EASTWICK AND GILSTON PARISH MAGAZINE

Places For People - Consultation Events

Saturday 9th September 11am – 3pm Plume of Feathers, Pye Corner, Gilston

Gilston and Eastwick residents an event not to be missed This is all about our future and of our villages.

Friday 15th September 12pm- 5pm Broad Walk, Town Centre, Harlow CM20 1JA

Saturday 16th September 10am – 3pm Manor of Groves, , , HertsCM21 0JU

For any enquiries contact: Tel: 0844 800 2441/email [email protected] +++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++

East District Plan (2011-2033) Public Examination Council Chamber, East Herts Council, Wallfields, Pegs Lane, SG13 8EQ Part I will take place over a three week period starting at 10am on 3rd October and finishing on 30th October. The second stage is scheduled to start on Tuesday 7th November and finish 10th November. The Gilston Area document will be on WEDNESDAY 8TH NOVEMBER. All residents are most welcome to attend and give support. More information on East Herts web site.

SEPTEMBER 2017

KNOW YOUR COUNCILLORS PARISH WEB SITE: eastwickandgilston.org.uk STOP HARLOW NORTH GROUP: stopharlownorth.com NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN SITE: hegnp.org.uk

EASTWICK AND GILSTON PARISH COUNCILLORS

CHAIRMAN VICE CHAIRMAN MARK ORSON SPIKE HUGHES TIM GEDDES 01279 453257 [email protected] 01279 437010 [email protected] [email protected]

LUCILLE BEAZLEY ROBERT WIGHTWICK 01279 443894 [email protected] [email protected]

EAST HERTS HERTFORDSHIRE PARISH CLERK DISTRICT COUNCILLOR COUNTY COUNCILLOR CHRISTINE LAW ROBERT BRUNTON Eric Buckmaster 01279 411646 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 07578 170303 write to: 9 Church Cottages, Gilston, Herts CM20 2RH

EASTWICK AND GILSTON PARISH COUNCIL

NEXT MEETING

MONDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2017

8.00PM

VILLAGE HALL, PYE CORNER GILSTON

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE BUSINESS MEETING WE WILL HAVE A 10-15 MINUTE SLOT WHERE MEM- BERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO ADDRESS THE PARISH COUNCIL ON COUNCIL MATTERS. AFTER THIS, THE PUBLIC ARE ASKED TO PLEASE BE SILENT SO THAT THE PARISH COUNCIL CAN HOLD THEIR MEETING. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ALLOWED TO BE PRESENT DURING OUR MEETING BUT ARE NOT AL- LOWED TO PARTICIPATE. AGENDA FOR ALL PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS CAN BE FOUND ON ONE OF OUR VILLAGE NOTICE BOARDS – IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE REPORTS THAT ARE NOT WITH THE AGENDAS (DUE TO LACK OF SPACE) PLEASE CONTACT THE CLERK.

------DRAFT -Parish Council meeting of Monday 10th July 2017 at 8.00pm, Village Hall, Pye Corner, Gilston

PRESENT: Cllr Beazley, Geddes, Hughes, Orson, Wightwick, Christine Law (Parish Clerk), Robert Brunton (District Councillor), Eric Buckmaster (County Councillor), 4 members of the public.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: a. Fly Tipping – complaints were raised concerning the increased incidence of fly tipping particu- larly in the St Mary’s Church, Gilston area. The Clerk informed the meeting that East Herts Council only clears waste from roadside verges or Council property and if waste is tipped on private land it is the landowner’s responsibility to clear. There will be an item in the August magazine with more information for residents. The Clerk will speak to the land agent and ten- ant farmer to see if the Parish Council can help in any way. b. Gilston Area Workshop – there was discussion around what can be done to encourage more participation from residents in District Plan consultation workshops. It was noted that all meet- ings are publicised and outcomes reported. There was a suggestion that wider use of social media should be considered to improve visibility of events. It was asked if we can obtain a full set of the maps as presented at the last workshop to make available to residents. The Clerk will write to Places for People requesting A1 copies of maps and presentation material. c. District Plan Examination in Public [EIP] - The Parish Council expects to be represented and participate in the District Plan EIP but this is still to be confirmed as is the date for the EIP [likely October 2017]. d. Terlings Park – for information only. It was reported that Bloor Homes and Miller Homes will be leaving the site by the end of July.

Business meeting started at 8.30pm.

19. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE a. None received. 20. TO RECEIVE COUNCILLOR’S DECLARATION OF INTERESTS a. None given. 21. CO-OPTION OF PARISH COUNCILLOR a. Robert Wightwick was co-opted to the Parish Council. 22. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL a. Minutes of the Annual Meeting of 8th May 2017 were proposed by Cllr Hughes and seconded by Cllr Beazley. The minutes signed as a true record by Chairman Cllr Orson. b. Minutes of the business meeting of 8th May 2017 were proposed by Cllr Beazley and seconded by Cllr Hughes. The minutes signed as a true record by Chairman Cllr Orson.

23. ACCOUNTS a. The Councils written accounts summary had been distributed before the meeting and were ac- cepted by full council. (Appendix 1). b. Zurich Insurance- it was agreed to renew the council insurance for another year at the sum of £257.60. c. HAPTC Transparency Fund. The Clerk informed the meeting that a grant for £332.53 has been received. Items a-b were proposed by Cllr Geddes and seconded by Cllr Hughes and agreed by full council.

24. PLANNING AND ASSOCIATED APPLICATIONS a. Gilston Area, North of Harlow – Request for a Scoping Opinion – This document has been re- viewed and no comments made. b. 15 Channocks Lane, Gilston – the applicant has taken this planning application to appeal and the appeal has been granted. c. 36 Pye Corner, Gilston – Two storey side and single storey rear extension – planning permis- sion has been granted with conditions. d. 19 School Cottages, Gilston – the applicant has taken this planning application to appeal and the appeal has been dismissed. 25. STOP HARLOW NORTH CAMPAIGN a. Cllr Hughes stated that preparation for the EIP is underway but there is nothing new to report. Awaiting the dates of the EIP. 26. PARISH PATHS a. Nothing to report. 27. NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN a. Cllr Orson informed the meeting that the Neighbourhood Plan needs to fit within the District Plan and until this is approved we cannot make more progress. The Neighbourhood Plan Group are continuing to meet and are engaged with the District Plan consultation process and working on preparation for the EIP on behalf of the Parish Council. b. The designated area for our joint Neighbourhood Plan with is defined by the parish boundaries of Hunsdon and Eastwick & Gilston. Hunsdon is facing a number of new planning applications for housing development in their village and will need to make faster progress on their Hundson Village Neighbourhood Plan than might be possible with the scope of the current designated area. Hunsdon village will therefore need to be treated separately to the District Plan proposal for the Gilston Area that overlaps both parishes and the villages of Eastwick and Gil- ston. It was agreed to support the proposal to separate Hunsdon Village from the current Neighbour- hood Plan designated area and to continue working with Hunsdon on the Gilston Area that overlaps both parishes. As the villages of Eastwick and Gilston are contained [currently] by Green Belt there are not the same immediate issues with planning applications in this area and no other action is needed.

28. HIGHWAYS a. Cllr Beazley informed the meeting that she has met with representative from Highways and is waiting for their response on the following matters: i. Improving speed calming measures through Pye Corner. ii. Provision of speed calming measures through the village of Eastwick. iii. Provision of lighting on the footpath from Terlings Park to the Dusty Miller. iv. Extending the 50mph limit on the A414 from the Acorn Street junction to Eastwick Lodge roundabout. 29. VILLAGE SIGNS a. Cllr Orson informed the meeting that progress is being made on the artwork and will report in detail at the November meeting. 30. NEW HOMES BONUS a. The suggestions we have had to date are: i. Notice board for Terlings residents at Burnt Mill Lane entrance to the site. ii. Revision of the street furniture at Pye Corner especially the safety barrier. iii. Clearing of weeds and the resurfacing of the footpath through Pye Corner. iv. Traffic calming within the village of Eastwick. 31. ADOPT A KIOSK a. The Community Heartbeat Trust charity (CHT) help communities turn their adopted telephone boxes into medical centres, by using them as homes for Public Access Defibrillators. Cllr Hughes reported that he has made an application for the redundant phone box at Pye Corner and will do the same for the phone box in the village of Eastwick. 32. CORRESPONDENCE a. East Herts – Physical Activity Strategy consultation. 33. ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN FOR IN- FORMATION ONLY. a. None. 34. ITEMS COUNCILLORS WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE NEXT AGENDA a. None. 35. DATE OF NEXT MEETING a. Date of next meeting is Monday 11th September 2017. b. Apologies were given for this meeting by Cllr Orson and Cllr Wightwick

Meeting closed at 9.00pm.

------EASTWICK AND GILSTON PARISH ACCOUNTS 2016-2017 Bank Accounts as of 31.3.2016 Balance as of 30.6.2017 Current£ 4,565.41 £ 2,322.22 Reserve£ 6,426.41 £ 16,459.22 less uncashed cheques£ - £ - TOTAL£ 10,991.82 £ 18,781.44 Income and Expenditure for the period 22nd February - 30 June 2017 DATE PAYMENT DETAILS METHOD OF EXPENDITRE INCOME TOTAL MADE/RESOLUTION PAYMENT BALANCE 22nd February VAT refund income£ 551.41 £ 19,523.75 28th February Nat West- Interest income£ 0.13 £ 19,523.88 1st March Mrs Law - Salary SO£ 197.60 £ 19,326.28 7th March Shogun Print bacs£ 198.00 £ 19,128.28 20th March Shogun Print bacs£ 152.00 £ 18,976.28 23rd March Village Hall chq 564£ 210.00 £ 18,766.28 30th March SuffolkA LC bacs£ 60.00 £ 18,706.28 31st March Nat West- Interest income£ 0.14 £ 18,706.42 1st April Mrs Law - Salary SO£ 197.60 £ 18,508.82 1st April Petty Cash bacs£ 200.00 £ 18,308.82 18th April D Buxton - wm bacs£ 40.00 £ 18,268.82 25th April Shogun Print bacs£ 175.00 £ 18,093.82 28th April EHDC 1/2 precept income£ 2,450.00 £ 20,543.82 28th April Nat West- Interest income£ 0.13 £ 20,543.95 2nd May Mrs Law - Salary SO£ 197.60 £ 20,346.35 9th May HAPTC bacs£ 365.90 £ 19,980.45 9th May Mrs Law - back pay bacs£ 5.08 £ 19,975.37 25th May Mr Orson - plants bacs£ 184.94 £ 19,790.43 25th May D Buxton - wm bacs£ 40.00 £ 19,750.43 25th May D Buxton - planters bacs£ 40.00 £ 19,710.43 25th May Shogun Print - June magbacs£ 152.00 £ 19,558.43 25th May Shogun Print - An Repbacs£ 122.00 £ 19,436.43 31st May Nat West- Interest income£ 0.15 £ 19,436.58 1st June Mrs Law - Salary SO£ 200.14 £ 19,236.44 19th June D Buxton - planters bacs£ 40.00 £ 19,196.44 22nd June D Buxton - wm bacs£ 40.00 £ 19,156.44 23rd June Shogun Print - July bacs£ 175.00 £ 18,981.44 30th June Nat West- Interest income£ 0.14 £ 18,981.58 3rd July Mrs Law - Salary SO£ 200.14 £ 18,781.44 GRANTS PARISH PATH BENCHES TRANSPARENCY CODE Grant Received 24.12.15£ 826.22 Grant Received Computer - spent 2015/2016 -£ 728.98 29.8.2012£ 724.50 VAT reclaimed£ 121.49 Spent 2014/2015 -£ 441.48 Grant Received 13.6.16£ 325.04 Spent in 2016 -£ 325.04 Balance£ 342.17 Balance£ 218.73 VILLAGE PLANTERS Grant Received 19.11.2014£ 5,000.00 Spent 2015/2016 -£ 2,115.20 VAT reclaimed£ 219.43 Spent 2016/2017 -£ 624.49 25.5.17 Plants -£ 184.94 Maintenance -£ 40.00 Maintenance -£ 40.00 Balance£ 2,214.80

CONSULTATION ON THE FUTURE OF CHILDREN’S CENTRES, HEALTH VISITING AND SCHOOL NURSING SERVICES IN HERTFORDSHIRE

Hertfordshire County Council has launched a formal consultation on the future of children’s centre, health vis- iting and school nursing services. The purpose of the consultation is to consult the views of service users, staff and key partners, on the development of ‘Family Centres’ in Hertfordshire. As this may be relevant to your work we would like to encourage you to have your say by completing the consultation, and promoting it to any colleagues or families you may work with.

The link to the consultation is: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/familycentreconsultation

The consultation will close on Wednesday 20 September 2017, and the county council will be proactively en- couraging residents to complete the survey through attending a variety of family events over the summer and promoting the consultation via social media.

Should you have any further queries or comments, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us via our central email address: [email protected]

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HERTFORDSHIRE CONSTABULARY LOCAL POLICE: HERTFORDSHIRE CONSTABULARY

Emergency no: 999 Non emergency call: 101 or 01707 354000 Police Constable working out of Bishops Stortford is PC Nicola Hunt 334 Telephone no: 0801707 354192 E-mail: [email protected] or www.herts.police.uk

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FAULTY ROAD SURFACE?

To help us keep Hertfordshire’s roads up to scratch we need YOU to let us know when things are not right! So whether it’s a pothole, pavement problem, faulty streetlight, icy road or any other highway fault, go to: www.hertsdirect.org/highwayfaults or call: 03001234047 Customer Call Centre – Hertfordshire Highways Fault line.

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GILSTON AND EASTWICK VILLAGE HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Chairman: Mr Patrick Wood 419838 V Chairman/Trustee: Mr Keith Harvey 410435 Booking Officer/Trustee Treasurer: Mr Trevor Brown 423676 Trustee: Mr David Jackson 419404

For any bookings and queries about the Village Hall please contact the Bookings Officer on the telephone number above.

Benefice of High Wych and Gilston with Eastwick Services for SEPTEMBER 2017

3rd September Trinity 12 8.00 Parish Eucharist St James, High Wych Readings- Jeremiah 15:15-21, Romans 12: (BCP) 9-21, Matthew 16:21-28 9.30am Family Service St James, High Wych Reading – Matthew 16:21-28 7th September Thursday 11.00am Holy Communion St James, High Wych 10th September Trinity 13 9.30am Parish Eucharist St James, High Wych Readings – Ezekiel 33:7-11, Romans 13:8- REV GILES LAST SERVICE 14, Matthew 18:15-20 No Gilston Service 14th September Thursday 11.00am Holy Communion St James, High Wych 17th September Trinity 14 9.30am Parish Eucharist St James, High Wych Readings – Genesis 50:15-21, Romans 14:1- 12, Matthew 18:21-35 21st September Thursday 11.00am Holy Communion St James, High Wych 24th September Trinity 15 9.30am Parish Eucharist St James, High Wych Readings – Jonah 3:10- 4:11, Philippians 1:21- 30, Matthew 20:1-16 11.15am Parish Eucharist St Botolph, Eastwick Readings – Jonah 3:10- 4:11, Philippians 1:21- 30, Matthew 20:1-16 6.30pm Harvest Thanksgiv- St Mary’s, Gilston Readings- Deuteronomy 28.1-14, 2 Corinthians ing 9.6-15, Luke 12.16-30 28th September Thursday 11.00am Holy Communion St James. High Wych 29th September Friday 3.00pm Wedding of Sarah Haley & Joseph Matheron 1st October Trinity 16 8.00am Parish Eucharist St James, High Wych Readings- Deuteronomy 28.1-14, 2 Corinthians (BCP) 9.6-15, Luke 12.16-30 9.30am Harvest Family St James, High Wych Readings- Deuteronomy 28.1-14, 2 Corinthians Service 9.6-15, Luke 12.16-30

RECTOR: Rev Anthony Giles, The Rectory, High Wych, Sawbridgeworth ([email protected]) 01279 726476 READERS: Joy Galliers-Burridge, Readers, 41 Hart Road, Old Harlow, CM17 0HL 01279 444870 Roger Burridge, Readers, 41Hart Road, Old Harlow, Essex CM17 0HL 01279 444870 Judith Denton, Path Cottage, High Wych Lane, CM21 0JP 01279 723714

CHURCH WARDEN: Sarah Bagnall 01279 441644

SECRETARY: Mrs Lois Smith 01279 431123 TREASURER: Mrs Hazel Scorah 01279 41806

RECTOR’S SEPTEMBER LETTER

Old rectors never die, they just…..(answers on a port card please)

I have spent a number of years pondering how to end that phrase. The original was “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.” It comes from a World War 1 barrack room song and was a parody of the hymn, “Kind words never die”. I know a version for teachers, one of my previous professions, “Old teachers never die, they just lose their class”, but I have yet to find one for clergy.

What actually happens to retired clergy is that after a suitable break of a few months they choose the church that they which to be attached to, once they have moved to new accommodation elsewhere, and then apply to the bishop for Permission to Officiate (PtO). That gives us the ability to continue functioning as priests but without being responsible for running a parish. That is what I shall be doing from mid- September. I have a house in Garden City which my son has been living in since I came to High Wych. He has now moved on so I can have a free hand in getting the house ready for the next major event in my life, getting married to a lady called Helen in April 2018. We are hoping to have an extension built on the house so that will keep me occupied for a few months.

Thereafter I am sure I will find plenty to keep me busy. Last year I realized a childhood dream by buying a 5 x 4 field camera. “5 x 4” (inches, the size of the negative – old fashion film, black and white or colour). You focus the picture on a ground glass screen with your head under a light tight cloth. You can buy digital backs for them but I have yet to grow enough arms and legs to pay for one. Also, I did once write a novel which my sons were very scathing about. I might try to resurrect it and see if I can con a publisher into making me the next J K Rowling (I can dream!).

As far as church involvement is concerned, I want Helen to have a good look at the churches in Letchworth before we decide where to settle. When I last lived there I was involved in setting up Churches Together in Letchworth, so I would like to get around to worship with a many of the different churches as possible, some- thing I could not do as a part-time priest in a parish in vacancy. Once all that is done I may be a few years older than I am now and ready to slow down a bit.

What will happen in this benefice and its three churches? At time of writing the crystal ball is a bit misty. Maybe, by the time I leave things will be a bit clearer. The churches will be in the very able hands of Jan, Jean and Sarah, the Church Wardens, backed up by Roger, Joy and Judith, our Readers, and supported by the other members of the Parochial Church Councils, Archdeacon Janet and Bishop Michael.

You will all be in my thoughts and prayers for a very long time, particularly as we all wait to see what will happen in Gilston and Eastwick and the effect it has on the whole area. I would like to thank everyone, inside or outside the church who has helped to make my ministry here enjoyable and, I hope, productive. I may sneak back from time to time. I would like to get a photograph of St James’ new roof with my new camera but I have to wait until the lime trees are pollarded again. If you see someone with his head under a cloth peering into the back of a large camera, do say hello. It may be me.

I look forward to seeing all of you at my final service at 9.30 am on Sunday 10th September at St James’ Church, part of the Scarecrow and Flower Festival.

Anthony Giles, Rector.

From the Registers Baptisms Date Church Name 6th August Gilston Lily Ann Powell

Funerals Date Service Location Name 4th August Funeral & Cremation Gilston & Parndon Wood Joyce Kathleen Moore

Eastwick and Gilston Neighbourhood Watch

Dear Neighbour,

Neighbourhood Watch is one of the biggest and most successful crime prevention initiatives ever. Now involving more than 120,000 households in Hertfordshire, it is based on the simple idea that you and your neighbours can help to reduce crime and create a safer and better place to live, work and play. It is also a means of keeping an eye on the vulnerable, elderly and disabled.

The OWL system is a personal computer based alerting system to provide communities with a timely warning of local crime. It is invaluable when a distraction burglary takes place or a bogus caller is reported in the neighbourhood, to warn residents of recent serious crimes in the locality or if a suspicious car is seen outside a school. Alerts and crime prevention advice will be sent to you by electronic mail, from the local policing team.

Also joining the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme is free and some insurance companies offer reductions on house insurance if you are a member. We are recruiting for a volunteer Area Coordinator to organise and manage the watches. Various street coordinators are also required. Training on the OWL system will be given.

Join Neighbourhood Watch and encourage your neighbours to join too. It’s a proven deterrent to burglars. Email: [email protected]

Yours sincerely Terry Morris Watch Liason Officer

Sawbridgeworth – High Wych - Gilston - St. Julien – Ypres.

On 29th, 30th and 31st July members of the Sawbridgeworth WW1 memorial group visited Ypres and St. Julien. We were part of a delegation from Hertfordshire, there to help unveil a monument to the Hertfordshire soldiers who perished in the fields around St. Julien. The offensive there was part of the 3rd battle of Ypres, also known as the battle of Passchendaele. The 31st July was the blackest day in the history of the Hertfordshire regiment. Within 2 hours of the morning of that day most of their number were either killed wounded or missing including all officers. When rations were brought to the line that evening and the question asked “where are the Hertfordshires?” the reply was “there are no Hertfordshires”.

We gathered at 7.30 at the Bell Street car park and were met by Richard Bowran and Joanne Sargant who, together with Dan Hill of the Herts at War team, had organised our trip. We also met our driver and guide Jim Maynard, who stayed with us all three days. Jim then drove us to Folkestone where we boarded the Channel Tunnel train. On the other side our first stop was Lijsssenthoek cemetery in Poperinge, the first of the six or so we visited during our trip. All in all there are more than 200 such graveyards in French and Belgian Flanders, places of rest for 250.000 war dead, victims of that terrible conflict. Numbers can of course never do justice to the reality of what went on, not even to the reality of just visiting these places after all those years. Lijsssenthoek is the second largest cemetery for Commonwealth forces in Belgium. We spent about an hour there listening to Jim’s explanations and wandering around. An impressive feature we found was a number of poles around the cemetery, one for every day of the war, with an indication how many of the Lijssenthoek fallen perished on that day. The last two days of July and the first day of August stood out as being particularly disastrous! We noticed some Hertfordshire boys, privates Pence and Simmons and also staff nurse Nellie Spindler from Wakefield the only woman buried in Lijssenthoek. At nearby Brandhoek cemetery we saw the grave of Captain Noel Godfrey Chavasse, one of only three people to be awarded the Victoria Cross twice.

Lijssenthoek Cemetery - The BBC’s final rehearsal for their 30th July transmission.

Driving on we reached Ypres by late afternoon. Now respectfully restored to its mediaeval splendour; Ieper as the locals call it is a jewel of a place! After a rest and a freshening up we wandered down to the old market square where hundreds of locals and visitors were watching a BBC crew preparing a programme to be transmitted on Sunday. After a pleasant dinner we stood on the square watching Helen Mirren, Alfie Boe and other well known people doing their thing. I even had some time talking to some locals. As Dutch is my mother tongue I had hoped my knowledge of the language would come in handy. It did!

On Sunday morning Jim drove us to the Somme. On the way we stopped at no. fifty6 in la Boiselle which, so they say, is the best bed and breakfast in that area. I can well believe it. Expatriate Brits Julie and David Thomson made us very welcome with coffee and waffles. David is an avid collector of WW1 related paraphernalia, his collection of books on the subject weighing down the shelves. All rested we drove on to our first stop, the Lochnagar crater. This structure for lack of a better word was created by the British Army's 179th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers underneath a German strongpoint called “Schwaben Höhe”. The mine was exploded at 07.28 am at the launch of the British offensive against the German lines on the morning of 1st July 1916. Sadly, despite the successful explosion and the damage caused the enemy managed to get into well-placed positions to fire at the British soldiers. Within an hour of the start of the infantry attack many hundreds of them were dead or wounded. A great part of the time during our visit was spent wondering about the stories behind the simple name plates attached to planks on the walkway round the crater. “Sapper D. Smith – Dorothy Lawrence – 179 Tunnelling Coy R.E. – A woman in the trenches.” What went on there? Another one: “Captain C. Fryatt – SS Brussels – Gt. Eastern Railways – Executed 27 July 1916”. Look up SS Brussels yourself and find out the full story!

The next stop was the Devonshire Cemetery. Already somehow the stories Jim told us and what we read on the explanatory plaques was wearing us down. Let me just quote the text on the first grave stone we noticed: “1st July 1916 – the 8th and 9th Devons suffered very heavy casualties as they left their forward trench to at- tack. Later that day the survivors buried their fallen comrades in the same trench and erected a wooden me- morial with the words that are carved in the cross above”. Those words were: “The Devonshires held this trench, the Devonshires hold it still” A lunch at Tommy’s in Pozieres greatly refreshed us. The French owner had gone to great trouble decorating his place with suitable memorabilia.

The Thiepval Monument on the Somme – A postcard depicting how the Tommies saw themselves – The Menin Gate in Ypres.

On we went to the Thiepval Memorial dedicated to the missing of the Somme, French, British and Common- wealth. Edward Lutyens designed the monument as an arch to represent the alliance of Britain and France in the Somme 1916 offensive. British and French Flags fly from the top. It is said that 72,000 men from the Brit- ish and South African forces were reported missing in the Somme before 20 March 1918. 19,240 lives were lost on July 1st alone. In the souvenir shop I noticed some French language graphic novels on the subject of WW1 aimed at young people. You really can’t call them comics anymore. Do English language equivalents exist of these? Before our return to Ypres we then went to Wallencourt British cemetery, situated amongst roll- ing hills. The beautiful landscapes in French Flanders are something to behold. It was past six o’clock when we did return to the Albion Hotel.

Our plan to attend the Menin Gate on Sunday evening had to be abandoned. Royalty, prime ministers, ambas- sadors and other VIPs had descended on Ypres and security was very tight indeed. Luckily we could still get a table at a restaurant on the main square. Outside that restaurant we watched the big screen and listened to speeches by Prince William and the Belgian King. Dinner was then washed down with a few fine Belgian beers Monday, morning had to be another early start. Before breakfast I watched a bit of television and saw some of the excellent BBC coverage of the events of the night before. At 8 am we then set off to the Menin Gate to of- ficially pay our respects. We noticed the names of three Sawbridgeworth soldiers from the Hertfordshire Reg- iment, Thomas Crouchman, Ernest Read and William Pettitt. Surely there are more Sawbridgeworth boys, mentioned but they belonged to different regiments so we could not easily find them. Ruth Buckmaster the Sawbridgeworth Mayor then laid a card in the corner next to the Herts names by way of a tribute from us all. We looked at the wreaths laid the evening before by all those luminaries that were there. Above all we looked at the names, those thousands of names, all with stories to tell if we only knew, husbands, sons, fathers, friends with families at home they never returned to.

At St. Julien our first call was at Pond Farm where Stijn Butaye showed off his little family museum whilst a local historian exhibited his collection of period postcards. The unveiling of the Hertfordshire Monument was then performed by Countess Verulam representing the queen with speeches by Oliver Heald MP and Jon Grant, the Herts at War chair. Gary Hanson, minister of the Sawbridgeworth Congregational Church made a moving dedication. Through it all an extremely busy Dan Hill ran about getting us all organ- ised.

After the unveiling we were taken for a Battlefield tour around the area where the ill-fated Hertfordshire Reg- iment offensive took place. Six very capable guides explained the situation in real time at various points. I walked part of the route in the company of some locals, people who lived near “Steenakkermolen”, which the . Ruth Buckmaster at the Menin Gate – Countess Verulam lays a wreath at St. Julien – the Captain Bowlby Monument Germans called “Totenmuehle”, the windmill of death. They were full of praise for Dan Hill’s Herts at War team and surprised to learn so much about the history of their own area. That windmill by the way was an im- portant observation post for the Germans and a point of reference for the advancing Hertfordshires. By the time 4 groups of Herts visitors had made their Battlefield Tour it was three pm and we were taken to a local hall in the centre of St. Julien where refreshments were laid on by Herts at War. Once again it was good to have the company of so many locals.

Having said goodbye to our Flemish friends we then went to the Bowlby monument nearby. Having been re- moved from its original location it stands on Begijnenbosstraat flanked by two similar private monuments. The structure was erected by order of the Bowlby family of Gilston Park in honour of Captain Geoffrey Vaux Salvin Bowlby of the Horse Guards. The Bowlbys were a military family, one grandfather was at Waterloo. Geoffrey excelled at polo and was promoted Captain at the early age of 24. On 13th May 1915 Captain Bowl- by led a counterattack against the Germans. According to a report at the time "Poor old Bowlby was shot but refused assistance; he was almost instantaneously killed". After the War the captain’s grave could not be found but Lettice Bowlby, his widow was determined to commemorate her husband on the spot where he fell and financed a monument. As requested by Gilston and Eastwick Parish Council I then laid a wreath and in doing so honoured the Captain and the 26 other soldiers from Gilston and Eastwick who fell in WW1.

The Sawbridgeworth Memorial Card – Captain Geoffrey Bowlby - The Gilston and Eastwick Tribute Card

Having done all we had set out to do we got back on the town council bus and were driven back to first Calais and eventually good old blighty! We arrived exhausted after an intense and exhilirating but extremely interest- ing three days. Thanks go to Richard Bowran and Joanne Sargant for being with us but above all to our driver, guide and guardian angel Jim Maynard who we cannot praise highly enough.

Sources this time were Jim Maynard, Wikipedia, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website and the greatwar.co.uk website. TvdB – 9-8-2017 AT YOUR SERVICE

W C T BAYFORD

SOLID FUEL MERCHANTS COAL AND SMOKELESS FUELS LOGS AND KINDLING WOOD GAS BOTTLES SUPPLIES.

Approved Coal Merchant Committed to Serving The Customer

TELEPHONE: -01279 723217 [email protected] www.solidfuel.co.uk/map.../coal_fuel_hertfordshir e_wct_bayford.htm

NEED A PLUMBER? GIVE US A CALL

FURNACE HEATING COMPANY EASTWICK

SPECILALIST DOMESTIC OIL & GAS INSTALLATIONS AND MAINTENANCE DOMESTIC PLUBMING & RAINWATER SYSTEMS LOCAL – FRIENDLY MICHAEL 01279 415628 - 07905116958

Italian Designer Porcelain Tiles at Factory Prices. NEW SHOWROOM NOW OPEN EASY PARKING. 01279 641802

www.checkalow.com WALLS & FLOORS • KITCHENS/BATHROOMS • DINING ROOMS • PATIOS • WET ROOMS • POOL ROOMS

Eastwick Lodge, Harlow, CM20 2QT Branches also at Crouch End and Barnet

Beauty at Homewood All aspects of Beauty treatments in a relaxing environment 15 years’ experience New to the area

Treatments on offer

CACI Ultra (Non-surgical face lift) Crystal Clear (Microdermabrasion) Cleansing facials Waxing Pedicures Bio Sculpture gel Eye brow and Lash tint

For an appointment please contact Lisa on MB 0779 6447136

THE EASTWICK AND GILSTON PARISH MAGAZINE MONTHLY DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES IS THE 16TH OF EACH MONTH – TO BE SENT TO IN A WORD DOCUMENT: [email protected] Shogun Print, Shogun House, Unit 2 Wilems Works, Forest road, Hainault, Essex IG6 3HJ 07956 301 169 – e-mail: [email protected] – web site www.shogunprint.com – Prints the magazine on behalf of Eastwick and Gilston Parish Magazine.