From the Vicar Revd Anne Donaldson

Firstly, a big ‘thank you’ to all those who organised events over the Diamond Jubilee. So many people had a really great time – even on the Sunday, as people played football in the rain after their picnic!! It makes such a difference to celebrate things together – thank you for making that possible. And thank you to all those who turned up to those events and made it such fun. There were hundreds at the Beacons – and I am told that people behaved beautifully and took all their rubbish home with them, making it so much easier for those who had to return the sites to their previous state. That was great to hear. Summer is here (?) Hopefully there will be other opportunities to enjoy ‘get togethers’ of one sort or another. God made us sociable people. And the Psychologists tell us that we are happier when we are not alone – they say it will be good for us to work into older age, if it is not a physically demanding job, as it means we will have company! Jesus had the 12 disciples around Him – and sent them out in 2s to practice what they had been learning. We see Him in the Gospels enjoying wedding receptions and dinners. It’s good to socialise, to work together in teams, following His example and the advice of the psychologists. So lets find more opportunities to get together. There will be the Olympic things: the torch being brought back to the Club in Stanstead Abbots with lots of things going on too; watch the opening ceremony in the Wilshere Hall, get together to watch the events…Then there are the school summer fairs, BBQs, visiting family and friends in the school holidays, and holiday outings…… God has designed us to be together, in families, friendships, couples – and has given us His love to share with each other: a deeper and stronger love than our own. Summer is a good time to enjoy company. Have a great summer! Anne Please note Revd Anne’s day off is Tuesday. Revd Don’s day off is Friday. The Administrator works on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9.15am until 2pm.

A Big Thank you Bryan Brace would like to say a big thank you to St Margaret’s Church members for the welcome and catering, also to everyone else for their support at a really lovely Confirmation evening on 13th June 2012. Church News

Lunches for Charities: Thursday 5th July for UK Sport, Thursday 2nd August for Japanese Tsunami through OMF and 6th September for Herts Air Ambulance. Come and join us – everyone, of all ages, is welcome to these free lunches at 1pm in the Wilshere Hall, Cappell Lane, Stanstead Abbots. The lunches are followed by Holy Communion at 2.15pm. Some come for that only, some go after lunch, and some stay for both!! The lunch in June raised £62 for Isabel Hospice.

September Parishes Magazine Items for the next edition should preferably be emailed to [email protected] or left at the Vicarage by 13th August 2012 at the latest please. Copy can also be given to Lynne Heraud.

Transport to Church. If you would like a lift to church please phone one of the Churchwardens (see back cover of this magazine).

From our Registers

We celebrated the Marriage of Andrew Read and Emma Carter 31st May (St Margaret’s) Gavin Turner and Elizabeth Kent 16th June (St John the Baptist)

We Welcomed Jenson and Skye Hollingsworth 24th June (St Margaret’s)

We offer our condolences to the families and friends of Joan Ward Menorca 6th June (St John the Baptist) Don Fibbens ex Millers’ Lane 15th June (St Andrew’s)

St Andrew’s church is praying for all in:- Woodcroft Avenue – week beginning 1st July Trotters Gap – week beginning 8th July Chapelfields – week beginning 15th July Abbotts Rise, Abbotts Way, Mill Race – week beginning 22nd July Cappell Lane – week beginning 29th July Hollycross Lane, Easneye and All Nations – week beginning 5th August Maltings and other local work places – week beginning 12th August Pre-school groups – week beginning 19th August St Andrew’s school - week beginning 26th August

Lunches for Charities

5th July for UK Sport UK Sport has a well-established International Development assistance programme that is recognised worldwide. UK Sport is the lead delivery agency for International Inspiration. The project aims to deliver on the promise made by the London 2012 bid team to ‘reach young people all around the world and connect them to the inspirational power of the Games so they are inspired to choose sport.’ International Inspiration and its Ambassadors use the power of sport to enrich the lives of millions of children and young people of all abilities, in schools and communities across the world, particularly in developing countries.

2nd August for the Japanese Tsunami through OMF To a large extent, the initial relief phase following the earthquake and tsunami is over. Lifelines to the disaster- stricken areas in Tohoku are now well established and

supplies (food, clothing, blankets, etc) are readily available. However, tens of thousands remain in evacuation shelters. Therefore, the challenge now is recovery. This will be a much longer and more complex process, but assisting with this also offers unique opportunities to get alongside people, build relationships, and model Christ’s love. The situation at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant, which was critically damaged in the tsunami is now under control and fears of further widespread release of large amounts of radiation have reduced. However it now appears that the situation in the week following the tsunami was much worse than originally thought (or reported). Therefore concerns about radiation in and around Tokyo and fears that worse news will be revealed continue in the hearts of many Japanese. In addition, it is becoming increasingly apparent that those evacuated from the 20km exclusion zone are unlikely to be able to return to their homes to live for years, if not decades. OMF workers in Sendai and Aomori are involved in local relief work and OMF is looking to extend its operations to assist with recovery work and share the love of Christ in Iwate Prefecture. OMF is also working with CRASH (Christian Relief Assistance Support and Hope - crashjapan.com) a local, inter-Mission relief organization that is seeking to establish bases in the disaster area where volunteers can be brought in to assist with the recovery

Design your own Olympic Torch, and parade it!

With the ‘real’ Olympic Torch travelling through Ware and on Saturday 7th July, we have our own local Torch procession on Saturday 14th July. Make your own torch and parade it along the High Street in . Meet at St Andrew’s church at 10.30am and process to St Margaret’s, where torches will be judged by Mayor Phyllis Ballam and prizes given. Then process on to St John the Baptist, Great Amwell. For further information contact the Vicarage on 01290 870115.

Don’t watch the Olympics Opening Ceremony on your own

Such occasions are so much better shared, so following on from the positive response received on the viewing of the St Paul’s Cathedral Diamond Jubilee Service, the Olympics Opening Ceremony will be televised in St Andrew’s church on Friday 27th July at 8.00pm , with wine and refreshments to celebrate with the rest of the country. No need to book – as with all church events it is open to all and everyone is extremely welcome.

St Andrew’s C of E VC Primary School

SUMMER FETE

Friday 6th July

5.30pm– 8.30pm

Hook a Duck # Face Painting # Tombola Beat the Goalie # Bouncy Castle # BBQ Lucky envelopes and much more

EVERYONE WELCOME

3 Churches Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbotts The church looked wonderful – everyone said so!! Beautiful flowers, plenty of visitors, tea, coffee and cakes. What a celebratory weekend. Thankyou to everyone who contributed, helped with or sponsored displays. Many thanks to:- French & Jupps, Stanstead Abbotts Village Club and Lynne Griffiths for sponsoring displays. To Lily the Pink for supplying such beautiful flowers and her floral display, Stansteadbury (Anne Saunton), Evergreen Club, Stanstead Abbotts Brownies, St Andrew’s school, Rachel Melrose and Stanstead Abbotts Parish Council and thanks to all stewards, cake makers and tea servers! Also to Janet Dance for her excellent display on the Crown jewels and David Hopkinson for his excellent art work. We thoroughly enjoyed watching the service from St Paul’s on the big screen in church. A good number came and we felt part of the service as we joined in with the hymns and prayers. St Margaret’s Church A big THANKYOU to everyone who took part in and helped at the St Margaret’s Parish Church Jubilee Flower Festival. The church was open on three days for visitors to see the beautiful flowers arranged by members of the church, the Saturday Club, the Women’s Club Choir, Amwell View School, Cranbourne Primary School and St John the Baptist C.E. V.A. Primary School. The flowers were arranged to depict events and important themes of our Queen’s 60 year reign. Delicious refreshments were always available and enhanced the community spirit of the occasion. On the Saturday evening a small string orchestra entertained visitors with a programme of English music. This Diamond Jubilee will be remembered for a long time! St John the Baptist, Great Amwell Red, white and blue was the theme at St. John's for the Diamond Jubilee 'weekend'. Beautiful flower displays, including a wonderful crown of flowers over the porch and a window with artefacts from past jubilee celebrations, enchanted the many visitors to the church, as well as the regulars, all of whom enjoyed some delicious refreshments, during the three days of opening. The highlight was the wine and cheese evening, with red Leicester, white Lancashire and blue Stilton cheeses, followed by red, white and blue jellies and a Union-Jack cake: In conclusion, like the 'last night at the proms', a packed church resounded to the singing of rousing and inspiring patriotic songs, accompanied by the organ - a celebration enjoyed by all. Appreciative thanks to organiser Ann Hardy, her excellent team of flower arrangers and Jill Hall, as well as cooks, servers and many other helpers. The Olympic Torch comes to Stanstead Abbotts Village Club

On saturday7July the Olympic torch will arrive at the club between 1pm and 2pm after its journey through Hertford and Ware, then the torch will be carried by Julie Smart; the 7th of July is also her birthday!. There will be the opportunity to have photographs taken with the torch and there will be children's entertainment all afternoon, as well as music and refreshments ( all outside weather permitting).

Help for Heroes Charity Funday Event at St Margaretsbury Cricket Club on Saturday 12 th August, gates open at 12 noon

Fun-filled day of entertainment with bouncy castle, music games, stalls and much more…. For further information contact organisers Victoria Kendell & Victoria Savage on 07852806460

St Margarets’ Restoration Committee Summer Concert and Cream Tea

on Sunday 15th July at 4pm

Tickets £5 and includes a cream tea from Ruth (01992 462151) or Jennifer (01992 469503)

St John the Baptist, Great Amwell Thursday opening with refreshments

2.00pm – 4.00pm

Come and look around, have a chat over tea at the back, or sit and have a time of peace and quiet at the front URGENT: To continue we will require further help, if you are available to assist please contact Julia Brace on 01992 447845

Summer Fete at St John the Baptist School, Great Amwell Saturday, 14th July, 12noon - 3pm “Traditional games such as Welly Throwing, Hook-a-Duck, Coconut Shy to name a few, raffle, tombola, face painting, cakes, other refreshments and much much more…” EVERYONE VERY WELCOME

Home and Teaching Groups on alternate weeks The Tuesday Home Group led by Elizabeth Goldsmith at 7.30pm in the Wilshere Hall will stop for the summer on 17th July and restart on 4th September on every other Tuesday and Revd Dr Don Alcock hosts the Teaching Group on ‘Christian Spiritual Authenticity’ on alternate weeks to her. The last Teaching Group session before the summer is on:- July 10th entitled "Practice the Life Habits Jesus Practiced" The group will resume again in September. Please look out for the date in the next edition of the magazine. Everyone is welcome to attend either some or all sessions as you wish.

St James Church, Open Sundays St James Church (Roydon Rd) will be open for visitors on Sunday afternoons from 2.30pm to 5.00pm , during June, July, August and September. Come and look round this beautiful historic church,

Men’s breakfasts Revd Don Alcock runs a men’s breakfast on the 1st Saturday of every month, 8.00am – 9.30am in Wilshere Hall. The breakfast in July will be ‘Cain and Abel’ and in August ‘Elijah’. All men are welcome – of any church or none. Please let Don know if you think you might be there – for catering, as he cooks it!!! 01920 870700.

St John’s Church, Great Amwell Sunday Afternoon Teas 3pm – 5pm ~ until 30th September

Home Group in Great Amwell Revd Don Alcock leads a Home Group in Great Amwell. They next meet on 9th July and on 23rd July from 8.00pm at 53, Furlong Way, Great Amwell. The group will then stop for the summer; resuming again on 10th September . For further information please contact Don Alcock on 01920 870700.

In aid of Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust ~ Saving the past for the future

Saturday 8th September 2012 - 10am to 6pm

 Have fun Cycling or Walking  Help save your local heritage  Raise funds for your church or chapel  Over 600 churches and chapels to visit!

Raise money for the repair of your local church or chapel by getting sponsorship for cycling or walking between churches in Bedfordshire and . Anyone can take part and there is a choice of open churches and chapels for you to visit. The event in 2011 raised nearly £103,000.

For more information please contact: Mrs Joan Trower on 01279 793205 Mrs Ruth Swallow on 01992 462151 Mr Seth Adams on 01920 870861 Or the website: [email protected] It’s a great day out - why not put the date in your diary now and see how many of your friends you can get to join you on the day. Remember, half the sponsorship money you raise will be returned to the church of your choice and the other half (plus gift aid) used by the Trust to support restoration or repair work to churches anywhere in Beds and Herts.

Contact Kathryn Camilleri for Village in Bloom - 01920 872461 [email protected]

Contact Gini Trower for Play- ground Phase 2 - 01279 793171 [email protected]

We do hope you are enjoying the lovely floral displays throughout the village. We would like to say a big “thank you” to anyone that has helped in any way so far! BUT our work doesn’t stop once the judges have visited. We URGENTLY need volunteers all year round to help us. No gardening experience is necessary, just the passion to improve the quality of the environment in the village that you live in. We need Weeders*Planters*Cleaners*Designers*Organisers*Sponsors*Tidiers

Regular events in the three churches:

TICTACs ( Year 7+ students): weekly in term time Wednesdays at 6.00pm in the Wilshere Hall Upper Room. Phone 01920 870115 Prayer Meeting: Tuesday mornings 9.30am – phone 01920 870580 Tuesday Homegroup : alternate weeks 7.30pm. phone 01920 422065 Tuesday Teaching Group : fortnightly. 7.30pm – phone 01920 870700 Alpha course : enquiries – 01920 870115 or 01920 870700 Crèche: available every Sunday 10.15am service at St. Andrew’s in the tower area – toys and books are at the back of St John’s and St Margarets’ Challengers (for Primary children): every Sunday 10.15am at St. Andrew’s (except when All Ages worship together) Sunday School : (see Diary pages) at St Margarets’ every Sunday, 10.30am on 1 st and 3 rd Sundays, 11.00am on 2 nd Sunday (Family Service 10.30am on 4 th Sunday) St. John the Baptist Bellringers: Thursdays 7.30-9pm St. Andrew’s Music Group: two Thursdays each month, 7.30pm in Church St. John the Baptist Choir Practice : Saturdays 10.00am in Church St. Margarets’ Church : coffee every Saturday 10.30am – 12.30pm Evergreen Club of the Three Villages

We have been so very busy in June – despite the rain we had a most enjoyable trip to , passing through Ashridge where we saw very wet, but beautiful bluebells, and a herd of deer in the park. The Tring WI provided an excellent lunch. The Stanstead Abbotts Local History Society ran a Tea Dance on Tuesday 5th and several of our members enjoyed the afternoon. Mrs Patmore and Mrs Spark created a magnificent floral display to celebrate the Jubilee on a very wide window space in St.Andrew’s Church. Well done, ladies. See our Scrap Book for a photograph! Clacton – beware, we are on our way on Monday 16th. We are leaving at 10am and if you would like to see the seaside, book your place with Margaret Peterkin, 01920 870626. Rosemary Imroth

Craner Soft Fruit Farm, Broadley Common, Essex

We are now picking strawberries, raspberries, red and blackcurrants broad beans and blackberries. From August plums and apples are ready picked for you, subject to availability. Last entries 30 minutes before closing each day WE ARE OPEN EVERY DAY Monday – Saturday 9.30am to 4.30pm # Sundays 9.30am to 1.30pm READY PICKED FRUIT IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE Recorded message : 01992 892862 Orders/Enquiries : 07808859001

STANSTEAD ST MAMARGARETSRGARETS PARISH COUNCIL CONTACT LIST --- June 2012 Nigel Copping Paul Lacey Sanville 8 Swift Close 42 Hoddesdon Road St Margarets St Margarets SG12 8TZ SG12 8EQ [email protected]

Dulcie Fordham Catherine Colhoun 3 Heron Drive Springle House St Margarets Springle Lane SG12 8TU Hailey SG13 7NZ [email protected] [email protected]

Mary Hallett David Willson 13 Kingfisher Close 48 Sanville Gardens St Margarets St Margarets SG12 8LQ SG12 8GA [email protected] [email protected] Barbara Lacey (Clerk) see Paul Lacey 01920 877739 (evening) [email protected]

WANTED PARISH COUNCILLOR for STANSTEAD ST MARGARET’S If you live in the Parish of Stanstead St Margaret’s and are interested in your local community, your help is needed: Parish (probably the smallest parish in this area), lies between Great Amwell and Stanstead Abbotts . The Parish council are looking for a new councillor, who would be willing to spend a couple of hours per month to deal with local issues. If you are interested and would like to know more, contact the Parish Clerk:- Barbara Lacey 01920 877739 after 6.30pm Monday to Friday

Welcome Packs We provide a pack to welcome people into the Villages. It has information about bin days, doctors, children’s activities If you see someone has moved in near you, please ask the Vicarage for a pack for you to give to them. (They are kept at the Vicarage as we try to keep them up to date) St Margaret’s Churchyard Maintenance

Each year we ask for 40 sponsors to give £25 each to help with the upkeep of St Margaret’s churchyard. The sponsorship money is put into a restricted account that is only to be used for that purpose. I hope you will agree that the churchyard looks smart, well cared for and loved. The grass is cut on a regular basis and small jobs are attended to. We employ a handyman to do the extra jobs that need to be done. If you want more information, please contact Maureen Harwood on 01992 460250 or speak to the churchwardens. Cheques should be made payable to GA with StM PCC (3) . If you pay tax, the £25 cheque/cash can be placed in a gift aid envelope (available at the back of the church), so that we can reclaim the tax from the Government.

ALMSHOUSE VACANCY in STANSTEAD ABBOTTS

The Trustees of the Baesh Almshouse Trust invite retired single ladies in need of accommodation to apply for a vacancy in the Almshouses, which they administer. They are situated at the foot of Cats Hill in Roydon Road. The three Almshouses comprise a sitting room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Applicants must be of good character and modest means and have lived in the Parishes of Stanstead Abbotts, St Margarets, Gt Amwell, , Wareside or Widford. If there are no suitable applicants, consideration may be given to married couples of which one person in the couple fulfils the above-mentioned requirements. Please contact the Clerk to the Trustees for an application form: Mrs J. Spencer 01920 871110 - Closing date for applications 31st July 2012.

Card making classes throughout the summer

In the Wilshere Hall on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month 1.00pm-4.00pm. All materials are provided and whatever you create is yours to take home with you. Yvonne Alcock needs to know numbers to ensure supplies, so please call her on 01920 870700 if you think you might go. I f you are interested in purchasing handmade personalised cards, at any time, please contact Yvonne for details.

Calling everyone reading this Magazine! Stanstead Abbots Youth Club needs YOU (This covers all 3 villages, but meets in the Wilshere Hall)

We are looking to re-open the Youth Club in September with a paid Youth Worker overseeing its week to week running. This is very important as youngsters do enjoy coming and are easy to get on with. I had some really nice evenings with them. We all agree that friendships for youngsters are vital, and that they need somewhere to go without their parents in order to develop socially, and Youth Clubs are important in a healthy society. If you feel you may be interested in helping in any way you can, we are having a planning meeting on Friday 5th July at 8pm in Wilshere Hall. This is a ‘no strings attached’ meeting, you are not committing to anything by turning up So please examine your hearts (rather than your diary) and see if you can rise to this challenge. Anne Donaldson

JULY Wed 11th July - Talk on Olympic Games by Stuart Storey : 8-10pm Tickets cost £5 and proceeds will go to Isabel Hospice. Stuart will be talking about London 2012 and his 10th Olympic Games. To be held at The Roebuck Hotel, Street, Ware SG12 9DR. Saturday 21st July - A Summer Celebration - A Supper Dance with Opus One: 7.30pm-11.00pm In aid of Isabel Hospice and Help the Heroes. Tickets cost £25. To be held at Wodson Park, Ware SG12 0UQ. For details on either of these events contact Stuart or Shirley Storey on 01920 467194

AUGUST August 2012 - Care 4 a Cuppa Individuals or groups are invited to hold tea parties in aid of Isabel Hospice throughout the summer from June - September. For more details contact Maria Alexander on 01707 382500 Thursday 2nd August - Net Working Lunch: 12.30pm-2.00pm To be held at LUSSMANNS, 42 Fore Street, Hertford SG14 1BY. A monthly networking lunch run by Isabel Hospice Corporate Relationship Manager, Julie North (01707 382547). £100 sponsorship includes promotion on website and email invites, display of literature & banners at the event and a 10 minute presentation.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Future events to Rosemary Imroth (01920 424140) by 10th August

JULY Monday 16th Evergreen Club: Coach trip to Clacton. Coach leaving at 10am. (We do like to be beside the seaside). If you would like to join us, if spaces are still available, please see page 9 for contact details. Friday 27th Amwell Society: 3pm at the Parish Hall in Great Amwell. A visit to Place House including cream tea £5.

Ladies Fellowship The Ladies Fellowship meets again on Thursday 5th July at 7.30pm and will then take a break until the 4th October. They meet at Yvonne Alcock’s home at 30 South Street, Stanstead Abbots . A time of fun and friendship, sometimes with speakers or demonstrations. You would be very welcome, just turn up.

Brownies meet on Monday nights 5.45pm - 7pm Wilshere Hall St Andrews Church Cappell Lane Come join Brownies! Stanstead Abbotts Girls aged 7-10 Sign-up now to start in September Please contact Helen Payne, email: [email protected] , tel: 07887419799

1st Stanstead Abbotts & St Margaret’s Scout Group

The Scout Group’s Open Evening & BBQ in May celebrated yet another fantastic year for the Group with presentations, displays and several awards including the ‘Paul Pedroz Trophy’ which this year was awarded to Woodland Beaver Connie Cobbold, and Asst Beaver Scout Leader Lucy Isham was presented with her ‘Wood Badge’ in the ‘traditional way’ from District Commissioner Steve Jordan. Les Daniels was awarded his 20yrs service award and the ‘Chief Scout's Commendation for good service’ and Richard Atkins, who has been involved with the Group over 30 years, was awarded the highly prestigious ‘Chief Scout's Award for Merit’. Chairman Andrew Goldthorpe and GSL Paul Stretch said they were delighted at the continuing growth and success of the Group, giving a huge vote of praise and thanks to all the children, parents and the many helpers, leaders, friends and supporters of the Group who all help to make the Scout Group such a success. (More Photos on the Website ) Earlier in the month Grace Etherington was presented with the Chief Scout's Gold Award during the annual District Scouts’ Lightweight Camping Competition where she was part of the ‘Owl’ Patrol team, led by PL Henry Goldthorpe, which came in 3rd place. Our ‘Tiger’ Patrol led by PL Clare McKenzie-Smith came in 2nd place out of 17 teams with our Training/Assisted ’Wolf’ Patrol coming in 6th place, giving the whole Troop overall lots to celebrate and high hopes for next year! As well as going to the District Beaver Sleepover, our Forest Beavers had lots of fun preparing for the Jubilee such as drawing, making Crowns and Bunting. They also had a ‘Drama’ evening with a game of charades based on what they wanted to be when they’d grown up – with some rather surprising ideas! Over in Ware, our Cubs had lots of fun racing the Group’s Go Kart against Cubs from around the District at the annual Cubs Go Kart competition, and the Scouts have been working on their CPR and Emergency Aid knowledge back at HQ. Our summer programme is packed with many more evenings of fun and interesting adventures for all our members, so for all the stories, photos and for how you and your children can join in too, please visit www.stansteadabbottsscouts.org.uk Fiona McKenzie-Smith

St Albans Diocese Day of Spiritual Refreshment ‘Taste and See: Praying with Sculpture’ led by Revd Sarah Burrow with time for reading scripture, prayer and quiet… 10.30am – 3.30pm, Saturday 18th August 2012 at AllSaints Church, Renhold, Bedfordshire OPEN TO ALL £10 per person, light lunch provided, tea and coffee too! If you are interested, please contact the Vicarage on 01920 870115 so that we can book the places required by the 11th August deadline Amwell Society More than thirty members spent the glorious evening of May 25th on a visit to the Great Bed of Ware – recently returned to the town museum on loan from the V&A. In two groups we had a stroll round the town with a guide in 17th Century costume, who pointed out the inns which had housed the Great Bed in its early days. Then we were allowed in to see the bed. The bed was created around 1596 as an attraction for the pilgrims travelling to the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham – Ware being a day’s ride from London. It was variously housed in The White Hart, The George, The Crown, The Bell and The Saracen’s Head, before going to Rye House in 1869. The V&A was reluctant at first to buy the bed, but agreed to exhibit it in the end as a piece of folklore rather than an example of decorative art. While there it was the object visitors most requested to look at. The Bed is 3 yards wide and was built to sleep 12, but stories have grown around its capacity – the most exaggerated being that 26 butchers and their wives slept in it for a bet. Made of English oak, its huge bedposts have been carved with the initials and dates of some of its occupants; others melted wax and made an imprint of a signet ring. The head has panels carved probably by German craftsmen; swans are featured to show its connection with Ware. New hangings were created in 2001 to show how the bed could have looked around 1600. The curtains and valances are in bold stripes of red and yellow in a twill woven wool. Three mattresses are provided; the originals would have been filled in turn with unspun wool, feathers and down. To move it took 6 specialists 5 days to dismantle it into 140 pieces, labelling each tiny part, and 9 days to reassemble it in Ware – all at a cost of more than a quarter of a million pounds, made possible by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, contributions from Ware Town Council and the Museum Trustees. The Great Bed has been a celebrity throughout its life, being mentioned in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” and Byron’s “Don Juan” among others. We really enjoyed our evening, not least because of the kindness, enthusiasm and knowledge of the guides at Ware Museum, which itself is well worth a visit. Thanks also to Ann Hardy for organising the trip. Diana Matthews