Chipperfield News

October 2011

The Royal British Legion - Poppy Appeal

Once again the time is approaching for us to commemorate those who continue to die in their service to this country in Afghanistan as so many have done all over the world since the end of the Second World War. A small group of us from Chipperfield visited the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield in May and were deeply moved by this centre of remembrance which is open all the year round. Especially poignant was the huge memorial on which we saw the names of over 16,000 UK members of the armed services who have died since 1945 and to which new names are being added as you read this. Whilst we will be remembering them again at the War Memorial and in St Paul’s Church on Sunday 13 November, we will also be thinking of those far greater numbers who have been injured in mind and body and are being helped by The Royal British Legion. Looking after these people in hospitals, care homes or their own homes costs the Legion over 50 million pounds a year. So, when the Poppy Day Collectors come to your door, or when you see boxes in every shop, pub and garage in the village, please remember the huge debt we owe to our soldiers, sailors and airmen and give even more generously than you have done in the past. Our RBL Branch AGM will be held at Bucks Hill Cottage on Monday 21 November at 6pm. Non-members are also welcome. If coming, please phone 01923 267515 Giles Wyburd, Chairman

Gladys Taafe And The Hairy Bikers

The Hairy Bikers mission in their new programme is to promote and improve Meals on Wheels. As part of their understanding of how the service was set up in 1945, they investigated the early days. Gladys delivered Meals on Wheels for 50 years, retiring when she was 95, so the Hairy Bikers decided to cook and deliver her one of the early meals which consisted of an oatmeal and corn beef steamed pudding and an eggless sponge. Gladys found this very tasty but not as hot as she would have liked as it had travelled from Garden City. Prior to her meeting with Si and Dave, Gladys had not heard of the Hairy Bikers but she found them extremely charming and enjoyed their visit.

Churchyard Burials

As most people in the village know, St Paul’s churchyard is now full and has no more room for burials, although the interment of ashes can continue in the new area recently put aside for such purpose. Therefore, if any burials

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are wanted they have to take place some distance away at or . A considerable number of residents in the village are concerned about the situation as several generations of their families have been buried at St Paul’s and they wish this tradition to continue. Consequently, at fairly short notice, a public meeting was called in mid June to enable people to express their opinions and to suggest possible means of enabling burials to continue in the village. The only real solution is to find land in the village which could be used for burials and as a result of the meeting a number of people stepped forward and offered to form a Steering Group to investigate possibilities. The Group has already come to the conclusion that the only answer is to extend the existing churchyard by taking part of the Common, notably the very neglected and scrubby area at the Queen Street car park end of the churchyard. To assess the general feelings of the village and to determine whether, or how, to progress this matter further, a questionnaire will shortly be delivered. Please take five minutes of your time to complete it for collection. Tony Briselden

1st Chipperfield Brownies

We have welcomed two new Brownies since April. Here are some of the fun activities the girls have enjoyed this term. Three of our Brownies joined the rest of the District in a Royal Wedding Activity Evening – the girls did various crafts associated with the Royal Wedding, had a tea party and ended the evening by singing the National Anthem! A really good time was had by all Rainbows, Brownies and Guides. The girls enjoyed an evening at Phasels Wood, a barn dance with Guides and they worked really hard to gain their Fire Safety badge. Three of our Brownies joined in the parade at carnival. The term ended with a Fashion Show, including a raffle, which raised a brilliant £42.00 for Cancer Research. The Super Brownie of the Year competition was as follows: 1st Beatrice Tasker, 2nd Aoife Regan and 3rd Ella Broadfield. Well done everyone, very well deserved. The main highlight of the term was the Pack Holiday. 15 girls enjoyed a fun-packed weekend at Cherry Green Trees Guide Activity Centre, , 29 July–1 August. The theme was Winnie the Pooh with all leaders/helpers changing their names to the various characters during our stay! The girls had great fun helping to cook the meals, waitressing and cleaning the Pack Holiday home. Our craft activities included tie-dying t-shirts, decorating photo frames, making pot pourri bags, painting salt dough bears and making key rings and bracelets. We also enjoyed playing parachute games, a treasure hunt, a pampering evening, entertainment night, disco and water games in the sun. The girls gained badges: Brownie Holiday, Craft, Cook, Home Skills and Entertainer. One comment which stood out from one of the Brownies was, “this food is great, it’s like being in a five star hotel!” Of the 15 girls who attended the holiday, only one had been before and nobody was homesick! Everyone worked really well together and we had a great time living and laughing. During the holiday I gave points to the girls for being helpful, kind, friendly etc. The Pack Holiday Super Brownie was Aoife. Everyone received an award, eg: Sleepy Doormouse, Pack Holiday Mother Hen (for looking after the little ones), friendliest Brownie, most helpful Brownie and Pack Holiday chatterbox! I gained my Pack Holiday licence in 2004 and this is my 5th holiday since then. This has been my favourite because everyone got on so well together and were so enthusiastic and well behaved. It was very hard work but great fun! They must have enjoyed it because they asked at the end, “when is the next one, Brown Owl?” Watch this space!! Sadly, we said goodbye to our ‘Little Owl’, Rhiannon, who is off to university. My thanks go to my wonderful team: Hannah, Pat, Rhiannon, Ann, Charlotte, Ciera and Georgia. My Pack is full at the moment, but if you would like to put your daughter’s name on the waiting list (the starting age is 7) it’s never too early! Please contact Sian Roberts on 07982 610775 or email at [email protected] If you are 18+ and interested in giving some time to Girlguiding UK and would like a really rewarding experience in working with girls aged 5-14, please contact Jean Banks on 01923 400370. Thank you. Sian Roberts Brown Owl

The Lanes Children's Centre

Autumn is on its way and before we know it, it will be Christmas! We have plenty of things planned for the coming months, including: Monday 17 October 2-3pm Cath will be holding a Wellie Walk to support the start of ‘International Walk to School Week’. Meet in Chipperfield car park and enjoy a safe walk exploring mini beasts and nature! Friday 7 October–Friday 2 December 1-3pm we will be holding an 8 week Parenting Puzzle Course at Village Hall. The course is free (crèche available at £5 per session) and booking is through The Lanes Children’s Centre. Monday 3-Monday 24 October 1.15-2.45pm Zoe will be holding a Baby Massage Course (0-12 months) in Sarratt Village Hall. The cost is £20, payable in advance, and booking is essential through The Lanes C.C. Stuck for something to do during half term? Why not come along to The Lanes Children’s Centre, St Paul’s School, Chipperfield, 10am-1pm on Friday 28 October for a fun packed family day! No need to book, just turn up

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on the day! Cost is £2 per child or £5 for 3 or more children. For information on future courses, workshops, activities and events, and on all our regular weekly activities and access to our Toy Library, see advertising boards and our website. If you require further information regarding the Children’s Centre services or becoming involved with the Children’s Centre, please contact Zoë Hier: 01923 262640 or 07966 966352 zoe.hier@pre- school.org.uk www.hertschildrenscentres.org.uk/thelanes

Chipperfield Men And Women Who Served In The Second World War

Thank you to the many people who help with our researches. The aim is to publish a book by November 2012, so time for collection of material is running out. Thanks to readers, we have recently had some success. For instance, George Bunyan Son, Bill, has been contacted in . Ron Bass His sister-in-law has been discovered in Abbots Langley. Harry Stevens His niece in Plymouth has sent a photograph. Did Howard and Pat Stevens have a son? Do you know him? Betty Woods and Sylvia Voller Sisters who served in the WAAF and lived at Bucks Hill Cottages. A relative has been found in Surrey and she has done a family tree. However, we still need your assistance and so please pass on anything that you know, no matter how insignificant it may seem to be. We should particularly like to have information about the following:- F Baldwin Not Frank Baldwin, father of Arthur. H.G.Carter We have sadly mislaid the details of a contact made three years ago. Arthur Saunders We know he married Queenie Harding and did not have children but know nothing else about him. C. Rogers We would like to contact his daughter, Sheila, who married Mick Fletcher. Bill Squire Married Olive Wingfield, the butcher’s daughter. Margaret Orchard was a tiny bridesmaid but no other information so far. A.E.Wallington Nothing known If you are able to help, please contact Mary Nobbs, Dellfield, The Street, Chipperfield WD4 9BJ, Telephone: 01923 269480, e-mail: [email protected]

Theft Of Metal/catalytic Converters

Since the start of the credit crunch, high prices for precious metals has resulted in a noticeable increase in thefts of metal in Chipperfield and Bovingdon. Thieves are targeting sub-stations and taller vehicles (4x4s) and vans. Mercedes Benz Sprinters are particularly vulnerable as the converters are more accessible and they have larger engines which contain more of the precious metals. We should all be vigilant and report anything out of the ordinary. The police encourage residents to do so without putting themselves in danger. To reduce the risk of theft of your car's catalytic converter: Garage your car; park in well-lit busy areas; look out for people working under cars. Companies such as the AA and RAC provide kits to mark your catalytic converter, although this does not guarantee that it will not get stolen. Crime level remains low in Chipperfield; in fact it is the lowest crime area in but this does not mean we can become complacent. The non emergency number 0845 33 00 222 has been replaced with 101 within but you still need to ring 0845 33 00 22 if you outside the County. Pcso Agallili (Bardi), Bovingdon, Chipperfield and

St Paul's And Holy Cross

On Friday 16 September I attended the launch of the Dacorum Foodbank, set up to provide much needed help for an increasing number of people in the borough for whom not having sufficient food is a very real problem. Similar needs are growing all over our nation; one very real sign of the continuing economic and financial crisis in the western world. (The word crisis has its origin in the idea of judgement!) Around this time the following words of Jesus occurred in one of my daily Bible readings, “Hypocrites! You know how to interpret a change in the weather; how is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?” How do we interpret what is going on in our nation in this period of history? Such understanding should govern our priorities and behaviour. Is it that we have lived for decades wanting – and for the most part having more and more – and now have to learn to live with less, with those at the bottom end of the affluent league faring worst? Or might it be more significant than that; that we have given ourselves to living possession, pleasure and position centred lives in place of Christ centred ones? It is very easily done, creeping up on us almost without us noticing, till crisis comes! Jesus had some hard words to say to his own generation, not out of bitterness but out of love, a warning that needed to be heeded. We need to take note. Not to do so is to invite real tragedy, as was the case for many of Jesus’s original hearers! With my prayers, Jim Stevens

St Paul's Parish Registers

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We ask God’s blessing on the marriage of: 27 August Courtney Duncan and Nicola Brankin 3 September Kendall Evans and Emma Blackmore 7 September Edward Farmer and Bonnie Toulson We commend to God’s merciful keeping: 13 September Ken Ward

Roman

We have been waiting with mixed feelings for the introduction of a revised translation of the Mass for the English speaking world. In recent weeks the Bishops have given details of what to expect and when. The new wording must be in use on the first Sunday of Advent. Few were enthusiastic at the thought of changing what has become so familiar. Fr Terry pointed out that the effort needed, as we struggle with the unfamiliar responses, will require us to pay more real attention to what we are saying. It is very human to go onto autopilot. Mass in the vernacular was introduced after Vatican II. At the time it was recognised that the translation and vocabulary were perhaps a little too relaxed and did not fit exactly with the original scriptural texts. It is hoped that the new translation will improve this. We shall judge when it comes. Fr Terry ruefully remarked that he had just successfully mastered the change from saying Mass in Swahili to English when the English is changed!

Baptist Church

Sometimes I am really tempted to leave things blank. I think that the words of Ronan Keating, and you won’t hear this from me that often, are true when he says, “you say it best when you say nothing at all”. Oh! Whom am I kidding? We all have opinions and we love to share them with whoever wants to listen and frequently with those that don’t. We do love to moan about this, and complain about that, and very infrequently we might almost say something good about something if we are caught off guard. We just think what we have to say and our judgements are correct, thoughtful and innovative. And you guessed it. The Bible does have a lot to say about this and one verse in particular that comes from, and you may have guessed this as well, my favourite book Ecclesiastes, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” All our attitudes, thoughts and incisive comments are nothing new and many have thought them before. So what? Just get over it? Well, there is another piece of advice that I do try, and of course fail to live by, that is such a great piece of counsel we really should bear it in mind every time we start to let people know what we think and it is this. "It is better to have people think you a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." I think it just might be best to stop here… what do you think? Love Jason, The Man in the Manse Church News We had some more informal services in August with a café style and a do-it- yourself service which was led by church members. The day of the garden party turned very wet indeed and so there was a rush to bring chairs etc into the house to get them wiped dry! However, we had a great time together even though it was a bit of a squash. We were very sorry that the Flower Festival had to be cancelled because of unforeseen circumstances. On the Sunday of that weekend the church was open for a prayer vigil and we were encouraged that this was supported by folk from other churches who prayed with us. It was a moving experience just to sit in God's presence and remember our churches, village, country and the world before Him. The Songs of Praise service still went ahead in the evening when we were joined by other local churches and it was good to meet together in this way with other friends.

'Hyde Park On Hudson' Comes To Chipperfield

Following a last minute request from a film production company, agreement was reached to allow them to film in our beautiful village during a sunny week in September and we would like to thank you all for your support. Below is a short article about the film which I am sure we will look forward to seeing in the near future. Jo Deacon, Chipperfield Parish Clerk Focus Features and Daybreak Pictures have now completed the end of principal photography for Hyde Park on Hudson. The film, directed by Roger Michell (Notting Hill, Changing Lanes, Morning Glory), is based on Richard Nelson’s popular radio play focusing on George VI's visit to the United States in 1939 and is set for global cinema release in 2012. Filmed entirely on location in the UK, we have recreated New in various spots in Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire. A house in Chipperfield has provided the perfect setting for the home of one of the film’s central characters. The deep, wide bay windows and wood flooring throughout were reminiscent of houses in New England. Although fictionalized the film is based on real events and real characters. For the most part the story revolves around the weekend the King and Queen spent with President Roosevelt (FDR) at FDR’s mother’s house at Springwood, near Hyde Park, Upstate NY. Other

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principal characters include their respective families and entourages, together with Roosevelt’s distant cousin, Daisy, through whose point of view the story is told. All the principal characters, along with many of the minor ones, are based on real people. Daisy was Margaret Suckley, a spinster of forty-six who lived near to Springwood. When she died, fifty or so years later, a huge cache of letters between her and FDR was found under her bed and it was from these that the details of their intimate friendship have been re-created by acclaimed screenwriter, Richard Nelson. The interior of The White House provided the perfect layout for us to set the house of Daisy. Although filming inside the house throughout our time here in Chipperfield, we have of course had an impact on the village. The car park by the cricket pitch has provided one of the most picturesque settings for our catering and trailers that we have had all shoot. The crew and production as a whole would like to thank the residents of Chipperfield for welcoming us into your world for this couple of days. We hope that when the film reaches cinemas next year you will all feel a sense of pride in having had a part in the making it. Amie Tridgell, Assistant Location Manager

Advance Notice - Temporary Closure Of Chapel Croft And Dunny Lane

Following the recent study of collisions where people have been injured at the crossroads, a Road Safety Proposal for the Tower Hill/The Street/Dunny Lane crossroads made by Hertfordshire County Council in conjunction with the Parish Council will now be implemented during October and notice is given that the Hertfordshire County Council intend to make an Order under Section 14[1] of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, to prohibit all traffic from using the following lengths of roads:- Phase 1: That length of Chapel Croft from its junction with The Street north eastwards for approximately 40 metres to take place during off-peak hours 9.30am-4.30pm. Phase 2: That length of Dunny Lane from its junction with The Street south westwards for approximately 40 metres to take place during off-peak hours 9.30am-4.30pm. The purpose of the Order is to enable highway safety improvement works to take place. It is anticipated that the sections of roads may each be closed for up to five weeks some time during the period 3 October-7 November when signs will be in place. Alternative signed routes will be provided. During this time temporary traffic signals may be used to carry out further safety improvement works on Tower Hill to the junction with Chapel Croft. Access for buses along Dunny Lane has been arranged during the closures. A copy of the diversion routes can be found on the Chipperfield Parish Council notice board outside Stanley’s Stores or on the Parish Council’s (consultation) section of the village website, www.chipperfield.org.uk. If you have any questions about the highway safety improvement works, or the temporary road closures, please contact: Natalia Sanudo at Hertfordshire Highways: 01707 356306 or Jo Deacon, Clerk to the Council: 01923 263310.

A Feast For All

The ever expanding rabbit population in the garden has caused real problems this summer. The dianthus plants that should form an edge to the gravel garden were eaten to the bone by July. The yellow daisy flowers of the anathemas failed to appear; the plants looked as if someone had taken shears to them! I declared war on the rabbits and we had a couple of very nice pies, but the rabbits always seemed to sit in front of the greenhouse, or beside a pond where no shot was possible. The cat caught a few baby ones but there always seemed to be more! Then, at the beginning of August Ted, my dog, caught one. He was delighted and raced to Mum’s patio window to show it off. It was then that I realised why he had caught it.... myxomatosis. The poor thing’s eyes were all puffed up and I don’t suppose it could see him coming. In the last few weeks he has caught half a dozen or so and the cat has not missed out either. Foxes patrol the ride looking into the shrubbery, not wanting to miss out on an easy meal, and now a stoat is a regular visitor. Mum has seen it three times, and me twice. I have never seen a stoat so close to the bungalow before; this feast of half blind rabbits is just too good to miss. Stoats are very graceful creatures with long bodies close to the ground. They are bigger than weasels with longer tails which have a black tip. Both have reddish-brown backs and white under parts. Weasels mostly hunt mice and voles but stoats love rabbits. It was the white throat that caught my eye. Its head was held high before it pounced into a bush. I felt so lucky to have seen it, even for just a few seconds, but the next morning, as I was eating my breakfast, there it was again. A real breakfast treat! I am sorry to see the rabbits suffering and without so many predators they would have a nasty slow death, but my plants are looking much better and watching a stoat whilst I ate my breakfast was a big improvement on reading the paper! Wendy Bathurst

October In Your Garden

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Autumn is approaching fast this year and the wonderful autumn colour of trees is almost here. Leaves will soon be falling and there will be plenty to keep us busy. The flower garden. Start to plant beds and borders with pansies, polyanthus, primroses and violas. These can be used in window boxes, hanging baskets and containers together with a selection of small shrubs and trailing plants such as ajuga, nepeta ad ivies. Garden centres have a good range of suitable plants on show at the moment. The small half hardy cyclamen are now ready and these will give instant colour but they do go off when winter really sets in. Canterbury bells, wallflowers and sweet williams are planted this month so that they are ready to flower in the spring. Spring flowering bulbs. Plant as soon as possible prepared hyacinths in bowls using bulb fibre compost and these should be ready for flowering indoors around Christmas. Large flowered crocus and some daffodils can be sown in bowls for indoor use. Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, crocus and snowdrops should be planted in the garden over the next month or so. Dwarf tulips, irises, chionodoxa, scillas, snowdrops, grape hyacinths, winter aconites, and dwarf narcissi are ideal for sinks and rock gardens and can also be used in window boxes and containers. Narcissi can be naturalised in grass areas. Fruit and vegetables. Start the winter digging as soon as the crops have been harvested. Add farmyard manure when digging but not where the rootcrops such as carrots and parsnips are to be grown. There is a good crop of apples this year so they will need to be picked and put into store as soon as possible. Varieties such as Cox’s Orange Pippin and Bramley’s Seedling will store well but James Grieve will not store and should be eaten as soon as possible. Put greasebands round the trunks of fruit trees this month. Plant strawberries now. Early onion sets and garlic can be planted this month and the final sowing of salads should be done without delay. The greenhouse. As soon as the greenhouse is empty, clean surfaces with something like Jeyes Fluid and then fumigate to kill all the pests and diseases using a sulphur candle. Line the house with bubble plastic and check that the heater works. Bring into the greenhouse all the half hardy perennials that are to be overwintered. The lawn. Keep up with the mowing as long as the grass is growing. Aerate and scarify and apply a low nitrogen autumn fertilizer. Turf can be laid this month and it is still warm enough to sow grass seed. Finally, arrange for the lawn mower to get a winter service so that it will be ready for use next spring.

www.chipperfield.org.uk

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