From the Assistant Priest Revd Don Alcock

Greetings from your new Assistant! Finally!! From a January interview and acceptance of the position with this Benefice to my arrival at the beginning of May, the wheels of church and government bureaucracies turned painfully slowly. We were delighted when my immigration visa arrived so that my new adventure here could finally begin. I was born in Montreal, Canada and grew up there before moving to Los Angeles to complete a doctorate in US History. The Lord called me away from a university teaching career to become a priest. As part of that, He brought me to in 2001 and He caught me completely off-guard when I met Yvonne, the woman who became my wife a year later. We were married in Scotland but she is a native of Brighton, England. She came to live with me in Canada, but last year we discerned a call to move to England, and the Lord led us here. We have two small dogs (Lhasa Apsos). To bring them over, they had to undergo rabies testing, a six month process which ends June 4, so my wife will not arrive with them until June 5 I have lived in large cities and small towns and served in rural and urban parishes. I have experience with prayer ministries and teaching, and have marvel at the work of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives. My motto in life derives from Romans 12: 1-2 – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Jesus certainly turned His world upside down with His teachings and challenged His followers to think anew in their relationships with one another and with God. We as Christians are similarly challenged. I look forward to working with you and serving you to meet that challenge. Don 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) Church News

Lunches for Charities: Thursday 3rd June for St Andrew’s Heating Fund Thursday 1st July 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 2.30pm. Some come for that only, some go after lunch, and some stay for both!! The lunch in May for ‘Help for Heroes’ raised £64.10.

July/August Parishes Magazine Items for the next magazine, should preferably be emailed to [email protected] or left at the Vicarage by 12th June 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 Welcomed Ashton-Lee Read 2nd May (St Andrew’s) Louis and Freddie Webb 9th May (St John the Baptist)

We offer our condolences to the families and friends of Susan Loveday Ranworth Avenue 13th May (St Andrew’s) Shelley Copping 24th May (Cheshunt)

Please note The Vicar’s day off is Tuesday. The Administrator works on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9.15am until 2pm.

St John the Baptist Church Great Amwell

Everyone likes to hear the church bells ringing, but if we do not find more ringers the bells will fall silent. We desperately need new ringers, young, old and any age in between. We practise every Thursday at 8 o’clock so do come and join us, telephone Seth or Frances Adams on 01920 870861. Lunches for Charities Free lunch – all collection goes to the charity of the month

3rd June for St Andrew’s Heating Fund The church heating pipes are as old as the church – 1881 – so they have served us well. But they are now so furred up that they need replacing. The temperature struggles to get above 12 degrees C on cold days! The new pipe work and boilers that go with the pipes, will cost £37,500! As we struggle to make ends meet each year, this is an amazing challenge. We had, at the end of 2009, raised £11,795.33, so come and enjoy a good lunch together – and help us work towards our target.

3rd July for Herts Air Ambulance Thanks to the hard work and determination of the people of a state of the art Air Ambulance was launched in November 2008; that was just the beginning, maintaining the service will only be possible through the continued generosity of the people of our County. • It costs £120,000 a month to operate the aircraft 5 days a week. • On average every life-saving flight costs £2,000. • The total number of missions attended up to 4.10.09 was 274, many of which would have safed lives.

Would you like to host a Charity lunch? Do you have a pet charity that you would like to hold a fundraiser for? If so, please contact the Vicarage on 01920 870115 and to put your name and chosen charity onto our list. The Wilshere Hall (next to St Andrew’s Church) is used for your free lunch at 1pm, each first Thursday of the month. All donations raised from the lunch, then go to the charity of your choice, having details or a speaker from the charity can make the event more interesting, but is not compulsory. St John the Baptist Great Amwell Patronal Festival

Children are going to decorate the church for our Patronal Festival (St John the Baptist day) Please come and look around (and congratulate them on their work!)

The church will be open Sunday 27th June 8.30am – 11.00am, 2.30pm – 6.30pm

4.30pm: Tea and games for children 5-11 years 5.00pm: Children’s Evening Service

St John’s Church, Great Amwell Afternoon Teas Every Sunday afternoon through to September; 3pm-5pm. Please pop in.

St James, Stanstead Abbots 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, but sorry - no teas as there is no electricity or water supply!

St Margarets’ Church Restoration Fund Summer Concert and Cream Tea on Sunday 4th July 4-6pm Tickets £5 from Ruth (01992 462151) or Jennifer (01920 460689) Sheets of ‘Dingbats’ are also available (similar to TV programme Catchphrase) £1 per sheet of 20 from Maureen, Ruth & Jennifer.

MENS BREAKFAST SaturdaSaturdayy 5th June in the Wilshere Hall, Cappell Lane, . at 8.30am tickets £5 to include food available from Marilyn Britton on 01920 870188

New Alpha course The Alpha course is much in demand here it seems, so we are starting a new one. If you are interested, please come to the Vicarage on Wednesday June 30th at 8.00pm for a ‘taster’ of the course – no commitment required. Thereafter meetings will be set by the group in order to cater for work and childcare needs. This is an opportunity to inquire about the Christian faith – no question too small or too silly. Contact the Vicarage (879115) if you are interested (for catering purposes!), or for more information.

St John the Baptist Church, Great Amwell is looking for more voluntary cleaners and has some finance for a paid cleaner for limited hours. This would allow for the church to be cleaned more regularly than at present by a loyal group of people. For details contact Churchwarden J ulia Brace on 01992 447845

SAYC (Stanstead Abbotts Youth Club)

Fridays 7pm – 9pm during term time In the Wilshere Hall (next to St Andrew’s Church), Cappell Lane, Stanstead Abbotts. Cost £1 a night, plus tuck shop money! For young people in Year 7 at school and older Further details contact Anne on: 01920 870115

Stanstead Abbotts Parish Council your most local representatives! As you read this article – we will have had our Annual Village Meeting, and also – our Annual General Meeting. These are focus points for the Parish Council year, giving the village a chance to have their voice heard – and then followed by a meeting of the business issues with the new Council. This year we say farewell and thanks to Declan Quinn as Chair and Councillor, as he steps down from his service over the last year. Over the year, we have seen the arrival of 4 new councillors and now the stepping down of one. This means that we are again one person down on the 9 Councillors, which would be our full number. If you have wondered what is involved in being a Parish Councillor – please do feel free to come to a Council meeting (dates as advertised on the village notice boards) to see what is discussed and decided on. You will be made very welcome – even if you decide it is not for you. In September we will be saying goodbye to Neville Townsend, our Parish Clerk, and stalwart support, for the last 10 years. Recruitment for a successor is under way. If interested, do contact him. Alternatively – perhaps you would be happier to help out only in one aspect of the work we do, and this too would be a great service to your village! Examples of valuable work done by non-Councillors as part of linked working groups, include the staunch efforts of the Playground Committee (now getting ready to move on to Phase 2 after their recent successes) and the Riverside Festival Committee who help us all enjoy this now annual community event! Hope to see you on the green on 19th June 2010 – come and say hello!!! Hilary Cullen Parish Councillor [email protected] .uk

19 June 2010

Riverside

A family filled day of fun!!

Bring a picnic to watch and listen to all the great performances.

Raft Race Charity Stalls

Coconut Shy Climbing Wall craft stalls

DUCK RACE Grand Raffle

Balloon Race Beat the Goalie

Music & Entertainment

on stage!!

Stalls & show 1-6pm + Music on stage 6-8pm on the riverside green by the Jolly Fisherman pub

PLEASE DO NOT BRING ALCOHOL

** THIS IS A FAMILY EVENT Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. [email protected]

Helpers for the day still needed! Contact Jo Briley 07989 555985

FREE - half-term playscheme at St. Margaretsbury Recreation Ground – Wednesday June 3rd 10:00am – 11:55am for 8-11 year olds! Fully supervised outdoor play with qualified play rangers. Come dressed for the weather!

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 871626 Tuesday Homegroup : weekly 7.30pm. phone 01920 422065 or 871626 Wednesday Homegroup : fortnightly. 8.00pm – phone 07758 299646 or 01279 864504 Alpha course : enquiries – 01920 870115 Toddler Time : Fridays 1.30-3.00pm in St Margarets’ Parish Church 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 11.00am 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 10.15am in Church St. Margarets’ Church : coffee every Saturday 10.30am – 12.30pm

‘HELPING’ CHARITY

Thank you to all of you who have supported us with your donations, help and sponsorship, which has enabled us to provide meals and education to thousands of children in the Gambia. See our website www. helping - gambia .org.uk. We are looking for some enthusiastic volunteers with fresh ideas who would be willing to join our Fundraising Committee. If you feel that joining our team is something you would enjoy, please contact Margaret Meeks. She’ll be delighted to hear from you! If you have any unwanted gifts that we could use in raffles or on tombola stalls, we would be very grateful and can arrange collection. Also we are trying to make up as many pencil cases for Gambian children as possible so if you have any spare pencil cases or pencils etc we would be very grateful. Our future fundraising events are as follows:

• 5th June Ware Town Fete • 19th June Riverside Festival, Stanstead Abbotts • 3rd July Ware Week • 17th July St John’s School Fete • 28th July Sponsored Walk, Stanstead Abbotts to Rye House Margaret Meeks - Telephone 01920 871245 Great Amwell and District Branch of Cats Protection

We have a number of cats that need plenty of space and freedom and are unsuitable to be homed as house pets. Although these cats enjoy the country life, they are also used to the security of shelter and a balanced diet. Your stables, farm, nursery or allotment may benefit from these cats where they are free to roam. We recommend a minimum of two working cats to help combat and control any rodent problem a premises may be experiencing. All cats are health checked, neutered and treated for fleas and worms. If you are looking for rodent catchers or just want more information about this or other ways in which you can support your local branch of Cats Protection, please contact us on: 01992 467826 or www.greatamwell.cats.org.uk

REUNION OF ST JOHN'S PRIMARY SCHOOL Another reunion will be held this year for Great Amwell pupils circa 1945 to 1955 on Wednesday, 7th July 2010, at 12 noon. We will meet at George 1V public house for lunch again, and perhaps a stroll around the village! Contact Jennifer 01438 358404 or Caroline 01235 521435 for more details.If you are interested, or know anyone who might be! please do get in touch. Jennifer Searle

Craner Soft Fruit Farm, Broadley Common, Essex

Opening this year on Saturday 6th June for both PYO and ready picked gooseberries, broad beans and slightly later strawberries. These are followed by raspberries, red and blackcurrants before the end of the month. Please telephone beforehand to check crop availability. WE ARE OPEN EVERY DAY 9.30am to 6.00pm from Monday to Saturday, and 9.30am to 1.30pm on Sundays. Recorded message : 01992 892862 Orders/Enquiries : 07808859001

CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau) Tuesdays at Folly View Community Room 9.30am-12.30pm.For appointments contact 01992 514514, they will arrange a time. Isabel Hospice Events Hospice Head Office number is 01707 382500.

Sun 6th June - Care 4 A Cuppa; Launch at Fanhams Hall Join us for the launch of our new Care 4 A Cuppa fundraising event at the beautiful Fanhams Hall, near Ware. Entry to the lovely gardens is £10 per person and includes afternoon tea and a garden tour. For further details or a Care 4 A Cuppa Fundraising pack, please contact Maria Alexander at [email protected] JULY Fri 2nd July – Madrigals: 9.00pm - 9.45pm This is the 70th year of Madrigals at the beautiful setting of Amwell Pool, Nr Ware. Performed by Haileybury Madrigal Society. Entry is free. There will be a collection in aid of Isabel Hospice. All welcome. Sat 3rd July - Ware Week - Cuddly Toy Tombola: 1.00pm – 5.00pm Come and see us in the Priory Gardens during Ware Week where we will have a cuddly toy tombola! Help raise funds for Isabel Hospice by buying a ticket and you may go home with a furry friend! Sun 11th July - Fanhams Hall Open Garden: 2.00pm – 5.00pm This is a lovely opportunity to look around these beautiful gardens which are not often open to the public. (Opened by kind permission of Exclusive Hotels) Built in the Jacobean style and accompanied by original Japanese gardens, Fanhams Hall is set in 27 acres of beautiful Hertfordshire gardens. Although not all Japanese style, there is a great Eastern influence throughout. The Japanese Garden areas were laid out by Professor Suzuki in 1900. A Wisteria Walk, fountains, waterfalls, bridges, lakes, trees, and stones, each has a great significance within the garden. Come and enjoy Teas and home- made cakes. There will also be plants, books and collectables as well as a tombola. Admisson costs just £3.00 with all proceeds going to Isabel Hospice. Enquiries: 01920 462992

Flower Arranging Competition Saturday 26th June in conjunction with St Elizabeth’s Summer Fayre Three classes: A – ‘Summer at St Elizabeth’s’ an alcove arrangement B – Table arrangement to include candle(s) C – Novice arrangement flowers in a jug For your entry form please email: [email protected] or telephone: 01279 844355. FREE ENTRY. News from the Wider Church The July session of the General Synod of the Church of England will discuss women bishops . As previous debates have shown, a majority of the members of the House strongly support the admission of women to the episcopate. At the same time there remains a strong commitment on the part of the House to preserve an honoured place within the Church of England for those unable to receive this development. There continues to be a variety of views within the House over the best way of achieving that, while enabling women fully to exercise their new ministry. The BBC ’s proposed return to its core public service mission is a welcome ‘homecoming’ that should herald output appealing to the broadest possible range of audiences, according to the Church of England’s response to the Director-General’s proposals for the future strategy of the corporation. Noting that the term “public service” had increasingly been replaced in the BBC’s corporate language by the “rather more nebulous and management- speak version ‘public value,” the Church’s response welcomes the fact that the current proposals “keep that traditional (but nevertheless evolving) concept of public service mission firmly in mind”. The response calls for the BBC Trust to consider how this mission needs to be reinterpreted for today’s society, stressing that while some tough choices have to be made, “the BBC should continue to retain at its core the imperative to produce programmes appealing to a wide range of tastes and interests and of broad general appeal.” Ministering to children’s spirituality is a core function for the Church rather than a luxury add-on, argues Dr Rebecca Nye in Children's Spirituality , a new book from the Church of England’s official publishers. Local churches have a crucial role in listening to children’s verbal and non-verbal expressions of spiritual searching and wonder, and must be careful in how they use ‘teaching’ methods to ensure they do not inadvertently stifle long-term spiritual development, she says. Alister McGrath, Head of the Centre for Theology, Religion and Culture at King's College, London, describes the book as “a powerful reaffirmation and exploration of the importance of childhood spirituality for the ministry and mission of the church, which will be welcomed by all working in this field.”

'Arrow' Prayers can be offered to God anywhere, at any time. Help save your Heritage! Sponsored B ike ’n’ Hike 2010 Over 600 churches and chapels to visit!

Saturday 11 September 2010 10am to 6pm

Raise money for essential repairs to your local church or chapel by getting sponsorship for cycling or walking between churches in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Anyone can take part and there is a choice of over 600 open churches and chapels for you to visit. For more information please contact: Mrs Joan Trower on 01279 793205 Mrs Ruth Swallow on 01992 462151 Mr Seth Adams on 01920 870861

Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust www.BedsHertsHCT.org.uk

Website for Stanstead Abbotts

The new village website www.stanstead-abbotts-online.co.uk is up and running. Designed to provide information about the village and for the benefit of it's residents. On a regular basis we add events etc. which we have seen in the parish magazine. If you have any specific items you would like to see in the website, then please let us know. Although please note; to keep the website manageable we have a policy of restricting to Stanstead Abbotts based events exclusively. The Parish Council has kindly invited us to have a stall at their next meeting to help with publicity, and we are including items of theirs on the site at their request. Web Editor Stanstead Abbotts Online St Margaretsbury Recreation Ground Trust

The history of the Trust .. as told by Derek Kitteringham…. (Part 4) Following the establishment of the Trust in 1962...... The beginning of the 21 st century saw the Trust running into difficulties financially – and resulted in an urgent management restructuring. The Trust had previously been run as one entity – but this proved unworkable. With the new arrangement, the Trustees have overall responsibility for managing the grounds (there is an on-site manager) and the governance of the Trust – for example, providing the annual report to the Charity Commissions. Each of the clubs using the grounds and facilities pay an annual fee to the Trust, but are run independently, with their own constitution, membership fees, and fund raising events to maintain their grounds and club league memberships. All sports club memberships include, as part of the fee, membership of the Sports and Social Club for use of the club house. This is a great facility that provides a bar, an events venue and a meeting place, as well as housing the changing rooms. The Trust receive their income from three main areas of funding: annual club fees (calculated on use of facilities), Parish Council grants (from Council Taxes paid by residents of St. Margarets, Great Amwell and Stanstead Abbotts) and from other charitable grants and individual donations. The villagers have informal access to the grounds, and the football pitch nearest to the entrance is generally available for informal games, when no club training or fixtures are in progress. The Clubs and the Trust could not run without the time and energy of the dedicated unpaid volunteers who organise the clubs, maintain the grounds, find club sponsors and continue to provide leisure and recreation facilities for villagers from Stanstead Abbotts, Great Amwell and St. Margarets for whom it is held in Trust. VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY If you are interested in helping support the Trustees in their work we would particularly welcome assistance - on a voluntary basis – in the following areas: professional services (pro bono) legal / governance advice; marketing / publicity advice; risk assessment advice . Or perhaps you would like to get involved with: grant applications, fund raising ideas, photo and artefact archiving, event organising, publicising events . Please contact: Hilary Cullen, St. Margaretsbury Trustee - [email protected] . DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Future events to Rosemary Imroth (01920 424140) by 7th July please

JUNE 2010 Monday 7th Evergreen Club: Tea at Standon Green End Farm. Thursday 10th Great Amwell WI: 2pm at the Parish Hall in Great Amwell – ‘White Dresses and Panamas Hats’ life at an English girls’ boarding school – talk by Julia Marriage. Monday 14th Evergreen Club: Boat trip and tea on the River Lee. Monday 21st Evergreen Club: Coach trip to Felixstowe Friday 25th Amwell Society: 8pm at the Parish Hall in Great Amwell. Talk by Tim Waygood about Church Fa rm, Ardeley.

Great Amwell WI Ann Parsons took Great Amwell through the Resolution on clearer food labelling. The Resolution was submitted by a member of Bengeo WI. Once Ann had explained all about it members gave their opinions and it became quite a heated discussion. When it had all been discussed members were asked to vote and there were 16 votes for, with 1 visitor and 2 dual members abstaining. Doreen Haynes is going to the Annual Meeting in Cardiff and will be voting on our behalf and her own Institute so it will be interesting to see whether it is carried. Meg Newman thanked Mrs. Parsons for a very interesting talk and she was presented with a plant. Margaret Peterkin gave a very comprehensive account of the Spring Council Meeting with Lars Tharpe from the Antiques Roadshow as the afternoon speaker. Doreen Haynes said Philip Wright had given a very good talk about Hats at the Group Meeting at Age Concern, Ware. 6 of our members attended and thoroughly enjoyed the evening and most people were trying on the hats - great fun! The next Pub Lunch will be at the Punch House in Ware on the first Thursday in June at 12.30 Margaret Newman

Evergreen Club of the Three Villages

There are so many outings in June for our club – the trip to see the animals and the lovely gardens at Standon Green End Farm, including a special tea, is something we are really looking forward to. Our trip to Felixstowe is an annual MUST – we go to premises right on the sea front, indulge in fish and chips delivered to us there, take in the sea air (and even swim!) after tea and cake we return refreshed full of ozone. At the end of June we are trying a new venture: a cream tea aboard a vessel on the River Lee – let’s hope no-one is sea-sick! Rosemary Imroth

Molehills out of Mountains

Hypocrites raging hypercritical hyperbole in blind criticism, Before you, there was just a thumb on the pulse and a finger on the trigger. They’ll never understand, but it’s my life and my decision Nothing’s ever felt this right before and the feeling’s only getting bigger.

It’s insatiably satisfying to watch the walls of their security crumble, We’ll watch them reef their understanding as it passes, sails out and leaves; I have something that they don’t and passing ignorant comment they stumble Jealous words spoke in zealous destruction for optimism thieves.

They can’t handle the fact that I’ve found passionate perfection Sickly green burning in envy, a collection of solitary spite, It’s a disease of the spirit aimed at me, a selective infection Betrayed hearts with no connection to my affection, if I might.

My emotions knew no limits and now they’re free to run wild This love is flourishing and nourishing on you, more each day. We can ignore their anti-us feel because it’s only rather mild, I’m just so in love that I just don’t care, or want to… if I may.

This rhythm doesn’t tie in with the rest of those rhymes, but I assure you, still it’s true: No matter what they say, no matter what they do, the best thing about me is you. By James Barber (TICTACS)

Remember! God hears every prayer - but not all prayers are answered in the way we might expect or desire: we don't always pray for His will to be done! Walkers website gets better ––– and goes National

Walking in Herts www.walkinginherts.co.uk is a website packed with useful information for walkers. With more than 150 walks to download and print, free, and details of around 100 guided walks every month, it also has books of walks, contact details for all the walking groups in the county and much more. Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group all the information is there in one place. Now, after three years hard work local man John Harris has taken the concept Countrywide. Walking in England www.walkinginengland.co.uk has thousands of walks to download and print – and all free of charge! John said ‘There is so much walking information on the web but it is difficult to find. Walking in England has brought it together in one place so whether you are walking from home or away on holiday you will be able to find a walk suitable for you’. With walks from half a mile to twelve miles long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy. Did you know that walking for just 30 minutes a day can help you to: • Feel good (you will feel fitter, your body will be more toned, and you will feel better about yourself). • Have more energy. • Sleep better. • Reduce stress (have you ever noticed how it’s difficult to walk and worry at the same time?). • Reduce your blood pressure. • Manage your weight. So home or away, check out the websites and get walking!

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY - YOUR TOWN NEEDS YOU!! Hertfordshire Airfield Memorial Group

An evening of nostalgic memories around RAF by Mustang pilot Doug Reich and historian Paul Doyle, author of ‘Where The Lysanders Flew’, plus much more, to be held at Memorial Hall, Sawbridgeworth from 19.00 to 23.00 hours – free drink and buffet. A raffle will also be held . Saturday 26th June 2010 – cost only £8. Put the date in your diary. Tickets – limited numbers - contact D. Mead, phone 01279 724503 or e-mail [email protected] .

Amwell Society

On the 30th April, the subject of our meeting was “The Golden Age of Radio”, and I wondered idly just when was this Golden age? At my age I must have lived right through it. I suppose it started when there were regular broadcast programmes, and enough people owned a receiver with valves and a loudspeaker, which must be in the 1930’s. I entered the hall and was introduced to Janet Naylor, our speaker. She was clearly younger than I am, but I would not dare to estimate by how many years. She had with her a small black box, which David Hardy told me was “very high tech” and contained many recordings in an electronic memory. I looked forward to an easy evening - in reporting terms – as I would obviously know everything she would be telling us. She started by persuading her little box (high tech maybe, but definitely not HiFi) to play some of the signature tunes of the dance bands in the Thirties and Forties. I recognised most of them and the names of the various band- leaders, but “not necessarily in the right order”. Just a slip of the memory. She moved on to the tellers of tales, such as Valentine Dyall – “The Man in Black”. I remembered him. During the question session at the end of the talk I mentioned the incomparable A.J. Alan, who told his quirky stories, long before Valentine Dyall. Janet said she had heard of him but had no recordings. Al Reed was recalled and Janet read from one of his strips, with the appropriate accent. She did it very well, but I still did not find it funny. Then on the comedy shows; Elsie and Doris Waters (sisters of Jack Warner – “Evening all”); “Round the Horne”; “Beyond our Ken”, (I often use the phrase); the early radio-only Morecambe and Wise, the list is endless, but I must mention “ITMA”, “Navy Lark”, “Hancock’s Halfhour”, and the “Goon Show”. Janet took many questions from her appreciative audience, for most of whom much of her material must have been childhood memories. For myself, I found my memory was not really as good as I thought it was. Nostalgia is not what it used to be. Kenneth Pearson

Carpet Bowls Monday evenings at 7.30pm in Stanstead Abbotts Parish Hall. Come and join our happy band – it’s fun, and very good for the figure!