May 2008
CHIPPERFIELD HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY SPRING SHOW ON SATURDAY 29 MARCH
Despite the very cold and dismal weather we have had so far this year, the Spring Show of the Chipperfield Horticultural Society was a great success. Table after table were covered with vases of daffodils of so many different varieties all bursting with colour and looking wonderful, you could feel that spring is just around the corner. Pots and vases of other plants and blooms, vegetables of all shapes and sizes filled the tables together with wonderful displays of handicraft. The floral exhibits were fantastic and showed such flair and talent. The domestic section was mouth watering with the Simnel cakes in particular looking stunning.
The photography had three classes and these are going from strength to strength. All our prize winners thoroughly deserved their success and are to be congratulated. Show Secretary, Roger Pigg, had organised another wonderful show.
All in all a great day in spite of the weather and our thanks go to all our judges and stewards who helped to make the show such a success.
Ann Soanes
TREE PLAQUE
The tree to match the Silver Jubilee plaque mentioned in our March issue has been identified by several residents.
It is the Sweet Chestnut on the right hand side of Footpath No. 8 which leads down to the Apostles Pond as one enters the wood from the cricket field (behind the Oak planted to commemorate the queen’s Golden Jubilee).
Joan Brown remembers that her late husband David helped prepare the hole for the tree and Tony Briselden has a photograph of the planting ceremony.
Many thanks to all those who got in touch with information.
The Parish Council have agreed to provide a new plaque to replace the original, which is now alas almost illegible. It will be installed beneath the tree in the next month or so.
DUCKLING INTO SWAN
Thanks to grant aid from the Parish Council, the Chipperfield Youth Club building is undergoing rather more than a spring clean. The money has been used to create a lavatory for the disabled and to re-model the gents.
Building, plumbing, and wiring has been undertaken by professionals and a small team of volunteers has fitted a new kitchen and is busy re-painting the interior. Carpet and curtains have been cleaned. Gradually the building is being transformed from an ugly duckling into an attractive small meeting place.
However, there is more to do as funds permit and application has been made for help to pay for replacement floor coverings in the kitchen and lavatories and further interior improvements.
The swan should emerge soon ...
MOBILE POLICE OFFICE
A Mobile Police Office will be in the Church Car Park on The Common on Tuesday 6 May from 11am-1.30pm.
Services offered are crime and accident reporting, cloned credit cards, lost and found property, crime prevention advice, reports of abandoned vehicles, unoccupied premises notifications, advice on criminal law, recruiting enquiries, general matters relating to the local environment - and most other matters that people would visit a police station for.
Come and visit the office and meet our Police Community Support Officer, David Alexander, who will usually be on duty.
CHIPPERFIELD CARE
Report of the AGM held on March 26 in the Village Hall.
I was very sorry to report that we had lost two wonderful people during the year, who were great supporters of Care. Barbara Pearce and Tony Plessner both did a lot for Care and will be sadly missed. We had, sadly, also lost two of our clients, Sheila Hudson and Stella Barker.
At the moment we have 52 clients on our records and 64 volunteers, both duty officers and drivers. We took 102 calls for assistance, one less than the previous year. 10 trips to Watford General and 16 to Hemel Hempstead Hosital, 56 to various surgeries and 20 "others" such as dentists, physios etc.
Last year, at the very kind invitation of Peter and Brenda Berners-Price, we held a tea party for our clients at White Gates, Commonwood. In spite of the heavens opening, we all had a wonderful time, it really was a great get together and Peter and Brenda have been generous enough to invite us again this year on Thursday, 3 July. A big thank you to them both for offering to host, once again, what will be a lovely occasion. Invitations will be sent to all our clients nearer the time.
Another big "thank you" must go to all our volunteers, some of whom have themselves undergone surgery in the past few months. All those who arrange the weekly/monthly rotas, take daily requests from our clients and those who drive them to their appointments, wait and bring them safely home.
I had asked the management committee for their opinion on running a course given by the Red Cross. With their approval, I will be arranging a "Save a life" course which will last for 3 hours for all volunteers of Chipperfield Care. This could literally help to save someone’s life in an emergency before the paramedics arrive on the scene.
I have now been organiser for one year and this job has been made easier for me with the support given by Shelagh Nicholls, Chairman, Sue Ellis, Secretary and Vic Archer, Treasurer, so I would like to thank them very much and, of course, all our wonderful volunteers. Care would be nothing without you, you make an enormous difference to our clients’ lives, all of you play a part in helping those less fortunate than ourselves and I would like to tell you how much you are appreciated for all that you do.
Ann Soanes
If you feel that you would like more information on becoming a volunteer, please give me a call on 01923 262756.
SUNSHINE AND SNOW SHOWERS
On Friday we took Ted, our Labrador, for a glorious walk along the River Chess from Latimer to Chenies in wonderful spring sunshine. Even without jackets it was quite warm. Today, Sunday, as I look out of the window everything is white with snow; two inches have landed on the patio table!
The ewes look fit to burst. I thought Friday’s warmth would do the trick and that lambs would be born that night, but they are much more sensible and are still hanging on. Shetland sheep are said to be able to hang on for up to a month if the weather closes in but I hope they don’t have to wait that long.
The "delights" of climate change and our unpredictable weather don’t seem to have had much effect on the frogs and toads this year. The frogs arrived in droves in February and laid masses of spawn, which has now hatched, and this week it has been the toads turn. Ted was fascinated to go out for his late walk and find toads all over the drive. I don’t usually put the torch on unless I hear a car coming in the lane but I have needed it the last few nights to avoid treading on toads with other things on their minds. I love to hear them calling for a mate, and to see the strings of spawn, like black pearls, that they produce when they find one. Frogs and toads don’t often share the same ponds if they can help it. Frog tadpoles are usually big enough to gobble up the toad-poles as they hatch. Down in the wildlife pond its frogs to the right, and toads to the left, and judging by the number returning there must be enough distance between them. Although it took a long time and a lot of effort to make such a big pond, including saving up for the liner, it really was worth it. Even a small pond is a big help to wildlife. Birds will drink and bathe, frogs soon find them, and in summer dragon and damsel flies are really spectacular. If you haven’t got one already make it this year’s project! Time for a quick game of snowballs now I think! Wendy Bathurst
P.S. I loved last month’s poem – but who’s been talking!
VILLAGE PEOPLE
Frank and Lesley Baker are delighted to announce the arrival of their new grandson Casper. He “weighed in” at 8lb.3oz on 3rd April at Watford General. Their daughter Susie and son-in-law Steven are thrilled that sister Phoebe and brother Spike will have a little brother to make up the team in the 5-a-side “Grandchildren” versus “The Oldies” in next years Easter Egg Hunt!
Many thanks to Doris Haughton who has identified one of the “Old Timers at The Windmill” (photograph in our April issue) as Alf Gibbs who lived in Dunny Lane - second left in the front row. Doris confirms that her relations Frank and Alf Chitty also shown in the photo lived in the cottage next door to The Windmill at that time. Later the cottage became part of the pub’s dining room.
Chipperfield Within Living Memory
SERVING KING AND COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918
In November this year it will be 90 years since the end of World War 1 and Chipperfield will be marking the occasion with a presentation in the Village Hall on the 8 November.
Year by year we listen to the list of the names that is read out at the Remembrance Day Service. Not being a local person, they meant little to me at first, but now after a lot of research, each and everyone becomes more personal and touching. There is a long list of names of the fallen on the War Memorial, but if you look at the two pink marble plaques on the wall facing the main door of St Paul’s Church, you will find a list of all those who served and here there are 159 recorded!
The name Biggerstaff features 11 times. As an example of the terrible impact the war had on one family, I would like to illustrate the example of George and Annie Biggerstaff. In 1901, they lived in Jaggers Yard, The Common, where the Red Admiral is today. At this stage they had six sons and one daughter. All six sons were involved in the war. Fred and Arthur paid the price with their lives. Fortunately William, Albert, Stanley and a second son with the name of Arthur survived. Can anyone help to differentiate between the two Arthurs? Later, the family moved to Chapel Croft. Does anyone know where?.
We are aiming to produce a booklet listing all those involved in the war with details
of their lives and families. So far, we have about 17 photographs. It would be good to
increase this number to over 100! Please help us to make this a worthwhile effort. We are collecting photographs in uniform or civvies, copies of letters, anecdotes, 1914-18 addresses and family and employment details. Some people may have a group photograph, but cannot pinpoint the soldier or sailor who is their relative, but that does not matter as long as they are there. Copies will be made of the material submitted and the originals returned promptly. Please contact people who have moved out of the village. If we do not do this now, the information will be lost for ever. So, do please help and many thanks to those who have contributed so far.
Mary Nobbs 01923 2694 davidmarynobbs@waitrose.com
W.I. NEWS
Chipperfield Afternoon WI held a Fair Trade Event in March. Thanks to Asda, who gave us a basket of Fair Trade food items, we were able to see the wide range of products available; afterwards they were raffled. We held a competition of painted eggs, the winner being chosen by the number of 5p coins placed in front of each exhibit.
Melanie Brookman (from Wardrobe Wonders) spoke to the members of Chipperfield Evening WI of the need for clothes to reflect the wearer's personality. She explained how basic items of clothing in the wardrobe can be teamed together to provide different outfits without the need to purchase a large quantity of garments.
TAKE CARE !
In April a car left unlocked in Queen Street was broken into overnight. The incident probably happened at about 2am in the morning when noise was heard by a resident.
Remember to lock your car when you leave it and take all you belongings with you - especially bags and cameras.
Unaccompanied children
will be captured
and sold as slaves
This sign was spotted by the editor on a recent visit to Fishbourne Roman Palace in West Sussex.
Who says archaeologists and museum curators have no sense of humour!
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Everyone was relieved and happy to see Fr. Des back in the Presbytery after having been "re-glued" in hospital. This is how he described what must have been a most unpleasant procedure. He has been over-whelmed by the support and concern of his friends and neighbours in the village, and thanks everyone for their prayers and good wishes. Unfortunately, complications have followed and Fr. Des has been re-admitted to Hemel Hospital where he is holding his own. Having been told to "lighten his load", the Mass on Saturday evening will be discontinued, leaving two Sunday masses to accommodate the congregation. By good fortune, Fr. Des’ brother was due to come to stay in Chipperfield so that the two Salvatorian Fathers could go to an important meeting in Rome. We are very happy that we have Fr. Terry Cantwell here saying Mass for us. Fr. Terry himself is glad that he is here where he is needed. The Saturday evening Mass was originally begun to suit the football playing teen-agers in the congregation who found it difficult to get to Mass and be in time for their football fixtures. They will now need to come to early Mass ready in their football kit! (A few prayers may improve their game).
Christian Aid. Ten years ago, two of us went to Birmingham; we were a tiny link in the human chain surrounding the G8 conference. People came from all over the country in response to Christian Aid’s call for rich countries to forgive some of the debts owed to them by poor countries. Poor countries pay 5 times more in debt repayment than they receive in Aid. Morally, the debts have been repaid many times over as interest, but the debt is never cleared, so there is little left to pay for education and health-care. The demonstration was exciting and good-humoured but only partially successful. Twenty five poor countries have had debts reduced and are now able to spend 20% more on health and education. A further hundred countries can’t wait! Ten years on, Christian Aid campaigners will meet again in Birmingham, to celebrate what has been achieved and demanding that politicians "Drop the Debt Fast!"
NEWS FROM OUR CHURCHES
ST PAUL’S AND HOLY CROSS
Who would have thought it? If anyone five or six months ago had said that two unfancied clubs would meet each other in the FA Cup final this month, who would have believed it? (Apologies to those of you who have no interest in football.) No Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea or Liverpool: the rich and powerful sides all gone – and before the semi-final stage! But it is true. Sometimes the unexpected is the reality!
And it happens in every sphere of life … the collapse of the Berlin Wall, and the extra-ordinary political change in Eastern Europe, which happened so quickly – and amazingly with so little violence – took so many by surprise. We in the western world need to take note. I came across this quote recently: "The affluence and arrogance of the western world tempt us to think that everything continues as it is – but it will not."
(Peter Kimber, retired Deputy Chief Executive of the Scottish Examination Board)
Do we hear what the "panic" in the financial markets might be saying to us? Or our collective inability to face up to the real issues of global warming?
"Who would credit that a crucifixion, three hours of darkness, a torn curtain, a huddled group of bewildered women, a frightened soldier – an empty tomb – a mere passing event in an obscure part of the powerful Roman Empire, 2000 years ago, was actually the turning point of history!" (I read.) The unexpected is the reality!
And we face the choice: "Either we worship at the shrine of human cleverness, or at the empty tomb of Jesus Christ" (as the quote already cited concludes). The first will pass utterly away – the latter is eternal! Now is that scaremongering or reality? It really does matter.
With my greetings, Jim
BAPTIST CHURCH
My children at one stage believed their paternal grandmother was a Jedi knight. For those of you who are not familiar with this title I will briefly explain. All across the galaxy the Empire was in a constant battle with Rebel forces. The Empire was led by a Sith lord who had executed a plan to kill all the Jedi knights thus enabling him to rule the entire galaxy with his trusted right hand man Darth Vadar. Unfortunately for him there were survivors and eventually he was defeated. That is very much the short version and if you want the full version you will have to sit through six films. But back to my mother. The reason my children thought my mother was a Jedi knight was that her birthday is on the 4th of May (I will be a dutiful son and not give the year) thus "May the Fourth be with you" a play on a phrase often quoted by the said Jedi knights.
You can't watch the Star Wars films without making reference to the religious undertones throughout. The Jedi knights use the Good Side of the universal force and the Sith use the Dark Side to their benefit. Although the whole galaxy is under submission to the Dark Side eventually the Good Side wins out. I don't have to allude any further on the parallels with Christianity – or do I? Even those of us that profess to a belief in the saving power of God through Jesus Christ and His ultimate victory over all that has hold of us, we don't really get it. Just like the end of the last Star Wars film "The Return of the Jedi" there are lots of celebrations at the defeat of the evil Empire but then it stops – no reference to the daily struggles the Rebel forces will now face in rebuilding. There is not a seventh film outlining the continued fight against remnants of the said evil Empire – it just wouldn't get the audiences.
We all like to win, we all like to think we can be better and we would all like being good to be easy but it isn't. A lifetime of bad behaviour, of pride, of envy, of letting our own needs come first does not change over night. In Jesus, God promises to be with us forever and to help us change as we go, not take over but work with us in making us better. In all this God knows that we may not change the world but with Him we can change our own little universe. Love Jason
The Man in the Manse
BAPTIST CHURCH NEWS
We joined St. Paul’s this year for the Mothering Sunday service. It was attended by many young families and the children made up posies for their mothers. A great time was had by all. The following Friday, women from the 6 churches in Sarratt, Chipperfield & Bovingdon gathered at St. Lawrence Church, Bovingdon for the annual Women’s World Day of Prayer service, written this year by the women of Guyana, a very inspired and thought provoking time together. £248 was raised from the lunch and offering, for WWDP Christian Education projects the work supports.
Then Sunday March 9th was Tear Fund Sunday when we had two speakers from Tear Fund who spoke to us about child-headed households as a result of parents dying from AIDS, and how we can help. We were very pleased to welcome Bovingdon Baptists who joined us for the service and the frugal lunch afterwards. £122 has been raised from donations and the lunch.
Some of us attended the supper at St. Paul’s on Maundy Thursday. After a delicious meal, we shared in Communion. Many thanks to St. Paul’s for a very moving occasion. On Good Friday, St. Paul’s joined with us as usual for the family service at 10am. Our church was packed full, and youngsters from St. Paul’s led some of the worship and read to us. The children were looked after in the hall and they made paper baskets with little eggs in them. There was time for praise, quiet reflection and prayer as we thought about Jesus' sacrifice for us. It was good to chat together afterwards over coffee and Hot Cross buns. On Easter Day at 9am, we celebrated with Easter breakfast — cereals, scrambled eggs, bacon, crusty bread and tea. It was very enjoyable and we managed to clear up just in time for the morning service which was the real celebration of the Risen Christ.
Congratulations to all the singers for their rendering of Stainer's Cruxifixion on Palm Sunday at St. Paul’s. Thank you for a terrific, moving performance.
Don't forget our MAY FAIR on the 17th from 2pm!
WORK IN ST PAUL’S CHURCH
Thanks to the very considerable generosity of a number of people St. Paul’s is able to go ahead with a major renovation and improvement of the amazing organ in the church.
Unfortunately, for safety reasons this means that over the next four months, the church will be kept locked. It will however be available for normal Sunday services, and by arrangement for weddings and funerals.
We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause, and particularly to all who during the week like to come in and enjoy the quiet and peace St Paul’s affords.
Jim Stevens
ST. PAUL’S CHURCH
Flower Festival 2008
4-6 October
As the flower festival cannot take place while the church organ is being rennovated, the event has been moved to the autumn. It will be combined with harvest celebrations with the theme “All Good Gifts Around Us”.
We would welcome help with the many aspects of the weekend including flower arranging, stewarding and many other tasks. If you would like to take part or can help in any way please contact Lesley Edwards on 01923 262549.
GIFT AID CORRECTION
I recently drew readers' attention to the fact that charities would suffer as a result of the Government's decision to reduce the basic rate of income tax from 22% to 20%.
In his Budget The Chancellor surprised charities by announcing that, for the next three years, charities would in fact be able to reclaim tax at 22% in spite of the tax reduction. This is very welcome news.
Janet Cornell
NEW VET IN BOVINGDON
Last month there was a debate in the news about replacing single doctor clinics with one-stop health shops run by several GPs – so called ‘polyclinics’. Veterinary practice today seems to be headed in the same direction, with our own equivalent of ‘polyclinics’ springing up all over the country. It’s easy to understand why going to one place for all your health needs is appealing, but at the same time, is there a risk that these ‘polyclinics’ will lose the personal factor?
Sorry, there’s me chattering on and I haven’t introduced myself. For those of you whom I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting – I am Stephanie, your new local vet. We are building a fabulous new clinic not far from you, on Shantock Hall Lane between Bovingdon and Flaunden. But more about Hope Vets in a moment.
My greatest professional satisfaction has always come from getting to know my patients and their owners over time and working through problems together with them – from beginning to the end of their treatment. Really that’s where Hope Vets came from. It all started as a pipe dream and now we are charging forward into reality. It’s a bit of a family affair with me being the vet, my husband Steven dealing with the boring paperwork and our good friend Barbie: UK Vet Nurse of the Year 2007 (not to brag or anything) being our nurse. The clinic has been designed from scratch and the digging has just begun, so fingers crossed we will open in October, at which point will be able to offer full surgical and diagnostic facilities alongside our expertise, smiles and easy car parking.
As some of you already know, I couldn’t wait to get started, so at present Hope Vets is open in another guise. Until the clinic opens later in the year we are running a mobile veterinary service. We can treat your pets in the comfort of your own home and save them the stress of the dreaded trip to the vet. So if your pets have any problems, are due for vaccinations or if you just need some advice, please feel free to give us a call.
Here’s hoping the days of the small friendly GP veterinary practice being part of the community and serving the village are not over. We are really looking forward to getting to know you all.
Stephanie
Shantock Hall Lane, Bovingdon, HP3 0NQ. Tel/Fax: 01442 833198
info@hopevets.com www.hopevets.com
YOUR GARDEN IN MAY
We had a touch of summer in February and winter in April so with any luck spring should be with us in May. Traditionally this is the month when we plant window boxes and containers and towards the end of the month we plant our bedding plants since we rarely get frosts then. Geraniums, petunias, busy lizzie, antirrhinums, salvias and begonias will be in the garden centre now together with edging plants such as alyssum and lobelia. Geraniums, begonias and fuchsias with a variety of new and traditional trailing plants make good subjects for hanging baskets and all kinds of containers.
Godetia, nigella, candytuft and clarkia are usually sown direct in the garden and thinned out a necessary. Gladioli, dahlias and canna and other sumer-flowering bulbs can be planted out now. Keep on top of the weeding and look out for slugs and snails and deal with them before they chew up your favourite plants. Bedding plants benefit from regular feeding with liquid fertilizers such as Miracle-Grow or Phostrogen, whereas roses and perennial plants are better fed with a powdered fertilizer such as Toprose. Roses should be sprayed at about three-weekly intervals with something like Rose Clear to keep mildew, rust and black spot away. When spraying roses apply a little of the sprat to campanulas and hollyhocks to keep them free from rust. As the daffodils and tulips die down, dead head them and apply fertilizer to build up the bulbs for next year.
In the vegetable garden it is time to sow beetroot, carrot, lettuce, radish, spring onions, spinach, French and runner beans, summer cabbage, cauliflower, turnips, peas, swedes and sweetcorn. Plant out the courgettes, marrows, peppers, tomatoes and aubergines at the end of the month together with the runner beans. Use Growmore fertilizer on vegetables and make sure they are regularly watered. Tomatoes and cucumbers need regular watering and it is a good idea to plant a few marigolds amongst them as a traditional method of keeping whitefly away.
Gardens open this month include Patchwork, 22 Hall Park Gate, Berkhamsted and Ragged Hall, Gaddesden Row, both on 4th May. The Abbots House, Abbots Langley is open on 11th and Great Sarratt Hall on 18th. The Hertfordshire Garden Show will be held at Knebworth on 4th and 5th and the County Show at Redbourn at the end of the month on 24th and 25th. Chesea Flower Show runs from 20th to 24th (0870 842 2217 for tickets) and the Malvern Spring Show from 8th to 11th.
Terry Simmonds