Assistant Priest Geoff writes:~

“Did you receive the Spirit?” ~ Acts ch.19 v.2.

This was the question that Paul asked some Ephesian believers, to which they replied “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit”. There is a lot of misunderstanding about the Holy Spirit these days, even among Christians. As we approach the Celebration of Pentecost it seems an ideal time to think of one of the things that Jesus told us about the Holy Spirit. “When…the Spirit of truth comes he will guide you into all truth”. John ch.16 v.13. A couple of chapters earlier, John records Jesus as saying “The …. Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (ch.14 v.26).

We have just celebrated Easter with the sadness and anguish of Jesus’ crucifixion, and the joy and elation of resurrection morning on Easter Day. At the sunrise service on Easter morning, we had heard various readings from the Bible leading up to the Gospel reading about the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. As I finished reading from Matthew, the sun rose and flooded St Margaret’s Church with bright new light. It reminded me of the saying my mother used to use; “It will suddenly dawn on you ….”. The Holy Spirit is always available to us and we should regularly ask him to reveal new things about Jesus to us and help us avoid the traps Satan sets for us. In the weeks leading up to Easter, the news has been full of the controversies of the “Da Vinci Code” and the so called “Gospel of Judas Iscariot”. The timing of these is significant because it is intended to divert Christians from the central truths of the true Gospel and also discourage others from accepting the truth of the Christian message and becoming safe within the family of Christ for time and eternity. It may be of interest that in most theological colleges time is spent considering the documents which are known as “the apocryphal writings” ~ such things as the gospel of Peter and of Judas Iscariot. How can we be sure we have the truth about Jesus? God has given us the gift of his Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. Jesus said “If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will God give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him”. ( Luke ch.11 v.13). Don’t waste time worrying about what might be true, concentrate on the Biblical Gospel which the Holy Spirit has assured us is really true.

If, as I suggest, evil has attempted to divert us from the truth as we approached Easter, how good it is to see really Good News on the front page of our paper on the day I write this. There in the centre of the page is a picture of the Archbishop of York baptising nineteen year old Emily Swaitek by immersion. Under the photo it reads, “The service symbolises death by drowning … and [we] are united with Jesus Christ in his death and are again united with Jesus in his resurrection”. What a wonderful revelation from the Holy Spirit just at the right time.

I end by asking you the question at the head of this article ~ “Did you receive the Spirit?” Geoff [If you would like to know more about the Spirit please ask me or the Vicar] Church News

Lunch for Charities : Thursday 4 th May 2006, for OMF (see p4 for more details). The Lunch in April raised £120 for Battersea Dogs Home. Come and join us – everyone, of all ages, is welcome to these free lunches at 1.00pm in the Wilshere Hall, Cappell Lane, Stanstead Abbots. Holy Communion follows at 2.30pm. Some come for that only, some go after lunch, and some stay for both!! June Lunch will be on Thursday 1st June, for SPCK (see p4).

June Parishes Magazine: Items for the next magazine, which is for May, should reach Ann Edwards, 36 Furlong Way (Great Amwell with St Margarets) and Lynne Heraud (Stanstead Abbots) by 14 th May at the latest. Copy can also be emailed to the Vicarage ([email protected] )

St Margarets Parish Church social : dinner at Sky City in Hoddesdon on Monday 12 th June at 7.30pm.

Information on how parishes are responding to the Vision for Action initiative, and on debates at Diocesan Synod , can be found on the Diocesan website http://www.stalbans.anglican.org

Picnic in Riverside Park (next to the Jolly Fisherman pub) on Sunday 11 th June at 12.30pm. Bring your picnic and something to sit on! We’ll sing some favourite hymns – an open-air Songs of Praise!

Concert in St Andrew’s church on Saturday evening 17 th June. Come and hear local talents, including St Andrew’s school choir. Tickets available soon, for St Andrew’s stained glass window appeal.

Transport to church If you would like a lift to church please phone the Churchwardens: or, for St Andrew’s, Graham Dowton on 01920 421850

From our Registers

We welcomed in baptism th Alexander Dean 26 March (St John the Baptist)

We offer our condolences to the family and friends of:

nd Derek Mayes Cautherly Lane 22 March (St John the Baptist) th Peter Free Thele Ave 25 March (St James)

Janet Parr Gilpins Gallop 11th April (Harwood Park)

Pentecost: 4 th June [For a while known as Whit Sunday as white was worn to symbolise the Holy Spirit] The third great Festival of the Church’s year. A wonderful Festival in which we joyfully celebrate the gift of God’s Holy Spirit to His Church. The Holy Spirit is likened to fire: filling us with the warmth of God’s love for us, showing us Jesus, showing us truth, enlightening our understanding about God, and purifying recipients of wrong.

St Andrew’s, Cappell Lane, Stanstead Abbots 8.45am Holy Communion (1662) 10.15am Holy Communion for all ages together St John the Baptist Church, Great Amwell 9.30am Family Eucharist St Margarets’ Parish Church, Hoddesdon Road 11.00am Family Communion For all three churches 6.30pm Pentecost Praise in St Andrew’s, Stanstead Abbots Help, I’m the parent of a teenager! When we started the course for parents of Noughts to Sixes several people commented that they needed a similar course for parenting teenagers, so we have bought the equivalent course for teenagers. This follows the same principle as the younger course: we are not experts (the Vicar is running it and doesn’t have children!) you are the expert on your child. The course simply gives ideas to try, and the group provides mutual support. The current group says that it is helpful, so we hope the older course will be too. There are six sessions, with an optional session just for the teenagers themselves, and a follow-up meeting for the parents a while later. Cost: £5.95 for the workbook. Tuesdays, 13 th June – 18 th July at 8.00pm – 9.30pm in the Wilshere Hall (St Andrew’s, Cappell Lane)

LUNCHES FOR CHARITIES:

May 4 th – OMF International The May lunch is for OMF International , formerly China Inland

Mission, founded by James Hudson Taylor in 1865. Through God's grace they aim for an indigenous, biblical church planting movement in each people group of East Asia. The Lunch is especially for the work of Andy and Meiling Wilson living in Taiwan. Andy once lived in South Street in Stanstead Abbots, and worked here for a year assisting the Vicar. He and his Chinese wife Meiling are involved in church planting. They have a caring and teaching ministry, reaching people of all ages, especially students. Recently they have adopted two needy children, Iain and Joy, giving them a stable and loving home.

Taiwan is a small country, constantly threatened by her overpowering neighbour, China. The church in Taiwan faces deep superstition and rampant materialism.

Andy and Meiling much appreciate the prayers and financial support which we can give them year by year.

June 1 st – SPCK Worldwide THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE Imagine a world without books! No basic primers, no prayer books or hymn books, no text books, no reference books. What a horrific thought! Millions of people want to read – but what have they got to read? In a world hungry for education and alive with curiosity, SPCK Worldwide is helping by: • Promoting literacy and literature in Latin America • Providing printing equipment in Ghana and Kenya • Helping to train writers and printers from Burma • Providing capital for Prayer/Hymn books in many languages • Providing capital for books on hygiene, farming, health, and by so doing helping to combat disease and famine • Supplying books for seminaries in China • Producing course material for theological education by extension programmes • projects in Costa Rica, Egypt, Philippines, Zaire, etc, etc. SPCK’s ministry is interdenominational, involving churches of many traditions, and it relies on gifts from churches and individuals.

Sunday 28 ththth May 2pm2pm2pm-2pm ---5pm5pm5pm5pm Teas in River Cottage Garden Great Amwell Plant Stall All proceeds to Church Funds

Mums’ (and Dads’) Group

A new group for parents of noughts to sixes is now meeting on alternate Wednesday and Friday afternoons in St Margarets’ Church. All are welcome - drop in any time between 1.00 and 3.30pm. Children will be looked after in the church while parents chat in the back room. Dates for May:- Fri 5 th , Wed 10 th , Fri 19 th , Wed 24 th .

Stanstead Abbotts Riverside Festival

Please remember that Stanstead Abbotts Parish Council are planning this year’s festival, which will take place on Saturday 24 th June 2006 and will include:

Stalls at the riverside from 1pm to 5pm Family events – duck race, tug-of-war, climbing wall, face painting, kiddies’ games, demonstrations by local performers Canal boat flotilla and rides Food and drink Live music from 7pm to 11pm outside the Jolly Fisherman pub The Alpha Course ‘explore the meaning of life’ – and more…..

Q – ‘Who is Jesus?’

A – Alpha can’t give you all the answers, but does give you the opportunity to listen, learn, agree, disagree, form an opinion, ‘unform’ an opinion and above all ‘think’…. that’s what Alpha’s all about – the chance for you to look at some of the key questions of the Christian faith, whether you’re a committed Christian, a ‘high days and holidays’ churchgoer, or just plain curious!

For someone new to the Christian faith, I went into the Alpha course knowing very little and understanding even less. But I really wanted to know and understand more, and the chance to spend some time – one evening a week for 11 weeks and a Saturday – with people from all the 3 churches, doing just that, was one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done, both from a faith perspective and personally.

Topics such as, “How should I pray?”, “How can I be sure of my faith?” and “Why did Jesus die?” were both thought-provoking and stimulating, and as the group began to gel and we all got to know each other better, we felt increasingly confident to ask each other questions, talk about our ideas and beliefs, and share personal experiences, in a warm and wonderfully caring environment led by Geoff, Viv and Ann.

Eating a meal together beforehand, very kindly (and expertly) prepared by different church members each week, was a lovely way to start the evenings and added to the sense of ‘togetherness’ and sharing which helped to make Alpha such a rewarding experience. Another of the many positives to come out of the course was that good friendships have been forged amongst group members and I’m sure that all of us would agree that Alpha has turned out to be far more than simply an opportunity to learn more about Christianity.

Talking to my partner Tom, about what Alpha has meant to him, his first comment was, “It’s made me unafraid to tell people that I’m a Christian”. As a direct result, his teenage son recently went with him to church for the first time in 5 years, his mother is now attending her local church in Sunderland after a long ‘break’, and friends and colleagues have said how much they appreciate his praying for them in their times of need. One commented, “You praying for me is the nicest thing anyone at work has ever done for me.”

For my part, Alpha has helped me to turn my life around I’m now Confirmed, (one of the proudest moments of my life, with my friends from church and the course there to share it with me), I think about life differently and get genuine peace and joy from reading my bible, praying and being part of this wonderful Christian community.

I’ve not only enjoyed the opportunity to learn more and understand more, I’ve loved being able to start out on my journey with Tom, to whom I’m now a lot closer, and with other group members who have become dear friends.

So when the next Alpha course starts, why not go along and see how far it will take you? Contact Geoff Lackey (01920 872077) for more details. Enjoy the journey…. Jenny Larner

Regular events in the three churches: TICTACs ( Year 6+ students) Mondays in term time 5.45 – 6.45pm in the Wilshere Hall Upper Room Prayer Meeting: Tuesday mornings 9.30am at 36 South Street Home Groups: Tuesday evenings 7.30pm. Phone 01920 422373 or 871626 Alternate Wednesday evenings, 8.00pm. Phone 01920 872077 Alternate Tuesday afternoons. Phone the Vicarage 01920 870115 Alpha Group : enquiries - 01920 872077 Crèche: available every Sunday 10.15am service at St. Andrew's Challengers (for Primary children): every Sunday 10.15am at St. Andrew's (except Worship for All Ages together) Sunday School : at St John’s 9.00am on third Sunday only at St Margarets every Sunday 10.30am (11am on 2nd Sunday) St. John the Baptist Bellringers: Thursdays 7.30-9pm St. Andrew's Music Group: two Thursdays each month 7.45pm in church St. John the Baptist Choir Practice : Saturday 10.15am in Church St. Margarets’ church : coffee every Saturday 10.30am – 12.30pm

Friendly Family Football Match (for ages 11+)

Stanstead Abbotts V Roydon

Sunday 7 th May at Stanstead Bury Farm, kick off 3.00pm Tea and cakes afterwards

For more information Please telephone Gini Trower (01279 793171) or email [email protected]

Haileybury Madrigal Society

CONCERT

Saturday 24 th June

9pm

Amwell Pool Lower Road, Great Amwell

Collection for Isabel Hospice

“In the Pink”

Wednesday May 10 th in the Wilshere Hall 7:30 for 8:00pm Tickets £5.00 from Jenny Curtis (01992 460250) Fashion Show of Barbara Cartland dresses everything will be pink! All proceeds to St Margarets’ Restoration Fund

Youth Club

The club is for 11 to 15 year olds, and meets every Friday evening in the Wilshere Hall, Cappell Lane, from 7.00pm to 9.00pm.

There is lots to do:- pool, table tennis, PS2, X-box and various other board games. The YC is also a good place to chill out and meet with friends. Forthcoming events are ten pin bowling, a trip to a London theatre and an activity day that will involve climbing, canoeing and the like. We are also going to arrange rounders, football and dodgeball sessions now that the good weather is approaching and we will be able to use the local playing fields.

We are, of course, also looking for volunteers and any donations. For information please telephone Rebecca Free on: (01992) 414723 or alternatively come and visit the volunteers on a Friday evening.

News from RSPB Rye Meads Reserve

Kingfisher, by M Langman

Exciting news! A pair of Kingfishers have returned to the reserve, and look all set to breed this year! These beautiful birds have been seen mating and investigating the artificial bank on the reserve, where they traditionally breed. Kingfishers excavate holes in banks to create nest burrows. The nest bank is situated right outside the Kingfisher Hide, offering visitors fantastic views of these fabulous birds. Our CCTV cameras will soon be focused on the kingfisher bank, so you will be able to see the bank from the monitors in the receptions. Alternatively keep your eyes on the website www.rspb.org.uk for an updated image every 15 minutes.

Spring is in full swing on the reserve - we already have a number of singing chiffchaffs and black caps on site. Visitors sitting in the coffee rooms have been delighted and surprised with views of reed buntings coming to the feeders! Swallows and Sand Martins have been seen flying over the lagoons. Bees, bugs and butterflies are beginning to become more active; small tortoiseshell, red admiral and peacock butterflies can be seen flittering over the trails.

Did you take part in this years Big Garden Birdwatch? A whopping 470,000 people, including 86,000 children, watched their gardens and local parks during the our Big Garden Birdwatch on 28-29 January; spotting a staggering 8.1 million birds from 80 different species. Throughout the UK the top five species were as follows: House sparrow, Starling, Blackbird, Blue tit, Chaffinch.

Special events in May include: Dawn Chorus Sunday 14th, 5 – 7 am (sunrise 5.12 am) Dawn is a special time for birds; experience its magic as the reserve wakes up at sunrise to a new day. Learn to identify different songs and calls, and reward yourself with free coffee and croissants at the visitor centre afterwards.

Nestbox Watch Saturday 20th, 1 pm – 3 pm Join the Rye Meads Ringing Group for a look at the inhabitants of the nest boxes on site and see ringing in action .

NEWS FROM AROUND THE DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS Bishop’s Easter Message. The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Christopher Herbert, has written an Easter message. Read it in the April issue of SeeRound, available free at the back of each church, or at: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/

Bishop of St Albans supports County Council’s Foster Care Fortnight. The Bishop of St Albans has written in the May issue of SeeRound of his support for fostering. The Diocese has set up a group to support potential foster and adoptive parents. There will be an opportunity to meet this group of experts in child care and people who have fostered or adopted on June 14 th . For more information call Kemi Akinruli on 01727 851748.

As part of an increased concern for the environment , The Church of England is to ask Dioceses and parishes to reduce their energy consumption by a measurable amount. Churches will shortly be asked to complete a simple Church Energy Audit - Measuring our Footprint. Increasing knowledge of sustainable ways of living are at the heart of a conference to be held at on 13 July. Keynote speakers will include David Shreeve and Claire Foster who are developing environmental policy for the Church of England. The whole day is free of charge but delegates are asked to register via the diocesan website: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/news/2006/environmentconference.htm or by calling 01727 851748.

Churches across the Diocese are being strongly urged to put their full weight behind Christian Aid Week this year. Christian Aid Sunday, 14 May 2006, marks the beginning of a week of fundraising, prayer and action for the world’s poorest people, on the theme ‘You add. We multiply’. “Christian Aid does such amazing work around the world tackling poverty and suffering,” said Jonathan Ellis, World Development Adviser to the Diocese. “You only need to look at their annual report or their website to see how their Christian principles are translated into action on poverty in alliance with their partners in developing countries. I urge all parishes to put their full weight behind this week as it is such an important fundraiser for Christian Aid.”

In common with private companies and public bodies, the Church of England is reviewing its pensions policy . No decisions have been taken and none will be taken until the General Synod debates them and that will not be before next year. (Parochial clergy are currently paid an annual stipend of around £19,000 and have the use of a house provided by the Church. The current pension, payable at 65 to those with 37 years’ full-time service, is £11,686, plus a lump sum of three times the pension on retirement. Retired clergy provide their own accommodation, while the Pensions Board provides some assistance for those with limited resources.) News from Isabel Hospice

Forthcoming events include:-

Sunrise Netball Tournament: Sunday 7 th May, 11.00am-3.00pm at University of Hertfordshire. Will include refreshments, raffle and BBQ available to all. Come and support, whether you are playing, cheering for a friend or just want to get out of the house. If you would like to take part, but do not have enough members for a team, contact Waiky Shek on 07961 303878. All proceeds will go to Isabel Hospice, and the tournament is being organised in tribute to Mr Kam Tim Shek.

Open Garden at Brent Pelham House: Sunday 7 th May 1.00-4.00pm All proceeds from the refreshments will go to Isabel Hospice.

Welwyn Garden City Golf Day: Thursday 11 th May. This annual event has been running for many years in memory of local businessman Tony Hawke. Golfers fight it out for the Isabel Hospice Challenge Cup. Book early to secure a place, contact Pam Shepherd on 01707 376782

Plant Sale: Saturday 13 th May. The Lions of Ware are having a plant sale outside the Isabel Hospice Shop in Ware High Street.

Open Garden – Cockhamsted, Braughing: Sunday 14 th May, 2.00-6.00pm. Proceeds from the teas will come to Isabel Hospice.

Jumble Sale at Thundridge Village Hall – Saturday 20 th May, 2.30pm

Open Garden – Moat Farm House, Kettle Green, Much Hadham, on Sunday 28 th May from 2.00-5.00pm. 17 th Century moated farmhouse on an island with ancient mulberry tree, mixed borders and orchard. Proceeds from the homemade teas will come to Isabel Hospice.

Fanhams Hall, Ware, open Monday 29 th May from 2.00-5.00pm. We are very lucky to be able to offer you the chance to view the beautiful gardens at again this year. They combine formal gardens and ponds with a croquet lawn, Japanese gardens, ornamental lakes and a wisteria walk. There will be homemade teas and refreshments, and a plant sale. Admission is £3 and all proceeds will come to Isabel Hospice.

“Tea at 3” – Join us in this national initiative and hold a tea event at any time during June in aid of your local hospice. Hold a tea party, tea quiz (we provide the quiz), tea raffle etc. Fundraising packs with posters, stickers etc available from Isabel Hospice on 01707 376782. Val Robinson

St Elizabeth’s Centre Summer Events

th Open Garden at Bromley Hall, Standon - Sunday 4 June As part of the National Garden Scheme Mr & Mrs Robarts are kindly opening their garden. All the proceeds from the refreshments and sale of plants will go to St. Elizabeth’s Centre. Come & enjoy a peaceful afternoon in this idyllic garden. Open from 2pm- 5pm. Sorry no dogs.

Much Hadham Open Gardens, Sunday 18 th June Opened on our behalf, this is your chance to enjoy 11 unique & varied gardens in the village of Much Hadham. With 6 new gardens taking part this year, it’s going to prove a great charity opening! Tickets, garden guides & refreshments are available from the Village Hall. 12pm – 4pm. £3.50 pp (under 16’s free). Sorry no dogs.

Annual Summer Fayre - Saturday 24 th June Bring your family & friends along to enjoy this popular annual event held in the beautiful grounds at St. Elizabeth’s Centre, Much Hadham. This year we have a collection of Viking displays for all the family! You can have a go at being a Warrior yourself, pat our Viking Horse or just watch the fascinating Warrior Fighting Display! As well as our Warriors we’ll have our traditional variety of stalls, entertainment & refreshments for everyone! 1pm-4pm. 50p pp.

For more information please contact Chloe Atkinson, Events Co-ordinator, St. Elizabeth’s Centre, Much Hadham, Herts, SG10 6EW 01279 844227 [email protected] RCN: 1068661

East Herts and West Essex Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers

Come along and join a friendly group while enjoying interesting and relaxing crafts. We have workshops, visiting speakers, and outings We meet at Harlow Museum, off First Avenue and Muskham Road.

Thursday 11 th May 7.30pm – 9.30pm Bayeux Tapestry. Slides and talk by Ian Powys

Further information – Hazel Mead 01279 724503 or Carolyn Green 01920 892080

St Margarets’ WI

We have enjoyed a variety of talks at our meetings this year. In January Mr Kim Ghafur showed us his collection of children’s books, comics and toys. These dated from the 1940s to the 1960s and there was a great deal of audience participation. One member was astonished to learn that a 1960 copy of ‘Ant and Bee’ which cost 5s 6d, was now worth £50, and Enid Blyton’s ‘Famous Five’ stories are collectors’ items.

Janet Naylor joined us in February to give a fascinating and humorous talk entitled ‘Scandal, Spectres and Strange Goings On’ …. Most of these took place in Hertfordshire, including the tale of Henry Trigg’s coffin. Mr Trigg lived in Old , and had a fear of grave robbers. He made his brother promise that, when he died, he would be placed in his coffin which was to be put above the rafters of his house in Middle Row. It has remained there since the 1700s. (The house is now a bank!)

In March Mr Colin Clare, from Hertford Police Station, gave us advice about ‘Home and Personal Security’. We were so impressed that most of us have ordered personal alarms that will probably deafen any villain within earshot. Also in March several of us attended a Group 15 meeting in Ware to hear Sarah Harrison, the novelist, tell us that ‘You wouldn’t believe it’. This was an account of her life as a writer. Starting as a child in the 1950s she wrote short stories to entertain her school friends. Her best seller, ‘The Flowers of the Field’, was published when she was 23, and she is still writing two novels a year.

Future speakers include a magistrate, a National Trust steward and a “Happy Exercise” lady. Then, in June, we shall be off on an evening mystery tour. We welcome visitors and new members to our meetings in the Wilshere Hall on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7.45pm Audrey Fry (01992 462663)

Stanstead Abbotts Carpet Bowls Club Stanstead Abbotts Carpet Bowls Club play each Monday at the Parish Hall. We had a very successful night at Essendon Parish Hall in our first Cup Final game against Braughing, which we won.

We are also top of the Herfordshire League as well. Well played bowlers! For details contact Ron Woodley on 01920 871782

Amwell Society

Our proceedings on 31 st March began with a re-enactment of a hearing in Shoreditch Court in 1970; GLC v Gilder. Four members of our Society took part. It might be invidious to name them, but I must tell you that the judge was played by our Beloved Chairman, who else? The Court Usher told us, the public, to stand and the judge, suitably arrayed in a long black gown, entered and sat down. We also sat down. Counsel for the GLC told the court that the defendant, Gilder, was considerably in arrears with his due payments to the GLC. Gilder admitted that he did owe money to the GLC. Our speaker, Mr John Ghafur, spoke on behalf of Gilder – as he did in reality back in 1970 – telling the court that his client promised to pay his arrears in instalments, if the court agreed to this arrangement. The judge did agree and the defendant was released. End of case.

Mr Ghafur was the son of a barrister (and had his old man’s wig box to prove it) but had no intention of following in his footsteps. But, having learnt some Latin and excelled in the art of précis at school – both of which accomplishments are very useful for a lawyer – he actually entered Lincoln’s Inn in 1959 to train as a barrister. He also took a Law degree in 1963 when he received his degree at the Albert Hall from the Queen Mother. [Strangely, I received my degree in the same hall from the same lady some thirty years before.]

The title of his talk was “From Soho Clubs to the House of Lords”. He explained that after working for the Middlesex County Council he decided that he had had enough of being a barrister, changed course to become a solicitor, and moved to County Hall in London, where he dealt with licence applications from clubs, some of them in Soho. Much later in life he was involved in a case which went to the House of Lords.

He moved from County Hall to County Courts, where he had to deal with Mortgage and Rent repossessions such as the Gilder case. Then he moved into Town and Country Planning, dealing with the protection of Listed Buildings and the Green Belt. Among his many unusual experiences he mentioned being involved in the moving of the Covent Garden market and the sale of County Hall. He also recalled flying down the Thames to inspect a proposed site of a London Heliport.

In conclusion, John said that he had enjoyed his career, especially his time with the GLC. He also recalled that he was invited by a QC, to join his Chambers and revert to being a barrister – he was flattered but refused. M’Lud Hardy thanked John for his excellent talk and the members retired to the Wig and Pen for a glass of wine. Kenneth Pearson Stanstead Abbotts Parish Council

The Annual Meeting of Stanstead Abbotts Parish Council is on Thursday 18 th May at 7.30 pm, in the Parish Hall on Roydon Road All residents are welcome. The meeting gives an opportunity to discuss all local issues.

The Parish Council also has two vacancies for Councillors. Candidates need to have an interest in local affairs, especially the general environment. They also need to live within three miles of the Parish boundary and be prepared to attend approximately eight evening meetings a year. If you are interested, please phone either Julia Witting (the Chair) on 01920 877461, or the Clerk, Neville Townsend on 01992 468758.

Hosepipe Ban – Water Saving

Three Valleys Water has put in place a hosepipe ban to conserve underground water supplies. Households run the risk of a £1,000 fine if they use sprinklers, irrigation systems, hosepipes or jet washers to water gardens or wash cars. People are encouraged to pledge to save water in various ways around the home - www.beatthedrought.com .

6 ways to save water: 1. Have a quick shower instead of a bath – a five minute shower uses 30-60 litres, compared with 80 litres for a bath. 2. Don’t leave the tap running when brushing your teeth – this wastes 10 litres each time. 3. Only use your dishwasher and washing machine on a full load – one less wash each week will save more than 5,000 litres a year. 4. Install a water-saving device in your toilet cistern – this saves up to 3 litres per flush 5. Fix dripping taps – they can waste up to 140 litres a week. 6. Get a water meter fitted free of charge – the incentive to save money will help you watch what you use.

British Red Cross Collection 7th to 13 th May

Anyone willing to assist with this by collecting either door to door or at the level crossing (on Saturday 13 th only), please contact Valerie on 01920 870954.

The Evergreen Club of the Three Villages

In March we went to the Tiptree Factory where we had an excellent tea, and many of us went into their museum of jam-making. Did you know that you can only call it ‘marmalade’ if it is made of oranges?

We’re off on one of our favourite outings in May – our coach takes us through the estate with its wonderful displays of bluebells, and sometimes, even herds of deer. We are met in Tring where we can, if we wish, have an excellent WI lunch, or we can explore Tring itself.

Don’t forget to support our tombola stall in June at the Riverside Festival on the green next to the Jolly Fisherman public house.

Telephone Margaret Peterkin for more information and to book outings, 01920 870626.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Information about future events to me by 7 th of next month please. Rosemary Imroth (01920 424140)

MAY 2006 Wednesday 10 th Evergreen Club Trip to Tring via the bluebell woods. Lunch available if required. Details and booking from Margaret Peterkin 01920 870626

Thursday 11 th Great Amwell WI 2pm Parish Hall “Resolutions” Contact 01920 870331

Friday 26 th Amwell Society 8pm Parish Hall. AGM followed by William Chastell – “The Tye Green Challenge” Contact 01920 467927 for more details.

Hearing Technician A Hearing Technician will be at The Folly Community Centre on Thursday 11 th May (10.15-11.15am), for information/help with any hearing aid problems.

New Adverts The adverts at the back of the magazine have been revised and updated, and now include several new businesses and services. We hope that you will find the information useful.

All three of our churches welcome children into our services. On Sundays, St Andrew’s has a crèche at the bottom of the tower, and St Margaret’s and St John’s both have toy boxes at the back of church and children’s service booklets. At some services they also have Sunday Schools (marked +S) (St Andrew’s group is called Challengers ) for primary school children.

Please note – The Vicar’s day off is Friday. The Assistant Priest’s day off is Tuesday. The Administrator works in the Vicarage on Monday-Thursday mornings from 9.15am until 1pm.