and their families who are born unwell or prematurely, and the Historic Churches Trust, who help maintain the historic church buildings across Herts. and Beds.

It might a little late to invite you to hike or bike today, but not too late for you to make a donation. To make a donation online to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/welwynbh2016