February 2005
Joanne Deacon, Chipperfield Parish Council's new Parish Clerk, started work on New Years Day. Joanne lives in Sarratt; is married to Alan and they have two daughters, Megan and Holly. She was born and raised in Hemel Hempstead and moved to Sarratt twelve years ago to start married life.
Before being selected as the new Parish Clerk, Jo worked as a Legal Executive and latterly in Customer Services for Hertfordshire Police Authority. She gave up full time work to enable her to spend more time with her children and saw the opportunity to use her skills for the local community when she saw the position of Parish Clerk advertised in Chipperfield News.
"I have always believed in local people having input and a voice in local government" Jo says, " I was so pleased to have been selected as Clerk. I will do everything in my power to complete my duties to the best of my ability. I look forward to working with the members of Council for the benefit of the people of Chipperfield and thank them for the trust they have placed in me".
Jo can be contacted on the Parish Council's new telephone number 01923 263310 or by e-mail at parishclerk@chipperfield.org.uk
The Parish Council office is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 12.30pm and out of those hours a message may be left which will receive prompt attention as soon as the office reopens.
REPORTED CRIME 2004
Recent statistics prepared by Hertfordshire Police for the Parish Council show that overall reported crime last year has dropped. For the Bovingdon, Flaunden, Chipperfield and Bourne End area figures for 2004 are: 37 house burglaries (53 in 2003); 63 other burglaries (87 in 2003); 141 thefts from motor vehicles (190 in 2003) and 40 thefts of motor vehicles (60 in 2003).
Theft from and of cars remains the largest number of local crimes. Many can be prevented or thwarted by making sure that you never leave your car unlocked (however briefly you may leave it), keeping it in a secure garage, installing an immobiliser, making sure that your car keys are kept out of sight in your house, and removing all valuables from your car when you park. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR HANDBAG, LAPTOP, MOBILE PHONE OR ANYTHING ELSE OF VALUE IN YOUR CAR. It's horrible to think that thieves are constantly on the watch for stealable items - do your bit by removing anything that may tempt them and prevent the distress, inconvenience and cost of loss. Watch Out - There are Thieves About.
THE VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT
In September 2002 a free copy of the Chipperfield Village Design Statement was delivered to all households in our administrative parish. After a short description of the village, its structure and history, this publication contains a number of planning guidelines for any new development in the village. These guidelines are taken into account by Dacorum Borough Council when considering planning applications, so it is important that residents are aware of them, particularly if they are planning a new extension or other changes to the appearance of their property.
With this in mind, the Parish Council wishes to make sure that copies are made available to those people who have moved into the village since the autumn of 2002. If you are in this position, please call Cllr. David Nobbs on 01923-269480 and a copy will be provided for you free of charge. For non-residents the price is £5.
THE VILLAGE HALL
Regular classes and meetings take place in the Village Hall on most weekdays. However, some recent changes mean that there are vacant slots on Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning.
The hall offers excellent refurbished accommodation at reasonable rates, with a newly laid floor, stage, bar area, modern kitchen and toilets (including disabled facilities).
During the next few months there are also several Saturdays and Sundays free, which could be ideal for parties for children or adults, dances, etc.
Please telephone Graham Breen on 01923 267947 for full details or to enquire about the availability of dates.
CHURCH ORGAN
£670 has been raised for the St. Paul's Church Organ Fund through the sale of recycled and re-mounted Christmas cards. Mary Stirling would like to thank her team of capable helpers who met at Hunterswood for cheerful cutting and pasting sessions and produced 1,500 cards neatly packaged for sale. She is happy to hand on experience gained if someone feels they would like to take on where she has left off. Phone her on 01923 262397.
CUSTODY VISITORS REQUIRED
Hertfordshire Police Authority is responsible for recruiting and administering Independent Custody Visitors. These are volunteer members of the public of all ages and backgrounds who visit detainees held in police custody areas to check on their welfare and conditions.
Following recent changes made by the Home Office, more Custody Visitors are required to visit Watford and Hemel Hempstead police stations. Training and travel expenses are provided. If you would like to help contact Roger Bardle on 01992 555628 or e-mail him at roger.bardle.hpa@herts.pnn.police.uk
RICKMANSWORTH DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY
Following the closure of Watersmeet, RDFAS is now meeting in Sarratt Village Hall.
If you have an interest in the Arts, or think it is time you started to learn more about them, why not come along to one of our lectures. All visitors are welcome (a small donation will be requested) and there are vacancies for membership. Coffee is available from 10.30 am and the lectures start at 11.00am and last about one hour.
Forthcoming lectures
Wednesday 12 January The Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
Monday 7 February The Magnificence of Suleyman the Magnificent
Monday 7 March Architects as Designers; Furniture, Ceramics, Metalwork from Pugin to Norman Foster.
Tuesday 12 April. Horatio Nelson, Life and Loves.
Thursday 19 May The London Architecture of John Nash.
THE OCTAGON MUSIC SOCIETY
The Octagon Music Society provides excellent monthly within easy reach at the Purcell School, Aldenham Road, Bushey. You can enjoy a wide range of music, presented mainly by young performers, in a friendly atmosphere. Concerts, which continue until May, are held on Sundays, starting at 7.45pm. On 13 February the Maggini Quartet will be playing Haydn, Rawsthorne and Dvorak. Tickets are available at the door price £9.50 and £8.50 (students half price and children under 16 free) and non-members are most welcome.
For further information contact Pauline Harborne on 01923 224092.
STANLEY'S STORE
Chapel Croft, Chipperfield
01923 262822
From this month local residents Neill and Sarah Cronin-Stanley will be the new owners of Brits News, renamed Stanley's Store and they look forward to meeting all their customers, old and new.
Over the next few moths they will be introducing a number of changes including longer hours, staying open to 9.00pm every weekday evening. There will be a 24-hour answering service for your next morning delivery needs (would you like eggs, milk and bread delivered with your papers?) This service will be free to those over 65 but there will be a charge for others. There will also be a wider delivery radius. Other services will include dry cleaning, photo developing, picture framing, flowers, cards and gifts, lottery and cash-back facilities.
Old-fashioned sweets in the big glass jars will be making a comeback, including pink shrimps, aniseed balls, coconut mushrooms, candy canes and sherbet dabs.
Neill and Sarah will also be providing local farm produce, locally grown fruit and veg and plan to set-up a take-away and outside cafe selling freshly made sandwiches, pastries, cakes, tea and coffee.
The editors planned to include a short profile of Neill and Sarah this month but this will now appear in next month's issue of Chipperfield News.
VILLAGE PEOPLE
Residents will be saddened to learn of the death of our Village Warden Arthur Hirst. Arthur died in hospital on 3 January following a short illness. Arthur was a wonderful ambassador for the Parish Council and thoroughly enjoyed his work in the village. Our deepest sympathy goes to his wife Joy, their sons David and Clive and their families.
People who remember John and Rene Holt who lived in Little Windmill Hill and left the village about 20 years ago, will be sorry to hear that Rene died in December following a long illness. John Holt is now seriously ill and needs much care and attention. He is determined to remain in his own home as long as possible and the fact that he is blessed with two wonderful neighbours is helping him to fulfil his wish, with considerable help from Kaye and Graham.
Jean Nagel of Queen Street died at home on Christmas morning. Our condolences go to her sisters Barbara and Ann.
Harriet Dorothy Heathcote - Wells was born on Saturday 18 December at 1.29pm at Watford General Hospital weighing 7lb 12oz. She is the first child for Annabel and Mike from 34 Croft Close, Chipperfield. She is the eighth grandchild for Dorothy and Michael Heathcote, Dorothy Heathcote Florists in Watford.
Pauline and Tom McAuliffe of 89 Scatterdells Lane are delighted to announce the arrival of their second grandchild Finley William Victor on Tuesday 16 November 2004. Mother and baby are doing fine.
Should you happen to be travelling on an Arriva bus from Hemel Hempstead to Victoria, your young driver could be Rosie Oliver, daughter of Sylvia of Queen Street. Rosie has followed her late father Jack in being involved with buses and as a conductor he, also, would have been very proud of her driving to Victoria and back twice daily. Rosie was driving locally and is thoroughly enjoying the challenge of this new job. Well done Rosie: there are many people who would hesitate to take a car into London, never mind a big coach!
CHIPPERFIELD HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
2005 is the 60th anniversary of the Society and we send best wishes and good gardening to all our members and friends. Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 3rd February 2005 at 8.0pm in the Upper Parish Room at St Paul's Church. Do please come for a short, but interesting business meeting followed by a chat and refreshments.
The Society needs two or three more committee members to help out, so please let me know if you are interested in this very worthwhile village activity.
Our thanks go to Max Edney for his considerable support over many years, latterly as Membership Secretary. Max has reluctantly decided to stand down and consequently we need someone to take on this very important, but not too onerous, role. If you would like to help, please phone me on 01923 263920 to discuss what's involved.
I should also like to thank all those members who deliver membership cards and Show Handbooks and collect subscriptions; we rely on your continuing support in this vital task.
John Foulgham
CHIPPERFIELD WITHIN LIVING MEMORY
WHIPPENDELL BOTTOM
In the 1920s/30s, you would have seen a very large signboard at the bottom of Whippendell Hill, advertising St. Dunstan's Poultry Farm, where you could have bought stock birds, eggs for hatching, day old chicks, poultry houses and fencing materials etc. The business was established in 1915, to train disabled ex-servicemen, from the First World War. The farm's first manager was Mr. Thomas Brown, who is still recalled by some local people. By the time the farm closed in 1938, it was the fourth largest poultry farm in the country.
Geoff Baldwin's father bought Whippendell Farm, cleared the site and restored it to pasture land for cattle. Today you will see horses grazing in the field near the houses, which have been built over the years. During the Second World War Daimler cars were stored in the farm buildings. (See p. 43 in Chipperfield Within Living Memory for further details).
I recently came across another reference to Whippendell Bottom, when I purchased a booklet from Kings Langley History Society, entitled "Does The Lark Still Sing?" In it Allan Butler describes the first nineteen years of his life, which he spent in Kings Langley. One account amazes me as much as it did the author on reflection:
'On 15th April 1933, Sir Alan Cobham brought his Air Show to Whippendell Bottom. What a strange choice of venue for such an event! The field was rough and sloped on either side, so how did the pilots manage to take off and land a De Havilland Dragon Rapide, under such conditions? Granted the plane was only small but the odds were challenging! The public were offered trips at 21shillings (£1.05) a ride and there were plenty of takers. A flight in a Tiger Moth cost 5 shillings (25p).'
Allan Butler did spare a thought for the poultry at St. Dunstan's Farm and wondered whether those that died prematurely would have ended up on the Sunday dinner table!
Copies of "Does The Lark Still Sing? My Life in Kings Langley" cost £2.50 and may be ordered through me. Mary Nobbs 01923 269480
CHIPPERFIELD THEATRE GROUP AUDITIONS
CTG are preparing to audition for parts in their June play which this year we will be the thriller "Curtain up on Murder". If anyone is interested in auditioning for a part or would like to become involved in any of the numerous backstage and front of house roles please call Lisa (01923 832309) or John (07718 901167).
For more details see our website www.ctgperform.com
THE LANGUAGE OF WORSHIP
The Book of Common Prayer is alive and well having survived the vicissitudes of 455 years existence, and of much tinkering with the Anglican liturgy in recent times. The Prayer Book Society exists to promote the continued use of this timeless liturgy. It is acknowledged that there is a need for some church services to be in the modern idiom but the Society is aware that there are many people who feel that the everyday language of the supermarket and football ground is inappropriate, inadequate and too mundane for use in the worship of God. If you are an Anglican and agree with the views of the Society, then you could support the aims of the Society by becoming a member. The St Albans Branch covers the same area as the Diocese. The Hon Secretary, Miss C.P. Cawood can be reached by telephone (01923 824217) or the local representative via email at lamorna@tesco.net Should you wish to find churches offering BCP services, these can be found on the Society's website at www.prayerbook.org.uk or a list of local churches can be obtained from the Secretary.
GARRAD HOUSE
Garrad House, Rockliffe Avenue, Kings Langley is part of the Abbeyfield Society, a national charity providing housing and various types of care throughout the country.
It is a homely place where a small group of up to 10 people of retirement age live together, with help from staff and volunteers. Residents have their own room with en suite facilities. Residents may bring their own furniture and will be consulted about the dŽcor; there are TV and telephone points in all rooms. There is a lift to the first floor. Life in an Abbeyfield house is an active life, with a large measure of independence. Residents clean their own rooms and do their own laundry, but may employ help with this if they so wish.
Residents get up when they like and get their own breakfast; cereals etc are provided by the Housekeeper. It is easy to make hot drinks at any time of day and most residents provide a small fridge in the room for milk and fresh fruit etc. Residents meet together at meal times; food at Garrad House is home cooking, prepared by the staff on the premises. Occasional outings and entertainment are arranged. There is also a garden for walking and exercise. Frequent visits from friends and families are welcome at any convenient time.
Garrad House does not employ care staff, but residents may buy in help with bathing; there is a specially equipped bathroom available. There is always someone "on call" at night but Garrad House does not provide 24 hour staff cover.
The charges are very reasonable because Garrad House is a non-profit making charity run by a committee of local volunteers. There are no hidden extras such as heating and electricity bills.
There are currently two rooms available for occupancy. If you would like more information and/or would like to arrange a tour of the premises, please telephone 01923 270791.
ST PAUL'S & HOLY CROSS
The new Vicar
We look forward to welcoming Jim and Judy Stevens in March when Jim is installed as the new Vicar of the Benefice of Sarratt and Chipperfield. He will be licensed on Saturday 12th March when there will be services in both St Paul's and Holy Cross. Jim & Judy will live in the Vicarage in Chipperfield.
Funday Sunday School at St Paul's Church
Every Sunday (except for the third Sunday when we join the Family Service) Funday Sunday School meets in the Parish Room from 10 o'clock to 11 o'clock.
We begin by sitting in a circle on kneelers on the floor. There is a red cushion for Jesus, and an angel for anyone who needs a cuddle with an angel! We light a candle and say the Lord's Prayer together and then we compile a list of the children's prayers to be said as a group. There is a beanbag and gold mobile phone with a direct line to Heaven for private prayers.
Next we listen to a story from the Bible or watch it in the form of a video. This is followed by a question and answer session that is rewarded by Roses chocolates!
Then we play fun and lively games that also help to reinforce the message behind the scripture passage that we have been learning about. We have a break and have drinks and biscuits. This is followed by another game or craft activities.
We end by joining the main congregation in church for a blessing and to sing the final hymn that is chosen by a child the previous week.
The children come from a variety of local schools; the majority are from St. Paul's school. Some of the children's parents attend church. Other children are dropped off by their parents and are collected at the end. Some children attend every week, others come occasionally, but all children are very welcome and all appear to enjoy themselves. Alison Bush 01442 834425
BAPTIST CHURCH
Our Christmas Tree Festival was a great success and we are really grateful to all the folk who came to see the 18 decorated trees situated around the church - and to enjoy our cream teas! The children from St. Paul's school also paid us a visit and really enjoyed it. We also had a very pleasant visit from The Chiltern West Gallery Quire with a splendid tea afterwards provided by many friends; we look forward to seeing them again next year. The Family Carol service was very enjoyable attended by many village folk; two accordionists and two 'fiddlers' played the music for us. The tea and homemade mince pies served afterwards were much appreciated!
CHURCH OF OUR LADY
News from Nambaya and Chingulungulu
Work continues apace to complete the Mother and Baby Clinic dedicated to the memory of Fr. Des' brother Michael at Nambaya, Tanzania. The roof is now on, the ceilings are plastered, the windows are on site and ready for fitting. The final plastering of the interior walls and other minor works have to follow. These should be completed in January, and the clinic will then be ready for business. The Clinic will be run by African Benedictine Sisters, who will employ the Nurse Midwife and others as needed. Two delivery beds are provided by the Government, who also supply a gas fridge for storage of vaccines -which they also supply. Chipperfield funds already donated will provide the extra beds and other equipment required to set up the Clinic, and we will continue to contribute to a substantial part of the running costs, including the regular supply of medicines. Our next large project will be the installation of two 5000 litre rainwater storage tanks to augment the water supply
VIOLENCE AND PEACE - the Advent Talks
Dominican Leo Edgar as Brother Leo gave us the first of two Advent talks on November 30th, and he returned ordained as Father Leo for the second talk on December 14th.
Christ came into a world of violence with a message of peace - God's peace - for the world. In his first talk Fr. Leo looked from the very violence of creation itself - the 'big bang' to the slaying of Abel, the drowning of Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea, and the many warnings of death, annihilation and vengeance if the laws of God were not obeyed. Forbidding as they are, these Old Testament accounts of wars and destruction set in the context of human development pale in contrast to the terrible violence of the death of Christ perpetrated by mankind on their own God, and the ongoing divisions between faiths, societies and nations which even today continue to lead to wars, bloodshed and death.
At a recent Provincial Chapter the Dominicans themselves recognised that one aspect of our (British) culture that impedes their mission is that, 'People can be suspicious of religion in general, seeing it as a cause of conflict at all levels of human existence'. Jesus said ' Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No I tell you but rather division'. This presents us with a paradox when He also says' I leave you peace, my peace I give you. What then is this peace of God?
In his second talk Fr. Leo went on to explore human aspirations for peace and contrast this with the Divine Peace which Christ gives. Not unnaturally, many people in different parts of the world, like the Jews of Christ's time, are looking for deliverance from persecution, from military occupation, oppression, exploitation, and discrimination. We speak of peace as the absence of strife - of divisions between individuals and communities. Many recognise that human peace is not only found in the absence of tension - but in the presence of justice. God's peace however transcends even this ideal, for at its heart is forgiveness, - forgiveness, love and mercy.
Quoting Rowan Williams, Fr. Leo said 'The actual substance of our relationship with eternal truth and love is bound up with how we manage the proximity of our human neighbours'. Cain asked 'Am I my brother's keeper'. In Law, Love and Language Herbert McCabe reminds us that, ... 'the world is held together not only by love but by fear, and it is part of the heritage we have somehow to transcend if we are to achieve real human unity'. The clear answer to Cain's question is 'Yes!'
It is a challenge to all churches, to preachers and teachers, to people of all religious persuasions and none that should be firmly grasped. St Paul sums it up. 'Serve one another rather in works of love, since the whole of the Law is summarised in a single command: love your neighbour as yourself'. Christ's message of peace is the joy we find in the Gospel - the promise of Divine Peace in the Kingdom of God. Our human aspirations for peace on earth are not wrong, but the awkward conclusion is that they fall short if it is no more than lip service when we pray, 'Thy Kingdom Come'.
Our sincere thanks to Father Leo for coming to us, and for such thought provoking themes.
David Peacock
YOUR GARDEN IN FEBRUARY
With spring just a few weeks away, the month of February is one of much activity in the garden. Indeed many of the early bulbs are already in flower and the grass will soon be growing. Seed sowing in the glasshouse can start with bedding plants such as ageratum, alyssum, antirrhinums, begonias, calceolarias, calendula, carnation, cineraria, coleus, lobelia, nasturtium, petunias, salvias, sweet peas and tagetes. Perennials such as digitalis (foxglove), lupins, coreopsis, penstemon and rudbeckia can also be sown under glass now. During February, plug plants of many species can be purchased and these are ready for potting up straight away. This is also the time to start sowing vegetables in the greenhouse including tomatoes, leeks, lettuce and cucumbers. Do make sure that there is adequate heating to cope with frosty conditions.
The vegetable garden should have been dug by now and so too should the flower borders. Prune fruit trees (except plums) and spray them as soon as possible with a winter wash spray. Peach trees must be sprayed with either Dithane or Copper Fungicide before mid-February at the latest to prevent them getting peach leaf curl. Shrubs such as the buddleia can be pruned at this time of the year and late-flowering clematis, such as C. Jackmanii, must be cut back hard now.
Before the birds start nesting hedges can be given a trim too. Seed potatoes should be purchased now so that they can be 'chitted' (sprouted) in a light frost-free place so that they are ready for planting in the spring. For new potatoes, choose early varieties such as Arran Pilot, Foremost, Home Guard and Pentland Javelin. For jacket and mashed potatoes, you will need maincrop varieties such as Cara, Desiree and King Edward. There are many newer varieties of potatoes in the garden centre these days such as Concorde, Rocket, Swift and Maxine. Then there is the salad potato, Pink Fir Apple. At the end of the month, shallots can be planted, followed by onion sets during March.
Lawns are best left alone at this time of the year, but it is a good idea to have the lawn mower checked over ready for the spring. Now is the time to make final plans for the approaching garden season and to make any alterations or additions that might be necessary. New hedges will need to be planted by the end of next month. Much colour will be seen in the garden this month. There will be bulbs such as snowdrops, aconites and crocus. The witch hazel (Hamamelis), winter heathers, winter jasmine, mahonia, forsythia and lonicera fragrantissima should all be in full flower now.
Terry Simmonds
CHIPPERFIELD COMMON
In November about thirty local people walked through the woods with Phillip Russell, the Woodlands Officer, to learn of Dacorum`s future plans for the woods. Their aim is to manage the woodland as a sustainable, wildlife habitat whilst enabling anyone to enjoy walking there. The present budget for this work is very small at £5000 per annum. Due to rapid cost increases for insurance and safety requirements, this will cover only five days work by a three-person team of tree surgeons. The Dacorum plan does spread work for the whole woodland area over five years, but it appears that the forecast rate of spending will not be enough to meet their objectives. However, if woodlands are neglected, trees can suffer from premature decay and choking undergrowth.
Dacorum is entrusted with Chipperfield Woods for the benefit of local inhabitants but they have many similar responsibilities and so calling for more cash may not meet with success. I wonder whether we who live here and gain so much enjoyment from the woods might consider giving a helping hand to safeguard the pleasure of the Common for many years to come. If, for example, we could put together the occasional working party of, say, 15 people to work under supervision, we could do a lot of surface clearing which is required. Also if we could raise £2000 each year, that would permit an increase of 40% in skilled tree surgeon work. Perhaps we in the village, together with frequent visitors, could become" Friends of Chipperfield Common "to help preserve this wonderful amenity.
If my thoughts strike a chord with you, then please send your comments to the Editors through the mailboxes.
Donald Main
HERTFORDSHIRE ARCHIVES AND LOCAL STUDIES
To find out how to make the most of a visit to Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies (HALS), an introduction to key sources for local and family history, including a tour of the strong rooms and conservation room, is held on the last Thursday of every month from 10.30am to 12 noon. A number of courses and events are being held during 2005 including Discovering Old Documents: beginners on Wednesdays 6-27 April (fee £20) and an Open Day on the theme of Hertfordshire's landed estates and the families associated with them from 10.00am-4.00pm. No charge, car parking and refreshments available. Phone 01923 471333. Web site: www.hertsdirect.org/hals
NEWS FROM THE JASMINE TRUST
At last our much-needed Langley Road Horse Track is open. It took longer than we expected to put the works into action but so far everyone who has used it is delighted, so it has been worth the wait.
Many thanks to Chipperfield Parish Council and Hertfordshire Highways for their support and much needed funding. Highways did a fantastic job of clearance and landscaping. We would also like to thank the Chess Valley Riding Association, The Morton Trust, OBH North Pony Club, The British Horse Society and all the riders and members of the public for their incredible generosity. It has cost about £10,000 to complete the works and at the beginning of the project it seemed that we were over ambitious to even think about raising this amount.
We would also like to thank John Saunders for donating a piece of his land so that we could extend the track a little further. This enables the horses to keep away from the traffic a little longer and vastly improves the visibility for riders when leaving the track.
Chipperfield Parish Council have obtained a grant from the Countryside Management Service to pay for a new hedge between the track and the road and to fill in the gaps in the existing old hedge. The new hedge will take a few years to become established but it will screen the track from the road, be safer for both horses and traffic and look attractive as well.
Hertfordshire Highways have indicated that it may be possible to extend the surfacing on the track later this year but whether or not this happens, I am sure that both riders and car drivers will notice an enormous difference in safety when travelling along the Langley Road. Happy and safe riding. Tina Robinson
NEW HEDGE PLANTED
Sunday morning on 9 January was cold, dull but dry when eight intrepid volunteers, well wrapped up, booted and gloved met outside the Land Rover Garage to help plant hedge slips along the Langley Horse Track.
Anna Cohen, the Projects Officer from the Countryside Management Service arrived with a Land Rover stuffed full of plants, tools and equipment. The team went to work with enthusiasm and although the ground was hard, sodden and full of brambles, at the end of three hours had cut back the brush, filled two sacks with litter, made 200 holes, popped in the plants and added supporting canes, rabbit guards and mulch mats to each plant.
The new hedge is a mixture of native trees - field maple, dogwood, hazel, hawthorn and ash, planted in groups to provide good mixed cover.
There were 400 more hedge slips to go in but as it is essential that they are planted soon, it was decided to enlist the help of a local contractor to complete the job as soon as possible.
Many thanks to Anna and the intrepid eight who worked so hard. The reward should be seen in a few months' time.
Liz Holliday
RED ROSE BUSES
If you wish to check timetables or fares of Red Rose bus routes you can phone 01296 399500 or look at their website (www.redrosetravel.com) which also has a news page with up-to-date details of diversions due to road works etc