The independent journal for Buntingford & Villages published by Buntingford Civic Society Buntingford Journal

Spring blossom on the corner of Wyddial and Vicarage roads.

Inside this month: Acupuncture for pets; a visit to Yew Tree Alpacas; Buntingford in Bloom 2017; an outing with our intrepid U3A; plus reports from Buntingford WI, Gardeners’ Club, BTFC, and some ideas about encouraging wildlife.

70p May 2017 Volume 42, No.4

May 2017

Acupuncture Treatment for Pets ...... 36 Annual Rogation Walk ...... 48 Ashwell Music Festival ...... 34 Attend2Health – Neck and upper back exercises ...... 42 BALA – Minibus Trips / Coffee Morning ...... 44 / 45 Barkway Market ...... 14 Bramble Hill Children’s Centre ...... 39 Braughing Fair & Wheelbarrow Race ...... 47 Braughing Local History Society – ‘Jottings of two Buntingford vicars’ ...... 17 Buntingford Bowls Club – Free Lessons & Open Mornings ...... 44 Buntingford Civic Society – Chairman’s Letter, ...... 10-11 Buntingford Gardeners Club ...... 19 Buntingford In Bloom Competition Entry Form ...... 12 Buntingford In Transition ...... 26 Buntingford Town Council ...... 22 Buntingford Town Football Club ...... 46 Buntingford Twinning Association – Saturday Night Hop ...... 28 Buntingford W.I...... 45 Church Services ...... 16-17 CPRE Hertfordshire’s Rural Living Awards ...... 19 Curwens Solicitors – What’s a Pre-nup? And do I need one? ...... 30 Diary of Events – What’s On & Dates for Your Diary ...... 2-5 East Herts Citizens Advice Bureau – Problems Getting Sick Pay ...... 29 East Herts Council – What Can Happen to Your Waste ...... 23 Editor’s Letter ...... 7 Helping Hands for Ladies ...... 21 Hertfordshire Constabulary – Scam Watch ...... 15 Hertford Theatre – ‘The First Hippo on the Moon’ / Verve ...... 38 The Hundred Parishes Society ...... 31 Isabel Hospice – Volunteers needed / Fundraisers in May ...... 43 Lab-Tots Summer Term Dates ...... 39 Letters & emails to the Editor ...... 8 MP’s Surgery at the Manor House with Rt Hon Sir Oliver Heald QC ...... 9 Photographic Society celebrates victory ...... 37 Pond Fish need new home ...... 24 Reed Spring Quiz ...... 35 Royal British Legion – Buntingford Branch / Trip to National Arboretum ...... 13 Royston & District Ramblers – Walks for May ...... 48 ‘Life Turns on a Dime’ – A short story by Susan Chiappinelli ...... 40 Stop Killing Our Wildlife! ...... 24 Strawberry Fair & Table Top Sale at St Mary the Virgin, Westmill ...... 18 #Team Herts Volunteering launches new website ...... 27 Thaxted Festival ...... 34 The U3A Buntingford ...... 32 Useful Local Information ...... 6 Westmill Art Exhibition ...... 18 Wildlife photographs ...... 25 Wyld Farm, Great Hormead ...... 35 Yew Tree Alpacas ...... 20

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Diary of Events – May 2017

MONDAYS 10:30am – 12 noon Iyengar Yoga at URC Hall (term time). Contact Jen Harris 01920 821288. 11:00am – 11:45am Stretch’n’Grow, a fun exercise & activity class, to age 5. Term time at Seth Ward CC. £2 per child. Contact the Buntingford Collective on Facebook. 1:30pm – 3:00pm Stay & Play at Jenyns First School, Braughing. £1 per family. 01763 273008 1:30pm – 3:00pm Positive Movement exercises at Seth Ward CC. £3. 01462 678804. 1:30pm – 3:30pm Senior Citizens Club at URC Hall, Baldock Road. Bingo and an afternoon of socialising. For more information contact Jeanne Clark on 01763 274631. 4:00pm – 6:45pm Ballet Classes at URC Hall, with Buntingford School of Dance Ltd. Contact: [email protected] / 01763 271010

4:30pm – 7:30pm Rib Valley Trampoline Club at Freman College (term time only). Contact Andrea Allen 07989 980038 or email: [email protected]

6:30pm – 7:30pm Cougars U9s training, Norfolk Road Floodlit Multigames Area. For more information email: [email protected]. 6:30pm – 8:00pm Shotokan Karate at Seth Ward CC. Contact Peter Deacon 01462 642922. 6:45pm – 8:15pm Tai Ji at URC Hall. Contact Steve Burton 01279 777032 / 07968 052716 7:00pm Bridge for experienced players at Buntingford Bowls Club. £2.50 per session. Contact Eddie on 01763 273640 or 07976 896718.

7:00pm – 8:00pm Pilates at Layston School. Contact Jacqui 01763 273815 / 07956 647806. 7:30pm – 8:15pm Abs (body toning) at Fit Together Gym. Contact Al on 07739 131694. 7:30pm – 9:00pm Buntingford Community Choir at Millfield School, Monks Walk. For info see www.buntingfordchoir.co.uk or email: [email protected]

7:30pm – 9:45pm Buntingford & District Youth Club at the Technical Institute, Baldock Road. Call Danny on 07879 853849 or email: [email protected]. 8:15pm Circuit Training at Seth Ward Community Centre. Contact 01920 823677. TUESDAYS 9:15am – 10:15am Badminton at Seth Ward CC, £2.50 per session. 01763 273712.

9:30am – 11:00am Tuesday Toddlers at URC Hall, Baldock Road. £2 for first child, then 50p for each additional child of same family, includes drink and snack. Term time. 10:00am – 11:30am Under 1s Group at Buntingford Bowls Club. £1 per family. 01763 273008. 11:00am & 11:45am Tappy Toes at Seth Ward CC. Dance & movement for children who are confidently walking, up to age 4. £2 per family. Term time only. 01763 273008.

4:15pm – 9:00pm Ballet, Modern & Tap Classes at Freman College, with Buntingford School of Dance Ltd. Contact: [email protected] / 01763 271010

5:30pm – 6:30pm Cougars U15s Whites training, Norfolk Road Floodlit Multigames Area. 6:15pm – 7:15pm Cougars U10s & Cougars U12s Blues training, St Edmunds School Floodlit Astro Turf. For more info, email: [email protected] 7:30pm Buntingford Karate Club, Edwinstree Gym. Bill Hooper 01763 273123. 7:30pm – 8:30pm Cougars U13s training, Norfolk Road Floodlit Multigames Area. 7:30pm – 9:00pm ‘Braughing Sing’ Community Choir at Jenyns School, Braughing. Contact Elaine 07501 495940 / 01763 289738 / www.braughingsing.com. 8:10pm – 8:55pm Adult Tap Dance Classes for Fun & Fitness at Freman College. Contact: [email protected] / 01763 271010

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What's On

8:30pm – 9:30pm Cougars U16s training, Norfolk Road Floodlit Multigames Area. For more info on Cougars training, email: [email protected] WEDNESDAYS 9:30 – 11:15am Great Hormead Baby and Toddler Group at Great Hormead School Hall. Term time only. From 0 to 4 years. Toys, activities, arts & crafts and singing. £1.50 for first child, 50p for additional children, includes a drink and snack. Contact Annabel on 07787 562265, or just turn up.

9:30 – 11:30am Barkway Parent and Toddler Group at Barkway Village Hall. Children 0–4 years. Singing, stories and activities; tea, coffee, juice and snack provided. Contact Kim Semple on 07964 151288.

6:00pm – 7:00pm Cougars U14s training, Norfolk Road Floodlit Multigames Area. For more information email [email protected]. 6:00pm – 7:00pm Circuit Training for 50+ at Seth Ward CC. Contact Rita on 07957 558782. 6:30pm – 7:30pm Freestyle & Shotokan Karate at Freman College. Contact Sensei John Srinivassan, Mushin Academy of Karate, 07722 071408. 6:45pm – 7:15pm Cardio Blast at Layston School. Contact Jacqui 01763 273815 / 07956 647806 / email: [email protected] 7:00pm – 8:00pm Cougars U15s Blues training, Norfolk Road Floodlit Multigames Area. For more information email [email protected]. 7:30pm – 8:15pm Pilates (Beginners) at Layston School. Contact Jacqui 01763 273815 / 07956 647806 / email: [email protected]. 7:30pm – 8:15pm Boxercise/Tae Bo session at Fit Together Gym. Contact Al 07739 131694. 7:30pm Slimming World Group at Millfield School. Tel: Glenda McLellan on 01462 894351 / 07983 224121 or email [email protected] 8:00pm Horizon Divers at Freman Pool. Contact 01920 823955.

8:00pm Ware & District Photographic Society at Arts Centre, Kibes Lane, Ware, SG12 7ED. Sep–May. Barbara 01920 822104 or see www.wareps.org.uk THURSDAYS

9:30am – 11:00am Anstey Toddlers at Old School House, Anstey. Arts & crafts, free play and singing for toddlers & babies with their carers. £1 per family. Term time only.

9:45am – 11:00am Bramble Hill Stay & Play at the Scout Hut, Bowling Green Lane, Buntingford. Term time only. £1 per family. 01763 273008.

11:00am – 12:00 Fitness for 50+ at Seth Ward Community Centre. £4 per class. Eileen Dixon 01763 257474 / 07966 222272, email: [email protected]

1:00pm – 3:00pm Baby classes run by the Best Start Club at the Scout Hut, Bowling Green

Lane. Magical Musical Playdays, for 1 to 3 years olds, start at 1:00pm; followed by Baby Signing classes, for 0 to 16 months, at 2:00pm. Contact Laura Sheriff on 07801 796334. Email: [email protected].

2:00pm – 3:00pm Pilates (Beginners) at Benson Hall. Contact Jacqui Smith 01763 273815 / 07956 647806 / email: [email protected]. 4:30pm – 6:30pm Drama workshops 15–18 year olds, with Stagefrights Theatre at Seth Ward Comm Centre. Dave 01438 232181; email: [email protected]

4:30pm – 7:45pm Street Dance Classes at URC Hall, with Buntingford School of Dance Ltd. Contact: [email protected] / 01763 271010.

5:30pm Cougars U7s & U8s training at Norfolk Road Floodlit Multigames Area. For more information email: [email protected]

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Diary of Events – May 2017

5:30pm – 6:30pm Buntingford Swimming Club at Freman Pool. Adelaide 07710 550050.

7:00pm – 8:00pm Free Tennis at Norfolk Road Multigames Area, May to Sep. All ages/abilities – [email protected] / www.buntingfordtennisclub.co.uk

7.30pm Buntingford Karate Club, Edwinstree Gym. Bill Hooper 01763 273123.

7:30pm – 8:15pm Pilates (Beginners) at Layston School. Contact Jacqui 01763 273815 / 07956 647806 / email: [email protected]. 8:00pm – 9:30pm Badminton Club at Seth Ward CC. Contact Liz James on 01763 274010.

8:00–10:00pm Buntingford Dramatic Society, Benson Hall. FRIDAYS 9:15am WeightWatchers at Benson Hall.

9:30am – 10:30am Badminton at Seth Ward Community Centre – term time only.

10:00am – 10:30am Baby & toddler Rhyme Time at Seth Ward CC. Singing group. £1 per child. Term time only. 01763 273008.

11:00am – 12:00 Drop-in Breastfeeding Support Group at Bramble Hill, 01763 273008.

11:00am – 12:00 All Abilities MultiSports at Benson Hall. Contact Jacqui on 01763 273815 / 07956 647806, [email protected].

1:15pm Lab-Tots sessions at the Library till 14th July. Call Sophia on 07720 292350

(see page 39). 4:15pm – 8:15pm Ballet & Modern Dance Classes at Freman College, with Buntingford School of Dance Ltd. Contact: [email protected] / 01763 271010

5:30pm – 6:30pm Cougars U11s training, Norfolk Road Floodlit Multigames Area. For more information email: [email protected].

5:30pm – 8:00pm Friday Project, Buntingford & District Youth Club for young people aged 13–19. A range of activities at the Technical Institute, Baldock Road. Contact Danny Band on 07879 853849 or email [email protected].

6:30pm – 7:30pm Cougars U12s Whites training, Norfolk Road Multigames Area. For more

information email: [email protected]. SATURDAYS 9:00am – 1:00pm Ballet, Modern & Tap Dance Classes at Freman College and at URC Hall (9am–12noon). Contact: [email protected] / 01763 271010

9:15am – 2:00pm Musical Theatre School for 4–14 year olds at Seth Ward Comm Centre. Call Anna 07545 788433 or email [email protected].

10:00am –11:00am Walking Football at Norfolk Rd Multigames Area, Bowling Green Lane. £2 per session. For more info call Jeff Jones 01763 274800 / 07836 232963.

10:30am –11:30am Cougars U6s training, Buntingford Community Centre (on grass). For more information email: [email protected].

2:15pm – 4:15pm Drama workshops 6–15 year olds with Stagefrights Theatre at URC Hall, Baldock Road. Dave 01438 232181 or email [email protected]. SUNDAYS 10:00am – 12noon Free Tennis at Norfolk Road Multigames Area, April to Oct. All ages/abilities – [email protected] / www.buntingfordtennisclub.co.uk

If you would like to advertise your event in The Journal, please contact Christine Noble on 01763 273095 or email: [email protected]

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Dates for Your Diary

May

Mon 1st Open Morning at Buntingford Bowls Club (see page 44).

Tues 2nd 8pm Buntingford & District Cage Bird Society at Benson Hall.

Wed 3rd 6pm Free Bowls Lessons. Also Sun 7th, Thur 11th, Sun 14th (page 44).

Wed 3rd 7:45pm Buntingford Gardeners’ Club at URC Hall (page 19).

Thurs 4th 7am–10pm Local Elections Polling Day (see page 22).

Sat 6th 10am–4pm Barkway Market (see page 14).

Sat 6th 7:30pm Reed Spring Quiz (see page 35).

Mon 8th 1:30pm U3A Monthly Meeting at the Community Centre (see page 33).

Wed 10th 10:30–12noon B.A.L.A. Coffee Morning at Benson Hall (see page 45).

Wed 10th 8pm Royal British Legion, Buntingford Branch Meeting, at The Crown, Market Hill (see page 13).

Thurs 11th 7:15 for 7:30pm Buntingford W.I. at URC Hall (see page 45).

Sat 13th 7:30pm Buntingford Twinning Association Saturday Night Hop, entry by ticket only (see page 28).

Mon 15th 8pm Unplugged Acoustic Night at The Crown, Market Hill.

Thurs 18th to Sun 28th Ashwell Music Festival at St Mary’s Church (see page 34).

Thurs 18th 8pm Hormead & Hare Street Garden Club at Gt Hormead Village Hall, ‘Fuchsia Husbandry’ with Brian Carline. Visitors £3.

Fri 19th 8pm Buntingford Railway & Local History Society at The Crown, David Cockle – The Enfield Railway Part 3.

Sat 20th 9:45am Annual Rogation Walk, starting at Little Hormead Church. For details call Stephen Ruff 01763 289516 (see page 48).

Mon 22nd 12noon–2:30pm Jazz on the Heath at Therfield Heath Café with Dave Rance’s Rocking Chair Band. £7 on the door.

Thurs 25th 8:15pm ‘Jottings of two Buntingford vicars’ at Braughing Local History Society (see page 17). June Thurs 8th 7am–10pm General Election Polling Day.

Fri 9th 5–6:30pm MP’s Surgery at The Manor House (see page 9).

Sat 10th Trip to National Arboretum with Royal British Legion (see page 13).

Fri 23rd to Sun 16th July Thaxted Festival (see page 34).

July Sat 1st Buntingford In Bloom Competition – judging day (see page 12).

Sat 8th 12–6pm Braughing Fair & Wheelbarrow Race (see page 47).

Sat 15th 2–5pm Strawberry Fair & Tabletop Sale, Westmill (see page 18).

August 26/27/28 10am–5pm Westmill Art Exhibition (see page 18).

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Useful Local Information

POLICE STATION: Non-emergency telephone: 101 Baldock Road, Buntingford In emergencies dial 999

GAS: Emergency (gas leaks) – Freephone 0800 111 999 ELECTRICITY: Emergency (power loss) – Freephone 0800 7838 838 WATER (Veolia): Emergency – Freephone 0800 376 5325 SEWERAGE (Thames Water): Emergency – Telephone 0800 316 9800 FLOODLINE: Emergency – 0345 988 1188 or 0845 988 1188 Environment Agency Incident Line: 0800 80 70 60

DOCTORS: The Medical Centre – White Hart Close Tel: 01763 271362 (24 hours) Orchard Surgery – Baldock Road Tel: 01763 272410 (After hours: 272411)

B A S H (Buntingford Action Providing transport for hospital and doctors For Social Help): appointments. Tel: Jane Winter 01763 271484

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, RAPE, Confidential Information Helpline: 01992 554440 RACE or HATE CRIME: (in emergency, dial 999)

LOCAL COUNCILS: Buntingford Town Council – 01763 272222 East Herts District Council – 01279 655261 Housing – 01279 714714 Benefits – Freephone 0800 373852 For emergencies out of office hours: 01279 655261 Adult Care Services – 0300 123 4042 Children’s Services – 0300 123 4043 Hertfordshire Highways – 0300 123 4047, or report faults online: www.hertsdirect.org/highwayfaults

BUNTINGFORD LIBRARY: Opening times: Mon, Tues, Thurs 10:00 – 17:30 High Street, Buntingford Friday 14:00 – 17:30 Saturday 09:00 – 13:00 Telephone enquiries – 0300 123 4049 Option 1 – Renewals 03:00–23:45 every day Option 2 – All other enquiries Mon–Fri 08:00–20:00, Sat 09:00– 6:00

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU: Opening times: Monday 10:00 – 16:00 The Manor House Tues & Wed 10:00 – 13:00 Market Hill, Buntingford Telephone advice: Mon to Fri 10:00 – 16:00 Call 03444 111 444

HOUSEHOLD WASTE & Opening times: Mon to Fri 17:00 – 20:00 RECYCLING SITE: Sat & Sun 10:00 – 13:00 Watermill Industrial Estate, Aspenden Road

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Editor’s Letter

Welcome to the May Journal which I have to confess, due to personal commitments, has been done in a bit of a rush! There are no school reports this month because of the Easter holidays. Also, Jeff Jones is in electoral ‘purdah’ on the run up to the local council elections on 4th May, so his regular ‘News from your District Councillor’ is also absent. I do hope you’re not feeling election fatigue. If, like me, you were one of the 22% who voted in the local referendum in March, the announcement of a General Election to be held on 8th June means we will have visited the polling station 4 times in less than 3 months. Too much for many, I know, but I always think of the women who fought to win the right for me to vote, and all the people in less comfortable parts ot the world who are still fighting for that right, and I feel it’s my duty and a small enough one at that. Now, dear readers, I would like to ask for your help. I am increasingly worried that the ‘What’s On’ section on pages 2 to 4 is out of date. Some of the entries have been notified to me fairly recently, but for many of them I have not had confirmation or update information for some time. If you see an entry where you know the information is wrong, please let me know. Or if you have requested an entry at sometime in the past, could you please check it and let me know if any changes are needed? Also, if you would like a new listing included, I would love to hear from you. I want to thank everyone who has sent in material for the Journal, whether for this month or in the past. It’s lovely that I’ve been getting some photographs recently – a couple of wildlife ones are in the centre pages. I am always on the lookout for a cover photo each month and some of you who have sent photos in may be wondering why yours has not been chosen. There could be one of several reasons – it might simply be the wrong shape (portrait instead of landscape); it might not reflect the particular month or time of year; or often it is because it is not high enough resolution so will not reproduce as a sharp image at the size it needs to be on the cover. But please keep on sending them in. A couple of things to highlight this month. We have an article on the use of acupuncture to treat pets. There is an intriguing short story – I kept thinking something awful was going to happen, Rob Titchener-style (Archers’ fans will know what I mean), but … well, read it and see for yourself. And finally a call to people with garden ponds – some fish in Braughing are in need of a new home. Christine Noble

Many thanks to John Makin for proofreading

Editorial copy deadline for the June 2017 Journal is Saturday 13th May 2017

Copy and diary entries: Christine Noble – 01763 273095 68 Hare Street Road, Buntingford SG9 9HN email: [email protected] Advertising enquiries: Keith Edwards – 01763 272032 email: [email protected]

The Buntingford Journal is published by, but is editorially independent of, the Buntingford Civic Society.

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Letters & emails to the Editor

Dear Christine Buntingford Community Garden May I just clarify the status of the Community Garden. The garden is maintained by three independent volunteers. Flower beds by Jean and Brian and the lawns by Duncan. We have no income and rely solely on donations. We are very grateful to Buntingford Town Council for donations which buy summer bedding and other plants. Also to Buntingford Civic Society who supplied the garden sign. Without their financial help the garden would cease to exist. Kind regards, Brian Lemay

Editor’s Note: Further to the letter from David Edwards in last month’s Journal about the inconvenience of having to travel all the way to Ware to pick up an undelivered parcel, former BCS Chairman Derek Cooper, who has also had delivery problems, raised the issue with our MP, the Rt Hon Sir Oliver Heald QC. He in turn queried the issue with Laura Tarling, Public Affairs Manager at the Post Office. Her reply is reproduced here:

“Dear Sir Oliver Thank you for your email sent on behalf of Mr Derek Cooper, regarding Buntingford Post Office. The Buntingford branch is one of our Main Post Offices offering the full range of products and services. In terms of the Royal Mail sorting office that was previously located in Buntingford, we are aware that Royal Mail decided to relocate this element of the service to Ware in 2015, however, the collection of undelivered mail continues to be available from the Buntingford branch. A card is left by the postmen and women at the customer’s home when it’s not possible to deliver an item of mail and would include information on redelivery and an option to pick up the mail from their local Post Office. It’s not clear from Mr Cooper’s email whether he has received a card advising him to collect his mail from Ware. If this is the case then please let me know and I would be happy to forward on the complaint to Royal Mail who would need to respond. Royal Mail are responsible for the delivery of mail and as you may be aware Post Office and Royal Mail now operate independently. I do hope that my response helps to clarify the situation for Mr Cooper but please do not hesitate to contact me again if you require any further assistance … With best wishes Laura [Tarling]”

So there we have it – it should still be possible for Buntingford residents to collect our undelivered parcels from Buntingford Post Office. However, according to Derek it was the staff at Buntingford Post Office who advised him and another customer that they no longer held parcels for collection, so perhaps some clarification is still required for those concerned?

The views expressed in the letters, emails and articles in the Buntingford Journal are not necessarily those of the editor.

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RT HON SIR OLIVER HEALD QC MP MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR NORTH EAST HERTFORDSHIRE will be holding his next MP’s surgery in Buntingford on Friday 9th June 2017, 5.00-6.30pm At The Manor House, High Street, Buntingford SG9 9AB For an appointment please ring: 01462 486074 Email: [email protected] Or look online at: www.oliverhealdmp.com

Dear Christine What price a conservation area? The new owner of the White House has cut down seven trees – trees that were all subject to Tree Protection Orders and trees that HCC consistently refused me permission to even trim to enhance the safety of pedestrians in Church Street, let alone cut down! It has made a wasteland at the back of the White House (see photos) and substantially alters the view from the top of Church Street (see photos in Buntingford in Transition article, page 26). The Tree surgeons who did the work said that they had all the necessary permissions from HCC to do the work – and I’m sure that they did. But how could the heart of the Buntingford Conservation Area come to be butchered in this way? You have to wonder ... I feel like there’s been a bereavement in Buntingford. David Woollcombe

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Buntingford Civic Society (Reg. Charity No. 1014873) www.buntingfordcivic.org.uk

Thanks to all of you who took the time to vote in the Neighbourhood Plan referendum on 23rd March. The result was a resounding 94% YES vote which means that the plan will now be ‘made’. We had always been informed that as soon as a ‘yes’ vote was officially recorded the plan would be in force. It now transpires that the Neighbourhood Plan must be made (brought into legal force) by the local planning authority (EHDC) within 8 weeks of the referendum. The plan will therefore be 'made' by 18th May. At this point it will be used as a material planning consideration by EHDC when deciding any future planning applications, although until that date it still carries 'significant weight'. The official referendum figures were:  1351 votes cast, of which 1268 votes were in favour of Yes (94%) and 82 votes cast in favour of No (6%).  1 ballot paper was rejected.  Turnout was 22.3%. The Buntingford in Bloom competition will again be held this year sponsored by the Civic Society. Judging will be on 1st July and will be limited to front gardens (to allow easier judging if entrants are out or away). An entry form is on page 12 of this Journal, or hard copies will be available from the Manor House. The Civic Voice heritage day will take place this year on 17th June. Buntingford Civic Society will be marking the event with a rural footpath ramble and a repeat of the guided Town heritage walks. There will be further details on these events in coming weeks. The bench along the Causeway, which was donated to the Town by the Civic Society years ago, is now in a state of disrepair and beyond saving. A new bench (of wood-effect resin and therefore longer lasting) will be purchased by the Civic Society to replace the old one and should be in place within the next month or two. Many of you will have seen the Gazebo now in Layston Gardens. This was erected by the Town Council to commemorate the Queen’s 90th birthday and was ‘opened’ on 25th March by Councillor Mrs Bonner, the Chair of Amenities, and Mayor John Noades (photo, right). The opening was attended by our MP the Rt Hon Sir Oliver Heald and his wife and the Chair of EHDC. Thanks go to Freman College for the musical interludes. Well done to all involved in the project – another worthy addition to our Town. Councillor Bonner

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had composed a short poem for the event which she read prior to the ribbon-cutting. The Queen had a Birthday, four score years and ten, We should mark the occasion, but what, how and when? A tree, a bench, a flower bed, these things first came to mind, Then thought, a gazebo, that shouldn't be hard to find. So ahead we went a-searching for the very best And when we saw this lovely one, it truly passed the test. It must be strong and stable and have roses all around Special roses named Elizabeth II, now planted in the ground. The time it took to sort it out means we missed Her 90th year, But all good things come to those who wait so let's give a great big cheer. Graham Bonner, Chairman, Buntingford Civic Society [email protected]

Buntingford Civic Society (Reg. Charity No. 1014873) www.buntingfordcivic.org.uk Membership Application Form for New Members

Name ...... (Please Print)

Address ......

......

Postcode ...... Tel No ......

Email address ......

Signed ......

CURRENT ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE: £10 per Household (includes hand delivery of the Buntingford Journal to your door)

TO JOIN THE CIVIC SOCIETY as a NEW member, please complete this form and post it, together with a cheque made payable to Buntingford Civic Society, to: Mr Peter Hay, c/o Country Properties, 34 High Street, Buntingford, Herts SG9 9AQ Email enquiries to the BCS Chairman: [email protected]

For Civic Society use only Membership fee paid by: cheque cash

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Buntingford In Bloom Competition BEST KEPT FRONT GARDEN 2017

Entry Form

There is an opportunity for all residents of Buntingford to participate in the Buntingford Civic Society’s Best Kept Front Garden Competition.

There will be prize money available for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.

We have selected front gardens so the judges can view the entrants without disturbing the residents. Any tubs and containers will be included. The judging will take place on Saturday 1st July and the judging panel will be looking for:  Overall design and appearance – 30 points  Choice and quality of plants – 30 points  Health of plants – 20 points  Cleanliness and tidiness of garden – 20 points Winners will be notified in mid July. The judging panel’s decision will be final. How to enter: Simply complete this entry form and return it to the address shown below. Forms must be returned no later than Monday 12th June 2017.

Title: ______Name: ______Address: ______Postcode: ______Phone number: ______Email: ______

Completed forms to be sent to: Graham Waite, c/o Buntingford Town Council The Manor House, High Street, Buntingford SG9 9AB

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The Buntingford Branch of The Royal British Legion is seeking new members. Membership is open to everyone. If you have an interest in the objectives of the Royal British Legion and want to help and support those who have served and their families, come and join us. We welcome men and women of all ages, whether they have served in the Forces or not. The Branch meets on the 2nd Wednesday of every month (with the exception of January and August) in The Crown public house on Market Hill, 17 High Street, Buntingford SG9 9AB. Meetings commence 8pm. The next meeting is on Wednesday 10th May.

For further information see our website: http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/buntingford Or contact Branch Secretary Mrs Di Bamford on 01763 848481

Trip to the National Arboretum, Staffordshire 10th June 2017 Following a very successful trip in October 2015, on behalf of the Royal British Legion I am organising a second outing from Buntingford to the National Arboretum in June this year. So far, 25 people have responded and booked their places on the coach. This means a limited number of seats are still available for anyone wishing to join us. The eventual number will determine the cost of the trip. As a guide, the same trip in October 2015 cost about £35 per head. We left Buntingford at around 8.30am and got back home around 6pm. Anyone interested please contact me, Peter Branagan Email: [email protected] Tel: 01763 272364

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SCAM WATCH Dangers of an external mailbox Many Hertfordshire residents have had credit cards, mobile phones or other services ordered in their name after their post has been stolen or tampered with. This is a form of Identity Fraud, which recent figures show is at the highest levels ever recorded in the UK. Residents with external mailboxes appear to be at greater risk of fraudsters stealing documents containing personal details, which they then use to order credit cards, open accounts, or order other services in the resident’s name. When the fraudulently ordered credit cards are delivered, the fraudster intercepts them from the resident’s mail- box. Victims of this type of fraud are particularly disturbed to realise that in order to take the items as soon as they have been delivered, the fraudsters have been monitoring their home and watching their movements. Often the crime only comes to light when the credit card company or other service providers contact the resident to chase payment. A recent Hertfordshire victim had items stolen over a period of time from a locked mail- box that was out of sight of his house. It is believed that the fraudsters used skeleton keys. He has since added a combination lock and also suggests that a deep mailbox with an internal baffle plate (which makes it very hard/impossible to take anything out of the box) is another good security measure. Please consider the security of your postal deliveries. Police recommend that residents wishing to purchase items to improve their security should look for items endorsed by ‘Secured By Design’ (securedbydesign.com). Over 200 reports of ‘friendly’ fraudster email scam in three days One of the latest ploys in scam ‘phishing’ emails is for fraudsters to claim that they are a “law-abiding citizen” who has accidentally received a file with personal information about you. They attach a document which they claim contains the personal details and suggest that you open it to see what may have been shared with scammers. DO NOT OPEN THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT! It opens the door to malware being downloaded onto your computer, which then attempts to obtain sensitive data, such as banking credentials and passwords, and this is used to try to steal your money. Up-to-date virus protection is essential to protect yourself from malware, but it will not always prevent infection. If you think your bank details have been compromised, contact your bank immediately. To protect yourself: DO NOT click on links or attachments in unsolicited emails or SMS messages. Remember, fraudsters can ‘spoof’ an email address; check the email header to identify the true source. DO NOT enable macros in downloads, as this allows malware to be installed onto your device. ALWAYS install software updates as soon as they are available. CREATE regular backups of important files to an external hard drive, memory stick or online storage provider. Don’t leave the backup connected to your computer. Three Short Scam Awareness Videos Financial Fraud Action UK recently invited celebrities Carol Vorderman, Donna Air and Rufus Hound to a Scam Academy as part of ‘Take Five’, a national campaign to help consumers and businesses spot and stop fraud. The three ‘students’ were put through their paces by experts, revealing the techniques scammers use to trick people out of personal details and money. Three short films, each lasting around three minutes, on email, text and phone scams were made and can be viewed on the Herts Constabulary website at www.herts.police.uk/scamacademy. The message is ‘Take Five’ before responding to any financial requests or sharing any personal or financial details.

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Christ Church

Baldock Road, Buntingford SG9 9DA

Secretary: Peter Godbert [email protected] Tel: 01763 281359

Services and Junior Church at 11.00am every Sunday Tea and coffee is served in the hall following the morning service. May 7 Morning Worship Dr Christine MacLeod 14 Holy Communion Rev Neil Thorogood 21 Morning Worship Rev Allen Morton 28 Morning Worship Maureen Hendall

June 4 Morning Worship Richard Genochio From the Brave Trust

The Rev Duncan Goldie is on a 3-month sabbatical from 17th April until 17th July. Please contact the Church Secretary during this period.

REGULAR EVENTS Junior Church – Sunday at 11am during term time. All young people and children are welcome. Bright Hour – A time for fellowship with prayers, hymns & activities. The next meetings are on Tuesdays the 9th & 23rd May at 2.30pm in the Church Hall. Coffee & Company – Every Thursday from 10.30am for anyone wanting fellowship and time for a chat. Lunches organised by Christian Aid – Meet on the first Friday of the month from 12.30 to 2.00pm.

www.buntingfordurc.org.uk

ST RICHARD OF CHICHESTER Catholic Church 3 Station Road, Buntingford Telephone 01763 271471 Parish Priest: Father John White HOLY MASS each Sunday at 9:15am Holy Days 10am & 8pm Mon & Thurs 9:30am CONFESSIONS Saturday mornings 10.30-11.00

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United Benefice of St. Mary's – Aspenden St. Peter's – Buntingford St. Mary the Virgin – Westmill Church of England Reverend Ian Hill – Telephone 01763 274072 There is a full and varied pattern of worship across the churches: St. Peter’s has a more contemporary style, St. Mary’s more traditional and St. Mary the Virgin more liturgical. Everyone is welcome at any of our churches. Services for May 2017 Sunday 7th 9:30am St Mary the Virgin, Westmill Morning Worship 10:00am St Mary’s, Aspenden Family Service 11:00am St Peter’s Buntingford Holy Communion

Sunday 14th 9:30am St Mary the Virgin, Westmill Sung Eucharist 9:30am St Mary’s, Aspenden Morning Worship 11:00am St Peter’s Buntingford Family Worship

Sunday 21st 9:30am St Mary’s, Aspenden Holy Communion 11:00am St Peter’s, Buntingford Holy Communion

Thursday 25th 7:00pm St Peter’s, Buntingford ‘The Kingdom Come’ Ascension Day Ecumenical Service of Prayer

Sunday 28th 9:30am St Mary the Virgin, Westmill Sung Eucharist 11:00am St Peter’s, Buntingford Family Worship

BRAUGHING LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY Jottings of two Buntingford vicars The Layston Parish Memorandum Book is a fascinating notebook kept by two Layston clergymen, Alexander Strange (vicar 1604-50) & Thomas Heton (vicar c.1704-1747) Speaker: Heather Falvey Thursday 25th May 2017, 8.15pm At St Mary’s Church Hall, Braughing Refreshments available. All welcome. Entrance on the door: Members £2, Guests £3

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Westmill Art Exhibition AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND The time is fast approaching. Are you busy painting? New artists are always welcome. Artists who have exhibited previously will be contacted. The exhibition will be held as usual over the late summer Bank Holiday – 26, 27, 28 August – from 10am to 5pm in Westmill Village Hall. Everyone is welcome to come and have a look. There is no entry fee to the exhibition, but donations are welcome. All works are for sale. Funds raised go to local charities and good causes. Hope to see you there. For further information or an entry form contact Olga on 01763 273654 or e-mail Sue on [email protected]

ST MARY THE VIRGIN, WESTMILL Strawberry Fair & Table Top Sale To be held in the Churchyard of St Mary the Virgin Saturday 15th July 2017 2pm to 5pm Come along and enjoy a strawberry cream tea, a large variety of stalls and a raffle, to name but a few of the attractions. Entrance £1, children under 12 free. To book a table contact Cath on 01763 271159 / mobile 07503 178691. Bring your own table: Trade £25 per table, 2 tables or more £20 each; Private £15 per table, two or more tables £12.50 each. £10 non-refundable deposit per table. All proceeds to the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Westmill

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BUNTINGFORD GARDENERS’ CLUB Our speaker in April was rose expert Simon White. He’s a great character and having worked at the renowned Peter Beales Roses nursery for over 30 odd years, he certainly knows a thing or two about roses! He amused us all with anecdotes from the world renowned nursery, which covers 3 acres in Attleborough in the heart of Norfolk. It has over 1,100 rose varieties for sale, plus many other plants. Simon took us through a gardening year, basing it on his own small garden where he has managed to cram in an unbelievable number of plants which obviously include many types of rose. One tip was to grow clematis through plants such as climbing roses/trees to give a longer period of colour. A great tip for planting a new rose into soil where roses have grown before is to use a cardboard box! Dig a hole large enough for the box (a good sized box, large enough to take the roots without cramping them), plant the rose in the box in a mix of John Innes No. 3, some well- rotted manure and a handful of bonemeal – then water well! He had brought along some roses and clematis for sale and quite a few members were seen leaving the meeting with roses to plant next day. (Don’t forget, members, plenty of water especially in this dry weather!) We are always happy to welcome new members (the subscription is great value at just £15 per year) and non-members are also welcome to come along to meetings for a charge of £3. For more information about Buntingford Gardeners’ Club contact the Secretary, Lesley Lowers, on 01763 271885 or come along to the next meeting. We meet at 7.45pm on the first Wednesday of the month at URC Hall in Baldock Road. The speaker at our meeting in May will be Joe Sharman, ‘Mr Snowdrop’, from Monksilver Nursery, talking about cyclamen – and perhaps the odd snowdrop? Lesley Lowers

Janet Murrells, Club Chair

Hertfordshire CPRE Hertfordshire 31a Church Street, Welwyn, AL6 9LW Campaign to Protect Rural England www.cpreherts.org.uk Standing up for email: [email protected] Hertfordshire’s Countryside 01438 717587 CPRE HERTFORDSHIRE’S RURAL LIVING AWARDS 2017 CPRE Hertfordshire is keen to give recognition to projects, individuals and rural businesses which improve life and enhance the environment in Hertfordshire’s villages and its countryside. Following an award evening, CPRE Hertfordshire’s chairman, David Irving, said: “We have demonstrated there is a lot going on and people do care about rural communities in Hertfordshire. All of these people are doing these things on a voluntary basis, which demonstrates a deep care for the countryside.” If you know of anyone or anything you think should be recognised, please submit a nomination form for the Rural Living Awards. The closing date is Friday 26th May. For full information, or to download a nomination form, visit www.cpreherts.org.uk, or call Gill on 01438 717587.

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It’s all happening down at Yew Tree Alpacas Spring and summer are very busy times at Yew Tree Alpacas in Anstey. First, in May, comes the annual shearing when our alpacas have their thick coats removed. They change from looking like cuddly teddy bears to being streamlined and stylish.

The shearing produces nearly 100 bags of first (the best quality) and second (quality) fleece. Fleece samples are taken to test the fineness of the fleece, so we know which fleeces to process for yarn and which to use for other alpaca products. Only the finest fleeces go to the mill to be processed into yarn. After shearing it’s birthing time for many of our female alpacas. In June and July this year we expect to have between 10 and 12 new arrivals. The alpaca gestation period is 11- 11½ months – it takes a while to produce an alpaca baby, known as a cria. Alpacas are usually good mothers and so long as the cria suckle frequently during their first 12 hours of life they will receive the essential colostrum to make them strong and healthy. The cria stay with their mothers until the following January or February, when they will join either the main male or female herd. Summer is a great time to come and visit Yew Tree Alpacas. Why not plan your special birthday or celebration with us? We organise bespoke visits for groups of 8 or more (up to 20) and can do lunch or full afternoon tea, with talks and visits to the mums and babies and to feed our boys. Prices start at £16.50 per person for visits with refreshments and biscuits, and go up to £25 per person for the full afternoon including

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home-made scones and luxurious clotted cream. Take the opportunity to do something different this summer whilst supporting a local rural business. Booking is essential. You can call us on 01763 848257 or email us at [email protected] Visit our website for more information: www.yewtreealpacas.co.uk

Helping Hands for Ladies I would like to introduce my new business ‘Helping Hands for Ladies’. I am aiming predominantly to assist ladies in our area who have jobs that need doing that they cannot manage on their own. I am a postural stability instructor by training and until recently helped people with balance problems, via funding from the NHS which has now been withdrawn. I worked mainly with older people, and have seen at first hand how older ladies in particular can no longer cope with some jobs alone. Or younger ladies with busy families might need help with a task and enjoy the company of another lady doing the heavy work. Sometimes we find it a bit overwhelming to have a team of tradesmen in our home, or we are worried that the jobs are too small for large maintenance companies. With Helping Hands for Ladies there is no call out charge, or obligation, you just give me a ring, text or email, and I will call round and you can show me what you need done. It doesn’t matter how small the job. The only costs are for materials used (unless you supply your own) and a flat hourly rate – minimum of 2 hours @ £15 per hour. If we need a bit more muscle then my husband, who has successfully run his own Handyman business for over 15 years, can help. If the job does require a qualified electrician/plumber/gas safe person or builder then you would need to contact a local trusted tradesman. Some jobs are for the specialists. But I can clean, clear, tidy, or paint inside or out. Jetwashing outside, washing down and carpet cleaning inside. Or I can come and help you to do the job as a team. We can go and choose paints or plants together, as long as it includes a coffee!!! So if you have a job needs doing, why not give me a call? Debbie Tel: 07764 951300 Email: [email protected]

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Buntingford Town Council A QUALITY TOWN COUNCIL The Neighbourhood Plan Referendum was held on the 23rd March with 22.3% of the Electorate turning out to vote. Of those voting 94% cast in favour of Yes and 6% voted No. This means that East Herts Council will now use the Neighbourhood Plan to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area. For those of you who don’t know, the neighbourhood area represents Aspenden, Buckland & Chipping, Buntingford, Cottered, Hormead & Hare Street and Wyddial. A small number of people worked tirelessly to produce the plan and our thanks go to them for their hard work and determination. The Gazebo in Layston Court Gardens, which was erected to commemorate the Queen’s 90th Birthday, has finally been officially opened. We look forward to seeing the Queen Elizabeth roses in bloom and hope residents enjoy the gazebo. A successful meeting was held with High Street residents to hear their concerns and comments on the proposed works to the High Street. The Phoenix Team will now move forward with further surveys which are needed to help shape the final design. A reminder that the Manor House will be open as a Polling Station on 4th May, 7am to 10pm, for the County Council Elections. You should by now have received your polling card from East Herts Council, enquiries to the Electoral Registration Department if you have not received your card. You may not be aware that the Manor House is licensed for Civil Ceremonies – the only venue in the town that holds such a license. It’s an ideal location if you would like to hold your important ceremony in Buntingford. If you would like to find out more, we are very happy to show you around, just call in during opening hours. Jill Jones MILCM Cert HE, Town Clerk Office hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00am–5:00pm; closed Fridays The Manor House, High Street, Buntingford SG9 9AB Tel: 01763 272222 email: [email protected] Twitter: @buntingfordtc Facebook.com/BuntingfordTC www.buntingford-tc.gov.uk

Town Council meetings for May 2017

Thurs 11th May 7:30pm – Amenities Committee

Thurs 18th May 7:30pm – Planning Committee 8:00pm – Resources Committee Thurs 25th May 7:30pm – Planning Committee 8:00pm – Annual Meeting & Full Council

All meetings will be held at The Manor House unless indicated otherwise. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Please check the BTC website for further details.

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A Crime Not to Care WATCH WHAT CAN HAPPEN TO YOUR WASTE

Out of sight, out of mind – that’s what too many people think when they hand their rubbish over to someone else to dispose of without checking their credentials. If your rubbish is not disposed of responsibly, you could be liable even if you have paid someone to get rid of it for you. As part of the ‘#CrimeNotToCare’ campaign East Herts Council, in association with the National Farmers’ Union and Keep Britain Tidy, have produced a video to highlight the very serious issue of flytipping in our district. You can watch this short video at https://youtu.be/_Oo51l-Q1Xg and see the harm that’s caused when your old sofa, fridge or building materials are dumped in the East Herts countryside. Listen to local farmers talking about the environmental damage caused and the financial cost to them of clearing up other people’s rubbish dumped on their land. Householders have a legal ‘duty to care’ to check they’re only giving waste to a licensed carrier. Before you hand over your rubbish to anyone other than the council, it’s your responsibility to check they’re registered with the Environment Agency. To check, go to www.environment.data.gov.uk/public-register or call the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506. If you give your waste to someone who approaches you, there’s a reasonable chance that it will get fly-tipped. Reputable companies don’t usually make direct approaches. NFU Hertfordshire county adviser Niamh Kilgallen said: “Fly-tipping is the scourge of the country- side in Hertfordshire. This video highlights the impact it is having on farmland, and the time, effort and cost involved in clearing it. “Our members are fed up with having to clean up other people’s waste – waste that can harm wildlife and livestock and pollute the environment as well. “The key message is that the public can help reduce fly-tipping, and protect our beautiful countryside, by ensuring their waste is disposed of responsibly by a licensed carrier.”

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Stop Killing Our Wildlife! I read a very interesting article by Monty Don in the Weekend Mail magazine and I borrow ideas and extracts from it within this article. In the past gardeners knew every chemical there was to kill all garden pests. Thankfully we now live in a more enlightened time and good gardeners know that wildlife is an essential part of a healthy garden. Most garden pests, apart from next door’s cat, are themselves food for other creatures. The fact that the frog’s favourite food is slugs and that thrushes are the nemesis of garden snails are just two examples. Nature is truly everything in balance, live and let live. Also, sitting in the summer garden watching dragonflies, birds, bees, frogs, ladybirds and other garden wildlife is actively good for our physical and mental health. It helps to relieve the stress all too present in modern life. But do we do enough to encourage wildlife into our gardens? Are you the ultra-tidy gardener? Lawns cut to a regulation height once a week and edges strimmed to the millimetre? If that’s you then Monty Don says: “Stop killing wildlife in the name of neatness or a very selective version of ‘health’.” Let some edges of your lawn grow to long grass; this will give cover to small creatures. Build a small wildlife pond and you will be amazed what wildlife this will attract. Let a few nettles grow, perhaps in a pot, and be delighted what butterflies these attract. Or do as I do, turn one of your flower beds into a wildlife area by planting dense bushy shrubs, grasses and undergrowth. Finally, why do most of our municipal parks and playing fields have to resemble green, ultra-neat, wildlife deserts? On each and every one of Buntingford Council’s managed green spaces, why not leave a metre-wide strip of wild grass along one boundary for wildlife to thrive? It would take little effort and make a huge difference to the wildlife food chain. Brian Lemay

May I thank all those who kindly responded favourably to my ‘Breathing New Life’ article in last month’s Journal. The movement grows.

Over 100 Pond Fish, currently swimming in a garden pond in Braughing, are looking for friendly new pond/s to call home. If you can help some or all of them, please call: Marion Brown on 01920 821239

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Just two examples of wildlife that can be seen in and around Buntingford: Above – an Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar, photographed by Brian Lemay in his garden last July. It is 8 to 10 cm long and making a meal of Brian’s fuchsias. Below – a Kingfisher, photographed by Brian Tebbutt on the edge of the Rib behind Chapel End cottages in January this year.

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Buntingford in Transition would like to thank Brian Lemay and endorse his paper ‘Breathing New Life into Our Community’, published in last month's Journal, as much of its content is in line with our vision for a cleaner, greener local environment. Over the next few years the growing population of Buntingford and the resulting increase in the number of vehicles on our roads will have a negative impact on our local air quality. In East Hertfordshire there are already a number of AQMAs (Air Quality Management Areas) where pollution levels are in excess of acceptable levels and we don't want Buntingford to be added to that list. In November 2016 Client Earth, a non-profit environmental law organisation, won a High Court case against the UK Government over illegal levels of air pollution across the the country. As a result, the government must produce new plans to reduce air pollution – the deadline was April 24th this year. Once these plans are published, we may find that stricter controls are put in place. In the meantime, East Herts District Council is already preparing an Air Quality Action Plan. In December 2016 EHDC sent out a ‘Cleaner Air 4 Secondary Schools Toolkit’ to the secondary schools in East Herts. Because of the three tier educational system in this area, the kit was sent to both Freman College and Edwinstree Middle School. Buntingford in Transition are in contact with the schools to see how the kits are being used. There have been problems at some larger schools in the area with parents idling their engines while dropping off or picking up their children, which creates a toxic air environment for students and particularly younger children in pushchairs who are much closer to the source of polluting emissions. I refer back to Brian Lemay's paper, which encourages the planting of more trees to help absorb pollution. It is tragic to see that several beautiful trees have recently disappeared from Church Street (see ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos below). We hope that replacements will be planted to restore the area and once again adorn it with trees. BEFORE AFTER

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Buntingford in Transition, together with other environmental community groups in East Hertfordshire, are already working with EHDC & HCC to help plan for cleaner air in our county and we would welcome closer cooperation with the Town Council, Civic Society and any other Buntingford community group to nurture existing green spaces and to increase their number. One thing Buntingford in Transition have always wanted to see in our town is a community orchard but it is a question of finding the right site. Green spaces are particularly important, especially in view of the fact that developers do not seem to be including them in their projects and individual gardens are becoming smaller and smaller. Perhaps we should be looking at another allotment site as well ... speaking of which, I must be off to put in my potatoes! Madela & the Buntingford in Transition Team

#TeamHerts Volunteering launches new website: www.flexiblevolunteeringherts.org

Charity registration no: 1097796 This new flexible volunteering website, the first of its kind in Hertfordshire, enables individuals to search for one-off volunteering roles across the whole of Herts county. It will help those who would like to support local charities but don’t have much time, due to their other life commitments such as work and parenting, to find one-off or ad hoc volunteering roles easily. The database allows searches by job type, organisation type and start date. There is also a calendar view option which means individuals can schedule their volunteering event months in advance and when it suits them. Flexible volunteering roles on the website range from supporting the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance as an Ambassador for their ‘Summer of Open Gardens’ project to marshalling at Cancer Research UK’s ‘Race for Life’. Flexible volunteering is also ideal for professionals. An estimated 11 million people in the UK are allowed paid time off by their employer to volunteer, but only 17% of professionals actually take up this opportunity each year. The new website aims to fill this gap, providing an easily accessible place for individuals and companies to find one off volunteering roles. Project Manager Kat Shepherdson said: “There is a huge appetite and need for more support in Herts to enable the general public to get involved in flexible volunteering. There are lots of people who want to volunteer but don’t have the time to commit to the traditional idea of volunteering. Equally, organisations need skills and support but haven't had the platform to promote these types of short-term volunteer opportunities in the past.” Volunteer Vicky said: “I'm on maternity leave … it's been lovely ... to have the opportunity to do something for me that isn't baby related. Volunteering has helped me meet new people and give something back without having to worry about a regular commitment …” If you would like to get involved with flexible volunteering, or work for a charity who would like to find volunteers, visit www.flexiblevolunteeringherts.org or email: [email protected]. For more information you can follow #TeamHerts Volunteering via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, or visit www.teamherts.org to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter. #TeamHerts Volunteering at North Herts Centre for Voluntary Service Developing and promoting a dynamic voluntary and community sector

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EAST HERTS CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU The Manor House, Buntingford Drop-in: Telephone: Monday 10:00am – 4:00pm 03444 111 444 Tuesday 10:00am – 1:00pm Monday – Friday Wednesday 10:00am – 1:00pm 10:00am – 4:00pm

Problems Getting Sick Pay I took 7 days off work for flu and my employer won’t give me sick pay. I usually work 21 hours a week in a warehouse, but I’m on a flexible contract so my shifts move around. I called in sick and they took me off the rota for a couple of weeks, and are saying that I won’t be paid. Is this right? Whatever your contract type, you’re entitled to sick pay if you meet certain rules around the length of your illness and your usual pay. Statutory sick pay is paid from the fourth day you’d usually be working that you’re off sick. You need to normally earn £112.00 a week or more before tax, and to report your sickness according to your workplace rules like phoning in or filling in a form. If you’d already agreed to those working hours before you took time off for illness, your employer removing you from the rota doesn’t change your rights – you’re still entitled to sick pay. Your employer may not be aware of their responsibilities, or they may even be trying to avoid paying. The first step is to ask your employer to fill in the government Statutory Sick Pay form (SSP1) explaining their reasons for not paying you. If you still disagree with them, you can phone the HM Revenue & Customs Statutory Payments Dispute team on 03000 560 630 for advice. If your employer won’t fill in the form, contact HMRC (see below for contact details), who have a legal duty to solve issues around sick pay. If you’re not getting the pay you’re entitled to – for example, if your employer says they can't afford to pay – you can take steps to get the money you’re owed. If you think you’re entitled to statutory sick pay but your employer says you're not and refuses to pay it, you should contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). HMRC employees’ enquiry line – Telephone: 0300 200 3500 Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Calls can cost up to 12p a minute from landlines, and between 3p and 45p a minute from mobiles. Have a look at www.citizensadvice.org.uk for further information. For further help and advice, contact your nearest Citizens Advice. © Copyright Citizens Advice. For the most up-to-date information, visit the website.

The Buntingford Journal is delivered FREE to members of the Civic Society or it can be purchased from: A CUT ABOVE  AGORA  THE CO-OP DELISSIMO  McCOLL’S (The Post Ofice)  MARK DOEL  PIGGOTTS THE FOX AT ASPENDEN

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The following article was supplied by Curwens LLP, a local firm of solicitors offering most areas of legal advice, based in Royston, Hoddesdon and Enfield WHAT’S A PRE-NUP? AND DO I NEED ONE? It is often very difficult to steer clear of the romance and to talk about the practical aspects of our relationships. However, with the increase in divorce and separation rates, it means that more of us who are getting married or moving in together are not ‘first timers’. Not only that, one or both parties may have children from a previous relationship. This can mean ongoing financial ties to an ex-partner and possibly having a home or assets to bring into the new relationship. So it’s more important than ever for couples to take a small step back from the emotional side of their new relationship or wedding plans and think about the practicalities. If they are about to start living together, or planning to tie the knot, they should take legal advice on having a Cohabitation Agreement or Pre-Nuptial Agreement. These don’t have to be long or complicated documents. The aim is to record what can be agreed amicably straightaway, to cover what would happen if you ever did split up. For example:  Do you get to keep the property you brought into the relationship?  Do you have to financially support one another after separation?  How do you split anything held in joint names?  Do you have to share any debts? The idea of considering a ‘pre-nup’ early on is to avoid the time, anxiety and costs of a complex legal battle further down the line. Of course no-one has a crystal ball and your thoughts on how assets should be divided between you may change if you stay married for many years, or have children. No problem – you simply agree to review the terms of the Agreement in the future. If you would like more information on having a Cohabitation or Pre-Nuptial Agreement drawn up, please contact Vijaya Sumputh on 0208 363 4444 or email her at [email protected] www.curwens.co.uk 01763 241 261 – Royston 01992 463 727 – Hoddesdon 0208 363 4444 – Enfield

If you have a story to tell, a service to offer, an anecdote, a poem or a photograph you’re proud of, why not share it with other Journal readers? I would love to hear from anyone with a possible editorial contribution. If you have something to say but feel you can’t write it yourself, perhaps we could have a chat and I’ll write it for you? Please contact Christine Noble on 01763 273095 or email [email protected].

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The Hundred Parishes Society www.hundredparishes.org.uk

After almost 2,000 years, there is still considerable evidence of Roman occupation of this area. It was not until their arrival in 43 AD that a national network of all-weather roads was built. The first were constructed between the capital, London, and bases used by the Roman legions. The network was maintained and extended through almost 400 years of Roman occupation. Main highways were either gravel or paved with stone and were so well constructed they could be used in all weathers. The main roads were originally built by the Roman army. Those in our area included Ermine Street, which ran north from London and in the 20th century was designated as the A10, and Stane Street (later the A120) between Braughing, a substantial Roman fort on Ermine Street, and Colchester, the original Roman capital of Britain. Another substantial fort-cum-town developed at Great Chesterford. Artefacts from there can be seen at Saffron Walden Museum. A review of local Ordnance Survey maps soon reveals the tell-tale straight lines that indicate a route of Roman origin. At least 20 of today’s Hundred Parishes were served by a Roman road. The fact that these routes were well- travelled and linked forts and other settlements means that we have a rich source of Roman remains. Recycled Roman bricks, usually flatter and longer than the modern equivalent, can be found in several parish churches, including those at Great Canfield, Great and Little Hallingbury, Sheering, Takeley, Wendens Ambo, Westmill and White Roding. One of the finest Roman burial sites in Europe can be visited at Bartlow. The intrepid explorer can climb a wooden stairway to the top of the largest surviving barrow, some 40 feet high. You can read about the Above: A doorway into Wendens Ambo church, topped with an arch constructed of typical flat Roman bricks. Left: Bartlow Hills, a Roman burial site.

‘Bartlow Hills within the introduction to Bartlow parish on our website. Ken McDonald Secretary

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Very appropriately two weeks before St George’s Day, our monthly meeting was a talk about St George by Gary Fisher. Gary currently runs the Living History Project at Hatfield House and works as an Historical Interpreter at many sites including the Royal London Palaces. He told the story of St George and the garter and how this led to the Order of the Garter. Gary also told us that 18 different countries and many towns and cities have St George as their patron saint. Lord Baden-Powell adopted him as the patron saint of the Boy Scout Movement. Our LETs Group (London, Elsewhere & Theatres) recently spent 3 hours at Forman’s, the last Salmon Smokehouse in the East End of London. Lance Forman, the fourth- generation owner of the smokehouse, gave a pocket history of the company and spoke about the curing and smoking of salmon (below). He also revealed another side of the 2012 Olympics and how he struggled, for many years, in a fight to save his business. He told of broken promises, lies and dirty dealings in the build-up to the Games and how, despite all the odds, he and his business survived at the 11th hour.

On the morning of our visit he had just heard that his product, known as London Cure, had been awarded a European Protected Geographic Indicator (PGI) – like champagne or Stilton cheese – and he said we were the first to know! The designation will stand even after Brexit. Following a hilarious talk and demonstration by Darren Matson, Forman’s Guinness Book of Records Salmon Slicer, and a superb salmon bagel lunch, the group went on to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Here they took the lift to the top of the ArcelorMittal Orbit. There are three ways to come back down: the lift; 455 steps; or the new Slide. Of the 31 members who went up, 18 chose the Slide!

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The Slide (left), opened in June 2016, is the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide with transparent sides. It measures approximately 178 metres in length and is 76 metres high. The slide itself is visible in the photo as the spiralling grey pipe. The descent – not for the faint hearted! – takes 40 seconds. The oldest

member of our group to come down the Slide Above: Peter Branagan, looking was Peter Branagan, 84, but the record is currently held by a man aged 92! Our oldest remarkably calm, about to descend. lady was Julia Peacock, who will be 80 in Below: Barbara Henderson reaches July. At the end of the monthly meeting, the bottom. And some of the Sliders Chairman Colin Meehan presented the proudly display their certificates! Sliders with a well-earned certificate. Our speaker on Monday 8th May will be Bill Hamilton. His subject, ‘Man on the Spot’, is based on more than 50 years’ experience as a broadcaster and BBC Television News Correspondent. We meet at the Seth Ward Community Centre, doors open at 1.30pm. Please visit our website for information on our groups: www.u3asites.org.uk/buntingford

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Music Festivals Ashwell Music Festival 18th–28th May at St Mary's Church Thur 18th May 7pm Young Musicians’ Concert & Compline Fri 19th May 8pm Caius Men Sat 20th May 8pm Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri - An Acoustic Journey Sun 21st May 7pm Ashwell & Friends Sun 28th May 6.30pm Festal Evensong Tickets available online: www.ashwellmusicfestival.org Or from the Booking Office: 01462 743289

Friday 23rd June to Sunday 16th July 2017 All concerts in Thaxted’s magnificent acoustic church. Tickets from £35 to £9, depending on the concert and seat. (Except Thaxted Primary School, £7 adults, children free.) Fri 23 June 8pm Brandenburg Sinfonia with guitar soloist Craig Ogden – Mendelssohn, Rodrigo, Beatles & Beethoven’s Symphony No 7 Sat 24 June 7pm John Lill (piano) – Mozart, Prokofiev, Brahms & Beethoven Sun 25 June 7.30pm Escher Quartet – Haydn, Debussy & Schubert Fri 30 June 7.30pm Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge – Byrd, Haydn, Britten Sat 1 July 12 noon Philip Moore plays the church’s historic Lincoln Organ Sat 1 July 7.30pm Tim Kliphius Trio (violin, guitar, bass) – jazz meets classical Sun 2 July 7.30pm London Handel Players with Rachel Brown (flute) Fri 7 July 8pm Yehudi Menuhin School Orchestra – Bach, Vivaldi, Elgar & Dvorák Sat 8 July 11am Slidin’ About (trombone quartet) – Radetsky March, Also Sprach Zarathustra, and hits from the classics, jazz and films Sat 8 July 7.30pm Clare Teal, Britain’s foremost female jazz vocalist, with her Trio Sun 9 July 7.30pm Pop-Up Opera presents Cimerosa: Il Matrimonio Segreto (The Secret Marriage), an 18th-century Italian comic opera Thur 13 July 7pm Thaxted Primary School perform Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Fri14 July 8pm Jennifer (violin) & Jeremy Pike (piano) – Mozart & Szymanowski Sat 15 July 7.30pm Colin Baldy (baritone) and Gulliver Ralston (piano) present Noël Coward’s songs and sketches Sun 16 July 7.30pm Tenebrae perform Bruckner and Brahms’ motets Tickets available online www.thaxtedfestival.org.uk, by phone 01371 831421, or in person from the Festival Office at 10 Watling Street, Thaxted CM6 2PE (normally open 9.30am to 12.30pm, Mon to Fri). Email: [email protected] “... an absolutely indispensable fixture in the musical calendar.”

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Wyld Farm, Great Hormead Since my last blog, written at the end of February, the Lucerne crop behind Hormead school had started to grow, attracting thousands of pigeons hungry for the tender green shoots – to the delight of pigeon shooters. It has since been sprayed with a desiccant to kill off the green growth above ground, weeds and crop alike, and sprung back to life. We don't have a weed killer available to us that will selectively kill thistles alone. So our approach is to spray the whole field and rely on the deep-rooting competitive nature of the crop itself to outgrow the thistles. Yes, you’re right, a triumph of optimism over reality. The oats to the south of the track between Great Hormead and the Meads are starting to lose their ‘patches of bare ground’ look. These were caused by chemical scorch where the crop was double dosed with spray. The oats also received a dose of sulphur and urea fertiliser. As I have said before, the air we breathe contains so little sulphur that we now even have to fertilise the oats. Then there is the crop of Oilseed Rape on the north side. Oh dear, dear oh dear. A rail journey to York revealed wall to wall vigorous crops, all in glorious full technicolour yellow flower. My crop is still struggling to grow away and a dissection The pollen beetle can smell nectar. of the plant stem reveals the problem; my old enemy, cabbage stem flea beetle. If it feeds on the bud before the flower Their larvae are greedily hollowing out opens it destroys the fruiting body and is the stems. We have grown this crop therefore a pest. If it lands on a flower and since the early seventies. I hope next pollinates the fruiting body, it is a year won't be its last. beneficial insect James Wyld

Reed Spring Quiz at Reed Village Hall It's time once again to put your thinking caps on and brush up on your general knowledge for the Reed Spring Quiz. Enjoy the mental challenges, plus a fish & chip or chicken & chip supper, for just £12. Licenced bar . Saturday 6th May, commencing 7.30pm Tickets £12 From Hazel 01763 848349 or Alan 01763 847213

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Acupuncture Treatment for Pets Acupuncture has been used to treat human patients for thousands of years, and it is now a widely accepted complementary therapy in the UK, but did you know that this long-established treatment can also benefit your pets? Dogs and horses are the species most commonly treated, although cats and rabbits can also respond well, and acupuncture has even been used on farm animals, reptiles and birds. As a general practice vet treating domestic pets, I became interested in veterinary acupuncture several years ago whilst working with a colleague who regularly used it to help treat patients. After observing its beneficial effects, often in cases where response to ‘conventional’ medicine had been poor, I decided to undertake training in acupuncture myself in order to start treating my own clients’ pets. In animals, as in humans, acupuncture is useful as an effective form of pain relief. It can be used alongside medications or in some cases on its own. Painful conditions which can respond well to treatment include osteoarthritis, spinal problems, muscle injuries and post-surgical recovery. It can also be effective in treatment of chronic disease of the intestines, respiratory system, urinary system, nervous system or skin. So how does it work? Acupuncture treatment involves the placement of very fine needles at specific locations on the body, to bring about a therapeutic effect. There are two main approaches to understanding how it works. Traditional Chinese Medicine views health as a state of balance between the body and its internal and external environments. Acupuncture is used to maintain this harmony and treat imbalances. In recent decades, scientific research has enabled Western medicine to begin to understand acupuncture's effects on the body. The action of ‘needling’ stimulates sensory nerves under the skin which then feed back to the spinal cord and brain, causing release of the body’s own painkillers such as endorphins. Needling also causes suppression of pain signals in the nervous system, and can increase blood circulation to the area which promotes healing. There are also potent normalising effects on the body’s autonomic nervous system (which unconsciously regulates body functions such as heart rate and digestion), and this helps to explain acupuncture’s benefits in patients with chronic medical conditions. In most cases, treatment is given weekly for 4–5 weeks to assess the animal's response. Around 10–20% of pets will not respond in this time and treatment can be discontinued. The rest can be treated at increasing time intervals depending on their response and symptoms. Most pets tolerate needling surprisingly well, some even relax and fall asleep during treatment due to its calming effect.

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Above: A 10-year-old labrador cross being treated for elbow arthritis. Right: A dachshund receiving treatment following spinal surgery. Below left: A 14-year-old terrier during a pre-treatment examination.

As well as continuing to work in general veterinary practice, I have recently set up a freelance acupuncture service – AR Veterinary Acupuncture – offering treatment, by referral, to pets in their owners’ homes in Buntingford and the surrounding areas. Further information can be found on my website at www.ar-vet.com or by calling me, Abi Richardson, on 07941 878571.

Photographic Society celebrates victory In February, Ware & District Photographic Society won the 35th Annual St Ives Interprint Competition against 28 other Clubs in the East Anglian Region. It was the Club’s fifth win since the competition started in 1983. Club member Chris Thurston also received a PAGB Gold medal for his print ‘The White Room’. Club President John McDowall, holding the trophy (below), said: “This competition is always one of the highlights of our Season and we were extremely pleased to have retained our title against some very stiff opposition.” W&DPS is a well- established Club, founded in 1964, which meets at the Arts Centre in Kibes Lane, Ware, on Wednesday evenings (7.45 for 8pm) from September to the end of May. New members are welcome. Further information is on the Club's website www.wareps.org.uk

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Les Petits Theatre Company present David Walliams’ ‘The FIRST HIPPO on the MOON Sunday 7th May @ 1.30pm & 3.30pm David Walliams has taken the literary world by storm with his brilliantly funny story books adored by children the world over. Now his tale of two hippos dreaming of going to the moon has been adapted by award-winning Theatre company Les Petits into a fantastical stage adventure featuring puppetry, music and mayhem – an explosively funny space race adventure for children of 3 and up. Who can make it to the moon first?

Where did the idea for the story come from? David Walliams: “I have always been fascinated with the space race of the 1960s and wanted to do a spoof on that. I like the idea of hippos going to the moon as they are the animals least likely to.” He was excited at the idea of working with Les Petits: “I have loved their work for many years so jumped at the chance …The book is full of humour and [they] are the perfect choice of theatre company to bring that out as their shows are so irreverent and funny. The best shows for children work for the grown-ups too …” And what message would he like people to take from the show? “That whoever you are you should dream big, just like Sheila the hippo. Plus if you work together as a team, then you can achieve so much more.” Tickets are £13 each, or £48 for a Family Ticket for 4. In complete contrast, Hertford Theatre is also delighted to welcome the Northern School of Contemporary Dance Postgraduate performance group: VERVE – Friday 5th May, 7.45pm A company of eleven dancers, trained at some of the world’s most prestigious dance schools, perform a physically daring and exhilarating programme of four thrilling new dance works by international choreographers. Artistic director Matthew Robinson (previously at Scottish Dance Theatre) said: “The dancers have worked with passion and determination with the choreographers to produce a performance that will surprise and enthral, showcasing their versatility and power”. For further information see www.nscd.ac.uk/verve. Tickets: £15, Concessions £13, Schools & Groups £10 Tickets for these and all other performances at Hertford Theatre are available online at: www.hertfordtheatre.com Or from the Box Office on: 01992 531500

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Only £50 for 6 termly sessions, Fridays 1:30 to 2:15pm at Buntingford Library. For more information or to register your interest, contact Lab Tots on 07720 292350 or by email at [email protected]

Royston & Buntingford Children’s Centre Group is made up of Bramble Hill Children’s Centre in Mill Close, Buntingford, and Royston & Villages Children’s Centre in Royston. Both offer access to services for children under 5 years old and their families.

Our Summer ‘What’s On Guide’ includes details of all the sessions we run. Let us know if you would like one sent to you by email or post. We are now using Eventbrite for a lot of our bookable sessions. Please go to roystonbuntingford.cc.eventbrite.co.uk to see what we’re running. We are currently looking for volunteers to help at sessions. If this is something you may be interested in, please give us a call. There are loads of ways to keep up to date with what’s happening at our centres – look us up on Facebook; call us on 01763 273008 (Bramble Hill) or 01763 243338 (Royston); email us at [email protected] to go on our mailing list. Or check our website at www.oneymca.org. We look forward to seeing you.

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‘Life Turns on a Dime’ A short story ‘Life turns on a dime’, they say – I have no idea what it means literally, but given that a dime is a small American coin I guess it means that life can change completely on something insignificant, on whether a coin toss comes up heads or tails. Most of our choices aren’t really that dichotomous … is that really a word? … you know what I mean though. One way or the other. I guess that the saying means just that. A simple toss of a coin, and hey-ho you’re headed in a different direction. I’m sorry, I talk too much I know, but I’m just trying to explain. I love this house. Really love it. My husband and I moved in here just after we got married. We designed this kitchen together. Well, of course it’s all Schreiber. Soft-close hinges on cupboards and drawers, built-in dishwasher and oven. Two ovens in fact, no expense spared. Granite worktops, naturally. Blanco tap, double sink. Those are genuine reclaimed Welsh slate stones on the floor. I know it looks cold but it’s actually quite warm under your feet in the winter. I love the way the stone is so much more natural than tiles, less flat and unfriendly. Jo over the road has slate tiles. Very smooth, very harsh. She was so gutted when we got these. Anyway, you won’t need to worry about keeping up with the Jones’s, it’s all top notch in our house. We planned to live here forever. So why are we leaving? Well, as I say, life turns on a dime. Actually, do you fancy a cuppa? I could tell you a little more about the street, help you make your own mind up, tell you how it all started. Earl Grey or English breakfast? Lemon or milk? No sugar I’m guessing … Well, it all started shortly after we got married. We’d waited you see. Not, you know, for it (who waits for that anymore? you need to know what you’re signing up for after all!), but to move in together. Thought it would make married life more of an adventure, getting to know each other’s habits, foibles, quirks and kinks. This house was where we came back to after our honeymoon. He carried me over the threshold. Anyway, so we’re happily buying furniture, designing this wonderful kitchen, laying carpets and slate floors and planning the organic vegetable patch in the garden. Happy happy happy, work is good, we’re making friends. Then one day, goodness it all kicked off. We had sort of slipped into roles. You know how it is. I would like to think I’m in favour of equality but somehow I ended up doing all those traditional female things. Phil would sort out the garden and service the cars, and I’d be the one responsible for the washing and suchlike. I hate washing. Not the actual doing of the washing, but the hanging up and drying and sorting and ironing and putting away. So tedious! Often we’d end up with a pile of clean but not yet sorted clothes on the chair in the corner of the bedroom. Eventually one of us would snap and end up separating it all out. We had a particularly large pile that day I remember, several weeks’ worth, and I think Phil must have been running out of socks because usually I’d give in first. I heard this growl from the bedroom … “Bee, could you come up here please?” I remember how surprised I was because he never usually spoke to me like that, but I went upstairs and there he was, washing all sorted into piles and a row of socks laid out on the bed in front of him. I remember that very clearly, all our socks lined up neatly next to each other, each next to its mate except one; dangling from his left hand, being waved at me, was one solitary black sock. It was one of those that had the colours on the heels and toes, you know, so it was very apparent that it was alone and didn’t have a

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pair. “I have been through the drawers, and the washing machine and the tumble dryer and I have checked on the washing line and I CANNOT find the match for this sock. Where in HELL do you think it could be?” I couldn’t help it, I laughed and laughed. It was the look on his face you see, like the world was ending because of a single sock. Stop the press, halt the clocks, call the BBC, we have an odd sock situation! I did ask him if he wanted me to declare a state of emergency. But then I stopped. It was the look on his face you see. He looked so distressed, so pained that this poor sock couldn’t be paired. He started walking from room to room holding it out in front of him as if it could be a sock magnet that would call its mate to it with a siren’s song. It rapidly became very clear that he wouldn’t rest or stop until the match was found. We spent two hours searching for that bloody sock and he wouldn’t stop until we found it, kicked under the sofa. After that I made sure that I did the sorting. You know that every house has a sock monster, hiding in the washing machine or tumble dryer? I don’t know where it comes from, it just is. Every now and again you get an odd sock and any normal person would just chuck it into the drawer or back in the wash-basket. Eventually its pair somehow turns up. Or you end up with a pile that can almost be matched. It didn’t work. He found the pile of unmatched socks in my drawer. I thought he might actually pass out that day, the sight of eight single socks being entirely too much for him. It took us hours to sort that little mess out. I ended up throwing five of them away just to get them out of his sight. I felt really sorry for him. As far as ‘things’ go it wasn’t too bad. It wasn’t like we didn’t laugh together a lot or love each other or have a bucket of fun, it was just that every so often we spent hours looking for bloody socks. Anyway, I remember when I broke. We were starting on a new phase of our life, our daughter had just been born and things were all over the place. So happy and yet so destabilised, all those new relationships to get to grips with. Him and her, her and me, all three of us together. We were trying to muddle into our new family shape and so tired, exhausted all the time. Anyway, I was washing. I was always washing when she was little. How does something so small make so much bloody mess? She was in the bouncer on the kitchen door there and I was sorting the washing on the kitchen table. Yes, this one where we’re sitting now. As always I left the socks until last. There was always a certain nervousness when I sorted the socks, just in case. Every so often an odd one turned up and then I had to work out what to do. Anyway, this was the first wash in a while where there was an unmatched sock and it was Rebecca’s. A ridiculously tiny little baby pink sock whose mate could have been anywhere. Literally anywhere, it was so bloody small. She pulled her socks off all the time, the chances of it even being in the house must be minimal. Suddenly my life spooled out in front of me. There were three of us in the family now, and we wanted at least one more child. Four people, eight socks per day, 56 socks per week to be washed and the odds of an odd one increasing with every additional wash and person. How could I bear it? That was it, the final straw that finished me off. Phil had an offer from a University in Singapore that we hadn’t been planning for him to take. But then I thought it’s hot there, 28 degrees on a cold day, summer all the time and NO FLAMING SOCKS. Flip-flops, slip-ons, crocs, Birkenstocks all year long. That evening (again, sitting here) over a glass of wine we talked it through and decided to go for it. I talked up the opportunity, the money, the chance of a new lifestyle for the children. Anything at all to persuade him. And now we’re moving, we’re off. Life turns on a dime they say – mine turned on a teeny tiny salmon-pink sock, and this, sitting right here, this is the room where it happened. Susan Chiappinelli Buntingford Writers Group

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Here are some neck and upper back exercises that are particularly good for anyone who spends a lot of time at a computer. More exercises can also be found in the members area of our website www.attend2health.co.uk. If anyone is in pain we offer a free 15-minute chat where people can find out if we can help them.

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Volunteers – We need you! Isabel Hospice is holding its 8th Annual Bike Ride on Sunday 21st May. Called ON YOUR BIKE, it takes place at Bishop’s Stortford Rugby Club, starting 8.15 for 9am, with three routes (25km, 50km & 100km) taking cyclists around surrounding villages. We are looking for volunteers to join our event crew, marshalling vital points on the route, directing and cheering the cyclists on! Our BUBBLE RUSH 5K is a brand-new ‘fun run’ event on Sunday 16th July in Cheshunt. Fur 'bubble stations' on the course will blast runners with crazy, colourful, foamy bubbles! It is going to be fantastic, with music and entertainment throughout the day. We need volunteers to help with registration, marshalling and stalls, as well as set-up and pack-down teams. All volunteers will be provided with refreshments & marshalling kits where necessary, and will be contacted before the event with full details. Please call Megan Sparrey on 01707 382500 if you can spare a few hours for either of these events! Sat 6 May – Charity Race Night, Hertford 7pm at St John’s Hall, Churchfields, SG13 8AE. Cariad Marketing are hosting a Charity Race Night, with a fish’n’chip supper in aid of the Hospice. All tickets £1 each, with 50% to Isabel Hospice and the rest divided between winners. Also, Sponsorship of horses and jockeys; Raffle; Licenced bar. Tickets from Cariad on 01992 582824. Fri 19th May – Old Tyme Music Hall, Welwyn Garden City 8pm at Thalian Hall, Bridge Road East, AL7 1JU. Join us for a fantastic show from the Thalians performers. Expect dramatic singing and dancing to a classic theme, with an audience dressed to impress. Tickets £13, to include a fish’n’chip supper. Call Val Robinson at 01707 382500. Fri 19th May – The Roaring Twenties and All That Jazz, Welwyn 7.30pm–Midnight at Meadow Barn, Tewin Bury Farm Hotel, Hertford Road, AL6 0JB. Celebrate the 35th Anniversary of Isabel Hospice at a special evening of Twenties fun, with music, songs and dancing. £75pp includes champagne reception and 3-course dinner. Contact Suzanne Coleman 01438 798869 or Barbara Doherty 01279 842140 Sat 20th May – Jumble Sale at Thundridge Village Hall 2pm – 20p entry. All money raised goes to Isabel Hospice. Sun 21st May – On Your Bike, Bishop’s Stortord 8.15am–3pm at Bishop’s Stortford Rugby Club, Hadham Road, CM23 2QE. See above. On the day there will be a BBQ, music, entertainment, bike doctor and stalls. For more information call us on 01707 382 500. Fri 26th May – Spring Charity Golf Day, Essendon 8am–6pm at Essendon Country Club, Bedwell Park, AL9 6HN. The golf will be followed by a two-course lunch and auction of prizes. All proceeds to the Hospice. £500 for team of 4. For more information please contact Liz Laing on 01707 382 500. www.isabelhospice.org.uk

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B A L A Buntingford Action for the Less Able Registered Charity No. 1094426 Minibus trips for May 2017

Thurs 4th 9:15–12ish Bishop’s Stortford Town Centre – Market Day £4

Tues 9th 10:30am Welwyn Garden City – John Lewis, Waitrose, £6 M&S etc.

Thurs 11th 9:15–12ish Tesco at Bishop’s Stortford £4

Wed 17th 11:30am Pub Lunch Bus: £4

Thurs 18th 9:15–12ish Bishop’s Stortford Town Centre – Market Day £4

Mon 22nd 10:30–2:30pm Scotsdales – Nursery, Gifts, Clothes, Café £6 etc.

Thurs 25th 9:15–12ish Tesco at Bishop’s Stortford £4

June st Thurs 1 9:15–12ish Bishop’s Stortford Town Centre – Market Day £4

All trips start from Benson Hall car park unless otherwise agreed. To book a seat or for more information: 01763 271708

FREE LESSONS IN MAY ‘Bowls for Beginners’ At Buntingford Bowls Club, Wyddial Road

YES, they really are FREE. Just come along with flat shoes and we provide the equipment, we even have spare shoes. Sessions start at 6pm and last for up to 2 hours. Don’t worry if you can’t make them all, you will soon catch up.

Wednesday 3rd, Sunday 7th, Thursday 11th and Sunday 14th May

Also: OPEN MORNINGS 10am to 1pm Sunday 30th April & Monday 1st May Come along and have a go! You might really enjoy it!

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BALA COFFEE MORNING at Benson Hall Wednesday 10th May, 10.30–12noon Tea/Coffee, Cakes, Raffle, etc. Proceeds for the minibus Please note, for May only the coffee morning is on the second Wednesday of the month

BUNTINGFORD W.I. We enjoyed a light-hearted meeting in April with everyone joining in a game of ‘Bunny Drive’, which is our own seasonal version of a Beetle Drive. Great fun, even if it did get a bit noisy at times. After our usual refreshment break (which included a delicious chocolate egg for each member) our President updated us on various WI events and the opportunity for a private group visit to Scotts Grotto in Ware. The month of May sees our Annual Meeting when we will be discussing two new W.I. Resolutions, which this year relate to alleviating loneliness and keeping micro- plastics out of our oceans. Every year W.I. members have the chance to put forward issues as ‘resolutions’ that they want to see the National Federation campaign on. There have been a wide range of resolution topics – last year’s was food waste. As a nation the UK wastes more food than anywhere else in Europe, costing the average household £470 per year. Farm land roughly the size of Wales is being used to produce all the food that then goes on to be wasted in our homes, generating carbon emissions equivalent to one in four cars on our roads. And globally, if we managed to redistribute just a quarter of the food currently wasted, that would be enough to feed the 870 million people who are living with hunger. The NFWI conducted two surveys amongst its members, firstly to ask views on issues such as date labelling and multi-packs. The second survey saw members visit their local supermarket to investigate practices on the shelves. It found that branded goods recommend that products can be stored and used for longer than the shops’ own-brand products. ‘Buy one get one free’ offers encourage shoppers to purchase more than they need, whereas the survey showed that we would prefer to see prices cut for individual items and also be able to buy some products in smaller packs. The National Press has picked up on the W.I.’s Food Waste campaign and I noticed an article about it in the Daily Mail. Apparently the British Retail Consortium, which speaks for supermarkets, is aware of the W.I.’s findings, so let’s hope something will be done to improve food labelling and to cut the amount of food which is wasted. Our next meeting, on Thursday 11th May, is our Annual Meeting when we will be appointing our new Committee and discussing the two Resolutions referred to above. There will also be a bring-and-buy plant stall. We meet at the United Reformed Church Hall, Baldock Road, at 7.15 for 7.30pm. Visitors are always welcome. Val Hume For more information about Buntingford W.I. call Jen Cresswell on 01763 273221 or Jane Eagle on 01763 274710

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Buntingford Town FC www.buntingfordtownfc.com

The spectre of relegation has once again appeared. At the time of writing, 17th April, our First Team sits just 5 points ahead of current relegation candidates Evergreen, who have a game in hand over us. With just two games remaining we are not yet out of the woods. Following the terrific win over Ware Sports, two defeats followed – at home to Cuffley, when we lost 4-2, and then away at high-flyers Bovingdon where we were on the wrong side of a 7-2 scoreline. The team gained 1 point from each of the following two matches: a 3-0 lead with just 15 minutes to go at home to Belstone was wasted when the opposition scored three times to earn themselves a point. The following week saw Town draw 1-1 with a feisty Sandridge Rovers. Our two remaining matches are both at home – to Hatfield Social and then Standon & Puckeridge. To be safe from Division One football next season we need to win both fixtures. Since my last article, our Reserves have played just one league match, recording an excellent 1-0 win at Knebworth. On April 1st the team beat Hadley ‘A’ in the quarter-final of the Cecil Hudson Cup. The semi-final was arranged for the following week, and even though Buntingford were forced to field a weakened side, the team took league leaders Bovingdon Reserves to extra time. Unfortunately the opposition scored to make the final score 2-1, and our Reserves were out of the cup. With just four weeks of the season remaining our Reserves find themselves with six matches still to play! A top-three finish is not out of the question, although experience tells me that at this late stage of the season all six of these matches are unlikely to take place for one reason or another. The Reserves in particular have been victims of inconsistency in fixture allocation leading to missed weekends; this is something the league needs to address as it is unfair on the players. Town’s Vets lost their final league match of the season, with Allenburys running out as 8-1 victors. This was a disappointing result leaving Buntingford at the foot of the table; the new format of the league’s ‘Premier Division’ did not serve us well, but let’s put it down to experience. On 9th April our Vets hosted a charity match at The Bury against the Arsenal Celebrity Team. It was the hottest day of the year so far, so it was somewhat disappointing when the number of spectators turning up to watch the game, and at the same time raising money for the Leech Hospice, was less than had been hoped. Nevertheless the game itself was highly entertaining. Against the run of play, Buntingford took the lead early on, with Alcino Monteiro scoring his first goal for the club. At a goal down the Celebrities then started to play with more purpose, and finished the first half 4-1 to the good. During the second period Buntingford conceded three more, the final score of 7-1 not really reflecting the excellent performance Town put in against some skilled opposition. I acted as referee’s assistant for the match and was pretty exhausted at the end of it because of the heat! Full credit is due to everyone who gave their all on the pitch in such glorious weather. I would like to express a big thank-you to everyone who played and also to those who came along to support the event. Another season will soon be over; it seems like only yesterday when it started … how time flies! Chris Thurgill, Chairman, Buntingford Town FC

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Royston and District Ramblers Group Walks for May 2017 Tue 2nd Waresley, 5½ miles, led by Jackie Rogger 01763 260809 / 07817 044385 Tue 2nd Evening walk: Sandon, 3½ miles, led by Mick Lee 01763 247597 / 07932 489046 Thur 4th Bassingbourn, 6 miles, led by Margaret Hartigan 01763 256788 / 07939 233697 Sun 7th Abbotsley, Graveley, 13 miles, led by Paul Hillman 01763 244038 / 07544 232330 Tue 9th Radwinter, 6 miles, led by Martin Shaw 01763 838190 / 07565 578074 Wed 10th Evening walk: Barley, 3 miles, led by Mike Flexmore 01763 274679 / 07597 371875 Thur 11th Benington, 6 miles, led by Sandy Earls 01763 243003 / 07553 344567 Sun 14th Barrington, Eversden, 9½ miles, led by Alan Cooper 01223 835908 / 07884 081715 Sun 14th Ashwell at Home Day. Choice of walks, see www.ashwellathome.org.uk Tue 16th Wadesmill, 5 miles, led by Mike Flexmore 01763 274679 / 07597 371875 Thur 18th Green End, Braughing, 5 miles, Ed Walker memorial walk, led by Mike Flexmore 01763 274679 / 07597 371875 Sat 20th Rogation Walk, 13 miles. See below for details. Sun 21st Chesterford, Littlebury, 10 miles, lled by Alan Cooper 01223 835908 / 07884 081715 Tue 23rd Ashdon, 6 miles, led by Alan Roome 01223 840963 / 07933 713840 Thur 25th Stow cum Quy Fen, 5½ miles, led by Rita & Salli 01763 208755 / 07977 573003 Fri 26th Evening walk: Fowlmere, 3½ miles, led by Rita Hawkins 01763 208755 Sun 28th Phincingfelda, 8½ miles, led by Lesley Abbiss 07734 111225 Mon 29th Evening walk: Odsey, 3 miles, led by David Allard 01763 242677 / 07791 198026 Tue 30th Offord Cluny, 6 miles, led by Martin Shaw 01763 838190 / 07565 578074

Unless otherwise stated, Tue & Thur are morning walks, Sun walks are all day

For meeting points and starting times, contact the walk leader or visit the website: www.ramblers-herts-northmiddlesex.org.uk Click on ‘Groups’ and then on ‘Royston’ to find full details

The Annual Rogation Walk – Saturday 20th May An all-day walk – about 13 miles in total – connecting the churches in the Benefice of Great Hormead including Anstey, Brent Pelham, Hormead, Meesden and Wyddial, starting 9.45am at Little Hormead Church and finishing at Great Hormead Church. There will be water and biscuits and a short prayer at each church. Bring lunch to eat at Anstey Village Hall. Walkers may join at any point but will need to provide their own transport if not walking the whole route. Contact Stephen Ruff on 01763 289516

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