PARISH NEWS covering SHILLINGTON, PEGSDON & HIGHAM GOBION www.shillington.org.uk Issue 139 – December 2018 Deadline for February edition - Friday, 25th January 2019 PARISH COUNCIL CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA In October the Parish Council received a report from our professional play area inspector, highlighting several areas of concern at the Greenfields site. These included the state of the fencing, the rot in the wooden poles and steps, the surfacing under the play equipment and cracks in the ground. Councillors were concerned about the safety of children using the play area and discussed getting the necessary repairs carried out. However, after taking into account the likely cost of repairs, the lower use of the equipment during the winter months and the intention to construct a new play area next year, Council took the decision to close the existing facilities at the November meeting. We appreciate how disappointing this has been for some families and a group of Councillors were able to meet the inspector on site on 29th November to discuss the problems in detail. Most of the gaps around the safety surfaces and gaps in the ground have diminished since the drought ended. However, dealing with other issues could still be costly. The inspector advised that the play area does not have to be fenced, but as the area is adjacent to car parking areas, he needed his manager’s confirmation for its removal. Councillors will consider at the December meeting whether to repair the fencing, or if adjacent vehicle movements are considered acceptable and safe, to remove it completely. Either option could enable the play area to remain open until the new play area is completed in spring 2019. Some people have asked whether the existing equipment will be re-used, however the inspector advised that costs to remove could be prohibitive and that while the equipment complied with safety standards when it was installed, it will not comply with current standards applicable in the new location. We are currently meeting with play area equipment providers/designers and obtaining quotations for new play equipment as well as quotes for new fencing and resurfacing of the court area to enable this to be used again. We hope to be able to provide equipment for older children/teens as well and once designs are available, we will invite users along to tell us what they think. ASSETS OF COMMUNITY VALUE We’ve been working on these for a while and are now very pleased to confirm that both The Musgrave Arms and The Crown have been listed by Central Bedfordshire Council. This does not mean that they are safe from development, but it goes some way to keep us informed of any changes in their situation. The official wording is as below: “The information provided in the nominations confirmed that both pubs met the definition of an asset of community value as defined by the Localism Act 2011 Section 88 in that: a) an actual current use of the building or other land that is not an ancillary use furthers the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community, and b) it is realistic to think that there can continue to be non-ancillary use of the building or other land which will further (whether or not in the same way) the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community. Once an asset is listed, nothing further will happen unless the owner decides to dispose of it. Where an Asset is included in the List of Assets of Community Value, the owner is required to notify the council in writing of their intention to dispose of the Asset”. For all Parish Council issues please contact: Mrs. Helen Smith, Clerk to the Parish Council 11 Hillside Close, Shillington, Hitchin, Herts, SG5 3NN. 01462-713224 email: [email protected] website: www.shillington.bedsparishes.gov.uk ANNOUNCEMENTS / ITEMS / NEWS IN BRIEF Michael Anthony Fiore We would like to thank everyone for the cards, flowers and generous donations for the Primrose Appeal, since losing a great husband and loving dad. The support we have received from family, wonderful neighbours of Woodmer Close and many friends of the village, has been a great comfort and we thank you all for this. We continue to take each day as it comes, Michael will be missed by so many. Love Val & Lisa xx The Royal British Legion Collection 2018 in Shillington, Gravenhurst and Pegsdon. The collection this year has been particularly well supported, resulting in a total of £2,489.69 to date. Thanks to everyone who supported the appeal; the willing band of collectors, Peter & Janet for refreshments and photographs in the Village Hall and Shillington Post Office for accepting the bags of cash to transfer to Aylesford Headquarters. Also, to everyone who contributed to the service and general atmosphere in the village on 11th November. Shirley McGrath Local Poppy Appeal Organiser. A huge THANK YOU and festive greetings to contributors, advertisers, sponsors and distributors of this magazine. Your kind support ensures the continuity of the Parish News. I hope those who do read it enjoy it dropping onto their doormat every two months. Best wishes to all readers and their families for a very happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas and New Year. Sally S. Editor’s note: This issue has been produced in colour. It is of course more expensive to print in this way and not all future editions will be coloured. Hope you like it… let me have your comments…… Sally S. Letter from the Vicar Richard Winslade The Vicarage, Shillington 01462-713311 [email protected] Dear Friends Firstly thank you to all of you who have welcomed me back and enquired about my extended study leave. I had an amazing time away and enjoyed my study of Celtic Christian Spirituality, dabbling with paint and having some days of rest and reflection. I am now back into ministry and what a busy time it is at the moment. Across the benefice we have held three service to remember those who have gone before us, Remembrance Sunday and on the 18th November at our 9:30am service we commemorated the anniversary of the end of World War One. A couple of friends on facebook have already started the count down to Christmas and the parish can look forward to the regular run of Sunday services, village carol services and hosting school performances. Full details of our Christmas services can be found in this magazine. New for this year will be carol singing around the Christmas Tree at The Crown on the 19th December at 6:30pm. Added to all of the Benefice activities there is also the excitement of family preparations for Christmas. I am sure your own lives will be just as busy this November and December. I love the busy period leading up to Christmas but part of me is sad that the period of Advent so often gets over looked. Advent allows us to prepare Spiritually for the celebration of Christmas. It was traditionally a time of reflection and contemplation. I am pleased to say that the church has responded to the busy preparations for Christmas. You can find various online links to Advent reflection that are either emailed to your computer or texted to your phone. Perhaps you might consider signing up to one of these this year. I look forward to seeing you at our services over the next few weeks. Richard ALL SAINTS NEWS www.allsaintsshillington.org.uk or follow us on Facebook Parish Priest: Rev’d Richard Winslade ( 01462-713311) [email protected] (Day off on Fridays) Churchwardens Liz Brewer : 01462-711594 Patricia Humphreys text: 07754-760073 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]. Church Services: • 9.30am - Sung Eucharist - every 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sunday. • On some fifth Sundays services are held jointly with the Congregational Church at alternate venues. • First Sunday of the month: 9.30am - Family Service 6.00pm - Choral Evensong. • All other Sundays: 9.30am – Holy Communion For details of all our services and for PCC members’ contact details, please see our website www.allsaintsshillington.org.uk, our Facebook page (Shillington Church) or the church notice board. All Saints Church Rector, The Reverend Richard Winslade and the Church Wardens welcome your prayer requests throughout the year. ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SERVICES AND EVENTS AT ALL SAINTS 9th December 1st December 2nd December Holy Communion – 9.30am Christmas Bazaar Family Service – 9.30am Messy Christingle – 3.00pm Village Hall – 2.00pm Evensong – 6.00pm Christingle – 4.00pm 16th December 19th December 21st to 23rd December Holy Communion – 9.30am Carols Around the Tree at Santa’s Float around the Village Parish Carol Service – 6.00pm The Crown pub – 6.30pm 23rd December 24th December 25th December Holy Communion – 9.30am Midnight Mass – 11.30pm Family Service – 9.30am 200 Club Winners OCTOBER NOVEMBER 1st £50 No.50 Kjell Torriset 1st £50 No.152 Derek Wilson 2nd £25 No.58 Christina Fulton 2nd £25 No.192 Allen Jenkins 3rd £10 No.184 Rob East 3rd £10 No.64 Henry Dryden SHORT MAT BOWLS Bowling for our 2018/2019 season commenced in September with a flurry of activity from our members involved in charity and county games as well as our regular club meetings. During the summer months some of our members took part in a series of county selection programmes and several of our club members have been selected to play for Hertfordshire. Congratulations to Toni and Bill Gearing, Carol Still, Julia Bruce, Ros Lewison and Jeanette Waller. Friendly games were held in September and November with Greenwood - a short mat bowls club from St.