March 2006

CHIPPERFIELD CORINTHIANS YOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB
Chipperfield Corinthians Youth Football Club continues to go from strength to strength and in the current season we have 8 different age group teams with the oldest one being our Under 15's and our youngest ones who have just started off being the Under 7's. If you are new to the village and have a child who is interested in football then the following are the various coaches responsible for each age group. For more details please ring:
Under 15's: Simon Baker 01923-400225; Under 14's: Martyn Dicker 01923-262454
Under 13's: Richard Holt 01923-265558; Under 11's: Paul Hewetson 01923-263258
Under 10's: Ant Critchfield 01442-832431; Under 9's: Di Hewetson 01923-263258
Under 8's: Melanie Roberts 01923-261705; Under 7's: Tony Maclean 01923-269904
In April last year 4 of our youth teams went off on tour to Great Yarmouth and had a fantastic long weekend of fun & football - our Under 13's won their age group and all the players were presented with a trophy for competing from John Gregory (ex England player). It proved so successful a venture that a return visit has been booked for April this year and this time 6 teams are going which will involve over 200 players & parents.
Our youngest age team this year have started in excellent fashion under the leadership of Tony Maclean & Alan Rees with a good team of supporting coaches as well. They are showing the way in technology as well as creating their own web site - so have a look at HYPERLINK "http://chipperfieldcorinthians.org.uk" The planning for next year starts already and we will be soon looking to recruit keen new managers ready to take on the Under 7's from the start of next season (September) so if you are interested and want to know more details or apply please contact Martyn Dicker on 01923 262454. Martyn Dicker, Chairman, Chipperfield Corinthians YFC

ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACHES REQUIRED ....
The Chipperfield Corinthians YFC U8's require assistant Coaches to work alongside our resident Coach at our training sessions on Tuesdays at St Pauls School, from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. No experience necessary but a good comprehension of football and patience is a must. If interested please contact Melanie on 01923 261705 or 07799 255949.

JOHN NICHOLS MEMORIAL PRIZE
John Nichols served on Chipperfield Parish Council for 37 years, on Dacorum Borough Council for over 20 years, was elected Mayor of Dacorum in 1987 and became an Honorary Alderman in 1999. He was also a keen local historian and it was largely through years of his determined efforts that we have the Dacorum Heritage Trust with a Museum Store at Berkhamsted with a Museum Curator and assistant.
John died in January 2004 and to provide a memorial to this veritable Chipperfield man, the Parish Council has chosen to initiate memorial prizes to be awarded annually to pupils at St Paul's School who achieve well in a history topic relevant to the school's work timetable and to the requirements of the National Curriculum.
The theme of the 2005 challenge was 'A walk back in time through Chipperfield Village'. Year 5 pupils were presented with a local history resource pack, which according to Miss Mildner, the Deputy Head, was invaluable and provided a real learning opportunity for pupils and teacher.
The children enjoyed the project and put a great deal of effort into presenting their material, thus making judging very difficult indeed. The overall winner was Chantal Rees who, with a number of runners-up, was awarded WHS gift tokens. All the children doing the project received congratulatory certificates and deserve much praise for their efforts.
Cllr Liz Holliday, Chairman of the Parish Council, presented the awards and certificates on Friday 3 February in school assembly. She was accompanied on this special occasion.
Mary Nobbs

PARKING IN CROFT END ROAD
Four members of staff from Chipperfield Land Rover Garage regularly park their vehicles in Croft End Road. Legally they are entitled to do so. However, if any resident is inconvenienced by this action they should not attach notes to the vehicles. Any notes left threatening damage to the parked vehicles will be treated very seriously by the police.
If there is a problem, contact P.C. Bob Heley on 07736 225282 or PCSO Kim Ashworth on 07876 390856. These officers will take the appropriate action.

SLEEPING BEAUTY BY CHIPPERFIELD THEATRE GROUP
If you want authentic opera, they say you should go to the Royal Opera House. For the ultimate Shakespeare experience then The Globe Theatre is a pretty good bet. But if it's a good old fashioned pantomime you are after then, on the evidence of Chipperfield Theatre Group's Sleeping Beauty, you need only walk the short distance to the Village Hall.
Wendy Marchant has directed a few of these and it shows. The scene is set so perfectly by the Good Fairy Lilac and Bad Witch Hazel who begin their verbal sparring in rhyme. Jo Halkett has bloomed as an actress and brought a calm, re-assuring - almost maternal - authority to her role. Despite the misadventures of the cast, her whole demeanour conveyed an aura that everything was going to be alright. In contrast - maybe it was the cat suit - but the marvellous Sarah Jane Bottrill, brought a devilish lascivious quality to her role as the bad witch which gave her scheming an enticing edge and magnified the juxtaposition.
The excellent chemistry between the pair was central to the success of the production but, as we've been spoilt to expect, their excellence was paralleled elsewhere. Each of the central figures was given their moment in a series of introductory scenes which laid essential groundwork for the rest of the plot. Paul Instrall was a charming court jester (Muddles); Bill Callcut played a wonderful dame and the stooges who so often in pantomimes are just album fillers, very often stole the show. I am a huge fan of Wendy East and she was fabulous yet again. So for newcomer Amanda Cook to match her excellence in her debut performance was an extraordinary achievement. One sketch, where sentences were completed with town names being read from envelopes, ("She complained of headaches. But I thought she must be... FAKENHAM"), highlighted their mastery. The Two Ronnies could not have timed it better.
This sketch was an example of a script which worked perfectly because it was both good and "so bad it's good" in equal measure. The best traditions of panto were interspersed with mentions of mingers and The Simpsons which made it accessible to the children in the audience and the set, costumes and lighting were worthy of a professional production. If anything, the whole thing just seemed to run too smoothly. Even one momentary lapse was brilliantly excused as a "Senior Moment." And when the ad-libs are better than the script, you know you've got a cast on top of their game.
The second half of the pantomime didn't quite match the first. Because singing and voice projection isn't a premier forte of the cast, I thought one of the slow songs could have been cut and, while I am not offended by its content, I didn't think the rendition of the classic playground rhyme "My Friend Billy" was really necessary or, if it was, played for maximum laughs. But, then again, maybe if I was a child hearing it for the first time I would have guffawed.
I certainly did my fair share of that tonight! Jason Cox

CHIPPERFIELD HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

COMMITTEE MEMBERS WANTED
We would very much like to hear from any of our members who would be interested in joining the committee of the Chipperfield Horticultural Society. For varying reasons - babies, illness and work commitments - we are short on the ground and really do need you. There is NOT a lot of work. At the beginning of the year, when the subscriptions are due (we already have a wonderful group of volunteers who do a fantastic job in this respect ) and when the shows take place, only 3 times per year.
We need a CHAIRMAN and a MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY as well as people to serve on the committee. It's fun and we have a lot of laughs and learn a lot from each other as to what should now be planted, divided, sown etc; so come and join us.

SPRING SHOW March 25
To remind you of our show, when winter is behind us and the garden is coming to life.
We have classes for Daffodils, pot plants, flowers, vegetables, floral art, handicraft and home baking as well as a section for juniors.
Three classes for photography:
(1) Two photographs; one sunrise and one sunset.
(2) Transport.
(3) Tree/s in winter.
Maximum size print 7" x 5". May be mounted but not framed.
The Village Hall will be open from 10am to 12 noon for your entries and judging starts at 12.15pm. The doors re-open at 2.30pm, time to enjoy a cup of tea and delicious piece of cake before prize giving at 3.30pm. This will be followed by an auction of produce and the raffle.
Entry forms are to be found in the 2006 schedule and can be given to either a committee member, or the Post Office Stores, or Stanley's Stores by Friday morning the day before the show.
Ann Soanes 01923 262756

APRIL CONCERT
Delia Meehan, the Musical Director of Chipperfield Choral Society, will fulfil a life's ambition when she conducts the choir in a performance of Handel's Messiah on Saturday 1 April at St. John's Church, Boxmoor.
The choir will be joined by four superb professional soloists who have each won many awards and prizes and have appeared at numerous concert and recital venues throughout the country.
This concert promises to be one to remember! Tickets cost £8.50 (£5 for children) from the Box Office on 01494 874507

HANDBAG SNATCH
A reader writes: Following a recent incident in which my wife's handbag was stolen, I thought your readers might like to be forewarned so that they can take appropriate precautions. As my wife turned into our drive she pressed the garage door remote control, unlocked the car doors and whilst waiting for the garage door to open, her front passenger door was opened, a hand reached in and stole her handbag from the footwell. The thief, we assume, ran for the car being driven by an accomplice and left the scene.
The police theory is that whilst my wife was parked in Bovingdon shops car park she was seen and followed home. The incident took place at 6.45pm.
Police attendance was an hour due to the low priority given the 'theft' (I would describe it as aggravated robbery - or perhaps 'highway robbery'). Police assistance once they arrived was excellent and follow up has been superb. The bag has been recovered in Luton although it is still long odds on the offenders being caught. Despite the recovery of the bag, all our locks and burglar alarm systems have had to be replaced and of course credit cards, etc - all for £15 and whatever the thieves might have extracted via the cards.

VILLAGE PEOPLE
From Mary West:
I have been overwhelmed by all the tremendous affection I have received during my recent illness. A big thank you to everyone for all the super cards you have sent me. My room in the hospital looks like 'The Two Bees' in Bovingdon. If you're going to be ill and need caring for - come to Chipperfield!

Frank and Lesley Baker are delighted to announce the birth, on January 15, of their first grandson, Jamie Dylan Baker. The first child of Tim & Jo will be a wonderful playmate for cousin Phoebe.

We are sad to record the death of Richard Brook who died peacefully at the beginning of February. Our sympathy goes to his wife, Bridget, and all the family.

GLADYS TAAFFE
50 years ago, Gladys Taaffe helped to start the Meals on Wheels service in what was then the developing 'new town' of Hemel Hempstead. Ever since then she has been delivering meals to elderly and housebound people living in the villages of Chipperfield, Bovingdon, Felden and Flaunden.
Gladys has just turned 95 years of age, and reluctantly feels that the time has come when she can no longer undertake
the driving involved. She says she has thoroughly enjoyed her time with the Meals on Wheels service and we know that both her colleagues in Hemel and the many people who have received the meals over the years, are very sad to see her go.
New volunteers are desperately needed for our area (particularly on Fridays). If you feel you could help deliver meals for even one or two days each month, please contact the Meals on Wheels office on 01442 228085. Mileage is paid from your home and back again, and the time involved is a maximum of 2 hours each day. Please help if you can.

THE BOOT, TOWER HILL
From Roger Clarke, landlord at The Boot, Tower Hill: The Boot is now open for breakfast from 8.30 - 10.30 am. As well as the full English Monty we will also be offering a full 'Scottish' Monty with Lorne (square) sausage, black and white pudding and 'tattie' scones. Also on the menu will be cheese on soda scones, traditional creamy porridge, rolls and sandwiches with a choice of fillings. People can even telephone us their orders and we will have their breakfast waiting for them when they arrive.
Other services which may be of interest are our one, two or three course meals for senior citizens on Tuesday lunchtimes (12.00 - 14.30). Wednesday evening (18.30 - 21.00) also sees the introduction of a Thai curry night, with a choice of over nine traditional Thai dishes. For copies of the menus or any further information please telephone The Boot on 01442 833155.

NEWS FROM OUR CHURCHES
BAPTIST CHURCH
We have an important date to remember this month. On the first Friday in March each year, the Churches of Chipperfield, Bovingdon and Sarratt organize our local service for the Women's World Day of Prayer which is held throughout the world. This year it is on March 3rd at the Catholic Church at 10am and is open to everyone - including gentlemen. Please come and join us.
Tear Fund Sunday is always a special day for us, and there will be someone from Tear Fund to tell us about the work. We are to welcome Bovingdon Baptists this year and there will be frugal lunch after the service, and a Tear Fund video to watch.
St Paul's are unable to join us for Mothering Sunday service this year, but we will be holding this special service in celebration of our mothers on March 26th in the Baptist Church and we will be very pleased to see you and your families.

ST PAUL'S AND HOLY CROSS
Reflections for March....
"New Walks on Old paths"
Judy and I were very grateful to receive this little booklet of a collection of twelve circular walks around Sarratt, compiled by the local WI, when we moved in just a year ago.
After a very hectic week and a busy Saturday morning, we looked at each other and simultaneously said "walk"! The sun was bright in a wonderfully blue winter sky: a good walk was needed and, in the company of our ever-eager dog, enjoyed. Three hours of bracing air, time to enjoy each other, and the lovely countryside - to be refreshed, to reflect: and just to "be".
Time to be. We live in a society which seems increasingly obsessed with productivity (at the expense of "being"). The resultant stresses and strains do us no favours. It is good to be productive, but for that we need time to "be".
I was freshly struck by the title of this little book of walks, "New Walks" on "Old Paths". I sense we neglect some of the "old Paths" to our cost. The old paths of remembering:
That we are creatures with a Creator, not masters
That despite our seeming technological competence, this is God's world before it is ours
That He is interested in us, and longs to share Himself with us - for that is the message of Jesus, one which many in our land seem to have long forgotten, if indeed they ever realised it properly in the first place. (That very early narrative of the Garden of Eden, properly read, speaks of Adam and Eve enjoying God's garden with Him.)
In a rapidly changing world, perhaps our greatest need is to discover "New Walks" on these "Old Paths" - new ways of enjoying the unchanging God in our frantic world.
Come to think about it, that is what the Christian season of "Lent", which begins on March 1st, is meant to be about. - Time to reflect, and renew our relationship with the One who proved His love for us and His Lordship over all through His Cross and Resurrection.
Maybe it is hard work discovering new ways to walk on old paths, but it will not be time and energy wasted.
With my greetings, Jim Stevens

CHRISTIAN AID IN CHIPPERFIELD
This year, for the first time, Chipperfield churches will organise a House to House collection during Christian Aid Week, 14-20 May.
Christian Aid works through 600 partner organisations in 50 countries strengthening local people to find their own solutions to the problems they face, and is able to respond quickly to provide emergency relief in disasters. After the Tsunami Christian Aid provided immediate help through existing partners in India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Shelter kits and food packages were distributed to 15,000 survivors of the earthquake in Kashmir by funds channelled through Action by Churches Together and a grant to Islamic Relief. Through the Church World Service, Christian Aid organised an airlift of shelters to the most remote areas.
An important part of the work of Christian Aid and its supporters is to challenge the root causes of poverty and build a movement for justice. From the beginning Christian Aid has been a leader in the Trade Justice Movement, lobbying for fair wages and conditions for workers in poor countries, enabling them to feed and educate their children. There have been some successes in obtaining debt relief, resulting in many thousands of children in poor countries receiving free primary education and others have been immunised against childhood diseases. Much more needs to be done. Half the world lives on little more than £1 a day. Every day 50,000 people die because of poverty.
Will you help by giving a donation when you receive a Christian Aid envelope in May? Even better, will you be a house to house collector? The more collectors we have the smaller the job for each collector.
If you are willing to be a collector would you please contact Brenda Harpley (01923 269574) or Janet Cornell (01923 262468)

EARLY HISTORY OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCH
The architect of St. Paul's Church was Thomas Talbot Bury (1811-1877). He was articled to Pugin and designed 35 churches, including Tring and Bovingdon Church, where there is a stained glass window dedicated to his memory by his sister. The cost of building the church was just under £1,500 which was raised by public subscription. The foundation stone was laid in April 1837 and the church was consecrated 17 months later, in 1838, by the Bishop of Lincoln, just one year after Queen Victoria's coronation. It provided 400 places, of which 176 were free.
Unusually, the altar is situated at the west end of the church and not on the east side, as is traditional. The story is that the door, which was then at the back of the church, was nearer to the Manor House, making it quicker for John Parsley (who lived in the Manor House at that time) to enter the building.
For the first 10 years, the church came under the umbrella of Kings Langley Church, but in 1848 Henry Dennis, the Curate of Kings Langley, was appointed Vicar of Chipperfield.
Even in those days, housing presented a problem. Eventually, Day House, across The Common, complete with coach house and coachman's cottage was bought to serve as a vicarage. They are now known as Saddlebow and the Old Vicarage. In 1874, the Vicarage was enlarged to accommodate the Rev. W.G. Sharpin who had eight children. The Living at that stage was worth £300 per annum.
1889 brought a time of changes. The Sanctuary was enlarged and the Vestry was added. The main door was moved from the east end to the north side and a porch was constructed, as was the lych gate. A fine pair of lych gates presented by Mr. Sands Clayton and brothers of Chipperfield House were in memory of their brother, who served under General Gordon. There was much astonishment in the village when the lych gates were stolen in 2001.
The character of the church must have been greatly changed in 1889, when the gallery and the three-decker pulpit were removed. A publication by Cussans in 1879, described the pulpit as unique, being the only one of its kind left in the whole of Hertfordshire.
Mary Nobbs

MISSING CAT - FOUND!
Readers may recall a piece in last month's Chipperfield News from Liz Johnson who lives in Scatterdells Lane. Liz writes:
I wanted to let you know that I've now managed to get my cat back. He was in Beaconsfield!! Luckily I had him microchipped otherwise I wouldn't have got him back. Not sure how he got there or what he has been up to these past four weeks but just glad to have him home again!

SPRINGWATCH IN CHIPPERFIELD
If you would like to take part in the national survey into the arrival of spring, look out for frog spawn, the 7-spot ladybird and the red-tailed bumble bee (which is big, black and hairy with a reddy-orange tail).
Send the date when you first see any of the above to the Springwatch website at www.bbc.co.uk/springwatch or contact me and I will log your sighting.
Liz Holliday 01923 267483

THE PLAY AREA AT THE MOUNT PRISON, BOVINGDON
Imagine being a child visiting your father in prison: a tiring journey, being searched, then a large, bleak room with Dad waiting for you to kiss and cuddle him. You tell Dad what you've been doing at home and at school, but the world 'outside' seems remote to him. He and Mum have problems to sort out: no money for new shoes, having to move house, people asking questions about Dad's friends. Instead of sitting fidgeting, you can go to the nice bright corner of the room, where cheerful ladies don't ask awkward questions but read you a book or give you toys, or crayons to make a picture for Dad. You can run in and out when you want, before Mum calls you to say goodbye. Then the journey home, with Mum looking worried and sad.
We desperately need volunteers for our Sunday afternoon sessions in the Play Area. Would you give up a couple of hours, say once a month - on a regular basis, so that we can plan? We give security training and a staff member or an experienced volunteer is always in charge. No-one ever works on their own.
Please help us to create a happy environment for these disadvantaged children. Come and look round without commitment, ring Anne Wyburd on 267515 for more information or e-mail
me at katurner3@hotmail.com"
Or you can apply through HACRO, 25D Alma Road, St Albans, AL1 3AR, e-mail hacro@waitrose.com.
Karen: Play Area Supervisor, HMP The Mount.

A NEW WEBSITE FOR WALKERS IN HERTFORDSHIRE
There's no doubt about it, walking is good for you. It's good for your heart, it's good for your lungs, it's good for the muscle and bone growth of your children and it's good for your feeling of wellbeing! Strong scientific evidence now supports the many benefits to health of regular walking - it is recommended that we take at least 10,000 steps a day.
Studies show that walking can:
¥ Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
¥ Lower blood pressure
¥ Reduce high cholesterol and improve blood lipid profile
¥ Reduce body fat
¥ Enhance mental well being
So, how do you find out what is on offer?
www.walkinginherts.co.uk gives you all the information you need for the best walking in the County.
Guided walks: Eighty walks detailed every month. The website tells you how long the walk is, which group is running it, when and where it starts and a contact number in case of questions.
Books of walks: There are more than twenty books of walks for the County. All the details are here. Leaflets of walks: More than eighty leaflets are produced around the County, many of them difficult to find. Not any more! www.walkinginherts.co.uk list them all.
Walking groups: Every walking group in the County is listed (more than 35 of them!).
There are also links so that you can check: the weather for your walk, links to other useful sites, how to get to your walk by public transport - and more is being added all the time.
So check out the website and get walking!

YOUR GARDEN IN MARCH
Days are now getting longer and we do need that extra time so that we can get down to some serious work in the garden. Lawns will need fertiliser and weedkiller. If moss is a problem, put on a mosskiller and rake or scarify once the moss has died. Grass will soon be growing and will need regular cutting, but not too short at this stage. Weeds of course will be growing now so do keep on top of the hoeing. On perennial borders weeds can be kept down by putting down landscape fabric and then mulching with a good layer of organic material which will also help conserve water later in the season. Birds are nesting now so leave hedge cutting for the time being. Bare-root hedging plants must be planted before the end of March and so too should other bare-root plants such as raspberry canes. Although container-grown trees and shrubs can be planted throughout the year, a good time to plant is during March and April before they get into their growing season. Evergreen shrubs are best moved at this time of the year. Roses should be pruned now and so too should autumn-fruiting raspberries and shrubs such as cornus and buddleia, as well as forsythia once it has flowered. Herbaceous plants can be planted now and it is a good idea to lift and divide large established plants. Add a fertiliser such as Toprose to roses, herbaceous plants and shrubs, and an ericaceous fertiliser to rhododendrons, heathers, camellias and azaleas. In the vegetable garden it's time to plant out the onion sets and shallots. Early seed potatoes can go in now as can Jerusalem artichokes and asparagus roots. Broad beans, peas, cabbage, turnips, parsnips, beetroot and spinach can be sown outside now, and so too can salads such as lettuce, onions and radish. The herb bed can be sown or planted now with the exception of tender herbs like sweet basil which will need to be in the greenhouse. The autumn-sown sweet pea plants should be pinched out ready for planting out in the garden later this month. Pansies, violas, primroses, bellis, myosotis and Canterbury bells can be planted out. Gardens should be full of spring colour this month with the daffodils looking good. Once the bulbs finish flowering, remove the dead flower heads and apply a fertiliser but never cut down the leaves until they die down later in the spring. Shrubs such as kerria, forsythia, garrya and chaenomeles should be looking good now.
This is the time of the year when the early spring flower shows start. The Ideal Home Show at Earls Court runs from March 8 - April 2. Our own Horticultural Society's Spring Show is on Saturday 25 March. It is time to purchase tickets for the Chelsea Flower Show. Members days are May 23 and 24 (phone 0870 906 3780 for tickets) and public days are May 25, 26 and 27 (phone 0870 906 3781) for tickets.
Terry Simmonds