VILLAGE VIEWS

Wendens Ambo & Littlebury

March 2018 In this issue

1 Volunteering/ letters 18 Letter from the vicar 2 What’s on in Littlebury 19 Church services in March 3 Littlebury Parish Council 20 Mothering Sunday/ Seder meal 4 Colin Sell 21 Lent Discussion groups 5 Ivy Pull & Jumble sale 22 Wenden Notes/ church AGM 6 Littlebury history 23 Wenden Neighbours event/ Moveable feast 7 Littlebury history 24 WA Parish Council 8 Garden Club & LIttlebury ladies 25 Litter pick/ Village Gathering 9 Littlebury movie 26 Sue Juhl’s poem 10 Ceilidh report/crime prevention 27 Pre-school update 11 CAB 28 Clergy and other contacts 12 Audley End WI 29 onwards Local businesses/services 13 Hundred Parishes 14. Nature Notes: March 15-17 Holy Trinity Church

The Wendens Ambo and Littlebury Parish News is continuing to develop and relies on many volunteers. We would welcome someone to join the team to seek advertising from businesses/individuals who want us to know about their products or services. If you would like to help put the magazine together each month or send us regular or occasional submissions for publication, we would love to hear from you! Contact us on [email protected]

Deadline for the March edition is Thursday 15th March Advertising rates for 12 issues, black & white static ads: Full page £100, half page £60, quarter page £30 Colour advertising - full and half page, back cover available. Editors: Joanna Hancock, Louise Johnson, Sue Watson Distribution: Kate Butcher Treasurer: Karen Heybrock All the volunteers who deliver the magazine come rain or shine THANK YOU!

What’s on in Littlebury – March 2018

Thur 1st Sat 17th Fri 2nd Carpet Bowls 7pm Fri16th Carpet Bowls 7pm Littlebury Littlebury Village Hall Village Hall Sat 3rd Sun18th Communion & Coffee 11am Holy Trinity Church Sun 4th Holy Communion Mon19th Brownies 11am Holy Trinity Church 6-7.30pm Village Hall Mon 5th Brownies Tues 20th Little Berries Playgroup 6-7.30pm Village Hall 9.30-11.00am Village Hall Tues 6th Little Berries Playgroup Wed 21st Drinks at Holy Trinity 9.30-11.00am Village Hall Church 7-9pm Parish Council Meeting 8pm Littlebury Village Hall Wed 7th Garden Society – 8pm Thur 22nd Ickleton Village Hall Thur 8th Fri 23rd Prayer Cycle 9.30 St Peter’s Carpet Bowls 7pm Littlebury Village Hall Fri 9th Prayer Cycle Sat 24th Ivy Pull 2pm Littlebury 9.30 Holy Trinity Churchyard Carpet Bowls 7pm Littlebury Village Hall Littlebury Lads Sat 10th Clueless at the Keys Sun 25th Holy Communion 7.30pm Holy Trinity Church 11am Holy Trinity Church

Sun 11th Mother’s Day café Church Mon 26th Brownies 9.45am Holy Trinity Church 6-7.30pm Village Hall Mon12th Brownies 6-7.30pm Village Tues 27th Little Berries Playgroup Hall 9.30-11.00am Village Hall Tues Little Berries Playgroup Wed 28th 13th 9.30-11.00am Village Hall Thur 29th Wed14th Littlebury Ladies 8pm Fri 30th Carpet Bowls 7pm Littlebury South House Village Hall Thur 15th Sat 31st Forthcoming Events 7th April – Jumble Sale 28 April - French Wining & Dining th 22nd April – Plant Sale 24 June – Church Fete

www.littlebury.org.uk For the Littlebury calendar and events visit the Littlebury website or ‘Littlebubble’ when you are on Facebook. Littlebury PC Report of the Parish Council meeting held on 21st February, 2018

Broadband Provision in the Parish: Discussions are moving forward with Openreach and Gigaclear and more positive information has been received. For further info please contact Mike Scott. Planning: UTT/17/3097/HHF – UTT/17/3098/LB Keepers Cottage, Catmere End UDC refused the proposed two storey extension to the side. Speedwatch: If anyone would like to volunteer for speedwatch, please contact the clerk or Philip Marns. Litter pick: The PC are organising a litter pick in Littlebury on 15th April. Please come to the Village Hall at 10.30 am for bacon rolls and to collect the litter picking equipment. The Bumpy: A working party will meet to look at the Bumpy in to discuss what work/conservation is required for the area. SW Youth Football: A donation of £200.00 was received from the club for the use of Littlebury Recreation Ground.

Parish Council Contact Numbers Jean Cowell (Chair) 01799 524072 Street Lighting Ann Farrer (Vice-Chair) 01799 528729 Speedwatch/Catmere End pond, Website/Communication Joanna Hancock 01799 520469 Philip Marns 01763 838562 Janet Menell 01763 838553 Jane Bradbury/United Charities Rep/ LB Grn Rec Michael O’Connor 01799 523016 LB Recreation Ground, Planning Michael Scott 07852688232 Bill Starr 01799 500286 01799 513625 Tracy Coston 01223 894462 Clerk E-mail:[email protected] The next Parish Council Meeting will be held on 21st March 2018 at 8 pm at Littlebury Village Hall, Littlebury. All welcome to attend.

Friends of Holy Trinity Littlebury

“Clueless at the Keys” An evening of ridiculous entertainment by COLIN SELL

(Radio 4’s much abused pianist on I’m sorry I haven’t a clue)

SATURDAY 10 MARCH 2018 at 7.30pm Village Hall Littlebury Tickets £12 From: Sue Amiss, 3 Kents Yard, Littlebury (01799 513869) [email protected] Tourist Information Centre, Market St,

Littlebury Village Hall

‘Now for something completely different’ well described the Littlebury Ceilidh – A Celebration of Burns Night which was recently held in the Village Hall. A glass of fizz awaited the guests as they arrived and soon the dancing commenced. University Ceilidh Band provided the superb music; the caller (who had exceptional patience) then set about getting the sets together; the fun started with everyone joining in - whether they knew the steps or not.

There was a pause in proceedings as John Broomfield ably addressed the haggis then after enjoying a traditional Scottish supper the dancing recommenced. Thank you to all who attended and danced their feet off and to the Village Hall Committee for making the evening such a success. To see a selection of photos from the evening please visit www.littleburyvillagehall.co.uk/news

Friends of Holy Trinity Church SPRING ‘IVY PULL’ and general churchyard clear up

Saturday 24 March 2018 from 2pm

ALL WELCOME to come, pull ivy together with a spring in your step [spring teas, scones & cakes and other spring delights to entice]

More info: Colin 510728 or Janice 521312

Jumble Sale

Saturday 7th April 2pm Littlebury Village Hall

In aid of Bowel Cancer UK and Strethall Church.

Jumble welcomed! Kathy 01799 526864 Lizzie 01799 521217 THE LITTLEBURY CHANTRY 1291-1548

The original idea of a chantry, which began in at the close of the 13th century, was the offering up of prayers for the souls of the founder and his family, the alleviations of their sufferings in Purgatory, and for other Christian souls. The chantry priest was always subordinate to the priest of the parish, and frequently helped him in his ministrations. Apart from his main duty, for which he received his stipend, he corresponded to the assistant curate of today; he was often also the village schoolmaster. In 1768 the historian Morant wrote ‘At a place called Chapel-Green, about 2 miles or more from the Church, formerly stood a Chapel. This Chapel-Green hath on it a few houses; and is about half a mile from Littlebury- Green...’

In 1900 Herbert Burrell was also curious, ‘At one time there was attached to it (Holy Trinity church) a chantry, of which there is now no trace. The existence of a chantry does not, however, of necessity, imply a structural addition to the church; for frequently it was founded at an existing altar, though it sometimes took the form of an independent building in the churchyard, or even at some distance from the parent building.’ Therefore there may have just been an endowment.

The ‘Free’ chapels were known as ‘Chapels-of-ease’, that is, since they were some distance from the parish church but closer to the hamlet, they were easier to attend. Burrell adds, ‘It is believed that there was a chantry at a hamlet called Chapel Green, where a chapel once stood. This was perhaps the chantry chapel, but it may equally well have been one of two chapels alluded to in reference to the Bishop’s house (thought to have been the Gatehouse).

‘In time however, at Littlebury the founder’s name became forgotten, though no such lapse of memory occurred as regards his benefaction. The returns of Henry VIII show that “lands and tenements had been given for the maintenance of the priest forever and that the said priest doth say divine service within the parish church” and in the returns of the next reign it is stated that the Chantry Commisssioners were unable to discover for what purpose the lands were put into feoffment (grant of ownership of freehold property), “for that we cannot see any foundation thereof.

‘It was however “supposed that the parishioners upon devotion did find the priest to serve the cure there”, a conjecture to the credit of the village indeed but one which the founder of pious memory would scarcely have approved (!)’

At Littlebury the parishioners out of their devotion had found a priest to help secure the cure. The stipend was then held by John Hollywell, whom Burrell goes on to describe as ‘a literate of good conversation, who had no other promotion and having none other provision, was then the incumbent of the chantry and received 20s annually from the rent of a garden plot called Clyffes. No goods, plate or chattels belonged to the chantry. But even this small and harmless stipend provided by the inhabitants of a poor parish to supply their own spiritual wants did not escape the rapacity of the council’. This was the Edward VI commission. Five stipendiary priests were issued to report on the chantries: Littlebury, Stanford Rivers, Dagenham, Ramsden Bellhouse and Great and Little Henry. King Edward VI signed a new Act in 1547, which ended the chantries and guild chapels, seizing their assets and Littlebury’s was one of these.

Great power from on high was used to deprive Littlebury of its priest and a priest’s income, thus ensuring that he could not easily be replaced.

Rev. H.J.E. Burrell, The Manor and Parish of Littlebury, Home Counties magazine, Vol II, 1900 (Burrell made the beautiful screen at Holy Trinity Church). Morant, History and Antiquities of Essex, 1768 Victoria County Gillian Williamson, The mediaeval church, Littlebury, a parish history Lizzie Sanders Local History Recorder, Littlebury GREAT CHESTERFORD & DISTRICT GARDENING SOCIETY

On a very chilly evening, the members of Chesterford & District Garden Society were warmed by the talk & photographs of Primroses given & shown by Joe Sharman of Monksilver Nursery. He explained the narrow area of the country where these plants grow well which luckily encompasses our neighbourhood, as well as the history of this genus of plants. Joe was a fine example of a plantsman who really came to life when talking about his plants! He also brought some beautiful Spring bulbs to sell.

Meetings are normally held at 8.00 pm on the first Wednesday of the month at Ickleton Village Hall. Further information: Mrs Pauline Gale 01799-525543 FORTHCOMING MEETINGS

Wednesday 7th March 2018 SPRING PARTY & QUIZ with a selection of Cheeses, Biscuits & Wine £3 entry (includes refreshments)

Wednesday 4th April 2018 AGM & PLANT SALE with Tea & Cake (Annual Subscription now due)

Littlebury Ladies ‘Living the High Life’ Anna Samways Air Hostess with British Airways

Wednesday 14th March 8pm – South House

Usual fee of £1.50 applies for this meeting

For our full year programme please go to www.littlebury.org.uk or find us on facebook at www.facebook.com/LittleburyLadies To join our google group please email [email protected] CRIME PREVENTION Theft from Motor Vehicles

Cars and vans are frequently broken into, particularly vehicles which are insecure. Number plates are also a common target; consider thief resistant number plates or anti-theft fixings but speak to your car dealer first as some may affect your warranty. You might also like to register your property on www.immobilise.com this is completely free service. Below are a few tips that may prevent you from becoming a victim:

 DON’T tempt thieves by leaving any items on display.  DO CLEAN THE SAT NAV RING off the windscreen.  DO TURN BLUETOOTH OFF anything left in the car – it can be detected when on.  DO lock your vehicle at all times, even when parked on your driveway or when carrying out any work.  DO consider fitting additional locks on van doors  DO PARK REAR DOORS ON VANS up against garage doors or other to prevent access.  DO NOT just press the button on your fob to lock it – Look at your car to see the lights flash etc to confirm locking; someone may be nearby with a “remote blocker” and stop your car from locking.  If you don’t have an alarm consider fitting one.  DO try to park in a secure, well-lit area where possible, consider CCTV on your driveway. Try to use a “Parkmark” approved car park www.parkmark.co.uk The following items should never be left in your vehicle:

 Satellite navigation  Electrical items  MP3 systems  Jewellery  Mobile phones  Power tools and work  Laptops equipment  Wallets/ purses/ credit and  Vehicle registration debit cards documents  Cash/ cheque book

If you see a crime being committed dial 999, if you know who is committing crime dial 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Get advice before jumping to Universal Credit

If you are receiving income based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Working tax credit, Child tax credit or Housing Benefit and your circumstances haven’t changed - please wait for the DWP to contact you to move you on to Universal Credit. If you are thinking of applying independently, consider the following words of warning:

1) After you start the application for Universal Credit you cannot revert back to your current benefits (for some people this will mean a drop in income and will certainly involve a delay between the end of the legacy payment and the start of the Universal Credit payment). 2) As someone ‘choosing to migrate’ you will not have access to any potential transitional protection (to help you manage a possible reduction in benefit) 3) The Department of Works and Pension will move you on to Universal Credit between 2019 and March 2022 anyway - so why the rush??

If you have a change in circumstances, for example because you are working more or less hours or move in with someone, you may trigger a claim for Universal Credit – this is unavoidable. If this happens you will also lose your right to transitional protection. For more detail about the circumstances that might trigger a move to Universal Credit please go to https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/changes_that_trigger_Universal_Credit

IMPORTANT: Universal Credit does not include help with your Council Tax. You must claim Council Tax Support separately, from your local council.

For free, confidential and impartial advice about Universal Credit, please call Uttlesford Citizens Advice on 01799 618840 or alternatively speak to the Benefits Department of Uttlesford District Council on 01799 510 510. Audley End WI

Have you ever wondered what that helicopter is doing – flying so low near those houses or road? Come along on March 15th and hear about the fantastic work carried by Essex & Herts Air Ambulance as they work to help seriously ill and injured people

If you are not already a member why not come along and join us for an exciting evening among like-minded ladies? Visitors are always welcome and refreshments are served. There is a charge of £3.00 per visit for non- members.

Our Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month in Wendens Ambo Village Hall starting 7:45 for 8:00 pm. For more information about Audley End WI please phone Isobel on 01799 540806 or Jane on 01799 521290 or e-mail us on - [email protected]

THE HUNDRED PARISHES SOCIETY www.hundredparishes.org.uk

Probably the earliest European windmill was a post mill. This had one large upright post on which the main body of the mill balanced. The whole mill rotated on this post to face the wind.

Next came the tower mill with a masonry body on which only the cap rotated. This allowed the main structure to be larger and taller.

The smock mill came later and here the brick tower was replaced by a sloping, weather-boarded tower or “smock”. Again, only the cap rotated.

We have some fine examples of windmills in , most of which are carefully looked after by dedicated volunteers.

Great Chishill’s windmill is an open trestle post mill; it was built in 1819 using timbers from an earlier mill. A very successful “sponsor a board” campaign by the Great Chishill Windmill Trust has raised much money to help conserve the mill.

Ashdon has a post mill built in 1757 by a carpenter, William Haylock. The mill ceased working in 1912. The mill was gifted to the village in 2000 and registered in the name of Ashdon Windmill Trust Ltd, a registered charity.

Another post mill can be seen in Finchingfield. This has a single storey round house and was built in the mid-18th century.

In my village of Stansted Mountfitchet stands a Grade II* five-storey tower mill built in 1787 by Joseph Lindsell. It is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

I have mentioned only a few of the windmills that can be seen in The Hundred Parishes. There are others at Thaxted, Great Bardfield and Aythorpe Roding, plus more that no longer have sails. Several mills open to the public from Easter. Open days can be found on the What’s On page of the Society’s website at www.hundredparishes.org.uk.

Ken McDonald, Secretary Nature Notes: March

I have recently been advised by a reader that a little egret has been seen in Littlebury. In recent years one has been seen in Wendens Ambo near the motorway. The egret is a good example of how wildlife responds to changing conditions.

In Victorian times, there was a mania for using feathers, wings, tails, even whole bodies of dead birds, to decorate hats. For some unfathomable reason it was de rigeur to have this and, the rarer, the better. As a result, prices rocketed and many birds were killed and wiped out in large areas. Egrets were seriously reduced in both numbers and distribution. Fortunately fashion changed and attitudes to wildlife improved, allowing recovery, though this was hindered by habitat destruction.

Modern conservation includes habitat restoration, creating safe havens to which species may return and spread into adjacent areas. Climate change also plays a part: warmer conditions drive cold lovers north, and species from warm climates can expand northwards. Natural ecosystems are dynamic. As one species discovers a new trick for surviving, its number s increase, and those unable to change decline. Generally speaking, changes at species level are fairly rapid and those at ecosystem level much slower. There is evidence that cities are causing some birds to change when compared to their country cousins. Beaks are getting longer, possibly due to bird feeders: longer beaks more food. This causes the sound spectrum of song to change. City noises make certain frequencies less audible, so birds change note to be better heard, whilst the extra warmth reduces winter mortality. City lights allow more time to find food. In time city and country birds may cease interbreeding as they no longer 'speak the same language'.

It is also of interest to note that a second location for the earth star puffball has been found in Wendens Ambo. It is highly likely that they are quite widespread in the parish but simply overlooked. Keep your eyes open. They are almost unbelievable (see photo above). Nick Dove Holy Trinity Church, Littlebury

From the Church Registers 9 Feb Funeral and Burial Sylvia Agnes Braybooke (91) Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection and I am the Life, he who believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die” Church Flowers It is customary not to decorate the church with flowers in Lent. Church Cleaning March Camilla Lethbridge

Easter Lilies If anyone would like to donate money for Easter lilies in memory of a loved one, please contact either Jane Appleby on 523066 [email protected] or Janice Rust 521312 [email protected]

Next Cam Churches Together Service 8 April 10am at Gt Chesterford

Littlebury Parish Prayer Cycle Fridays @ 9.30am A short informal service of morning prayer with readings and set prayers to which everyone is welcome, and following which coffee is available. 9th March Holy Trinity, Littlebury 23rd March St. Peter’s, Littlebury Green

Prayer for Littlebury The group will next meet on 11 April. If you have someone or something you would like us to pray for, please contact Judy Andrew - 527877 : [email protected] Mothering Sunday Café Church

11th March (not the first Sunday this month) Come along and learn how Moses’ mother tried to keep him safe by hiding him in a basket among the reeds at the edge of the River Nile. Make a baby Moses in a floating basket, craft some bulrushes, reeds and Egyptian headgear. But most importantly gather together spring flowers and foliage into a pretty posy to give to someone who cares for you.

Breakfast from 9.45am, activities from 10am. Suitable for all ages, babies to seniors. Everyone welcome. For more information con- tact Louise Johnson: [email protected], 01799 522999 Holy Trinity Church, Littlebury

SPOTLIGHT ON HOLY TRINITY LITTLEBURY

We’d like to hear views and ideas from the community about the church for the future and also to say thank you to everyone who supports our church in Littlebury by attending events, keep- ing it spick, span and open daily, arranging flowers, ringing bells, baking, etc. etc. Paul, Camilla, Janice, Claire, Jayne, Colin, Shirley, Judy and Sadie (the PCC) send an open invitation to all in the community to pop in to the church for a Drink and Nibbles on Wednesday, 21st March from 7pm to 9pm Calling all Gardeners...

We will be holding our very popular and successful Plant & Book Sale again on Sunday 22nd April and it is never too early to start think- ing about plants to sell! If you are clearing or rearranging your flower- beds, taking cuttings or growing from seed, please think of us, and pot up your spare plants to donate.

More details next month.

Thank you! Holy Trinity Church, Littlebury

Pop Up Coffee Shop

Wot no Pop Up Coffee Shop in March, however...... Do join us in the church for drinks and nibbles on Wednesday 21st March from 7 - 9.00 pm

Next Pop Up Coffee Shop Tuesday 10th April

Holy Trinity Church, Littlebury Everyone Welcome Revd. Tim Hardingham , Steading, West End, Wendens Ambo. 01799 542874

Dear Parishioners, We are now in the season of Lent. Our culture has picked up on the Christian idea that Lent is a season for “giving up” on something that is an indulgence. Principally the 40 day season is a preparation for Easter. What does Easter mean these days? We have imported Easter Bunnies from America; we have adopted Easter Eggs from ancient pagan fertility festivals. It is a time for visiting garden centres, getting out into our gardens and taking holidays. The Christian tradition has always used an annual cycle of festivals to order our spiritual lives, to impose a structure on our prayer and our meditation. Easter is the most important of these festivals. What does Easter mean for Christians? Why on earth should the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus be at the centre of so many millions of people’s lives? Fundamentally it is a way of looking at what it means to be human. It is a radical rebuke to the ways of a world which sees life in a very individualistic way and relationships in a selfish transactional way. On Ash Wednesday we remind ourselves that “we are but dust and to dust we shall return”… we are simply made of the ordinary matter of the universe. We are subject to the vagaries of a random and, often cruel, fate. We have no right to be comfortable or safe, prosperous or happy. We cannot expect to be in control of what happens. But there is one thing alone that redeems us from the bleakness of that idea and it is love. Jesus, just before he died, said… “no-one has greater love than this, to give up one’s life for one's friends”. He accepts the cruelty of his fate and is tortured and READINGS Year B executed, but he will not give up loving his friends: he is there for them. After 4th March Lent 3 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 his death, they discovered that he is still there for them; his love never ends. John 2:13-22 He gave up his life for us, without any thought for what he might get from it. 11th March Mothering 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 He gave himself up entirely and only because of the quality of his love. Sunday Luke 2:33-35 The story of Easter says that we, ordinary human beings with our built in 18th March Lent 5 Hebrews 5:5-10 selfishness, can echo the kind of love that Jesus modelled. This love working in John 12:20-33 the world rescues it from its bleak pointlessness. It becomes possible to hope, 25th March Palm Sunday Philippians 2:5-11 Mark 11:1-11 hope that things in the world can get better for everyone: the poor can be fed, Passion Sunday Mark 14:1-end of 15 and the oppressed can be set free. And that because of love we are more than 1st April Easter Day 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 just dust, that there is a quality of the eternal about our lives and our loving. Mark 16:1-8

With love from Tim