October 2005
Dacorum Borough Council's Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee met at 2.00pm on Monday 11 September to consider the application submitted by The Spirit Group Ltd on behalf of The Two Brewers. Twenty residents attended the meeting.
The application submitted covered the extension of hours to supply alcohol for consumption on and off the premises from 07.00 to 02.30 Monday to Sunday and the provision of live music, recorded music, "anything similar"(which includes karaoke) and facilities for dancing from 07.00 to 02.30 Monday to Sunday, with extensions of one hour on bank holiday weekends. The application also sought permission to provide late night refreshment (indoors only) from 23.00 to 03.30 Monday - Sunday, with a one hour extension on bank holidays.
In addition to the letter of objection sent by the Parish Council, DBC had received 135 letters from Chipperfield residents expressing their concerns and registering their objections to the proposals. All representations received (including the 135 letters) were reproduced in the agenda papers.
When invited by the Chairman of the Sub-Committee to present their application, the representative of The Spirit Group immediately withdrew their original application and submitted a revised application as follows:
Sunday - Thursday: last sale of alcohol 23.30; premises to close 24.00
Friday & Saturday: last sale of alcohol 24.00; premises to close 00.30
with a request for an additional hour on Christmas Eve and an additional
30 minutes on the Saturday and Sunday preceding each Bank Holiday Monday
(i.e. Bank Holiday Saturday: last sale 24.30; premises to close 01.00,
Bank Holiday Sunday: last sale 24.00; premises to close 00.30).
It appears that the revised times had been prepared following consultation between The Spirit Group and Hertfordshire Constabulary. As no formal notification of the change was made to Dacorum Borough Council, (although they had received copies of e-mails from The Spirit Group and Herts. Police with details of the proposed changes), Chipperfield Parish Council was assured that the revised application would not be considered by the Sub-Committee. However, the Chairman decided that the revised application would be considered.
In view of the significant changes between the original and revised application, the Chairman granted a ten minute recess for us to consider our response. Despite hurried consultation, we failed to marshal any additional arguments allowed under the four licensing objectives, which are: 1) the prevention of crime and disorder 2) public safety 3)the prevention of public nuisance 4) the protection of children from harm.
Phil Waine read a pre-prepared statement on behalf of residents and several of us refuted claims made by The Spirit Group's representative. However, the only concession we obtained was the removal of karaoke from permitted live entertainment.
As I understand it, from November The Two Brewers are permitted to remain open for an additional hour on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and an additional 30 minutes from Mondays to Thursdays.
Although it appears that we were out-manoeuvred by The Spirit Group, I am convinced that if the Parish Council had not received such tremendous support from residents, The Spirit Group would not have changed their original application. I am most grateful to everyone who wrote to Dacorum Borough Council registering their objections.
At the Parish Council Meeting held on the evening of 12 September, members agreed unanimously to question the Licensing Sub-Committee's decision to allow the revised application to be considered without due notice having been received. Members also agreed to seek legal advice on the validity of the licence granted in these circumstances. All future developments will be published in Chipperfield News.
Liz Holliday, Chairman, Chipperfield Parish Council
SUPPORT FOR VILLAGE GROUPS
ANY village organisation that wishes to apply for grant aid towards their costs for the financial year 2006-2007 should contact the Parish Clerk (01923 263310) for an application form which must be completed and returned to her by 15 October. All applications will be considered by the Parish Council before preparing the budget for next year.
The Parish Council has a small amount of money still available to meet requests this year and would be pleased to hear from any group which needs immediate help.
CHIPPERFIELD WEB SITE
The Chipperfield web site has been in operation for nearly two years now and has been used extensively to provide information and to pass views on local issues. However a web site is only useful if the information it contains is up to date. Russ and Graham (but mainly Russ) attempt to keep the site current but can only do so with your co-operation. Please look at the detail it contains especially about the clubs and organisations and see if it is correct. If you do not have access to the internet ask someone who has to verify the details. There are easy links to use on the site to pass corrections to Russ or Graham or use the phone at 01923 269915. Changes are normally actioned within two days.
WARNING TO DOG WALKERS
In the past two months there have been four thefts from cars left un-locked on the church car park by dog walkers.
Be warned! Opportunist thieves watch for just such behaviour. Lock your car (doors and boot) before you leave it and take all valuables with you.
MY WAR by Ron Petherick To mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War 2, the editors invited Ron Petherick to record his experiences while serving in the army in France, Africa, Palestine and Italy between 1938 and 1945. >>>>
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
SERVICE AT THE VILLAGE WAR MEMORIAL
This year is the 60th anniversary of the end of World War 2 and is probably one of the last occasions when many surviving veterans are fit enough to attend the Memorial Service held at the village War Memorial in November. Therefore the Parish Council proposes that in addition to the wreaths laid by the British Legion and the Parish Council, two additional wreaths should be laid in memory of members of the Fire and Rescue Services and the women's' organisations (e.g. Land Army and WRVS) who contributed so much during the conflict.
I should be grateful if any resident who served in the Fire Service or one of the Rescue Services and another who served in one of the women's' organisations and is willing to represent their past colleagues by laying a wreath in their memory, would contact me during October. Alternatively, if any resident is the son or daughter of someone who served in this way, I should be pleased to hear from them.
Liz Holliday (01923 267483)
VILLAGE PEOPLE
Congratulations and best wishes to ELLA JOHNSON, previously of New Road, Chipperfield, now resident of Meresworth Residential Care Home, Rickmansworth, who celebrated her 100th BIRTHDAY on 31 August.
Ella was a resident of Chipperfield for 30 years from the mid 1960s to the mid 1990s. During that time she took part actively in village life, delivering Meals on Wheels, running the Coronation Club for a time and was a member of Chipperfield Afternoon W.I.
Congratulations to DOMINIC HOGAN and CAMILLA TOMINEY who were married in Harpenden on 27 August.
Congratulations to RICHARD MILLER and HANNAH DI MAMBRO of Holly Cottage, Kings Lane who were married on 19 August in St. Paul's Church. The reception was held at Hunton Park.
Congratulations and best wishes to CAROL PETHERICK (daughter of Ron and Joyce) and RICHARD HOLROYD who were married on 27 August at their home at Cawarral, Queensland, Australia. Brother DAVID and sister-in-law KAY attended the ceremony as witnesses.
Ruby Wedding congratulations to BARBARA and TERRY WAKEMAN who celebrate 40 years of marriage on 9 October.
CHIPPERFIELD TENNIS CLUB ANNUAL TOURNAMENT
Once again a very busy but enjoyable weekend of tennis was enjoyed and as usual the juniors showed the adults how the game should be played! Congratulations to the following:
JUNIORS Winners: Josh Reynolds & Seb Leaper
Runners- up: Cameron Wheeler & Seth Cunningham
TEENAGERS Winners: Ben Hug & Jack Foskett
Runners- up: Matthew Barton & George Slager
LADIES Winners: Ruth Dicker & Kath Weir
Runners- up: Des Swainson & Sarah-Jayne Botteril
MENS Winners: Martyn Dicker & Chris Panayi
Runners- up: Andrew Jackson & Paul Boyle
THE DANCE PLACE
The Dance Place once again has been really successful in I.S.T.D Dance and L.A.M.D.A. Drama examinations. Congratulations to all of you.
If there is anyone between the ages of 5 and 18 who would like to join us, why not come and see us? You would be most welcome. We are putting on a show in late October. Phone me on 01923 269402 - I look forward to hearing from you. Di Malin
ST PAUL'S AND HOLY CROSS.
As I sit down to write, (in early September), the aftermath of the tragedy which overtook New Orleans and the surrounding area continues to dominate the news. The loss of life, and the behaviour of some will have appalled us: acts of love and compassion will have warmed us, and the call to help not lost on us. It has exposed yet again the vulnerability and fragility of life; a shock to us in the western world, where our sense of competence and ability to control, is perhaps too inflated.
Deep issues lurk beneath the surface, which perhaps we are afraid to address with real seriousness. How is it that God (if God is around, and loves, and is almighty) allow all this? It happens time and time again around the world - this time though a little closer to "home".
Facts are important: obviously these things happen. Much less understood is that the evidence for the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, is vastly superior to that for any other figure in Ancient History (what one might expect if this were the ultimate revelation of the Creator to His creatures!). He is to be reckoned with: the Creator's sacrificial love, uniquely and deeply demonstrated.
Now we know we live on a dynamic planet - it continues to evolve. We also know that how we behave affects it. If we pollute a stream, we kill the fish. We are discovering that the way as the human race we relate together, and thus determine how natural resources are used, impacts upon our climate. Christian faith teaches that the way the human race has flown in the face of the Creator has impacted upon the physical workings of the world! The whole is "out of joint". If we are given the gifts of creativity and responsibility under the creative genius of God, and we ignore Him, perhaps it should not surprise us when things go tragically wrong.
A child who puts his finger in the fire - ignoring wise parental guidance- does not forfeit a parent's love, but does get his finger burnt, with consequences all round!
So perhaps events like hurricane Katrina, and all that has gone with it, call us to think seriously about how we relate to our Creator, and suggest that as we are active about doing that better, we might improve the level of love, compassion and care which human society locally and globally so much needs, and so make our world a safer, happier and better place for all. With my greetings, Jim Stevens
ST PAUL'S PARISH REGISTERS
We welcome into the family of God's Church:
Rebecca Jane Brook - 28 August, Sheena Webb - 28 August
We ask God's blessing on the marriage of:
Richard James Miller & Hannah Mary Rose Di Mambro - 19 August
Warren Stuart Hobbs & Louise Francis Kenny - 27 August
We commend to God's merciful keeping:
Frederick Henry Kemp - 20 August, Eva Doris Kemp - 20 August
THE BAPTIST CHURCH
The fantastic response to our Flower Festival was overwhelming and we do give grateful thanks to all those who supported us by coming to see the lovely floral displays (and enjoying the lunches and cream teas!) Some told others, and even came back with other friends. Our flower arrangers never cease to amaze us with their ingenuity and talent, and always seem to enjoy the really hard work putting their arrangements together. Thanks to them all.
Our "Songs of Praise" was well supported and we were so grateful to Rev. Noel Pepper, associated with our church for many years, for leading the service and to John Elton who played the organ so splendidly.
We are now looking to our Church Anniversary service on October 16th when Rev. Joe Kapolyo will be taking the service to which we invite you at 10.30am!
NORAH BURLEY 1928 - 2005
John, Shirley and Brian would like to thank everyone in the village for their support following the sad loss of Norah Burley (Wills).
Norah was born and lived her life in the village, where she was well- known and well- liked, often seen on her bicycle or walking and talking to folk.
Her funeral service was conducted by Rev. Pepper in the Baptist Church to a very full house.
We would like to thank Malcolm Durrant for securing the use of the Cricket Club Pavilion for the wake and a big thank-you to Anita, Anne and Sonya for looking after the hungry guests.
Special thanks to Sarah and Neil of Stanley's Stores who have placed a bench with a plaque to Norah's memory outside their shop. Next time you visit Stanley's Sores and feel tired, take time to sit and relax as Norah used to. She would be so pleased to know that her seat is in good use.
We should also like to thank all those who contributed so generously to Breast Cancer Research in Norah's memory.
TRAIDCRAFT AT ST PAUL'S
Traidcraft is part of the MAKE POVERTY HISTORY alliance and was established in 1979 to fight poverty through trade. By selling products and providing support Traidcraft helps workers and farmers across Africa, Asia and Latin America build a better future for themselves, their families and their communities.
The charity, Traidcraft Exchange, has been involved in setting up trading companies and facilitating links between poor producers and international buyers and demonstrating that it is possible to run a good business without exploiting people. Producers often lack the knowledge and skills to access markets and they are provided with information, training and consultancy.
Poor producers have to overcome huge barriers - including the rules that govern world trade. Traidcraft's experience enables them to talk with authority to governments and big business about the need for change and how it can be achieved. Its supporters underpin this by campaigning and raising awareness.
Doubt is often expressed about whether help gets where it is needed. Traidcraft encourages its supporters to go and see for themselves by arranging People to People tours - meeting producers, visiting sites of historical and cultural interest and experiencing the countryside and wildlife.
Thousands of people across the UK support the mission of fighting poverty through trade - buying products, running Traidcraft stalls, giving talks or making a donation to the charity.
On Sunday 16 October there will be a Traidcraft sale at St Paul's after the 10.30 Communion service. If you would like a catalogue or more information about Traidcraft please telephone 01923 262468.
THIS MONTH IN YOUR GARDEN
The autumn colours are at their best this month, yet it is already time to put in bulbs and plants so that the garden will be full of colour next spring. For the beds and borders there are daffodils and tulips, hyacinths, crocus and snowdrops. Dwarf tulips, scillas, winter aconites, chionodoxa, anemones and irises are fine in rock gardens and sink gardens. All these can be planted now but always plant the taller bulbs quite deep so that they do not fall over when they flower. Hyacinths can be planted in bowls for use indoors: use bulb fibre and choose prepared bulbs for really early flowering, keeping the bowls in the dark until shoots are about an inch high.
Wallflowers and sweet williams are planted now and so too are primroses, pansies, polyanthus and the half-hardy small cyclamen. Now is the time to plant up your hanging baskets with winter pansies, primroses, ivies and trailing plants.
Lawns will still need to be cut regularly but now is the time to apply an autumn grass fertilizer and lawn dressing. They should also be aerated and scarified. Hedges will need a final trim. Roses should still be sprayed regularly and given a final feed. Many herbaceous perennials will be past their best now and with the exception of penstemmons can be cut down. Lavendera and a number of shrubs should be lightly trimmed. All the 'clippings' will make good compost especially if a little Garotta is added to the compost heap or container. Borders can be mulched with manure, organic compost or bark chips. Tubers of dahlias and cannas should be lifted once the plants have died down: these should be dusted with sulphur and stored in a frost-free place until next spring.
In the vegetable garden it is time to harvest potatoes and root crops. It is also time to plant the early onion sets and to start digging and manuring the ground ready for broad beans which should be sown next month. There is still time to do a final sowing of lettuce and radish.
Now is the best time to sow sweet peas in the greenhouse so that the plants will be ready to put out next spring. Before doing this, if it is possible to empty the greenhouse completely, sterilizing with a sulphur candle will be extremely beneficial.
It is also the time to apply weedkiller such as Glyphosate to persistent weeds like ground elder, just before the plants die down for the winter.
October is a wonderful month in the garden with autumn colour at its best on trees such as the liquidamber and shrubs like the Japanese acers, blueberries, Rhus typhina and the brilliant Euonymus alatus. Do have a look at these plants and the wonderful berried shrubs that make autumn so special. Terry Simmonds
WALK FOR HOPE - 2 OCTOBER - HATFIELD HOUSE
Help us to raise awareness of kidney disease and organ donation by taking part in the Walk for Hope in the grounds of Hatfield House, on Sunday 2nd October 2005.
There are two routes starting and finishing at the house. Walkers will have a choice of a 3.5-mile family route and a more challenging 6-mile route, which takes in the peace and tranquillity of the 42-acre park.
The registration fee is £5.00 per walker, and although there is no minimum sponsorship, we encourage walkers to raise as much sponsorship as they can. Proceeds will be used to further the work of The National Kidney Research Fund and help improve the lives of people living with kidney disease. At present there are 2.5 million people in the UK with chronic kidney disease and some 35,000 are on renal replacement therapies, which include dialysis and transplantation. As yet, there are still no cures.
Community Fundraising Manager, Elizabeth Wright, says, "We are delighted that the Marquess of Salisbury has granted the Fund permission to hold the walk in the grounds of this beautiful house. We hope that people will take advantage of this unique opportunity to visit and raise money for a worthy cause."
If you would like to register, or require further information, please contact our events team on 0800 783 2973 or visit www.nkrf.org.uk
AUTUMN AIR SHOW AT DUXFORD
The last major UK air show of the year will be held on Sunday 16 October at Duxford. It will be a wonderful opportunity to see some air show favourites for the last time this year and will include aircraft from 1930s to the present day.Tickets cost £20 (adult), £15 (Senior Citizen), £8 (children), £8 (concessions). Call to book on 01223 499353 or buy online at www.iwm.org.uk/duxford
Duxford is at Junction 10 of the M11, about 30 minutes from M25 and is open daily to 29 October until 6.00pm (last admission 5.15pm) and in winter from 10.00am-4.00pm
NEWS FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL
Road drains and gullies
Hertfordshire Highways plan to clean out all road drains and gullies during November. As they cannot confirm dates at this stage, please ensure that no vehicles are parked over road drains for any length of time during the day as this will prevent access. Please report to the Parish Clerk any road drains outside or near your premises that appear to be blocked by grass, soil or leaves so they can be dug out prior to cleaning.
Chipperfield Common Woodland Walk
This has traditionally taken place in the autumn. Phillip Russell, the Woodlands Officer who usually leads the walk, has now left DBC to take up a forestry post in New Zealand. His replacement will not be appointed for some weeks and the annual walk has therefore been postponed until the spring next year.
New litter bins and notice boards Residents will be aware that replacement litter bins have, at last, been installed throughout the village. The type selected, with lids, is to prevent animals, birds and the wind from scattering the contents over the village. Unfortunately, DBC is having problems engaging contractors to erect our new notice boards. We are assured they are "coming soon".
Village craftsmen required
The Parish Council is having great difficulty finding firms or craftsmen willing to undertake minor maintenance jobs round the village. (e.g. repairing the finger-post sign on The Common and the bench at Apostles Pond). If there are any local firms, local craftsmen or people (still at work or retired) capable of undertaking this kind of basic repair work, please contact the Parish Clerk. You will be asked to give an estimate for the cost of the work required and provide a simple invoice on completion, prior to payment. The Parish Council know that residents are concerned about the appearance of our village and would like to employ local people to work with us to achieve a high standard of general maintenance.
Chapel Croft
Herts Highways have almost completed work renovating the corner of Chapel Croft and Kings Lane. We await the new notice boards from DBC! The double yellow lines and waiting restrictions are now in force and this should improve safety for both pedestrians and cars.