In this issue September 1997

Evolution not revolution

Graham Greene birthplace trust

Thoughts of the battle

O Venite!

Killer birds in Berkhamsted

This month’s Notes & Events

The Parish Magazine of St Peter’s with All Saints’

Welcome to the September issue of the Review. In this month’s issue... You will see that this month we feature on our cover a picture of one of the more Evolution not Revolution famous Englishmen who have a Father Mark Bonney looks at the Berkhamsted connection. On previous changing nature of our forms of worship. issues we have printed pictures of local scenes, past or present, the modern ones Learning to Listen mainly taken by Chris Smalley. We have How well can you listen? asks Gillian in the recent past featured a series of Malcolm. Could you help the bereaved? excellent and evocative sketches of local significance by Harry Sheldon. We always Graham Greene Birthplace Trust try to impart a theme to each successive Ken Sherwood outlines proposals for a issue with our opening picture. From time trust to celebrate the famous author. to time we may even succeed! We do however have a continuing Thoughts on the Battle need for good quality, interesting Tom Montague reflects on the 57th photographs or drawings to make our front anniversary of the Battle of Britain. cover what it should be: an eye-catching and appropriate indicator of an interesting O Venite! set of contents. You thought Latin declensions were If you have any pictures which you behind you? Liz Baxendale has news for feel might make covers for the Review or you! illustrations for our inside pages, please give one of us call (see below for our Killer Birds numbers). We shall be very happy to John Cook gets his talons into recent extend the audience for your work and to shifts in the local bird population. increase the range of the contributors to this magazine. ... plus our regular features, readers’ David Woodward letters, notes & notices and diary dates.

Editorial Team: David Woodward, 3 Murray Road HP4 1JD (862723) Barbara Belchamber, 38 Gaveston Drive HP4 1JF (864933) Chris Smalley, 18 Osmington Place, Tring HP23 4EG (826821) email: [email protected] Advertising: David Woodward, 3 Murray Road HP4 1JD (862723) Circulation: Daphne Montague, 27 Hill View HP4 1SA (875320) Treasurer: Miles Nicholas, 46 Fieldway HP4 2NY (871598) Committee Sec.: John Cook, The Gardeners’ Arms, Castle Street HP4 2DW Responsibility for opinions expressed in articles and letters published in this Review and for the accuracy of any statements in them rests solely with the individual contributor

Next Copy Dates (all Fridays): 5 September 3 October 7 November

2 review leader

Should you go evangelist throughout the year. The fourth into a bookshop gospel is used in all three years, and Fr Mark Bonney and find a lovely particularly in the year of Mark since that explains the pristine leather- gospel is considerably shorter than the evolution of our bound copy of others. Outside the principal seasons the the Alternative gospel will be read in a reasonably new forms of Service Book continuous fashion. The Old Testament worship. 1980 going very reading will generally relate to the Gospel cheaply don’t buy whilst the second reading is independent it! In small letters on page 1291 of the with no predetermined connection with the ASB you’ll find the words ‘The Services gospel. of the ASB ... are authorised for use... until From a practical point of view the 31 December 1990’. That date was readings will be printed on the pew leaflet extended by 10 years, but it’s not going to each week so they can be followed if you be extended again beyond two or three wish, and also taken home to be reflected years since a gentle revision of services is upon during the week. The readings will taking place. The Bishop has designated all come from the New Revised Standard this parish as one with permission to use Version of the Bible, and if you’re experimental forms of services, and so in contemplating buying a new Bible this the near future we will be trying out new would be the version I’d recommend. Eucharistic Prayers, wedding and funeral As with any changes to the services services and the slight revisions of Rite A there will be cries of ‘Why? - Can’t they and the Baptism service. leave us alone?’. The Liturgical One major change that has now been Commission certainly recognises the authorised for general use and which we importance of a degree of stability and will be adopting from the end of October familiarity about our liturgy and it is is a new lectionary (ie the readings at the proceeding with a degree of caution; it Sunday services). No lectionary is perfect, also recognises that the ASB is not without no lectionary is universal, but with the fault hence the opportunity for revisions is new lectionary authorised for use from this being taken, but I can assure you that the year we have a lectionary that provides a changes to the Eucharist will not be such wider range of scripture than before and that you’ll think you’re at a different which is used by most churches in the service! It is worth noting that this Anglican communion and by the Roman ‘changing of services’ is not a peculiarity Catholic Church. of the Church of England. Most other The ASB lectionary is on a two year denominations have been undergoing cycle and is thematically based. A liturgical change, and the Roman Catholic predetermined theme is an improper way Church is about to revise its Sunday to use scripture. The theme too easily Missal again after a major revision nearly governs the way we approach the text and 30 years ago. (continued on page 12) the scriptures are then not allowed to speak for themselves. The new lectionary is a three year cycle based on one of the Cover: The writer Graham Greene, whose synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Birthplace Trust is soon to be launched. Luke). In general one stays with one See the article on page 11. 3 TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE call David Woodward on 862723 The Review has a wide local readership; advertise and get the message across to your customers!

4 zenith employing hundreds of people and occupying large acreages of the Town. Nostalgia At the exhibition I was touched by the interest and nostalgia shown by their employees - many of them retired now - who came to look through the exhibits and books of old photographs, and to reminisce. Bill Horne who was Sir William Cooper’s chauffeur told me of the occasion when he managed to knock his boss down with his own Rolls Royce - and Bill still kept his job. It was said to me more than once that even in recent years when the business was a subsidiary of successive big international companies, it still had the feeling of a family concern. What of the future of the real estate Cooper’s occupied? Some in Raven’s Cooper’s Lane has already been sold off for rather By the time this issue of the Review is out more, I suspect, than the £192 Cooper’s AgrEvo will have closed all their paid for it in 1859. It is possible that the operations in Berkhamsted, and their large site between the eastern end of the premises will have fallen silent. High Street and the canal could be The well-arranged exhibition in the redeveloped for housing. Whatever use it Civic Centre, sponsored by AgrEvo and is put to I do hope that the most will be set up by the Dacorum Heritage Trust, told made of the potential of this stretch of the story of how Cooper’s came to be canalside and improve the townscape of established in Berkhamsted in the last that rather drab area. century and of its survival here under various names for over 150 years, finally Edgeworth House as part of AgrEvo. A preservation order has been placed on Sheep dip used to be sent from the principal trees in the grounds of Berkhamsted all over the world, and the Edgeworth House, the mansion on the packing cases it was shipped in, labelled main road near the frontier between Cooper’s, Berkhamsted, England, came to Berkhamsted and Northchurch, on the be used for all sorts of purposes in remote north side. parts of South Africa, Australia and South I heard this piece of news with mixed America. At peak production 60 million feelings because although I greatly value sheep a year benefited from being treated trees in and around the Town, particularly with the Berkhamsted product. The big ones, those which have grown up number of ticks and lice it killed off - well around Edgeworth House over the years the mind boggles. now almost totally obscure this historic Some of Cooper’s posters and leaflets house from the road. had a fanciful picture of Berkhamsted on There has been a building on this spot them which gave the impression of a since the 16th century, but the present mighty industrial town. But Cooper’s was house is 18th century and Victorian. Here of course the major industry not only of in 1776 an Irishman, Richard Edgeworth, Berkhamsted but for miles around, at its came to live, the husband of four wives (in

5 sequence) and father of 22 children. His grew to be a famous writer.

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6 Maria Edgeworth’s novels, largely tables. Richard Mabey who lives in Cedar written and set in Ireland, were very Road, writing in his Country Life column popular in the last century and one or two in The Oldie magazine, says that he of them are still in print in the Penguin supposes he sees a sparrowhawk make a Classics series. Walter Scott was a friend kill in his garden at least once a year. and great admirer of her novels. Her books The growth in the sparrowhawk commenting on contemporary English population may be one of the reasons that society may well have been influenced by common house sparrows are less common her early experiences in pre-Victorian than they used to be. Sparrowhawks are Berkhamsted. perhaps also a contributing factor to the In the Writers Museum in Dublin absence, at least in the central part of the which we visited last year much is made Town, of the once frequent house martins of Maria Edgeworth, ranking her and swallows. alongside Irish authors such as Dean As I write the roofs and pinnacles of Swift, W.B. Yeats, James Joyce, Oscar the Boys’ School buildings opposite are Wilde and George Bernard Shaw; but she strangely silent. Is it the sparrowhawks can be partly claimed by this side of the that have eaten up or driven away all the Irish Sea and included in the remarkably starlings that used to roost there so noisily long list of top-ranking authors who lived and in such numbers? for at least parts of their lives in Berkhamsted. Kites, Hobbies and Buzzards A bit further afield Richard refers to the Graham Greene Birthplace Trust red kites which have been introduced so Another literary giant, born and brought successfully to the southern Chilterns, and up in Berkhamsted, was of course Graham to the hobbies which hawk over the Tring Greene. On his birthday this year, 2nd reservoirs and feast in the late summer on October, the Graham Greene Birthplace the migrating swallows and martins. I Trust is being launched here. Ken have myself seen buzzards circling over Sherwood has taken the lead in getting this the Ivinghoe Hills, and it would not imaginative project off the ground and I surprise me if they were to establish am sure we all wish it success. On page themselves there in view of the abundance 11 there is a piece which says what it is all of rabbits now running about all over the about and inviting everyone to come to the slopes for them to dine off. launch. Buzzards, sparrowhawks, kites and Incidentally, it was Ken Sherwood hobbies are all protected by law from who chaired the notable meeting arranged being persecuted. Like James Bond, they by the Berkhamsted Citizens Association are licensed to kill. ™ in 1974 in the old King’s Hall when Graham Greene and his brother Hugh came and answered questions. Correction Killer Birds Not so many years ago the sighting of a The caption in last month’s Review to bird of prey in or around Berkhamsted was the photograph of the mounted Home rare - a cause of surprise and comment. Guard detachment at Potten End should Now things have quite changed. have read: Dr (later Sir) Frank Cooper Soon after the bypass was opened (centre) and Mr Walker-Leigh kestrels hovering over the verges of the (Managing Director of Coopers at the road became a common sight; and time). JC sparrowhawks are now regularly taking titmice and sparrows from people’s bird

7

HIRE OF HALLS To book a Parish Hall please contact Jean Green (878227) for St Peter’s Court House or Doug Billington (866038) for All Saints’ Halls

8 I have just hung up; We then consid- why did he Learning to ered how we react telephone? when bereaved. Dr I don’t know… Oh! I Listen Murrey Parkes sug- get it… gests ‘normal’ pat- I talked a lot and Gillian Malcolm tells of her terns of grief include listened very little. experience of a recent shock, numbness, Michel Quoist denial, yearning, bereavement visitors’ course. searching, anxiety, Have you ever anger, guilt, loneli- wondered how good ness, apathy, loss of you might be at listening? Earlier this identity, mitigation, stigma, depression, year I had reason to ask just that. I had and then acceptance and healing. We may signed up for a bereavement visitors feel the above in varying degrees of course. I knew I had experience to draw intensity at different stages of on. I have worked with people coping bereavement. We may not experience with the effects of disability on their lives. them all. Some may pass quickly, some I had watched two grandparents die of may take years to leave us. We charted cancer and a stroke respectively and I our thoughts on ‘bereavement journeys’ know personally the importance of having and studied personal experiences of loss someone to listen to you when facing a life adjustment. Each time we found it hard to crisis. But would I to listen to bereaved marry personal experiences with the people? ‘normal’ pattern. Our conclusions were The course was led by Wendy Godwin that we each react individually to loss. and ran for eight weeks. Wendy is the Some of us may never fully adjust, some Bishop of Willesden’s special advisor in may need to seek professional help, others this area. She also has a bereavement and may rely on the support of friends and loss training and support consultancy in family. In all cases two very important Harrow. She has a wealth of experience in things became obvious. Firstly adjusting this field and proved to be an excellent takes time and secondly we all need choice as leader. Sixteen people from St someone to listen. This is where the Peter’s, both All Saints congregations and bereavement visitor can be so valuable. Tring attended the course. Our reasons for So how good were our listening skills? attending were many and varied and we What reactions were we likely to meet and began as quite a disparate group. how could we respond best to them? However we soon gelled under Wendy’s There are some excellent ways of skilled leadership. encouraging people to develop listening We began by exploring what is meant skills. Wendy seemed to know most and by ‘bereavement’ and ‘loss’. These words we spent the next few sessions fine tuning can cover so many changes. Trauma, these skills. (Try listening to someone for disasters, divorce, redundancy, retirement, five minutes, saying nothing, with your or disability, burglary, abuse or rape, back towards them. It is not easy to do, is infertility, abortion; all leave us feeling it?). Wendy reminded us that the bereaved loss and bereavement. We need to mourn need an ear and an understanding face so the death of a partner, parents, children thoughts, memories and feelings can be (born and unborn), friends, relations, and shared. Many people do not know what pets. We may even feel loss in times of they feel before they express their celebrations, such as child-birth or feelings. They need to hear themselves, marriage. to make (continued on page 12)

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10 he first annual have accepted that TGraham Greene appointment if Dr lecture will be GRAHAM GREENE Fry had been a given at a public sadist?’. The meeting to launch the argument between new trust at 8pm on BIRTHPLACE TRUST the Greenes and Mrs Thursday, 2nd Octo- Wales went on for ber 1997, the ninety- One of Berkhamsted’s celebrated some time as they all third anniversary of relived incidents of Graham Greene’s past citizens comes under the their youth. birth, in Deans’ Hall, spotlight in October. Now more than Castle Street, Berk- Ken Sherwood tells us more. twenty years later hamsted. The lecture Ken Sherwood who will be given by Bill was the Citizens West, author of the recently published chairman at that meeting is involved with book The Quest for Graham Greene. The others in establishing the new trust. There meeting will conclude with a dramatised are a number of ideas as to how the trust reading of Graham Greene’s short story might operate. Many of these aim to The Innocent which is set in Berkhamsted. interest those who want to find out more The trust is being formed as an about the influence Berkhamsted had on educational charity by various local bodies Graham Greene’s life and works. including the town council, the collegiate One idea is to hold an annual lecture. school, the Citizens Association and the If there were sufficient demand this could town hall trust. Its main object is ‘...the be expanded into a day conference. education of the general public in the life Alternatively the lecture could be linked and works of Graham Greene...’. The with a film festival, showing films scripted town council has given £500 as a pump by Graham Greene or based on his books. priming grant. A second idea is an audio-visual Those members of the Citizens presentation. If suitable facilities were Association who lived in Berkhamsted in available it might be possible to link it 1974 will recall the visit by Graham with a related exhibition. Another Greene and his younger brother, Sir Hugh suggestion is a town trail of places. Greene to a special meeting of the mentioned either in Graham’s association to talk about their schooldays autobiography A Sort of Life or in his in Berkhamsted. The Gazette’s front page fictional descriptions of Berkhamsted. headline was ‘Famous Greene Brothers Many will recall the Berkhamsted scenes give school heads a tanning’. It proudly in the film of The Human Factor. continued, ‘For the BBC to screen two of The trail might start at Graham’s the famous Greene brothers on the same birthplace, St John’s in Chesham Road. If programme would be regarded as a major in the future St John’s were no longer achievement. But Berkhamsted Citizens needed by the school, it could become the Association, without any fuss, got Graham home of a Graham Greene museum. and Sir Hugh to chat and reminisce to a Other ideas include a booklet Graham rapt audience’. Greene and Berkhamsted; and literary and Perhaps the most memorable incident travelling scholarships for young people. of the evening was when Mrs Enid Wales, Why not come along on 2nd October and a contemporary of Graham’s, whose father find out more? ™ was headmaster of the junior department, challenged Graham’s description of the Graham Greene is pictured on the cover great Dr Fry as a sadist. ‘Would my father of this issue

11 review leader (continued from p3) Berkhamsted Come the year 2000 or just after it is hoped Choral Society to have a ‘core’ Sunday book with Rites A and B, the Book of Common Prayer After a very successful year, Eucharist, the psalter and forms for which included Haydn’s tuneful Morning and Evening Prayer. The Sunday Nelson Mass in May, the choir now looks readings are not going to be written out in forward to a new season of music-making. full as they are now - another good reason The first rehearsal will be on Tuesday 9th for investing in a new Bible, especially if September at 8:00pm in the music room of you’re on the readers rota! the Collegiate School, Castle Street. I apologise that this leader hasn’t been Perhaps you have heard the choir sing the most gripping of reads, but I think it’s and thought you would like to take part in important that everyone has an the next concert ? Now is the time to opportunity to know what’s going and the discover (or continue) the joys of choral reasons for changes and alterations that singing with a well-established local choir will be happening here and in the Church which has a reputation for presenting fine of England at large. They are important music. All that is asked for is a modest because they are about our worship which annual subscription, regular attendance at is the principal activity of the people of rehearsals, enthusiasm - and the ability to God. So that we can look together at some sing in tune! of these changes I plan to give two talks A full programme of concerts is being about Liturgy in the Lady Chapel at arranged. As well as the Voices for 8:00pm on 1st and 15th October. The Hospices concert detailed on page 23, talks will focus on the Eucharist and what something to look forward to in the new we do, why we do it and what is important year is a concert at St Peter’s church on about the forms of words that we use. 24th January which will include Mozart’s Nothing too heavy, but I’m sure it will be Missa Solemnis in C and Vivaldi’s very instructive and enable us to have Magnificat. The season will end with informed opinions about the services Mendelssohn’s Elijah at St Peter’s church rather than judgements simply based on on 13th June. personal preferences - we could probably For further details, ring Pat Hearne (871270) or Hazel Sansom (865479). ™ manage over 200 different such judgements which wouldn’t be very illuminating!. Everyone and anyone will be most welcome. ™

Learning to Listen (continued from 9) sense of what is happening to them. Once scenarios, putting into practice the skills the feeling is expressed in words it loses we had gained proved to be essential. some of its power. It would be our job as I have been amazed how many people bereavement visitors to allow people the have opened up and talked to me about time to do this, to wait... listen... and their own experience of loss simply on respond. Our visits would need to be being told I had attended the course. There confidential to gain trust. Our approach is clearly a great need out there! ™ non-judgemental and empathetic, respecting their values and beliefs. We To receive a bereavement visit or find out would not be there to give advice but to more about visiting please contact Joan listen and reflect. ‘Role-playing’ different Cook (866278), Sylvia Banks (871195) or Ruth Treves Brown (863268).

12 omewhere in the Thoughts on the and friends and S south of Italy, in a indeed the freedom of museum which has Battle of western civilisation the treasures of the itself. ancient civilisations Britain Today, its of that country, there memory is forgotten is a case. And in that Tom Montague reflects on and we’re left with case is a golden vase, but history of that not many inches high, what might have happened had great battle fought but very ancient; so many young men not lost over the skies of this something over 2,000 their lives 57 years ago. country by young years old. It was men who literally made by a craftsman gave their lives of a people called the Atroscans who were knowing the task before them seemed famous goldsmiths. If you look at this hopeless. But they won a victory we, as a little vase you will realise that it is unique, nation, should never forget. And there is because unlike most golden objects it has something else. Because we are a a quality which cannot be matched. It is Christian community, we should ask God rather like a peach! In other words when in his mercy to remember them because the craftsman had made this golden vase, we believe that He holds all souls in life. he didn’t polish it like the other craftsmen. These men who gave their lives in fire and He had a technique which put a kind of torment and great pain, they are held in the blush on the surface of the pure gold, like hands of God. a peach. That vase is terribly valuable and I come back to that little Atroscan most beautiful to see, because the man vase. When we look at the treasures of the who made it, when he died, took his secret world there isn’t a country which in its with him. And for nearly 2,000 years the museums and art galleries has not a wealth goldsmiths of the world could not discover of superb artistry, and yet, nobody was how that man, that ancient craftsman, put able to do what the Atroscan craftsman onto that gold surface the lovely furry look did. And so perhaps on this 57th we see on a peach. I believe I am right in anniversary of the Battle of Britain it saying that it is only during the last few would not be inappropriate to offer to God years that modern goldsmiths have at last what those young men might have done found some way of imitating what that had they lived. The Atroscan craftsman ancient, primitive, uneducated, unskilled might have set up a factory and the world (if that’s the word) technician, could do could have been flooded with beautiful with a little golden vase. vases, but something happened, and it This month of September, on the wasn’t, and it didn’t. Sunday nearest the 3rd, it was customary We are left wondering what those up to a few years ago to celebrate that young men would have made of the world great battle of the skies between the if they had survived in it. Men of great British and German airforces, the battle courage who went out not counting the subsequently named The Battle of Britain. cost, took their chances, who in the end There is still a generation living in this lost everything; humanly speaking, country who remember those times when because they saw a greater need that their so much of life, as we knew it to be, was own advancement - and they met it! ™ at stake - our very freedom, our families

13 review letters

High Wall Bert Hosier, tongue firmly in cheek, writes: I see that in Around the Town in July produced from the ‘wes-kit’ pocket, a John Cook points out that ‘the road which betting slip, a football coupon or a runs alongside the railway on the castle B.U.D.C. timesheet were about all the side was officially called High Wall. Now writing he was involved in. a new street name announces White Hill’. I can recall him, when in difficulty So the town has lost another link with the with accounting for his time and hours, past with another road renamed. putting down ‘back of the High Wall’. It I find words and names can be bridges seems the council used this area to store to memories of places and people, eg road making materials which needed to be ‘High Wall’. My father worked for the kept tidy. So the High Wall served as a Berkhamsted Urban District Council from time-filling opportunity for the labourer; the late 1930s to the early 1950s as a possibly not so for the accounts general labourer. He died aged 60 years in department! 1951 suffering from the effects of the First Could this be the reason for the World War. council’s renaming? Bookwork and paperwork played no Rosemead, Southbank Road great part in his life. An inch stub of pencil Northchurch

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very Monday afternoon for four years, in time set aside each week for the re-doing the chalky form room, at a well-worn and of ‘returned work’. While I struggled with E ink-stained desk, I wrestled with the first declension masculine nouns in the parsing of Latin sentences. This was the dative plural others tackled French, maths

14 or history. The Latin look at the picture - made no more sense O Venite! but you could work to me at the second that out for attempt than it had at Remember those Latin yourself!). None of the first, so the mark declensions you learnt at school? that - but a jolly book for the completed with coloured exercise would be Don’t worry - Liz Baxendale cartoons introducing two out of ten as it has help at hand! us to Quintus and his had been the first family - including time round! naughty dog Argus Therefore, it may seem strange to you who rolls in the mud - and, in English, the that, 45 years later, I chose to enrol at highly readable and informative history of Dacorum Annexe for beginners’ Latin in Roman life and times. Our lessons are response to a small poster in their window interspersed with chat, discussion and asking ‘Are you interested in Latin?’. I laughter and the odd ‘Roman feast’ from suppose it offered a challenge. I had once time to time - fruits, nuts and with grape failed - but now a second chance was on juice (we haven’t caught any dormice offer. I joined - Tuesdays 7:30-9:30pm - yet!). and what fun it has been. No more parsing, We want to carry on to year II and will no recitation of verbs or chanted only be able so to do so if there is a declensions of nouns, no boring dusty substantial year I, so we need more people book where every chapter began who are interested in Latin. Some might ‘Discipuli, spectate pitcuram’ (pupils, feel able to come in at the second level. It’s amazing how much you remember when teacher jogs your mind! And, of course, everyone already knows some Latin - In Memoriam, Caveat Emptor, Cave Canem, Nota bene, for example. The classes are not dry and boring, not over laden with grammar, and we make considerable progress in a fun way. So why not come and join us? You’ll find it’s a great help with those crossword puzzles too! ™ Classes start on 30th September. This is the first time Latin has been offered at adult classes in Hertfordshire, seat of Verulamium.

15 Raise money for repair of our Details and sponsorship forms churches and chapels, by from: getting sponsorship for MERVILLE CHILDS 866767 cycling, running or walking (St Peter’s) between churches in Bedfordshire and Hertford- or shire. Anyone can come and enjoy a day visiting these MICK SMALLWOOD 877208 beautiful buildings. (All Saints’)

16 was under the CUTTING overstaying will be Iimpression that the raised from £5 to £10. ‘summer’ months COMMENTS On the other hand, the were the quiet ones car park in Canal for all levels of local Fields is still free and government. As usual Local independent councillor often has lots of I got it wrong again. Norman Cutting casts his eye vacant places. We had yet another Ian Johnston and by-election to replace over recent council events. myself had a wander three members of the round the town with town council. I had Mr Petts of the the leader of the borough council writing borough council in late July to look at to ask for an assurance that I did not possible sites for the CCTV cameras. Due divulge Part II information about a court to the season, leaves appeared on trees just case connected with the Tring Tesco to make life very difficult and short of planning application. We have a borough chopping large numbers down, one member of the town council divulging Part position had to be abandoned and some of II information, supplied in support of a the others relocated slightly to ensure the grant application to the council, to the best view. We are hopeful that a scheme to local press for the only reason that I can meet both the town’s concerns and the think of - an election was imminent. Who technical requirements of the borough will said politics had no place in the town be the outcome of our meeting. council? Just in case you have been away, we Before I go much further, I’d better now have a second conservative member explain what a Part II item is. As you all of the town council in the guise of Dr I know, the affairs of local government are Reay. He is joined by Gerald Lanchin (a public. There are however times when we Liberal-Democrat) who got in with the have to have a certain amount of support of the Labour party, and a Labour additional knowledge in order to make a representative by the name of Paul Dyett considered decision, or perhaps we need to who had the support of the Liberal- know about or discuss matters that affect a Democrats. The town council now has six particular person or organisation. Under Independents, four Liberal-Democrats, these circumstances the information is two Conservatives and one Labour private and confidential to the members (according to Cllr Sharpe). On the other and should not be divulged to anyone hand, we could have six Independents, outside the council, other, of course, than five Liberal-Democrat-Labour and two the person who supplied it. Conservatives (according to just about Meanwhile, back in the real world, I everyone else). Whoever is right, the next have once again been accused of 20 months are going to be very interesting, misleading you by inferring that the town judging by what’s been happening over centre car parks will have two and four the past two months or so. hour parking in them. Having read my Things started to happen with the copy for the umpteenth time I did say that almost unheard-of debate over who would Water Lane will have dual rates and St be mayor for the coming year, this being Johns Well Lane will have a number of all rapidly followed by the resignations of day parking spaces. Just to clarify the three councillors. In order to reduce the matter, Water Lane and Lower Kings expenditure on yet another election, (it Road will have two and four hour parking, while St Johns Well Lane will have two hour plus all day. The penalty for

17

18 would have been the third), I suggested The new council did make a couple of that we co-opt a Conservative, a Liberal- decisions on 28th July. The first was to Democrat and an Independent. Reflecting reject the spending of around £500 on the success of alliances in County Hall, the modifying the wall near the bottom of Liberal-Democrats suggested a similar Durrants Lane. You may remember it was scheme, but proposed replacing the planned to form a small flower bed to Independent by a Labour representative. make an attractive feature and we even got This was rejected by the Conservatives the approval of the borough landscapes and an election was called. The result you department. The other item which I also now know and you can make your own mentioned last month was the finance for mind up on whether it was worth it. Even the town warden van. My committee did the borough returning officer got the reverse the previous decision not to take figures wrong, so there’s hope for me yet! the money offered by borough. The The council meeting of 28th July message will now go back to the borough should, once again, have been a fairly budget and asset management committee straight forward affair of allocating the that we are prepared to accept the money three new members, committee for a van in borough livery, provided it memberships. A little shuffling around also has an indication that it is the town would have sorted it out until next May council’s warden van. I have spoken to the when the new year starts. I even drafted a chair of that committee, Cllr Keith White, suggestion, but it was pointed out by who assures me that it will be thought another member that I was leading the about. I got the feeling we are not his council with pre-conceived ideas, so I favourite local authority! dropped it. Lo-and-behold on the Just another reminder that all council appointed day, that very same member meetings are open to the public and presented a scheme totally to re-arrange generally meet in the Civic Centre on a the council under the guise of sharing the Monday evening starting at 7:30pm. We work out differently. Needless to say, we often allow you to voice an opinion on any spent the best part of two hours arriving subject on the agenda (posted in a display back almost where we started and as a case outside the Civic Centre or ring the result an extraordinary meeting had to be town clerk on 228945). I will even make called to finish business that should have the promise that if more of you come on a been completed without difficulty. That regular basis, I will see about providing meeting took place on 18th August prior tea and biscuits. After all, it is your to the finance and policy meeting council and all of us would like to see scheduled for that day. By necessity, the more of you attending as members of the finance meeting had to be shortened to public. As a regular visitor told me, ‘so ensure that all the business planned, many things go on and the first you know actually got completed. about it, is when it happens, and that’s too late’. ™

19 ast month I wrote dramatically Labout my visit to From Sewers to illustrated in London’s sewers. Breeze Blocks September 1878 After that visit I was when a pleasure given a tour of the steamer called the sewage treatment Continuing last month’s theme, Princess Alice col- works at Beckton, Stephen Halliday explores lided with a freighter near Barking, also further the achievements of in the vicinity of built by Sir Joseph Plumstead and sank, Bazalgette. It is the Sir Joseph Bazalgette. plunging its unfortu- largest installation of nate passengers into its kind in Europe. It was built in the the river at the very moment that the 1860s and is complemented by another on sewage was being discharged into the the south bank of the Thames at river. Crossness, near Plumstead. The system of Bazalgette therefore modified the treatment and disposal at present in use is system and built settlement tanks in which still substantially that bequeathed by the small amount of solid matter in the Bazalgette but it is about to undergo a waste was separated, loaded on to sludge dramatic change. boats, and taken out to be dumped in the When Bazalgette originally designed North Sea. The remaining liquid was the system the treatment works simply treated with chemicals to remove the smell stored the sewage until high tide, at which before it was returned to the river. This point it was released into the Thames to be system remains in use to-day except that carried out to sea by the ebb tide. This the liquid is treated biologically, bacteria system worked well for some years until being cultivated to consume the impurities London expanded to a point where both in the liquid. Barking and Plumstead themselves However, I witnessed the became heavily populated and the local commissioning of a new process which inhabitants, unsurprisingly, began to will, within the next few months, render object to the process. The problem was the sludge boats redundant. Having

20 N EWS F ROM T HE separated the solids from the liquids in settlement tanks, the solids are fed into a P z C z C machine which looks like a huge accordion. This is then compressed, removing further quantities of liquid The PCC meeting on 25th July hosted the which is channelled away for biological usual lively discussion on matters treatment through what is known as the concerning our two ‘activated sludge process’. Simply stated, churches and concerns this involves introducing quantities of from wider afield. oxygen to the liquid which promotes The council noted hyperactive bacteria to consume the the appointment of the remaining impurities in a matter of hours. Rev Dick Clarkson as After treatment the liquid is not clean Rural Dean of enough to drink but it is clean enough to Berkhamsted with be returned to the Thames which is now effect from 1st October, taking over from one of the cleanest major rivers in the John Payne Cook who has served in the world. The solids are then fed into an post for the last five years. His incinerator where they are heated to a commissioning by the Archdeacon of St temperature of 850 degrees, thereby being Albans, the Ven Philip Davies, will be on reduced to ash. It is planned that the ash Sunday, 12th October at the 6:30pm will be used in the manufacture of breeze Evensong at St Michael’s, Sunnyside. blocks for the building industry. The October meeting of the PCC is One of the things that most impressed dedicated to the visit of the diocesan me was the enthusiasm of the young stewardship advisor, Mr Nigel Guard. engineers who run the whole system. Following the appointment of They are committed to what they do and Christina Billington as the parish youth have no doubt about its value. I asked one worker, the PCC heard that she is to start of them, a young woman with a degree in her work in September. chemical engineering, what she tells Alan Conway people when they ask her what her job is. She replied: “I tell them I prevent epidemics”. In the early nineteenth century four cholera epidemics killed almost forty thousand people in London, the infection being fatally transmitted to the population in a water supply that was polluted by leaking sewers and cesspools. Bazalgette’s system eliminated cholera, typhoid (which killed Prince Albert and nearly killed the Prince of Wales) and other water-borne diseases from London. That is his lasting monument and he would be glad to know that his young successors know it. ™

21 Bellringers mark Voices for Hospices Victoria First School 1997 Centenary n 5th July the following ringers took Verdi O part in a quarter peal of 1260 changes Grandsire Triples at St Peter’s: Mary Sansom 1, Margaret Burbidge 2, Judith Requiem Burbidge 3, John Sansom 4, Martin t is now nearly three years since the last Macdonald 5, David Burbidge 6, David IVoices for Hospices event in which Sheppard 7, Michael Hart 8. concerts are put on all over the country, Many events have been organised in and indeed the world, in aid of local the last six months to celebrate 100 years hospices. In 1991 a performance of in the life of Victoria School, including a Haydn’s Creation raised over £6,000 for visit by the Bishop of St Albans in June. the Hospice of St Francis and in 1994 a Michael Hart retires on 31st August 1997 somewhat smaller performance of after 36 years in the teaching profession, Handel’s Messiah raised about £2,000. 22 of them as head of Victoria School. Both of these were ‘bring it and sing it’ As both the headteacher and chairman performances open to all who were of governors are ringers, in addition to a interested in taking part. number of former pupils, parents and This year the lain Rennie and St governors, it seemed very appropriate to Francis hospices are joining forces to put ring a quarter peal at St Peter’s to mark the on a concert performance of Verdi’s centenary and as a retirement compliment Requiem. This will be in the Berkhamsted to Michael. A musical composition was Collegiate Schools Centenary Hall and the chosen, and a good quarter peal rung. singers will be restricted to members of Mary, who is an old pupil and the Berkhamsted Choral Society, the infrequent ringer these days, rang very Chiltern Chamber Choir and the Tring well. Her father, John, came out of Choral Society. The orchestra will be quarter peal retirement to take part! The conducted by Adrian Davis and the band extends compliments to Judith, also soloists will be Diane Mansfield an old pupil, on her graduation from York (soprano), Marion Rowlatt (mezzo), University this summer with an upper 2nd Graham Wili (tenor) and Peter Hine class degree in biology. Mary is also a (bass), all of whom are well known York graduate. David Sheppard started locally. his education at Victoria. Margaret and The date is Saturday 18th October and David Burbidge are parents of Judith, and the time 7:30pm. Tickets will be available Martin is the auditor of the school’s trust from mid-September from either of the funds. Appropriately the quarter was hospice offices or from members of one of conducted by the chairman of governors! the choirs. Tickets will cost £7.50 (no concessions) inclusive of commemorative programme and you are urged to act quickly if you want one as this is expected to be a ‘sell-out’. Further information may be had from Robert Breakwell on 890222. ™ ™

22 review northchurch

One of the high- creative opportunities of the coming Doreen Knapp lights of my harvest, then Advent and Christmas we looks forward to a family holiday in will be challenged to discover and put to Cornwall was the good purpose the hidden gifts and talents church restored discovery of a that are amongst us. As we look at the with energy after beautiful garden overall pattern of our life together we will in the village of also be challenged to discern those areas the holidays. Creed. that need to be reshaped or changed, so Like the near- that by letting in new light, fresh growth by Lost Gardens of Heligan of television can take place elsewhere. fame, the Old Rectory garden at Creed is As with the work of discovering, one that has been rediscovered, restored restoring and renewing an ancient and and renewed and is now open daily for beautiful garden our greatest challenge as visitors to enjoy. The restoration of this a church family and community will be to five acre Georgian garden has been carried give visible witness to the timeless beauty out over the past 23 years by the work of of the love of our Creator God. It is this one family. Photographs can be seen on aim which must surely stir us all to display in the old stables showing parents persevere as a family in our work for and children hard at work uncovering and Christ so that the sharing, the caring, the restoring such treasures as a cobbled stable welcoming can carry on as ever before. ™ yard, as well as ponds, paths, water troughs and many other valuable garden Doreen Knapp is a parish reader at features. To maintain the restored life and St Mary’s, Northchurch. beauty of the garden, work of renewal carries on today as before. On returning from holiday in Cornwall I am reminded that at the beginning of September the many activities which make up the life of the church will be restored and hopefully re-vitalised after the summer holiday rest. Like the family who were challenged to restore and renew the garden at Creed, we as a church family and community will be challenged to work together to preserve, restore and renew our shared life of worship and activity together. As we plan ahead with sensitivity to the 23 review notes¬ices

TUESDAY CLUB you will not be disappointed. And here is another date for your diary - Our first meeting of the new session will be at Oxfam will be staging one of its popular 8:15pm on 2nd September. It is entitled I fashion shows at the Civic Centre on Thursday, Remember When. Members will recall a happy 30th October. Watch this space for further holiday or occurrence to share with the group. details. New members will be very welcome to join our friendly and informal group. FR MARK’S DAY OFF

WEA AUTUMN COURSES From September to April 1998 Father Mark is changing his day off to Saturday. Due to some The WEA is offering three courses this autumn. extra work he is having to do for a course in July 1998 he will be taking Mondays as study Fungi: Advanced and Beginners is a 16 session days and will not normally be around during course on Wednesday evenings at 8:00- the day. 9:30pm, starting on 10th September. The meetings are in Berkhamsted library; the fee is £38 and the tutor is Alan Outen. CONFIRMATION 1998 Contemporary Literature is a 10 session course The confirmation in 1998 for this parish will on Monday evenings at 8:00-9:30pm starting take place at 8:00pm on Thursday 23rd April on 29th September in Berkhamsted library. The by the Bishop of Hertford - probably at All fee is £28 and the tutor is E. Hutton. Saints’. Preparation for Confirmation will begin at the end of October and if you would Art: Italian futurism to abstract impressionism like to join a group please give your name to is a 10 session course on Wednesday mornings Father Mark or Father Robin, or to Marjorie from 10:30-12noon starting on 10th September. Bowden as soon as possible. Young people This course meets in the Friends meeting should be aged at least 12 during the academic house; the fee is £28 and the tutor is A. year. An adult group will meet separately, but McCleod. please give your name in. For further information please contact Ann Gurney on 865445. ALPHA COURSE If you wish to learn about the central teachings OXFAM CHILDREN’S WEAR EVENT of the Christian faith, or to be refreshed and renewed about those things you learned about Tots to teens will be catered for at Oxfam’s years ago this course is for you. It begins on forthcoming children’s wear event on Monday 29th September and runs for ten Thursday, 11th September at Berkhamsted weeks. Contact John Malcolm on 874993. Civic Centre from 9:30am to 12noon. All the autumn and winter stock, including ‘back to school’ uniforms and a selection of SEPTEMBER SALE ‘festive season’ outfits will be available. Going abroad for the half-term? That is no problem as On Saturday, 20th September from 10:00am to late summer stock will still be on sale. 3:00pm there will be a September Sale in All So come and join the ever growing ranks of Saints’ Hall. Books, plants and bric-a-brac will our devoted bargain hunters for a rummage be on sale. There will be coffee throughout the among the rails of really useful additions to day and ploughman’s lunches at lunchtime. All your children’s wardrobes. proceeds will be in aid of Marie Soper house. Everybody is welcome. A selection of Please come if you can. children’s books and toys will also be on sale and whether you come early or mid-morning 24 GET IT TAPED! brought many questions from the members and great delight at the beauty of the finished Audio tapes of readings from the Bible and designs. other helpful books, talks and music (including After refreshments members formed small Taizé chants) will be available from St Peter’s groups and discussed what they enjoyed about bookstall on Sundays starting in September. the institute meetings, what suggestions they Orders and enquiries welcome. Contact had for improving future meetings and what Marjorie Bowden (871283). topics they would like to be included in future programmes. They considered how they thought the institute could attract and interest THE MOTHERS’ UNION new members to join. All this information It was one of those beautiful summer evenings would help the present committee in when we set off for our July ramble. Starting at programme planning for 1998. Little Gaddesden church, we climbed our first The craft and play reading sections of the stile and were at once among wild flowers and institute continue to meet each fortnight. Both birdsong. Walking beside cornfields and, of meetings are relaxed and happy occasions. course, encountering the odd stinging nettle, We meet on the first Wednesday of each we all appreciated the chance to unwind after a month at 7:30pm in The Gable Hall, Prince busy day in such lovely surroundings. I was Edward Street, Berkhamsted and our next reminded of that prayer that begins, ‘Slow me meeting is on 17th September when Mrs June down, Lord!’ Douglas will talk about Portraits of Women. We do not have a meeting in August as it is New members will be very warmly welcomed. the holiday month for most of us, but on 4th September we shall be in St Albans for our BERKHAMSTED CASTLE W.I. festival service. An almost endless procession of Mother’s Union banners is an impressive It was lovely to see so many members at our sight. Ours will be one of them. It shows that August meeting and our president Liz someone cares for family life, doesn’t it? Baxendale was pleased to welcome a visitor to The following week, four of us will be back join us in our activities for the afternoon. at the Abbey, dressed in blue gowns and acting During business matters it was announced as welcomers. If you come on a visit you will that the coffee morning and tea afternoon held see us as the west door. Then the same evening in Liz Baxendale’s pretty garden raised a sum (10th September) we shall all be sharing of £100 for our funds. The competition game holiday experiences at our monthly meeting. for naming the ‘Pusscat Doorstop’ made by Do join us if you can. Sue Bull which continued at the meeting was If you would like to know more about the won by Jane Caull. The name chosen was MU contact Jenny Wells on 870981. ‘Minnie’. The bookbag made by the craft group which was given to the reception class at BERKHAMSTED W.I. Victoria School was really appreciated by the The coffee morning held at the little ones. We received thank-you letters from home of Mrs Jill Blumsom on them with some very nice drawings as well! 26th June was a happy social Our speakers, Mrs B.M. Hulbert, making a occasion and raised £84 welcome return to our institute, gave us a most towards the bursary fund for a interesting talk with beautiful slides of the Lake member to attend a course at District. Her photographic shots of birds, wild the institute college at Denman. flowers and also the wild life to be found in At our July meeting Mrs Jean Gale was our this scenic part of the country were remarkable. speaker. She brought with her a few personal An appreciation was given by Susi Davidson. treasures, together with flowers and foliage During teatime the raffle was drawn and from her garden. Then whilst telling of the the competitions judged. Why not pay us a history of the treasures and details of the visit? Our next meeting is on 5th September at flowers she used them both to make artistic the Court House, Berkhamsted at 2:00pm when designs, picking up the colours in the treasures Mrs Joyce Donald takes us on a Drovers Route with the flower arrangements. The results to Dorchester. ™

25 review diary

All services at normal times unless stated. SEPTEMBER 11 All Saints’ Area Committee 12 St Peter’s Area Committee 14 7:00pm Songs and Sweet Airs Recital by Cantello - Adrian Davis, Kate Semmens, Mary Harris St Peter’s 20 8:00pm Ecumenical Breakfast & Prayers at Kings Road Evangelical Church 26 Standing Committee 27 St Peter’s Harvest Supper Court House 28 3:00pm Way Inn service of thanksgiving St Peter’s 28 8:00pm Taizé style Evening Worship All Saints’

OCTOBER 1 8:00pm Fr Mark talks about the Eucharist & ASB revisions St Peter’s 5 9:30pm Harvest Thanksgiving Eucharist St Peter’s 3:00pm Hospice Thanksgiving Service All Saints’ 10 P.C.C. 11 7:30pm Chiltern Chamber Choir concert with visiting Dutch Choir Cantemus Dominium St Peter’s 12 6:30pm Appointment of Dick Clarkson as Rural Dean at St Michael & All Angel’s, Sunnyside 15 8:00pm Fr Mark talks about the Eucharist & ASB revisions St Peter’s 17 All Saints’ Harvest Supper All Saints’ 18 8:00am Ecumenical Breakfast (Court House) and Prayers (Lady Chapel) St Peter’s 19 10:00am Joint Harvest Thanksgiving Service All Saints’ 24 P.C.C. - extra meeting

26 review registers

Baptisms (St Peter’s) 20 July Luke Dominic Gurney, George Samuel Dalziel 27 July Robert James Fordyce Clarke

Weddings (St Peter’s) 19 July Michael James Ruby & Martine Noëlle Burford 2 August Brian Verney & Janey Hazel Oliff

Blessing (St Peter’s) 1 August Roderick Beaton & Rosalind MacEwan

Funerals 24 July Madeleine Jean Barlow The Chilterns Crematorium 7 August Edith Rose Stevens St Peter’s (The Chilterns Crematorium)

Due to lack of space the Review FactFile could not be included this month. It will be back next month.

DAVID GIDDINGS

K. D. WRIGHT LANDSCAPES INTERIOR and EXTERIOR Qualified Plantsman PAINTING AND DECORATING Garden Construction CRAFTSMAN QUALITY Planting for the usual and unusual Aftercare ADVICE and FREE ESTIMATE 24 Shrublands Avenue Berkhamsted Berkhamsted Herts HP4 3JH Tel. 871846 (after 6pm) Tel: 871018

27 review backpage

The Revd Mark Bonney, The Rectory, Rectory Lane. Tel: 864194 (day off Monday) The Revd Robin Figg, All Saints’ House, Shrublands Road. Tel: 866161 (day off Monday) The Revd Canon Basil Jones (Hon.Asst.Priest), 17 Lochnell Road. Tel: 864485 The Revd Jim Lawrenson (Hon.Asst.Priest), Downside, 7 Torrington Road. Tel: 865999 The Revd Preb Stephen Wells (Hon.Asst.Priest), 57 Meadow Road. Tel: 870981 Miss Marjorie Bowden (Reader), 16 Broadwater. Tel: 871283 Mrs Joan Cook (Reader), The Gardeners Arms, Castle Street. Tel: 866278 John Malcolm (Reader), Landswood, Shootersway. Tel: 874993 Tom Montague (Reader), 27 Hill View. Tel: 875320 Mrs Jenny Wells (Reader), 57 Meadow Road. Tel: 870981 Parish Secretary: Mrs Jean Green, The Parish Office, The Court House Tel: 878227 Churchwardens: Christopher Green, 17 Cowper Road. Tel: 863241; John Banks, Ladybrand, Cross Oak Road. Tel: 871195 Parochial Church Secretary: Alan Conway, 7 Kilfillan Gardens. Tel: 865798 Council: Treasurer: Michael Robinson, 36 Trevelyan Way. Tel: 863559 Assistant Director of Music: Mrs Jean Wild. 866859 Organist: Mrs Jean Cooper. Tel: 874088 Sundays Weekdays 8.00am Holy Communion (1st Sun Rite B) Holy Communion 9.30am Family Sung Eucharist with Wednesday 6.45am Sunday Schools (in the Court Thursday 11.00am House) followed by coffee in Friday 9.15am the Court House. Morning Prayer: Tues-Sat 7:30am 11.15am Matins & Sermon (lst Sunday only) Evening Prayer: Tues-Fri 5:30pm 6.00pm Evensong & Sermon Holy Days - see weekly Notices (except lst Sunday see All Saints’) Matins & Evensong said daily Confessions: After Saturday Evening Prayer (5.00pm) or at other times by appointment. Weddings, Banns of Marriage, Baptisms, Funerals Please contact Father Mark Bonney. Bellringers (St Peter’s): Miss Priscilla Watt, 11 Cavalier Court, Chesham Road. Tel: 863804 Organist: Mrs Valerie McCalla Tel: 384574 Choirmaster: Peter McMunn Tel: 874894 Sundays 8.00am Holy Communion (lst Sunday - Methodist rite) 9.15am Family Sung Eucharist & Sunday Schools, then coffee in the Hall 11.00am (Methodist Morning Service) 6.30pm Evening Service (1st Sunday - Anglican rite, other Sundays Methodist rite) Weekdays Holy Communion: Tuesday 9.30am Holy Days - see weekly Notices (All Saints’ is shared with the Berkhamsted Methodist Church)

Published by Berkhamsted St Peter Parochial Church Council

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