November 2003
Thanks to funding from Hertfordshire County Council, the village will be benefiting from the appointment of a police community support officer, Kim Ashworth, who started work in October. She is one of the nine uniformed support officers who will be working in the Dacorum area, providing a visible police presence.
Our new PCSO introduces herself: "My name is Kim Ashworth and I am your local Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) and I shall be covering the Chipperfield, Bovingdon, Flaunden and Bourne End areas alongside PC Michelle Buttleman. I shall be patrolling on foot, keeping an eye on the area and I am here for you. I want you to talk to me and report anything that you feel I should know about and I shall gladly answer any questions you may have. If I don’t know the answers, I shall find out for you. "I live in Bedmond and have two daughters, Katy who is 22 and a Metropolitan Police Officer and Kelly who is 18 and studying Fashion at Reading University. I have worked for the police for ten years - the first four as a Traffic Warden in Watford and then for six years in the Criminal Justice Unit. "My current role is a very new one and I hope to mould the position to suit the areas in which I work. In order to help me do this I shall be most grateful for your support and as much information from you as possible about the area where you live. I look forward to meeting you all in the near future."
PC Michelle Buttleman writes:
I am delighted to welcome the new Police Community Support Officer for the ward area, Kim Ashworth, who will be working with me. There will also be a PCSO for Kings Langley, who will be patrolling from time to time with Kim, once their training is completed.
On a different note, we have been hit by a number of burglaries in the area recently, and I would ask you all to be extra vigilant and careful with securing your property. If you see anything suspicious, call me on 07736225273, or the control at Hemel Hempstead on 01442 271000, giving descriptions of possible offenders, and registration numbers of any vehicles. In an emergency, and if you believe a crime is in the process of being committed, call 999.
ANOTHER NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME LAUNCHED
At a recent meeting held at The Royal Oak, a group of residents of Scatterdells Lane agreed to set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme for their area.
A presentation of the need for such a scheme and the benefits was made by Phil Anslow, the police representative from Hemel Hempstead whose department provides encouragement and support. He emphasised that members of a Neighbourhood Watch are often eligible for substantial reductions in their insurance premiums once their insurance company knows they are members of a scheme. The co-ordinator for Scatterdells Lane will be Peter Ingram assisted by Sally Collins, Ian Murphy and Troy Hewgley. Signs will be erected at key points in the lane and members will be informed of local crime and prevention methods. More than a quarter of households in the lane have already joined and all other residents are encouraged to do the same. "Safety in numbers" we hope!
A fee of £5 per household has been agreed to cover the cost of signs and residents are invited to join by contacting Peter Ingram at 106 Scatterdells Lane (01923 266786). They will receive a police information pack and a list of other members in the scheme.
START YOUR OWN NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Do you live in a road with Neighbourhood Watch? If not, are you interested in starting a new "watch" in your road? Phil Anslow can give you further information. Contact him on 01442 271020
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Our annual Service of Remembrance will be held at the War Memorial starting at 10.55am on Sunday 9 November
PRIZEWINNING PUB
Congratulations to Dave, Dawn, her daughter Rachel and all the staff at The Windmill for winning second prize in the Pubs in Bloom Competition (S.E. Region) organised by Pubmaster. The Windmill has been a riot of colour all the summer with window boxes, tubs and bedding plants. Dawn picked the colour scheme, Rachel planted out all the bedding in the garden and all the staff took part in the watering and maintenance. There were only 4 points between the winning pub (in Suffolk) and The Windmill.
The prize? £200 in garden vouchers, so we’re in for a treat next year!
COUNTY COUNCIL BY-ELECTION
On 18 September a mad three weeks of campaigning culminated in Election Day. Over 3000 people (30% of the electorate) voted to choose a new County Councillor.
The result:
Richard Roberts 1881 Stephen Cox 615 Jerry Coulter 624
Janet Anderson, County Councillor for the past 6 years stood down through ill health and I was selected as one of three candidates who contested the election. My thanks to Stephen and Jerry for making it a worthwhile and hard fought contest. More than 150 people helped me during the election and to them I am extremely grateful but most importantly I would like to thank everyone who either filled out a postal ballot or trooped down to the polling station and took part in their local election. There is considerable apathy towards politics generally but I find it extremely encouraging that there is still strong support for local Councillors whether Parish, Borough or County.
The County ward of 13000 people is widespread and diverse covering Kings Langley, Chipperfield, Bovingdon, Flaunden, Felden and Bourne End. It covers parts of two parliamentary constituencies that of Hemel and SW Herts and within it are 4 Parish councils.
Priority issues raised before and during the campaign are all aspects of highway management (including hedges and verges), school funding and place allocation and policing.
Across the ward the loudest plea is for the County to get its act together, and sort out highways issues. This month we had a walk to school week. Encouraging walking can only work if parents feel safe on the pavements and at present this is not the case. Weeds are rampant, hedges are not kept in check and traffic and people are forced ever closer together on very busy roads. I am trying to do something about it. I remain your Borough Councillor and believe that by combining the two roles I can bring more weight where it matters. If an issue important to you comes up, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Once again many thanks for your support and I will try to keep you informed of progress. Cllr Richard Roberts
THE END OF CHIPPERFIELD ART GROUP ?
The Chipperfield Art Group has been in existence since the early 1960s and during this period has brought together not only artists, potters and people interested in crafts of all kinds, but people just generally keen on art for its own sake. It has been a friendly, easy-going association bringing a lot of pleasure to many people.
Sadly, as with so many village enterprises, it becomes more and more difficult to find new people to take on the job of running the group. In the last few years many of our members have either left the district,or, sadly, been unable to continue through ill health. Death too has taken its toll.
The exhibition this year was the last one that Rita Musk and I will be running as we both feel that it is time to re-organise the group, if the will is there. With so much talent in our area, surely there must be younger people out there willing to form a new group? The Youth Club is an excellent meeting place and the Annual Exhibition on August Bank Holiday is a well-known fixture in the village calendar.
There is some £500 in the Group’s bank account and we have decided to hold this money for 12 months in the hope that a phoenix will rise from the ashes. Should this happen, Rita and I will be only too pleased to offer advice should it be needed. We have one last meeting on 10 December which is purely social, with a good raffle, food and drinks. Anyone interested to come will be most welcome - just contact either Rita (01923 263525) or me, Joan Sellwood (01923 265236)
ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION
The September house to house collection raised a record total of £591-36. Thank you very much to the collectors and contributors who helped make this excellent result possible. Margaret G. Newman Honorary Secretary
END OF AN ERA
Last month saw the closure of another local shop - Notions in Bovingdon High Street. The owner, Lynda Foster - well-known to so many local people - has decided to retire after 24 years. Lynda has been thinking of closing for some time and the arrival of her first grandson prompted her decision.
There has been a draper/haberdasher/ wool shop on the site for over 75 years. Originally it was owned and run as a draper’s by Winnie Waterhouse. It then became a wool shop, Audrey’s, until Lynda took over in 1979. She introduced fashion lines, a dry cleaning and shoe repair service, continued to stock wool and haberdashery and also offered a professional alteration service. Lynda set out to provide a shop full of ideas and a creative haven for local people interested in sewing, knitting and craft work.
Lynda says she has thoroughly enjoyed her time in Bovingdon and will miss the friendly conversations with her customers and the pleasure of watching local families growing-up.
The good news is that Lynda will continue to provide a quality alteration service from her new workshop at home. An experienced dressmaker, Lynda has professional equipment and is able to make design alterations to ladies, gents and childrens’ clothes as well as curtains, cushions and bedding. If you need anything repaired, shortened or lengthened, taken in or let out, zips or pockets replaced or something completely re-designed and updated, contact Lynda on 01442 380300 (mobile: 07986 367451). She may be leaving her shop but fortunately we still have access to her expertise.
ART FOR ALL at St. Paul’s
This is a new venture organised by Pam Dawson, to be held in the Parish Room at 2.00pm on the second Wednesday in the month. A Christian based art group which will welcome absolute beginners as well as more experienced painters. There will be a suggested theme for each session with gentle tuition and encouragement given if wished. So, if you’ve always wanted to have a go at drawing or painting, now is your chance. Phone Pam on 01442 832160 if you would like to know more.
ROBERT GEORGE (BOB) HARPLEY 1927 - 2003
Bob was born on 26 July 1927 in a flat above the coach house at Little Callipers on Chipperfield Common. The family moved to a cottage next door to The Manse and Bob’s mother started to attend the Baptist Church. Little did she know how involved her family would become with the church in the years ahead.
As a boy, Bob was an aeroplane fanatic (which stayed with him all his life) and he and his brother Jack would often cycle to Bovingdon Airfield to watch the aircraft. Bob was a member of the Royal Observer Corps from the early 1950s until 1991, when it was "stood down".
Bob attended the village school until he was 14 and was then apprenticed to the carpentry shop at E.J.Waterhouse where he remained employed for 51 years -all his working life. This was interrupted when he was called up on the day World War 2 ended and served in the R.A.F. for three years.
Although he was christened at St. Paul’s Church, he was Baptised at the Baptist Church on 20 April 1952 and became a loyal member of the church where he became involved with both the Youth Club and the Boys’ Brigade. He was Church Secretary for 25 years.
In 1958 Bob married Brenda Hume who had lived with his family as a war-time evacuee from London and they made a home at Sunset with Bob’s parents who had the house built in 1938. Bob and Brenda had three children, Angela, Philip and Kate. Bob had several hobbies including photography (he developed his own films), gardening (a large garden and two allotments) and a greenhouse which he built himself. He also enjoyed woodturning and his skill can not only be seen at the Baptist Church but in many other churches and houses in Chipperfield and all over Hertfordshire.
At the Thanksgiving Service held for Bob at the Baptist Church on 1 October, the church was filled to capacity with his many friends and acquaintances and was a fitting tribute to his life.
Bob leaves his wife, Brenda, children Angela, Philip and Kate and grandchildren Simon, Helen, Eleanor, Sarah, Julia, Owen and five-week old Lily Mae.
CHRISTMAS CARDS
The project to re-cycle Christmas cards has been a great success. About 1,300 cards were produced by Mary Stirling and her "cut and paste" team, plus a good selection of gift tags. To date, sales total just over £500. When costs (e.g. envelopes, printing )have been paid there will be a healthy profit to donate to St. Paul’s church Organ Fund.
YOUR GARDEN IN NOVEMBER
The wonderful summer has passed into a magnificent autumn with some magnificent autumn colour and well into October the ground is very dry indeed. Mother Nature will no doubt sort this out for us but we will need to water hanging baskets, tubs and containers until the frosty weather arrives. Lawns should be scarified and autumn lawn fertilizer applied as soon as possible. The vegetable garden should be dug soon, working in plenty of farmyard manure. Broad beans should be sown during November and the early onion sets should be planted too.
Fallen leaves do make fine leaf mould or they can go on to the compost heap, where a little Garotta will help them rot down in about a year or so. Now is a very good time to plant trees and shrubs, roses, climbing plants, fruit trees and soft fruit bushes. Raspberries are usually planted a foot apart, in rows against wire supports, whereas all other fruit bushes are planted with plenty of space between plants. Hedging plants, such as privet, beech and quickthorn are bare-rooted and can be planted from November until March. When planting perennial plants, a small handful of bonemeal should be put in the bottom of the hole and compost should be mixed with the surrounding soil. Camellias, rhododendrons and heathers will need an ericaceous fertilizer instead of bonemeal. Bulbs, such as tulips, can still be planted in the garden and hyacinths can be planted in bowls indoors but it is too late now to get them to flower for Christmas. Polyanthus, pansies and primroses will give colour in the garden throughout the autumn and winter except in very frosty weather and these plants are very useful in hanging baskets at this time of year.
As the deciduous shrubs loose their leaves, the evergreens such as Euonymous, Eleagnus and the variegated hollies will brighten up the garden. So too will the berrying shrubs such as pyracantha and our marvellous Contoneaster hybridus pendulus, which was raised first in Chipperfield be Herbert Simmonds during the 1930s.
Terry Simmonds
BREAKFASTS FOR MEN
Twice a year St. Paul’s Church organise Breakfasts For Men at Shendish Manor, Apsley. The next one will be held on Saturday 15 November and the topic to be discussed is A Christian Look at the Muslim World. The speaker, Christopher Catherwood, M.A., M.Lit., is from the University of Cambridge and Richmond University, Virginia. He is an historian and writer who has specialised in the history of the Middle East and the Balkans and the politics of violence and terrorism. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. For more details and invitation cards please contact John King on 01923 264552.
THE HOSPICE OF ST. FRANCIS
The Hospice in Berkhamsted has now gained planning permission for a new building and a piece of land has been purchased. We are taking the first steps towards re-building and I am sure that everyone will agree that this is a very exciting time as we plan for the future. We are desperately short of space in the existing Hospice and have outgrown our present facilities. The building of the new project is very expensive but it will ensure the future of hospice care in our community.
To help raise money the following events have been planned:
• The Hospice Christmas Bazaar at Berkhamsted Civic Centre on Saturday
15 November between 9.30am and 1.30pm;
• Christmas Bazaar at Chesham Town Hall on Saturday 22 November between 9.30am and 12.30pm;
• Light Up a Life ceremony at the Hospice at 4.30pm on Sunday 7 December.Carols will be sung and the lights turned on. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served.
The Fund-Raising Office still collects all foreign coins and notes, pre-decimal currency and old 1/2p, 5p, 10p and 50p coins. A total of £34,500 has been raised from these donations and pre-Euro European coins can still be redeemed. We also collect used postage stamps, Co-op stamps, used toner and inkjet cartridges and old mobile phones. For further information please contact Roger Sharp, Community Appeals Manager at 1 Church Lane, Berkhamsted. (01442 877621)
FRUITFUL TIMES
Hopefully, by the time you read this, much-needed rain will have fallen. Amazingly it seems to be a bumper year for fruit, the hedgerows were full of blackberries, wonderful jam this year, and all our apple trees are laden. Why are the apples so juicy when the trees look so dry? Having already picked and stored more apples than we can possibly eat, the sheep are now being fed a couple of buckets of windfalls a day and the birds are busy with them too. The badgers must be finding it hard to get their usual rations of earth worms with the ground so dry and they keep digging along the edge of the wildlife pond and exposing the liner. I suppose it's the only moist earth around. The water level in the pond is now very low, only about two feet deep in the middle where it should be three and a half feet deep. We did put a little tap water in, well about five hours worth, but we could hardly see the difference and decided to stick it out and pray for rain. The water was so nice and clear and too much tap water always causes an allgel bloom so we switched off and hoped for the best. As I write (3 October) there are still dozens of dragonflies whizzing about and quite a few water lilies in bloom. Our record for one day was 60 water lily blooms!
We seemed to have had a bumper crop of young birds at this year, with the song thrushes and blackbirds doing particularly well. We hoped to see more birds drinking at the wildlife pond but it seems to be most popular with the wood pigeons who bowl up at about five o'clock each evening just as we are finishing our tea. Five or six arrive at a time, some landing on the roof of the Wendy house before they make their way to the water’s edge and take a long drink. There is nothing like a nice pigeon casserole on a cold winter's day so it looks like a bumper harvest all round!
Wendy Bathurst
THE CHIPPERFIELD ARCHIVE
For some years Terry Simmonds has been putting together a collection of artifacts and ephemera which reflect the history of our village. Ephemera is described as anything which lasts for only a short time, usually printed or handwritten items which are thrown away. Such items are important to historians, particularly those studying local history. The collection is far from complete and Terry would appreciate it if any reader has any of the following items they could donate to the collection: • Posters, tickets and programmes for village events, dances, cricket and football functions; • Old parish magazines and items which relate to the village churches; • Items relating to Chipperfield Horticultural Society; • Tradesmen’s bills, for example from Lawrence (the grocer), Wingfield (the butcher), George (the draper), Hawes Dairy, etc.
• Memorabilia of Chipperfield School;
• Items about the history of Waterhouse builders;
• Any objects bearing the nane Chipperfield (such as milk bottles); • World War 2 items such as photographs of the local Home Guard, ration books, documents, etc.
• Postcards of old Chipperfield.
Photographs and documents which are particularly treasures can be copied and the originals returned to their owners. Terry would also be pleased to hear about ephemera relating to our neighbours Sarratt, Bovingdon and Kings Langley. Do find time to have a look to see if you have anything to contribute and give Terry a ring on 01923 267329 or see him at Garden Scene.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
LOCAL FAMILY
I am related to the Jordan family who lived in Chipperfield and the area during the 1800s and 1900s. My great,great,great grandfather, James Jordan, at one time lived in Yew Tree Cottage (now Yew Trees). Because of my interest in Chipperfield and my family connection, I should like to hear from anyone related to the family or who has any information about them. I should also like to obtain a copy of
Chipperfield Within Living Memory, which is now out of print.. If anyone has a spare copy, please let me know.
John Passfield
Tel: 01702 203980 passfield@dijon.fsbusiness.co.uk
AIRCRAFT NOISE
Yes - we are persecuted by aircraft noise, especially helicopters, which seem to use our house as a beacon -every flight, in any direction, seems to pass directly overhead, and needlessly low. They are frequent enough and noisy enough to constitute a real nuisance, and we agree that (like all traffic!) they have increased greatly. I don't suppose we can complain about flightpaths of airliners, which presumably are a fact of life around here. And I must admit that the horrible light aircraft doing aerobatics have been less of a nuisance this year - previously we have had them looping the loop directly overhead, but they now seem to favour Sarratt as a victim..
Evelyn Cibula
Little Hilbre, Bucks Hill
I have received a number of comments from residents about noisy aeroplanes, particularly helicopters, following my article in last month’s Chipperfield News.
I do know that the beacons for the Bovingdon Stacking area have been altered slightly, which may account for the different flight paths of higher flying commercial aircraft. It would be unrealistic to think that Heathrow air traffic control could direct aeroplanes round, instead of over, Chipperfield! However, I shall try to find out more about helicopter routes, contact the noise pollution agencies on behalf of the village and publish my findings as soon as possible. Liz Holliday Chairman, Chipperfield Parish Council