March 2005
Saturday 22 January in aid of the DEC Tsunami Earthquake Appeal
Whilst under the influence of festive spirit and a few glasses of wine, somebody had a bright idea as, safe inside a nice warm house, we pondered the fate of those affected by the Asian Tsunami: "Let's do something to help! We could run a fund-raising event." Before we knew it, a plan had flickered to life and for the next frenzied fortnight our lives were taken over as 'The Family Fun Night' began to take shape. We proposed a team event, with a range of games and activities to suit all, with the emphasis on having a good time, and aiming to raise as much cash for the Tsunami Earthquake Appeal as possible. So games were suggested, we began raking in raffle prizes, touting tickets for the event and generally pestering the local population to support us.
But would we sell enough tickets to make it worthwhile running the event, we wondered? We needn't have panicked. The big night arrived and the Village Hall positively pulsated with the sound of excited children and laughter, as the ice was broken with musical hats whisking from head to head, balloons popping between knees as they were transferred from person to person, adults necking with people they barely knew under the pretext of passing tennis balls and kippers flipping with gusto along the hall floor, whilst we endeavoured to control what looked like absolute pandemonium!
It was certainly a lively event and fun seemed to be had by all. The adults competitive team spirit was well lubricated with ale, courtesy of The Plough, the wine flowed and food was delivered by Chipperfield's newest Trolley Dolly (A.K.A. Alex). Local talent burst forth in numerous guises: Budding architects built Ideal Homes from playdough (building contractors beware!), air guitarists strutted their stuff and the fashion industry looked to be stormed by mummy designers armed with toilet rolls. Those less inclined to show off put their intellectual skills to use on Dingbats and Boggle (the latter challenging the markers by exceeding all expected word combinations). And there was no respite to be had at the interval either. Teams were continually encouraged to dig a little deeper into their pockets for the 'walking sales appeals' - raffle and tombola, guess the weight of the willow tree, name the dolphin and much more.
Thanks to everyone's amazing generosity £2,400 was raised so we would like to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who contributed and played a part in helping to make the evening a success, especially to our stunning comp¿res Tom Hyatt and Dave Moxey (who did a grand job of ordering the unruly about), to barmen Hush Melhuish and John Cherry (who were the likely cause of some of the unruliness), to the children and all the other helpers who gave their time and energy. Grateful thanks go also to the following for their wonderful donations:
The Grove Glasshouse Restaurant, Initial Style Conferences - Hunton Park, The Bubble - Downunder, Zeera Indian Restaurant, Mike Ricketts - Butcher, Cart and Horses, Seaway Fish and Chips, Profile Hair Design, The Plough - Belsize, The Windmill, Pampards - Bovingdon, Brits News, Garden Scene, Agapanthus Tearoom, Chipperfield Post Office Stores, Chipperfield Larder, Design Warehouse, La Casetta, Poppy's Florist, The Two Brewers, Kings Langley Sport, Montagues, Wyevale Garden Centre.
We had a great (if exhausting) time running this event, but couldn't have done it without all your support. Let's hope that your efforts will bring some relief to those who need it. Well done everybody!
Lydia Nicholson, Angie Moxey, Pat Cherry and Sharron Drain-Lowe
CHIPPERFIELD CARE
Chipperfield Care is a group of volunteers who provide help when other avenues of help are unavailable or unreliable. Our assistance usually takes the form of driving (eg to the surgery or to hospital), shopping or visiting. Come and join us for a glass of wine and nibbles and hear more about our activities at our AGM on WEDNESDAY 23 MARCH at 8 pm in THE VILLAGE HALL.
YOUTH CLUB LEADER RETIRES
Due to work and family commitments, Lucy Wheeler has decided to retire from running the Youth Club on Friday evenings. All the Youth Club committee members would like to thank Lucy for her hard work and dedication over the last 6 years and we are sure that all the children and their parents who have attended over the years will wish her luck but be very sad to see her go. Lucy's last night at the Club will be Friday 18 March and any members past and present who would like to say goodbye are welcome to attend that evening.
If anyone has a few spare hours on a Friday evening and would be interested in running the group for 8-11 year olds, we would be very grateful to hear from you. You can ring us on 01923 262830 day, or 01442 834040 evening, if you wish to know more. It would be a shame for the Youth Club to close and as the saying goes "USE IT OR LOSE IT".
Youth Club Committee
HIGH SHERIFF'S JUSTICE SERVICE ST ALBANS CATHEDRAL
Tradition, accumulated over many hundreds of years, was much in evidence at the magnificent service in the Abbey on 21 November 2004, at which the institutions of the administration of justice, especially in the County, are reflected upon and prayed for. This was an occasion of special significance for the village in that the present High Sheriff, Lady Nichols, is very much known and loved in our community, and has done so much in her shrieval year to raise the profile of her office.
Even the hardest heart could not fail to be moved by the wonderfully choreographed ceremonial and pageantry, but the service also included some beautiful music, many moving prayers and a sparkling sermon from the Dean of Guildford, a long-standing friend of Shelagh and Richard. Many judicial and civic figures were present in their robes, and a most notable departure from the ordinary was the presence of a company of pikemen and musketeers from the Honourable Artillery Company, complete with armour, pikes, muskets and drums, under the direction of the City's Pageant Master. Through Richard's generosity, Glyn Rees's bus took a full load of villagers to travel in style to and from the Abbey, so saving some significant parking problems and ensuring a journey of much fun and hilarity.
The very wonderful service gave all present in the packed Abbey the chance to take part in a strong reaffirmation of faith in our traditions of even-handed justice, the supervision of which within the County is the prime responsibility of the High Sheriff's year of office.
G&SW
NEW OWNERS OF STANLEY'S STORES
Sarah and Neill Cronin-Stanley, the new owners of Stanley's Stores, are both local people. Sarah was born in Rickmansworth and has lived in the village for 9 years. Neill's family moved to Watford when he was two years old and he has lived in Chipperfield for 4 years. They married in 2003.
Both have travelled widely. After school, Sarah left for a three-month Gap Year project and returned two and a half years later! She became actively involved with the community in Kitale, Kenya, which has a scattered population of about 12,000 people. Residents may remember Sarah's fund-raising activities over the past 4 years, which has provided support for a hospital, a primary school, a clean water project and an Aids awareness programme. Sarah speaks Swahili fluently and has been initiated into the Nandi Tribe. She visits Kitale about 5 times a year but still finds time to take part in Chipperfield Theatre Group productions.
Neill is also active in CTG, helping backstage. He took his first flight when only eight months old and since then has travelled, independently, throughout the world. A life-long supporter of Watford Football Club, Neill hopes to play cricket for one of the village teams.
Both look forward to meeting new and existing customers at Stanley's Stores.
CHIPPERFIELD SCHOOL OF DANCING
Dancing classes for all ages - no previous dance experience necessary, just a desire to work hard and enjoy dance as a source of exercise, relaxation, fun and enjoyment. Examinations in ballet, tap and modern jazz. This year the pupils are to perform 'The Nutcracker' at the Boxmoor Playhouse in Hemel Hempstead. Funds raised from the performance will go to the Caron Keating Foundation. For further details contact: Jean Banks 01923 400370, Ann Hertler-Smith 01923 267604, Louise Martin 01923 400592, Cathy Sage 01923 266125.
CHIROPRACTIC - EASY DOES IT
Backache, shoulder tension, general aches and pains? Most people understand that chiropractic can be beneficial for these sorts of conditions but what you may not realise is that chiropractic has been found helpful for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome; painful periods; headache and many more. This is because chiropractic treatment is designed to correct the alignment of the bones in order to restore nerve function; which can alleviate pain, improve mobility and promote healing and optimal health.
There are many different methods of chiropractic but the McTimoney method is characterised by a whole body treatment and involves low force adjustments. The success of these adjustments is the speed, dexterity and accuracy with which they are performed. It is a gentle treatment suitable for people of all ages including babies, pregnant women and the elderly.
What happens in the first treatment? A full case history is taken regarding health, accident history and lifestyle as well as details of your symptoms. This helps to provide a full picture which is vital in assessing your particular problem. If it becomes apparent that the problem also requires medical investigation or X-ray you would be referred back to your GP. Chiropractic is also a preventative therapy and when used in this way greatly improves health and well being, avoiding spells of discomfort. One should aim to stay healthy so please feel free to call for a free chiropractic spinal health assessment.
If you have any other enquiries or wish to make an appointment please contact Julia Sayers DC BA(Hons) MMCA on 07976 357463. She is located at 28 High Street, Kings Langley. julia@essential-chiropractic.co.uk www.essential-chiropractic.co.uk
All chiropractors in the UK have to be registered with the General Chiropractic Council, the statutory body regulating chiropractic. Julia is a member of the McTimoney Chiropractic Association and the GCC.
VILLAGE PEOPLE
On Saturday 29 January, Emma and Richard Fallon became the proud parents of Johnny, a brother for Beatrice and a cousin for Imogen and Gabrielle, Roisin and Maia. Emma is the daughter of Ann Waine and the late John Phillips.
Terry and Sandra Wicks of Scatterdells Lane are thrilled to announce the engagement of their only daughter Melanie to Stephen eldest son of Ted and Anne Rimell of Bricket Wood. The wedding will take place at St Paul's Church, Chipperfield on 6 August 2005.
Congratulations to John and Pauline Southworth of The Grove, Whippendell, who have recently celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary.
Welcome to the village to Roger Clarke and Diane Jones who took over at The Boot, Tower Hill, on January 17. Both are Hertfordshire people and this will be a new venture for them. They hope to concentrate on good, traditional pub food.
Also welcome to the village Julie and Gary Milerchip, who took over at The Two Brewers early last December.
Our sympathy goes to the family of Marjorie (Babs) Smith, nŽe Carpenter, who died recently. She will be sadly missed by her children, Hazel, John and Julie, by her grandchildren and great grandson and by all who knew her.
(See page 8 for full obituary)
CHIPPERFIELD NEWS AGM
The annual general meeting of Chipperfield News was held on 7 December 2004, to which the Chairman welcomed all concerned. The editors reported a good year, but they still would appreciate further contributions of interesting news from local organisations and individuals with a story to tell.
The Committee extended their sympathy to Julian Evans, on the sudden death of his wife, Claire, who had recently taken over from Ann Wyburd as Unity Editor. The Chairman recorded his thanks to Ann for her many years of dedicated work.
Tony Pearlman, in his first year as manager, reported good progress and congratulated Jeff Beck, the advertising manager for his work. Meantime new computer equipment had been purchased and installed by Tony Briselden in February 2004, and he and the joint editors were thanked for their hard work. The old equipment had been donated to Watford New Hope Trust.
The treasurer, Graham McMellin, presented the annual accounts for the year ended 31 October 2004, which showed a small profit of £179 on income of £6,825, compared to £276 in the previous year. This was very satisfactory, bearing in mind we had absorbed a full year's depreciation on new equipment of £567 in the current year.
Jeff Beck, the advertising manager, confirmed he was pleased with the progress made in his first full year, and he wished to thank all the advertisers for their support. He emphasised the importance of having a reasonable balance of advertising to editorial matter. The Committee extended their thanks to Russ Evans for his voluntary contribution and service as web master to the village.
Popsi Stokes thanked all her team of distributors, which was endorsed by the committee. They distributed 1,300 copies ten times a year to our readers.
On behalf of all readers and advertisers, the chairman thanked the committee for their dedication and hard work during the year.
This is a fitting moment to remind readers that the financial backers who set up Chipperfield News in 1988 were the Village Hall, the Parish Church and the Parish Council. The aim was to produce, free of charge, and deliver where possible, ten issues of the News, each year, breaking even of operating costs by offering advertising space to local businesses. The initial launch was based on the Parish Church magazine, Unity, being passed over to provide a base for the Chipperfield News publication. The objectives having been attained, the current committee are to be congratulated on continuing with the good work. R.A.E.
PINOCCHIO - CHIPPERFIELD THEATRE GROUP
An enjoyable evening is usually assured at Chipperfield Theatre Group's annual pantomime and this year's offering Pinocchio was no exception. A relatively faithful interpretation; we sang, cheered, booed and hissed our way through the piece as our hero made the often difficult transition from puppet surrogate to Gepatto's fully fledged son. And there was not a test tube in sight.
Anne Pinkus modestly puts her casting in the title role down to her petite stature but in doing so she does herself an injustice. For a more assured and confident performance it would be difficult to envisage. Word perfect and charismatic, she was ably assisted by the usual suspects - particularly Wendy East as Cricket - and carried the play through its somewhat leaden opening.
There was a notable improvement mid way through the first half with the courtroom scene featuring a memorable cameo from Bill Callcut. This was such a hoot that Gepato's fluffed lines merely added to the merriment. From this moment on it seemed that there was a collective sigh of relief and the cast never looked back. Pedants might argue that the plot lacked continuity and that some characters were not adequately introduced but this was fully compensated by the breathless efforts of those involved. The pace picked up, the jokes came thick and fast and the scenery and costumes were spectacular. Although occasionally solitary singers struggled to be heard, overall the stage management was impressive. There were some classy touches - the ultra violet and strobe lighting effects alone were worthy of the refurbished Watford Palace and the faultless children's performances, most notably Alice Phillips' baton twirling, gave the show a genuine family flavour.
A trio of antagonists attempted to thwart the pliable Pinocchio on his road to righteousness. The most disturbing was Simon Phillips' sinister coachman. A kind of Cornish Childcatcher, he lured the popular puppet for a promise of no-strings frivolity at Funland where I half expected to see Martin Bashir making a documentary.
Inevitably, if perhaps belatedly, the elongated nose was played for laughs and there were plenty of laughs as well as songs, dances and mischief to be had. Short of Wee Jimmy Krankie falling from a giant beanstalk, you can't ask for much more than that.
Jason Cox
From Wendy Bathurst:
Just to set the record straight, Alan Cobham's Flying Circus took place in my Grandfather's "Long Field" at Hill Farm, Kings Langley (now cut into 2 short fields by the A41 bypass!). My father, Moss Baldwin, was 11 years old at the time and was greatly impressed by the wing walkers. He would often talk about it when we were working in that field. They would have liked to return the following year, but Grandfather said they had left too much mess. My father won the "Guess The Altitude Competition" and went up in the last flight of the day. He was horrified to see the ground beneath him through a hole in the fuselage between his feet!
BAPTIST CHURCH
For several weeks we were very busy preparing for our Christmas Tree Festival, the visit by the Chiltern West Gallery Quire, and welcoming all our visitors. After all this came the BIG clear up - and we are back to some normality! Thank you to everyone who supported us during the festival.
Mothering Sunday falls on the same day as Tear Fund Sunday this year so we are having our frugal lunch to support Tear Fund on March 13th instead. Then we will be thinking about celebrating Easter which is very early this year.
We'll be pleased to welcome you to any of our Easter services mentioned in the diary, do come and join us.
ST PAUL'S & HOLY CROSS
Rev James Stevens
We are looking forward to the arrival of Jim Stevens as the new Rector of the Benefice of Sarratt & Chipperfield, made up of the Parishes of St Paul's, Chipperfield, & Holy Cross, Sarratt.
His Institution will be on Saturday 12 March and will be in two parts, the first at Holy Cross from 4.00pm & the second in St Paul's from 5.00pm.
Afterwards refreshments will be available in Chipperfield Village Hall, with a chance to meet Jim & his wife Judy informally.
Space may be somewhat limited in both churches. In order to avoid disappointment, admission to both churches will be by ticket only. Tickets for both or either parts of the service will be available via the churchwardens of both churches.
Churchyard Graves
We put a note in the December issue of Chipperfield News pointing out that St Albans Diocese has certain standards regarding the type of grave that may be erected in churchyards. We also said that a number of graves in St Paul's churchyard, put up in the last 3 or 4 years, did not conform to these standards.
As churchwardens, we have had the unenviable task of bringing this to the attention of those concerned. We have requested that the necessary changes, such as removing the items that are not permitted, be made by 20 February. We would like to have this work completed well before the new Rector is installed. We would like to thank those who have co-operated in this.
We are very aware that this is a sensitive & personal area, & that much thought & expense will have gone into many of the graves that need to be modified. But in the longer term it is necessary that the standards are observed in order to give the graveyard a neat & consistent appearance, & to make maintenance easier. There are also health & safety issues to be considered.
We are grateful to those who attend graves & help to keep the churchyard presentable. Graveyards are always places that require a lot of work.
Ann Waine & John King, Churchwardens
IF WINTER COMES, CAN SPRING BE FAR BEHIND?
At the time of writing this, winter is still around. When you read it, spring may have arrived. In the country the seasons are more tangible than in the town. Spring means so much & you can't miss it with the fresh green curtain on the trees & hedges, with daffodils in their startling colours & bluebells imperceptibly taking over the woods. It is a time of hope, joy, new beginnings; a time to lift the spirit, to be thankful & to look forward.
But what to do about the past? Do we put it behind & attempt to draw proverbial lines? Some things need to be remembered & must not be allowed to be lost. The first things that come to mind here are the worst - the Holocaust, 9/11, the genocide of the 20th & 21st centuries, & now Boxing Day 2004. What about the good? Harder to think of these. Perhaps the moon landing? Concorde? What would be on your list? Probably many of the best things would be personal, perhaps the birth of a child.
At a personal level, perhaps some things from the past are needed to teach us to live or think better; may be some things give us confidence to go on; some things may need to be consciously put behind.
Easter is concerned with these things. There was Good Friday but that was the prelude to Easter Day. One is not meaningful without the other. In Jesus God was reconciling the world to Himself, dealing with the past & giving hope for the future. As a result of Jesus' work on the cross, God has chosen deliberately to remember our sins no more. This is not the same as forgetting them; forgetting, as many of us will know, is something we do unconsciously & unintentionally. In God's mind the past can be forgiven & closed because a once for all transaction dealing with sin has taken place. This needs to be received. Because Jesus rose from the dead, it is possible to have hope, confidence & new life. Perpetual Spring? No one would promise that but Winter could be past.
John King, Churchwarden
BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY
Our church building was erected in 1837 although there was a Baptist witness in the village as far back as the 1600's when services were held in various barns and people's homes. A schoolroom and vestry were opened in 1847.
The church was enlarged and a gallery built in 1858 with an ornamental balustrade and presumably the tower was built around the same time to provide access to this. Entry to the tower was by a side door (which still exists but only used on rare occasions). The front portico was also built around the same time at a cost of £220, and a Baptistry installed for £15! Large sums of money in those days.
Our present organ is a memorial to "our brave lads who nobly gave their lives in service of King and Country during the late European War" (WW1) - Centenary History of Chipperfield Baptist Church. (Unfortunately this booklet is no longer in print and very few copies are still available). The old organ was removed from the gallery in 1889.
In 1962/3 the old hall was demolished and a new one built on the site complete with minister's vestry, toilets and kitchen.
Our hall and facilities are presently available for hire.
MARJORIE SMITH (nŽe Carpenter) 1916 - 2005
Marjorie Smith, known to all as Babs, was born in 1916 at The Dell, Dunny Lane, Chipperfield, one of six children, sister to Eileen, Doris and Nellie, also Robert and Steven. All attended the local village school. On leaving Babs worked for many years at the Ovaltine factory in Kings Langley making ammunition for the war effort and riding a bicycle to and from every day for a wage of what was then five shillings a week.
Two of her sisters, Doris and Nellie, married Americans and made their homes in America. Eileen married Fred Durrant and made her home in Bovingdon. Robert married and lived in Rickmansworth whilst Steven never married and lived with his mother in Dunny Lane until 1967 when he moved to Bovingdon.
After her mother's death Babs married and moved to Tower Hill. Raising three children, John, Hazel and Julie she worked hard all her life. From fruit picking to potato picking to stone picking for Jim Pritchard the local farmer, just to make ends meet. She also worked as a cleaner for many Chipperfield families, still riding her bicycle to and from her work.
What she loved most of all was her garden. Digging from top to bottom then setting every inch with vegetables of every kind. Then she got her greenhouse which gave even more pleasure growing tomatoes and cucumbers, even growing her own flower seeds for bedding out the garden at the front of the house. Always growing far too much of everything, ending up giving away the surplus to all and sundry which pleased her. As she said "Waste not, want not", that's the way she was brought up.
If she never answered the 'phone you knew where she would be, down the garden either weeding, watering or something else, but always in the garden.
Troubled with arthritis in later years in 2000 she had both hips replaced giving her a new lease of life for some time, enjoying more gardening and going to her local club for a game of bingo.
Babs had five grandchildren and was able to meet her first great grandchild, being only two weeks old when Babs sadly passed away, wiping out another Chipperfield family as the last of the Carpenters.
The family would like to thank mostly the excellent care given to our Mum by the Ian Rennie Hospice at Home and Marie Curie nurses. Also all who attended her funeral and donated to the above funds.
She will never be forgotten by her family.
CHIPPERFIELD WITHIN LIVING MEMORY
Why Windmill Hill?
On the back page of Miss Liddle's book, 'Notes on Old Chipperfield', there is an advertisement for the sale of a four storey, stock mill, situated on a desirable plot of about one acre. It is described as having been erected within recent years at considerable expense, being in good repair, having two pairs of millstones and also a stable and a cart hovel. The windmill was available for immediate occupation and was to be sold by auction on 4th April 1828 at the Auction Mart near the Bank of England. John Parsley, the illiterate farmer and Lord of the Manor, who lived at Pingelsgate House (now the Manor House) was the vendor.
It may seem strange for a windmill to have been built on the site where Mill House now stands at the top of Windmill Hill, but prior to 1940 that area had very few trees and so would have been exposed to the prevailing winds.
This was not the first windmill in Chipperfield but the site is most possibly the same. In 'The History of Kings Langley' there is mention of Thomas Carter of the Mills in 1528 and by 1556 a younger Thomas Carter of the Mills was the biggest copyhold (manorial leaseholder) farmer in Chipperfield. The mill itself did not belong to the Lord of the Manor, as did the mill in Kings Langley. It was the possession of this mill that enabled this branch of the Carter family to raise their status and wealth above that of their mediaeval origins, when they had been labourers in Kings Langley, sometimes working on the palace.
In 1594, the mill passed out of the hands of the Carter family, when Thomas and two of his eight children died of the plague. Most of his estate passed to Robert Moore.
Mary Nobbs
Due to lack of space, we are unable to print all of this article. Part 2 will be held over and will be published in a future edition of Chipperfield News.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
A chance to do some work in the woods on Chipperfield Common
Anna Cohen, Projects Officer for the Countryside Management Service, is organising a working party to remove the silver birch seedlings from the "heather patch" in the middle of the woods. If you would like to help on Wednesday 23 March between 10.00am and 3.30pm please contact Anna for details on 01727 848168
CHIPPERFIELD HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY SPRING SHOW - 2 APRIL
Our Spring show has several classes for Daffodils and other flowers/plants from Tulips to Heathers and Cacti. There really is a suitable class for your favourite pot plant, so come and enter and win a prize. Vegetables have their own classes, from Rhubarb to Cabbages! Two classes for Floral Art and six for Domestic. Have you made marmalade this year? Bring a jar along and enter it, or a jar of Chutney.
Handicraft has nine classes ranging from a painting/an article of hand knitting/embroidery/canvaswork/woodwork and miscellaneous handicraft. Something for all of you. The Juniors, 16 years and under, have four classes of their own.
Photography has its own section and this year the three classes are;
1. Two photographs of different weather vanes
2. The Natural World
3. A photograph, with caption, to make us laugh
So if you haven't taken your 'photos yet, there is still time and remember that we have a Photography section is each of our three shows this year.
All photographs to a be a maximum size print 7" x 5"
So come and enter and bring your exhibit along at 10.00am on the morning of the show. Judging starts at noon and the doors reopen at 2.30pm for teas and cakes followed by prizegiving at 3.30pm.
It's a very enjoyable and fun day. If you have any questions or need help, give Roger Pigg, our Show Secretary, a ring on 01442 834287.
Ann Soanes
MARCH IN YOUR GARDEN
Traditionally this is the windy month. March winds can do some damage but they are useful in drying out the ground so that it is ready for the spring planting. Broad beans can certainly be sown now and so too can Brussels sprouts, carrots, kale, leeks, onions, parsnips, peas and radishes. Onion sets and shallots should be planted now and Jerusalem artichokes can go in. Seed potatoes should be purchased as soon as possible so that they can be chitted ready for planting out as soon as it gets a little warmer. More tender vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, marrows, courgettes and sweet corn will need to be sown in the greenhouse now so that they are ready for planting out during May. Bedding plants such as antirrhinums, calendula, marigolds, nicotiana, stocks and phlox can be sown in the greenhouse, and plants of pansies and primroses can be planted out in the garden borders, tubs containers and hanging baskets now.
Grass will need regular cutting now but at this stage it should not be cut too short. Treat lawns with moss killer now and beds and borders in the garden should be weeded and mulched.
March is a very good month for planting trees, shrubs, conifers, fruit trees, climbing plants, alpines and herbaceous perennials. It is also the last month for planting bare-root plants such as hedging plants and raspberry canes. Perennial plants that have become too large can be lifted now and divided prior to re-planting and those perennials which have been left in the borders should be cut back. This is the month to prune roses and the late-flowering clematis. Shrubs such as cornus (dogwood) will need to be cut back hard and so too do the autumn-fruiting raspberries. The gooseberries, caryopteris, buddleias, deciduous ceanothus, pyracantha and wistaria can be lightly pruned now. Now is the time to start to take cuttings and some shrubs can be propagated from layers.
January this year was so mild at times that some shrubs thought that spring had arrived and they started new growth; should we get severe frosts during March these plants will be damaged unless protected by covering with garden fleece. Now is the time to start protecting hostas from attack by slugs; a little sharp grit around the plants will help. Summer-flowering bulbs such as gladioli can be planted now and daffodils should be dead-headed as soon as the flowers die down. Gardens should be full of spring bulbs in flower now, and forsythias, chaenomeles, and some of he early prunus trees should bring that breath of spring to our gardens too. Chipperfield Horticultural Society has its first flower show on 2 April. Do join them and help make the show a success!
Terry Simmonds