LET’S KEEP YOU UP TO

We are sorry to have to tell you that we have DATE WITH THE made the decision to postpone this year’s Art Festival until 2022. LATEST NEWS We did not make this decision lightly but with all the uncertainty around at the moment we Our weekly information sheet want to ensure the safety of everybody and is sent by email as well as being make certain that the huge amount of work available in church on Sundays. and money that goes into staging the event is It tells you what is happening at not wasted. church each week; recorded The event will return services, times of services and bigger and better next year! other news as well. It is the ideal way to keep up to date. If you are not already receiving these please let us know your email address by sending it to [email protected] (You can opt out at any time.) “Chosen” (Lost and found between Christianity and Judaism) “Chosen” is the title of a new book by Giles Fraser and published in May this year. You might have heard of Giles Fraser, an Anglican priest whose voice is sometimes heard on Radio 4’s ‘’. He is usually thought- provoking and can be controversial in some of his views. He certainly took a very strong stand when he was Chancellor of St. Paul’s Cathedral in 2011, in contrast with many of his colleagues. This was at the time of the financial crisis when peaceful protesters camped out around the cathedral. His sympathies were with the in their protest about the Capitalist banking system that many felt had largely contributed to the huge problems facing Western Governments and financial institutions. In the end it came to a vote to evict the Occupy movement and he could not, in conscience, support his colleagues and had to resign his post. This is where the story starts and he writes of how his life fell apart, with no job, his marriage break-up and very real thoughts of suicide. This was the point at which he decided to write about his experiences which would be healing and help him recover. He was also at this time asked to look at a new position at Liverpool Cathedral and although not particularly interested in the job, he travelled to Liverpool. He spent some time visiting a Victorian synagogue where one of his ancestors had been the Rabbi and he realised there was much he did not know about his Jewish roots. His research and discoveries are absolutely fascinating and will make you really think again about the Jewish faith and its relationship with Christianity. It will open your eyes to the history of the Christian faith and church, in relation to Judaism providing some very interesting insights into Jewish/Christian relations. It is a personal testimony of how Giles Fraser challenged the institutional church and came to a much deeper under- standing of what it is to be “chosen” in both the Jewish and Christian context of faith. I cannot recommend it too highly, especially for a deeper understanding of the Jewish and Christian story and faith.

Robert Fletcher News from the tower.

Freedom Day has meant a few changes for our band of bellringers in the tower. We are now not limited to six people in the ringing room, though more than ten at present might be uncomfortable. We can ring for longer than the previous suggested limit of forty five minutes, but the ventilation must be the best that we can achieve. We are fortunate in having three large windows, each facing in a different direction, one to the North, one to the West and one to the South. Depend- ing on the strength of the wind we can have all three fully open. Other local towers are not as lucky as we are. We are all double jabbed and are carrying out Lateral Flow Tests in the forty eight hours before ringing. That way should anyone of us SA. She told her incredible story of test positive we can avoid the risk of infecting the rest of the band. Sanitising both when arriving ham a few years ago. You may have in church before climbing the fifty steps and again in the ringing room keeps the risk of spreading heard it. But it also makes me won- any form of contamination as low as possible. der where these mugs may be in the Lastly we are still carrying face masks to wear when appropriate. Face to face teaching would be the most obvious situation when they would definitely be required. Hopefully things will get better soon and we can return to normal. Roy Adcock

In time of need, we have Pastoral Care! Pastoral care of members of the church and wider parish community is a priority for us especially at this time. We have a Church pastoral care group who have been trained to respond to anyone in need - whether it be illness, bereavement, personal difficulty or a practical need. We are here to help and support in whatever way we can. If you would like to talk to one of our group please contact: Vicar 01923 854209 - Annie Wiggs 07810 264099 - Sue Barnard 01923 852754 I have attended a course in 'spiritual direction' and would be very happy to offer such assistance to anyone who would like to explore or know more about this, please contact me. Robert Fletcher (Vicar) 01923 854209 Your Church Choir needs YOU! For more than three-quarters of a millennium, our church here in Aldenham has resounded to the sound of hymns, psalms, and canticles. Music is an integral part of our worship, and we carry on an Anglican musical tradition which is increasingly rare in the wider Church. During the pandemic, most of us have keenly felt the absence of singing from the regular services, and as restrictions lift, we all look forward to the return of congregational singing. Directed by our Organist and Choirmaster, Gary Eyre, the Church Choir is a small but dedicated group of singers who lead and support the congregation and Vicar in this musical tradition. Sadly, during the pandemic, our numbers have been diminished. We are very much in need of new voices. Whether or not you have previous experience singing in a choir, church or otherwise, if you enjoy singing and would like to support our musical tradition, we would very much welcome you. Although some ability to read music is useful, it is not essential. We practice on Fridays at 7:30pm at the church; why not come along and find out more or contact Gary at [email protected].

OPENING SOON! The church doors will be open soon to welcome you into the church for a look round. It won’t be open every day but the signs will be out when it is, so look out for them. Access inside will be limited to the church only, the tower will not be accessible and there will be no toilet facilities available. There will be a ‘short guide’ available to take you on a tour of the highlights of the church and just some of its many treasures. There will also be our ‘Tap and Pay’ system for donations or an amount of £5 can be made by texting ALDENHAMCH to 70580. Come and see us, all welcome! May Wiggs 1923 - 2021 May was born in 1923 into a military family meaning that she , her older sister Eleanor and younger brother Jimmy had many moves around the UK and overseas through their early childhood. It was always with great pride that, in later life, she wore a beautiful brooch representing her father's regiment the Green Howards, the Yorkshire Regiment, based in Richmond. As the children grew up, moving with their father's postings became unmanageable and education in boarding school became a necessity. May, along with Eleanor went to the Royal School in Bath, for children of officers. The school was evacuated to Longleat during WW2 to the surprise and delight of the girls and May recalled Lord Bath being very welcoming but rather alarmed by so many bicycles arriving with the girls too. School years led to May fulfilling her dream of becoming a doctor and gaining a place to study medicine at St Andrews. She qualified successfully and moved around many jobs in hospitals in England and Ireland. Having moved to a job in this area she met Graham, a local solicitor, and they were married in 1951. To their delight their daughter Jennifer was born in 1952, followed by Anthony in 1954. May was now working as a local GP having set up an "all woman" practice with a colleague, a rare occurrence at the time. She had always been a keen sportswoman enjoying lacrosse, cricket, hockey, golf and latterly tennis in Radlett. A blue in hockey while at St Andrews was a particular highlight. Her love of sport, participation and later viewing, endured throughout her life and she never lost her passion for this. Her husband Graham lived with Parkinson's disease, diagnosed at a very young age and May embraced his care at their home in Letchmore Heath for many years before he moved to The Ridgeway nursing home in Radlett. May was delighted by the arrival, over the years, of 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. They were all the apple of her eye and their lives and adventures were central to her. A wonderful life filled with service to others and dedication to her family, leaving us all with beautiful memories of a life lived to the full. Rest in peace May. Annie Wiggs STOP PRESS It is with much sadness that we announce the death of James Jarrett, an active member of this church for many years who died peacefully on Wednesday 22nd July. His funeral service took place at Church on Tuesday 3rd August. Please keep Angela and Caroline, his daughters, in your prayers. We will have a fuller report next time. Like many villages around the country, some time ago, the Aldenham residents of Aldenham set up a WhatsApp group to share Village information, provide advice and keep neighbours up to date. During the lockdown periods associated with Covid-19, this Residents has become a very important mode of communication. During 2020, we found that we were becoming increasingly Association concerned about a number of problems that had developed and which were impacting in a negative way on the environment. So, we had a virtual meeting by Zoom on March 22nd 2021 to discuss the problems and how we might collectively work out some solutions. We decided to create the Aldenham Village Residents Association (AVRA) and volunteers were sought for the inaugural committee – there were 6 volunteers: Cynthia Dillane. Mandy Haberman, Steven Haberman, Laurie Kaye, Paul Lancaster (manager of the Golf Club) and Gary Teper. Steven was elected the first chairman. The Association comprises of the residents of the village plus representatives of the Golf Club and St John the Baptist church. The aims and objectives of the Association include 2 important components. First, to work for the betterment of Aldenham Village and Village Residents and to build good relations with its neighbours in surrounding or nearby areas within the parish of Aldenham. Second, to promote and represent the interests of Aldenham Village in consultation with the local authority, other public bodies, the local Member of Parliament and such other individuals or organisations as are relevant to achieve the Association’s aims. The Committee has drafted a formal constitution and action plan, both of which were agreed at a Zoom meeting on June 21st. The plan fits within an overall strategy which is to give Aldenham Village a clear identity, improve its amenities and make it a green village for the enjoyment and wellbeing of current and future residents and visitors. The immediate priorities of the plan are to deal with the issues raised by residents. These include having well identified welcome signs at the two ends of Church Lane; sorting out the parking problems in Church Lane which have led to the buses becoming stuck and the road completely blocked; addressing the speed limit along Church Lane; dealing with the many severe pot-holes in Church Lane near to the Church; providing more litter bins; and dealing with environmental noise pollution from planes and helicopters flying over the village. The Committee is in the process of setting up three working groups: to investigate possible solutions to the parking problem; to collect litter and to think of ways in which we can make the village environment even more beautiful; and to plan for some collective village social events, like a repeat of the 2020 Village Tea Party on the Green. Aldenham is a beautiful village and it has a unique and historic character and place within the parish of Aldenham. We want the best for its residents and visitors and look forward to the Association making a positive contribution for the wellbeing of Aldenham residents and the wider community. For more information please contact Steve Haberman, on 07870 161528 or [email protected]. AVRA Committee June 23rd 2021

Henry Ralph Hadnutt Jones, Sidney Walter Jones and Reginald Arthur Jones all left Aldenham to fight in World War I by joining the Hertfordshire regiment. They were aged 33, 27 and 18 respectively and were the sons of Henry Samuel and Lucy Jones who ran The Chequers in Aldenham. The family had been made up of four sons and two daughters, but when the war commenced, only these three sons had survived. Henry Ralph Hadnutt, my great uncle, was married and working and living with his parents at the Chequers in Aldenham when he went to war. His army number was 245952, Gunner, of 72nd Army Brigade, Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery. He had married Harriett Hales on November 29th 1906 in Great Dunmow. On November 8th 1918, Harriet died of influenza and septic pneumonia at the Chequers. I think this was Spanish flu. His father Henry Samuel had died on February 27th 1917, and as Henry Ralph was the informant on the death certificate it is presumed he had received dispensation to return home. On September 23rd 1920 he married Lilian Gertrude Layzell in St John the Baptist Church. By 1933, Henry was steward of the Social Club, Aldenham, formerly The Chequers. He died aged 67 on September 17th 1949 in Bushey Hospital after living in Round Bush after he retired. Sidney, my grandfather, was licenced victualler at the Three Horseshoes in Letchmore Heath after receiving £300 from his father in April 1911. He and his wife, Mabel, had a son, Adrian William, my father, on October 10th 1913. Sidney’s army number was 154075, Gunner of 51st Battalion, 39th Bedford RFA. It was placed under command of the 1st Division and went to France in August 1914. The division was involved in the battle of Nunne Bosschen on November 11th 1914. Sidney returned from the war to resume his duties at the Three Horseshoes; Mabel had continued the business while he was away. He suffered from shell shock after the war and died on October 12th 1933 of myocardial degeneration, chronic alcoholism and cirrhosis of the liver. Alas, there was no rehabilitation for these soldiers. Reginald Arthur, my great uncle, left home at the Chequers and went to war aged 18. His army number was 15352, a Private in 3rd Bedfords. He transferred from 3rd to 7th Bedfords and was sent to the western front. Reginald had risen to the position of Corporal by July 1915. The 7th Battalion served entirely in France and Flanders between their arrival in July 1915 and their disbandment in May 1918. The battalion served with distinction, winning numerous gallantry medals – including two Victoria Crosses – and were involved in major battles every year of their service. During the Great War the 7th battalion lost around 830 men killed in action and around 3500 additional casualties. The battles included the Somme 1916 specifically at the Battle of Albert (including the storming of the Pommiers Redoubt on July 1st 1916), the Battle of Bazentin (when the division captured Trones Wood on July 14th 1916) and the Battle of Thiepval in September. The battalion was also involved in the Battle of Ancre in November albeit in a supporting role. In 1917, operations included the Ancre, the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the storming of Achiet-le-grand, the Battle of Arras and the Battle of Ypres. In 1918, there was action in the first battles of the Somme 1918, the Battle of St Quentin, the Battle of the Avre in April and at Villers-Bretonneux on 23rd April 1918. Upon his return from the war, Reginald married Dorothy Ar- rowsmith on April 29th 1922 in St John the Baptist Church. He settled in Patchetts Green, and worked as a builder’s clerk. Dorothy’s father was a builder, so this could be the connection. Reginald died aged just 35 in Peace Memorial Hospital Watford on January 26th 1931 of general peritonitis and a gangrenous appendix. Henry Ralph, his brother, is mentioned on the death certificate as the informant. A short life after giving five years to the war. The names of Henry, Sidney and Reginald are inscribed on the War Memorial outside the Three Horseshoes Public House in Letchmore Heath (seen right). There is also another family cas- ualty of WW2 listed there: Laura Jones, the widow of Thomas Jones, who was a brother of Henry Samuel. Laura and Thomas were publicans at the Bricklayers Arms (seen below) and Laura continued after the death of her husband, but the pub was struck by a stray bomb dropped by a German plane trying to get back to Germany. The ground that the pub stood on has been left a grassy area. All three brothers received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for their service to their country during World War I. A remarkable achievement for three brothers from Aldenham, Hertfordshire. Kath Cleghorn (nee Jones) www.aldenhamchurch.com

With a new look, some new features and some associated email addresses our new website is worth a look! In particular if you want to know what is going on at the church just click on the ‘Diary’ tab and you can see a day by day listing with details on the drop down tabs. Emailing us now is simpler too. Just click on any of the links to reach us or just email [email protected] or [email protected] to get in touch. All constructive criticism and suggestions to improve the site are welcome and it will always be a work in progress!

WHAT IS THIS? See opposite for more detail on the need to restore our window and repair the plaster and decorations on the inside as a result of the damage it has caused. Our Crowd Funding page has been launched to help with the huge bill that faces us! Please share this link with your friends and family and through your social media pages. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/restoring-our-damaged-stained-glass-window

If you have some good pictures for us Follow, like and share us! to share, please send them with any @Aldenhamstjohnbaptist text to [email protected] Essential work at the church Help us please! North Path lights Work should now be finished on the lights Text! on the North Path to comply with our ALDENHAMCH to 70580 Health & Safety obligations. This should to donate £5 make entry and exit much safer during the Texts cost £5 plus one stand- winter. ard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about WIFI and Streaming. our work and fundraising via After months of delay by BT we should by telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £5 but now finally (or very nearly) have wifi in the do not wish to receive church. This will make us able to both marketing communications, download and upload video and other text ALDENHAMCHNOINFO to 70580. content for services and other needs. And provide better services for potential letting General donations of the church and church room. If you would like to make a donation you can do so Watch the weekly news sheet for more on line with the following Bank details: details. St John The Baptist Aldenham Parish Church. Account no 90100668 Sort Code 20-74-09. Extension to churchyard We are still awaiting some progress from the Stewardship diocese on extending our churchyard and are Better still make a regular donation by joining our in talks with the diocese about it. Stewardship Scheme. Please contact Cath Baker for Watch this space. more details of this on: [email protected].

Heating We have had a visit from the Diocese Become a Friend Heating adviser now and are currently Friends of the church come from far and wide and will receive regular information from the church. A seeking advice and quotations from various minimum donation of £15 per year is all it takes. companies in line with their advice. More Contact Sue Barnard to join news next time. [email protected] Window We are also waiting for work to start on the In Church window in the Children’s area (see previous Using our ‘Tap and Pay’ sys- newsletter.) In the meantime we need to tem is easy and a great alter- raise the funds to cover the cost of not only native to a cash collection. the repair but also the refurbishment of the area, so have launched the Crowd Funding We always collect Gift Aid Scheme as seen on the page opposite. where we can!

GREEN The church has 96, 100watt bulbs in the main chandeliers which burns a lot of power! There are also many other bulbs! The main ones have now been changed to LED dimmable bulbs which are just 14 watts each giving a very similar light intensity for a fraction of the cost of electricity which is a great result! The other bulbs are also being changed to LED’s as well and the result will be a considerable reduction in lighting costs, less power usage and a reduction in the number of times we have to change the current bulbs. Next in line for a greener environment is our ancient oil fired boiler (seen left) tucked away down in our crypt, it has done us good service for well over 60 years! We are currently investigating the best way to replace this old smelly and expensive technology with something much greener includ- ing the possibility of air source heat pumps. It will almost cer- tainly mean us changing over to gas fired heating with the future proofing of a change to hydrogen when available and will enable the decommissioning of the oil tank and rusting supply pipe when funds become available. Your church has the environment very much in mind and these changes will make us much more efficient when it is all done. More news next time!

FOR at the back of the church.

1. Stained glass, brilliant booklet about our lovely windows - £4 2. List of burial plots booklet - £4 2 3. Framed Pictures of church from an original watercolour 4 1 by Arthur Gilpin - £10 each 4. Commemorative Mugs (2 sorts) - £8 each 5. Postcards - 5p each 6. Bookmarks - 50p each 3 8 7. Pens - £1 each 6 5 8. Guide Book to the church - £4 7 9. Dennis Day Goes Latin - Great CD of music - £5 each 9 10. Cards or notelets - £1 each.

Children and young people ‘Let the children come to me’ are the words of Jesus. The seeds of faith are planted when we are very young. The hope is that chil- dren will be brought to church and learn about the Christian faith. Sadly this doesn’t happen very often these days and there are many who miss the opportunity of a faith and belief that will help and sustain them throughout life. Children and young people are welcomed and helped to learn and grow in the faith through Sunday school or ‘children’s church’ as it is sometimes called. This is where so many of us started our Christian journey. It is so important for children and the next generation to find their place in the church and grow up with an understanding of Christian faith. We are very keen to start Sunday school again after the interruption of the past 18 months of the pandemic. We need parent helpers and of course children. It is normally once a month on the fourth Sunday. If you think you can help or would like to know more about Sunday school or how you can help please contact the Vicar.

St. John’s Aldenham is here! Contact the vicar. (See inside back cover) Special Service Days 3rd October Harvest Festival - 10.30am Parish Communion 17th October St Luke the Evangelist - 10.30am Matins 31st October All Saints’ /All Souls - 10.30am Parish Communion 14th November Remembrance Sunday - 10.30am Service at Letchmore Heath 28th November Advent Sunday - Parish Communion DIARY DATE Saturday December 11th Possible Christmas Concert in memory of Not Just Any Julia Beynon, more details to follow. Mug. From Sue Barnard: “I’ve just been sent Autumn retreat this picture from my granddaughter’s moth- 5th - 7th November at Pleshey Retreat er in law in South Afri- House. The retreat conductor/speaker ca. She told her in- will be Christina Rees CBE who has been credible story of for- influential in promoting women’s ministry giveness in a sermon at Aldenham a few years and has spoken at Team Quiet days in the ago which you may past. have heard. Please contact Sue Barnard for further It makes me wonder where these mugs details - 01923 852754 may be in the world now and how far afield people are thinking of us here at Aldenham.”

The church and church room are both available for your events.

Contact [email protected] for more information.

GET IN TOUCH… Services at the Church TEAM VICAR: The main morning service at 10.30am and Evensong Robert A Fletcher at 6.30pm (from September 5th) are now running 01923 854209 with the updated Covid safety measures in place [email protected] according to the latest guidance. CHURCHWARDEN: We ask that face coverings are still worn and that Ken Haslar everybody’s personal space is respected. Singing to [email protected] the hymns is now allowed but Communion will TREASURER - Jill Gillam continue to be given without kneeling. Special [email protected] sanitizing care is given to the administration. CHURCH SECRETARY: Refreshments are now being served after the morning Linda Lambert service in the hospitality area. [email protected] Pre-recorded services are still available via the Pew STEWARDSHIP Sheet and also on the website. Catherine Baker [email protected] More information will appear in our weekly FRIENDS - Sue Barnard bulletins and forthcoming Special days are [email protected] mentioned on the previous page. TOWER MASTER - Otherwise normal services will remain as: (Bellringers) Roy Adcock 1st Sunday BCP Communion [email protected] 2nd “ Family Service ORGANIST/CHOIR MASTER 3rd “ Matins Gary Eyre 4th “ Common Worship Communion [email protected] 5th “ Matins WEBSITE - [email protected]

NEWSLETTER - Ken Haslar From the Registers: [email protected] GENERAL ENQUIRIES Baptisms [email protected] 13th June Grace Wiggs VISIT US AT 4th July Persephone Jones www.aldenhamchurch.com for information about the church and what’s 11th July Evie Sherwood on! 25th July Nina Robertson Weddings Address for post: The Vicarage, Church Lane, 3rd July Sean Kilmore and Elyse Adams Aldenham, Radlett, Herts Funerals WD25 8BE or send us your email to receive the latest information. 8th July May Wiggs 3rd Aug James Jarrett