November 2007

NEWS FROM ST PAUL'S SCHOOL

We celebrated Harvest at Church on Monday 24 September. Revd Jim Stevens led the service and received the children’s gifts at the altar. Non perishable produce was left at church to be donated to the New Hope Trust and the perishable produce was taken by our Year 6 children to village residents. The children thoroughly enjoyed meeting the local residents and the school has received many letters of thanks from those who received gifts saying just how much they appreciated the children’s visits.

Revd Stevens leads our collective worship in school each Monday and we extend a warm welcome to any members of the community who would like to join us on these occasions.

We welcome Mrs Gillian Stray to the teaching staff this term and hope that she will be very happy in Chipperfield. We also welcomed 29 children into our nursery and five new children into various classes around the school. The PTA kindly hosted a coffee morning for new parents to welcome them into the school community. Mrs Lesley Fleet, one of our lunchtime supervisors, left us at the end of September. We wish her a very happy retirement.

During the first week of November children in Years 5 and 6 will be taking part in a cycle training course (both on and off road) run by Hertfordshire Road Safety Department. We hope that this will increase the children’s cycling skills and their safety awareness. We want to encourage as many families as possible to walk or cycle to school, in an effort to reduce road congestion near to the school.

Our school website www.stpauls909.herts.sch.uk contains lots of information about the school and carries copies of our weekly newsletters, so if you do have internet access please take a look at it and tell us what you think!

Norah Tattersall, Headteacher


CHIPPERFIELD VILLAGE HALL

After having been completely redecorated in August, the Hall is looking bright and welcoming. Many users have commented on what a lovely venue it is for classes, parties and events of all kinds. The Hall committee are particularly keen that local organisations get the benefit of this 'make-over' and we can now offer Wednesday mornings on a regular weekly basis. If you are looking for somewhere with plenty of space and good facilities for your classes or meetings, please contact Graham Breen, Bookings Secretary on 01923 267947.


HOLLYBERRY FAIR

SATURDAY 17 NOVEMBER

The days are getting shorter, the weather colder and the Hollyberry Fair is fast approaching. We would be so grateful if you could contribute to the cake stall. Biscuits, flapjacks, meringues, small cakes or large cakes, anything you would be happy to make.

It would be very much appreciated if you would contact either Valerie and Tony Briselden on 01923 266975 or Ann and Tony Soanes on 01923 262756 who would love to hear from you.


POST OFFICE

The Post Office Review for offices likely to be closed in the Watford area will be conducted in March 2008.

Until more details are known, Bipin assures all his customers that it will be "business as normal".


ATTENTION ALL HEDGE OWNERS

Due to the very warm and extremely wet summer, many hedges have become overgrown.

If you own a hedge that is overhanging a road, pavement or footpath, please make sure it is cut back.

Failure to do so may mean that the Council have to do it for you and you will be charged for the cutting.


CRICKET CLUB NEWS

During what seemed like the shortest summer in living memory the Cricket club strived to provide entertainment on the common despite the vagaries of the weather. At least the grass did well and the playing area retained a green hue long after it would normally have turned brown.

The playing strength of the club was maintained and the first eleven, after at one stage looking doomed to relegation, finished a creditable 14th in the league on Saturdays. Well done to Alex Moore and his lads. New players joined the club mid season and we look to have a more competitive start next year.

The second eleven, under the guidance of Martin Oliver, won 6 of their fixtures to finish 9th, not too far from a promotion spot. Their achievement was all the more encouraging due to the presence in the side of many younger players from the under 15 age group who acquitted themselves well and we have high hopes for the future.

Results on Sunday were slightly disappointing and saw the Sunday first eleven relegated to division two of the Chess Valley League. However social cricket on Sundays continued to flourish and the club fielded two sides most Sundays to ensure active sport for those who prefer to play the game in a somewhat less competitive atmosphere.

The youth section fielded four sides this year, two at under fifteen level together with under 12’s and under 10’s. Unfortunately many of the planned fixtures were rain affected and the youngsters did not get to play as often as we would like. The under 15 A side finished a lowly ninth in the table but did defeat local rivals Kings Langley, Hemel Town and Abbots - always satisfactory. The under 15 B side played in a non-competitive structure and enjoyed a happy season on many occasions supplying players to the A team. The under 12’s surprised everyone to finish fifth in a very strong league winning as many games as they lost, congratulations to their captain Oliver Holt. The under 10’s only recorded one victory but due to their small squad they fielded a much under age team which showed it could hold its own against older players. Training continued for the youngsters throughout the summer and thanks must be recorded to the dedicated coaches Bill Hampson, Jim Carson, Malcolm Leach and Holly Atkins. Training will continue through the winter at indoor nets and consideration is being given to sending young players on fast track intensive courses organised by the ECB.

Many social activities have been held during the year but the highlight without doubt was the Summer Ball on the Common. This years was the biggest ever with 339 guests enjoying a fine meal followed by some energetic dancing to live music in a magnificent marquee and our thanks go to Adrian and Nikki Perkins for their Herculean efforts in organisation. Apart from proving a memorable night's entertainment for many villagers the function provided much-needed funds for the club to offset the loss of income due to the weather. Also ensuring that the club will be able to afford to keep the playing area of the Common looking as beautiful as ever and providing a sporting facility for young and old at a reasonable cost.

Our thanks also go to the Parish Council and Dacorum for the support and encouragement we receive from them in our endeavours. The ground has now been ‘put to bed’ for the winter by our dedicated groundsmen Malcolm and Robin and the older members have six months to recover from all the niggling injuries before donning their whites in an effort to rekindle the glory days of youth or do I really mean the fools in flannels will be at it again next summer. Chris Bangs, Chairman CCC


W.I NEWS

Afternoon W.I.

It's been a busy, exciting year. How it has flown by, with just two meetings left. November 20 is our AGM where we adjust the committee and December 4 is our Christmas Celebration. We always give a warm welcome to anyone who wants to join us, and we have had some new members this year. Our meetings take place in the Village Hall and start at 2pm on the third Tuesday in the month.

Evening W.I.

Mr John Neal recently addressed our group. He reminisced in an amusing yet informative manner on his 27 year career with the Metropolitan Police, highlighting the differences in policing methods between his period in service and the present day.

Thirteen members visited the Paper Trail at Frogmore Mill, Apsley, during September and had a very interesting morning's tour, followed by lunch at the Paper Mill Public House.


CHIPPERFIELD HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Autumn Show - 22 September

The show was an outstanding success with the largest number of entries for seven years. The village hall was so full of exhibits that a further row of tables had to be erected. The blooms of both dahlias and chrysanthemums were outstanding and equal to any in this country. The vegetables were wonderful with the parsnips measuring nearly 3 feet in length! The onions were the size of footballs and the leeks and pumpkins had to be seen to be believed. Frank and Linda Venables swept the board with 19 first prizes and numerous placings. With Frank away on business, it was left to Linda to bring and display all their exhibits. She started on Friday evening and finished on Saturday morning just before the judges arrived! It came as no surprise that they won the Silver Rose Bowl for the most points in the vegetable, fruit and flower classes. Alex Parker was the winner of the W. Bates Cup as runner up and also the G.A. Usher Challenge Bowl for the most points in the flower classes, the Timberlake Cup for the best onions in the show and the National Dahlia Society's Medal for the best dahlia exhibit. Brian Bartlett won the H. Butcher Cup for the most points in the chrysanthemum classes and National Chrysanthemum Society's Medal for the best exhibit. Ann Rees won the Handicraft Trophy for most points in all three shows this year and Ann Fowler the Peter Franz Cup for the most points in the domestic classes in all three shows this year. Kathy Ward won the Mrs C.P. Brousson Challenge Trophy for the most points in floral art in all three shows this year, with Lucy Ward winning the Junior Challenge Trophy. Doug Leslie kindly presented the prizes. All in all a wonderful show with the good weather bringing in large crowds.

Special thanks must go to our judges and all our helpers, who make our shows possible and to Roger Pigg, our show secretary who does an incredible amount of work before, during and after each show.

Ann Soanes


CHIPPERFIELD THEATRE GROUP PANTOMIME

The group will be presenting the pantomime Aladdin from Wednesday 23 to Saturday 26 January 2008. More details in our next issue.


VILLAGE PEOPLE

Suzy and Roger Walker celebrated their wedding on Saturday 8th September in Chipperfield.

The wedding breakfast was at the Cart and Horses and the evening reception was in the Village Hall. They would like to thank both venues for making the day wonderful.


SSAFA Forces Help

As you are probably aware the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association Forces Help are currently raising £5m to help with the purchase and running costs of houses at Headley Court and Selly Oak so that families of injured servicemen and women can visit their relative in hospital and stay locally without the expense of having to stay in hotels. However, the charity exists to assist anyone who is serving or has served in the forces and their families. We help many eligible people in the Dacorum area. If anyone knows of someone who may need help or believes they themselves are in need of assistance either financially or otherwise please get in touch with Pat Martin on 01727751758. If you believe you can help SSAFA in its work either as a caseworker, visitor or with secretarial duties please contact Graham McMellin on 01923269915 who would be very happy to describe how we work. Donations to our appeal would be very welcome.


SARRATT FILMS

The next film shows at Sarratt Village Hall will be on Friday 16 November. Family film 4.30 for 5pm start; main film 7.30 for 8pm start. No advance tickets. All welcome.

Details from Julia Lawrence

Telephone 01923 260504


BAPTIST CHURCH

From Jason Gain, the new Pastor of Chipperfield Baptist Church:

As I write this I am looking out on a very grey and wet scene. Not what I could see only a few days ago and certainly not the same as when we first arrived. However the Chipperfield community continues to be as friendly, warm and open as ever and we ourselves are beginning to get into the swing of things as there is always something for our children to do, well when we will taxi them.

I would like to thank all those that came to my induction service on the 22nd September, it really was a fantastic day, once the nerves were overcome, and lots of people said lots of very lovely things, which I won’t pretend weren't flattering if only a little bit untrue, but I will take any praise I can.

You may or may not know that the service marks the beginning of a journey for Chipperfield Baptist Church and me, as two days later I was off to the dreaming spires of Oxford to study at Regents Park College and to join others who have heard the call to ministry. Both the church and I will spend the next three years working out what God has in store for us and how we can get there, exciting times indeed. If by any chance you may fancy looking in on us all, just to see where that journey goes, please do, you may be surprised. Our wish would be that you would come to know God’s love as much as we do.

Although all around us the weather is gradually changing to colder and wetter, thank God, He never changes. Love, Jason Gain, The Man in the Manse

Church News:

The induction service of our Pastor, Jason Gain, on a beautifully sunny day, was a truly splendid and enjoyable occasion. Many folk from other local churches came to support Jason, and us, on this very special occasion in the life of our church, and we are very grateful to them all.

A feast of food was waiting for us afterwards, and a welcome cup of tea, all lovingly prepared by a number of friends. Thank you all!

We are looking forward to the visit of Rev. Bill Hewis from the Leprosy Mission on November 4th. He is a very interesting speaker and there will be Christmas cards and other items for sale afterwards, the proceeds to help the Mission. Please come and share with us in this special service.

On December 9th, we will be joining St Paul’s for the annual Christingle service and, later the same day, we shall be welcoming the Chiltern West Gallery Quire at 4pm to the Baptist Church for their annual visit. So please make a note of this date and join both churches on that day, we are sure you will enjoy it.


ST PAUL’S AND HOLY CROSS

Money matters….

Yes, it does matter: or rather how we use it does. A note came through the door from our friendly milkman… A price increase of 4p per pint. What to do? Cancel the order, and get all my milk at nearly half the price from the supermarket? That appears to be the cheapest thing for me to do….. But then there might be no milkman…. He would have no job… What a cost for him and his family…. and the State. A valuable social service lost!

Then there is the threat hanging over the Post Office and the General Store that probably would not survive without it. Who decides, and on what basis, that 1,400 or so other Post Offices have to be closed? And why? Because "money rules" in that one segment of life, with little or no consideration of the cost which others will have to meet. People’s livelihood and sense of worth … extra travel costs to go further afield … and the environmental costs too …

How do we balance social and community service, which does have to be paid for somewhere by someone, and another group’s economics?

By the time you read this I will have returned from a visit to Rwanda: the congregation of my previous parish funded a medical centre in that country which provides basic facilities for 30,000 people, at the sort of cost one family might spend on a nice new conservatory to their home. Which was the better use of the money? And who paid?

Jesus said "You cannot serve both God and money". We live in a culture in which money rules us, with little consideration as to who might have to pay. Unless we as communities together rebel against that, the quality of our lives, and more importantly others around us, will continue to deteriorate.

So I am faced with the challenge of what to do about our milkman, our Post Office and General Stores …. can I, can we, do something which might mean that money serves us, rather than the other way around. Anyone interested in taking a lead?

With my prayers, Jim Stevens


Dr Karl Wolfgang ("Tony") PLESSNER 1923-2007

Tony Plessner, who died on September 11 aged 84, lived in Chipperfield for some 30 years. His friends here will remember him as a gentle, friendly man with wide-ranging talents and interests.

Born in Breslau, Germany (now Polish Wroclaw), Tony came to England in 1939 as a refugee from the Nazi regime. A scientist (with a doctorate in electrical engineering), he worked in research for the electrical company BICC; he was concerned, for instance, with the development of optical fibres, essential to modern telecommunications. At home, also, he would happily apply his scientific skills to practical problems. He shared interests in the arts and music with his family - he made beautiful pottery and learned to play the cello after his retirement.

Tony came to Little Wynch in Chipperfield in the early 1960's with his first wife, Carla, and daughters Jane and Susan. Carla died in 1981. In 1993 Tony married Canadian-born Marylyn; with her children and stepchildren, his enlarged family now extended from Canada to Finland. In 1997 Tony and Marylyn moved to Aldeburgh; here they transformed a seemingly unpromising house and created a beautiful walled garden.

Tony stayed there after Marylyn died in 2000. He remained fit and energetic as ever. Always an avid traveller, he would drive long distances and fly overseas to visit family and friends. Last winter he took his usual skiing holiday. He played in a local amateur orchestra, enjoyed the music on offer at Aldeburgh, and would go to the opera in London. He loved entertaining his many visitors and - as he had done here as an indefatigable volunteer for Chipperfield Care - helped with voluntary work. He was a familiar sight in Aldeburgh, riding his bicycle to the shops. It was on such a trip that he was struck by an opening car door, and he died from head injuries.

Evelyn Cibula


LIFEBOAT COLLECTION

The September house-to-house collection raised an excellent total of £757.05 which, together with a most welcome contribution of £41.77 from The Boot, Tower Hill, resulted in the grand total of £798.82. Very many thanks go to all collectors and contributors.

Margaret Newman, Hon Sec.


BILL CONGDON 1922-2007

Granddad was born in Bois Mill, Chesham, in 1922 and moved to Chipperfield in 1928. For the 78 years he lived there he loved every minute of it. He left school at 14 and always kept an eye open for a way to provide for the family. He had a long list of jobs including milkman, tree feller and labourer, until he joined the Royal Marines in 1940. While in the Marines, Granddad served in North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, Mount Casino and, later on, in India. This will have involved some very scary moments I'm sure but the thrill of travelling, the friendships formed and the pride he took from serving his country more than made up for that.

Nan and Granddad married in 1945 during a week-end leave from the Marines. I've seen photos of them at the time and they made a very handsome couple. Their first home together was Inglenook on The Common in Chipperfield. After Aunty Wendy and Mum were born they moved into their house at Nunfield, where they lived for 43 years. After he left the Marines, Granddad went on to work at Heathrow Airport where he remained until he took early retirement in 1984.

My earliest memories of Granddad were formed in the house at Nunfield around that time. I recall, amongst many other examples of his DIY, the extravagant shelter he built for the dogs in the garden. That was a typical example of the lengths he would go to for his animals. Nan always said that if she had fur or feather, Granddad would have loved her even more. I know Jackie agrees with me that we've had some great times with both Nan and Granddad. I'm just sorry that Kellie and Andrew, the two grandchildren in Australia, were unable to spend more time with them both - although maybe that wasn't such a bad thing as they missed some of the more dangerous stunts Granddad taught Jackie and I (not that we complained).

As a young man Granddad enjoyed hunting and shooting but in later years he became more interested in the welfare of the local wildlife and he began providing food for the foxes, badgers and anything else which made its way into the garden. He was in his element when he and Nan moved to Scatterdells Lane, where they could both care for the wildlife and their livestock with all that entailed.

We're all afraid now that we'll never know the true story behind the missing finger. If you believed the stories he told us, it could have been anything from biting it off while enjoying a midnight feast in bed, to being subject to sniper fire while testing the wind direction in the trenches. I wonder if we'll ever get Nan to spill the beans …

Since passing my motorcycle test Granddad was always keen to advise me on how to best stay upright and safe, however, I always had to take that advice with a pinch of salt given the stories that he'd told me about his exploits. Highlights include the time he scared Aunty Alice on the way home from Aunty Di's wedding. He was happily riding down the road - little did he know that Alice, in the sidecar, was over on the pavement.

Something that I'll always remember about Granddad is that, even right up until the end, he would ask about how things were going for you and he'd remember the small details that you'd discussed previously. This always acted as a reminder that he spent a lot of his time thinking about others.

Granddad was always fun to be around and I'm sure you've all got stories about him to back that up. But to be part of his family was special and we were all very lucky to have had our lives touched by him.

David Seager


BARBARA PEARCE

Barbara died on 19 October aged 86, after living in Chipperfield for over 40 years.

Contact with people was vitally important to Barbara and she always maintained strong links with family members, former work colleagues, neighbours and her wide circle of friends, always ready to listen and help when needed. We shall miss our conversations with her, always spiced with her ready wit and great sense of humour. In losing Barbara, we lose a good friend.

A person with broad interests and abilities, Barbara made the most of life. A member of Chipperfield Choral Society for 40 years (serving as Chairman for a period), a helper with Chipperfield Care, enjoying opera and ballet at Covent Garden, skillful at upholstery and needlepoint (including helping to make kneelers for St. Paul’s Church), having a great love of nature and the surroundings of Chipperfield, owner of a much loved succession of dogs and cats, a keen gardener not only in her own large garden but also helping at the Gardens of the Rose, continuing her yoga and swimming and driving her car until very recently.

Barbara spent her working life almost entirely in hospital social work, having trained as an almoner just after the war. After working in what was then Shrodell’s Hospital (now Watford General) she moved to Edgware General Hospital where she became Principal Social Worker. Her particular interest was in work with older people and Edgware was a pioneer in forward-looking care. Barbara also contributed to wider policy issues relating to older people through active involvement in the British Association of Social Workers.


BILL CONGDON

Our very sincere thanks to all friends and family who made Bill’s service so special and for all the cards, flowers and donations for the Macmillan Nurses. All these things have made life a little easier during a very difficult time. God bless. Phyll Congdon, Shirley, David and Jackie.


CHIPPERFIELD WEBSITE

There seems to have been some speculation around the village that our website, run by Russ Evans, is about to be shut down. Nothing is further from the truth, though contributions to it have recently been at a low ebb. At present the web is kept up to date by a number of people including the Chipperfield News management who update the advertisements and organisational information. The Chairman of the Parish Council has asked for volunteers to contribute new web pages and someone to be the overall manager. I for one would welcome a replacement - a new broom who could persuade people to contribute. No skills are required, Russ does the technical bit, only a small amount of time regularly to chivvy people to update their organisation’s change of personnel/telephone numbers and preferably provide more information on their activity. Look up Youth Football on the website to see what I mean. Also what about contributing your views on the Bulletin Board. If you have a question please contact me on 019232699115.

Graham McMellin


YOUR GARDEN IN NOVEMBER

Now that we have dark evenings it is so easy to forget about the garden but there is a lot to do during November. Trees are losing their leaves and leaves need to be swept up and consigned to the compost heap. Paths and lawns must always be kept clear of leaves. Lawns will need their final cut before cleaning up and oiling the mower and arranging for a service before spring arrives. It is a bit late to feed lawns at this stage but, if no autumn fertilizer has been applied, a light dressing could be applied now; however if the ground is frozen then it is best to keep right off the grass. It's now time to tidy up the garden before winter sets in and to keep on top of the weeding. Lift the remaining rootcrop vegetables and dig the ground as soon as possible. Dig in farmyard manure where beans, peas, celery and brassicas are to be grown, but not where carrots and parsnips are to be planted. Now is the best time to sow broad beans but it's a bit late to plant the autumn special onion sets and brassicas but the season could be extended by using tunnel cloches. The greenhouse should be cleaned up prior to bringing in the tender plants for the winter; use Jeyes Fluid or Armillatox to disinfect staging and walls; and any remaining shading material will need to be removed. While the greenhouse is empty it's a good idea to burn a sulphur candle inside so that over-wintering pests and diseases are destroyed. Make sure that the heater is working and put up a skin of bubble plastic to help conserve the heat. Quite a number of shrubs can be propagated by hardwood cuttings. As they die down, herbaceous border plants need to be cut down and the beds covered with a light mulch. Leave grasses and plants with decorative heads until next spring and penstemmons should only be cut down in the spring. Tender perennials such as geraniums and fuchsias will need to be lifted and potted and taken inside for the winter months. Make sure that the less-hardly shrubs are protected against wind damage and check that trees are properly staked. Late-flowering clematis, some of the shrubs, fruiting currants and rambling roses will need some pruning. All the plant trimmings can go on to the compost heap and a sprinkling of Garotta will help speed up the composting process. Hosepipes should be put away for the winter and outside taps and pipework will need to be lagged. The pond will need cleaning and the electric pump should be dried and put in the shed for the winter. Large prunings which will not compost and any diseased plant material should go on the bonfire. This is the best month to plant bare-root hedging plants and raspberry canes. New season's roses should be ready for planting now and there is still time to plant spring-flowering bulbs and the whole mass of container-grown plants and autumn bedding plants.

Terry Simmonds


THINGS THAT GO POO IN THE NIGHT

Many people who walk across " our" footpath (from the Land Rover garage to Scatterdells Lane) have noticed the large number of small shallow pits that have been dug in recent weeks. They are 4 to 6 inches deep, some filled with dark coloured poo, but not all. These are the handywork of the local badger population, and judging by the number of pits and poo there must be quite a few about!

Badgers are very clean animals and always use latrines, as these pits are known. They use them as boundary markers, to tell other badgers this is their territory. They usually have one close to the sett, for convenience, and recently research has shown that they have them along trails that are used by more than one group of badgers. These trails often lead to easy food sources, perhaps where someone is regularly putting out food for them. I think our latrines come into this last category. The badgers can tell who is about from the different scents and how long ago they "passed" by! I am a bit mystified that they do not all contain poo, but I suppose they could dig up a worm or grub and use the hole on another visit.

We can tell what they have been eating by taking a closer look. At the moment Sloes seem to be top of the pops, the poos are full of Sloe stones. Some have raided someone's Sweet Corn and the dark bits contain a lot of beetle bodies. They also like worms and apple and pear windfalls. They take full advantage of autumn's bounty in an effort to put on weight for the winter. They do not hibernate as such but a good layer of fat means they do not have to go out in bad weather. A bit like stocking up the larder really.

Wendy Bathurst


A CENTURY OF GARDENING - PART TWO

From its modest beginnings in 1907, the firm of H. Simmonds and Sons had grown to become one of the largest nurseries in Hertfordshire by 1930. Trees and shrubs, conifers, fruit trees and herbaceous perennials were grown in rows in the fields which covered around 15 acres at the time. From Switzerland came the Simar Rototiller, a small 2-stroke rotary cultivator, which occupied the services of one of the men who, from dawn to dusk, would drive the machine along the rows between the plants. The first lorry was an American Chevrolet which was used to deliver orders of field-grown plants to customers during the planting season from November until March. Rose bushes, some 20,000 of them every year, were grown in a 5 acre field behind Braziers House and these had to be lifted during the planting season. With so many plants in production the firm became one of the two biggest employers in the area - the other was Waterhouse the builders.

Herbert and Jim Simmonds ran the nursery while Arthur developed the landscape gardening and financial side of the business. By the 1930's, Herbert and the boys had built a dozen or so glasshouses. These were traditional cucumber-style wooden houses heated by 4" water pipes, and bedding plants and pot plants with a catch crop of tomatoes were grown for the spring season. Alpines (rock plants) were grown in 3" clay flower pots in beds with paths made of railway sleepers. Orders were placed by some customers who visited the nursery, but most business was mail order. Herbert had for many years exhibited at most of the local flower shows where orders were placed by keen gardeners. Flower shows at that time were quite elaborate affairs and there were regular shows at Sarratt and Bovingdon. Here in Chipperfield the show was held in marquees erected in the grounds of Callipers Hall and surrounded by side shows, dancing, and the Dickinson Silver Band providing the music. One of the biggest shows in Hertfordshire was the annual Bushey Flower Show which took place on August Bank Holiday (the first Monday of that month in those days) and the firm frequently won the cup for the best trade exhibit in the show.

Terry Simmonds

(To be continued)