Issue 107 25p June 2002 The Good News—It’s BLUEBELL TIME for Bad News— page 5

hat a splendid year it’s W been for bluebells! The village was able to hold its annual walk in April, which is early, and the blue carpet, as the picture shows, was magnificent. children and dogs busily keeping up Unfortunately it must have been with both ends of the file of walkers too early for the butterflies, as the simultaneously. Once the bluebells orange tips which usually accom- have come we know summer is pany the walkers were inconspicu- about to start. ously absent. It must be admitted All the odd flowers scattered over that the walk began in a light driz- the pages were captured during the zle, which might walk. also have kept the butterflies away. It didn’t discourage the deer, however, who watched warily from a safe distance, nor did it daunt the energy and en- thusiasm of the

1 A G M PARISH COUNCIL ll the parish councillors and a he AGM was, as usual, fol- A goodly number of villagers T lowed by a meeting of the were present at the Annual Gen- Parish Council, for which all the eral meeting when Robert Strad- members of the public stayed. As ling was unanimously re-elected soon as the introductory business chairman. It was decided not to of minutes of the last meetings and have a Vice-chairman this year; if a brief comment on the new con- necessary a substitute chairman straints put on councillors the would be picked from the council- Chairman suggested that we lors present. The other council- should move to item 6 on the lors expressed appreciation of the agenda, which was Public Ques- time and energy Mr Stradling has tion Time. Five members of the given to the job since he first took public then voiced their concerns it on. about a new application for plan- After the financial report showed ning permission which would de- that we had been able to build u p molish three houses on New Road a small contingency fund and that Hill and build fourteen in their the accounts had been acceptable place. The concerns covered the to the auditors it was learned that loss of privacy, the impact on se- in future the council should look curity, the damage to and removal to provide its own auditor, and it of mature trees on the site, the im- seems likely that one of our resi- pact that terraced housing would dents will undertake the job. have on on-street parking, the total Mrs Angell, our Clerk, was also change of character of the pro- congratulated and thanked for the posed development, the impact work-load she has patiently coped this would have on the rest of New with this last year, when there Road Hill, the effect on the build- have been new regulations to im- ing line, and the inadequacy of the plement as well as great frus- current infrastructure to provide tration from the lack of for growth of this nature. Mr support available from Stradling explained the anomaly in the District Council in that extra housing is not allowed in certain respects. Midgham because it is not a settle- ment, but this land falls into the settlement area though legally part of the parish of Midgham. Consequently Wool-

2 hampton Parish Council are pensive. On the credit side also involved; they are be- use of the hall is increasing, lieved to oppose it. Mr and the programme for im- Hanslip Long, who looks after provements has been moving the New Road Hill planning steadily forward, with the ves- matters, was not in favour of tibule and entry plans to be this plan, pointing out that it started in the near future. was only an outline applica- Successful events lately have tion, but not very clearly con- been the Dog Whisperer and structed or drawn. The coun- the Computer Classes, cur- cillors were unanimous in rec- rently being repeated with the ommending that Midgham applicants who did not get into should object. the first course. Another application was for a In view of the amount of work development on Siege Cross Farm during the last month it was de- land for five hundred houses, It cided the roads review and the re- is believed that objections should sults of the footpath surveys be received by the West should be postponed until the next Council by May 28th to strengthen meeting, which will be at 7.30 on the force of the objection WBC June 11th, as the first Tuesday is intends to make. Mr Clarke has the Jubilee holiday, . the address to which objections should be sent. Midgham PC will object, but the more letters of ob- jection West Berks gets the more THE VILLAGE HALL likelihood there is of their deci- he Annual General Meeting sion not being overruled. T of the Village Hall Commit- Mr Angell, Village Hall Manage- tee started buoyantly with a re- ment Committee Chairman, was sumé from the re-elected Chairman able to give an account of devel- Steve Angell of all the things that opments in the upgrading of the have happened during the last year, Village Hall, where the authorities the Garden Party in September, the seem to have re-thought the offi- bonfire in November, the Christ- cial view of the asbestos originally mas parties, one for everyone and used in its construction, and are one for children, the visit from the now saying that it should all be Dog Whisperer, most recently the removed. This is now a specialist Computer Course which is being activity and likely to be very ex- repeated for those for whom there wasn't room the first time, and all

3 the time in the background work on the improvements and the con- stantly recurring house-keeping jobs of cleaning, gardening, and minor maintenance. Although this newsletter regularly invites all residents to share in the chores as well as the social events it is al- most invariably the committee members who do the work as well as organising the functions, and in Do we really want this? the last year of so worrying about ago. This could well prove too specifications, regulations, quota- disheartening for the committee, tions and funding. who have worked extremely hard However there are new clouds on for the last three years to save the the horizon in the form of changed hall, but are beginning to feel that Buildings Regulations which, be- many residents have no interest in cause of the asbestos originally nor desire for a hall which re- used in the building, could poten- quires their active participation. tially increase the costs of what June Dutton has to be done. The primary goal of the committee is to make the Hall ready for a Public Entertain- ment Licence. Advice coming DOMESTIC AFFAIRS from both Council Two culinary delights to titillate your and the Community Care for Berk- tastebuds this issue. The first, from shire Offices indicate that the Hanslip Long looks amazingly easy eventual decision to be made and very tempting. might be that the hall must be en- ast week I was pressurized by tirely replaced. The cost of that L the Editor (his arm is mending would be extremely high. If the nicely, thank you. Ed). I now know provisional work the Village Hall how potatoes feel in that team are doing leads to this result, extraordinary gadget busy then we might need to have a sec- housewives have in their kitchens. ond village meeting to discuss dis- One day I must learn how to use posing of it, but there would not be them. Meanwhile to placate June the opportunities following such a here are two recipes, (possibly the meeting that existed two years only two I know!) (I am keeping one back for the next issue when it

4 will be very seasonal. And I think risk is entirely your own. Ed.) that in future I may well address Mr Next, from Francine Gibbs in the Long as Spud! You can see above Park, we get a succulent summer cake which has me drooling at the why. Ed.) keyboard! Liver Pâté Hazelnut Meringue Cake Either carefully wash and keep a 4 egg whites few jars from boughten pate before 9oz caster sugar you start, or beg or borrow them drop vanilla essence from friends or relations. You ½ teaspoonful white vinegar could buy some, but don't steal! 3½ oz ground hazelnuts One Onion, sliced thinly. Fry until 8 fl oz double cream cooked, but do not burn! Blend in icing sugar the Magimix until chopped very Raspberries or strawberries fine but not a paste. To prepare the cake tins you The Liver is the key to the flavour, need foil, flour and melted butter so choose carefully. Pheasant, or lard. duck or even poultry liver is better Set the oven to 375°F, gas mark (stronger) than pig liver, and this in 5. turn is stronger than lamb. Prepare two 8" sandwich tins by 8 oz Liver. Cut into small pieces brushing with the melted butter and fry until cooked. Magimix as (or lard) and dusting with flour. with the onion into small pieces. Line the base with foil and dust Now mix the two ingredients to- again with flour. gether in the pan, add 3 oz butter, Whisk the egg whites until stiff one or two bay leaves, and mixed and gradually beat in the castor Italian herbs. Add brandy or wine sugar, vanilla and vinegar. beat- and heat till the butter melts. Blend ing until very stiff. Fold in the thoroughly, then heat to simmering nuts gently with a large metal point for 5 – 10 minutes. spoon. Pile the mixture into the Pour the result into one or two of prepared tins, spreading evenly the jars you had salvaged earlier with a spatula. and cover with air-tight foil. Bake for 35 minutes. Serve with toast and butter. I Allow to cool in the tin for a few suggest that you give minutes before turning out onto a guests of my age wire rack. Remove the foil and restricted helpings, as allow to cool completely. Whip it can be very filling! (They may not agree the cream and decorate, spreading with this, of course, the the cream onto one side of one of

5 the meringue cakes and top- ping with as MIDGHAM many raspber- ries/strawberries FÊTE as you can. Place the second meringue cake Still, we could get out and see fel- carefully on top, and dust the top low villagers we hadn't seen all with sieved icing sugar. winter, and some old residents returned and had to rush around catching up with all Midgham's do- ings over the last year or two. The he weather at least was in a tombola, this year run by Moira T playful mood on Saturday and Rusbridge as Jan Smith had booked kept us guessing all morning a holiday on the date, was as suc- whether or not it would rain. At cessful as usual and had the con- 2.30 it still hadn't quite made up its stant line-up of willing investors mind. that banks and building societies So people came, but then the wind would die for. got up, and even tea and home- The Plant stall had an exceptional made cakes in Charles garden did- range of plants on offer, fruit and n't tempt them to sit out in it for flower bushes, bedding plants and long. infant trees, salad and vegetable

Jan Smith was on holiday this year, so the Tombola was run by Moira Rusbridge, but the constant queue proved it was still one of the star attractions.

6 babies for planting out. To one who ing into toddlers, toddlers into teen- had her head down writing on raffle agers, and teenagers becoming re- tickets the crop growing fastest sponsible adults. Possibly the seems to be the human crop, and the younger elements might be observ- Fête is a great opportunity to ensure ing nice young adults becoming for- that you realise that babies are turn- midable middle-aged characters, and

Steve Angell, the truly caring Chairman, looked after large Laurie Tyler spared no effort in giving vocal en- projects like the Human Fruit couragement to players and might-be players at Machine and small details like his very professional stall. canine resident Peony. 7 BELLRINGERS so on, but I have a suspicion that to n July Midgham's bellringers those under 20 everyone over that I usually hold their Annual Gen- age looks just old. eral Meeting. This year it will be At the end of the day some hand- a particularly serious meeting, be- some prizes were distributed and we cause the main item will be had made £1233 for the church and whether the Tower can continue to village hall funds. And in spite of function. the wind everyone claimed they had The problem is the shortage of enjoyed the day, even the ones for bellringers. When, in 1998, funds whom it had been sheer hard work, were raised by the village to have and to whom we do feel grateful, the bells recast and one replaced though we may not always say so. Mike Till, of , agreed to But one loyal supporter, who is be the first Tower Captain, which moving into Thatcham shortly, did meant not only recruiting but also receive an accolade from our Rector, training to produce a team of 6 who thanked him for the support ringers and he was a proud man in and hospitality he and his wife had 1998 when his pupils rang their provided for all the fêtes. first peal. But people move and for the last two years we have de- VERY SPECIAL OFFER pended on visitors from other tow- We are delighted to accept a very ers to get all 6 bells ringing. Now special offer from an anonymous this is only possible with support businessman resident in Midgham from other areas, and we may have to organise and underwrite the ex- to admit that we can't continue. tra cost of printing our newsletter Without people willing to come in truly glorious technicolor. We and learn to ring on Thursdays and tried different ways of producing ring on Sundays there does not Midgham News in colour; they all seem any alternative. This is a proved too expensive. But now it will come out with colour and on a last attempt to invite anybody with superior printer which, as you can any interest to join us. We do see, produces clearer print and pho- have fun, but there must be six tographs. I'm not usually at a loss ringers to ring six bells. for words, but can't find the ones Ring Tower Captain Di Bridle on which would express how very de- 01635 868370, Secretary Sarah lighted I am that this offer has been Henderson on 9713956 or June made, and I am sure that you will Dutton on 9712049 if you would all appreciate the clarity and gener- like to help keep bells swinging. osity of this support. June Dutton June Dutton 8 in the supermarket. It takes a lot of pesticide to avoid the ravages of the carrot fly grub. On the other hand the Brussels sprout can be pro- tected from its main predator the cabbage Plum-trees May’02 white caterpillar by GARDEN SLOT the use of a fine n the weather front the month mesh net. To many people it is an O of April proved remarkably acquired taste and it seems to get a dry and warm, quite unlike 2001. lot of bad publicity on the subject As a result growth came on in of its performance in the pan, most leaps and bounds. Even the Oaks of which is rubbish‡. It has the came into leaf & flower early and advantage of a long cropping pe- the amount of dead flower depos- riod (Nov-Feb) when other fresh ited in the house gutters points to a vegetables are in short supply and bumper crop of acorns in the au- I believe it is packed with good- tumn. The early blossom of Dam- ness because of it’s long growing son and Plum also took advantage season. The other vegetable that of the mild weather and appear to falls into this category is the have an excellent fruit set. The Spring cabbage. If I were limited mild weather has continued into to two vegetables in the garden the May but with welcome rain and aforementioned would take pride already the herbaceous beds are of place. full of colour and such is the ra- By the time you read this we will pidity of growth we could well be be into June, the bedding plants digging the new potatoes about will be out, the baskets and con- two weeks earlier than expected. tainers planted and in position. Many of you will have seen the Keep feeding the latter throughout recent survey on “the nations fa- the summer to maintain the show vourite vegetables” The Carrot of flower, keep the hoe handy to came out on top with the humble remove troublesome weeds in the Brussels Sprout at the bottom. Not vegetable plot and beds but most so sure that folks would be so en- of all enjoy summer in the garden. amoured with the carrot if the Dave Cantwell knew the treatment given to ‡Try cooking nutmeg or a chestnut with the crop to get it sprouts. They absorb any bitter taste. Ed looking so pristine

9 has worked previously in Brack- nell. Their son Mat- thew is a mature twelve years old who likes skate- boarding, and Lau- ren, now six-and-a-half, is into walking, WELCOME TO MIDGHAM swimming and animals. She in- he Berkshire Arms has been tends to be a vet when she grows T given a whole new look and up. is now part of the Chef and Brewer Both parents find that outside their group and managed by the Dubois work their main interest is in their family pictured above. Frederic’s family life, though visits to West family were in the hotel business, End theatres are events that they and he started his working life on all four enjoy. And they are look- the food and beverage side, whilst ing forward to their next holiday Julia’s first job was also in hotels, after the hustle and bustle of get- but on the reception and front-of- ting all the redecorations in place. house side of the business. They Where are they going? “Turkey,” have come here from Chipperfield they told me, “Turkey again.” in Hertfordshire, though Frederic

COMING EVENTS June 15 Midgham Barbecue, tickets Fran- cine Gibbs or P C C June 23 Summer Party at Hill House September 14th CRoW from St Matthews Church—details from Auriol Jackson on 9712540

10 STOP PRESS re Blocked Cul- verts in Road. VILLAGE CHAT ollowing discussions at the s you may have read in the F last Parish Council Meeting A previous Midgham News, I the Parish Clerk wrote to West am moving to Thatcham in the Berkshire to remind them that they near future. We, Primula and I, were going to unblock the culverts came back to Midgham on a per- on Brimpton Road. An apologetic manent basis 30 years ago, first to reply assured us that it was on over- live at Primula's old home Josse- sight which would be remedied. It lyns (now called Hallcourt) and was therefore surprising to get a then for 25 years at Channels on letter a few days later saying that the Green. Now I am on my own, the culverts had not been blocked. for almost 3 years, and I feel the The Parish Council will not accept time has come to move into a this reply without further action. smaller house and nearer to the Watch this space and Brimpton Rd. shops. At the same time I don't

MIDGHAM RAINFALL 2002

200

100

Millimeters 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec ' 02

Series1 96 106 55 56 81 96 Month

MIDGHAM RAINFALL 2001

200

c 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Rainfall in mm Series1 99 100 116 100 38 27 87 73 72 130 30 47 Month

11 want to loose my contact with keep my link with Midgham and Midgham, the village that has given all my friends when living in me such a wonderful time. I can Thatcham. think back of the Village Hall Midgham is certainly living up to events, the Midgham Diners Club, its reputation of being a lively vil- which my wife called the Midgham lage. The Berkshire Arms on the Munchers Club, the Midgham Golf Bath Road, while being open to Society, which is still going strong the pubic, is undergoing some ma- after 20 years, the Village Fete and jor extensions with the barn that the Barbecue and last but not least was used to entertain children is the Midgham Newsletter. The first given another place. Together number, August 1985, gave a black with other invited villagers we and white picture of the life-size were introduced to their new lay- statue of Rodin's Thinker in the gar- out and it was all very impressive. den of where now Len and Teesa Is Midgham in the eye of develop- Wright live near the Green. In that ers? The same company that is in- first number was a record of the terested in developing the ex- talk in the Village Hall on the Ken- school at Douai Abbey and the net and Avon Canal and of a very land behind it is also interested in successful musical evening at Was- the Midgham side of New Road ing Place, organised by Hanslip Hill but our Parish Council has Long's late wife Isabel, in aid of the already acted against this. Yes, the Sue Ryder Foundation. It was at world is changing rapidly but one their house, Hallcourt Farm, that thing that must be maintained at the Midgham Tennis Club played all cost and that is the character of on their court every Monday and our villages and that includes Saturday mornings. On the front Midgham. page were congratulations for Jan Last but not least, let me wish Smith and her late husband Cliff on Many Happy Returns to Andrew the occasion of their marriage on Nesbit, who had his ninety-first July 20th that year(1985) and the birthday on May 22nd. whole back page was devoted to a Charles Jager letter from Sue Evans’ late husband Adrian to tell us about their experi- Editorial Note—Readers will be ence of life in Malaysia. A lot has delighted to know that Mr Jager happened since then, but Midgham has agreed to stay on the staff (at has maintained that special status of the same salary) as our roving village community and I hope to Foreign Correspondent as well as continuing with Village Chat.

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