From the Vicar Revd Anne Donaldson Summer is here! (At the time of writing we have had glorious sunshine for weeks, all bar one or two days of much – needed rain) Hopefully it will warm up soon as well, and we will be outside for our BBQs etc. Summertime offers so many more opportunities to get together, and the reports I read on the needs of our society today – all ages, as well as children – frequently say how much we need to rediscover the value of socialising. One newspaper article said that there is an astonishing rise in mental health problems in today – 1 in 4 of us suffer that way – and one main way of reversing that is to rediscover community. Reading other reports, that means the community of family, wider family, neighbourhoods, villages, workplace, clubs. They say that many families never spend time together, not even eating one meal a week together. Sometimes that’s due to work patterns, but sometimes it’s simply a lack of recognition that time together is important. Parents need to spend time on their relationship, for the sake of the children as well as themselves. One teen was delighted because his dad had spent time with him – he didn’t like the activity they did, but he loved the ‘quality time’ (his phrase) Relationships with the wider family are vital for all concerned too. Then there’s the village level. We like our children to be part of groups such as Guides and Scouts, but don’t want to give the time to help with those activities. The groups can’t function without sufficient adult help! (see p.6) And people who do give it a try find they get so much out of it, even if it is tiring and you’d rather put your feet up at the end of the day or be doing something else! And the children need to have opportunities to learn how to socialise, especially in these days of the computer and Xbox etc. I am finding more children saying that they are having difficulty making friends. They need those opportunities, and they need to see adults socialising in order to learn how! We are designed to be in communities. So says social anthropologists and psychiatrists as well as the Bible (as I have written before, God does know a thing or two!) So how about making an effort to spend time with other people this summer? Enjoy each other, enjoy good food, enjoy ‘timeout’,enjoy the garden…Have a wonderful summer. God bless, Anne

Church News

Lunches for Charities: Thursday 4 th June for Herts Air Ambulance, Thursday 2 nd July for World Vision Come and join us – everyone, of all ages, is welcome to these free lunches at 1pm in the Wilshere Hall, Cappell Lane, Stanstead Abbots. The lunches are followed by Holy Communion at 2.30pm. Some come for that only, some go after lunch, and some stay for both!! The lunch in May raised £105 for Homestart.

July/August Parishes Magazine Items for the next magazine, which is for July and August 2009, should preferably be emailed to [email protected] or left at the Vicarage by 12 th June at the latest please. Copy can also be given to Lynne Heraud.

St John’s church cleaning rota requires more people either to volunteer to clean or to sponsor a paid cleaner (£8 per hour). If you can help, please contact Julia Brace on 01992 447845.

Transport to Church If you would like a lift to church, please phone the Churchwardens (see back cover of this magazine).

From our Registers

We celebrated the Marriage of Rosalie Frangiamore and James Wells 16 th May (St Andrew’s)

We welcomed Glen Taylor Riverside Cottages 3rd May (St Andrew’s)

We offer our condolences to the families and friends of John Miller Gilpins Gallop 27 th April (Parndon Wood) Ruby Watson Trotters Gap 5th May (St James) Bert Anderson Stanstead Road 11 th May (St Margarets’) Douglas Willison Hatfield 15 th May (St James)

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.

Lunches for Charities

4th June for – Herts Air Ambulance Thanks to the hard work and determination of the people of a state of the art Air Ambulance was launched in November 2008. This is just the beginning, maintaining the service will only be possible through the continued generosity of the people of our County. • It costs around £80,000 a month to operate the aircraft 5 days a week. • On average every life-saving flight costs £2,000. • There were 81 rescues to the end of March 2009

2nd July - World Vision

World Vision works to make a serious and sustainable impact on poverty and its causes, especially as they affect children. ‘We are committed to long-term change, which means connecting people. Whether it’s enabling people in developing communities to support each other, or linking donors to those in need through child sponsorship, or creating networks to campaign for justice, we believe that getting people connected is the best way to make a difference.’ Crisis and disaster management When disaster strikes, a fast and effective response can save lives. Always ready In an emergency, it’s not just every day that counts – it’s every hour. With £1.5 million in pre-positioned relief supplies and more than 30,000 staff serving in nearly 100 countries, World Vision can respond to virtually any disaster within 24 to 72 hours. Experts in relief World Vision staff possess decades of experience delivering effective emergency aid. From Ethiopia to South East Asia, we’ve been engaged in global relief efforts since the 1960s. • World Vision responded to 85 disasters around the world in 2007. • An estimated 7 million survivors, refugees, and internally displaced people were assisted by World Vision last year. A major advantage of World Vision is that it trains local people, and it is through them that it does it’s development work and disaster relief, rather than having to fly people in from elsewhere who don’t know the people they seek to help.

The Good Childhood® Inquiry

More than 20,000 children took part in this independent enquiry. We have printed summaries of the chapter on children’s friendships. This month we turn to the chapter on Family.

From the children’s point of view, a loving family is the key to a good start in life. – good physical care, unconditional love and clear boundaries for behaviour. Children’s behaviour depends on the quality of their relationship with their parents – warmth, understanding, interest and firmness Family break-up is on the increase, with 1/3 of the 16s surveyed living apart from their biological father. Parental conflict and separation can have a disastrous effect on children – 50% more have problems than those whose parents have not separated. Children with married parents do best in terms of conceptual development and behaviour, even more than parents who are cohabiting but committed to each other (though co-habiting couples are more likely to split up). Step families and lone parent families often suffer more poverty and more mental health difficulties. Grandparents’ support makes a big difference, and community networks help. Children need to be loved, and that helps them to feel good about themselves, and to love others. But that does not mean accepting whatever they do – loving yet firm parenting is the most effective in terms of outcomes and well-being. Children also fare better if their parents are consistent in how they interact, and if they feel comfortable in talking with them about feelings Fathers are as important as mothers in a child’s life. If fathers are closely involved with their children the children develop better friendships, more empathy, higher self-esteem, better life satisfaction, and higher achievement. The impact of fathers shows up especially in adolescence. But fathers still do less with their children than mothers even when the mother is working. The more both fathers and mothers converse with their children and the better they set limits, the better the children do at school. Pre-school education has positive benefits for the child, but those who experience long hours of nursery care are somewhat more anti-social and aggressive (though this may disappear by 11). Children cared for by relatives develop very similarly to those cared for by parents. Child-rearing is one of the most challenging tasks in life, and ideally requires 2 people. Children learn to love through seeing the love between 2 adults. Continuity in parenting is crucial for inner security. Thus parents should have a long-term commitment to each other as well as to the welfare of the child. It also follows that such a challenging task benefits from parenting classes – before the child is born. Even while future parents are still in school they should learn about skills in parenting and relationships, and the process of child development. Baptism, Welcome, Thanksgiving, or any birth ceremony with vows through which parents commitment can be reinforced is recommended. The Report also recommends that the choice of a parent staying at home, rather than working, should be made more easily available – and employers should be more receptive to fathers, as well as mothers, requesting flexible working hours. Local Authorities should ensure help and support for parents whose child is disturbed. There should also be support for parents in conflict, to help them stay together or, if necessary, to help them separate in a way that least impacts the children. Children in separated families fare best when they can keep contact with both parents, and with grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins etc. “We need to reverse the increase in family conflict. This is the heartache that damages so many children, however well they are otherwise brought up.”

St John the Baptist Great Amwell

Patronal Festival

Children are going to decorate the church for our Patronal Festival (St John the Baptist day) Please come and look around (and congratulate them on their work!)

The church will be open th Saturday 27 10.00am – 5.00pm Sunday 28 th 8.30am – 11.00am, 2.30pm – 6.30pm

4.30pm: Tea and games for children 5-11 years 5.00pm: Children’s Evening Service St James, Stanstead Abbots Open Sundays St James Church will be open for visitors on Sunday afternoons from 2.30pm to 5.00pm, during June, July, August and September.

St John’s Church, Great Amwell Afternoon Teas Every Sunday afternoon from 3rd May to 27 th September 3pm-5pm

Stanstead Abbotts Youth Club

I visited the Youth Club recently and had a very enjoyable evening. There were youngsters of, I guess, 12-15yrs. Some played pool, some sat on the wall outside and ‘chilled’ (is that still the expression??) after that evenings sports activity. They were a delightful group. I am very grateful to the leaders who give up their Friday evenings for the Club. The recent surveys have almost all said how important it is for youngsters to have places to ‘hang out’ together, but away from their parents. If you would like to call in and meet them, they meet every other Friday 7.00pm-9.00pm in the Wilshere Hall (part of St Andrew’s church) in Cappell Lane. Recently some of their leaders had to step down, due to moving or in order to spend more time with their own small children. That has caused the move to every other Friday, rather than weekly. If you feel you could help out – perhaps once a month, or with specific activities / trips, please call in and see them. You could simply be another adult to ensure the correct teen/adult ratio – you could run the small tuck shop in the kitchen – or you could offer some activity (craft, cookery, make-up, bicycle maintenance ) No Qualifications needed, though you will need a CRB check done.

4th Annual Riverside Festival Saturday 20 th June 2009 From 1.00pm – 6.30pm Stalls on the green next to Jolly Fisherman Popular climbing wall by the Scouts Plastic duck race and raft race on the river Food stalls and refreshments Also performances and displays throughout the afternoon from local groups and schools, as well as live music until 6.30pm

In 2008 the festival raised a fantastic £4,500 for the Youth Club and Playground, so please come along and support a day that raises money for our local community.

The Mothers’ Union founded by Mary Sumner, is a Christian organisation, which promotes the well- being of families worldwide, through bible reading, discussion and prayer. Our current theme is ‘the home’. With the assistance of a DVD we have explored how the Mothers’ Union has empowered the lives of mothers and fathers, here and around the world, providing educational, moral and practical support to sustain their families. The Mothers’ Union in the Benefice is an informal group meeting 6 times yearly. Our group is open to all, parents with pre-school children to great- grandparents. Next meeting details: 25 th June, 2pm at The Vicarage, Rd.

All this day, O Lord, let me touch as many lives as possible for Thee; and every life I touch, do Thou by Thy Spirit quicken, whether through the word I speak, the prayer I breathe, or the life I live. Amen Patience Donaldson Regular events in the three churches: TICTACs ( Year 7+ students): weekly in term time Wednesdays at 6.00pm in the Wilshere Hall Upper Room. Phone 01920 870115 Prayer Meeting: Tuesday mornings 9.30am – phone 01920 871626 Tuesday Homegroup : weekly 7.30pm. phone 01920 422373 or 871626 Wednesday Homegroup : fortnightly. 8.00pm – phone 01920 872077 Friday Homegroup : fortnightly. 8.00pm. - phone 01920 872077 Alpha course : enquiries – 01920 870115 Toddler Time : Wednesdays 1.30-3.00pm in St Margarets’ Parish Church Crèche: available every Sunday 10.15am service at St. Andrew’s in the tower area – toys and books are at the back of St John’s and St Margarets’ Challengers (for Primary children): every Sunday 10.15am at St. Andrew’s (except when All Ages worship together) Sunday School : at St Margarets’ every Sunday, 10.30am on 1 st and 3 rd Sundays, 11.00am on 2 nd Sunday (Family Service 11.00am on 4 th Sunday) St. John the Baptist Bellringers: Thursdays 7.30-9pm St. Andrew’s Music Group: two Thursdays each month, 7.30pm in Church St. John the Baptist Choir Practice : Saturdays 10.15am in Church St. Margarets’ Church : coffee every Saturday 10.30am – 12.30pm

St Margarets, Church Restoration Fund Summer Concert Sunday 2nd August at 4pm Tickets £5 including refreshments, available from Jennifer (01992) 469503 or Ruth (01992) 462151

Congratulations to Nigel Copping Hertfordshire Community Foundation recently awarded Nigel a 'Certificate of Appreciation' which said that his: - “commitment to building a Named Fund is an example of personal philanthropy unparalleled in the County and who, by doing so, has eased need and deprivation across ”

Nigel has also had a presentation recognising long service as a School Governor for Amwell View, Hailey Hall, St Johns Great Amwell, and St Andrews Stanstead Abbots

Congratulations Nigel, and very many thanks for your commitment and service to this community

CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau) Tuesdays at Folly View Community Room 9.30am-12.30pm For appointments contact 01992 514514 and they will arrange a time

St Margaretsbury Cricket Club St Margaretsbury Cricket Club would be keen to welcome any new players for the 2009 season and beyond. We have cricket for a range of abilities. Please call Club Captain Giles Tilbury on 07746 532207

Great Amwell WI

At the May meeting the speaker came at 2.30pm, so the business was conducted first. 3 members received birthday posies. The ploughman’s lunch at Pat Geer’s house and raffle made £116, which will be given to the HFW County House Fund. Kay Todd gave an amusing account of the Chile & Argentina Evening and Carol Venus gave a report on the Group Meeting. Mr. Wilcox gave a fascinating talk on honeybees. Beekeeping is the easiest form of livestock management. At first straw skeps collected swarms, then in 1789 removable hives were invented. The Colony comprises queen, workers and drones. There are 60-80,000 in the colony that are collecting nectar and pollen. The Veroa bug is killing them off and has wiped out all the wild colonies. Meg Newman

News from the Wider Church In a legal and liturgical ceremony that has been part of church practice since the third century, the Rt. Revd. Alan Smith received the care, government and administration of the bishopric of Bishop Alan's inauguration will take place on 19th September 2009. • 1.7 million people take part in a Church of England service each month, a level that has been maintained for some years. • 3 million participate in a Church of England service on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. Thirty-nine per cent of the population attend a Christmas service of some sort. • The number of people being ordained in a year is increasing "Now is not the time for narrow nationalism and protectionism , although some politicians may want us to move down that road," Bishop Stephen Lowe told the Presidents of the European Commission, European Council and European Parliament on May 11th. "Rather, recovery has to be based on a new ethical financial system where borrower and lender are in relationship, where green issues are at the forefront of the new economic order and the poor throughout the world are not sacrificed on the altar of political expediency.” A new website launched by the Church of England today marks a groundbreaking initiative to identify the distinctive values that make Christian schools popular with parents and students, and promote ways of living out those values in the day-to-day activities of a busy school environment. The new website, www.christianvalues4schools.co.uk , identifies 15 core values – including Service, Trust and Forgiveness – which are introduced with examples of how schools have brought these values to life, through everything from worship to gardens and architecture. Zimbabwe appeal raises almost £300,000 The Archbishops of Canterbury and York Dr Rowan Williams and Dr John Sentamu say they have been humbled by the response to the appeal launched at the beginning of Lent which highlights the support needed by churches, which are struggling to feed the hungry and provide health care. In a joint statement, the Archbishops said: "We know that rebuilding Zimbabwe is a long-term aim and this short intervention is still only reaching a small number of the many millions in need. Thank you for enabling us to do this.” [Our churches took part].

Isabel Hospice Events Note: The Isabel Hospice Head Office has moved to 61 Bridge Road East, Garden City, Herts AL7 1JR. Our new telephone number is 01707 382500. The In-Patient Unit and Day Hospice have not moved.

Sat 13 Jun 2009 18:30 - 23:55 Sunset & Stars Walk If you would like to take part in our FIRST EVER evening walk in aid of Isabel Hospice, please contact Fundraising on 01707 382500. The 9 mile walk will start from St Margaretsbury Sports and Social Club near Ware, meeting at 6.30pm. Tickets cost £15, children over 12 only £10. We are looking for walkers, marshalls and sponsors. You can email [email protected] with any other queries.

Sun 14 Jun 2009 14:00 - 17:00 Open Garden The garden of Roxford House, will be open in aid of Isabel Hospice.

Fri 26 Jun 2009 - Madrigals Madrigals to be held at Great Amwell Pool. Collection will be made for Isabel Hospice. Starts at 9pm. Contact Ann Hardy on 01920 870526

Mon 29 Jun 2009 14:00 - 19:30 Garden Party Garden Party in aid of Isabel Hospice at Woodlands, Hunsdonbury, (off Church Lane) , Nr. Ware. Tickets £5 to include cream teas. Stalls include bric a brac, plants, handmade soaps, jewellery,.plus musical entertainment. Tickets from Renee Friend 01279 755320

Sat 4 Jul 2009 14:00 - Sun 5 Jul Teas in Gardens - Pump House, Coles Park, Westmill Thanks to Lord and Lady Carter of Coles for opening their garden as part of the National Garden Scheme. Open for the whole week-end. Teas will be held in the Pump House in aid of Isabel Hospice. The gardens include a lavender walk, a double herbaceous border and a fine collection of old cedars. Extensive lawns and splendid views over parkland. Gravel paths and gravel access to garden. Admission £4, children free. Directions 3m S of . Off A10, leave Westmill heading for Dane End & follow road for approx 1m. Farm on L, then drive through gate for Coles Park.

Community Governor for St Andrew’s School

St Andrew’s School is in need of a Governor from the community. The meetings of all the Governors only happen once a term, but there are subcommittees (such as resources, premises, curriculum) that meet between the full meetings. There is training and support from the Diocese, Hertfordshire Governance, and other Governors. It is quite a sizeable team of Governors, so the work is shared. It is a great privilege to serve the children of Stanstead Abbots and nearby. If you are interested, please contact the school or the Chair of Governors, Vernon Gibbons (01920 422172) for more information. The Evergreen Club of the 3 Villages Our visit to Stockwood Park in Luton was very slightly marred by drizzle and a cold and overcast sky. Nevertheless, we all enjoyed exploring, and those who had been before were amazed at the differences that have been made – much more visitor friendly now and the new entrance is right by the Mossman Museum of Horse-drawn Transport. Book for all outings with Margaret Peterkin – 01920 870626 – don’t forget Felixstowe in July! Rosemary Imroth

Craner Soft Fruit Farm, Broadley Common, Essex

Opening this year on Saturday 6th June for both PYO and ready picked gooseberries, broad beans and to follow on strawberries. WE ARE OPEN EVERY DAY 9.30am to 6.00pm from Monday to Saturday, and 9.30am to 1.30pm on Sundays. TEA ROOM willl open from 13th June, Monday – Saturday 2pm-5pm Recorded message : 01992 892862 Orders/Enquiries : 07808859001

For debt and housing advice etc – CAB , Yeoman’s Ct., Ware Rd. (opposite Tesco)

For help with debt – CAP 0800 328 0006 (free call)

Watoto (Uganda) Children’s Choir are singing in the Drill Hall, Amwell End, Ware SG12 9HP on Sunday 7 th June at 6.30pm. Free Admission Collection for Watoto parentless children in South Uganda.

Help save your Heritage! Sponsored Bike ’n Hike 2009

Over 600 churches and chapels to visit!

Saturday 12 September 2009 10am to 6pm

Raise money for essential repairs to your local church or chapel by getting sponsorship for cycling or walking between churches in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Anyone can take part and there is a choice of over 600 open churches and chapels for you to visit.

For more information please contact: Mrs Joan Trower on 01279 793205 Mrs Ruth Swallow on 01992 462151 Mr Seth Adams on 01920 870861

Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust www.BedsHertsHCT.org.uk

St Elizabeth’s Centre in , provides positive living and learning for people with Epilepsy and complex needs Bromley Hall Open Garden Sunday 14 th June 2pm ~ 5.30pm Come and enjoy a peaceful afternoon in this idyllic garden, all sales of plants and refreshments to go to St Elizabeths

Much Hadham Open Gardens Sunday 21st June 12 noon ~ 5pm £5.00 per person (under 16’s free) Village Hall If there are any villagers who would be prepared to open on our behalf, we would love to hear from you.

Summer Fayre Held in the grounds of the Centre, 50p admission Saturday 27 th June 1pm ~ 4pm As usual there will be a variety of stalls, entertainment for young and old alike!

St Elizabeth’s at The Henry Moore Foundation Open day Sunday 15 th August 12 noon ~ 5.00pm £5.00 per person (under 16’s free) Followed by Open Air Theatre Production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Doors open 5pm. Production 7.30pm – 11.00pm Tickets available now!! For tickets phone: St Elizabeth Centre 01279 844226/227 BS Tourist Info: 01279 655831 or See Tickets 0871 2200260 www.seetickets.com If you would like more information, or can help at any of the above events PLEASE contact Bridgette Hutchins on 01279 844347 All of the money raised by the events goes directly to enhance the lives of the children, young people and adults at St Elizabeth’s .

St Elizabeth’s Centre, Much Hadham, Herts SG10 6EW

Amwell Society When I saw the title of our April talk, "Garden Birds in Hertfordshire Gardens", I wondered if the speaker would have sufficient material to interest a fairly well-informed audience. However, Mr John Britten, who has been associated with the RSPB in for many years, was equal to the challenge. He talked about the RSPB and its work, which does not include bird rescue - they are not set up for that - but does deal with Protection of Birds, providing Reserves with suitable habitats for the various species. He mentioned that he had travelled widely to observe birds in other climes. He had been to Antarctica and particularly noted that he had not observed large flocks of penguins flying overhead. (I do like speakers who have a sense of humour: it saves me the trouble of finding jokes to lighten up my report). We enjoy a wide range of garden birds: Mr Britten mentioned blue tits (each the weight of a pound coin): also garden warblers, although they are not often seen in small gardens. At this point our speaker switched briefly to birds which are not really garden birds, such as parrots which have escaped captivity and are breeding fast. Apparently 20,000 inhabitants of Esher are parrots. We do not see gulls around here, although ducks are occasional visitors. Pheasants are to be seen - I once had a hen-pheasant raising a charming family in my garden. Returning to real garden birds, sparrows are communal birds and prefer large gardens: thrushes are apparently declining in number. I miss the dozen or so pied wagtails that were daily visitors to my lawn several years ago, but John assured me that they are not declining, they have just found a place they like better. The cheek of it! But what about our beloved robins, seen all over the place, especially on Christmas cards? Did you know that it is impossible to determine a robin's gender by sight? And neither can the robins themselves! So when a male robin perceives a new robin in his territory he will attack it. But if the newcomer is a female, she does a display, which tells him that she is female and quite friendly. He told us that the Great Spotted Woodpecker's tail feathers are stiffened to brace it against a tree, while bashing it. So we learnt quite a bit in spite of my fears. John answered many questions until Peter Troughton ended the meeting with thanks for a really good talk Kenneth Pearson

Please make a note in your diaries that our next meeting on Friday 26th June will start at 7.30pm a talk by Tim Hill on the Amwell Nature Reserve; then we can all go down to hear the Madrigals Concert at Amwell Pool, in aid of the Isabel Hospice.