May 1998
Just a reminder that we have entered the Best Kept Village competition again this year. Judging will take place unannounced during the month of June. It would be good if we could improve on our 1997 placing of third, with Certificate of Merit.
WEDDING IN SUSSEX
Sally Brand (nec Brown) and Cohn Manson were married at Leeford Place Hotel near Hastings on 21 March.
The bride wore a full-length ivory dress with long sleeves and bodice and was given away by her mother, Mrs Betty Brown. Victoria Manson was Sally’s bridesmaid and Tracey Norton her matron of honour. Robert Holttum was best man. The couple spent their honeymoon in Prague and have set up home in Hastings.
CHIPPERFIELD NEWS BUSINESS MANAGER
From May this year, we are pleased to welcome Tony Briselden as the new business manager of Chipperfield News.
Our thanks to RoIf Stammeijer. who is retiring from the position due to pressure of work, for undertaking the task for the past eighteen months.
Richard Edwards
Chairman, Chipperfield News
To achieve this we shall need to maintain our position on those features of the village which the judges regarded as being good:
• gardens, verges, the allotments, children’s play areas
• the tennis courts, the football ground, the school, the telephone boxes,
• the churchyard, the Baptist Chapel, shops and notice boards. and improve on those points which were marked down:
* litter around a number of community buildings
* flyposting
* weedy pavements and gutters
* untidy War Memorial hedge
The Parish Council, with the help of the school and village organisations who have agreed to support our entry, will be trying to keep an eye on problem areas but it is difficult to check everything. So, if you do see something in a public area that is spoiling the village environment, please let John Pringle, our Parish Clerk, know on 01442 822704. Alternatively, contact any of you Parish Councillors.
WATER VOLEWATCH
Water voles are the largest member of the British vole family. They used to be a common sight crouching at the water’s edge or swimming close to the banks of waterways. Water voles, also known as water rats, are now threatened with extinction in Great Britain.
A survey in 1989-90 showed that water voles had vanished from two- thirds of the sites where they had lived before.
Land drainage, river “improvement” and changes in waterside management have all destroyed the water voles’ habitat. Many have been eaten by American mink which have been spreading across the country since the 1950s.
Wildlife Watch, the junior branch of The Wildlife Trust, are organising a national survey of voles, mink, brown rats and otters. If you would like to help save the water vole you can take part in the survey. Pick up a leaflet (which includes a survey form) from the library or contact Wildlife Watch, The Green, Witham Park, Waterside South, Lincoln, LN5 7JR. Telephone 01522 544400
OUR LIBRARY SERVICE
This year Hertfordshire Libraries must reduce their spending by £1.52 million. To avoid cutting opening hours of closing libraries the savings will be achieved through changes in the services provided.
The library service will continue to maintain 52 branch libraries and 10 mobile libraries throughout the county. Special services to the housebound and those with impaired hearing or sight will continue. The collections of music recordings and videos will be maintained as will access to specialist reference and information services.
but:
• you will only receive one reminder for any item kept overdue and will be charged SOp for every reminder sent to you;
• There will be a delay filling posts which become vacant in the library service, which may lead to longer queues at busy times;
• Adult fiction will only be bought in paperback;
• Fewer copies of recreational and “lifestyle” non-fiction titles will be bought;
• the selection of newspapers and magazines will be reduced.
The staff and members of the Library User Panels at Bovingdon and Kings Langley libraries will discuss any questions or concerns you have and there are also comment cards you can fill in.
FLAG FEN
You can discover the excitement of historical detection at one of Europe’s most important archaeological sites. Flag Fen is just 3 miles from Peterborough city centre and is clearly signposted from the A47 and A 1139. There is a Bronze Age Farm with primitive domestic animal, original plants and wildlife and family living quarters. In the Archaeology Park you can see reconstructed prehistoric house, a Roman road and excavations of 3000 year-old Bronze Age timbers. There is a Visitor Centre with exhibitions and a coffee shop. Free car park, picnic area. Guided tours. Open lOam-Spm (last admission 4pm). For details phone
01733 313414.
VILLAGE HALL CHAIRS
Village Hall users may like to know that the Committee did discuss the replacement of the chairs at length in 1995, when samples were tried and tested.
The Committee recognised the importance of comfort and appearance, but were persuaded to retain the current stock after considering the following practical needs:
stackability and storage ability to be clipped together (to meet fire safety regulations) maximising the floor layout prevention of damage to the floor maintenance of covers lifespan cost of replacement.
It was therefore agreed to retain the tubular chairs and continue the long-held practice of replacing canvas seats and and back, as necessary, twice a year.
Do join us for the AGM at 8.l5pm on Wednesday 6 May when this subject will be on the agenda.
Richard Edwards
AMERSHAM MUSEUM
49 High Street, Amersham, Bucks
The history of Amersham displayed in part of a 15th century half timbered hall house. Exhibits include the story of the Amersham Martyrs, followers of John Wycliffe who were burnt at the stake in the 16th century; old local crafts of lace
LOST DOGS FOUND
May I convey my sincere thanks to everyone I troubled in my search for my two dogs who went missing on 18 February. All’s well that ends well and they are home safe and sound. My thanks again.
Shirley Higgins, Bucks Hill
SPEEDING IN THE CHILTERNS
The Chiltem Society is concerned about speeding on rural roads throughout the Chilterns. In a recent poll of Society members 87% were in favour of speed limits. The Society now seeks the views of a wider public on the following proposals:
• 30mph speed limits in all villages, or
• 40mph speed limits on all minor roads or • a combination of both.
If you are in favour of these proposals please write to The Chiltern Society, 113 Vale Road, Chesham, HP5
VICTORY!
Many thanks to all the people who supported us in our fight for the removal of the bollards and white keep clear lines from the roadside frontage of the Post Office Stores. They have now been removed.
Over 900 signatures were collected on the petition and many people wrote letters to the council. Thank you all very much for your support.
Jane Watson on behalf of Pat & Tim Regan