Stebbing Scene Your Village — Your Magazine www.stebbingscene.uk

Edition No: 150 Summer 2019

Sixth Stebbing Vintage Tractor Run 12th May 2019

Bigger than ever!

More than £8,000 raised for Essex and Herts Air Ambulance!

See pages 30 and 33 for report and more pictures

1 A message from Sandi Merifield and John Evans Your New District Councillors

As we write this, it is just under two weeks since we were both elected to represent the two wonderful communities of Stebbing and Felsted. We feel very proud and humbled now to be your Uttlesford District Councillors and promise that we shall represent you to the best of our abilities.

You will be interested to know that Stebbing returned a 40.75% voter turnout, which was one of the higher ones in Uttlesford District. We appreciate the support of all who voted on the day.

During the election campaign we met many of you, as we walked around the Parish, hearing your thoughts and concerns - but importantly we were told how much our residents love and appreciate the community in which we live. Without exception, we were delighted to meet so many friendly and thoughtful people on their doorsteps. (continued opposite)

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To make sure that we keep in contact with you, we intend to hold surgeries bi-weekly in both Stebbing and Felsted. We have still to confirm the day, time and venue, but we will advertise when and where we will be and look forward to meeting residents who have concerns or issues to raise.

As you would imagine, being a new councillor is like being at the first day of school again. People hand us documents or send them electronically; give us presentations of who does what in the Council, introduce us to all the different departments and, of course, there is finding our way around the Council Offices at Saffron Walden. We know that we have lots to learn, but we are excited to get on with it and strive to provide the best representation we can for the communities of Stebbing and Felsted.

One of the things that might be of interest to readers, is a guide to ‘Who Does What?’ in the three local authorities (County, District and Parish) that relate to us. The organogram opposite shows the roles of the Councils and their inter-relationship.

If any resident would like to contact us, our email addresses are: [email protected] and [email protected]

Editorial

What a lot has happened in this last three months! Life is going to change for our new representatives on Uttlesford District Council. Sandi and John will know all too well the high expectations people will have of what they can achieve. We know, as fellow Stebbing residents, they share our concerns, particularly about planning and the environment we love. There was a good Stebbing turnout on election day and I’m sure I speak for many when I say, “We wish them well”.

Comment on the last days of the previous administration, from Stop Stansted Expansion can be found overleaf on page 5, and the final end is marked in an obituary on page 65.

Our Parish Council is also undergoing changes, notably the retirement of our long standing Chair, Jane Goodwin. A tribute to Jane and her final Chairman’s report can be found on pages 6 to 9.

After this, Stebbing Scene almost settles down to our normal reporting of the varied and wonderful range of activities, fun and frolics that villagers enjoy. One difference is that this issue of the Scene is the largest there has been, running to 68 pages! A sizeable number of contributions arrived at the eleventh hour, so it has been quite a challenge to balance adding more space, reducing font size and shortening submissions where possible and appropriate. I hope contributors will forgive me if they think I have been overly harsh with them.

I hope the result does not appear overly rushed, even though it has been, and I would appreciate receiving your comments about the smaller font size in particular. If you think you could offer help with putting future issues together, I’d be very grateful for it! Richard Foot

3 4 Sheer Incompetence From Start To Finish Stop Stansted Expansion Press Release – 29 April 2019

Although predating the local elections, this is the best summary I have seen of the progress of Stansted Airport expansion plans - Ed

Uttlesford District Council (UDC) has at last conceded that it cannot grant final approval to the current Stansted Airport planning application before the local elections on Thursday 2nd May.

The current Conservative administration had intended to rush through final approval of the Airport planning application last Friday (26th April) but has been prevented from doing so. At the end of an Extraordinary Council Meeting at UDC's Saffron Walden offices last Thursday evening (25th April) a procedural motion, put forward by Residents for Uttlesford ('R4U') councillors, supported by Liberal Democrats and two out of the 20 Conservative councillors present, foiled the current administration's attempt to approve the planning application before the local elections on 2nd May.

SSE Chairman Peter Sanders commented: "It is beyond comprehension why our own local council wanted to rush through approval of this planning application by accepting a totally inadequate package of local safeguards and community benefits. The draft Section 106 Agreement which contained the proposed safeguards and benefits did not even meet the minimum requirements set down by the Council's own Planning Committee."

Ahead of the meeting SSE had provided all UDC councillors with detailed briefing notes, explaining the legal deficiencies in the proposed Section 106 Agreement and demonstrating that many of the proposals put forward by Stansted Airport, which the current UDC administration were prepared to accept, were grossly inferior to comparable arrangements at other major UK airports. Peter Sanders added: "Thankfully, there will now be an opportunity to look at this afresh in a less frenzied atmosphere after the local elections have run their course, whatever that course may be."

Urging councillors to reject any further delay in issuing final approval to Stansted Airport, Council Leader Howard Rolfe told councillors at Thursday night's meeting that accepting the motion would most likely lead to a charge of non-determination with "a potential cost even as much as £1 million".

"If that were to be the case", concluded Peter Sanders, "the fault would lie entirely at the Council's own door. This planning application has been incompetently handled from start to finish. It was always far too complex to be dealt with locally. It should have been passed to the Secretary of State for national consideration at the very outset."

Meanwhile, SSE continues to press ahead with its High Court proceedings, with the aim of forcing either the Transport Secretary or the Communities Secretary (or both) to take direct charge of the current Stansted Airport planning application. The Judge is expected to announce dates for the Judicial Review case at the next update hearing on 23rd May.

SSE Campaign Office: 01279 870558; [email protected]

5 Parish Council News Jane Goodwin After 20 years on the Parish Council, and the last 8 as Chairman, Jane Goodwin decided she would not be standing for re-election for another term of office. Jane has worked tirelessly on behalf of the village, being heavily involved with the fight against the proposed West of Braintree Garden Community and the changes made to flight paths. She has represented Stebbing at planning meetings and chaired the many public meetings we have had in relation to travellers on Stebbing Green, the Garden Community proposal and the formation of the new Stebbing Minibus Committee - to name but a few.

Stebbing Parish Council would like to thank her for all the time she has given as a volunteer for the benefit of the community and wish her all the best for the future. *** The recent election resulted in an uncontested election for Stebbing Parish Council, with only 5 nominations for the 9 available seats. Therefore, Stebbing Parish council has vacancies for Parish Councillors, and are looking to co-opt a number of parishioners.

◊ Is it for me? - If you have an interest in the village in which you live, and would like to contribute to maintaining the environment and many services in the village, as well as helping to shape it’s future, this is the role for you.

◊ Will it take a lot of my time? - Stebbing Parish Council meets each month on the second Thursday evening at 7.30pm, with a break in August, when there is no meeting. The meeting lasts on average 2 hours, outside which your time commitment is variable, depending whether you become involved as a member of a committee or give time to a particular project. This could then be anything from 1 to 4hrs a week.

◊ Am I qualified? - As a councillor you need the enthusiasm to contribute to Stebbing Village life and be able to give your time voluntarily. You must be over 18yrs and be either an elector in Stebbing, work in the Parish or own property/land in the Parish.

◊ Interested? - Contact Greg King, Clerk to Stebbing Parish Council:

Email: [email protected] Tel: 01371 855805

Chairman’s Annual Report 2018 -19

Planning has again been dominating the work and expenditure of Stebbing Parish Council (SPC), particularly that associated with the proposed Local Development Plans (LDP) for both Uttlesford District Council (UDC) and Braintree District Council (BDC).

SPC held a second public meeting in July 2018 to keep the village informed of the progress of the LDPs and what SPC had done, and will continue to do, to fight the development of a Garden Community, crossing the boundaries between Uttlesford and Braintree, impacting on, and endangering, the way of life in Stebbing and the precious countryside surrounding it.

(continued on page 7) The Big Cheese The Adult Scarecrow Winner 6 (continued from page 6)

Those who attended, continued to support this stance and, despite the generosity of the village in funding all activities to date, SPC agreed, for the last year, to raise further funding through the council precept. This has ensured that SPC can continue to use the services of a professional planner, who has responded to alI the various LDP consultations throughout the year, particularly the regulation 19 consultation and, scheduled in July 2019, the Planning Inspectors Examination Hearing of Uttlesford's LDP. Braintree LDP is further into this process but is still awaiting the Inspectors report.

SPC continues to try and improve its communication with the village. No perfect solution has been found - but posting important information on Stebbing Nextdoor, as well as the more traditional methods, has hopefully meant that more villagers are now receiving SPC news. Planning In addition to the LDP, routine planning applications take a considerable amount of time for the Planning Committee to consider and, when some prove to be controversial, SPC try and listen to the concerns of villagers and reflect them in their comments. Members attend UDC planning committee meetings when appropriate to comment on any Stebbing Plans that come before the committee.

It must be remembered that SPC are only consultees - as are all parishioners in planning matters - and it would encourage parishoners to comment via the UDC website with their opinions. Neighbourhood Plan The Neighbourhood plan steering group had continued to work hard for the last year and is nearing the end of its task. The draft plan should soon be ready for consultation before the next stage of the process. Affordable Housing SPC is still aiming to be successful in achieving the development of a small number of affordable homes for local people. Some options are still being pursued and it is hoped that there will be some positive results in the near future. Stebbing Green Routine maintenance has proved effective in ensuring that Stebbing Green is kept to a high standard. This year, as SPC have been following a maintenance programme that was advised some years ago, Essex Wild LIfe Trust was invited to inspect the green and to advise of any changes needed. Pleasingly the EWT representative felt all was well with the green and commented that it was one of the few open grassland spaces of it's type in Essex.

Highways and Street Lighting The repair of the damaged culvert in the High Street remains a major concern. A protected pathway through "the cage" was achieved for the safety of pedestrians but now the plans for repair are creating concerns. It has been proposed that the road should be closed for up to 6 months; the diversion will necessitate a detour to Dunmow and back.

(continued on page 9)

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The works will impact on adjacent residents and landowners, public and school bus services, church activities, access to the village shop, Village Hall and OFMH. It will upset the natural flow of the village traffic and activities, particularly for those residents living on the wrong side of the closure. Much discussion has taken place to try and mitigate some of these issues not least a pedestrian access during the time of the road closure. To date much is not decided, except that the works will commence in September 2019. SPC will continue to help find solutions to concerns expressed by residents.

Litter remains a problem particularly on the roads into the village off the B1256. This year there has been a good response to our appeal for litter pickers. A number of groups and individuals joined in a litter pick and have taken on areas of the village that they will clear on a regular basis through out the year. Currently the village is clear of a major litter problem and, with everybody’s help, it should remain that way. Playing Fields All three playing fields continue to be used by various age groups in the village. To maintain them is very expensive and SPC apply for any available grants to help with costs, particularly those associated with play equipment. A new bench has been provided on Pulford field to replace one that had worn out. A new fence on one boundary of MIll Lane Field has been erected in conjunction with Stebbing Cricket Club.

Stebbing Parish Council would not be able to undertake the essential work that it does without its Clerk, Greg King. He also continues to undertake the additional work involved with the production of the Neighbourhood plan. I would like to thank him for all his hard work, efficiency and sense of humour when liaising with contractors and parishioners, enabling all the many projects to be completed.

As Chairman I would also like to thank my Vice Chairman Sandi Merrifield for all her support and relentless enthusiasm throughout the year, Chairing the Planning Committee and always keeping up the momentum needed to continue the fight against West of Braintree.

Thank you also to the other Chairs of SPC committees for all their work throughout the year:  Stebbing Green: Christina Cant  Highways and Street lighting: Brian Martin / Judith Farr  Playing Fields and equipment: Jackie Kingdom

I should also like to thank all my fellow councillors who, as volunteers, work hard giving their time without payment for the benefit of Stebbing.

On a personal note, this is my last report as Chairman. I decided not to stand for election this year so will leave Stebbing Parish Council after over 20 years of being a councillor. It has been a rewarding experience and I wish good luck to my remaining colleagues.

Jane Goodwin, Chairman Stebbing Parish Council

The whole village has reason to be grateful for your efforts Jane - Thank you (Ed)

9 Your Church Building is Changing - Come and See.

Over the past few years St Mary’s Stebbing have been thinking carefully and prayerfully about how we can best use our building for the benefit of the village that we serve. We are now in a position to share with the whole community some plans for a renovation and re-ordering project, which we call, “The Way Forward”. It is the biggest project undertaken on the building since the Victorian re-ordering in the 1880s. The Project management team presented the plans, and the vision that accompanies them, to the congregation on May 12th and we would now like to invite the wider community to find out more about this exciting project, the aim of which is to benefit the whole village community.

On June 15th at Stebbing School’s “Showcase for Stebbing” fete, there will be a church stall with a display about the project, as well as information about the activities the church runs. Then, on Saturday 29th and Sunday June 30th, everyone is invited to our Open Weekend.

 Saturday 29th, in the evening, BBQ, Bar and Band in the church field.

 Sunday 30th at 11am, church service in the field, followed by a picnic, with an opportunity to view the plans in detail and meet the architect.

To find out more follow our Facebook Page, or come along to the School Fete.

With best wishes, Tim

Rev Tim Goodbody

10 A Message From Our Vicar A Ship Is Safe in The Harbour - by Gael Attel A ship is safe in the harbour, But that's not what ships are built for.

Because in the sum of our human gleams, We have created the vessel for our dreams.

Its purpose: to retrieve the alien shore, To scout, seek, achieve and explore.

A ship is meant to fly and fly, To seize the horizon and capture the sky.

And the few of us with the intrepidity, To brave the virulent vortex velocity

We are the wealthiest of men ever to dream And ever to combat a sea or a stream.

And the harboured ships that fritter away, Slowly begin to rot and decay. Never has there been a greater waste of a day, Than that spent harboured, Than those of us who stay.

I went looking for the quotation from the opening stanza I’d seen online and, when I found this poem, I thought I’d share the whole thing with you. It speaks very powerfully about the situation we find ourselves in. Yes, this is another letter about change, and another situation in which I have no idea what might have happened, other than an English Team will have won the Champions’ League. In times of uncertainty, we can get nervous and look around for something secure to hold on to. This tends to be what we know, what we have always known, to be good, protective, reassuring and safe. In church, as we face some changes, it might be a particular form of worship, or a particular book. In the Brexit debacle it might be an attitude to outsiders that is intended to preserve our cherished identity, but can spill over into xenophobia. Either way, my observation continues to be that this uncertainty brings out the worst in us – and I include myself in that. Oh, that it could be sorted out one way or another! And in fact, as the poem shows us, holding on to safety, the known and the secure, is not what life is about. We are meant to press on into the unknown, to explore new things, new ways of building community, because if we do not keep moving, we just rot away like ships stuck in the harbour. There are some examples from nature to illustrate this, such as swifts who have to stay on the wing and sharks who have to keep swimming, but I think perhaps the most encouraging image come from the New Testament. In Luke 24, verses 13-35 we read the story of the Emmaus road, when two people walk all day with the risen Christ, not realising it is him until he breaks bread with them in their home. This paints a picture of life as a journey, a journey we are accompanied on, even if we only recognise that our companion Christ was with us when we reach our destination. That journey to Emmaus took place amid enormous uncertainty, yet it ends with great joy and encouragement. Whatever your journey’s ups and downs, I pray you know that you do not travel alone. Tim 11 12 Stebbing Garden Club News Unfortunately, by the time you read this, it is likely that you will have missed our very informative and enjoyable evening talks on “A Woodland Garden through the Year” and “The Dry Garden” at our April and May meetings. However, there is still an opportunity before the summer break, to come to our meeting on June 24th, when Alan Adcock will deliver a light-hearted and amusing talk about his local working experiences, entitled “From Agriculture to Horticulture”. We resume our meetings in September. All are welcome at our evening events, 7.30 for 8.00pm in Stebbing Village Hall. On 11th May a group of us visited ‘Dragons’, an NGS garden opening especially for us. The garden, owned by a self-declared plantaholic, was an absolute delight with almost too many beautiful and unusual plants to 'ooh’ and ‘aah’ about - and not a weed in sight. Quite exceptional. Outing to Etham Palace and Gardens Our coach outing this year is on the 7th July, to Eltham Palace and Gardens located near Greenwich and is open to Stebbing residents, their families and friends. Our visit combines access to one of English Heritage’s flagship properties, set amidst stunning gardens, a venue chosen as the backdrop for an episode of the ‘Antiques Road Show’ during 2018. Eltham Palace, once a medieval palace and then a Tudor royal residence, was transformed into a striking art deco mansion, by millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld, and is now surrounded by 19 acres of award-winning gardens.

To secure your seat on the coach, please fill out one of the forms available from the village shop and return to me with a cheque for the full amount made payable to ‘Stebbing Garden Club’. All are entitled to the 15% group discount on the normal entrance ticket price: so the full remittance including coach travel costs is adult (18-64) £26.59; concessions (65+) £25.32; children (5-17) £21.30 and, of course, English Heritage members get in free, so only the travel component of £13.50 is payable. I do hope you’ll join us. All enquiries to: Margaret Rufus, 856122. Village Summer Basket or Container Competition As a departure from the formality of our flower shows, we have decided to run a ‘just-for-fun’ hanging basket or container competition this summer – an event that should be enjoyable to take part in and bring a bit of colour to Stebbing. If you fancy having a go, details of how to enter are available from the village shop, but remember, the closing date for entries is 17th June so you’ll have to get planting very soon indeed. First, second and third place winners of each category will each receive a medal. If you have any queries, or want further advice, please contact Joan on 856041 or Angie on 856464. For tips, look online at the RHS, T&M, 'Britain in Bloom' websites or Youtube.

Margaret Rufus, Secretary

13 14 Mill Lane Cider Company

Mill Lane Cider Company was founded in 2017 to produce high quality cider made from local apples. The aim is to make cider produced from 100% apple juice and eschewing artificial ingredients. All the juice is freshly pressed from apples local to the North Essex area, no concentrate or colouring is used. The brewery is based in Mill Lane, Stebbing.

The company was founded by two ex-IT Directors, Bernard Bazley and Peter Parkinson, who gave up 20 years of executive life in the City of London insurance markets to fulfil a lifetime ambition to brew beer and cider.

The first year of production was 2017, when 100 litres of cider was produced using manual methods. The equipment was upgraded in 2018 when an electric apple mill and a hydro-press were installed. This made life much easier, and in that year just over 200 litres of cider was produced. In 2019 the plan is to double the output again Bernard and Peter to approx. 500 litres of cider. All the juice will continue to come from local apples.

Currently three varieties of cider are produced, a still, unsweetened, natural cider and two sparkling ciders - one unsweetened and one sweetened by a natural sweetener. The still cider is delivered in 3 litre and 20 litre boxed bags. The sparkling is carbonated with CO2 and stored in the KEG under pressure, before being delivered in 500ml bottles to local shops and restaurants. Bernard Bazley

Stebbing Cubs clean up!

Stebbing Cubs have put the village of Stebbing at the heart of one of their challenges. Community has a strong presence in Scouting and this is linked to a number of Cub challenge and activity badges. Together with the help of Stebbing Parish Council the Cubs have launched their own "Keep Stebbing Tidy" campaign.

A poster competition was launched in March. The Cub Scouts each designed a poster, with the winning design due to be displayed on all Stebbing noticeboards, to encourage people not to drop litter. Many thanks to Judith Farr, Chair of Stebbing Parish Council, who came along to our meeting and judged the competition. The winning entry was designed by Henry Kershaw.

Look out for the Cubs in Hi-vis jackets in the coming weeks, litter picking throughout the village. Each year we run a community challenge so we will soon be planning for the next! We will have spaces in the autumn so if you have a child interested in joining our group. Please see our Facebook page "1st Stebbing Scout Group" and send us a message.

Maxine Walker, Akela, 1st Stebbing Cub Scouts

15 16 ‘Just a Tree’

Recent articles about the trees under threat, because of impending works to the culvert at Church End, have reminded me of my own failure to save one young, healthy holly tree at the opposite end of the High Street.

Correspondence from Uttlesford’s Landscape Officer in June 2015, just prior to its felling, confirmed that plans submitted in outline ‘showed the holly tree to be retained and protected during the course of construction works.’ He continued that he had ‘no doubt that this tree ought to be retained in the development’.

His opinion was that there was ‘no A countryside home … then evidence at this time of the tree being under threat’. I was asked to let him know if I had reason to believe that any work may imminently be carried out on the tree. I called him when the workman arrived with a chainsaw, but it was all too late and the tree, which was seven metres high and categorised as in good heath and structural condition, was a sad pile of neat logs and branches by teatime.

As one can see from the pictures, this tree would now be some metres in from the entrance of ‘Ploughman’s Reach’, as developers have named the estate, providing some screening and dignity to the bald appearance of the development. The whimsical flower bed planted on the land annexed from the garden of 4, Hillcroft Cottages, will no doubt be weedy and neglected as soon as the ‘countryside homes’ have been sold. Other mature trees, which were also to be retained, strangely died, perhaps of fright. …and now Mature trees can not be replaced like cars or houses. Saplings planted now will take more than a lifetime to reach the scale and beauty of most that we enjoy here in Stebbing. How often have you heard, ‘what a beautiful village!’, but without the backdrop and ‘dressing’ of the trees’ architecture, it may not be quite as stunning.

So, please fight for every tree and plant trees for future generations to ensure that our air continues to be clean, our wildlife habitats retained and our minds enriched by being lucky enough to live here.

Wendy Kibblewhite

17 18 The Ghost of Chesterton House - Stebbing Village Hall

As we sat around the table, the tension was rising; I nervously looked at my watch... Our pleas for help went unanswered, when would this horror be over? All we wanted was the bill. We had tickets for Chesterton House and had booked an early table at the local Chinese restaurant in Dunmow. It proved a busy Saturday night and we feared we’d miss our time slot. We had tickets for the last two performances, one for Cassie and I, the other for Cassie’s parents, allowing us turns to look after our daughter - we were warned she was too young to attend.

I didn’t tell them what they were going to see, the drama in the restaurant kept them from asking too many questions, and then being too scared to go. We got back with minutes to spare, my in- laws ushered in by a tall man, solemnly dressed, though quite genial. I can’t repeat what they said when we were tagged to go in, but it set the scene nicely.

A dozen of us nervously shared stories of similar plays we’d seen before. We recognised some familiar faces of parents from the school, who’d chosen to torture themselves in a different way on a Saturday night without the kids. Others had come from further afield and seemed to be regulars to this kind of theatre too. We knew what we were letting ourselves in for, and for it to come to your village rather than having to go to the West End was amazing.

Curtain up, we were led into a small purpose built room, with a low ceiling inside the main Village Hall. In the centre was a long table with chairs and just enough room to walk around in single file. In turn, we each took a seat. The door closed behind us, and we were on our own. For the second time tonight, I was sat, anxious, not knowing if I’d ever get to leave.

We studied our surrounding through the fog - the pictures on the walls, the scraps of paper on the table amongst burnt out candles. The owner of Chesterton House entered and silently went about his business. Our nervous laughing was halted by a loud knock on the door. A man was welcomed in and the story began. They talked of the house as they circled the table appearing to not know we were there, deliberately brushing past us.

The back and forth between them got more intense as the tale unfolded. The intensity of their acting was heightened through classic horror theatre effects, which had all the more impact in close proximity, to such an extent that, at one point when the lights went out, I heard a man faintly whisper to his girlfriend, ‘I’ve bit my tongue!’

If you can go and see this, I urge you to, hence my lack of spoilers. Not only will you have a great time, but you’ll help support people trying something different which, for us at least, was right on our doorstep. Sadly they cancelled their first showing because not enough people booked, so the old adage of ‘use it or lose it’ is particularly apt here. There is talk of a part two coming back later in the year, and I’d love it if Stebbing became one of their familiar haunts. James Stone

So good that we reviewed it twice! A further, more concise review is overleaf on page 21 - Ed

19 20 The Ghost of Chesterton House (continued) I was lucky enough to attend one of the performances of The Ghost of Chesterton House and thought it to be very clever. We were greeted by the two main characters who, in their welcoming speech, set the atmosphere for the evening ahead - so by the time we were shown to our seats we were already wondering what lay ahead for us.

The opening scene caused my companion, who shall remain nameless, to jump so hard that the table shifted! The lighting and sound effects were brilliant as was the seating plan. To sit a fairly small audience around one large table was different and very clever, we were involved as it were.

The two young men were very good actors and the story had a surprising twist, which I don’t think any one of us suspected. All together a very good evening, andthoroughly enjoyed by all. I know my two companions enjoyed it, even though one gave a good impression of a jack in the box and the other one? Mmm, not too sure, but I think she was spooked. As for me, I did not continue reading the Stephen King novel that I had started. Brilliant, more please!

I forgot to add that, before we went in, we were warned that if we had a heart condition we should think carefully before watching! Ah well I survived. Linda Pont

News From The Gardens Of Easton Lodge

We had a lovely sunny day for our June Open Day last year, so we are hoping for the same again, on 23 June for this year’s Fun Day for Dogs.

Annette Boreham, of Take the Lead, Essex dog training club, is helping us organise the day again, to build on the success of last year's inaugural day. The show will include classes to judge the best puppy, best veteran, prettiest bitch, handsomest dog, waggiest tail and the dog the judges would most want to take home with them! There will be an agility ring and stalls for gifts for dogs or their owners. We’re sure the show will be just what the Countess of Warwick Waterlilies would have liked, as she loved her dogs, was herself a breeder of Collies and Japanese Spaniels and actively supported dog shows in Warwick.

The Gardens should be looking at their best in June too. The borders and the beds in the walled kitchen garden will have filled out and the foxgloves will be in full flower in the informal areas of the Gardens. The first vegetables and soft fruit should be available for sale – and fruit cakes too!

The gate will open at 11.30; and we will have our usual refreshments – hot and cold drinks and of course bacon and cheese rolls and homemade cakes.

For further details, see our website: www.eastonlodge.co.uk

21 22 Stebbing Village Stores Your Shop In Your Village

With the warmer Summer weather, don’t forget you can order BBQ meat packs for collection from the Stores. Make your BBQ special by using local, high quality meats from Great Garnetts or Priors Hall Farms – Jamie Oliver and Tom Kerridge would be proud.

On 16th June it is Fathers’ Day. The Stores have Fathers’ Day cards and beer a plenty - perfect for the hard working, never resting Dad, with no time for coffee and cake. A cool 4-pack is always available, or perhaps some special chocolates, or Stebbing marmalade is more his thing.

In the coming weeks we are hoping to have some local gins, beers and ales available to try. Ahead of these hitting the shelves, we are planning a Local Gin Tasting Night, with nibbles and ambience provided to boot. If this is something you might like to attend, then please register interest by sending me an email to [email protected].

We have just finished our 6th year of trading. Whilst it continues to be hard-work to balance the books, with rising costs making it challenging to maintain a small profit, it is thanks to the dedication of our 60+ volunteers and our part-time manager Julie, that we are able to keep a village shop open for the benefit of everyone in the village. We rely on the support of all villagers making purchases. Understandably we’ll never be as cheap as Tesco (although there are some things where we are – our greeting cards at £1.60 for example) but the shop is here for everyone’s convenience, saving you an 8 mile round trip to Dunmow. So pop in, and use it!

Our shop continues to bring people together, it allows conversations between villagers and neighbours that would otherwise not occur. So, “Thank You” to all of our volunteers, “Thank You” to our manager, and “Thank You” to everyone who comes and spends a few pounds a few times a week. Please continue to support Your Village Stores.

Unfortunately, our local area continues to be targeted by unscrupulous criminals using fake £20 notes. Our Village Shop unfortunately received several of these in a short period last year, and the problem has returned in the last month. Our volunteers have been briefed to check ALL £20 notes closely going forward. As such, please be understanding, if you experience this in the shop. We are not accusing you of anything suspicious, we have to be thorough and you may have received something inadvertently from someone else. Don’t forget you can pay by card for anything over £5.

We are always looking for new volunteers, especially as we come into the summer holiday season. In particular at the moment, Sheila Bundy is looking for an additional regular volunteer to help in the kitchen in the mornings for two or three hours, either 1 or 2 days a week. This is our time for prepping sausage rolls, sandwiches, cakes and other takeaway products, that are very popular with tradespeople working in and around our village, as well as locals and walkers. If you think you could spare a couple of hours a week to help, please get in touch.

Yours in the Community,

Ben Chandler, SVS Chairman

[email protected] 23 English Tuition Julie Bull B.Sc.(Hons), Dip. E.L.S., C.R.B. checked

I am a highly experienced English tutor living in Stebbing, offering tuition to help to develop confidence in the subject and to prepare for exams, including common entrance, 11+, GCSE and A Levels. Please contact

Email: [email protected]

Telephone 07890 540059 or 01371 856 768

24 Judging at Crufts What an honour it was to be invited to judge at, what is probably the most famous dog show in the world.

Patricia Harrison (following the dog) at Crufts on the 7th March 2019 I had a lovely entry of 230 dogs, while my co-judge had 300 bitches (there are always more of them). There were very few absentees, so it certainly made for a full day. The judging of bitches started at 8 a.m. and I began at 8.30 a.m.

There were inevitably some close and difficult decisions to be made in such well filled classes and, as it happened, it turned out to be rather a “Yellow Day” in both rings, although blacks and chocolates did feature. I had two wonderful, experienced stewards to keep the day flowing well, lining up the dogs in each class, checking them off against the catalogue, giving me my judging book in which to make notes for my critiques - produced after the show and sent to our remaining dog paper, ‘Our Dogs’.

In the UK, dogs are sometimes entered in more than one class, so again the stewards are essential in lining up those dogs in their subsequent class(es) and reminding the judge of whether or not they were previously placed, whether these dogs had “met” before and had been judged against each other – such a complex situation! My senior steward was also at pains to remind me of the time factor. Those in charge of the Gundog Group judging, later in the day, were not exactly breathing down our necks, but we were made aware of the importance of the Best of Breed getting into the Gundog Group ring in good time.

I decided to have a big ‘X’ marked in chalk on the green carpet, so that, as I was moving one exhibit, the next one could be standing in the right place ready for me to go over him. The Crufts rings are huge, which, of course, is lovely for big classes because all the dogs can be spread out round the perimeter without exhibitors and dogs being squeezed into restricted space. Prior to getting the first dog in each class to stand on the chalk cross, I did - as I always do - walk round the ring to take a look at each one for head and expression and general overall impression. I tried to be absolutely consistent in the way I went over each dog, which I think is only fair to exhibitors, whose dogs have had to qualify on merit to enter Crufts and who have paid a considerable entrance fee. Because the rings are so generous in size, I asked each exhibit, after I had examined him, to move in a triangle but go only halfway down the ring. This was an important element in keeping us on time. (continued overleaf on page 27)

25 26 (continued from page 25)

In such a good entry, both numerically and in quality, it was necessary to shortlist some dogs in most classes (perhaps 9 or 10) for further consideration and, at that stage, I asked all the shortlisted dogs to move round the ring together before making my final five placements.

There were 14 classes for me to judge, and when it came to the class winners, competing for the Challenge Certificate and Reserve Challenge Certificate, I gave them all another close look, moved them individually a short distance across the ring and then moved them together once more round the ring.

I awarded the two top honours at about 3.45 p.m.! Judging in the bitch ring finished about half an hour later, and we then had to choose the Best of Breed from the two CC winners. It was not an easy decision, but we decided on the bitch, on her maturity. The young dog won his crowning third CC on the day, becoming a Show Champion. When it came to Best Puppy, (the winning puppy dog and puppy bitch judged against each other) we couldn’t agree, so we called the referee (the lady who was later in the day the Judge of the Gundog Group) to make the decision. My puppy dog was declared Best Puppy in Breed, so I was thrilled about that.

When it came to Best Veteran, my co-judge agreed to the black dog getting that award.

As championship show judges we are asked by the Kennel Club, on their Health Watch programme, to have regard to weight and shortness of leg in labradors. I was delighted to report that I felt that these problems had been successfully addressed and I was certainly pleased with my class results and my final line-up.

I have had some wonderful judging experiences at home and abroad but I suppose Crufts has to be the pinnacle. It was a very happy occasion for me, and I was pleased to read our Breed Note writer’s comments in her weekly column in ‘Our Dogs’ recording: “It was one of the happiest atmospheres I have ever known at Crufts. A joy to be there. Smiley faces abounded and haughty grumpiness was not much on display, despite early starts for the majority.”

Patricia Harrison

27 28 Meals on Wheels

Stebbing has for many years operated a meals on wheels service taking over some long time ago from the WRVS when they were no longer able to continue. This is a very valuable service to the village and is designed to help anyone who is housebound, unwell or just in need of a little help. We need to make sure it continues to thrive.

In essence we are an informal group of volunteers, who prepare a hot meal on Tuesdays and Thursdays; some cook, some deliver and some do both. At the moment we are providing about 4 meals on the days we operate - comprising a simple hot main course and a pudding. The choice of menu is entirely up to the individual cook.

We are always looking for volunteers; the more we have, the easier it is to cover the days. As a rule our cooks are unlikely to cook more than once a month; many hands make light work. If you would like to help please give me a call and I can explain the system in more detail.

For the last ‘many years’ Anne Howard has co-ordinated, cajoled, cooked and cared but has now decided to take a well earned retirement. A huge vote of thanks is due, as it has not always been an easy task and we have struggled sometimes to find extra cooks. I know Ann frequently took on extra cooking duties when there were no volunteers available and usually prepared Christmas Dinner. Thank you Ann.

Finally, another big thank you to all our present cooks, drivers and treasurer who continue to prove that Stebbing has a fine tradition of care in the community. Sue Riley 856548

Garden Waste Collection

The green skip service is at The Downs (in cul-de-sac just above the school) from 10.15 – 11.15am every Sunday with the last one being on Sunday 24th November

29 Sixth Stebbing Vintage Tractor Run - 12th May 2019

A bright sunny day dawned on Sunday 12th May at Brazenhead Farm, a pleasant surprise after the previous day’s heavy showers. At 8.30am, all was peaceful - then things started to happen. First, one tractor arrived, then two and then a stream of vehicles coming down the drive. There were lorries carrying tractors, Land Rovers with tractors on trailers and tractors driven from home on the road. The final tally was fifty eight tractors and two vintage Land Rovers.

Seven of the entrants were from our village. The owners milled about in the yard, admiring each other’s machines and taking advantage of the bacon rolls on offer. After a short briefing from ‘Yours Truly’, the procession set off, at 10 o’clock sharp, in the direction of Stebbing. Almost as soon as the leader turned the corner at Bran End, residents were out in numbers. This continued the length of the High Street, all waving and cheering us on; it was fantastic. A big thank you must go to Elaine Rowe for publicising our event throughout the village. Dick is on the wrong side of the road in Bran End

This support continued up Warehouse Road and past Collops Villas. Subsequently the route took us through Shalford, where the locals had again been made aware of our coming and supported us in droves. We had made arrangements with the Military Authorities at Wethersfield Airfield to have a break there and visit their museum, full of information about WWII and the US Air Force involvement afterwards. They allowed us, on our departure, to traverse the whole of the main runway whilst attempting to form a long Vee formation. Suffice to say it didn’t quite work out! From there we went through Finchingfield, over the hump back bridge where swarms of people were sat on the grass waiting to greet us (a lot of them were bikers so it may have been a coincidence). From there, across the fields through farm yards, crossing streams, fording rivers to Hawkspur Green, Little Bardfield and back home an hour later than anticipated, having missed a ‘flyover’ by the Air Ambulance helicopter - at what should have been our allotted time.

As has become the norm, we are raising funds for Essex and Herts Air Ambulance and the total raised is likely to exceed £8000! Dick Hughes Joint organiser with David Hunt and Mac Beanland

Congratulations to the organisers. Reader’s may be aware that Dick Hughes was responsible for raising a total of £514.06 for Air Ambulance at the White Hart Valentine’s Quiz, earlier this year.

While not wanting to repeat what has appeared in past Summer issues of the Scene, this annual event is so photogenic that it it is hard not to do so. To put a slightly different slant on this year’s report, your editor managed to persuade the police on the gate at Wethersfield Airfield of his need for a pass, to record the event and speak to some of the drivers. The results of this are on page 33. Ed 30 31 32 Drivers and Machines

John McDonell and Chris Butcher were late for the break at Wethersfield owing to a tyre failure. It shows the strength of the community when they manage to source a replacement tyre, get it fitted and still arrive in time for a late coffee!

Another driver observed mischievously that Ford stands for “Fixed Or Repaired Daily”!

Mick Mills and his International 434 in pristine condition. Mick won the ‘Best Restored Tractor’ category at the Countess of Warwick show for the last 2 years running with his red Cropmaster (so desirable!). He was also runner up last year with his orange Allis Chalmers.

Dick Hughes with his recently acquired red Fergy (one previous owner - the Potter family). This tractor is called BOO - the clue is in the number plate!

Grandson followed by grandfather, Ian Manger. As the older members of the community learn, if they are wise (and lucky), there is a time to take a back seat and reflect on what a good job we’ve done passing on the flame!

RF

33 Fair Isle

Thanks to David Parnaby, Karen Hall and Ian Andrews for permission to use these photos from the FIBOT website

I have always been fascinated by, and love visiting small islands around the United Kingdom, particularly those geared to the study of bird migration. Without doubt my favourite of these is Fair Isle, in the Shetland group, which I have been lucky enough to visit on many occasions.

Most people who know the name Fair Isle probably know it as a result of the famous Fair Isle sweater, or perhaps as a sea area between Faeroes and Viking on the BBC Shipping Forecast. For followers of the books and TV series, Shetland, written by Ann Cleeves, her fictional detective Jimmy Perez was supposedly born on Fair Isle. In the 1980's Ann worked as a cook at the Bird Observatory and met her future husband, Tim, a keen birder during that time. Ann's highly acclaimed book Blue Lightning, the fourth in the Shetland Quartet, sees Perez returning to Fair Isle only to be stranded by storms and having to investigate a murder at the Bird Observatory !

Fair Isle is the most geographically remote inhabited island in the United Kingdom and measures a mere 3 miles by 1.5 miles. It has a permanent population of around 60 people, who have traditionally earned their living by crofting and fishing, although today the economy of the island is far more diverse - with tourism, particularly relating to nature, becoming increasingly important.

The first person to realise the importance of Fair Isle as a place to study bird migration was William Eagle Clark of the Scottish Museum, who visited the island on a number of occasions, starting in 1905. He was followed by the wonderfully eccentric Mary, Duchess of Bedford, who sailed to the island on nine occasions in her yacht, Sapphire. Following this, Admiral James Hutton Stenhouse travelled there in 1921, staying in an abandoned croft, and commented that he and his

34 companions "lived on bad food and good whisky for a fortnight."

George Waterston first visited Fair Isle in 1935 and then annually until the beginning of the Second World War. In 1948 Waterston bought the island from Robert Bruce of Sunburgh, and the Fair Isle Bird Observatory (FIBO) was launched as a Public Trust. The original observatory was housed in old naval buildings in the north of the island. However a new observatory was purpose built and opened in 1969; this building has subsequently been extended on two occasions.

Sadly, early on the morning of Sunday 10 March a fire was discovered in the roof of the building and, despite the strenuous efforts of the islanders, the building was completely destroyed. Thankfully no one was hurt in the fire, but the Observatory Warden, David Parnaby, his wife Susannah and their two daughters, lost all their possessions.

The observatory was insured and plans are already underway for its rebuilding, however much that was lost in the fire is irreplaceable, both for the Parnaby's and the observatory itself. The Bird Observatory is a very important and integral part of the island community and brings much essential income to the island. It also ensures that both air and boat services to the island are maintained.

As a small measure of support for the observatory, and all the people involved in it, I am planning to do a sponsored bird watch within Stebbing Parish on either the 15th or 16th June, depending on weather conditions. During this period I will try to record as many species of bird as possible in Stebbing and would ask that people sponsor me for each species seen. As a rough guide I would hope to see between 45 and 55 species.

Visiting Fair Isle is logistically quite difficult and quite expensive, and certainly travelling on the island boat, the Good Shepard, is not for the faint hearted. But, if you like remote places and dramatic scenery, there is nowhere better. Believe it or not, the Lonely Planet guide voted Fair Isle as one of the top ten places to visit IN THE WORLD, now that is an accolade! Would any very kind potential sponsors PLEASE contact me on 856843 Howard Jolliffe Put me down for £1 per bird - RF 35

36 Pictures from villagers

Above: Greater Stitchwort - photo by Zoe Panting www.zoepanting.com

Centre: Sunrise on Lubberhedges Lane - photo by Jane Beanland

Below: Tractor convoy passing the Village Stores - photo by Sharon Roberts

Sorry if your pictures are not included here but please keep sending them in. We may be able to make more colour space for them in the near future. - Ed

37 38 Welcome To Stebbing (and the world) Dylan Richard Hood and Brodie William Hood

Easter Monday saw the arrival (5 weeks premature) of my non-identical twin boys. Born half an hour apart at Broomfield Hospital; Dylan weighed 5lb13 and Brodie weighed 4lb15. We received good care at the hospital but found the extended stay of eleven days somewhat traumatic. We were all separated at first, while the boys received treatment in the neonatal unit. Brodie joined me after two days and Dylan on day six. After resolving an increase in my blood pressure, we were all very thankful to be allowed home to be with Frazer (the boys’ 1 hour after birth, R: 15th May daddy).

In the days that have followed, I’ve been overwhelmed by the warm welcome and kind support we’ve received from friends, neighbours and fellow villagers. Thank you for all the cards that greeted us when we arrived home, and for the warm wishes we’ve received when taking our daily walk in the spring air. To our numerous local friends, who have dropped off food, given up time to help with a feed and change a nappy, popped in to help us get out the door for an appointment, or to lend a hand with household chores - we are very grateful. Dylan and Brodie will grow up knowing your kindness. We’re so grateful to live in a village where our boys can not only be surrounded by fresh air and nature, but also that they will know a community that recognises and cares about its individuals. I didn’t realise it when I fell in love with my house here and moved out of Dunmow, but we’ve found an ideal place to raise our family; a safe and healthy environment for which any parent would be grateful.

As there is no history of twins on either side of our family, and we’ve heard how many other families in the village have been doubly blessed like us, my husband and I did joke that there must be something in the water, here in Stebbing! Around week six of my pregnancy, I began to surmise, from reading the book Your Pregnancy Day by Day, that there was something unusual about my pregnancy, so at week eight a private scan confirmed that I was carrying two embryos. I’ll never forget the gleam in Frazer’s eye when the sonographer confirmed it and he saw them on the screen for himself.

When we got home from the scan, I posted on Nextdoor to connect with other twin mums in the area. I received two very prompt replies, from Millie Ririe and Katie Flaxman. In the months that have followed, the support that I’ve received from Katie – my veritable oracle on the whole twin experience, and the love from Millie and her 6-year old boys, William and Albert, has been truly invaluable, so I want to say a public ‘Thank You’ to both of you ladies.

As a first time mummy, I felt a lot of anxiety around the idea of the birth, mainly as a result of all of the negative stories I’d heard from friends and seen on TV and films. As it turns out, I actually had a really positive birthing experience and I would be happy to share it with anyone, if it would be of help. Please feel free to drop me a line at [email protected] – I may not reply straight away if my hands are full with the twins, but I will get back to you.

23days old – Brodie(L), Dylan(R) Jessica Andrews 39 Essex County Council Stebbing Primary School Stebbing Dunmow Essex CM6 3SH Headteacher Miss Lucy Mawson Telephone 01371 856260 Fax 01371 856091 Web: www.stebbingprimary.co.uk

Contributions from Year Six

For this edition of Stebbing Scene, some of Stebbing Primary’s year 6 pupils have written articles telling you a little about what goes on at school. Writing an article to feature in the Stebbing Scene is one of the tasks the children complete in order to achieve their STEPs challenge badge. Each year, children are given a booklet of tasks to complete over the year, which help to promote their independence and develop important life skills. Once they have completed all activities they are awarded their badge in assembly.

Thank you to our contributors this time and kind regards to Stebbing Scene’s readers.

Miss Mawson, Headteacher Sports Day And Music Afternoon

Coming up is Stebbing Primary Schools Annual Sports Day and Music Afternoon, where the children take part in at least three races to earn points for their house which are Beech (green), Chestnut (yellow), Ash (blue) and Oak which are red.

I am in Beech and I am in charge being a House Leader along with my House Captains and Sports Captains who do an amazing job helping our house.

As the races start the crowd goes wild cheering on their team. At the end of all the races we have awards to be given out for children who have taken part in a certain amount of clubs. The badges are bronze star, silver star and gold star, we also have some other awards. Then the house with the most points will be crowned the House Champions.

After the awards, the children go back to their families for a picnic with it all ending with the children performing their class songs and some individual music from some children.

Emily Major , House Leader Marathon Day

On the 27th of April 2019, we had an exciting running event called Marathon Day, which we have been doing for the past two years. We did lots of fun things, such as a marathon cake competition, building landmarks of Essex and London and running around the field to get tallies for our house teams, to see who wins the whole of marathon day.

As we were running around, we could see the landmarks to make us feel like we were actually running a marathon. At the end of running, we split up in to our house teams and counted up all of our tallies. Then we all gathered around our teacher, Mr Le Masurier, and he announced the winners for the baking competition, which were decided by Mrs Pickering, who was doing the marathons to raise money for our school. After that, Mr Le Masurier also announced the house (continued opposite) 40 (continued) winner of marathon day. In 4th place was Chestnut (yellow team), in 3rd place was Ash (blue team), in 2nd place was Oak (red team) and in 1st place was Beech (green team)

We had such an enjoyable and fun day. Lola Mayne and Jess Clark Swimathon 2019

On Thursday 18th April 2019, at 7.30am, I met with fellow members of the Stebbing Swim Team and our teacher Mr Le Masurier, at Dunmow Leisure Centre, to complete our Swimathon Challenge.

There were 3 teams taking part, with 4 pupils per team. Each team had pledged to swim 5k to raise money for The Swimathon Foundation, Cancer Research and Marie Curie. It is an annual event, but the first time Stebbing Primary School has entered a team. Individually I needed to complete 50 lengths for my team.

We were all very excited to get swimming. We swam in two lanes, six of us at a time, two from each team. I decided to swim 24 lengths to start with before handing over to my team-mate Rufus. My next swim was 26 lengths. I swam a mix of strokes but decided to swim my 50th length Butterfly.

I was joined in my team by Rufus, Jodie and Violet. We all train with Dunmow Atlantis Swimming Club, swimming between 4 - 5 hours each week. After we had finished our 5k we helped out a team of our younger swimmers, by swimming some lengths for them.

In total I swam 74 lengths!!!! What a start to the day! Thank goodness it is the school holiday.

So far we have raised £1205.00 for charity, which makes me feel very proud. Samuel Pertwee Stebbing Primary school Sports Day On Friday 19th July 2019 at Stebbing Primary school Four house teams, five classes and only one house winner!

The four house teams (Chestnut, Oak, Beech and Ash) will go head-to-head in a series of sporty competitions packed full of fun. The races This year the Year 6s from every house will be competing together in the race to end all races. The SLOW BIKE RACE. Yes, the clue is in the name, as twenty four Year 6s will cycle along the track, very slowly. The person who crosses the finish line last will WIN the race.

Other races include the ultimate relay, the intense flat race (running ) - and much more.

After an exhilarating morning of sports, MUSIC AFTERNOON will commence!

Sophie Wallbank and Ruby Hughes

41 DPS PLUMBING & HEATING CONTRACTORS LTD

Domestic plumbing, heating and Reg. No. 018705 gas work undertaken, including bathroom installation and wall tiling

Steve Peter Telephone 01371 856029 Telephone 01371 879103 Mobile 07850 942120 Mobile 07850 942121 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

Registered Office: Green Ley Mill Lane Stebbing CM6 3SL

42 Hatfield Forest June 2019

Early summer at Hatfield Forest - a time when nature flourishes, as young birds and animals tentatively head towards independence. This is the perfect time to visit and enjoy the Forest in all its glory.

Have you met our flock of sheep - our woolly conservators? Livestock has long grazed at Hatfield Forest and today our flock continues this tradition, helping clear scrub and restore wood pasture. We have 24 sheep, all hardy and rare breeds. They can graze wetter land than cattle, such as the marsh, at the top end of the lake, and Old Woman’s Weaver. Sheep are easily stressed, so please ensure dogs are kept on leads and out of fenced off areas.

We have our own sheepdog, a Welsh Collie called Selena, who has worked at the Forest since early 2018. A donation from the Chelmsford Supporters’ Group enabled us to buy her. She works with shepherd, Ian Pease, and can often be seen travelling through the Forest in the back of his pick-up truck.

Connecting with nature is part of the adventure at Hatfield Forest This summer, have a go at the activities on our list of ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾‘ - get to know a tree, build a den or look for wildlife or picnic in the wild.

The Forest is hosting several theatre events this summer, including exciting productions of such classics as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Wind in the Willows and Frankenstein.

For more information and to book tickets please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hatfield-forest

Helen Hooker and Elizabeth Reeve Visitor Welcome Team, Hatfield Forest Tel: 01279 870678

43 44

The Mad Medic

A big hello to everyone and wishing a lovely summer to all of you. Thank you for showing interest in the book I'm writing about my (almost) 21 years of caring for street and railway children in Mumbai; I appreciate it very much. Having collated notes for around 46 trips, you can imagine the boxes of information I have to condense to format the book. It's exciting looking back, though I do wonder how I survived some of the adventures. A friend read some of the notes, already starting to form the book, and alternated between laughing and crying - but is urging me to get on with it. I am trying really hard to get at least a little done each day, sqeezed in after work, because if I don't work then my trips will be out of the question. A funny old vicious circle really and, as I manage on just a few hours sleep each night already, time is often an impossible luxury. It was not helped when someone hit my car whilst I was with a patient unable to get to me then drove off leaving my passenget side smashed for me to sort out. Such are the little hiccups in life, not worth the energy worrying about. If I stay patient and keep loving my work then hopefully I will finish the book to ensure that my darling children are never forgotten. So please bear with me and I will keep you posted. Thank you for your condolences following the sad passing of dear Ashok from Leonard Cheshire home. He will be hugely missed, not least for the art work I used to pass on to HRH Prince of Wales Patron of LC, from him. Bruce and Wendy Haynes paid for a lot of Ashoks art materials , so he had the joy of their support, which meant a lot. Thank you from my heart on behalf of Ashok for enabling him to enjoy his art. Loads of love to everyone, take care, Valerie the Mad Medic xxxxxxxxx

Applying For Universal Credit

Uttlesford Citizens Advice has launched a new service called “Help to Claim” for those who need help to apply for Universal Credit, the new benefit that combines six benefits, including Jobseekers Allowance and Working Tax Credits, into one. People will be able to get support from the charity as they submit their Universal Credit application until they get their first full payment.

Help will be tailored to individuals and face-to-face consultations are available in Saffron Walden and Great Dunmow - call 01799 618840 for an appointment.

Alternatively, help can be obtained by calling a national helpline number, 0800 144 8 444, or through webchat and advice content at citizensadvice.org.uk.

Kate Robson, Chief Officer of Uttlesford Citizens Advice, has said, “We know many people really struggle to complete the application for Universal Credit, especially if they do not have easy access to a computer. Our new ‘help to claim’ service will support people locally, whether they

(continued overleaf on page 47) 45

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46 (continued from page 45) simply need help to get online, using our public access computers, verify their identity or gather the right evidence. Our aim is to make sure their applications are processed and they get the benefit as quickly as possible.”

“If you are already claiming JSA, ESA or Working Tax Credits, there is no need to apply for Universal Credit until asked to do so by DWP. For the majority of people it is better to stay on existing benefits, where possible. If you’re unsure, speak to one of our trained advisers.”

“If you are worried about having enough money to live on while waiting for your first Universal Credit payment, we can also help with applications for advance payments, check your entitlement to other benefits and offer budgeting and debt advice, if needed.”

Tel: 01799 618840 Web: uttlesfordcab.org.uk Email: [email protected]

Footpath Update Earlier this year we replaced a bridge and some steps on FP 2, going towards Holts Farm and, more recently, we replaced the bridge on FP 24, beside Stebbing Brook. The photographs show the old and the new.

before after We have also cleared the path through the wood on FP46 above Brick Kiln Farm, enabling a good view of the bluebells, which will probably be over by the time you read this.

We know of a couple more bridges that need replacing, but while we are waiting for this year’s work schedule to be approved, several way posts have been repainted and rebadged. If you want to make the most of your footpaths there are free Parish Footpath Maps available in the shop. Brian Martin Tel: 856664

Brian organises a group of volunteers, working in consultation with Essex CC and landowners, to keep our local footpaths in good order. If you enjoy walking through the delightful countryside that surrounds our village, why not join members of the team occasionally? You don’t need to commit yourself to regular sessions, but if you telephone him and ask to be put on his mail list he will let you know when work is planned and you can join the team when you can. Building bridges and keeping paths clear has its own rewards. -Ed

47 CHIROPODIST / PODIATRIST

Andrew Marlow MSSCh MBChA

Registered Member of the Health Professions Council

HOME VISITING PRACTICE

Tel: 07754 700950 e.mail: [email protected]

48 Recollections Of The Second World War

Thanks as always to Stebbing Local History Society for this piece from from their archives

On April 30th 1945 the German High Command officially surrendered to the Allies, bringing the Second World War in Europe to a close. I was aged eight at the time and in hospital in Colchester to have my tonsils removed, a procedure which proved to be unnecessary. There were several ladies in the same ward and I remember them earnestly discussing whether I should be allowed to see that morning’s newspaper. The reason for this I discovered only later, the front pages carried the first images to reach us of the scenes encountered by the troops and war correspondents at Bergen Belsen. The ladies’ decision was kindly and well-judged; there would be time enough to learn about these dreadful things as I grew older.

The war itself was a commonplace event by this time, as, being born in 1937, I had no recollection of any other state and had spent my childhood gathering cannon-shell cases fallen from aircraft and learning to identify ‘one of ours’ and ‘one of theirs’ as they passed overhead. At night I slept in the Anderson shelter, a steel-lidded box in the living room, listening to the drone of the German bombers passing overhead on their way to bomb London; they dropped the occasional bomb on Colchester, probably by mistake, or perhaps rather than return home with it unused, to face the wrath of their superiors.

The late Peter Walsh (who deposited a tape with the society of his recollections of Stebbing) recalled a number of occasions when bombs dropped on or near Stebbing, notably on Town Farm and the cottages which stood on the other side of the High Street, where we now find the bowling green. As the focus of the war changed, so the pattern of aircraft activity changed with it, and the droning bombers by both day and night were on their way to Germany, flown by the RAF and the USAAF. There were, of course, many airfields across East Anglia, manned by both Air Forces. Huge destruction was wrought on German cities and civilian casualties were also great. These bombing missions were themselves extremely dangerous; many planes were lost and large numbers of aircrew died in the air-war.

Peter Walsh told of his childhood friend Gordon Davis, who was killed on a bombing mission over Germany and whose name appears both on our war memorial and on a commemorative plaque in the village hall. Stebbing had its own WW2 airfield (now Andrews Field), as did Little Easton, Wethersfield, Stansted and many other locations nearby. This may account for the fact that this area seems to have been targeted by the Germans at times. In May of 1992 a reunion was held for USAAF fliers who served in our area; it was well attended by Names of those lost veterans and villagers alike, with Anne Howard – Parish Council Chair at the time - and the late Betty Cox, being prominent in the arrangements. Various events took place including a convivial evening at the White Hart.

(continued on page 51)

49 50 (continued from page 49)

The church at Little Easton has a chapel dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives flying from the USAAF base; one hundred and ninety two names are listed there. The RAF also operated from Little Easton from 1944 until 1946.

Colchester, being a military town, was also the location of a large prisoner of war camp and, in the later stages of the conflict, lorries carrying POWs used to pass the house where I, as a child, stood to watch. They were invariably singing cheerfully; as far as I could gather they never tried to escape and indeed some would be released daily to work in the fields. I saw more than one solitary POW cycling past the house with his hoe over his shoulder on the way to work in much the same way as he no doubt would have done had he been at home USAF Chapel Little Easton Church in Germany and the war had never happened.

Some of our acquaintances made friends with POWs and visited them in Germany after the war. Some POWs stayed in England for good. Bert Trautmann stayed and played football for Manchester City from 1949 until 1964. He was a popular figure nationally and performed heroically in the 1956 Cup Final, playing on despite having broken a bone in his neck and helping his team beat Birmingham City by three goals to one. As a child one accepts what one sees as normal; it is only later, when life’s contradictions become a puzzle.

Even when we moved to Stebbing in 1970, we acquired a permanent reminder of the war. In the far corner of our garden we found a concreted area about ten feet square, underneath which there had been an air-raid shelter. This obviously long predated the house, which was built in the early 60’s, and must have been dug out of the smallholder’s land which then occupied the site, presumably for the use of the then dwellers in High House. Our next door neighbour says that, The WW2 air-raid shelter is below the concrete pad. when he sank a fence post next to the concrete, he broke through and the shelter was still there, complete with pots and pans, having survived both the war and its own usefulness. The concreted area served as a platform for my garden shed for many years and it now serves a place where we can sit in the sun and remember good and bad times alike.

If anyone is aware of any other remnants of either WW1 or WW2 in Stebbing then we would love to hear about them.

John Cant

51

52 Stebbing Cricket Club News

Little has changed since the last issue of Stebbing Scene other than to report that our players are refreshed and prepared for the new season after a longer than usual winter break.

By the time of publication, we should have completed our first two Sunday league matches, against Kelvedon and Real Oddies, and also played a Felsted Schoolmasters team in a Friday evening 20-20 match, with Vice- Presidents invited to attend and a BBQ laid on for them during and after the game.

Our remaining league fixtures for the season are listed below, together with two confirmed friendly matches in July, one against Radwinter and the other being our regular mid-summer- evening encounter with the stalwarts of Stebbing Church. With significantly fewer league matches this year, we hope to add more friendly matches in due course.

Remaining League Matches and Friendlies*

Sun. June 2nd Cavaliers (H) Sun. July 14th Springfield (A)

Sun. June 9th Witham (H) Sun. Aug 11th Cavaliers (A)

Sun. June 30th Springfield (H) Sun. Aug 18th Witham (A)

Sun. July 7th Radwinter * (H) Sun. Aug 25th Real Oddies (H)

Fri. July 12th Stebbing Church * (H) Sun. Sept 1st Kelvedon (A)

We would still welcome some new faces to the club so, if anyone of any age is interested, please contact myself or our club chairman, Phil Baker, over the next few weeks.

We remain grateful for the continued support of our commercial sponsors (The White Hart, D & A Hills, Dennis Locks, Eddy Parsley Associates and Daniel Brewer Estate Agents), our club president Kevin Farr and our vice-presidents. Adrian Farr, Club Secretary

Stebbing Cricket Club Welcomes new players

Anyone interested in joining our small & friendly club, please contact: Phil Barker: 01371 856597 or Adrian Farr: 01371 856691

53 WANT AN OUTDOOR EXERCISE YOU CAN STICK WITH?

WEST ESSEX JUDO CLUB

Class Times

Tuesdays Nordic walking uses 90% of the body’s muscles 6pm – 7.30pm Novices & Juniors A full-body exercise that is suitable for all ages and fitness levels, Nordic walking provides fast 7.30pm – 9.30pm Advanced & Seniors results and can burn up to 40% more calories when compared to walking without poles. Saturdays LEARN TO NORDIC WALK Dates to be arranged. Contact Sarah Bennison details 10am – 11.30am Novices & Juniors below. 11.30am – 1.30pm Advanced & Seniors REGULAR WALK Mondays 2 hour walks from Stebbing, Felsted, Lindsell, Rayne and surrounding villages. Fridays 1 - 1 and a half hour walks from Felsted and Held at surrounding villages. Stebbing Village Hall, Mill Lane, Stebbing Enrol online at www.uttlesfordnordicwalking.co.uk Contact Faith on 07595331073, [email protected] where you can register and book any of my or via Facebook classes and walks I can also be contacted directly on 01371 870817 / 0770 332 5332 or NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME YOUNG OR OLD! [email protected]

AFTERNOON CARPET BOWLS EVENING CARPET BOWLS THURSDAYS 2.00 - 4.30pm THURSDAYS 7.30pm at the Village Hall at the Village Hall Cost £2.00 including tea and biscuits Cost £2.00, including tea and biscuits Newcomers welcome - Informal Guidance, encouragement and a warm instruction and encouragement given welcome come free Contact: Pat Hopwood 856183 Contact: Roger 856348 or Ann 856476

BADMINTON SAVE YOUR OLD STAMPS New members needed Please save old postage stamps, British or foreign, as I collect them to Wednesday evenings 8pm-10pm th help The Leprosy Mission, who are also glad to (except 4 Wednesday of each month) receive old picture postcards of any kind. If you In the Village Hall, Mill Lane have any, please drop them in to me at : Contact: Mark Hayden Tel: 07791526278 6, Oakfield, Stebbing - or phone me on 856325 and I can collect them. Thank you, Anne Howard

Did you know that this issue, and back copies, are available to download at www.StebbingScene.uk 54 How To Get Owls Nesting In Your Garden

Like many others, Barbara and I had a difficult time during the ‘Beast from the East’. We have one of those condensation boilers with a little tube that freezes up in really cold weather. What a relief it was then when the freeze started to lift and we had hot water and heating back again.

I was washing the dishes a day or two later when a very large owl landed on my fence. I'm not an expert but it was very white. Now just because it was white it doesn't mean it was a Snowy Owl. Barn owls can be very white as well. This was a big bird, much too big to be a barn owl and with distinctive facial features which convinced me it was a Snowy Owl. They are rare visitors to the UK but with the climatic context I'm pretty sure it had been blown in on the easterly winds.

We have lots of birds in the garden but I haven't actually seen a Barn Owl in the flesh. I know they are around because I see them occasionally on my security camera. We also have a mix of small and medium sized rodents; how useful then if we could attract a barn owl into the garden.

I had a hunt round YouTube, as I am often wont to do. The barn owl trust has a very active presence there. I learnt that Barn owls love open farming country with odd patches of wild land. Agrii are my next door neighbours and they have managed the edges of their fields to have lots of wild plants. It sounds to me like this is ideal country for the birds.

The trust, with their long experience, have developed a design for a nest box. It's quite an interesting thing. It has been very carefully thought out to keep the birds dry, make sure the fledglings cannot fall out of the box and have somewhere to exercise. Barbara was just as enthusiastic as me to set one up, but she wanted to design it herself so I swerved that one and made a start.

As well as a video showing you how to build it, there is a cutting plan on the web. It can all be made from one 8x4 sheet of ply. I had to modify the plan a little so I could get it in my car without compromising the design. The trust say you shouldn't make it out of hardwood. I went to Essex Timber and bought a sheet of WPB board for about £20. I got that wrong; WPB stands for weather proof board which is an obsolete designation - because it's not really. You should use marine ply, which will set you back about £35. Anyway I made my nest box and painted it with Cuprinol weather proof paint. It’s gun metal gray; It doesn't look too bad.

It can be seen almost finished in the accompanying photo. The roof was on the wrong way round but it responded well to some remediation. You can buy the boxes from the trust for around £140. They are cheaper on eBay. Whether this is worth it depends crucially on whether you have a bit of unused roofing felt hanging around. It's expensive stuff and if you have to buy a whole roll just for the little you need then I recommend buying the box.

I stuck mine on the roof of my shed. It's probably not ideal but I don't have a big enough tree anywhere in the garden. There it waits. It's only been up a couple of weeks. If we get a tenant at all I suspect it will be a pigeon! Let's wait till next year. You never know. Frank Corr 55 56 The Scene Crossword - 150

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8

Again, you will find solutions 9 10 11 relating to some of the recent events covered in this issue. 12 13 14 15 Happy solving! 16 If you need any help, feel 17 18 19 free to give me a ring. It’s always good to hear how you are doing 20 21 Richard, 856122

22 23

Across 1 Electorate upset over street (6) 4 Drink heartily to the endlessly equal and very loud (5) 7 Takes top off when fun doesn't start with hats (6) 8 Before birth of a party (6) 16 America can be employable (6) 9 It was fathers time (4) 18 Choose non-starter as we did with 10 Disorderly bid stuns waste collectors (8) Sandi and John! (5) 12 Mistakenly rely on euros when travelling (11) 17 Get seats prepared for play environment (5,3) 19 Till sorted for rise and fall (4) 20 Cricketer's hat (6) 21 Land for crops turns bar into ale. (6) 1 2 3 4 5 6 22 Every good young person tries to start country (5) U E M A Y S P 7 8 9 23 Kiss in short vegetable cover is aggravating (6) S T E L L A A T T I R E T E Y R U L 10 11 12 Down A L E C H A R D B A C K E T E O O 1 Old wine to get Ivan drunk (7) 13 14 15 2 Cart turns to right for annual 1down run (7) O S M I U M W A R M U P 3 Winners in Stebbing upset dissenter (9) F O E N 16 17 18 4 Queen leaves fourth - plenty to 4across (5) C O R N E R B I S E C T 5 Avoids company at a party? (7) R A I T I 19 20 21 6 Frost about to shroud English woodland (6) A D R I A T I C L O L L 11 Tack to shore in a storm and have a biscuit (9) I O I E E L 22 23 24 13 The Broadway doesn't start the B1057 perhaps (7) R O T T E N P I S T O L 25 14 Say, "Bill's confused about content of courses" (7) K A G A S S R 15 I hear you'll make a record to burn at Christmas (4,3) Solution to Crossword no: 149 57 58 The Rodings and Surrounding Area U3A

The talk at the May monthly meeting was all about the history of Harrods, presented by Eve Regelous. She had for many years run a company, ‘Showstoppers’, which was hired by Harrods to promote many of the sales pitches and special events the store organised. She gave us a fascinating insight into the history, ethos and methods the company used to reach the position of high esteem it enjoyed as a shop, where you could at one time buy virtually anything, and whose standards of service and customer care were second to none. Eve’s talk was full of information, facts and figures, to demonstrate how Harrods in its heyday was superior to every other major store. Sadly, many of those accolades no longer apply, although it is still one of the most famous shops in the world. Interestingly, it transpired that several members of the audience had fathers who had worked there or who had other links with Harrods. Even our own Chairman had worked with Eve during his professional life.

Coach trips, one of the RU3A’s most popular attractions, have several interesting destinations planned. They include Kew Gardens, Hampton Court Flower Show and ‘Rip it Up’ at the Garrick Theatre in London. We are even taking bookings for a visit in November to Bury St Edmunds where they hold an excellent Christmas Market.

In early May, a group of around twenty members visited the gardens at Easton Lodge, where they had a guided tour which included a lot of historical information. They were shown the Italian garden and the kitchen garden, both of which are being restored to their former glory by volunteers. It was a chilly but extremely interesting afternoon.

Interest groups form the backbone of the U3A movement and we are lucky to have a large number of groups covering many of our members’ interests. All groups are led by members themselves. Some meet in people’s’ homes, some in village halls. Others, such as Garden Visits and Church Visiting obviously drive to their destinations. Many of our members cannot attend the monthly meetings in The Room in the Rodings, but still join groups and take part in the RU3A through their commitment to them.

For further information, google The Rodings U3A to find the website, or:

Email [email protected] or Telephone Louise Searl on 01277 362043

Stebbing Community Going from strength to strength 518 people from 62% of Stebbing homes communicate with each other on ‘Nextdoor’ Email the scene if you want an invitation at [email protected] Do you want to know what Stebbing is talking about? The more of us who join in, the more useful it is.

59 Bran End Flooring Ltd Flooring Specialists

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60 Eating Out

The Chamelion Café

6,Market Place, Great Dunmow Tel 01371873788

The Chameleon cafe is a great place to visit for coffee, homemade cakes and lovely lunches. BUT, one of the best things is their Pottery Evening. I went along with both my daughter and daughter-in-law and had a fantastic time.

We arrived around 6.30 pm and were made to feel very welcome. The place was already buzzing, with groups of two to eight people, already talking and taking their tables. Alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks were ordered and then the lovely sharing platters arrived. We had ordered the Greek platter and the Nachos; both were delicious and homemade.

The chatter continued, the eating and drinking took place and then the owners introduced the evening festivities. You all choose a piece of pottery, from their extensive range, that you would like to paint; prices start from £5.00. The platters are then replaced with the piece of pottery and paints of your choice - and the fun begins!

You paint your design whilst chatting - some appear very artistic, others, like me, not so - but it is great fun and quite therapeutic. When you have finished your design and completed “all that hard work” what better to do than treat yourself to a lovely slice of chocolate roulade with fresh strawberries and cream, or a slice of cake or tart, and maybe a drink of bubbly, or even a cup of tea.

Your masterpiece is then taken from you ready to be fired and the evening slowly comes to an end. Prices depend on the Thanks to Alan Stratton, the proprietor, for this photo of the piece of pottery you have chosen, but for event my two drinks, my share of the platters, dessert and my pottery masterpiece it was £30.00 - which was a great price for a lovely evening in great company; having fun in a great atmosphere.

You pay at the end of the evening and you get a call to collect your masterpiece about 2 weeks later ,when your piece has been glazed and fired.

A great alternative for a good evening out. It was inexpensive and your pottery masterpiece can be kept or given to someone as a gift.

Bring on the next evening

Lynne Atwell

61 62 Letters to the Editor

Dear Mr Foot, without wishing to sound condescending in any way, I read edition149 of "Stebbing Scene" and found it to be quite the best village magazine I have seen. My wife works in the village, and family members live there, so we both take an interest in local events. I was somewhat dismayed to read the suggestion that wildlife may have suffered during a local development; too many developers manage to escape retribution whilst riding roughshod over just about everything in their path, be it local feeling, flora or fauna.

Stebbing is not alone in being badly represented by elected members of councils, but the question of the need for a new bridge seems to rank with the "flood relief" measures carried out in Steeple Bumstead a few years ago; there appears to be very little need for the actions being taken by our masters. Mr Bazlinton’s article points out that no weight limit has been placed on the bridge, so where is the need to replace it? The closing of this route would be a disaster for village life for the duration of the job, as has been demonstrated by the week-long closure of the road at Finchingfield. Sincerely yours, Stephen Woodcraft

Dear “Dorcas Ladies”

I wanted to use the magazine to thank you for the care and support you give to people in Stebbing who are either unwell, lonely or as in my case recovering from an operation.

To receive a card and some flowers from people who may or may not know you is quite humbling and I, for one, was very grateful. You all know who you are, so, from everyone who has received such thoughtfulness and kindness - Thank you, Sharron Sparrow

My family have lived in the village for over 80 years and I went to Stebbing Primary School (1996-- 2003) before going to Helena Romanes Secondary school.

I did work experience at Stebbing, working with Lucy Mawson when she was the reception class teacher. After graduating in psychology at Canterbury Christ Church University, I returned to Stebbing for two years as a teaching assistant before going to work in Sri Lanka for three months, volunteering in mental health hospitals and teaching in various settings. Stebbing kept my job open for me and I came back to train as a teacher and got my first job at Fordham All Saints School, where I work today.

During my time in Sri Lanka, I worked with some fantastic people and I will be taking on the Seven Summits challenge with them - an 18 miles hike through the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland, in aid of Cancer Focus. This is significant to me as my grandmother died from cancer.

One of the friends I made working in Sri Lanka, lives in Northern Ireland and, as a group, we have been saying for a few years that we wanted to take on a physical challenge together.

My just giving page is at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/warren-easterbrook

It is also possible to sponsor me by giving a donation to my mother, Linda Easterbrook, at 7, Warehouse Villas, Stebbing. Warren Easterbrook

63 STEBBING VILLAGE HALL Available for hire for all sorts of occasions

Family Events: - Birthdays • Funerals • Christenings • Wedding Receptions • Quiz Nights Village Clubs/Hirers: - Carpet Bowls • Badminton • Parent & Toddler Group Pilates • Judo

Meetings: - Stebbing Ladies • Garden Club • Friday Morning Market • Over 60’s • Historical Society

Why not start a new group? – Free slots are available in the main hall and the Pelham Room for smaller groups – chess, bridge, music, dance, craft, floral etc.

Contact the Booking Clerk: – Donna, Tel 01371 855859

64 Obituary

The Uttlesford Tory District Council - May 2015 - 2 May 2019

The late Uttlesford Tory District Council (UTDC) was well known locally for its sense of humour and, still today, the mere mention of many of the councillors’ names, brings a smile to our faces. One such excellent joke was their proposal to build over 35,500 houses in the District. My, how we laughed!

The people of the Eastons, Stebbing and Chesterford decided the joke was, perhaps, not quite so amusing when they realised these houses would be Garden Cities, which will swamp our villages without any marked improvement in infrastructure. In fact, it was about this time UTDC began to display early signs of the delusional terminal disease; hallucinatio terminales morbo.

Sadly, the disease advanced rapidly with further irrational actions by the council. Permission was granted for the building of houses in Dunmow, which would be separated from the A120 by only a flimsy wooden fence and within the unacceptably high noise area. But they agreed the backs of the houses would suffer from less noise and, as one councillor said, ‘People don’t sit in their front gardens’, the developer went ahead, ensuring all the houses face the fence.

The final nail in UTDC’s coffin was to approve a planning application by Stansted Airport’s owners to double the number of passengers through the airport each year. One councillor declared there would be, ‘no increase in the number of aircraft’. So now we chuckle as aeroplanes pass directly over our heads at two-minute intervals, because, as our former councillors told us, each of them is only half full!

Even as death’s cold hand got a firm hold via the ballot box, UTDC’s brave leader declared his party had always done what was best for the District and Brexit was to blame for his journey to the political graveyard. The Coroner Public thought otherwise, and UTDC’s death certificate reads, “Cause of death: Arrogance, a patronising attitude and the refusal to listen to others’ views.” R.I.P. JAK

Date For Your Diary

STEBBING FÊTE - Sunday September 15th

We will be holding the Stebbing Village Fête on Sunday 15th September on the sports field at Mill Lane (as usual). This year we have brought the date forward to hopefully avoid a repetition of last year’s bad weather.

There will be live music, arena events, side shows, activities, stalls, refreshments and BBQ and much more. Hopefully, the Essex Austin Seven Club will be coming along. We are still on the lookout for people to help on the day, so if you can spare half an hour or so, please let us know. Peter Merrifield Tel: 856527

65 Stebbing Directory

AFSS/Stebbing School Office 856260 Badminton Mark Hayden (eve) 07791526278 David Arnold (afternoon) 856271 Beavers Andy Kiberd 855859 Bell Ringing Neil Bromley 820898 Bowls Club Pat Going 855 943 Brownies Loraine Irani 07788 412813 Carpet Bowls (Afternoon) Pat Hopwood 856183 Carpet Bowls (Evening) Roger 856348 Church – St Mary’s Tim & Ruth Goodbody 856080 Church Flowers Hazel Kerr 856993 Cricket Club Adrian Farr 856691 Cubs Maxine Walker 856232 New Dorcas Society Rosie Pitkethly 856155 Footpath Rep Brian Martin 856664 Friday Morning market Kim Matthews 856112 Friends Meeting House Angela Newbrook 856464 Garden Club Margaret Rufus 856122 History Society / Archive Derek Towler 856680 Guides Clare Moreton 07704 101936 Guides – Senior Section Sarah White 856032 Judo Club Andy Kiberd 855859 Ladies Group Gina Going 855 943 Little Harts Nikki Munson 07939 497472 Meals on Wheels Sue Riley 856548 Minibus Pat Going 855943 Over 60s Eve Stephenson 856293 Parish Clerk Greg King 855805 Police All non-emergency 101 Rainbows Liz Hooper 856814 Scamps Tim Goodbody 07708 660162 Scouts Andrew Lipski 821671 Stebbing Society Jenny Nichol 856401 Tennis Club Sabina Bird 07793 893545 Village Hall Donna Kiberd 855859 Village Stores Volunteer staff 856380 White Hart Nick Eldred 856383

Please help us to stay up to date - tell us about changes – Richard Foot 856122

66 Miss Essex GB 2019 Finalist

A 20 year old Midlands girl, relocated to Essex, pursuing her goals of becoming a Pageant Queen. Charl Parsons - that’s me! - was recently selected as a finalist for Miss Essex GB 2019. This is a natural beauty pageant for Essex women; the winner will then have the chance to compete in Miss Great Britain later in the year!

Unfortunately at 18, I went through a domestic violence relationship. This forced me to relocate to Kent with my now, fiancé. We have since relocated to Essex, with our beautiful daughter. When accepted for the finals of Miss Essex GB, I found the charity being supported this year was White Ribbon UK - which aims to eradicate male violence against women! It was like a blessing in disguise! I decided to become a champion for White Ribbon UK, so that I can really make a difference!

I hope that you will all support me throughout my journey and I cannot wait to update you in the next edition of Stebbing Scene! If you would like to know more about Miss Essex GB, or you would like more information on White Ribbon UK, please contact me on:

EMail: [email protected] www.justgiving.com/fundraising/charlparsons

67 Caption Competition Thanks to Jon Clark for spotting this and sending it in. The caption that tickles the Editors fancy most, wins the wine. Please send entries to

The Editor: Richard Foot [email protected]

Closing date is 1st July 2019 And keep sending in the photos!

Winner of the Spring 2019 Competition The answer this quarter is the Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis). It is a native of North America which arrived in England around 2007. It is now established in Stebbing, with many sightings. The winning entry was sent in by

Sara Pickford

Stebbing Scene is your magazine and we hope that you enjoy receiving it each quarter. Thanks to our advertisers, we are able to produce a professionally printed magazine, which is delivered free to every household in Stebbing. Our first priority is to entertain and inform village residents, but we hope that in doing so we can ensure that advertising with us is worthwhile. For most people in the village, when seeking local tradesmen or services, the natural first source of information is the Scene. If you own a small, or large business, why not place an advert in ‘Stebbing Scene’. Prices for 4 issues range from £30-£95. We can only produce a magazine that meets the needs, and satisfies the interests of Stebbing residents if you continue to send us articles and reports of events and social activities in the village. We welcome photos, reports and announcements covering all aspects of life in Stebbing. Let us have your views on the magazine and on how we can improve and develop. If you have an opinion, a moan, or a suggestion then please contact one of the team. Please send contributions to: Richard Foot (articles, reports, and letters) [email protected] Karen Howe (advertising) [email protected] Jackie Kingdom (obituaries) [email protected] John Pitkethly (queries about delivery) [email protected]

Copy date for next issue is 15th August 2019 All contributions are welcome. E-mail is preferred where possible, but even handwritten contributions are accepted (if we can read them).

DISCLAIMER The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Every care is taken to ensure that the contents of the magazine are accurate but the publishers cannot assume responsibility for errors. Stebbing Scene is delivered free to all Stebbing residents and its existence depends on our advertisers. However, the publishers cannot accept any responsibility for resulting transactions. 68