July - August 2005
On Saturday 14 May, I joined a team of 10 cyclists (see photograph above) in a 35 mile
sponsored ride through the Chilterns and along the Grand Union Canal starting and finishing
at "The Windmill", to raise funds for Iain Rennie Hospice at Home. Iain Rennie nurses gave
great comfort to Beverley and all the family, in the last stages of her life after a long
battle with cancer and it was a real pleasure to be able to do something in return.
We were fortunate with the weather and all returned in one piece despite my unplanned
"dismount" while speeding down one of the more challenging bridle paths into Tring! Thanks
to all those who contributed so generously to the cause and everyone who took part,
especially to Tony Wheeler for coming up with the idea and putting so much energy into
planning and organising the event. We were also particularly grateful for the support of
Dave and Dawn at "The Windmill" for supporting the event, seeing us off with breakfast and
providing a well earned lunch on our return. It looks as though the total raised will be
about £5,000.
Three of Beverley's intrepid friends added their efforts to the cause by taking part in a
sponsored free fall parachute jump. Rosalind Wheeler, Liz Johnson and Wendy Marchant threw
themselves out of an aircraft on Sunday 5 June to raise another £1,500 or so for Iain
Rennie as part of its 20th anniversary programme of events. A group of supporters joined
them at Bicester on a grey Sunday morning to give them support, and make sure they didn't
think better of their brave decision at the last moment!! We needn't have worried. Where
were all the male volunteers? The gauntlet has certainly been thrown down.
David Hudson
MESSAGE FROM JO DEACON, CLERK TO THE PARISH COUNCIL
On behalf of Chipperfield Parish Council I would like to thank all those who have helped us
to rejuvenate the area of land outside the school. I would like to name each and every one
of you but I am pleased to say that there are too many to mention.
There are the children who helped to design the area, especially George Callcut, Katie
Riley and Nathan Caselton, those who provided plants and bulbs, those who gave their time
for renewing the bench, volunteers who cleared the area and the neighbours for providing
and watering the new shrubs, grass seed and turf on the triangle opposite.
I hope you will agree that there is already an improvement, and although there is still
some hedge planting to take place in the autumn I am looking forward to the spring to see
it in full bloom. A community has provided its time and care for this area and I hope a
community will help keep it a pleasant place for all those wishing to visit.
A REMINDER
Beat the thieves! Make sure that you secure all your gardening equipment and lock your shed
and garage. Opportunist theft of mowers, strimmers
and power tools occurs mainly during the summer months. Remember not to leave your
equipment in full view when you nip away for a cup of tea - it may well have gone by the
time you get back.
MORRIS MEN IN CHIPPERFIELD
Greensleeves Morris Men's annual weekend of dance takes place from July 8-10, with guest
clubs from Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire making Chipperfield ring with the sound of bells,
sticks and music.
Friday 8 July at 9.00pm sees the opening ceremony when Greensleeves dance by the tree on
the Common commemorating their former Squire Les Nichols, who lived in Chipperfield.
Saturday 9 July sees the clubs out and about during the day. At 5.00pm there will be
dancing in Chipperfield at the Windmill and Two Brewers.
Sunday 10 July is the big Morris day in Chipperfield, with an open-air service at 10.30am
in the car park, followed by a show by all the Morris sides at about 11am. As in previous
years, the Morris men will be providing tea and biscuits. Following a procession to the
Windmill at 12 noon, the dancing continues into the afternoon.
Just turn up and enjoy the shows or, for more details, contact Roy Fenton on 0208 879 3527,
or rfenton@rfenton.demon.co.uk
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!
If you would like a personal item included in the Village People column, please contact
Valerie Briselden via the Chipperfield News box at the Post Office Stores or the Two
Brewers, or drop a note through her door at The Firs, The Common. Copy date for the
September edition is Wednesday 10 August.
VILLAGE PEOPLE
Congratulations to RUSS EVANS of Scatterdells Park who married RENATA MARQUES on Saturday 4
June at Hemel Registry Office. Afterwards there was a reception for family and friends at
Chipperfield Village Hall. We wish Russ and Renata every happiness in their future life
together. Russ runs the Chipperfield Village website.
Mr and Mrs A.J. DURRANT of Croft Lane are delighted to announce the engagement of their
youngest daughter ELIZABETH ANN to Mr MARK LANE of Kings Langley (formerly of
Chipperfield).
PHYLLIS AND BILL CONGDON celebrated 60 years of marriage on 9 June. Married at St Paul's
Church on 9 June 1945, they have lived in Chipperfield most of their lives - Bill from 1929
and Phyllis from 1939. After living at Nunfield for 41 years, they moved to Scatterdells
Lane in 1989 and enjoy their gardens and animals, all of them adopted from one source or
another. They celebrated their anniversary with the family and had a very enjoyable day,
including the youngest great-granddaughter, Ashleigh, aged 2. Cheers to you both.
LUCY and PETER WILLIAMS of Anchor Cottage, The Common, are delighted to announce the
arrival of their first grandchild, AmŽlie Lucinda, who was born on 21 May. AmŽlie's mother,
PHILIPPA, was a pupil at St Paul's School.
We send our sympathy to the family of MARY PUTMAN of Tower Hill who died at the beginning
of June.
DACORUM HERITAGE TRUST Sunday 17 July
On Sunday 17 July the Dacorum Heritage Trust in conjunction with the Berkhamsted and
District Archaeological Society are once again participating in National Archaeology Week,
an annual event organised by the Council for British Archaeology.
Take a tour of The Museum Store, paying particular attention to the Archaeological Store to
discover details about the archaeology of Dacorum. Archaeologists will be on hand to
provide first hand accounts of local excavations and explain the history behind an array of
objects and excavation photographs.
Places must be booked in advance. Please telephone or email to book your place : 01442
879525 cpeet@dacht2.freeserve.co.uk
SING GLORY
Sunday 10 July at 6.30pm
in St Paul's Church Chipperfield
A programme of attractive and exciting music by the choir with soloists and accompanied by
an orchestral ensemble. It will include Faure's 'Cantique de Jean Racine'; Mendelssohn's
'Hear my Prayer'; and John Rutter's 'Feel the Spirit' - a lively arrangement of much loved
Spirituals using a variety of musical styles. Hymns for the congregation as well.
Admission free; retiring collection.
A good way to spend a summer's evening.
CHIPPERFIELD YOUTH FOOTBALL
THE Sar-Chip CUP STAYS IN CHIPPERFIELD!
It was a very busy end to the season but very successful. We had our annual matches
against Sarratt for the Sar-Chip Cup and the Val Cummings trophy and once again we were
victorious.
Also bringing home the silverware this year were Anthony Critchfield's Under 9's team that
won the Spring Cup and also congratulations to Di Hewetson and her Under 8's that were
winners of their league. Well done boys!
As always there is an annual search to find another keen and enthusiastic person who is
prepared to take on a new Under 7's side. Several people to lighten the workload can share
this role but you can be guaranteed a lot of support from other managers as well as a lot
of job satisfaction!!
Anyone wishing to find out more please ring Martyn Dicker on 01923 262454
HARMONY
Harmony is coming to Chipperfield! We are a new scheme offering inspirational entertainment
for children under 5 years. Our storytime sessions are designed to stimulate children's
imaginations through a range of traditional, well known and not so familiar story books.
The stories are re-told with the addition of craft activities, music and songs. Visual aids
such as puppets and pictures bring the stories to life. Although parents will remain at the
sessions, the intention is that the children will gain confidence to experience activities
on their own under the watchful eye and guidance of the session leaders, whilst parents and
carers enjoy a chat and refreshments.
Following an initial free trial, the one hour sessions will cost £5 per child. Storytime
sessions will be available every Friday during term time at the Chipperfield Village Hall,
commencing on Friday 1 July at 10am.
For further details or to book a place, please telephone 01923 256335.
YOUR GARDEN THIS SUMMER
July and August are the traditional holiday months but the garden does not take a holiday!
Weeds still grow and plants dry out. After a dryer than usual year there is a real chance
of watering restrictions this summer so do make sure that water butts are collecting as
much rainwater as possible. Put a good thick mulch round trees, shrubs, roses, fruit and
border plants to help conserve moisture. Leafmould, peat, compost and bark chips are good
mulching materials. Newly planted shrubs and perennials will need to be watered, but it is
of no use watering a little every day. Always give them a good soaking and do this at least
once a week. Vegetables need more regular watering as do hanging baskets and window boxes
and plants in pots in the greenhouse. Tomato plants and runner beans must be watered at
regular intervals. If you do go away, try to persuade a nice neighbour or friend to do this
for you. Newly seeded or turfed lawns will need to be watered but never water established
lawns in dry weather. Brown lawns very quickly go green when it does rain. Cut lawns once a
week with mower blades set higher and with the grassbox removed so that the grass clippings
can act as mulch. Ponds will need to be topped up and water should always be provided for
the birds in hot weather. Always well ventilate the greenhouse. In the vegetable garden
spring cabbage, peas, parsley and salads can be sown and onions can start to be lifted.
Watch out for caterpillars of the Cabbage White butterfly on brassicas and nasturtiums.
Keep up with regular spraying of roses to keep black spot and the like away and continue to
dead head as many plants as possible. Keep on top of the weeding but there should be fewer
weeds where mulches have been put down. Prune shrubs after flowering and cut back rambling
roses and lightly trim lavender. Cut out the old canes on raspberries after fruiting and
tie in the new ones. Soft fruit will need some pruning but it is best to study a fruit
manual to see just how to do this. Hedges will need to be cut now.
Now is the time to take cuttings of conifers, pelargoniums, clematis and shrubs such as
hydrangeas, and irises can be divided now. Spring-flowering bulbs such as hyacinths, tulips
and daffodils will soon be on sale but it is really too early to plant these in the garden.
Bulbs in bowls for Christmas flowering should be planted soon. Autumn-flowering crocus and
colchicum bulbs should go in as soon as possible.
Outside your own garden there is much to see this summer. The Hampton Court Palace flower
show is from July 5-10 (tickets 0870 9063790) and the RHS show at Tatton Park is from July
20-24 (tickets 0870 2471239). Chenies Manor plant and garden fair is on Sunday 17 July. Our
own Chipperfield Horticultural Society has its summer show on July 2 and tickets are on
sale for the visit of Pippa Greenwood to Chipperfield on September 22.
Terry Simmonds
NEWS FROM OUR CHURCHES
BAPTIST CHURCH
May 21st turned out to be very wet so we were unable to hold our May Fair outside!
However, many friends dodged the showers and came to support us and a very happy time was
had by all. We were able to raise over £500, so a big thank-you to those who worked so hard
to provide items for the stalls, and to all our friends who so loyally supported us.
Our Flower Festival is to be held from 27-29 August, with the Theme - "Books from your
Childhood". We are sure this will bring back happy memories to many of you. Please note the
dates and pay us a visit if you can. (See publicity on page 2 of this issue).
We are sorry that our Ladies Fellowship meeting has now formally closed through lack of
support. Its history is unclear but has been in operation for very many years. Our Thursday
Group will not meet in August.
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF OUR LADY
Eleven lively youngsters from the parish made their First Communion at a special Mass on
May 15th. It was a lovely sunny day and families and friends enjoyed refreshments in the
church garden following the service. The three catechists who had spent nearly 5 months
preparing the children were presented with cards and large baskets of flowers from the
communicants' parents.
At the end of May Father Des travelled to Tanzania to represent the British Province of the
Salvatorian Order at celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the mission in that
country. At one time there were 22 priests from the UK alone but of these only two remain,
one being Fr. Des' brother Terry. There are now 24 native priests, 44 brothers and 80
clerical students, a result worthy of the fifty years of commitment and dedication in that
part of the world.
ST PAUL'S & HOLY CROSS
The reminder came for the next edition. That it is a July/ August one must have something
to do with holidays. Yes, ours is all booked up, ten days walking in the Dolomites. It
really is good to be able to go away for a short while to do something different.
Holidays......holy-days.
In years gone by that's what they were - days to be released from ..... for ..... Released
from the ordinary and necessary things of daily life - work, in the main - for something
different - holy days, days set apart with clearly a religious significance.
Sadly, one of the legacies of a previous generation is that the notion of holiness tends to
imply "thou shalt not" (as in a strict Victorian Sunday) rather than holiness being
"wholeness".
Why then did God give special "holy-days"? Mainly they were for celebration and recreation
or "re-creation" - an opportunity to:-
Celebrate and enjoy all that we have which is good, and for the re-creation of our family
ties and friendships (God's gifts to us). Celebrate and enjoy God's goodness and for the
re-creation of our relationship with HIM. I am really sad that in popular thinking
"holiness" is so easily linked to prohibition- it makes God such a bore! He is far from
that; He is the source of life.
If past generations have so concentrated on the religious to prohibit the social, perhaps
our present generation is in real danger of focusing so much on enjoyment of ourselves and
of social renewal that we forget proper celebration of God, His goodness and recreating our
relationship with Him.
To put it another way, when "God" stands in the way of social activity and friendship (I am
sure you can think of plenty of examples) or when those same social activities block God
out of the picture, something is not right.
Holy-days are meant to give us space for both enjoyment and a renewal of relationship with
God and enjoyment and a renewal of relationship with one another.
If certain sections of Victorian society went wrong in one direction, perhaps we need to
ask whether we are not in danger of the opposite imbalance. We are spiritual beings as well
as social ones.
Perhaps this year's break from the necessary routines and disciplines of normal daily life,
gives us the opportunity to ask the question - "have I, have we as a family got the balance
right?"
Enjoy your holy-days. I hope you return refreshed in every way, so that the balance in
everyday life is good and life enhancing for all concerned.
With my greetings and prayers,
Jim Stevens
YOUTH WORK AT ST. PAUL'S & HOLY CROSS
In the last few weeks we have begun to look forward to the Holiday Club.
As both Holy Cross and St. Paul's are now under one benefice we will be holding a joint
Holiday Club. The date planned is Wednesday 19th October - Friday 21st inclusive, followed
by a Sunday celebration on 23rd October. The venue will be in Sarratt and we are hoping to
confirm shortly that this will be at the primary school.
As always, Jenny has big ideas and we are looking to have between 100-150 children for the
three days. As you can imagine planning has had to start and we will be needing a lot of
help in many areas, e.g. security, catering, small group leaders and preparing games and
craft.
If you would like to be involved in this venture, even if it is for just a few hours
during the life of Holiday Club, please contact:
Jenny Newman on 01923 265667 or Rev. Jim Stevens on 01923 265848.
COPING WITH THE BIG 'C'
2005 is Breast Cancer Year. Splendid, dedicated people are doing all sorts of crazy things
to raise money for research. How many of them know what it's like? Quite a few, I think.
Finding that lump is something that happens to other people - until you find one. Then the
dread you've always had in the back of your mind dissolves into the reality. It's happened
to you! You feel different, set apart from those who haven't been there, detached, even
from your family. The first objective is the series of tests designed to find out how large
it is and whether it has spread elsewhere. All those hospital appointments, waiting around,
being x-rayed, pricked, examined are a strain. But though they are disagreeable they are
not actually painful and the staff are incredibly kind and understanding (at least at St
Albans Hospital). When the crunch comes and surgery is discussed, it's a relief.
If you are prescribed a course of therapy after the operation it drags on for months and
takes a toll of your stamina. Try to keep life as normal as you can. Kind people will want
to help you, but only accept the help you need. If you feel like driving yourself to the
hospital, cooking, weeding, going shopping or to the theatre - do it (only remembering to
stop in time!). If people give you advice (and they will!) only follow what is relevant to
you and your own feelings. Everyone is different. Listen to your body and your instincts.
Don't necessarily rush to tell the family as soon as you find the lump. It's no help to you
to see worried faces tacitly planning your funeral over the turkey, when it might just be a
cyst and you are trying to concentrate on the cooking. (My GP said on Christmas Eve: 'Try
to put it out of your mind. There's bugger-all you can do about it until after the New
Year'). Only tell friends when you want to and don't worry if some are hurt that you
haven't told them; it is you who matter. This does not always come easily to women who are
accustomed to putting other people first, either in their families or their work, but it's
like being pregnant; during this period you are special and entitled to be selfish. The
best survival technique is to be yourself.
Your cancer is not in a vital organ and all may be well, indefinitely, but that is not in
your hands. This crisis may well change your outlook on life for good, leaving you feeling
more contented, and possibly even deepening your appreciation of the good things and people
in your life. Count your blessings! Anon.
(Details available to anyone wanting to talk seriously to the author
about this subject. Please contact the Editor on 01923 267947)
My Dear Friend
NETTA MAY HOUNSLOW
(BABS) 1920 - 2005
Babs, as she was known to all of us, was a very special and contented independent lady, who
did not ask much from life. With a lively mind full of new ideas, new slants on old
questions and a wacky lively sense of humour, she had many friends and acquaintances in
Chipperfield and around the world. She met many of these on her strolls to the village,
always remembering to ask about their families, sharing their joys and sorrows, honouring
birthdays and Christmas with simple but memorable gifts (hand dried seeds). Nothing was
ever too much trouble if she could help, by giving good advice or feeding the cat while you
were away, you would return to a lively welcome home note.
Visiting Babs was a joy in itself, she was a mine of information on every subject from the
moon and stars to herbs and gardening, but she always had time to listen and ponder on the
ways of life. Babs had endless talents and interests from her love of books, music,
dressmaking, knitting and her wonderful historical drawings. She had collected boxes of
historical information and had intended to write a book at some point, she was ingenious in
her creations. She gave and taught so much.
One of Babs' greatest delights was her garden, feeding the birds and wildlife, seeing the
foxes and badgers dancing in Mick and Marie's garden, growing plants and seeding. It gave
her so much pleasure to give these plants she had grown to friends and neighbours. So I'm
sure that for most of us, all we will have to do, is to look at our gardens to remember
her.
So good-bye Babs and thank you.
Diane Strawbridge
CHIPPERFIELD VILLAGE HALL AGM
The AGM was held on 7 June when the Chairman, Richard Edwards, welcomed all present and
invited them to partake of cheese and wine after the meeting. He thanked all committee
members for their support during the year; hall users and organisations for their bookings;
Moreen Wheeler, our caretaker; and the Parish Council for their financial support which
covered 15% of last year's annual operating costs.
Mr Edwards then emphasised the importance of providing a viable active village hall for the
benefit of the community at large, the objective being to provide such facilities and break
even on operating costs. While we had a very good cross-section of users, thanks to Graham
Breen, our Booking Secretary, we were always keen to take on additional groups when the
booking diary allowed. The Chairman also emphasised the importance of encouraging new
committee members who would be most welcome, and asked such interested people to contact
him on 01923 262549, or the Secretary, Anne Stickland on 01442 832090. The new Licensing
Act was due for implementation and all village halls who wish to offer bar facilities were
being asked to apply to their local authorities for a licence.
The Treasurer, Tony Loveband, presented the annual accounts for the year ended 31 March
2005. Hall letting income stood at just under £10,000 and other income at £5,000, covering
the total operating costs of £15,000, showing a minute profit of £18. The balance sheet
showed net assets of just under £30,000. These accounts were adopted and a vote of thanks
passed to the independent examiner, Tony Cornell, who has kindly agreed to continue in
office.
IN PRAISE OF WENDY
I must admit that nature is not at the top of my mind when I pick up Chipperfield News
and I guess in the early days I probably skipped past Wendy Bathurst's monthly column! That
said, I am now a devoted fan.
Sometimes I wonder if Wendy lives in the same village when she describes the antics in her
garden (OK so hers is somewhat larger), but I often read in amazement the activities of the
creatures around us all that I evidently know so little about.
Be it the love-life of the fox, or dare I suggest the life of the common worm, Wendy has
the ability to bring them to life in a prose that suggests she is capable of a far wider
audience than Chipperfield.
My final thought is, does Wendy sleep at night, or is she in her garden?
JS
Reply from Wendy:
How nice!! I will have trouble getting through the doors soon, with my big head! Not bad
for a dyslexic! I love our garden, there is no place in the world that I would rather be.
Some times I spend too much time looking and not doing the chores, but then there's always
tomorrow!
DACORUM HERITAGE TRUST
The trust will be running a 'mini-museum' at the Box Moor Music Festival on Saturday 9
July (12 noon-6pm) and Sunday 10 July (12 noon-7pm). If all goes as planned, we will be
displaying artefacts from the WWII handling box as well as panels, posters and advertising
for our Home Front exhibition at Frogmore. Plus panels covering other heritage aspects of
Dacorum. We will also have our famous book stall with a selection of DHT books, children's
activity pack and other DHT merchandise (e.g. key rings and book marks etc.). Another idea
we had was to display a WWII role of honour for Dacorum, so that interested people could
look at their family names. As this music event falls on the anniversary of Victory in
Japan, I think that would be appropriate. I also understand that there will be some
suitably patriotic tunes, 'Land of hope and glory' and other last night of the proms type
music. Entry to the event itself is free, so why not come along anyway and pop in to see us
for a while.