April 2008
The Sarratt and District U3A has been going for a year now. We have over two hundred members and rising. We have 25 study groups, too numerous to mention all of them, but we cover a wide variety of activities such as Antiques, Art and Craft, Bird Watching, Computers, Engineering, Digital photography, Local and Family History, Languages, Painting, Rambling, Theatre, and Walking.
Last Autumn we held a Joint Study Group Fair with Rickmansworth U3A. On display in the Sarratt Village Hall were examples of the work that the groups had done, photographs of visits, collectibles etc. The fair was opened by the Chairman of Three Rivers District Council, Cllr Amrit Mediratta. The day was a great success and the hall was bursting at the seams all day and there was a buzz in the air.
In one year I think we have achieved a fantastic amount. When we started none of us knew how quickly it would take off and we have all been tremendously heartened by the willingness of members to make it such a success.
Each month we have a speaker in the village hall and these have covered a wide range of topics including Samuel Pepys, The Three Rivers Museum, Quaint and Quirky Hertfordshire, Japanese Lifestyle, Canal Art, The Land Army and many more. We look forward to a full programme in the coming year.
The U3A is only as good as its members and this group is pretty good.
If you wish to become a member, please telephone Trisha Robb-Collins on 01923 445070.
MIDSOMER MURDERS RETURNS TO CHIPPERFIELD
Last month Bentley Productions, who produce the Midsomer Murders series for television, took over The Windmill pub for a day to shoot sequences for a forthcoming episode entitled Days of Misrule.
The pub, renamed the Calham Cross Inn, was taken over completely with sequences being shot inside as well as along the road in front. Inside the pub had been dressed for Christmas with decorations, holly and mistletoe everywhere. With police cars roaring up the road and John Nettles as Inspector Barnaby doing much the same in his Jaguar there was quite a lot of action going on. A barmaid arriving by bicycle and then sobbing in the arms of another lady was very intriguing - what was it all about?
Filming continued both outside and inside the pub until after dark when a further sequence was shot outside.
The episode is apparently being shown as a Christmas special so we will all have to wait to see the full story until it is transmitted much later in the year.
CHIPPERFIELD CHORAL SOCIETY
A rousing performance of Finlandia by Jean Sibelius opened the annual spring concert of Chipperfield Choral Society on 8 March. The venue this year was the Barbirolli Hall at St. Clement Danes School and practically every seat was filled in the vast auditorium.
It was a rather special occasion as the event was the 50th concert by the society to be conducted by Delia Meehan, who has been their Musical Director since 1991.
The choir of almost 100 voices excelled in the main work of the evening, A German Requiem by Johannes Brahms. George Humphreys (baritone) and Fflur Wyn (soprano) were accompanied by an orchestra made up of musicians who added the right balance to make the performance one of true quality. Altogether a thoroughly enjoyable evening of music!
The choir are already rehearsing for their summer concert which is to take place at St. Paul’s Church on 21 June and tickets for this will be on sale soon.
Terry Simmonds
DACORUM’S MUSEUM STORE
Are you aware that Dacorum has a wealth of interesting local artefacts and memorabilia stored in a building in Berkhamsted, behind the Civic Centre and that you are able to visit on a monthly ‘Tuesday Tour at Two’?
To book a tour, please call Dacorum Heritage Trust on 01442 879525 or you can contact them by email assistantcurator@dacorumheritage.org.uk.
Tours cost £3 per person. Unfortunately the Store is not wheelchair accessible, although alternative arrangements can be made.
The Museum Store welcomes into its collection artefacts and memorabilia which have connections with Dacorum, e.g. household gadgets, named photographs, books, war medals and clothes of bygone eras. The Museum also provides an education service for schools and adult groups.
Mary Nobbs
ALADDIN BY CHIPPERFIELD THEATRE GROUP
With Biggins taking a well earned break from panto this year, it seemed the precedent of "out with the old and in with the new" had spread to Chipperfield Theatre Group’s production of Aladdin, as some of the younger cast members got their chance to shine in lead roles.
Though traditionally a part given to a female, James East sensitively portrayed Aladdin and the chemistry between he and the wonderfully cheeky Jack Marchant as brother Wishee, immediately warmed the hearts of the audience. This relationship was mirrored by the female leads. Newcomer Rachael Guy was fittingly sugary as the princess, dove-tailing nicely with Amba-May Bottril’s more subdued portrayal of her lady in waiting. The inevitable interchange between the sexes which provided the love interest was well acted and believable.
Of course, some experienced hands were on duty for back up. Bill Calcutt continued the tradition of brilliant Chipperfield dames with his endearingly bumptious performance as Widow Twanky. And Sarah-Jayne Bottrill once more showcased her considerable talents as the Spirit of the Ring. It was a fun, well paced and colourful production with perhaps, given the limitations of the some of the cast’s singing abilities, one song too many. The script was a bit Two Ronnies meets Jim Davidson and in the main worked better than you might think. There was clever wordplay, quips and puns aplenty. That said, whilst the script’s risqué tinge was welcome, there were one or two uncomfortable moments. The comedy well of amusing Chinese surnames was drained dry and one dreadful and offensive joke about "chinks in the curtains" was worthy of a Prince Philip tour of east Asia.
But that sour point didn’t detract from a hugely enjoyable evening of mirth and merriment for which all involved must take their plaudits. Interestingly, the programme notes informed us that Aladdin was the first production ever put on by the group fifteen years ago when Jack Merchant and James East were mere pups in the children’s chorus. Hopefully, the Genie Of The Lamp will grant my wish - that the Chipperfield Theatre Group’s production line keeps churning out talent of their calibre for the next fifteen years as well.
Jason Cox
A CENTURY OF GARDENING - PART 3
By the time that the nursery reached its first quarter century, Herbert Simmonds was busy producing new plants. The most successful of these was Cotoneaster hybrida pendula which was exhibited at the Royal Horticultural Society's Autumn Show at Olympia in 1933 and at the Crystal Palace in 1934. This small weeping tree is now grown throughout the world and was eventually to be awarded the RHS Award of Merit. Herbert also introduced Helenium Chipperfield Orange and a collection of Michaelmas Daisies including Aster Jean and Aster Blue Baby. A new house was built in front of the nursery. The lounge became the office and the main bedroom became the seed store. Another room became the shop where fruit and vegetables grown in the nursery could be purchased. Seeds were weighed in the shop and packeted having arrived in bulk in sacks and bags. Small seeds were sold by the ounce, half-ounce, and quarter-ounce, and large seeds such as peas and beans were sold by the pint and half-pint. Seed potatoes were sold by the bushel. Few items were pre-packed. Fertilizers were stored in a shed in hundredweight sacks (about 50 kilos) and were weighed out in small paper bags to customers' requirements. Bales of peat were so big that it took two strong men to lift them. Flower pots were all made by hand in the many potteries which existed at the time and delivered to the nursery by the lorry load. One of the largest potteries was in Tottenham. Chemicals such as Sulphur dust were weighed out from sacks, but sprays such as Arsenate of Lead were sold in sealed containers and customers would have to sign the poisons book before they could use them. Seed boxes were made of pieces of wood which were nailed together in one of the many sheds which fronted Pest House Lane. Herbert sowed the seeds, took cuttings, watered the plants and also did floral arrangements and bouquets. He was a Deacon at Chipperfield Baptist Church where he was Sunday School Superintendent and frequently walked to Sarratt to preach at the Mission Hall on a Sunday evening. He also was a bee-keeper and the honey produced was sold in the shop. He was a keen astronomer and spent hours looking at the stars with his telescope. In the evenings he would play his concertina and play the game of draughts in the kitchen with friends. Jim Simmonds became the organist at Chipperfield Baptist Church. In 1925 he met Mimie Williams when her family moved into Scatterdells Lane and on 21 April 1934 they were married. Their first son, Terry, was born the following year.
Terry Simmonds
VISIT TO PRINT RUN
On a sunny day at the end of January, five members of the Chipperfield News team drove to Wembley to visit Print Run, the firm that prints Chipperfield News every month. Richard drove us with plenty of helpful advice from four backseat drivers on the best route to take, and his ability to read road signs.
We were greeted by Chrissy in reception and then taken upstairs to the office where we were given welcome cups of coffee. We were shown how the copy arrives at the printers by e-mail from our editors and is then collated and prepared for the printing process. Rachel and Jo explained how they slot advertisements into the spaces left for them by our editors. Mike then took us into the section where a clever machine transfers the printed image received from Rachel’s computer on to large sheets of film, using a separate sheet for each colour to be printed (but not in the case of Chipperfield News as we are just black and white).
We scurried downstairs into a noisy workshop to watch the prepared film transfer its image on to metal sheets and these in turn were fastened on to rollers and fitted into the printing machine. We were shown the machine that prints Chipperfield News and the one that folds it, which on that day was not working properly, hence the delay in the delivery of the News to us that month.
We watched the powerful guillotine slice through card and I was given an exciting boxful of cut-offs and an armful of glossy misprint paper to take back to use with the disabled children I work with.
The staff at Print Run are like a large happy family and some of them have been employed there for 20 years or more. They made us feel so welcome and we all admired their enthusiasm. The whole experience was topped by the fact that later that evening at 7pm I heard a knock on my door and there was Matt with the boxes of a belated Chipperfield News.
Many thanks to all at Print Run.
Popsi Stokes, Distribution Manager
THE GARDENING WIFE
She dug the plot on Monday
The soil was rich and fine
She forgot to cook the dinner
So we all went out to dine.
She planted roses Tuesday
She says they are a must
They were really very lovely
But she quite forgot to dust.
On Wednesday it was daisies
They opened with the sun
All white and pink and yellow
But the laundry was not done.
The poppies came on Thursday
A bright and cheery red
I guess she really was engrossed
‘Cos she never made the bed.
It was violets on Friday
In colours she adores
So she never really noticed
All the crumbs upon the floors.
I hired a maid on Saturday
I thought my life complete
My wife can garden all she wants
And the house can still be neat.
Now it’s nearly lunch time Sunday
And I cannot find the maid
Oh no! I don’t believe this
She’s outside with a spade.
(Author unknown)
CHIPPERFIELD W.I. NEWS
Chipperfield Afternoon WI had their New Year lunch in January, sixty-one members and guests tucking into a turkey dinner followed by John Wilson’s talk on Wild life and natural gardening - a very successful afternoon. In December 2007 a few of our members paid a visit to the award-winning recycling depot at Cupid Green, Hemel Hempstead, and were made very welcome; wearing hard hats, our members were very impressed by the methods used and the huge amount recycled.
Chipperfield Evening WI started the year with talks on two diverse subjects, the first being Muppets, Puppets and Dr Who by local residents, Nigel Plaskitt and Paul Jomain. Nigel gave an extremely interesting illustrated talk about his former acting career and introduction to the world of models and puppets, including Spitting Image, children’s TV programmes and characters from Dr Who, many of which were made by Paul. Nigel also does ‘voice overs’, for example Monkey, currently being used by PG Tips in their advertising. Members were able to examine, at close quarters, some of the puppets which Nigel and Paul brought to the meeting.
In February, Lesley Edwards, a Chipperfield Evening WI member, gave a talk entitled India - Past and Present. Lesley had been invited to attend the 125th anniversary in November at Daly College, Indore (a city in Madhya Pradesh, India). Lesley lived there as a child and her father was Principal of the College from 1938 to 1947. She was privileged to meet some former pupils of Daly College during the visit. Lesley also visited the Pasteur Institute in the foothills of the Himalayas where her grandfather was Director in the 1900s, researching the rabies vaccine and snake venoms. The Institute is now called the Central Research Institute and produces vaccines for cholera, yellow fever and plague for use throughout the Asian subcontinent.
TAPPY TOES IN THE VILLAGE HALL
Tappy Toes is a captivating dance/movement class for children aged 2 to 4 years.
Founded by Claire Leal, a professional dancer, Tappy Toes offers a fun and educational syllabus to get toddlers moving. Tappy Toes engages their imagination, builds confidence and increases rhythm and coordination. The class is packed with energetic exercises and routines to all the latest pop tunes, Disney songs and all their favourite tunes from TV. The classes use lots of action songs and props including pompoms, dance ribbons, bells and scarves. Tappy Toes is currently running in Watford, Bushey, Hemel Hempstead, Rickmansworth and is now coming to Chipperfield.
The class will be held in the Village Hall every Wednesday at 2.00pm starting from 9th April.
Call Tara now on 01923 333637 or 07957 186975 for more information or to book as spaces are limited !
KING’S LANGLEY BOWLS CLUB
Situated to the rear of The Saracens Head, High Street, Kings Langley
We are holding a COME AND TRY BOWLS morning at the Kings Langley Bowls Club on Sunday, 4th May between 10.00am and 1.00pm. So why not join us and bring along family and friends for a fun morning. There will be a team of members on hand to show you the rudiments of the game. Equipment will be provided but please wear flat soled shoes. The new Boules rink will also be open.
After you have tried your hand at bowls we would like you to join us for cheese and wine in the clubhouse when bowlers can meet other members of the club and find out a little more about the club.
Please could you telephone Lucinda or Geoff on 01923 262857 if you would like to come along to the Come and Try Bowls morning.
There will be coaching sessions on Sunday morning from 10.00am to 12 noon through May to September.
ST PAUL’S AND HOLY CROSS
Literally as I sit down to write, my computer is playing up – for the fourth time over the last few days – and it’s getting worse! Not being a computer wizard, I don’t know what to do, and the instructions on the screen don’t seem to make sense, at least not to me, and when I try to do what I think they say – I get nowhere! The frustration level rises! Oh for clearly set out instructions that I could understand. (And a voice says, some learning needed here, Jim!)
Computers are amazing things – but nowhere near as wonderful as people, as you and me. It says in the book of Psalms that "I am fearfully and wonderfully made". Yes, made: and that means my maker knows how I best operate, and He has given me instruction, which I need to recognise, understand, and then seek to live by.
Instructions are not given to spoil the workings of what is made, just to ensure what is made works well. (Would I drive my car over ploughed fields and ditches, through hedge-rows, …?)
Many of us will have at some stage of life have at least read the 10 commandments. At first sight they seem so negative, restrictive …"Thou shalt not …" Yet being more positive, they are boundaries given … to keep us safe.
I remember the true story of the perpetual thief, who came into a real personal experience of God, who coming into church one day and seeing the commandment written at the wall "Thou shalt not steal", now discovering God’s love, read it as a promise "You won’t steal anymore, because I am with you, and in you"!
On ten consecutive Sunday evenings, beginning on April 20th, at the invitation of the local Church of England churches, J. John, an internationally renowned speaker will take the 10 commandments one by one, in order to help us understand and so be better able to live not just protected by the pattern of life our "manufacturer" designed us for, but in real relationship with God himself – which is what we were given life for!!
He begins with "Find contentment" – something that touches all of us deeply.
Sundays April 20th – June 22nd
April 20th Find contentment
April 27th Hold to the truth
May 4th Prosper with a clear conscience
May 11th ‘Affair-proof’ your relationships
May 18th Manage your anger
May 25th Keep the peace with your parents
June 1st Catch your breath
June 8th Take God seriously
June 15th Know God
June 22nd Live by priorities
All welcome: 7.00 pm in Christchurch, Chorleywood. Come – and bring your husband, your wife, a friend …
With my greetings and prayers, Jim
BAPTIST CHURCH
Following on from the month of war you cannot go into April without mentioning THE DAY. All fools day is thought to stem from many different sources. It could be the change of calendar way back in the 16c, moving New Years Day to the 1st of January. Those that clung to the old date of the 1st of April were considered fools. Another is that many cultures over the centuries have had a festival for fooling about around the end of March early April, these include the Roman, Hindu and Jewish religious calendars. Spring fever can be another reason attributed to the April fools day, given that late March early April is the time for Mad Hares.
As we come out of the dark and dreary months the sun begins to hit our faces and we tend to get a bit silly. However we like to look at April the 1st and how it came about, I can't help feeling we do not do enough messing about and having fun.Jesus said that "I promise you this. If you don't change and become like a child, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven".
Having three energetic kids I can testify that they like to have fun (usually at my expense) and it's good for us all to let our hair down. Did you know that it takes more muscles to smile than it does to frown – that to me is a free face lift - and a smile helps to produce endorphins, the hormone that makes us feel better. Jesus also said he came to "give us life in all abundance" and what can be more abundant than a good laugh. I am grateful that April the 1st does not land on a Sunday this year because I think I might have been in for some messing about.
Love, Jason, The Man in the Manse.
CHURCH NEWS
At the time of writing, our March events have not yet taken place, so there will be a report on these in the next issue.
There’s to be a Beetle Family Night on April 19th from 6.30 to 8.30pm. Please come and join us, it will be a lot of fun for you and your families. See publicity elsewhere in this issue.
Don’t forget our MAY FAIR on MAY 17th. We need lots of items for sale- Tombola prizes, toys, garden plants, bric-a-brac, raffle prizes, scones, cakes, preserves, homecrafts, unwanted gifts etc, etc. So, if you can help by providing any of these, or by manning a stall, we’ll be very pleased to hear from you. Please contact Brenda on 01923 269574 if you can help. Thank you. There will be more publicity in the May Chipperfield News about this.
SHEILA BRENDA HUDSON (née Bignell)
21 November 1927 - 1 February 2008
Gerald, Grace and Carol would like to thank family, friends and neighbours for the help and kindness shown to Sheila when she had her accident in October. Thank you to people who visited Sheila in hospital and Langley House; she enjoyed seeing you and hearing local news. Also we would like to say thank you to Auntie Betty Cox and Susan, who went to see Sheila regularly until she died. We are lucky to have some good friends in Pam Dawe, Joyce Holliman and Brenda Harpley who were a great help at Sheila’s funeral.
Sheila suffered constant pain from her fall and often said she wanted to be with her little bird who had died. We do not want to lose our loved ones but were pleased God released Sheila from pain and suffering. God bless you, rest in peace. Grace
KAREN BEUCHEL
Karen Buechel taught year 5 at St. Paul's for 5 years in the mid 1980s, her first appointment after teacher training at Oxford. She died from cancer on 23 February at her home near Tiverton.
The pupils she taught will now be in their late twenties, and will probably remember her for buying each child a tube of smarties to assist with their sums - and such was her control of the class that almost all the smarties made it through to the last day of term! She was a lively and enthusiastic teacher, popular with other staff, and the school was fortunate to have her as a teacher before she chose to return to her home in Devon.
The Governors have written to her husband Peter and two children expressing their sympathy, and their gratitude for all that she did for the school.
Stephen Morrill
ST PAUL'S CHURCHYARD
Some two dozen people met on 27th February in St Paul’s Church Parish Room to discuss what might be done in the light of there being space for only two new full graves in the churchyard. The following points were raised:
The possibility of extending the churchyard. It was noted that this poses considerable problems, both because the surrounding land is Common land and there may well be all sorts of covenants over its use, and also because being wooded it would be highly expensive to prepare the ground for burials.
The option of re-burials where burials had taken place over 100 years ago was mentioned. Current legislation is looking at this possibility. The church council were not in favour of this and all sorts of complications would arise when buried bones were unearthed.
The suggestion was made that it might be possible to find some land in the village which could be consecrated as a new burial ground. However, the cost of purchase of the land, of securing it and providing adequate access as well as providing for its maintenance would be substantial and planning permission would have to be obtained from Dacorum Council.
In discussions with the Cemetery Department of Dacorum Council Jim Stevens had confirmed his assumption that because the Council provide cemetery facilities within the Council’s area (namely at Buncefield, in Berkhamstead and in Tring) they would not offer any financial support for any initiative in Chipperfield.
Mark Jarrad, a member of the Chipperfield Parish Council, agreed to bring this issue to the next Council meeting.
Jim Stevens made it clear that there was plenty of space in the churchyard for the burial of the cremated remains of those linked with the Village that where there is a space in a partially used family grave, that space remains available for family use.
MOBILE POLICE OFFICE
A Mobile Police Office will be situated in the Church Car Park on The Common on a regular monthly basis. The next visit will be on Tuesday 8 April from 11am-1.30pm.
Services offered are crime and accident reporting, cloned credit cards, lost/found property, lost dogs (not found dogs), crime prevention advice, reports of abandoned vehicles, unoccupied premises notifications, advice on criminal law, recruiting enquiries, general matters relating to the local environment - and most other matters that people would visit a police station for.
Come and visit the office and meet our Police Community Support Officer, David Alexander, who will usually be on duty.
CHIPPERFIELD CARE
Care was founded nearly 20 years ago and has gone from strength to strength helping the people of Chipperfield who, for a varied number of reasons, are not able to drive themselves to the doctors or to other appointments.
We are all volunteers who give our time and help willingly in order to make life easier for others who without us would find life difficult and expensive to get around.
We do, however, have to make a nominal charge to cover the ever increasing cost of petrol and diesel, for although our time and help is free, our cars cost money to run.
So, below is set out the current costs of transport to various locations. All charges are usually for a return journey, taking you to your appointment and returning you to your own home.
Hospital visits
Watford General and Hemel Hempstead £ 5; St Albans - £7;
Harpenden, Amersham, Bushey & Harefield - £10
Surgery visits
Bovingdon and Kings Langley £ 1.50
We will always do our very best to accommodate other journeys if needed.
The Chipperfield Care telephone number is 01923 264700, and on calling this number you will hear a recorded message giving you the number of that day’s Duty Officer. Their hours are 9.30am to 1.30pm Monday to Friday.
If you feel that you could help Care by becoming a volunteer, please contact us, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Ann Soanes - Organiser
CHIPPERFIELD PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT
1 Introduction
In May 2007 we started the next four year cycle of the Council with elections to replace the retiring Councillors. To the retiring Councillors I wish to express the Council’s sincere thanks and to the four new councillors a warm welcome. Inevitably there had to be some reorganisation and we took the opportunity to strengthen our approach to the major tasks. This was not only intended to share the work load but to help increase our response to the increasing demands of the changing local government scene. In particular we have moved to ensure that our operating procedures are sufficiently professional to create a twenty first century parish council. I am pleased to report that we have made significant progress.
Cllr. Mike Bradshaw, Chairman
2 Council Members and their Prime Responsibilities
The retained council members are Mike Bradshaw, Chair, Mike Joseph Deputy Chair, David Nobbs, Planning, and Mark Jarrad Finance.
New Council Members are Sharon Sims, Highways, Pauline Southworth, Youth & Education, Martha Godwin, Legal. Susan Fowler, (recently co-opted)
Each member has an interest in more than one group, typically four members per group. Allotments & Open Spaces and membership of the Herts. Association of Parish and Town Councils are currently the responsibility of Mike Bradshaw.
3 Staff
The Council is ably supported by Jo Deacon, Clerk, Malcolm Durrant, Village warden and Peter Sandall, Common Ranger. Jo is the focus of our efforts to achieve Quality status for the Council and is a tireless worker on our behalf; Malcolm and Peter stoically attempt to remove litter and other hazards from our footpaths and Common. With the increasing demographic pressure, these tasks do not get easier.
4 Community Support Officer
Our Community Support Officer, Kim Ashworth attended our Council meetings for the first half of the year keeping the Council informed of Police work in and around the Village. Kim was promoted to a new post in Berkhamsted at Christmas and since then support has been shared by Ward Officers, PCs Julie Hennessy and Emma Sikora. To Kim well done, we are sorry to see you go and to Julie and Emma thanks for helping out.
5 Finance
The Parish Budget for 2008-09
Our budget shows the precept raised from your Council Tax will be £25,450. This represents an increase of £450, or 1.8%, over the current year ending 31st March 2008. The effect of this increase on a Band D property is only 49p, or 1.7%, taking the new figure to £29.76 per annum.
Dacorum has agreed to our request to raise £19,450 (the Concurrent budget) to pay for the salary and expenses of our Village Warden and Common Ranger and to provide grant aid to various Village organisations. The Concurrent budget is higher than the current year by £500, or 2.6%. These increases are well within estimates of inflation over the next year.
Financial Management
We have had a busy year ensuring we have the necessary policies, procedures, systems and controls in place to enable us to apply for Quality Parish Council status when the time is appropriate. To this end we have adopted a new Parish Council policy, new Standing Orders governing the way your Council conducts itself, a new Code of Conduct, a new Complaints Procedure, updated our Principles of Financial Management, new Financial Regulations and a new Financial Risk Assessment. We have implemented a brand new computer based accounting system designed for smaller councils and have reviewed our levels of reserves. We are pleased to report that your Parish Council’s finances are under control and in a healthy state.
Grant Aid
We have been able to provide grant aid to Junior and Senior Football clubs, the Cricket Club, the Playgroup, the Village Hall and a contribution was also made towards the maintenance of the graveyard. We have also earmarked a contribution to the Youth Club’s planned renovation. This year we are looking to widen the number of organisations we provide grant to help other activities flourish, in particular youth activities. The overall grant is, however, just the same so some organisations may receive less than usual.
Mark Jarrad
6 Planning
The past year has been a busy one for the Planning Working Party. Once again there has been a record number of planning applications passed to the Parish Council by Dacorum Borough Council for our comment. At the time of writing the number stands at 70. In each case, the group considers the merits of an application from the village’s point of view, paying particular care to see whether it conforms to the recommendations of the Village Design Statement. It makes recommendations to the Parish Council which then advises the Borough Planning Department whether we support or oppose it. If our views differ from those of the planning officers, the application is referred to the Borough's Development Control Committee.
One proposed new development, which has not yet reached the planning application stage, is the proposed construction for Hightown-Praetorian Housing Association of 7 affordable dwellings at the end of Nunfield. A public consultation for this was held in September, when residents expressed concerns regarding the means of access to the site.
The Parish Council is also engaged with the Borough's Enforcement Officers on issues affecting 8 properties where violation of planning regulation may have occurred. Several of these have been resolved. The Council was also instrumental in making the Borough Council reverse a decision concerning the eligibility for acquiring housing at Didsbury Cottages.
Your Council has made representations to the Borough Council, Hertfordshire County Council, and the Government Office for the East of England and others on a number of their Planning Consultation documents. The subjects have included Water Management, Mineral Working, Waste Development sites in the County, the Borough’s Open Spaces Strategy and the Regional Strategy for the East of England. The final version of this last-named is due to be published shortly with its expected government target for Dacorum to build 600 new homes a year from now until 2031, nearly double the rate over the past 5 years. We shall need to maintain our vigilance to preserve and enhance our village environment.
David Nobbs
7 Highways
Highways work is the responsibility of Herts. Highways Department and limited by their budget but your Council can influence events. A review of gulleys, drainage and potholes was carried out in the summer of 2007 by Parish Councillors. The final Roads Review, including photographic evidence was presented to Herts. Highways. As a result, Herts. Highways have responded in a positive manner and the report forms the basis of our on-going review.
A number of issues highlighted in the Road Review have now been completed. The pot holes on Windmill Hill and outside Wyevale garden centre and the Nunfield Road sign have been repaired. Other issues such as: Double yellow lines outside The Two Brewers and Stanley's Store/Ricketts Butchers, are to follow shortly.
The Annual Gulley (Drain) Cleaning occurred on schedule (probably a first) in October. Whilst most gullies were cleared, some were omitted. A supplementary report was produced and the details discussed with Highways who are now looking into this.
Road safety and speeding traffic continues to be a grave concern. Highways were persuaded to conduct road tests on Tower Hill and Dunny Lane. Initial results were marginal but Highways have agreed to recommend the installation of a vehicle actuated sign in Dunny Lane. Whilst an excess of street furniture is to be avoided, your Council believes that the trial of this vehicle actuated sign is an important step towards encouraging a more responsible attitude in drivers through the Village.
Sharon Sims
8 Allotments & Open Spaces
Allotments
The Allotment Field is the largest piece of land owned by Chipperfield Parish Council. We have unearthed maps which show the allotments dating back to at least 1878. Your Council with the cooperation of the Allotment tenants have committed to restore the boundary hedges and generally tidy up years of spoil. The first stage, restoring the Blackwell’s side from the tennis courts to the main entrance by the White House, we are aiming to complete in 2008. A revised tenancy agreement has been issued this year. We have a high level of occupancy and a waiting list. Once the tidy up has been completed we hope we can create an allotment field we can all be proud of and provide more people with this excellent form of creative recreation.
Open Spaces
Three new, fox proof, waste bins have been installed on the Common which appear to work. A map of the Common has been produced for walkers together with an interpretation board.
The Council are currently involved with Dacorum in establishing a new Five Year Plan for the management of the Common Woodland. This will involve the removal of non-native species, the thinning out where fast growing trees threaten old established trees and some replanting. Maintaining the Woodland is a perpetual responsibility which your Council takes very seriously indeed. If all goes to plan we hope, with Dacorum, to establish Green Flag status for the Common.
Mike Bradshaw
9 Youth and Education
Your Council is keen to try to engage more with those activities which further the interests of youth. Attempts in the past have met with limited success so this year we are creating a sharper focus for our activities. We have an excellent Youth Football club that supports 10 football teams in the 7 to 18 year olds but we need to encourage more out of school activities for this age group.
We have an offer from The Rural Play Scheme for a climbing wall for which we need to choose a suitable site. We also have some DBC lottery funding available to re equip our play areas in Croft Meadow. We plan to ask the children of St. Pauls to help decide which of the available equipment they would like to see installed.
The Martial Arts evening classes for older teenagers did not succeed, however, the junior classes did. This gap between enthusiastic youngsters and disaffected teenagers is worrying. Adverts in Chipperfield News asking teenagers for suggestions for leisure activities have not produced a single reply or enquiry. Are we to assume that the young of the village are all happy with the many activities already available in the village?
A Grant has been approved by the Council to upgrade the building which has been used previously as a youth club, so work on this project should start shortly. The building now has a piano in situ and when refurbished, it will also have disabled facilities. The building should be a valuable asset to the village, suitable for a variety of functions. If you are out there and have any ideas we would welcome your input.
Pauline Southworth
NEW FRIENDS AND OLD
Some time ago I went to a wildlife talk where niga seed was recommended to attract Goldfinches. I went out and got some straight away. Every now and again I have had to throw it away as it went damp or mouldy, but I have persevered. Imagine my delight, it has been 2 years or more, when there on the feeder was, at last, a Goldfinch! Only one, but it's a start. A recent survey showed them to be on the increase, and they are predicted to do well with global warming, so may be it will come back with some of its mates.They are some of our most colourful birds, their red faces remind me of clowns. They have broad yellow bars on their black wings and a nice white rump which shows up well when they fly away. They have a sort of tinkling bell-like call when they are feeding as a flock or "charm" as it is known. They love thistle down and teasel seeds and the best view I have ever had of them was on a very scruffy bit of waste ground. Not a “charming” place in my eyes, but heaven to them.
It is lovely to see new birds in the garden, but old friends are always welcome, especially my favourites the long-tailed tits. They are busy building their nest in a berberis bush just off the edge of the terrace. They built there a few years ago, but the nest was raided by a magpie. One of the parents was killed and all the chicks taken. The bush has thickened up a lot since then and they are building in the centre of it, so I am hoping for the best. They make a beautiful oval nest from cobwebs, moss and lichens, which is lined with feathers. The whole structure is expandable, and needs to be as 8 to 12 eggs are laid. The parents have to fold their long tails over their heads to get in the side entrance of the nest.
It has been a real treat to see them gathering cobwebs from around the window sills of the kitchen and living room. Now, as we sit having our tea they are constantly in and out with fluffy feathers to make a warm lining. In the past these dear little birds have suffered in cold winters, even though they roost together for warmth, so with global warming and wetter warmer winters maybe we will see more of these birds about. I have got plenty of cobwebs to go round!
Wendy Bathurst
APRIL IN YOUR GARDEN
Last year the spring was so mild that gardeners were planting geraniums and bedding plants in April and they were lucky that the frosts, which usually come at the beginning of May, did not happen. It is much safer to plant our tender plants later in May and to press on with jobs which should be done this month. Hanging baskets, tubs and containers can be planted up in the greenhouse so that they can get well established before putting outside. Add a little SwellGel to help conserve moisture. If established shrubs are to be moved in the garden, this must be done without delay and bare root hedging plants and raspberry canes must be planted before the sap rises. Now is the time to lift and divide herbaceous perennials and to plant new ones. Taller growing plants will certainly need to be staked or supported in some way. Put down mulches on garden beds to keep down weeds and conserve moisture. Make sure that as much rainwater as possible is collected. Rhododendrons, heathers and plants such as blueberries do not like tap water and water from the water butt is useful for these.Many vegetables can be sown now and brassica seedlings, onions and asparagus crowns can be planted. Carry on planting potatoes; and early potatoes planted last month will probably need earthing up later this month. Sow under glass tender vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, courgettes, marrows, cucumbers and runner beans. Thin out the carrots, watch out for slugs and keep on top of the hoeing and weeding. This is the month to get to work on the lawns, putting on fertilizer and weed killer and keeping up with the mowing. It is better not to cut grass too short and to mow every few days in the spring.
Bulbs such as gladioli and lilies, and tubers such as dahlias and cannas, must be planted as soon as possible. Shrubs which have flowered, such as forsythia, will need to be pruned and camellias may be pruned once flowering is over. Now is a good time to trim lavenders before they start to flower. Sunflowers can be sown now, preferably under glass. Regularly spray roses and feed with Toprose fertilizer which is a good feed for many shrubs and climbers too. Feed strawberry plants with a high-potash fertilizer such as Tomorite. Ornamental prunus such as flowering cherries should be pruned as soon as they have flowered.
The Capel Manor Spring Show is from 11-13 April and the Hertfordshire Garden Show at Knebworth is on 4-5 May. Don’t forget to order tickets for the Chelsea Flower Show which is from 20-24 May (0870 842 2217) and the Malvern Spring Gardening Show from 8-11 May (call 01684 584924).
Terry Simmonds