As part of the Enterprising Women programme, WIRE is setting up business networks all over Bedfordshire, Herts and Essex. The networks are for women running or thinking of running a business. The network groups meet to exchange ideas, share experiences, listen to experts and explore ways of working together to develop individual businesses. A new [...]

After an absence of some months, the Citizens Advice Bureau has returned to the Nap Surgery, Kings Langley and Memorial Hall in Bovingdon. CAB was founded in 1939 and a lot of its earlier work was helping people obtain ration books, emergency accommodation after being bombed out, helping people to contact relatives or friends who [...]

Tuesday 13 March 10.30am-1.00pmSarratt Commons Walk 4 miles; graded moderateMeet at the car park at Commonwood Common (Contact 01727 848168)Sarratt Commons have a range of habitats from woodland, to acid grassland and chalk pits. You can learn about their history and management of the Commons on this walk.  

Traidcraft’s vision is a world freed from the scandal of poverty, where trade is just and people and communities can flourish. The Traidcraft Spring Catalogue – a collection of the best fair trade craft, fashion and food items from around the world – is now available at the back of St Paul’s Church on the [...]

Spring Show on Saturday 24 March in The Village HallOur Spring Show has classes for daffodils (19 classes!), all spring flowers including tulips and wallflowers, hyacinths and polyanthus, camellias and heathers and much, much more. There are classes for pot plants, both flowering and foliage, vegetables from rhubarb to cabbages and the popular floral art [...]

The first few days of February and already I am gardening in my shirt sleeves. The birds in the garden are marking out their territories. Blackbirds chasing each other through the borders and over the lawn, Song Thrushes singing their hearts out from the conker tree and the ash trees in the hedge. Robins are [...]

died on 9 January 2007 J.B., as he was affectionately known to his intimate friends, gave me more than forty years of his unique companionship. Here was an honest man with deep integrity, a person that you could confide in. I never saw him angry. He dealt calmly with life, applying his own principles quietly [...]

We regret to announce that Tony Loveband died suddenly on 5 February.We extend our deepest sympathy to Richard and Shelagh Nichols and all members of their family.

(Ted Portwin)2 November 1912 – 16 December 2006In 1966 Ted Portwin and his family moved from Watford to Braziers, Chipperfield and in 1978, they moved into Little Braziers, a more accommodating bungalow, which he had built in the grounds of the larger home. He finally retired in 1992 at the age of 82. Two years [...]

(25. 9.14 to 27.1.07)Kathleen Mabel Carpenter was born on the 25th September 1914 at Waterside, Kings Langley. She was the eldest child of five children born to Thomas and Mabel Carpenter. Kath’s younger years were spent in Watford and she was raised at 117 Chester Road, West Watford and she attended the old Victoria school.As [...]

It is a very special and precious thing, freedom. Perhaps in this land of ours we do not fully appreciate the privileges we have, that so many in the world are denied – in political, economic, religious spheres just for a start! Rightly we seek to preserve, even expand our freedoms. Yet there have to [...]

Our Christingle service – held jointly with St Paul’s – was a happy occasion with packs of oranges etc given to everyone to make up their own Christingles as each part was explained. We are very grateful to Rev. Jim Stevens for conducting the service and to Ken for providing the music. The offering of [...]

Just before Christmas ’06 the congregation at the 9 o’clock Mass discovered how much they had taken their organist for granted. John Elton has played the hymns and litany for years, formerly at St Paul’s, whose organ he so enjoyed, and then once “Our Lady, Mother of the Saviour” was built, he adapted to our [...]

I have learnt that many people came to live locally during World War Two, in order to escape from the bombing in London. According to Canon Jefferies, the Vicar of Chipperfield 1915-46, the population increased by 500 during the war years. Some people told me that James Mason, star of both stage and screen in [...]

Walking is the most natural and simple form of movement, and an excellent all round mode of exercise. Yet as a nation we are walking less and less. Walking can help you to improve your general health, get fit and stay fit, control your weight, live longer!Walking helps protect the body from many illnesses and [...]

With Terry SimmondsHow quickly the seasons come and go! This month Spring begins officially and that means we are coming up to the busiest time of the year in the garden. The grass is growing now and will need regular cutting so it is important to keep the mower running well. Do not cut the [...]

Bipin now holds supplies of Euros at the Post Office so there is no need to order in advance if you require currency for your next trip to the continent.

Many readers will already know of the U3A (University of the Third Age) which is a unique self-help educational movement for people no longer in full-time work. The U3A offers shared learning experiences in a wide range of subjects and the opportunity to pursue learning for enjoyment and for its own sake.The new Sarratt and [...]

Parish and Bourough elections will be held on Thursday 3 May. Further information including nomination papers for prospective candidates will be available from Dacorum Borough Council from 27 March. Phone 01442 228230.

Residents are reminded that they should seek permission and obtain a licence before arranging for a skip to be delivered and left in the road or on a roadside verge. Contact Herts. Highways on 01438 737320.Residents round The Common should contact Dacorum Borough Council Parks and Open Spaces on 01442 228788.