February 2008
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 12 February 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.
CEDAR TREE ON THE COMMON
Older residents will recall the event when the Cedar Tree was planted on The Common (in the area opposite Queen Street) on 2 June 1953 to commemorate the Coronation of HM Queen Elizabeth II. The tree was planted by twelve children who had won prizes in the Carnival Procession and their names appear on the plaque - they were Kathleen Brooks, Kay Burgess, Judy Laurence, Pamela Scott, Peter Bass, Peter Brooks, Robin Dane, Paul English, Gordon Lee, Patrick Milner, Keith Sturman, Graham Woods.
The plaque commemorating this event has been missing for some time but, thanks to Malcolm Durrant our Village Warden, it has now been restored to its original position. Thank you Malcolm for a job well done.
CHIPPERFIELD WITHIN LIVING MEMORY
90th Anniversary of the End of the Great War
2008 marks the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War. A MEMORIAL EVENT telling the story of the Chipperfield people who were involved is being planned for Saturday 8 November in the Village Hall.
The names of the 37 local men and boys who gave their lives in the service of their country are commemorated on the village war memorial and in the Parish Church. From the Roll of Honour on the War Memorials Trust website, we have basic information about 35 of the 37 courageous men. (Details about James Harding and Herbert Pritchard still elude us.)
Please can you help us to make the stories of all these peopleÕs lives more personal? Numbers identify them, but where did they live, what work did they do and who were their families? Several of them are bewilderingly listed as living in Chapel Croft, but at the time that name included houses in Kings Lane, Croft Lane and Alexandra Road. Can you provide more precise addresses?
The loan of photographs would be invaluable, even if your relative is one of a group and cannot be positively identified. Do you have any keepsakes such as letters or badges etc which we could look at?
We cannot forget also the rest of the men listed on the marble tablets in Church. They served their country and fortunately came home. Any information regarding these people will be welcomed, and kept in our village archives. We have made a start with James Bignell, Charles Harpley and Tom Stevens, but there is a long way to go. We still treasure the photographs of George Coster, Alfred Bates, Albert Bunker, Thomas Smith and Leslie Bunker given to us for the Millennium Exhibition.
Please contact Mary Nobbs if you can help in any way by phone 01923 269480 or email: davidmarynobbs@waitrose.com
HEALTH WALKS
Every Tuesday and Thursday walks take place leaving Blackwells on The Common at 9.30am. The walks are accompanied by trained leaders in conjunction with Dacorum Borough Council and the Countryside Management Service.
The walks are open to all, and those who currently do little exercise or are recovering from illness or injury are particularly welcome. There will be sufficient leaders for everybody to go at their own pace and the duration will be about 40 minutes, with a longer version of about 1 hour.
If you would like more details please phone Paul or Di Hewetson 01923 264708 - otherwise just turn up on Tuesday or Thursday at 9.30am!
ST PAULÕS CHURCH YARD
Our burial ground is now almost fully occupied, and the time will very shortly come when there will no longer be space for new full graves.
We recognise that this will be a matter of considerable concern to some in the village. We thus invite all who wish to discuss this with us to a meeting in St. PaulÕs Parish Room on Wednesday 27 February at 7.30 pm.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A couple of months ago I reported to Dacorum Borough Council about various holes appearing in front of the swings in Croft Meadow. These holes had wildlife mess in them but also somebody was taking advantage of this and placing dog mess in these holes. This was obviously a concern and the Dog Warden has taken care of this now, but during this I requested a new dog litter bin in the path leading down to Scatterdells Lane. We do not have a bin this end, only one near the top of Croft Lane, and we have a lot of dog walkers heading towards Scatterdells Lane and the woods.
Dacorum Borough Council have come up trumps and we have a nice new dog litter bin at the end of Croft Meadow, I would like all the villagers to know about this new bin because it must be used, apparently dog bins are monitored weekly and if they are not used enough they are removed, that would be a shame. I had nagged them for a while and am really pleased with the outcome, so could you please put a small editorial in to all dog walkers, the more villagers know the better.
Anita Ward anita@wardchipperfield.co.uk
My cat was attacked and killed by my neighbourÕs dog just two weeks before Christmas. The dog is an ex-racing greyhound now kept as a ÔpetÕ. It has previously killed, yet despite this it was unmuzzled at the time of the attack outside my home. What makes it particularly shocking is that, despite contact from the RSPCA and local dog warden, and pleas from me, the owner refuses to muzzle or control the dog and it continues to walk freely around the village. IÕd like to stress that I have no desire for a vendetta against this man, but I think that villagers should be aware that there is an irresponsible dog owner in their midst.
Lin Johnston
I would like to bring to your attention that the information printed in the December issue of Chipperfield News, regarding the ability of a cash machine to recognise a reversed PIN and alert police is, in fact, totally false. The technology does exist, but isn't in place either here or in the US. It's hard to imagine how the police could respond quickly enough to catch the crime in progress anyway.
If anyone is unfortunate enough to be robbed while using a cash machine, the safest option is to comply and then report the incident directly to the police and to the bank. Trying to use an incorrect PIN may frustrate a would-be robber and will not alert the police.
The best advice is to obtain cash from well lit and protected areas where ever possible. Karen Cunningham
I have just read your article in the December issue of Chipperfield News about reversing one's pin number.
I thought it sounded brilliant but after checking it out on www.snopes.com/business/bank/
pinalert.asp I see it is reported as false. The snopes article makes for interesting reading. Shame, like you, I thought it was a good piece of information.
Jennie Sylvester
Editor's Note: We received this information from a very reliable source and it was published in good faith. We are very grateful to Karen and Jennie for bringing the matter to the attention of our readers.
WHICH BIN FOR BROKEN GLASS & SHREDDED PAPER?
Broken glass Ð light bulbs, drinking glasses, vases etc Ð should be well wrapped in newspaper and labelled "Broken glass" and put into your grey wheelie bin. Shredded paper should be put into your newspaper re-cycling box.
A WALK AROUND CHIPPERFIELD COMMON
A small illustrated booklet entitled A Walk Around Chipperfield Common in the Reign of Queen Victoria has been published by the Parish Council. Copies priced at 75p are available at Blackwells, Chipperfield Larder, the Post Office Stores and StanleyÕs Store.
The booklet originated with material prepared by Mary Nobbs to support the work that St PaulÕs School does as part of the National Curriculum to look at the local environment in Victorian times. It takes the form of a short walk around the Common studying the houses and describing their history. Although primarily designed for children, the Parish Council felt that the booklet would be of interest to a wider audience and decided to publish it for wider circulation. It includes a map and 16 illustrations.
Proceeds from the sale of the booklet will be donated to St PaulÕs School.
CHIPPERFIELD NEWS AGM
The AGM of Chipperfield News was held on Tuesday 8 January when the Chairman welcomed all present. The editors reported on a successful year. However, they would still appreciate receiving additional interesting articles from local contributors. We are seeking the help of an assistant on the editorial desk, so any interested person should contact Liz or Anne on (01923) 267483 or 267947.
Peter Corbett, business manager, reported on a smooth running operation and thanked all concerned for their co-operation. Peter Waite, the advertising manager, thanked all advertisers for their help. It was due to their support that we were able to produce a monthly publication which is delivered free of charge to all residents.
Graham McMellin presented the annual accounts to 31 October 2007, stating that the finances were in good order, funds standing at £7,647. New replacement software was to be ordered and Tony Briselden, the IT manager, would be reporting back on the current hardware.
Popsi Stokes thanked the distributors for their help and support over the last 12 months saying that Print Run were to be congratulated on their prompt monthly delivery.
Russ Evans, the Chipperfield webmaster, reported on the very high number of visitors to the website. He was reorganising the site to enable Chipperfield clubs and organisations to edit their own pages. He appealed to all to make use of this facility so that more information on their activities was available which would, in turn, attract new members.
Richard Edwards thanked all the team for their support and work during the year.
VILLAGE PEOPLE
Congratulations to Donald Main of Mahogany Hall who was awarded the MBE in the New Year Honours List for services to the Accountancy Profession in Scotland.
Diane Bunting of Little Windmill Hill is at last a grandma. Alfie Peter Bunting-Rowe was born at Watford General Hospital (12 days late!) on 1 November at 8.35am - a whopping 8lb 9oz. A precious son for Kate and Steve. Well done!
The above announcement arrived too late for inclusion in our last issue - but then in December we were delighted to receive the following :
Diane Bunting is delighted to become a grandma for the second time in 5 weeks. A cousin for Alfie, Freddie Kenward was born on 6 December at Watford General Hospital weighing in at a massive 9lb 2oz! - the first child of Sally and Chris. Sally attended Sarratt JMI School and was a keen Brownie and Guide. Sally and Chris married in Sydney in February 2005 and happily moved back to Chipperfield last year after a few years in Abbots Langley.
Welcome to Noreen Murphy, the new manager of The Two Brewers. Noreen arrived on 20 December, just in time for a baptism of fire dealing with dozens of diners over the Christmas and New Year period. She has worked for the Spirit Group, who own The Two Brewers, for 19 years and has managed a wide variety of their eating establishments. Noreen is delighted with the warm reception she has received from staff and regular customers and would like to thank all those who have called in to welcome her. She looks forward to meeting more residents as well as visitors to the village.
CHIPPERFIELD SCHOOL OF DANCING NEWS UP-DATE
The pupils of the dancing school took examinations with the British Arts Society and passed with excellent high-grade marks.
The New Year timetable: the Baby Ballet is now on a Monday in the Parish Room. All other classes are held on Monday and Tuesday at Blackwells. Each class is standardised according to age and grade.
For further details please call Jean Banks 01923 400370 or Clare Gurney 0208 428 9906
ST PAULÕS AND HOLY CROSS
It is with a real sense of gratitude that I look back on the response there has been to the recent visit that I and six others from our churches paid to Rwanda last autumn. This was my third visit to this lovely country, to amazing people who have suffered at a level I simply cannot understand, and where the church displays immense courage and trust in God.
Over the course of these seven years I have seen something of the real difference that support for these people makes, the personal contacts and friendships they much value, and it has been good to see that they have handled the finances sent with honesty, wisdom and integrity Ð and what a difference the money sent has made Ð support which encourages them to help their own communities.
I went on this visit as I had been invited to do some teaching with trainee church leaders Ð what a delight they were, with enormous enthusiasm to learn. We also went to listen and learn, and to establish links between Sarratt School, and a primary school in Gishali, one of the poorest areas of this poor country; classrooms just about standing: an enormous increase in pupils expected over the next few years; no equipment; only three toilets (of the long drop variety) for 700 children É..
We went on this visit saying to our churches here that on return we would be encouraging active support. Many have caught the vision. Rwanda calendars have been produced and sold: assemblies in schools have moved children, there was a large Christmas card growing in Sarratt post office, donations have come from the work place É All this before we have really started! Great!
This Lent season we are inviting every one in our churches to give to support the community of Gishali, through enabling that community to provide a house for its pastor, and to help train future pastors who are key leaders in almost every aspect of daily living Ð not just the spiritual, but heath care, nutrition, better use of land É.
Lent is often associated with fasting, which is the giving up of something good, to give energy to something better É.. What may seem not very much to us makes an enormous difference in a land like Rwanda - ask me for details!
May I wish you a happy Lent.
Jim Stevens
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Christmas passed, as Christmas should, with emphasis on the children. About forty youngsters enjoyed a party with a hot meal, entertainment and a disco. On Christmas Eve a nativity play was enacted in the church for families and friends. The traditional crib stood in the church until the three wise men arrived for the feast of the Epiphany.
The children of our adopted parish in Tanzania were not forgotten and a collection was taken for the children's cancer hospital which Fr. Des had visited earlier this year. Having heard and read about the work undertaken there everyone was confident that any money raised would get there quickly and be put to best use. Our congregation and friends were amazingly generous and, by adding the special collection and donations to funds already available, the total reached £20,000 - a remarkable achievement.
2008 is our 30th anniversary year because Fr. Des celebrated his first Mass in Chipperfield (in St.Paul's church) on 8th January 1978. The service was due to start at 9am but, not knowing the area, Fr. Des was delayed and Mass started a little late. The tradition continues to this day!
Sadly the year started badly for us as Fr. Des was taken ill and put into hospital. Although his sister tells us that he seems a little better every day, we are all concerned about him and a Mass was said for his speedy recovery. Please remember him in your prayers.
Janet Keates
BAPTIST CHURCH
Wow there have been a lot of firsts for me last year:
My first pastorate and my first home in Hertfordshire.
My first birthday in Chipperfield (no I am not the youngest baptist minister in history).
My first Christmas in Chipperfield and my first nine carols and lessons service.
My first set of essays for college,
- and I am sure there are a lot more I haven't remembered.
However one first that has got me thinking is that of my first New Year. Since my family and I arrived at the end of August we have not really had time to stop. What with getting to grips with the new, and I must say pleasant, life, then travelling to all corners to visit friends and family over Christmas and all that it entails. I have managed to take a few deep breaths as I came up for air but no time to really think.
As I write this it is January 2008 already and it is for the February edition of Chipperfield News so 2008 has started busy. New years are often started with resolutions, we are reminded of what is possible if only we put our minds to it. We start with all the will power and promise we can muster yet as the dark days loom on into February we feel the good intentions slipping away and our heads drop. My new yearÕs resolution was not to make any and not to feel too despondent if I failed at that. So as I fail my first test and make this New Years resolution, in everything I am determined to look up and not down this year. To look at what is possible in God and not look at what I cannot do. Once the celebrations of Christmas are over we can say that Jesus is not just for Christmas but for the rest of the year as well. It maybe so that we often fail ourselves, but in Jesus we have God on our side and He never lets our heads drop. Chin up?
Love Jason, The Man in the Manse
BAPTIST CHURCH NEWS
January seems pretty quiet after all the preparations and celebrations for Christmas.
The Chiltern West Gallery Quire were in splendid form, as usual, and everyone who came enjoyed it, and the tea afterwards. Please note that their next event will be the Snowdrop Sunday at St MaryÕs, North Mymms on February 17th from 2-4pm, and all are welcome. The snowdrops in the churchyard are a joy to behold.
Forty six people attended our Christmas lunch, the most we have had, and it was very much enjoyed by everyone. (Please note that the next lunch is on the third Saturday in February). We had a joyful Carol Service which was well attended, with mince pies afterwards!
Please note that the annual WomenÕs World Day of Prayer service this year will be held at St LawrenceÕs Bovingdon on March 7th, time to be announced, please look out for publicity.
Our Tear Fund Sunday will be held on March 9th and, if you would like to attend the frugal lunch afterwards, please contact Jacky Murduck on 01923 265221 by Sunday March 2nd (Mothering Sunday).
A very happy New Year to you all from the Baptist Church family.
ST PAULÕS PARISH REGISTERS
We welcome into GodÕs family:
25 November - Montague Mann
9 December - Todd Buckingham
We celebrate the confirmation of:
Imogen Roberts, Stuart & Sheena Webb, Perry & Jeanette Webster, Teresa Williams on 8 November.
We ask GodÕs blessing on the marriage of David Smith and Eileen Clark on 1 December
We commend to GodÕs merciful keeping: 30 November - Ann Bromwich
30 November - Audrey Downer
13 December - Peter Walker
C.R. FOREMAN 1930-2007
Roy Foreman died on 19 November 2007 and it has become apparent that he is leaving a very large "Roy-shaped" hole in the lives of all he touched. The many letters we have received have emphasised that he was always there as a problem solver, a shoulder to lean on, and an all-round caring personality. Everyone has remarked on how they will miss his constant humour and endless fund of corny stories.
He was always a very positive person and his message to us all in those last months was "Do not be sad, I have had a good life and it is time to go."
All those close to us have the wonderful memory of the great day we shared at our Golden Wedding Party in August and we are just so glad that Roy was well enough to enjoy it.
Our heartfelt thanks go to the Hospice of St Francis, our MacMillan Nurse, Judy Hepper, and our own District Nurses who were all so kind during Roy's last days. Elizabeth Foreman
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY SPRING SHOW SATURDAY 29 MARCH
This year, hopefully, the weather will be kind to us and the Village Hall will be filled to overflowing with classes for tulips and daffodils. Vases of shrubs and pot plants both flowering and non flowering, they all have their own classes. Vegetables from rhubarb to cabbages. Handicraft has 11 classes from drawings to woodwork. Domestic has 6 classes; have you made marmalade or chutney? Try your hand at a Simnel cake or a loaf of bread, a Victoria sponge or a plate of 6 biscuits. Floral Art, always wonderfully picturesque, has 3 classes this year and the Junior section, has 2 classes in each section. Up to 10 years and 11 to 16 years. School work may be entered, but it must be the exhibitors own unaided work. Photography again has 3 classes. The maximum size of the photos is 7" x 5" these can be framed but not mounted. The subjects are: Reflections; Candle Light; Doorways. So if you havenÕt taken your photos yet there is still plenty of time.
Come and enter and bring your exhibit along at 10am on the morning of the show. Judging starts at noon and the doors reopen at 2.30pm for teas and cake, followed by prizegiving at 3.30pm. It really is such a fun and enjoyable day. If you have any questions or need help or guidance, give Roger Pigg, our very knowledgeable Show Secretary, a ring on 01442 834287. He will be very pleased to offer any assistance needed. Ann Soanes
CHIPPERFIELD EVENING WI
The Chipperfield Evening WI Annual Meeting was held in November, Valerie Briselden being elected President for a second year.
A very successful year of events concluded with the Winter Party at the Village Hall in December. Once again the ladies of the committee provided an excellent meal and both members and visitors enjoyed the evening. At the commencement of the evening locally-based Strawberry Strings, Naomi and Laura, provided a musical background; after dinner, Laura's husband, Stephen Rose, entertained on the piano.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 20 February at 8pm in the Village Hall when Lesley Edwards will talk about her recent visit to India. All visitors welcome.
CHIPPERFIELD BROWNIES
The 1st Chipperfield Brownies have welcomed 6 new girls since September. We have enjoyed lots of fun-packed meetings/activities, including a keep-healthy evening and a sports circuit which the girls made up themselves. The girls worked hard to gain their road safety and fire safety badges; thanks to Andy Mackness for taking the girls through their fire safety badge. Nine of our Brownies joined with the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides from Kings Langley District for a craft day at Kings Langley Primary School. A great day was had by all, with all the girls receiving their craft badge. Looking forward to the next one! We had a Christmas craft evening with a secret Santa theme. We also had a Christmas Party and Father Christmas joined us! The term ended with us joining the rest of the District for an evening of Ice Skating.
Thanks very much to all parents who have helped this term, it's very much appreciated. My pack is full to bursting at the moment but if you would like to put your daughter's name on my waiting list, the starting age is 7 (it's never too early!) please contact Sian Roberts, Brown Owl on 07982 610775.
There are lots of girls in our District who would love to be part of Girlguiding (Rainbows 5-7, Brownies 7-10 and guides 10-14) but due to insufficient leaders are unable to. If you would like a really rewarding experience, why not give a little time to Guiding? You can be a Guider from the age of 18 or a Young Leader from the age of 14-18. If you are interested, please contact Jean Banks on 01923 400370.
SPONSOR NEEDED PLEASE!
The Chipperfield Corinthians Under 10's are looking for a sponsor to enable them to have new shirts and jackets. In return the sponsor will have their name/business printed on the clothing and also on the West Herts Yellow Jerseys website.
The team are doing extremely well at the moment and currently hold the lead in their division but are in desperate need of some kit as their current one has been worn for a few seasons now.
If there is anyone who's interested and would like more details please contact their Manager
Melanie Roberts 01923 261705 or 07799255949
........... thank you!
AUTUMN'S BOUNTY DRAWS THE CROWDS
We had a bumper crop of apples last autumn and, even after we had juiced and bottled a lot of the fruit, there were still hundreds of windfalls on the ground. The sheep enjoy a bucketful each day, but they can only manage rotting ones, or even completely black ones, as their teeth are designed for grass, not hard fruits. It did not take long for a large flock of thrushes to find the remainder. A cold snap in Scandinavia drove a lot of birds across the North Sea quite early on and by early December the garden was full of Fieldfares and Redwings, plus our resident Mistle Thrushes.
The Fieldfares are winter visitors, we saw very few last year, so it was good to see flocks of 50 or 60 birds fly up, almost vertically, when I went to feed the sheep.They are the most distinctive of the family, not quite as big as a Mistle Thrush, with grey heads and rumps and contrasting black tails. They adore the Bramleys, hollowing out the flesh and just leaving some of the skin.
There were fewer Redwings, which are slightly smaller, with distinctive red patches under their wings which are easily visible as they fly away. At least one pair of Mistle Thrushes are permanent residents in the garden. They are often known as storm cocks because they sing all winter, even on the stormiest days. They chose the top-most branches of the tallest trees and their powerful songs ring out all over the garden. Only the Mistle Thrushes will nest here, but it is nice to see the others and know that the apples are not going to waste.
The Robins have paired up and are singing too. Spring is just around the corner! How I love the changing seasons, the different birds, and hopefully some snow. Year round sun would be so boring!
Wendy Bathurst
NEWS FROM ST PAULÕS SCHOOL
We had a fantastic week of fun and learning when the whole school did a French themed week. We have started teaching French to our junior aged children but the whole idea of the week was that it was not just about the French language but about cross curricula learning. It would be impossible to tell you all of the things we did, but here are a few examples.
Y6 ran a French cafŽ! The children bought croissants, baguettes and other French food and paid for it with Euros! The school cook took part and cooked a French lunch: the crpes and crme caramels were very popular. Y5 built some amazing Eiffel Towers and did a lot of map work based on France and Paris. Y4 did some amazing art work and their version of MonetÕs Poppies Near Argenteiul now hangs proudly in our entrance hall. Y3 wrote some amazing information leaflets and learned the French names for parts of the body. (Can you sing Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes in French? Ð They can!). Y2 baked French bread and made a lovely version of the Notre Dame Rose window. Y1 listened to Saint-SaenÕs Carnival of the Animals and moved to the music wearing the animal masks they had made. They also learned lots of French songs. The Foundation Stage used the computer to produce some pictures in the style of Matisse.
Do you like our Eiffel Tower? We made it out of rolled up newspapers and then painted them silver!
Norah Tattersall, Headteacher
CHIPPERFIELD CHORAL SOCIETY
2007 was a very special year for Chipperfield Choral Society for it was the year that celebrated its Diamond Jubilee. On December 8, St Paul's Church was filled to capacity for two performances of the Christmas Concert, 'O Holy Night', and the choir conducted by their musical director, Delia Meehan, gave an uplifting performance of Christmas music by Rutter, Hendrie and Rachmaninov. At the organ, Nicholas King produced a solo performance of In Dulci Jubilo by J S Bach. Alan Taylor conducted the choir as they sang A Birthday Carol which he had written in celebration of the society's jubilee. The concert was a joy to attend and justly joined the tradition of Christmas concerts which are a feature of the society's annual programme.
The highlight of the year took place in June at St John's Church, Boxmoor, when the choir gave their Diamond Jubilee Concert. For the occasion the choir were joined by their patron, Emma Bell, a soprano of international repute, and her beautiful voice added sparkle to an evening of sensational music. James Fussey gave a superb performance on the trumpet and Emma Bell joined the choir in a marvellous rendition of Alma Virgo by Johan N Hummel. J S Bach's Suite for Unaccompanied Cello was played to perfection by Anna Beryl. Richard Edwards paid a special tribute to the choir and to Delia Meehan, their musical director for the past 16 years. The daughter of Joyce Herman Allen, who founded the society in 1947, joined the audience for the evening and it was an absolute privilege and joy to partake in such a wonderful celebration.
Terry Simmonds
FEBRUARY IN YOUR GARDEN
All the new seeds and bulbs are in the garden centre now and begonias, antirrhinums, lobelia, alyssum, marigolds, sweet peas, lupins and petunias should be sown under glass as soon as possible. Sow tomatoes, cucumbers, leeks and lettuce in the glasshouse. Plug plants can be used in many cases as an alternative to seed. Buy seed potatoes now and leave in a light frost-free place to sprout ready for spring planting. Keep up with the digging and add farmyard manure, except where rootcrops are to be grown. Prune and spray fruit trees except plums. Spray peach trees with dithane or copper fungicide before mid-February.
It is too early to do the lawns but be sure to get the mower serviced ready for the spring. Provided the ground is not frozen, plant shrubs, roses and perennials, adding a little bonemeal. Prune late-flowering clematis and shrubs such as buddleia. Trim hedges before the birds start to nest. There is already a lot of colour in the garden with aconites,snowdrops and early crocus coming into flower. Witch Hazel (hamamelis), viburnum, mahonia, daphne odora, winter heather, forsythia and lonicera fragrantissima will all be in flower now. Tickets for the Chelsea Flower Show (May 20-24) will soon be sold out so if you wish to visit this wonderful event phone 0870 842 2217. Terry Simmonds
DOG WASTE BAG DISPOSAL
It has been brought to the attention of the Parish Council that over the past few months someone has been continually littering the hedgerows along the footpaths connecting Scatterdells Lane with Croft Meadow with filled dog-waste bags. Would whoever is responsible please put these bags in the bins provided on Croft Meadow. Picking up the waste in the appropriate bags is the hard part, completing the process by putting the bag in the bin should be relatively easy. Leaving filled waste bags by the footpath poses a health hazard, it is also an offence. Enforcement action will be considered should this persist. If you have any information as to who may be causing this problem or if you have any issues with the bins or their location, please contact Mrs J Deacon, Parish Clerk 01923 263310.