July - August 2007
The Chipperfield website (www.chipperfield.org.uk) is the fourth most visited village website in the UK with over 300 'unique visitors' per day. Its creation was sponsored in 2003 by Chipperfield Parish Council and the main content is about Chipperfield, Chipperfield News, advertisements and village organisations. This website could be a real showcase for the village but is being underused at present. Two ways have been identified to revitalise the website to make it more useful and work for us:
1. We need two or three willing volunteers to jointly manage it and keep the content current. Please note that age is not a restriction and if a local student wishes to be involved for a school or college project then they would be very welcome.
2. Chipperfield Parish Council will be sponsoring an annual competition for the best society pages (in their judgement) and the prizes will be: £150 (first), £50 (second) and two £25 (third) prizes.
Societies need to keep contact details up-dated regularly. Also, society content can be anything relevant. For example, instead of a sports club listing only a name and phone number, it could have photos of the current team, fixture lists, a short history of the club, contact details of the captains, junior schemes, future and past events and so on. There is also space for video clips of matches.
For our advertisers we are looking at getting up-to-date details of village based tradesmen, companies, and shops onto the site. We are considering a welcome pack that would not only be online but also be given to new residents in the village. A welcome pack given to a newcomer last week contained only businesses and organisations in Kings Langley - we feel that we can do better than that!
Mike Joseph
Vice-Chairman, Chipperfield Parish Council
CHIPPERFIELD CORINTHIANS
The season for the senior section of Chipperfield Corinthians Football Club was overshadowed by the death of Nick Walsh, 17 years old, who died of a brain haemorrhage in May. Nick was Derek HallÕs stepson and played 7 games for the club alongside his brothers Tom and Greg. This has shocked everyone in the club and our thoughts go to the family.
In footballing matters the club narrowly missed out on promotion back to the Premier Division after being relegated last season. After a slow start, new manager Derek Hall had the team playing some excellent football before Christmas and we were in contention for promotion. But injuries to key players meant we faltered in the last few games and we finished in fourth place. Next season we will be in a stronger position and will be looking for an even better season.
The Reserve team had a disappointing season, disrupted by a change of manager half way through the season. Steve Hall took over as caretaker manager and the team had a good end to the season. We are looking for a new manager for next season to carry on with the good work.
The club would like to thank all the supporters and sponsors for their help this season, in particular our main sponsor CJ Wren. We are always looking for help and support in all aspects of the club both on and off the pitch. If you would like to be involved, then please contact Stephen Hall, Chairman on 01923 253803 or sjhallccfc@aol.com.
YOUR GARDEN THIS SUMMER
After months of planting and tending, the bedding schemes, hanging baskets and window boxes should now be at their best. Now they will need watering and feeding and of course the odd weed will need to be removed. The herbaceous border will be full of late summer colour but will need dead-heading and feeding and perhaps watering occasionally. Keep on top of the weeding throughout the garden. If you have put down mulches there will be less watering and weeding to do and of course mulching can still be done, the thicker the layer the better it will be. In the vegetable garden it is time to sow spring cabbage and peas, parsley and salads can be sown too. Onions can start to be lifted soon. Water regularly, especially runner beans and tomatoes and watch out for the Cabbage White caterpillars on brassicas and nasturtiums.
Spray roses against black spot, mildew and rust every couple of weeks and feed occasionally with Toprose fertilizer which is a useful food to use on flower beds and shrubs too. Shrubs will need to be pruned after flowering, lavender will need a light trimming and rambling roses will need to be cut back. Cut out the old canes of raspberries after they have fruited and tie in the new ones. Hedges will need to be cut. Regularly cut the lawn but in hot weather do not cut too short. There are now new lawn mowers which mulch as they cut and the finely chopped grass clippings they leave help keep the lawns green even in dry weather. Never, never water established lawns.
This is the best time to take hardwood cuttings of shrubs and conifer, and cuttings of pelargoniums can be taken now. Irises can be lifted and divided now. The spring-flowering bulbs will soon be in the shops but it is too early to plant narcissi and tulips. Hyacinths for growing in bowls indoors will soon need to go in and autumn-flowering crocus and colchicums need to be planted as soon as possible. Keep the pond topped up with water and make sure there is water for the birds.
This is the traditional holiday time and if you are going away do water as much of the garden as possible before you leave and arrange for a friend or nice neighbour to water and ventilate the greenhouse in your absence. The garden centre has a range of watering devices operated by a small computer which will help look after your special plants while you are away.
On Sunday 1 July there are four gardens to see here in Chipperfield. Then on 15 July the garden at The Barn, Bovingdon, will be open. During August open gardens include those at Hyde House, West Hyde, Rickmansworth on 5 August; Patchwork, Hall Park Gate, Berkhamsted, on 19 August; and the Abbots House at Abbots Langley on 26 August. The famous Chenies Manor Plant Fair is on Sunday 15 July. The Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is from Tuesday 3 to Sunday 8 July (ticket hotline 0870 906 3728) and the RHS Show at Tatton Park is from Wednesday 18 to Sunday 22 July (ticket hotline 0870 842 2229).
Terry Simmonds
TODDLER SUMMER PARTY
The Chipperfield Toddler group is having a summer party on Tuesday July 10 from 10.00am Ð12noon at the Chipperfield Village Hall. All welcome. There will be a bouncy castle, face painting, arts & crafts, song time and a childrenÕs lunch provided.
All for only £3.75.
The group usually meets in Chipperfield Village hall every Tuesday from 9.15-11.20 during term time when the cost is £1.50 per family per session. We will close this year on 17 July for the summer holidays and re-open on 11 September 2007.
We offer a relaxed environment for Mums/Dads and carers to come with the little ones between the ages of 0-4 years old. We have a wide variety of toys available, from tractors, trikes and buggies to puzzles, books and animals.
Help yourself to tea/coffee and biscuits for the adults. Juice and sweet/savoury snacks are provided for the children. There is an arts and crafts corner, a kitchen corner to play in and plenty of other children to socialise with! We are a small, friendly group who welcome new faces and we would love to see some newcomers! All children must be supervised. Please call Stephanie on 01923 266550 for more information
WALK WITH THE STARS
A 12-mile sponsored midnight walk for women will be take place on Saturday 7 July from Hemel Sports Centre to Berkhamsted and back again in aid of the Hospice of St. Francis. Call 01442 869555 for more details and registration form.
CHIPPERFIELD VILLAGE HALL A.G.M.
The 23rd. A.G.M. was held at the Village Hall at 8.15 pm on Wednesday 23 May 2007.
The Chairman recorded the death of Tony Loveband, our treasurer for the last 12 years. A memorial service had been held on 16 February at St. PaulÕs Church, Chipperfield.
Richard Edwards welcomed Gladys Taaffe back after a serious illness and congratulated her on winning the Quiz Night Cash Prize, held on 12 May. He also congratulated Hugh Clifford for arranging such a successful evening, which made a profit in aid of Village Hall funds, with the final figure totalling £700.
He welcomed Rosemary Wakeham, the new Afternoon W.I. representative, who had succeeded Kathleen Batchelor, whom he thanked for her contribution in recent years.
The Chairman then went on to say the Committee had decided at its January meeting to retain and recover, as in the past, the tubular chairs and, as and when it was felt necessary in the future, to replace the more modern chairs, purchased 8 years ago, rather than pay out a large amount of money for a complete new set for the whole hall. New stage curtains and rails had been installed and the stage re-decorated at a total cost of £2,000. Internal decoration plans for the main hall, kitchen, bar, toilets and entrance hall, were in place for August 2007.
He wished to thank Dr. Mary West for donating the cutlery from the Luncheon Club to The Village Hall and to thank the Parish Council for their annual grant. Richard Edwards also thanked all Committee Members for their support throughout the year, and Moreen Wheeler, our Caretaker, for looking after the premises, and all hall user organisations.
Finally he reminded the meeting of the next fund raising event, the Barn Dance, on Saturday 10 November being organised by Anne Stickland.
The newly appointed Treasurer and Trustee, Tony Cornell, was welcomed to his first A.G.M. and presented the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 07. He explained that these accounts, as in previous years, had been prepared on an accruals basis and he would be looking at the possibility of presenting them on a cash basis in the future. The accounts under review showed total income up, just under a thousand pounds, thanks to The Village Day celebrations at The Manor House, shared equally with the Parish Church. Heat and light costs had increased by 40% over the year and was the main reason for total operating costs going up by just over a thousand, showing a small deficit for the year.
The Balance Sheet was strong, with funds of just under thirty thousand pounds. The contingent liability note referred to VAT not charged on certain refurbishment work carried out in 2003. The Report and Accounts were adopted by the meeting and are available on request.
The Chairman thanked the Treasurer for presenting the Accounts, which Tony Cornell had reviewed as in previous years in his capacity as Independent Examiner. Now that he was taking over as Hon. Treasurer, he and Richard Edwards would contact one or two local accountants, with a view to acting as our future Independent Examiner. The meeting passed a vote of thanks to Tony Cornell for his work in that capacity.
The election of the Committee members was confirmed. Peter Corbett reported the Chipperfield News was in good order. John Foulgham proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman. The meeting closed at 9.15 pm followed by wine and cheese.
VILLAGE PEOPLE
Chris and Sue Pinney are very pleased to announce the birth of their first grandchild, Adam Ieuan Oldfield, on 3 May. Parents Robert and Claire were married in St. PaulÕs church in July 2004 and now live in St. Albans.
Sylvia Oliver is pleased to announce the birth of grandson Jack Martin Oliver-Seagar on 28 May. Congratulations to parents Rosie Oliver and Martin Seagar.
Robin and Lysbeth Sindall are thrilled and delighted to announce the birth of their first grandchild, Thomas Joseph born on 29 May at Watford General Hospital. Many congratulations to proud parents Elly and Mark Sindall. Although little Thomas had a traumatic arrival, he is doing very well now home with his Mummy and Daddy and is much loved and treasured by all his family.
Congratulations to Barbara at the Post Office who has raised £390 for Breast Cancer by completing a 9-mile sponsored Ribbon Walk in 3.5 hours on 9 June - a very hot and sticky day.
CHIPPERFIELD TENNIS CLUB
Our annual Creations Cup is a mixed doubles competition. As usual it was played for with all the determination and enthusiasm by our members. Fortunately we had a beautiful day and Blackwells kept us well fed and watered ( and beer and wine!!) Congratulations to the winners Karen and Andrew Jackson and the runners up, Sally and Alan Rees
FOOD WASTE AND A FLY FREE SUMMER
From the middle of June we shall be able to put food waste in both the grey and the green wheeled bins. However, food waste placed in your green bin must be wrapped in newspaper (not biodegradable shopping bags). Do not put any plastic bags in your green bin as they will contaminate the whole load in the collection vehicle. Food waste put into your grey bin can be wrapped in any type of bag, including plastic. To prevent flies and smells:
¥ line your bin
newspaper in the bottom of your green bin will prevent
items sticking.
Use bin liners for you grey bin.
¥ wrap your food waste in newspaper
¥ DonÕt leave food waste uncovered in the kitchen
Since the introduction of green wheeled bins four years ago, 30 thousand tonnes of garden waste and cardboard has been collected in Dacorum Borough for composting.
Over 35 thousand tonnes of glass, newspapers, plastic bottles, food and drink cans have been collected for recycling. This means that 40% of the boroughÕs ÔwasteÓ has been recycled.
ST PAULÕS AND HOLY CROSS
The unveiling of the logo for the 2012 Olympic Games in London has provided considerable comment, much of it unfavourable, and ranging over a variety of issues, design and content being just two! Who would be a designer of such things!
This started me thinking, yet again, about the balance between medium and message, substance and presentation Ð critical in any form of communication. The message needs to be clear and concise, but the medium needs to be attractive and stimulating for the target audience --- and in our amazingly diverse society, that is no easy task. Too much emphasis on presentation (a plague for politics at present?) can mean the message is unclear: yet if the presentation is boring Ð what message is conveyed?
Every ÔdisciplineÕ faces the same challenge. Some use Ôcomputer speakÕ which makes no sense to the uninitiated, and puts them off. The scientist has his jargon too (I think of "quarks", which have "strangeness" and "charm" Ð just for starters!). Accountants have their own language, and the church is by no means immune!
My thoughts moved on. How does God, the Creator (so different from us, His creation!) communicate? Supremely He did this through a person, Jesus, stepping right outside His comfort zone Ð through the way he lived and loved, meeting people above all else where they were, expressing the most amazing message of all time in ways that attracted, and stimulated. TodayÕs church has much to learn Ð but I suspect she is by no means the only one Ð With my greetings, Jim Stevens
YOUTH WORK
Chipchops
On 19 and 20 May we had a warm fun weekend, with 25 children at Phasels woods, doing camp fires, BBQs, camping, cresta run and archery. Children even did some orienteering, and all found their ways home safely. Next Chipchops will be a sponsored bike ride on 15th / 16th Sept, camping at Belsize.
Visit of Retrak (formerly known as Tigers)
We had a Sunday evening service of fun and films, with Andy Williams on 29 April. Retrak has been very successful in resettling orphan "streetboys", and we were pleased as a church to be able to donate over £500 to their excellent cause.
Cool Runnings
Last weekend, Jenny ran the monthly Saturday evening service, which is designed for families with commitments, who cannot attend on Sundays. The Incredibles was our film, and many of the children found out that they each have special talents, which Jesus helps them to recognise. We will meet on 30 June for a BBQ party at Angela Coakley's house, and will be delighted to welcome also the children from Chernobyl, who will be visiting Sarratt.
BAPTIST CHURCH
Although the day of our May Fair dawned bright and sunny, it was too windy for it to be held outside. However, we were well supported by many folk who bought from the stalls and enjoyed a cream tea in a happy relaxed atmosphere! Around £550 was raised and we were very grateful for the support of those who came, and to those who manned the stalls and heaved furniture. Thank you all very much.
Please note that our monthly lunches in July and August are on the first Saturdays and anyone is welcome to join us at 1pm in the Baptist Hall.
Our Festival of Flowers is to be on August 25 Ð 27, so please note the date and support us if you can, weÕll be pleased to see you, and also at our united "Songs of Praise" on the 26th. See publicity in Chip News for further information.
We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season, wherever you may be, from the Baptist church family.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Since the beginning of the year, Sue and her team of catechists have been working with a class of youngsters, preparing them for their First Communion. An hourÕs class was squeezed in between the two Sunday Masses; Father DesÕ house being used as a classroom! Proof of their labours is each communicantÕs bound book entitled "GodÕs Greatest Gift".
Eighteen youngsters made their First Communion on Ascension Sunday. The weather was kind and the sun shone. This was an important day and a very good reason for a family celebration. There was such a great gathering of parents, Godparents, aunts and uncles, grandparents and friends that the congregation spilled over into the gazebos set up for the occasion.
Many in the congregation would be thinking back to that memorable day in their own lives when they had worn a white dress or a new outfit to emphasize the purity and preparedness needed to receive the Blessed Sacrament.
Congratulations to our eighteen new communicants and their families, and thanks to all who made the day possible.
CHRISTIAN AID WEEK
For the second year Chipperfield participated in the national fundraising campaign, Christian Aid Week. £1725 was raised by the house to house collection. Thank you so much to the 16 collectors, to the young people who helped deliver envelopes and to all who gave. A particular thank you to the 73 people who filled in Gift Aid slips which will enable Christian Aid to reclaim £231 of the tax they have paid.
HELEN PAYNE 1916-2007
Mrs Helen Payne, who lived on Tower Hill for over 50 years, passed away on 17 March 17. She was 91. Many village people will have fond memories of her.
She was born in Colchester and won a scholarship to the High School, one of the best schools in the country. Her father was a captain in the Royal Artillery, who won the M.C. during the First World War but suffered thereafter from shell shock, sustained on the western front when his battery was bombarded.
After leaving school she worked at Morley College in London before becoming cook and housekeeper at Chorleywood College for the Blind, a Ôreserved occupationÕ she held until after the Second World War, when she married. The school was housed at ÔThe CedarsÕ on Chorleywood Common, now an apartment block. Her parents were forcibly evacuated from Clacton and moved to Watford to be near her. Her younger brother became a highly decorated bomber pilot, but his flying was always a cause of worry to her.
Helen came to Chipperfield with her husband, ÔNickÕ, in 1950. The village then was served both by many more village shops and travelling shops and there was more local employment. Nick continued to work for Scammell Lorries in Watford (after years of experience on them in north Africa) and Helen worked for some time for Ernest Arundel on Tower Hill, and made lasting friends. Her address book was testimony to the enduring strength of those friendships. She loved the village, and became an active member of the horticultural society and the church, and one of the cricket tea ladies. With Nick she brought up her family there, loved the local countryside and its footpaths, and was a great supporter of the Chiltern Society. Helen became a familiar figure in the village, on her bicycle, and with their dog. They had a glorious cottage garden producing beautiful fruit and vegetables, latterly abetted by their neighbours Frank and Linda Venables.
After NickÕs death in 2001 Helen moved to Audlem in Cheshire to live with her daughter Margaret and her family. She continued to make friends there, attracting people with her continued good humour and ready smile. She had a strong religious faith, which had sustained her throughout her life and was reflected in her everyday thoughts and actions towards other people.
She also had a most distinctive Ôold fashionedÕ look at times, which could speak volumes of her disapproval. Her passing, fittingly, occurred on a glorious early spring day in the heart of the Shropshire countryside.
ORGAN RECITAL
The magnificent organ at St. PaulÕs church resounded to a feast of music on 18 May when an enthusiastic audience assembled to hear Alex Mason perform.
Alex has been the organist at Lichfield Cathedral for some years and his concert began with a performance of BachÕs Fantasia in G. This was followed by William ByrdÕs Fantacy, works by Haydn and Mendelssohn, ElgarÕs Imperial March and an unusual and charming work by Herter and Howells. The recital concluded with the Berceause and Finale of the First Symphony by Vierne.
Alex performed a stunning encore of improvisatons on the well-known Toccata by Widor, played with hints of the theatre organ and using the organ at St. PaulÕs to the full. The whole evening was an absolute treat and much enjoyed by all who attended. It has recently been announced that Alex has accepted the appointment of Organist and Master of Choristers at St. DavidÕs Cathedral.
Terry Simmonds
WILDACRE ART EXHIBITION
The 15th annual Wildacre Art Exhibition will be held at Chenies School from Friday 24 August to Monday 27 August inclusive. The exhibition will be open from 10 am to 6 pm daily. Refreshments are available and there is free parking.
The exhibition will include between 250 and 300 paintings in a mixture of media Ð water colour, acrylic, pastel and oils. Over the past 14 years approximately £14,000 has been donated to the Peace Hospice and Chenies School from proceeds of the sale of paintings at the exhibition. This year the Chenies Church Flower Festival is being held on the same weekend and Chenies Manor will be open on Bank Holiday Monday so why not come and enjoy one or all of these events over the bank holiday weekend?
THE EARLY MORNING SHIFT
Great British weather,where would we be without it ?What would we have to talk about? April was more like June and I thought it would never rain and that the grass would never grow. Then May came along and it did not know when to stop raining and the grass grew like mad, until it was taller than the lambs and they and me were constantly soaked. What will June bring, never mind July?
The blackbirds and thrushes had a hard time of it in April. The ground was so dry that the worms had gone deeper, even if they had been able to get their beaks into the hard ground. The rain came in the nick of time, just as they had young chicks to feed and it has been easy pickings on our grassy ride and lawn ever since. I am always surprised at how many blackbirds the garden holds. If I look out of the windows at first light, about 4.30am just now, the lawn at the front seems to be a blackbird display area. Half a dozen males will be chasing each other or trying to make themselves look bigger by fluffing out their feathers. Sometimes if a fight gets a bit serious the "Mrs" will join in as well. At this time of year maintaining a territory and raising a family is the main concern.
I was watching a pair hunting for worms on the grassy ride whilst I was eating my breakfast a few days ago. Large fat worms were pulled from the ground, chopped up and carried away. When the male came back he was only a few feet from the window and I noticed that the long flight feathers on his wings were brown and not jet black as they usually are. Out came the bird books, and finally one described how a "first year male", one that hatched last year and is in its first breeding season, retains the brown flight feathers from its juvenile plumage. It wonÕt lose them until the autumn. I had never heard of this before. My young man seemed to be making a good job of fatherhood for a beginner!
The females are brown with a slightly speckled breast, and are some times confused with song thrushes. Thrushes have a white background to the speckles while the blackbirds is light brown. When the young leave the nest they look like females only more spotted and they still have a noticeable gape, so the parents know where to put the food!
Although, being tone deaf I am not much good at recognising bird song, I do love to hear the blackbirds sing. Waking at 4.30am isnt all bad!
Wendy Bathurst
TO THE PARISH COUNCIL and CHIPPERFIELD NEWS
I should like to compliment everyone concerned with the improvements to The Common. The user-friendly pathways, signposts, benches and picnic tables all say welcome to one who generally avoids the woods in the winter months.
A special thank-you also to Malcolm, our Village Warden, who works tirelessly not only on the Common but all around our lovely village. Well done everyone!
Marie and Rod Walker, Ashtree, Chipperfield
NEW FILM SOCIETY
The Friends of Watersmeet are bringing films back to Watersmeet. Films will be shown on the third Thursday every month, matinees at 2.00pm and evenings at 7.30pm
On 19 July The History Boys will be showing. Admission for non-members £5 (concessions £3 for matinee and £4 for evening).
Individual annual membership costs £25, couple £40, concession £15. For membership enquiries contact Christine Cain on 01923 772278. General enquiries to Derek Harrison on 01923 446728 (e-mail dnh@ntlworld.com)
LOCAL WALKS THIS SUMMER
Sunday 8 July 10am-12.30pm (2 miles) Butterflies of Bricket Wood Common
Meet in layby on School Lane by the bridleway, 15 mins. walk from Bricket Wood Station. Contact Malcolm Hull on 01727 857893
Saturday 14 July 12noon - 4.00pm Village Day on Chorleywood Common.
An opportunity to see crested, smooth, palmate and alpine newts at the Friends of the Common Stand. Contact Mike Warburg on 01923 282848.
Sunday 22 July 2.00pm-4.30pm (1.5 miles) Annual Summer Walk on Chorleywood Common. Meet at Christchurch car park, off A404, Rickmansworth Road, Chorleywood. This walk includes Lark Meadow chalk grassland and flowers. Contact Mike Warburg on 01923 282848
Wednesday 25 July 7.00pm-9.00pm (3 miles) Boxmoor Valley Walk
Meet outside Hemel Hempstead railway station. Contact 01727 848168
Thursday 26 July 11.30am - 1.30pm (2 miles) Chorleywood Common Butterfly Walk
Meet at Christchurch car park, off A404, Rickmansworth Road. Contact 01727 848168