Chipperfield News

October 2007

Changes At Chipperfield Playgroup

I am pleased to report that at last the playgroup store cupboard roof has been replaced after the vandalism. We are extremely grateful to the Parish Council for their Grant towards this. I am sad to announce that I will no longer be running Playgroup. I would like to thank many people for supporting me over the past twelve years including all the staff of playgroup past and present, the Parish Council and the Youth Club Committee/Trustees for their help and support. I would especially like to thank all parents past and present who have supported me and also helped out on occasions at the playgroup. Ceri-Anne Dealey will be taking over the running of the playgroup and should you have any enquiries please telephone 01923 262830 mornings or 01923 270946 afternoons and evenings. I wish Ceri-Anne and the staff the very best in the future and hope that they will have as many happy times as I did. Sue Reynolds

Salmon And Sculpture

Traditionally the August meeting of Chipperfield Evening W.I. is a social event. This year Richard and Lesley Edwards very kindly offered Burford House as a venue and members, husbands and friends enjoyed a salmon supper prepared by members. On Wednesday 17 October, Dick Onians, a local sculptor with an international reputation, will be giving a talk to the Evening W.I. explaining how he develops ideas for his work and the methods and techniques he uses, including traditional carving styles. Dicks talk will begin at 8.30pm in the Village Hall and visitors interested in wood carving, modelling and casting will be most welcome. In 1991 Dick initiated Open Studios in Hertfordshire, a scheme which, once a year, enables members of the public to visit artists in their studios to see their work and talk to them about it. If you missed the chance to visit Dick in his studio in September, do come to his talk this month.

Carers In Hertfordshire

We are an independent organisation providing information, support and advice to unpaid carers across the county they maybe caring for a family member, friend or neighbour with an illness, disability learning or physical or mental health illness and parent carers. There are approximately 15,000 carers in Watford & Three Rivers and at the moment we are in touch with about 900! So I hope you will be able to help spread the word about our organisation. So what can we do for carers? Information & support We can listen to the needs of carers and look at what might help them in their caring role, by helping them access statutory and voluntary organisations. Financial help 40-60% of disability benefits go unclaimed each year. Many people simply do not get told about benefits they can claim. We can refer people to the Department of Work & Pensions, Citizen Advice Bureau or the Money Advice Unit. Respite Carers need a break and we can help by pointing them towards organisations who offer a sitting service, such as Crossroads. Someone to listen If a carer wants to talk, we can offer a listening ear. We also have a Linkline service where a volunteer will call the carer on a regular basis to give support. In Watford & Three Rivers there is the Carers Meeting Point an opportunity for carers to come along for a chat and a cuppa on the first Thursday of each month. A voice We know that many carers want their voices heard in local planning & implementation, so we make sure they get to know about events and have a presence to do this. How to contact Carers in Hertfordshire:- Julie Crossley. Carer Support Worker Watford & Three Rivers, 22a High

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Street, Hemel Hempstead. Herts HP1 3AE Tel: 01442 253344 Email: [email protected] Website: www.carersinherts.org.uk

Light Up A Life This Christmas

The Iain Rennie Hospice at Home has cared for more than 7,500 terminally ill patients and their families across the Chilterns area. Our pioneering service began in 1985 when five nurses helped our first patient, Iain Rennie, to come home from hospital to be with his young family during the final stages of his battle with cancer. Twenty-two years later, the Hospice at Home charity that proudly bears Iains name still holds fast to the values that made a difference for him and his family. Our belief in offering practical, hands-on nursing care at home for our patients, combined with support for their families and access to a 24 hour on-call nursing service, is as strong as ever. During the past seven years, more than 74,000 has been raised to support our work by people sponsoring lights on Christmas trees spread over the Iain Rennie "patch". Lights have been dedicated in memory of a loved one, to celebrate a special event, or as a Christmas present, perhaps for someone overseas. This coming Christmas, trees will be lit up in Hemel Hempstead, Tring, High Wycombe, Beaconsfield and Tylers Green, with dedication ceremonies being held at each venue. If you would like to sponsor one of our lights and find out when the ceremonies will be taking place then please contact our office at 52a Western Road, Tring, HP23 4BB, telephone 01442 890222, email [email protected]" [email protected] or visit our website www.irhh.org Registered Charity 297847.

October In Your Garden

This is the best month to plant spring-flowering bulbs such as crocus, narcissi, tulips and hyacinths. Use bulb fibre when planting in bowls and potting compost when growing bulbs in containers. When growing bulbs in the garden it is a good idea to mix in some potting compost or organic conditioner to improve he soil. Pansies, polyanthus and primroses are ready now for bedding out and planting in hanging baskets and containers., which can be enhanced by adding trailing ivies, small cyclamen and dwarf bulbs together with small conifers and soft grasses. Spring-flowering bedding plants such as wallflowers, Canterbury bells, forget-me-nots and Sweet Williams are also planted this month. Lawns will now need aerating or scarifying prior to having an application of autumn turf fertilizer which will toughen them up for the winter months ahead. While the grass is growing keep up with regular mowing and as leaves start to fall sweep them up as soon as possible. As soon as the maincrop potatoes are lifted, press on with digging the vegetable garden so that it is ready well before the winter sets in. Dont forget to work in farmyard manure where necessary. Cut back the taller herbaceous perennials but leave the penstemmons intact until next spring. Keep up with the weeding and dig over the flower borders. The summer bedding plants will be dying down now so lift them and put them on the compost heap and get the beds dug ready for the next season. Tubers of dahlias and cannas will need to be lifted and stored and a little sulphur dust added to prevent rotting during storage. Cuttings of geraniums and some shrubs can be taken at this time of the year. The less hardy fuchsias should be lifted before the frosty weather arrives and so too should the geraniums and pelargoniums. If it is possible to get the greenhouse completely empty, a sulphur candle will sterilise it and rid it of all whitefly, pests and diseases. Container-grown shrubs, climbers and herbaceous perennials can be planted this month and now is the time to plant the early onion sets. There is still time to plant a few more spring cabbage plants. October is the month when trees and shrubs show their spectacular autumn colour. Most impressive are the euonymus alatus, blueberries, maples (acer), liquidambers, rhus, cotinus and the climbing Virginia creeper. Terry Simmonds

Noahs Ark 2007

In the year 2007 he Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in England, and said Once again the Earth has become wicked and over-populated and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save two of every living thing along with a few good humans. He gave Noah the drawings saying You have six months to build the Ark before I start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights.

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Six months later the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard, but no Ark. Noah He roared, Im about to start the rain! Where is the Ark? Forgive me Lord begged Noah but things have changed. I needed Building Regulations Approval because the Ark was over 30 square metres. Ive been arguing with the Fire Service about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbours claim that I should have obtained Planning Permission to build the Ark in my garden because it is a development of the site, even though in my view it is a temporary stricture.We had to go to Appeal to the Secretary of state for a decision. The Local Area Access Group complained that my ramp was too steep and that the Ark wasnt fully accessible. Getting the wood was another problem. All the decent trees have Tree Preservation Orders on them and I live in a Site of Special Scientific Interest set up to protect the Spotted Owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go! When I started gathering the animals the RSPCA sued me, insisting that I was confining animals against their will and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space. The Environment Agency and the Rivers Authority ruled that I couldnt build an Ark before theyd conducted an Environmental Impact Study on your proposed flood. The Trades Union insist that I cant use my sons to build the Ark and that I must hire CSCS Accredited workers with Ark-building experience. Customs and Excise have seized my assets, claiming that Im trying to leave the country with endangered species. Forgive me Lord, but its going to take at least ten years to complete this Ark. Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine and a rainbow appeared. Noah looked up in wonder and said You mean youre not going to destroy the world? No, said the Lord. The governments beaten me to it.

Roman Catholic Church

SONGS OF PRAISE Anyone passing the church recently might have been surprised to hear the rousing strains of "Happy Birthday to You" after the Saturday and Sunday Masses. This is not in the hymn book but it was sung spontaneously when Fr. Des announced that his brother Fr. Terry was staying on for few extra days to celebrate his 70th birthday with us before returning to Tanzania. At the weekend masses Fr. Terry thanked the congregations for the support given over many years to our sister parishes in Africa. As examples the Mother and Baby Clinic is thriving, immunisation programmes are in place, and the Hospital and Clinic have a good supply of non-generic drugs. The Government has promised to establish a secondary school so that children can continue their education locally. It is very rewarding to hear the reports and see the photographs of the progress, but Fr. Terry sees his work - started in Tanzania in 1963 - in simple terms: bringing Christ to the people. Now the sole European in the parish, Fr. Terry, while content that the church services and projects are continued in his absence by locally trained clergy and lay-people, says that he is still eager to get back "to his own people".

St Pauls And Holy Cross

It really is a joy to walk with my dog through the woods of Chipperfield Common: my favourite spot is that small area where there are just beech trees. The other day the sunlight was streaming through the leaves making a patchwork of light and coloured shade. I just stood and enjoyed. It has always amazed me that where beech trees grow on their own, the ground beneath is always clear, giving a special sense of space and beauty: it must be something to do with the leaves I would be interested to learn why, if you happen to know One of the reasons why I have a dog, yes shes fun and lovely in her own right , is that I have walking time, which becomes thinking time. That day I saw afresh space dedicated to beech trees; nothing else cluttered the scene the beauty was wondrous. I began thinking about beauty, true beauty and dedication. What is most important to me; to what no, more importantly to whom I am dedicated, deep down? For that ultimately determines what sort of person I am, and then how I spend my time and energies and how wise a dedication, might that ultimately turn out to be With my greetings, Jim Stevens

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Baptist Church

From Jason Gain the new Pastor of Chipperfield Baptist Church: As you read this my family and I should be rid of all the boxes, and have a place for everything and everything in its place. Well, hope does spring eternal! However hard it is to move on and it was there is always an anticipation of good things ahead, and Chipperfield has exceeded our expectations by a mile. The welcome we have received, not only from our own congregation, but also from those that we have met within the village, has been a wonderful blessing, making us all feel at ease and at times well fed! I wish to extend, on behalf of my family, the church, and myself that self same friendly welcome to all in Chipperfield; and please bear in mind that I am as curious about you all, as you may be about me.

Baptist Church News The Festival of Flowers - held on August Bank Holiday weekend - was a resounding success, and we were delighted to see so many visitors who came to see the flower displays and enjoy a lunch or cream tea afterwards! Our flower arrangers created some very imaginative and beautiful displays to the glory of God - we are proud of them and really grateful for their help. The church was full for our Songs of Praise service held on Sunday evening, when we were joined by a number of churches from the local area. Our Festival raised over 1000 for our funds, and we thank you all for your support. Our new Pastor, Jason Gain, has arrived! We are sure that you will soon get to know him, his wife Claire and their family, as they settle down to their new life among us in Chipperfield. There will be a report on Jasons induction service in the next issue of Chipperfield News. The Hemel Methodist singers are giving a concert on Saturday October 20th in the Baptist Church at 7pm. This concert is in celebration of the 170th anniversary of our church building that weekend. There will be refreshments afterwards, and you are all welcome to come along and join us. A special anniversary service will be held on Sunday October 21st at 10.30am, conducted by Rev, Andrew Cowley and well be very pleased to welcome you.

A Special Guest This Christmas ?

It was a pity. My flatmate had a wonderful first experience of Christmas, but there was no place for me.' (Chinese student) For 20 years, HOST has been linking international students at British universities with volunteer hosts, for short, enjoyable and mutually beneficial visits. Last year, several hundred adults, from all over the world, enjoyed discovering Christmas in private homes across the UK. Sadly, several hundred more had to be disappointed. If you think you might be able to offer an invitation this Christmas, please look at www.hostuk.org, or call HOST's voluntary regional organiser: Trina Golland 01707 642091 or email to [email protected]. HOST is a registered charity, founded by the British Council and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to promote international friendship and understanding.

Chipperfield Within Living Memory

The Grove, Whippendell Bottom

I recently came across a photocopy of an interesting article entitled Kings Langley, Chipperfield and Cherry Trees, written by Jean Tearle. I have so far been unable to identify the source of this article, but am hoping that Jean would be happy to share with you that part of the story that relates to Chipperfield. (Please call me if you can help with information 01923 269480). When Jean was eleven, her family moved from Langley Hill to a cottage in The Grove at the bottom of Whippendell Hill, an area she described as a valley between two steep hills making a natural boundary for the Palace, ideal for the Royal Park palings. There were 6 cottages in a row at right angles to the road. A large green double gate gave access to the driveway with a pedestrian gate at the side. Outside the gates were two or three staddle-stones. A flint wall ran alongside the road, over which hung branches of lilac, golden rose and a profusion of flowering shrubs. On the inside of the wall were gooseberry and currant bushes and innumerable fruit trees.

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The cottages were set in an acre or two of gardens, orchard and spinney with no divisions between them. Each had a lawn with flower borders and fruit trees on the Chipperfield side. In spring, the spinney at the back of the cottages was thick with primroses and violets and provided a good place for clothes lines, being high up and out of view. The only means of drinking water was a well, which was flint and stone lined. Every other day, Jean and her father would carefully unwind the rope and lower the 7 gallon bucket until they felt it hit the water at the bottom. They had to take great care not to lose the bucket, which was then hauled slowly back. Rain water was used for washing clothes and dishes. Jeans mother cooked on a small kitchen range and used a primus stove for the quick heating of kettles. They had open fires for warmth and the soft light of Aladdin lamps in the evenings. Jeans father kept a car in a garage in the orchard. Next to the garage was an old wooden apple store which stood on staddle-stones. A very old lady called Mrs Higgins lived in the first cottage, which had a big window looking onto the road. In the front parlour there used to be an over-large fireplace, with an open grate and side ovens or ornamental panels, which was said to have originated from Kings Langley Palace. Jean was told that Mr Higgins, who was long since dead, had built the cottages himself and used bits and pieces from here and there for the interiors. On a return visit to the area, Jean was shocked to see all the houses in Chipperfield Road and the bridge over the A41 by-pass. She remembered the higgledy-piggledy group of cottages at the foot of the hill, elm trees, which overhung the road and dropped their branches in gales, traffic at a complete standstill in icy weather and everyone working together to clear a track through deep snow on the steep hills. Elizabeth Weedon, who has lived in the first cottage since 1951, has kindly provided me with further information about The Grove. She says that the drive used to run immediately in front of the cottages by their front doors and that the old gates were still there when she moved in with her mother. She personally removed these superfluous barriers with their gateposts, which were upside down tree trunks with branch stumps buried in the ground for stability. She recalls building the brick wall herself during exceedingly hot weather. The cottages, she says, were built circa 1801 by a Mr Higgins, whom Elizabeth assumes was father-in-law of the Mrs Higgins, who lived there during Jeans lifetime. Mrs Higgins died in 1947, four years before Elizabeth moved in. The capped well is now concealed under Elizabeths gazebo. She used to water the garden from it until it fell into disrepair. Mary Nobbs

Don Pratt

1928 - 2007 Dons wife and family would like to thank friends and neighbours for their kindness and sympathy following Dons recent passing. They would also like to thank everyone who attended the funeral service and paid tribute to him. The collection following the service raised 100 which has been donated to the Hanover Stroke Unit at Hemel Hempstead Hospital in Dons memory.

ROBERT (BOB) MORTON November 1926 - July 2007 Bob was born in Chipperfield, the son of Amy and Jim. He lived and worked in the village until his retirement when he moved to Devon with his wife, Barbara. Bob enjoyed his retirement, village life and the many friends he made at the local pub. Bobs last visit to Chipperfield following the death of his brother Joe was a sad event and an upsetting time for both Bob and Barbara. Bob will be remembered by his cousins David and June and all their thoughts are with his wife in Devon. David Morton

VILLAGE PEOPLE

Congratulations and best wishes to Frank and Lesley Baker of Forge Close, who celebrated their Ruby Wedding Anniversary last month.

Welcome to Pastor Jason Gain, his wife Claire and their family, who have moved into The Manse in The Street.

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and to Scott, Kate and Amy, recently arrived at The Laurels on The Common.

Worldwide Family History Open Day

10.00am - 4.00pm on Saturday 13 October at Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies, Pegs Lane, Hertford Talks by visiting speakers on family history for beginners. Subjects include: Introduction to Family History; Hertfordshires Hidden Histories; How to Research Your Scottish and Irish Ancestry; Tracing Your African- Caribbean Ancestry and DNA and Family History. Hertfordshire Family History Society will be offering specialist advice. Refreshments, free entry and parking. For more details phone 01438 737333 or visit www.hertsdirect.org/hals

Homeopathy - Safe Medicine For Everyone

Homeopathic medicine is a well proven alternative successfully used for over 200 years. It is a method of personal healing that is safe and natural as well as very effective. The central principle of homeopathy is the Law of Similars. This says that whatever symptoms a substance from nature will produce when given to a healthy person, will heal those same symptoms in a person who is sick. Homeopathic medicines are derived from natural substances and prepared in a special way through a process of successive dilutions and they are given in very small doses. The medicines are extraordinarily safe and free from side effects so they are appropriate for all stages of life from infancy and childhood through to adulthood, childbearing and into our later years. With homeopathic treatment positive results are seen in many chronic conditions such as allergies and sensitivities, eczema, asthma, digestive disorders, cardiovascular and joint diseases as well as acute illnesses like colds, flu, sore throats and ear infections. Homeopathy is effective and gentle in treating feminine issues such as hormonal imbalances. States like depression, anxiety and stress are treated with care and sensitivity and respond well to treatment. It is ideal for children and their common illnesses and the medicines are particularly helpful in learning, behaviour and development challenges. Homeopathy offers highly individualised bespoke treatment based on more than just the diagnosis. It is practiced by professionals who take the time to listen and understand you. A homeopath is genuinely interested in you and all aspects of your health concerns so plenty of time is given to the initial and subsequent follow up appointments. Because homeopathic medicines are so specific and tailored to your exact symptoms ten people with headaches (for example) are likely to be prescribed ten entirely different homeopathic medicines. This profound method of medicine works with the body's natural healing tendencies rather than opposing them, restoring the equilibrium and balance of the body and mind. Homeopathic medicines will not interfere with any conventional medications that are being taken and in many cases symptoms improve making it possible to change the dosage of drugs under guidance with your doctor. If you would like further information then contact your local homeopath Dawn Golten and she will be happy to answer your questions. Dawn has ten years experience as a professional homeopath and is the mother of two vibrant teenage daughters. Dawn Golten 01923 400483 or [email protected]

Films On Fridays

Films will be showing at Sarratt Village Hall once a month on Friday evenings. Dates for your diary 19 October, 16 November, 7 December, 11 January, 15 February, 14 March and 11 April. No advance tickets. All are welcome. Julia Lawrence (260504)

A Century Of Gardening

One hundred years ago this year Terry Simmonds grandfather Herbert established his nursery in Chipperfield,

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which has developed to become todays Garden Scene. To celebrate the nurserys centenary Terry has written a brief history. Back in the great Victorian era George Simmonds, a farm laborour from Chalfont St. Giles, came to Chipperfield where he raised his two boys, Herbert and Ernest. For a while they lived in Mobcroft Cottages in Flaunden and Herbert was able to attend the village school in Latimer. It would have been around 1890 when Herbert got a job as under gardener at Chipperfield House where he soon developed a great interest in growing plants. It was not long before he met Rose Bates who had gone into service as a cook at Woodmans. Her father George had brought his family from Marsworth to Venus Hill in Bovingdon and Rose and her sisters grew up in a world of Victorian farming. Around the turn of the century Herbert and Rose were married at Chipperfield Baptist Church and soon their first son, Arthur, was born. Plants would have been grown in the back garden of their cottage in Chapel Croft, close to where the newsagent now stands. The vegetables they grew were sold locally and in 1907 the first nursery was established. An acre of land situated where Chapel Croft joined Pest House Lane (now called Croft Lane) was purchased from the Blackwell family who occupied the Manor House at the time. Young Arthur helped his Dad with his new nursery venture. Every morning at dawn his first job was to scoop up buckets of manure left by the horses in the road. In 1909 Jim Simmonds was born and as soon as he was old enough he too helped Herbert grow plants in the nursery. Soon jobs were being provided for local lads and the business began to develop. Greenhouses were erected and these were heated using the traditional cast iron hot- water pipes connected to a boiler, which was installed in what was called the stoke hole. Coal and coke were the usual fuels and these were transported using a handcart, which was also used to deliver produce to customers. Ornamental plants were now being grown as well as vegetables The family moved into the cottage opposite the nursery (known today as Drywall Cottage) and above the door was a sign, which read H.SIMMONDS Nurseryman and Florist. Many of the lads who worked for the nursery left to join the army during World War One and sadly Herberts brother Ernest was killed in France in 1917. After the war the nursery grew, as did the labour force. Jim Simmonds acquired a motorbike and sidecar and he and a new lad, Lisle Venables, used it to deliver tomatoes and other produce. To be continued next month

An Appeal For Funds For New Lighting And Organ Renovation At St. Pauls

Readers will recall that in recent years Chipperfield residents and friends made generous contributions to raise funds for the building of the Parish Room and refurbishing the Village Hall. We now have plans to carry out important work renovating and upgrading St. Pauls Church Organ, (following the essential repair work carried out four years ago), and enhancing the internal Church lighting. Thanks to very generous donations, half the funds have been provided. We are now appealing for Gift Aid contributions to finance the remaining costs of 55K Friends who can help and wish to contribute to these projects by donations in a tax efficient way are invited to contact:- Richard Edwards 01923 262549 e-mail [email protected] or Phil Waine 01923 268904 e-mail [email protected]

Green Grass All A Round

What a difference a year makes. This time last year, early September, the lambs had gone and I was grazing the two ewes and the ram on the lawn in an effort to find them some grass. Expecting the same again this year, I had arranged for the lambs to visit some friends in Kings Langley when my grass got in short supply, but with all the rain we have had I still have plenty of grass and so they will stay here until their time is up in mid October. Many animals have benefited from the abundant growth this year, not least the blasted rabbits in the garden! They have completely undermined a neighbours shed, coming in to our place to feed. The Roe deer also seem to be in fine condition, and how wonderfully camouflaged their coats are. Walking in my field after it had been combined, but still had the big round bales in it ,I looked about hoping to see a Roe but saw nothing until just as we were about to enter the wood, when I spotted movement between the bales. There was a fine young Roe, perfectly coloured to match the stubble and the bales, standing , ears pricked watching us intently. On the far side of the field was a bigger female bounding towards the hedge. What I guess was this years offspring stood and watched us for several minutes before elegantly making its way to mum in a series of high stepping trots and graceful bounds. One of their favourite foods are brambles, which have grown really well this year, so I think these deer have been living off the fat of the land. The female will have mated in August, but this youngster will stay with her until just before her fawn or fawns, they often have twins, are born next year in spring. Then she will drive the old one away and start the whole mothering process again. No rest for a mum! Wendy Bathurst

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www.chipperfield.org.uk

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