Chipperfield News

October 1999

Horticultural Society

Saturday September 18th was blustery and had a distinctive autumn feel, totally in keeping with our last show of the season which was held in the village hall. The Autumn Show was well attended and the hall was filled with a fine array of vegetables and colourful flowers. Frank Venables carried off most of the silverware thanks to a fine display of vegetables and flowers while his wife Linda scored well in the domestic section. Frank won the Timberlake cup for the best onions in the show, the G A Usher Challenge Bowl for the most points in the flower section as well as the Silver Rose Bowl for the highest number of points in the combined vegetable, fruit and flower sections. On top of all that Frank also receives a load of manure courtesy of Roger Pritchard to help him prepare his garden for doing it all again next year. Mike Leon was a worthy runner up in the competition for most points in the show and took away the W Bates Cup while Mick Langstons fine display of dahlias was rewarded with the Dahlia Society Bronze Medal. The Autumn Show is also the time to reward consistent performance throughout the year and Kathy Ward won the Peter Franz cup for the most points scored in the domestic section during the year while Leigh Tyler took the Junior Challenge Cup for the most points in the Junior section. We are always blest with some wonderful displays of flower arranging at our shows and this was to prove no exception with Eileen Foulgham once again showing her superiority by winning the C P Brousson Challenge Trophy for her efforts in these classes. Congratulations to all the trophy winners and well done to all those who took part in what proved to be a most successful show. A special mention too for Pete Dormer who entered several vegetable sections for the first time and whose successes included a win in the well-contested tomato class. Well done Pete. It may be the end of the showing season but of course gardening is an all year activity and there is still plenty of work to do. The Society shop remains open until the end of October from 10.OOam to I l.3Oam each Saturday morning and dont forget that your Society membership card can give you valuable discounts when you are stocking up on your spring flowering bulbs at several of our local garden centres and nurseries. John Hopkins

Photographing Englands Heritage

The largest ever survey of Englands built heritage was recently launched by the National Monuments Record, the public archive of English Heritage. The purpose of the survey is to provide 360,000 ‘defining images of listed buildings for the Images of England internet project. The resulting Images of En gland website will be completed by 2002, creating one of the worlds largest picture libraries. The project has been backed by a £3.09 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and is supported by the Millennium Festival Fund and The Royal Photographic Society. Over the period 1999 - 2002 one photograph - “the defining image” - will be taken of the exterior of each listed building. These photographs will be taken by volunteers from The Royal Photographic Society from a public road or other public place. How does this affect Chipperfield? There are 45 listed buildings in the civil parish of Chipperfield ranging from the War Memorial and the church Lych Gate - not forgetting St Pauls Church itself - to the Manor House and the old school and including many barns at a number of farms. In addition Bucks Hill, Sarratt and Flaunden have a further 140 listed structures, which include red telephone boxes and the pump on Sarratt Green. If owners of listed buildings see someone photographing their property, probably carrying a large camera bag and possibly with a pair of step ladders, it is most likely that they will be a volunteer on the Images of England project. If you are in any doubt ask to see a proof of their identity. All photographers carry identification and authority confirming their bona fides.

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Summer Projects

For the last couple of years we have planned a “major garden project” for our son Johns school summer holidays; we can do with the extra muscle power, it keeps him out of mischief and, unlike weeding, is not classed as “boring”! This year it was the area just in front of the bungalow, a D shaped bit bordered by the drive with a big change in levels, completely untouched since we built the bungalow. We have been collecting Hertfordshire pudding stones to make a wall around it for 10 years and had finally decided that we had enough. The work went well but, with half the wall up, it seemed a much bigger plot than before, so we bought a 5 metre square liner and John dug a hole and we put a pond just in front of the kitchen windows. The hose was still filling it when the first dragonfly flew over, but the next morning we were amazed to see three pond skaters floating on the top. They use the surface tension of the water to skate around the pond feeding on any unfortunate insects that happen to fall in. They do have wings and must have flown in, though one never seems to see them take off. News of the new pond was spreading fast as the next day, whilst wading in to sort out the edge vf the liner, John and I disturbed some water boatmen. They are about 15mm long and swim upside down under the water carrying a bubble of air. They are powerful predators and can give a nasty stinging nip so we tried not to disturb them once they had shot under a fold in the liner at the sight of our big feet! After four days we moved in some water lilies from one of our other ponds, much to the delight of the damselflies. These electric blue creatures are one of my favourites and are easy to tell from dragonflies as when resting, they fold their wings together along the line of their bodies, whereas dragonflies have their wings out horizontally on each side of their bodies. At least half a dozen arrived in no time at all and were soon flitting about above the water or resting on the lily pads. The huge common hawker dragonflies soon took up residence and from the kitchen window I could see the difference in colour of the turquoise blue male and the more lime greeny- blue female. They hunt for flying insets over the ponds by hawking up and down a regular beat, while the smaller red common darters would perch on the pudding stone wall and then fly out to ambush passing prey. The pond has been a great delight already, but we only just got it dug in time as John broke an arm a week after we put the water in! Next year, Godwilling, we are going to tackle the big wildlife pond at the bottom of the garden - at present just a very big hole. Its not only Charlie Dimmock who can make water features you know!

A Warning From Scatterdells Lane!

After some 15 months since its concept, John Prestwichs motorised chair/bed is now practically ready for him to take his maiden voyage! We therefore thought it advisable to warn villagers to keep a wary eye open for, and to give a wide berth to, this newly liberated learner-driver. Seriously though, to be able to move himself around totally independently for the first time for almost 44 years will be an unbelievable experience for John. None of this would have happened had it not been for the tremendous help we have received from so many people. Many of the firms who have been involved in the project have generously provided materials and equipment either free or at cost. Friends and local people have made not only financial contributions but have given their time and the use of necessary equipment. We cant name them all but there are a few we would particularly like to thank publically - Peter Williams, Dennis and Judy Jenks (from Sarratt) and lastly, but by no means least, Jarleth Pattinson. Jarleth has been involved from day one and has spent an enormous amount of time and effort in its production. In fact, there is absolutely no doubt whatsoever, that had it not been for Jarleth and his amazing expertise, the chair/bed would never have materialised. We will never, ever, be able to adequately express our thanks and appreciation to him or indeed to Stephanie. his long-suffering wife. For all these months she has patiently (we hope!) put up with a pre-occupied husband and has generously supported us in all aspects of the task. John and Maggie Prestwich

In July we had a family holiday on the north Devon coast. On our way there we stopped for bed and breakfast at the delightful Gubbs Farm at West Buckland near Barnstable. This 300-year old Devon farmhouse is the home of ex-Chipperfield residents Jane and Mike Templeman. We were given a very warm welcome, excellent food and spacious and comfortable accommodation with tastefully decorated rooms. The youngsters had a large room on the second floor with various games and activities to keep them amused. The gardens are interesting and

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colourful with several lit- ‘ tie nooks to sit in and enjoy the surroundings. I can thoroughly recommend a stay at Gubbs Farm. If you want a few days peace and quiet or just a pleasant stop on your way somewhere else, you will be sure of a warm and friendly welcome. For a brochure ring Jane on 01598 760365. Neilma Coates

Special Constables

Hertfordshire Constabulary need to recruit more volunteers to support the work of regular police officers, particularly in the rural areas of the county. Specials play a vital role in the community working alongside their regular colleagues and the work is ideally suited to those who care about the quality of life for local people. The minimum time commitment is 16 hours a month. To become a Special Constable you have to be a citizen of Britain, the Commonwealth or the Irish Republic, at least 18 years 6 months old, be physically fit and in good health. Special Constables are unpaid but are reimbursed for all expenses incurred in carrying out their duties. Uniform is provided free and the full service of the Force Welfare and Occupational Health Unit is available. Application forms can be obtained from police stations or if you ring the Recruitment Department on 01707 354205. Dial 999 in an emergency But what is an emergency?

When you believe there is

• a risk of someone being injured • a crime in progress • a risk of serious damage to property • a suspicious incident in progress • any other serious incident which seems to warrant an immediate police response

If you need to contact the police for general assistance and enquiries, crime prevention advice or to pass on information, your local station is at Hemel Hempstead 01442 271000

The Dacorum And Its Heritage

At the western tip of Hertfordshire the group of towns and villages comprising the borough of Dacorum takes its name from the ancient hundred and the Anglo-Saxon name for the area. It is an area rich in historical significance and has an interesting story to tell. Archaeological evidence is abundant and Neolithic, Mesolithic, Bronze Age and Roman remains have been found on various sites throughout the area. The river valley and trackways have determined the position of its towns and villages and their prosperity was based on agriculture. Later, the coming of the canals and railways brought other industries - paper-making, engineering, pharmaceuticals and electronics. People have lived and worked in The Dacorum for several thousand years and this heritage has now been recognised as worth keeping. All to often the past has been ignored or destroyed and much that has been preserved has left the area and been displayed elsewhere, as unfortunately there is no museum dedicated to The Dacorum. The need to rectify this situation came to a head in 1980 due to pressure from local archaeological and history societies who came together to form The Dacorum Heritage Trust. The Dacorum Borough Council and the town councils of Tring and Berkhamsted have given able support and the trust became a registered charity in 1993. A disused fire station after conversion, became the museum store. It contains a large collection of material: some 20,000 items in all. These range from flint tools, Roman vessels and decorated wall plaster from a local Roman villa site, to 17th century trade tokens, photographs, pictures and maps - an endless variety of material spanning the centuries. To raise public interest it was decided in October 1988 to form a society called The Friends of Dacorum Museum. The objects of the society are: To work towards the establishment of a permanent museum or museums for the benefit of the public generally and especially the inhabitants of the district of Dacorum in the county of Hertfordshire;

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• To organise periodic exhibitions relating to local history in the said district for educational and cultural purposes; • To raise finances to enable the Dacorum Heritage Trust to purchase material relating to the area.

The society now has 179 members and has arranged a programme of events, visited the new Verulamium Museum and arranged historic walks in the area. Several parties have toured the museum store under the guidance of the curator, Matt Wheeler. This year, the trusts annual touring exhibition focuses on the history of the canal in Dacorum. It will be on show at Hemel Hempstead Pavilion from 18-23 October and Victoria Hall, Tring from 25-30 October. Admission is free and the exhibition is open l0am-Spm. John M.D. Saunders Friends of Dacorum Museum Society

Directory Of Care Services 1999

A new Directory of Care Services, Residential and Nursing Homes for Hertfordshire has been published by Care Choices Ltd on behalf of the Social Services. The directory lists residential and nursing homes geographically within the county as well as home care agencies accredited with Herts County Council and provides an index to homes which provide specialist services. A reference copy is available for consultation from Chipperfield Care, telephone number 01923 264700.

www.chipperfield.org.uk

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