March 2003
St Paul’s School P.T.A. and The Chipperfield Theatre Group are holding a Gala Evening on Saturday 17 May 2003.The event is primarily to raise money for the school but we hope it will also be an opportunity for everyone to get together.I am a relative newcomer to the village but I feel very proud and lucky that my children go to such a lovely village school and I know that many other parents share these sentiments. We all know that the excellent reputation was not created overnight but is down to continuous hard work, not only by the teaching staff but also by the valuable support of the governors, parents past and present and the villagers by supporting the various events held at the school over the years. So perhaps it’s time we took the opportunity to have a really special evening, when the governors, past pupils, parents past and present and villagers can all get together and have a really good night which will also raise money for the school. The school has strong links with many village organisations. Having recently seen the excellent production of "Dick Whittington" by the Chipperfield Theatre Group made us aware of how many of the cast were associated with the school. We were delighted when they decided to join us in this venture. The thoughts of the CTG are as follows: "The Chipperfield Theatre Group is delighted to be associated with the St Paul's School Gala Evening for many reasons. First and foremost, it coincides perfectly with our 10th Anniversary year. In 1993 CTG started preparing their first show, "Aladdin" and in January 2003 we put on our 29th production (our tenth pantomime). The Gala Evening will be an excellent celebration of that achievement for all our past and present members. Secondly, but equally as important, we see it as an ideal opportunity to actively support our local community by ensuring that all profits from the evening go towards funding for much needed computer equipment at St Paul's School". We have booked a marquee that will be dressed and are having a champagne reception, a professional catering company who will cook a delightful three-course meal and waitresses who will look after your every need. We will also have a first class band that will play everyone’s favourites so that we can dance the night away. There will of course be a late bar. Those who attended the Millennium Party or last year’s Football Club celebration will remember what an excellent time was had by all. So put the date firmly in your diary, dust down your party dress, organise the babysitter, tell all your friends and let’s PARTY! Tickets cost £35.00 and are available from the Box Office 01442 834515. Jackie Gallagher, P.T.A. Chairperson
GOLDFISH THREAT TO APOSTLES POND
If you have a goldfish which has outgrown its bowl, or Koi too big for your garden pond, please do not release them into the ponds on The Common. Unwanted goldfish and Koi carp ‘dumped’ in the Apostles Pond last year have almost killed off the native population of Crucian carp who live there. Keith Wesley, who manages the pond on behalf of Dacorum Borough Council, removed a large number of ornamental fish last autumn to stop them competing with the native species. The pond now needs to be restocked with more Crucian carp to help to increase the population. Good news from the Manor Pond - the Crucian carp there have increased and are thriving now the reed beds and fringe waterlilies have been reduced . The Environment Agency have recently launched a project to help protect the Crucian carp and the fish in the Manor Pond could help form a genetic pool of this species for The Common. The Frog Pond has a good population of both newts and frogs and since the area round the pond was cleared last year to allow a larger area of open water, the Ramshorn snail population should increase.
Review DICK WHITTINGTON presented by Chippefield Theatre Group on 15,16 and 17 January 2003
Wow. Where do I start? From the opening bars of the first song and dance number, this production had everything and the audience knew it – their raucous participation more akin to the Hackney Empire than Chipperfield Village Hall and very welcome it was too. The place was absolutely electric.
The casting directors deserve praise for daring to throw some new and less experienced faces into the fray. It could have been a case of Christians and lions but ALL of those involved rewarded their bosses’ confidence. Jo Halkett grabbed her chance of the lead with both hands and played Dick with a straight bat, proving to be an excellent foil to the assortment of comic characters that surrounded her. John Oglesby had us laughing along with his cheeky dame, Sarah Cronin charmed us with her coy cockney fairy and Paul Instrall had us wondering how CTG could afford to cast Anthony Worrel Thompson in his hilarious portrayal of Fitzwarren. I daresay we will see more of Wendy East too in future – she particularly impressed me in her relatively minor role as Bosun Muck, and, rather worryingly, her beard was far too convincing.
Yet it takes more than an impressive troupe of actors to make a show such a success. So credit must go to Danielle Marchant and Joan Golden for their excellent choreography. Much work had evidently gone into matching the songs with appropriately theatrical dance routines and the group is fortunate to have several young members who performed these with aplomb.
The songs themselves were neatly interspersed – familiar pop tunes and specially written panto numbers. These were fantastic with the song about Chipperfield (containing the wonderful line: "It’s only half an hour from Harrow Weald") bringing the house down. And for once, there was a script to match – whether the jokes about Anne Diamond and Michael Barrymore were included originally one can only speculate but they injected a hugely enjoyable slice of mischief.
So at the end of the night there was nothing to do except applaud those that provided us with a tremendous evening’s entertainment. It was a fitting way for Chippefield Theatre Group to celebrate their tenth anniversary and if they continue to produce work of this calibre then they will no doubt be celebrating many many more in years to come. Jason Cox
CREATIVE CUISINE
As a professional chef, I enjoy preparing, cooking and eating good quality food. I know how difficult it is with our busy lives to spend the time we would like, to create that extra special Dinner Party. I run a personal and professional Catering business based in Kings Langley, and I would like to share with you some of my services.
I like to take the stress away from your home entertaining by delivering dinner party meals, supper parties, drink and cocktail parties. I cater for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and family and friend celebrations. Exclusive services at an affordable price. If on the other hand you lead busy lives through the week, or the weekend and do not have time to cook, I can also deliver everyday food for everyday people for your fridge or freezer. This can include chili, casseroles. lasagne, moussaka, goulash, pasta dishes or even vegetarian meals, the choices are endless.
Next time you entertain at home or are having a party at another venue, just think how nice it would be to let me do all the hard work. Give Creative Cuisine a call so you can relax and enjoy your party. Call Alison Lloyd on 01923 264636 or 07831 522555.
INFORMATION FOR ILL AND DISABLED PEOPLE
The Hertfordshire Money Advice Unit has produced a series of free leaflets giving information about some of the benefits payable to people who are ill or disabled, or their carers. If you would like a copy of any or all of these leaflets (details below) write to Herts. County Council, Money Advice Unit, Room 340, County Hall, Pegs Lane, Hertford, SG13 8DE.
1. Disability Living Allowance; 2. Attendance Allowance; 3. Invalid Care Allowance; 4. Statutory Sick Pay; 5. Incapacity Benefit; 6. Incapacity for Work; 7. Benefits for people with a disability who start work; 8. Benefits for young people in special education; 8a. Incapacity Benefit and Income Support for young people; 9. Going into hospital: what happens to your benefits; 10. Health Benefits; 11. Other cash help
BOOKS ON WHEELS
Hertfordshire County Council’s Mobile Library (based at Kings Langley Library) makes six stops in the village, calling regularly once every two weeks. There is a good selection of fiction, nonfiction, books in large print, videos and children’s books on board as well as local information. Particular titles can be requested and reserved and the staff provide an excellent service. If you are looking for a particular title or type of book, Ann Downes, the Mobile Supervisor, her assistant Daphne Whitehorn and their driver, Ivor Longman always do their best to help.
The service is invaluable to residents who find it difficult or inconvenient to visit a permanent library. There is no charge to join or borrow books, although there is a fee to borrow videos and reserve titles.
Why not pop along and see what’s on offer? Ann and Daphne will be pleased to welcome you aboard. On Wednesdays the Mobile Library stops at: Havensfield from 2.05pm to 2.25pm Nunfield from 2.30pm to 3.00pm St. Paul’s School from 3.05pm to 3.25 Croft Close from 3.30pm to 4.10pm Megg Lane from 4.20pm to 4.40pm
March visits: Wednesday 5 & 19 and on Fridays the Mobile Library stops at Tower Hill from 4.20pm to 4.35pm
March visits: Friday 7 & 21
FOOTBALL IN THE FAMILY
Both my son, Peter (ex Chipperfield F.C. in Lew Channers’ reign) and grandson, James are Watford F.C. season ticket holders.
James, 11, played last season for Wheathampstead Sharks, who reached and won the Mid Herts Minors League, beating the Welwyn Royals. James was voted ‘man’ of the match. He was spotted by a Watford F.C. scout, invited for trials and eventually joined their junior academy. James made his debut for them playing against Fulham F.C., scoring two goals in their 3-2 victory.
Bill Yates
WAR MEMORIAL
The monumental masons have just confirmed that the replacement cross for the war memorial has been carved and is now ready to install. Subject to weather conditions they hope to be able to replace the cross and carry out repairs to the memorial during March.
LIFT HIGH THE CROSS
As we have mentioned in recent issues of Chipperfield News, there will be a presentation of the events of Holy Week by the choirs, musicians and a drama group from Holy Cross, Sarratt Baptist and St Paul’s churches. It will be held in St Paul’s on Palm Sunday 13 April at 6.30 p.m. and on Monday 14 April at 7.30 p.m.
We shall include congregational worship and a re-enactment of the Last Supper on both nights and use both traditional and modern music with mime and pageantry. David Clough from Sarratt is co-ordinating the music and Di Parry and Pam Dawson the dramatic content. It will last for approximately 90 minutes and is quite suitable for children of seven and over. Free tickets for both nights will be available from March for those not involved in the presentation to avoid overcrowding. There will be an opportunity to make a donation at the end of the presentation if you so wish and it will be followed by refreshments in the Parish Room.
Whether or not you attend church regularly, this corporate gathering together to think about the important events leading up to Easter should be a memorable experience. For further information and/or to indicate that you are willing to be involved, please contact Malcolm or Brenda Williams (263054).
CHIPPERFIELD WITHIN LIVING MEMORY
Looking back to 1932 – Buffalo Sunday
An article in the September 1932 issue of St Paul’s Church Magazine made me take another look at the photograph on page 123 of our millennium book, ‘Chipperfield Within Living Memory’. It is a fascinating picture taken at the war memorial and in the original it is easy to pick out the bandsmen, the cross-linked arms of the circle of men and their regalia. Up until now however, it has been a mystery to know who they were and what the occasion was. But, surely the following description in the article fits the scene in the photograph perfectly.
Canon Arthur Jefferies, who was the vicar in 1932 writes that he was proud to wear the handsome chaplain’s collar, which had been presented to him in recent months, when he was admitted into the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (West Herts Province).
The RAOB had chosen to come to St Paul’s Church for their annual Sunday Festival. The assembled brethren represented a large number of lodges from quite a wide area and, in spite of the threatening weather, the group numbered just one short of a hundred. The group assembled in the Church Institute (now the Village Hall) at 3.00 p.m. and paraded through the village led by Dickinson’s Silver Band. At 4.0 p.m. a service was held in the church. Following this, they processed to the war memorial, led by the cross-bearer, vicar and choir and a wreath was laid there.
The finale was most impressive. A senior brother ordered the circle of men to link arms and on the command ‘Count’, each member in succession called out his number in the chain up to 99. The band played Handel’s ‘Largo’ and the line broke up and dispersed. Canon Jefferies concluded his article by congratulating the Bovingdon Lodge No. 5078, which had Chipperfield as its real home, for their organisation of the day. Mary Nobbs
Dr. ROBERT GEORGE DOUGLAS NEWILL 1921 - 2002
Dr. Robert Newill, who will be remembered by many residents from the time when he practiced at the Bovingdon surgery, died on Remembrance Sunday last year. When he returned from service with the Royal Armoured Corps during World War 2, he trained to be a doctor at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. After several years in general practice he gained a Rockefeller research grant and began a second career in research at the infertility clinic at University College Hospital, London. He made a significant contribution in the area of male infertility and published a number of papers on the subject. His book Infertile Marriage, published in 1974, was written specifically for a non-medical audience and generated wide interest. He brought great hope and happiness to many who thought they would always be denied the pleasure of bearing and raising children.
He was a keen choral singer, a great lover of music, a yachtsman, gardener and passionate birdwatcher. Many will remember him regularly sounding the Last Post on the bugle at the annual service on Remembrance Sunday at the War Memorial. Robert Newill’s wife, Patricia, died in 1995 and he is survived by his two daughters, Heather and Angela. Angela Newill
JAMES ALBERT SIMMONDS 1909 - 2003
Jim Simmonds passed peacefully away on 16 January. He had a tumble on Christmas Day and was taken to Hemel Hospital where he remained until his death. It was the first time he had ever been to hospital.
He was born in Chipperfield just two years after his father, Herbert, established his famous nursery garden business. As a boy, Jim helped his father and brother Arthur to grow plants and when Arthur sadly died in 1941, Jim took over running the business. During World War 2 he was part of the local A.R.P. and the nursery grew large quantities of vegetables and potatoes. By the time he ‘retired’ his three sons had joined him and the nursery had become one of the first garden centres in Hertfordshire.
Throughout his long life Jim was a member of the Chipperfield Baptist Church. He became a Steward in 1928, was Treasurer from 1936 and Deacon from 1940. He was also the church's longest-serving organist, playing there from 1928 until the end of the century. Playing the organ was one of his favourite hobbies. Jim met Mimie Williams when she moved into the village and joined the Baptist Church in 1925. She often pumped the organ for him and they became great friends. They married in 1934 and had three sons, Terry, Robin and Philip and two daughters, Monica and Pat.
Jim’s early days were spent in the horse and cart era but as soon as he was able he was riding motorbikes. When riding a motorcycle combination he drove too close to a roadside pond and Jim, motorbike and passenger, Lisle Venables, ended up in the middle of the pond. He was still driving a car well into his 80s. Jim also loved football and he played for the Chipperfield Boys team when just 11 years old. He loved innovations and when television arrived in 1946 he was one of the first to get one. Nearly 60 years later he still loved to watch football matches on the ‘box’.
Mimie, now nearly 93, has helped Jim in all his many ventures throughout his long and interesting life.
Terry Simmonds
GREAT BRITISH WEATHER
British weather is never boring. At the beginning of the week I was working in shirt sleeves in bright spring-like sun and by Friday it was long johns and snowballs!! A little bit of snow and Britain seems to grind, or should that be slide to a halt; cars at a standstill, trains cancelled, schools closed. Not so in the natural world, "the M1" of foxes and badgers that runs through our little wood at the top was just as busy as usual. There were so many it was impossible to see individual prints until they reached the end of the path and went their various ways. Foxes were numerous, the big prints probably belonging to the fine dog fox that we often see on the garden, but there were much smaller ones as well all criss-crossing the garden. one even seemed to have played a game with an odd piece of pond under-lay that I have been using as a kneeler whilst working on the paving stones of the new patio. There was also one very big set of badger prints that came up and around the bird feeders looking for spilled peanuts. There were definitely more badger tracks than we had ever seen before. It seems that Chipperfield is in tune with the national trend of booming badger populations. I love snow, how wonderful everything looked decked in sparkling snow and I was having a day off from the farm and didn’t have to travel. Just the job!
The Cotoniasters looked wonderful against a white background: every branch loaded with fat scarlet berries. I don’t think the birds like them that much as they always seem to leave them until last, but today, 5th February there are half a dozen Fieldfares gobbling them up. Fieldfares are one of the largest thrushes, about the same size as a Mistle thrush but with a grey head and rump. They are winter visitors, coming across the North Sea from Scandinavia for our milder climate. They mostly eat worms and other insects from grassland, but when the ground is frozen berries and fallen fruit come in very handy. Many more cold days and the trees will be stripped clean.
Wendy Bathurst
BE AWARE OF YOUR DOG
We often read in the national press about dog attacks on people and how when children are involved this can lead to very serious injury and even death. The dog owners are usually shocked, as they never suspect their dog was capable of such an act.
There have recently been incidents involving dogs on The Common and outside the school. I do not comment on these specific incidents but as a member of the Youth Club Committee, am concerned that people leave their dogs near the Youth Club when dropping off their children at the school or playgroup. As a dog handler with many years experience, I give below some advice to dog owners and to those encountering agressive dogs. Early socialisation of your dog or puppy is important but it does not mean that your animal will attack given the right circumstances.
• Never leave your dog unattended in a public place. Dogs can feel very vulnerable when they are being teased or crowded. They may even find a single person threatening. If tied up they cannot escape and may attack to achieve some distance between them and the person upsetting them.
• Children and dogs should never be left alone and children should be stopped from approaching unattended dogs. Leaving a dog unattended outside a school is not advisable, regardless of breed or temprament.
• Many dog bites occur just outside the home and callers to the house are particularly vulnerable. Be vigilant when answering the door and ensure that your dog is in a safe place.
The law on the subject of dogs who attack people is harsh. Your dog will not be given a second chance and will probably be put down if it causes injury and you will receive a criminal record. You could also be sued.
Advice for dealing with an agressive dog:
• Never approach a strange dog or a dog that is tied up. If the owner says the dog is friendly, let the dog approach you.
• If you come upon an agressive dog - stand still (do not wave your arms about) and look at the ground. Do not shout or run and do not look at the dog. Children should wrap their arms round their fronts which will give their bodies protection. • Keep calm and show no fear or threat to the dog and gradually edge away to a safe place. If the dog remains agressive, consider throwing an item of clothing, which may give you time to escape.
I am arranging with the school to talk to the children about the importance of treating dogs with respect and how to react when confronted with an agressive dog.
Paul Hewetson, Retired Police Dog Sergeant and Dog Trainer
MARCH IN THE GARDEN
The calendar says that Spring starts this month! Winter this year has been a traditional one with snow and hard frosts and it is likely that there is still much to be done as a result.
March is one of the best months for planting trees, shrubs, roses and fruit trees. Bare-root nursery stock, such as hedging plants, cannot be planted once the sap has started to rise, so this month is probably the last opportunity to get this done before the next dormant season in autumn. Of course container-grown hedging can be planted in the summer but it does cost more. Herbaceous plants can be planted this month too.
March is the right month for pruning many roses plus Buddleias, evergreen Viburnums and Clematis varieties such as The President and Jackmanii. All these need hard pruning but there are a lot of shrubs which benefit from gentle trimming. The herbaceous borders will need to be tidied and plants such as Pentstemmons should now be trimmed. At the end of March lilies and gladioli can be planted in the garden. Begonias, Cannas, Dahlias and Acidantheras should be planted now in a peaty compost in pots or containers and put in a frost-free place until safe to plant out in May.
The vegetable garden should be ready now for planting onion sets, shallots and early cabbage plants. Seed potatoes can also go in towards the end of the month. Broad Bean seed should also be sown now.
Plug plants are arriving in the garden centre and these should be potted up and put in the greenhouse as soon as possible. After such a miserable winter the lawns are likely to need attention. Moss needs to be killed using either Lawn Sand or special lawn feed/weedkiller with moss control, such as Evergreen or Gem. It is better to use a fertilizer distributor to do this job properly and a good one to buy is the Scott Lawn Spreader. The moss, once killed, will need to be raked out or removed using a scarifier.
March is the month when the daffodils, crocus and early tulips come out. Early hyacinths should also be showing colour. Forsythia, Viburnum burkwoodii, Daphne mezereum and many heathers will be looking a picture. And the first of the flowering cherries, Prunus subhirtella autumnalis, will enhance the garden with their delicate pink flowers.
Terry Simmonds