Memories of a Lifetime in Berkhamsted
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Your Berkhamsted editorial From the Editor July 2012 The Parish Magazine of Contents St Peter's Great Berkhamsted Leader by Richard Hackworth 3 Welcome to the July issue of Your Around the town 5 Berkhamsted. Read all about us 7 The weather may still not be what we’d like for summer but in true British spirit it Back to the outdoors 9 doesn’t stop us celebrating. The jubilee weekend may have had us all reaching for The Black Ditch, the dungeon the umbrellas but the cloud did break at and the parachute 12 times for the High Street party and it was a beautiful evening for the celebrations later Sport—cricket 14 at Ashlyns School and the many street parties around town. At Ashlyns it was Christians against poverty 15 encouraging to see so many people come together from the community, picnic Hospice News 16 blankets in tow, just relaxing, chatting and enjoying being part of such a lovely town. Parish news 18 On the subject of celebrations, the Berkhamsted Games 2012 take place this Summer garden 20 month on 5th July, not forgetting of course the 2012 Olympics, and our own magazine Memories of a lifetime in is 140 years old! So, more reasons to keep Berkhamsted 23 that union jack bunting flying and carry on regardless of the great British weather. Chilterns Dog Rescue 27 To celebrate our anniversary we have two Recipe 28 articles by Dan Parry: one looking back at Berkhamsted in 1872 and another where The Last Word 31 he chats to a long-term Berkhamsted resident Joan Pheby, born in 1924, about front cover. There’s a competition on her memories of the town. We have news page 31 for the person who guesses the from the Hospice of St Francis, Bruce most correct answers and the winner will Nixon takes us around his beautiful receive a set lunch for two people at summer garden and there is a lovely Berkhamsted’s newest restaurant summer recipe using seasonal fruits. Bluebella Roo’s. So, have a go and see how well you know your town! Finally, I hope you enjoy guessing the whereabouts of the local landmarks on the Helen Dowley, Editor 2 Leader Your Berkhamsted Leader by Richard Hackworth to be dropped after the 1900 Olympics. Depending upon your Live pigeon shooting was last contested in interest in sporting 1900 (the Gold medal went to Belgium; matters you are likely to 300 pigeons were shot) as were the either be experiencing Equestrian Long jump, cricket and the Olympic overload or obstacle swimming race. However, the enjoying a surfeit of all Duelling Pistol competition continued things Olympian. I fear I am in the former until 1906 when it too died out – hardly camp, although I shall be going to some surprising really. Even more bizarre was events. The only competitive sport I have the ‘100m Freestyle for Sailors’ last played these last few years is croquet and contested at the 1896 Athens Olympics. that is not on the Olympic agenda. But, it Entry was restricted to sailors in the was once. I missed my opportunity for Greek Royal Navy, but I suppose it sporting glory by 112 years because boosted the host nation’s medal table. croquet was last contested at the 1900 Perhaps the British Olympic Association Paris Olympics. The French excelled (it’s should have thought of this. Olympic a French word after all). The Games were cheese rolling perhaps or Olympic Bog organised to run for over five months Snorkelling. We could show the world. from 20th May until 28th October and, Back to croquet. The 2011 Croquet World unsurprisingly, relatively few spectators Championships were held in London and I came. There was only one paying went to watch. I think I was the only spectator for the croquet. Olympic spectator there too, and I didn’t have to participation was admirably open pay. I was prepared to be interviewed by however, compared with the tightly Sue Barker as a representative spectator, controlled sporting regime today. The but sadly it wasn’t her day. Another Dutch crew in the 1900 coxed pairs were missed sporting opportunity. Brilliant missing a cox for the final, and enlisted croquet though (ever seen a croquet ball the services of a by-standing French lad at hit right across a green, or hit over another the last moment. They won the gold. The ball, and still go through the hoop?). boy was at most 10 years old and he disappeared without trace immediately the We all sincerely, passionately even, want race was over. He is the youngest the 2012 Olympics to be a total thumping Olympic Gold medal winner ever, and we success, wholly entertaining and thrilling have no idea who he was. A French for everyone involved. But I shall miss the cyclist, M. Vasserot, joined in a cycle croquet and all those other sports that race. When he was tracked down in 1965 don’t require muscle rippling athleticism, he admitted he had no idea he was in an and I shall wonder quietly to myself what Olympic race – just saw a bunch of guys feats of strength or speed I might be able out for a ride and joined in. to train my body to do, if only I had a second chance. Croquet is not the only honourable sport yB 3 4 Local news Around the town Oxfam at Home Sue Hampton, Berkhamsted author was Charity begins at home, they say, but that runner-up in The People's Book Prize is probably not what springs to mind 2011-2012 with her novel TRACES. At when Oxfam is mentioned. But the the awards ceremony on May 30th at charity works wherever there is need and Stationers' Hall near St. Paul's Cathedral, that includes the UK. Sue was called up to the podium as one of Although the programme is small, it is the top three in the children's category but effective. Working through partners such the book with the most votes was a picture as Fairbridge in Wales, part of the book for pre-school. Sue hopes that as a Prince’s Trust, which teaches result of the competition, in which she had disadvantaged young people lifeskills like enormous support from young readers and cooking and budgeting, and the Tea in the schools across the country, more children, Pot Women’s Drop-In Centre in Glasgow, teenagers and adults will enjoy TRACES. Oxfam has helped over 10,000 people in See www.suehamptonauthor.co.uk. the UK in the last year. B Smart Dry Cleaners of Berkhamsted Charity may begin at home but it cannot held a Diamond Jubilee Celebration raffle begin at all without volunteers and Oxfam to raise funds for PHAKAMISA, a is in urgent need of volunteers for both its registered charity here in the UK which shops in Berkhamsted, especially at supports AIDS orphans in South Africa weekends. There are numerous jobs to be and is a ministry of the Pinetown done and hours are flexible so please call Methodist Church in Kwa-Zulu Natal, in for an application form. South Africa. The winner was Mr Todd of Christian Aid Berkhamsted. Many thanks to all B Smart Thank you to everyone who supported customers who supported the raffle; a very Christian Aid Week. £5,767.00 was raised generous amount of £151.50 was raised. in Berkhamsted and Northchurch, every £1 will support one child for a whole penny helping some of the world's poorest month and make a huge difference to his/ communities out of poverty. her life. Events presented by the Cowper Two Oaks Pony Sanctuary of Darrs Society at St Peter’s Church Lane, Northchurch will be celebrating Berkhamsted. Saturday 14th July at their first anniversary with an Open Day 12:30pm: CONCERT – Singing on Saturday 18th August from 12 noon – Workshops Groups’ Charity Concert 4pm. Admission 20p. Activities include directed by Yvonne Brener. Free Entry. tombola, raffle, and auction, along with an Retiring collection in aid of Help for arts and crafts and plant stall. Other events Heroes. include an owl display, pony rides, dog Saturday 28th July at 2:00pm: RECITAL show, pet corner and baby animals plus – Songs of Personal Devotion, Terence refreshments. Charlston clavichord, Norbeit Mein tenor For information on lessons, sponsorship with a short recital of music by J. S. Bach, and pony parties please contact: Carol at C.P.E. Bach and Haydn in the Lady Two Oaks Pony Sanctuary, Darrs Lane, Chapel. Entry: £10 (members of the Northchurch HP4 3RT or email British Clavichord Society £8), Students [email protected]. yB £5, under 18s free. 5 http://www.blairelectrical.com PETER D HANNABY Painter and Decorator Interior and exterior work undertaken. For competitive quotations please call: mbl: 07765 250092 home: 01442 288956 Wi l l Ki m b e r l e y Berkhamsted Berkhamsted Carpet Cleaning Oven Cleaning 01442 255784 Ltd Ltd carpets complete valet service for Gras s c utting oriental rugs all ovens, hobs Hedge trimming upholstery and extractors Patios cleaned x residential & commercial Gutters cleared x professional x good value x professional x good value x fully insured x fully insured All cuttings and clippings removed David Green David Green References available 01442 876622 01442 876622 0788 405 8795 0788 405 8795 Why not phone PO Box 903 Berkhamsted PO Box 903 Berkhamsted Herts HP4 3ZQ for a quote? Herts HP4 3ZQ www.berkhamstedovencleaning.co.uk www.berkhamstedcarpetcleaning.co.uk www.berkhamstedcarpetcleaning.co.uk 6 Berkhamsted in the news Read all about us! Julian Dawson looks at varied and surprising references to our town in the media By the time you read this the Jubilee will opinion that celebrity footballers moving be but a distant memory and we will be into the neighbourhood has a direct more atune to Olympian endeavours.