Stebbing Scene Your Village — Your Magazine www.stebbingscene.uk

Edition No: 149 Spring 2019

1 THE BRIDGE

Most Stebbing residents will be aware of the plan to replace the road bridge over the stream at Church End Stebbing, owing to deterioration of the brick work on one side. It does not appear to be dangerous, otherwise a weight limit would have been issued.

Essex County Council hoped to do these works over this summer and autumn, but it appears both they and Uttlesford District Council failed to carry out their legal obligations to inform the landowners and local community in a Conservation Area. This project will now probably not take place until the summer of 2020.

In order to facilitate this new bridge it has been proposed that six major trees, some with Tree Preservation Orders, (a major wildlife habitat, representing some 300 years of growth) will be felled, totally changing the landscape at Church End.

The reason this is apparently necessary is that the current roadway is to be removed to a depth of 3.5m to enable a base of 11x9m to be laid to provide a new 1msq culvert under the road. Removing the trees will facilitate the access of machinery into the area. All this will mean that the current stream and drainage will need diverting somehow. The services (gas, electricity, water, sewage, telephone) will have to be redirected. In order to accomplish this, the road will need to be closed for four months to both motor and pedestrian access. It has yet to be decided how to maintain pedestrian access from one end of the village to the other.

An Ecological Survey has been carried out but no information regarding its remit is known. A request for this Survey has been made and is awaited. No Environmental Audit has been seen either. A request has been made for detailed paper plans of the intended works and a schedule. Advice is being sought from a planning consultant and also a civil engineer with major road construction experience.

It is hoped that updates on the progress or otherwise of this project will be available through Stebbing Scene and the Next-Door Neighbour Website. StephenBazlinton

The front cover is an illustration by Tory Roberts, who pays homage to the trees on page 5 - Ed 2 Editorial

I decided to write an editorial this time, partly to remove my usual little introduction from the front page so Tory Roberts’ illustration could have the space it deserved - but mainly because these are important times for our village and there are important choices to be made.

Stephen Bazlinton’s piece (opposite) shows us that, yet again, Uttlesford’s planners have proved themselves unequal to the task by their cavalier agreement to the large scale removal of trees in a conservation area, in apparent ignorance of their responsibilities. Just a few years ago they were similarly in error when agreeing to planning permission for five dwellings in Bran End, despite these being outside permitted development limits. The local residents have lost forever their view across the valley, carved out by Stebbing Brook, and we just have to hope that we can avoid the similar loss of character that would arise from the wholesale destruction of mature trees in Church End.

The affection Stebbing’s people have for our village is plain for all to see in this magazine. Tory’s front page and her piece on page 5 describes the reasons for her family’s decision to settle here. It is mirrored by the affection for our surroundings shown by Zoe Panting on pages 35/7, and in the delightful photographs she has allowed me to include in this and in past issues. Similarly we have Stephen’s willingness to go into battle to try to ensure that, whatever decisions are made about the work on the bridge and culvert at Church End, they will be informed in relation to the need to minimise the ecological and aesthetic damage done. And then of course there are the growing number of people who are willing to pick up litter (page 25) and repair infrastructure such as the footbridges on our local footpaths (page 27).

It is sad these efforts will count for little if we continue to vote for an administration in Uttlesford which is eager to build new towns on much of the arable land that stretches between Braintree and Stansted Airport. Their proposed Local Plan is a disaster for Stebbing and the two councillors we have voted in to represent us have been contemptuous of our concerns. We need Uttlesford to change, to show more care for its environment and to listen to the wishes of its population. We need to make sure that in May’s local election we vote for people who value our village and the local environment as much as we do.

It is not for the Editor of Stebbing Scene to tell you how you should vote, and we do not yet know all who are standing for election in May, but if you value the things that most of us say we value about life in Stebbing, please ensure you are as informed as possible about the views and promises of the candidates and let’s see if we can do better next time! Richard Foot

3 4 The Trees

Garden cities, mass rapid transport systems, airport expansion, Brexit, our next humiliation at the Eurovision Song Contest. There is a lot on the horizon to disturb the equilibrium of even the most zen of tight-rope walkers. It’s almost irresistible to want to ignore it all, hunker down until Spring.

And yet, like the great crested newts behind Garden Fields before them, the trees at Church End culvert now are under threat and we shouldn’t just stand by and shrug. Some may, and indeed have, suggested that we have complained about this curiously damaged section of road for years - and now we moan about its imminent repair too. There’s no pleasing some people!

I would argue however, in the words of the inimitable Lorax, that we must ‘speak for the trees, as the trees have no tongue’.

We all have a duty of care to the natural world, but even more so when we have chosen to make the countryside our home. Who else should better defend it? Stebbing is not just a cluster of crooked (and newer, slightly less crooked) houses strung out along sinewy lanes. It is, and is of, the topography it sits within. Those that have been involved in the preparation of the Local plan and commissioned the landscape assessments know that better than I. Every swell or dip of the valley, the pockets of woodland and the streams, the vistas from within and without, define the village. Strip all that away and Stebbing would be someplace else, and undoubtedly something less special, entirely.

So back to the trees. Not one or two, but possibly all, are earmarked to be felled to allow reconstruction and widening of the road over the culvert. These trees, their cathedral-like architecture, buttresses and branches weaving together towards the sky and wrapping the cottages below in an arboreal embrace, they frame the scene, welcoming you as you make your approach on to the high street from the monument. Indeed it was this view that impressed itself upon me when visiting Stebbing for the very first time with a view to living here, before falling in love with what became our home.

If we allow the trees to go, without question, without a ‘fight’, decades of growth that cannot be replaced in our lifetimes, conservation protections proven to count for nothing, what else of value will we allow to be lost? I retain some hope that common sense and creativity can still prevail over the forces of box ticking and regulation in reaching a solution.

I am sure we would all be happy to wave goodbye to the orange, plastic eyesores and the changeable traffic priority signage. But less so, to the trees. Tory Roberts 5 INVITATION TO ALL LADIES Stebbing Ladies group meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month in the village Hall. We open at 7.30pm and start at 8.00pm. Our aim is to provide a varied and entertaining programme throughout the year. It’s a good opportunity to meet up with old friends and make new ones. Everyone is welcome.

Jan 23rd We have an entertaining talk on the history of Saucy Seaside Postcards. Feb 27th Chris Beaven, whom most of you will know, is to give a talk on his vast collection of cork screws, which knowing Chris, will be very amusing. An evening not to be missed. March 27th Naturals, from Dunmow, are returning to give us an insight into their various beauty and nail treatments. A very popular evening when they last came to our meeting. April 24th Mike Perry is giving a talk on the history of photography. - should be very interesting. For more information on any of the above please contact: Val Stokes on 01371 856882 [email protected] or Gina Going on 01371 855943 [email protected] Salings Plant Sale Bank Holiday Monday 6th May

• Come and join us for a pleasant morning and early afternoon at our annual Plant Sale • Plants, shrubs and trees from North End Nurseries, plus some real bargains on tomato plants and bedding plants grown locally • Stalls inside with local produce and arts and crafts 10am to 2pm • Breakfast buns with bacon and a cuppa on offer…. Millennium Village • Plus lots of cakes for those not watching their weight Hall, Piccotts Lane, • Plus some classic cars (do bring yours along!) Great Saling, • Hear about progress on our Neighbourhood Plan CM7 5DW • All profits to the upkeep of our two historic churches St James Great Saling, St Peter & St Paul Bardfield Saling The Big Cheese The Adult Scarecrow Winner 6 A Message From Our Vicar

Dear Friends,

I saw an article online today about some archaeologists who found a flint arrowhead embedded in a mammoth bone, thus proving early humans hunted the animals. Those hunters certainly left their mark on history!

Our politicians are doing the same thing – as I write this letter, the House of Commons is debating a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister following the heavy defeat for the Brexit deal yesterday. Who knows where we’ll be by the time you read this, but some politicians will have cemented their place in history by then.

And how will you leave your mark? This year the Church of England is undertaking one of our regular electoral roll ‘resets’. We review the roll annually, but every 6 years it is wiped clean and everyone has to reapply. This gives us the opportunity to reflect upon what it means to be a Christian, to be a church member, in our villages today. Some of that is to do with how we worship together on Sundays, and some of it is to do with our private devotions and spiritual life, but a major part of it is to do with how we bring God’s love to those in need (and those in plenty). I often take time to read the epitaphs of our forebears on the memorials in our churches, as they often speak of the Christian love and character of the person commemorated, because of the impact they had on their community.

I do not necessarily think we should all aspire to be memorialised like that, but it would be good to look back in 25 years and remember a kindness or a campaign, or a special gift that someone gave us and for our community. When we remember these, we are also therefore remembering God’s love, for in such small ways it spreads throughout the world.

With best wishes, Tim

Stebbing Fete - Sunday 15th September! We have bought the date forward as the Dunmow Carnival is due to be held on the 22 September. In previous years we would have held the Fete on the following Sunday, 29 Sept, however, after last years rain-off, the Committee decided to go for the earlier date and hopefully reduce the risk of bad weather. Peter Merrifield

7 Essex County Council Stebbing Primary School Stebbing Dunmow Essex CM6 3SH Headteacher Miss Lucy Mawson Telephone 01371 856260 Fax 01371 856091 Web: www.stebbingprimary.co.uk email: [email protected] [email protected]

COMMUNITY MONTH NEWS:

March is always a busy month in school as we aim to take part in lots of different tasks and activities. Here is a snapshot of the events that will be taking place during our Community Month:

-Visiting theatre group and performance of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe -Litter pick around the village -Visit to the local park -Helping at Little Harts group -Muffins for Mum -Careers fayre for our year 5 pupils -Dance workshop day

We would also like to invite all villagers and parents to come and read with the children. Please see the little poster below for more information.

Come and share a book for our BIG READ on: Friday 15th March at 2.30pm Please contact the school office on: 01371 856260 if you would like to attend.

8

Finally, I would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to our committed volunteers. We are incredibly fortunate that we have many villagers who give freely of their time every week to come and support in school. Usually this is listening to the children read in class and is a bonus extra read with an adult. The children are always so keen to read with our volunteers and get excited by their visits.

Thank you so much.

Miss Mawson, Headteacher

Great British Spring Clean 2019 22 March - 23 April 2019 Help us make history and make the Great British Spring Clean 2019 the country’s biggest ever, mass-action environmental campaign.

We want to inspire 500,000 people to join forces to clear litter, including single-use plastic, from our streets, parks and beaches, recycling as much as possible.

If you want to help with parts of Stebbing, please let Cllr Judith Farr know:

[email protected]

9 10 Stebbing Village Stores - New Volunteers

We are Joy and Loftus Buhagiar and the newest volunteers at the shop. Having lived in Stebbing (Garden Fields) for the last 35 years, we thought it was overdue that we contribute to actual village life, having only served in the cricket team for the first three to fours years on moving here.

Joy retired from teaching four years ago, after 38 years in the business, and Loftus from construction after a 40 year stint. Both of us thought long and hard about what we should do as a contribution and the shop seemed like the sensible way forward - where we could both do something together.

Julie Gray signed us up and put us through a training programme to experience all four shifts, so we have probably met you through these sessions, if we didn’t already know you. So far we have been thoroughly impressed by the friendliness (and patience) of the customers Joy and Loftus at the Stebbing School Fete 7th December 2018 whilst we’ve been training and we volunteered for our first real gig at the Stebbing School Fete (see us in the picture above).

Retail is completely new to both of us, but it’s a great experience and we are thoroughly enjoying it. There are many opportunities for volunteers to help out both in the shop and the kitchen - and at times and days to suit the individual. So what are you waiting for? See you in the shop soon.

PCI COMPLIANCE

If you are an expert and could offer help with some of our checklist questions, please contact: [email protected]

11 12 ELIZABETHAN WILLS 1558-1603

Thanks as always to the Stebbing Local History Society for this piece from their archives

The Essex Record Office has published abstracts from Essex wills proved during the reign of Elizabeth 1. The Society has extracted those written by Stebbing people and from other towns and villages that refer to Stebbing. Fifty Seven were written by residents of Stebbing and a further twenty-one mention people or lands in the parish. They vary considerably in length, as do the type of bequests that are made. Some of the testators donate money to the poor, often stating that the money shall be distributed at their funeral. This of course helped to ensure a good send off for the deceased. A few attempt to set up perpetual charities, but most were not successful. Others were concerned for the moral wellbeing of the poor, and so funded religious education or the activities of a priest.

Until 1858 all wills were proved by the Church and most of the Stebbing wills were proved either by the local Commissary Court or by the court of the Archdeaconery of Middlesex. In the main these were the wills of the ‘middling sort,’ as the poor had nothing or little to leave to their heirs. Professions or occupations are not always given, although it can sometimes be inferred by the contents; fields and crofts are often named. Frequently under age children are named, indicating the testator had a young family, reminding us that death in Elizabethan times was not something that just happened to the elderly. A common theme is the importance they attach to what we would regard as everyday items, e.g beds, linen, clothes and kitchen utensils.

The example of a will below gives a flavour of these historic documents. William COOKE of Stebbing 20 Nov. 1581 To the poor people 20s. To Margaret my wife for life a standing bedstead and a trondle bedstead in a good manner as she brought them to me. To her a brass pot, 2 kettles, a posnet, a brass goblet, a fire shovel, a pair of tongs, a chafing dish, a scrummer, a spit, a dripping pan, a frying pan, 1 brown chest in the chamber above the parlour, 3 pewter chargers, 3 lesser pewter platters, 2 saucers, a salt, 3 porringers, 6 pewter spoons, 4 pairs of sheets at her own choice saving the bearing sheet, 2 tablecloths, 6 napkins, 4 pillowberes, a pair of trammels, a pot of hooks, all her apparel, 3 cushions at her choice, 5 lb of linen yarn and a bowl; and 3 load of wood and 6lb of hops yearly for life, the wood to be provided by my exors and laid in the yard of the mansion [i.e. dwelling] house of Mertons [Martins Hall Bran End] for her use to be burned therein and not elsewhere; also 2 candlesticks, 3 little back chairs, a chest and a keeler, which she brought with her, a flax wheel, 1 horse of her choice, a side saddle, 3 barrels, a tub to yele, a tub to mash in, and a cupboard as is now standing in the hall, 4 bushels of wheat, 6 cheeses, 1 of great pots of butter, a flitch of (Continued on page 15) 13 14 (Continued from page 13) bacon of the best, a square joined table and a fair joined chest with 4 joined stools. To Elizabeth, Barbara, Margaret and Susan my daughters my lands and tenements free and copy in Stebbing parcels of the manors of South Hall and Porters Hall to hold according to the custom of the manors, on condition that they pay my wife yearly £8. To her for her life the upper chamber with the chimney with free passage to go and come at all seasons. To Nathan son of John MARYON 6s 8d. Sarah daughter of George COOKE 40s. Within two years after my decease, Thomas Seward my sister’s son 1 lamb, and Alice SAWERD my sister 2 bushels of wheat. I make my 4 daughters ex’rices; to them the rest of my goods equally. I make Richard BARNERD of Lindsell and John CUTTINGE of Stebbing overseers. Wit. William BRYDE [BRYLE?], John SAVELL, Richard GARRAD, James COOTE Pr. 15 Jan. 1582/3

A very informative will, the list of kitchen implements giving a good picture of how an Elizabethan kitchen worked. He lived in Martins Hall, Bran End, and seems not have any sons but four daughters. This was a family that was reasonably well off, probably a Yeoman farmer, his plate and spoons are pewter, the aristocracy would have used silver. The references to hops and wheat suggests that farming provided part of his income. His wife was given the upper chamber with the chimney, (fireplace). The hops that are to be provided would be to enable the brewing of beer, normally this would be a ‘small beer’, quite weak and used as an alternative to water. The reference to the Manor of South Hall is not understood; it may refer to a manor in a neighbouring parish, or it maybe a mis-transcription.

Glossary of Terms from Elizabethan Wills Bearing Sheet - Christening Robe Chafing dish - Dish for heating liquids Keeler - Shallow vessel Pillowberes - Pillowcases Porringers - Bowl for porridge or soup Posnet - Three legged metal pot with handle Scrummer - Not known Trammels - Devices to hang pots over Fires Trondle/Truckle/ - A moveable bed stored under another bed or other furniture A tub to yele - Brewing vessels / a tub to mash in.

2019 meeting dates for Stebbing Local History Society:

April 8th Rural Essex in Victorian/Edwardian Times Peter Lazell June 10th Henry V111 and Great Dunmow Kate Cole Sept 9th History of Courtaulds Braintree Claire Willetts Nov 11th Stebbing in 1517 Graham Jolliffe

15 16 Farleigh Hospice launches new Hospice Outreach Project

Farleigh Hospice is proud to launch the Hospice Outreach Project (HOP) vehicle, designed to deliver hospice care directly to the community. This new bespoke vehicle will provide accessible information and support to people who are ill, bereaved, or worried about someone who is.

The HOP will serve a community of 377,000, including Chelmsford, Braintree, Maldon, South Woodham Ferrers, Witham and the surrounding villages.

Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst attended the launch and said,

“I am delighted to be able to join you all for this very special occasion to officially launch the new Farleigh Hospice Outreach Project vehicle, affectionately known as the HOP. The information team of specially trained staff and volunteers will provide much needed information and support for people who have a life-limiting illness, listening to their concerns and worries and sharing information about Farleigh Hospice and other services available to them. This service is also offered to support families, carers and people who are bereaved. The team work closely with other national and local charities and Broomfield Hospital to ensure information is up to date, relevant and easily accessible.”

Farleigh’s previous outreach vehicle had to be retired due to mechanical and bodywork failures in 2016. However for over 10 years the HOP was an instrumental part of the community, supporting over 50,000 people. It was therefore vital for the hospice to raise much needed funds to reinstate this essential community service. Over the past three years the hospice has been working tirelessly with foundations and local businesses to raise a staggering £95,600. Farleigh Hospice would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank the following funders:

• The QBE Foundation • Albert Hunt Foundation • The ACT Foundation • Fowler Smith Jones (FSJ) Trust • The Inman Foundation • The R U B White Charitable Trust • Colchester Catalyst Charity • Order of Secret Monitor Freemasons • Birketts Race for Business sponsored by Birkett’s solicitors The HOP vehicle will be visiting communities across mid Essex. To find out more visit www.farleighhospice.org

Michelle Martin, Communications, PR and Marketing Assistant, Farleigh Hospice 17 18 Stebbing Garden Club News

Our Club got off to a flying start in January with a thoroughly enjoyable illustrated talk, and demonstration of willow-weaving, by Deb Hart. The event was deservedly popular with our members and attracted a number of visitors from nearby villages.

We are pleased to announce that, at our next meeting on the 25th March, Stuart Elsom, Ecological Consultant, tour leader and lecturer, will be giving us the benefit of his expertise when he speaks to us about ‘Birds, Bats and Beasties In Our Gardens’. Don’t miss this opportunity to put all your wildlife questions to our highly qualified expert.

Our two other unmissable evening talks are the 15th April, when Dr Gill Regan, who opens her garden in Kent for the National Gardens Scheme (NGS), speaks to us on “A Woodland Garden through the Year” and the 20th May, when Christina Lavelle (Writtle University College) talks about the very pertinent subject of “The Dry Garden”.

All are welcome at our evening events, 7.30 for 8.00pm in Stebbing Village Hall.

Our first outing this year will be on 11th May to ‘Dragons’, an NGS garden opening especially for us (members only, so why not join?). Our main outing, on the 7th July, is to Eltham Palace and Gardens, near Greenwich, and is open to all. Our visit combines access to one of English Heritage’s flagship properties, set amid stunning gardens. Enquiries and/or expressions of interest to:

Margaret Rufus, Tel: 856122 Email: [email protected]

Village Summer Basket or Container Competition

As a departure from the formality of our flower shows, we have decided to run a ‘just-for-fun’ hanging basket or container competition this summer – an event that should be enjoyable to take part in and bring a bit of colour to Stebbing. If you fancy having a go - read on.

To ensure our competition is fair, the following apply:

• entries can be for a single hanging basket or a single container of any type, such as a trough, window box, pot, tub, or something a bit more quirky - the choice is yours • needless to say, planting up the basket or container must be all your own work • the competition is open to residents of Stebbing but is limited to one entry (either a hanging basket or a container) per household • plants used must have been in your possession for at least four weeks prior to judging (unless you've raised them yourself in less time) (Continued on page 21) 19 20 (Continued from page 19)

Judging will take place between Monday 24th June and Sunday 7th July 2019 and the last date for entries is the 17th June. Our judges will be looking for:

• the quality, health, vigour and appropriateness of planting • the initial impact of colours and/or textures and • overall impression - including appearance, balance and symmetry of display First, second and third place winners of each category will each receive a medal.

Please place your entry in the front garden for the period of judging. If there is more than one container or basket on display, please mark the one you would prefer us to look at. If your property fronts directly onto the pavement and you wish to enter the competition, six spaces for display will be available in front of Friends Meeting House, on a strictly first come first serve basis.

To enter, please complete the tear-off slip below with your name, address and place in the box provided in Stebbing Village Stores, with an entry fee of £1.

If you have any queries or want further advice, please contact: Joan on 856041 or Angie on 856464. For tips, look online at the RHS, T&M, 'Britain in Bloom' websites or Youtube. Margaret Rufus 856122

If you prefer to keep your copy of the Scene unmutilated, additional copies of this form are available in the Village Stores -Ed

 COMPETITION ENTRY FORM Please complete this tear-off slip, with your name and address and place it in the box in Stebbing Village Stores with your £1 entry fee. Last date of entry, 17th June.

Name

Address

Contact details obtained will be destroyed after the competition has been completed.



21 22 Keith Chittenden

26 March 1934 – 12 January 2019

Keith and his wife Sylvia lived in Red Lion House from 1982 -2004 when they moved to Gloucestershire to enjoy retirement and time with their family.

Having left Imperial College, London with B.Sc Electrical Engineering, Keith joined Marconi (then Elliott Bros) and spent a career spanning forty years in the development of radars for the defence industry. He received the Queen’s Award for Technology Export in 1979 and a Medal of Honour from King Hussain of Jordan for work on Jordan’s airport in the 1980s. He also lectured regularly at Keele University during the 1980s.

Keith and Sylvia were greatly involved in Stebbing life. He served on the Parish Council for many years and captained the White Hart Quiz Team as well as being a regular client with a close band of friends. His generosity in offering Red Lion House and its garden for use by village societies, Stebbing Elizabethan Fayre and for many events, was legendary. When a visiting choir from Soviet ruled Estonia, complete with KGB Minders, joined a BBQ at Red Lion House, Keith spontaneously engineered a system of plying the Minders with alcohol whilst choir members were spirited away to phone long lost relatives all over the world and with whom they were denied contact at home.

Keith died peacefully on 12 January and laid to rest in the churchyard at Minchinhampton where he had served and worshipped. Jackie Kingdom February Wedding

On 2nd February, Nienke Weishaupt and James Ramm of Williams Farm, Stebbing, ‘tied the knot’ at St Mary’s Church, Stebbing.

In this photograph of the happy couple, they are accompanied by their son, Tomas.

JK

23 English Tuition Julie Bull B.Sc.(Hons), Dip. E.L.S., C.R.B. checked

I am a highly experienced English tutor living in Stebbing, offering tuition to help to develop confidence in the subject and to prepare for exams, including common entrance, 11+, GCSE and A Levels. Please contact

Email: [email protected]

Telephone 07890 540059 or 01371 856 768

24 Focus on Litter

We have been increasingly disappointed in the growing amount of litter discarded by motorists, cyclists and walkers in our village. As a result we have decided to adopt a section of road from Lashley Drive to Lubberhedges Lane in Duck End where we live , for us to keep clear.

This entails two to three hours a month with bags and litter pickers. Our first month produced six full black plastic bags of litter, ranging from vodka, wine and Scotch bottles, numerous beer, cider, coke and red bull cans, along with many cigarette packs, McDonalds cartons and general litter .

We are pleased with our small contribution to keeping our village the beautiful place to live that it is, and would welcome others to join us and adopt their own Only 100 yards of road to retrieve this two sackfuls! stretch of road.

Pete and Liz Stabler, Duck End Wombles

Have you lost a Fiver?

A leaden January sky split to reveal a watery sun as four buzzards circled mewing above the winding road from Church End to Throes Corner, as five bags of rubbish were collected from the roadside.

Just the usual cast offs, sweet wrappers, bottles, fag packets, coffee cups, cans, fast food wrappings etc. Stuff folk would not litter their front rooms with but care not about our plastic oppressed environment. Oh for the wings of a buzzard to rise above the trash!

But wait what is that green flash of paper screwed up with a check list note of a fruit wholesaler? A fiver! If you’ve lost one as you chucked the rubbish out of your car window and would like it back, how about showing evidence of loss to the Parish Council who will be delighted to return your ill lost cash! Stephen Bazlinton 25 26 Stebbing Over Sixties Stebbing Over Sixties meet every third Wednesday of the month except August, either in the Village Hall (VH) or The Friends Meeting House (FMH) at 2pm, when we either have a speaker or an entertainment followed by an excellent tea and a raffle. We also aim to go on two half day outings a year and one full day at the seaside. Our programme for the year is as follows: March 20th (FMH) AGM followed by Tea April 17th Outing to the Suffolk Punch Trust, leaving at 11.30 am May 15th (FMH) Talk by Lee Acres, Metropolitan Police Forensic Officer June 19th Visit to Cherry Lane, leaving at 1pm. July 17th (VH) Strawberry Tea. September 18th Outing to Frinton, leaving at 10am October 16th (VH) Harvest Lunch 1 for 1.30pm November 20th (FMH) Dunmow Wind Band December 11th (VH) Christmas Lunch 12.30 for 1pm If you would like to join us do come along, you will be very welcome. If you need transport or further information: ring Doreen on 856408 or Eve on 856293.

A ‘Thank You’ to the Footpath Team! Brian Martin has gathered a small band of willing assistants to help with keeping footpaths clear and they are working with Essex County to repair bridges and stiles. In the last few weeks they have replaced the dangerous old bridge at the far end of the copse on footpath 46, towards Holts Farm. A hole in the bridge beneath crumbling steps had made the crossing quite dangerous (The Editor slid down the steps and nearly went through the hole only two months ago!). The robust new replacement bridge and steps should last for years. Thanks to all involved! If you’d like to help in future then give Brian a call on 856664. RF 27 28

Lawn Ad

29 30 Hatfield Forest Spring is approaching and excitement is mounting at Hatfield Forest, where a Tawny Owl has again been spotted roosting in a veteran tree. The Forest has a number of nest boxes, but this owl seems to prefer the natural habitat. Henry Bexley, Operations Manager, said, "The owl is in a prime place to be able to capitalise on every element which make up a Tawny's diet - small mammals, rodents, small birds, frogs, insects, worms and even fish at times."

There are also reports of Red Kites and Ravens overflying the Forest, and the possible sighting of a Goshawk around the area. Finding a spot to watch wildlife is a wonderful way to enjoy the Forest. We ask that you please give the creatures space to live, undisturbed by us. Please do take photographs, sketch and paint from a distance, but keep to hard-standing paths and away from waterlogged areas. It is important dogs are kept on leads in the lake and boardwalk areas, around our livestock and wildlife, and are kept under close control in the wider Forest.

There are many ways to explore Hatfield Forest. We have events during the spring and summer, including photographic workshops, a Forest Bake-off and the opportunity to build a bee hotel. For details see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hatfield-forest/whats-on.

It is not just wildlife that is flourishing now. The Forest is showing signs of new growth, with catkins on Hazel trees, sticky buds on the Horse Chestnuts and Dogs Mercury carpeting our ancient woodland.

Helen Hooker and Elizabeth Reeve, Visitor Welcome Team, Hatfield Forest 31 Stebbing in Winter Thanks for photographs: Zoe Panting (above/below) and Suzanne Gates above opposite

32 Valentines Quiz Night at the White Heart

Stebbing’s favourite quizmaster, Dick Hughes, provided another highly entertaining evening of quirky quizzing, for the quick witted and light heartedly quarrelsome quaffers, in the White Hart on the 13th February.

The clever-clogs on this occasion were the Webbing Stalkers (in photo). As we go to print, Dick is still waiting to hear from Essex Air Ambulance how much was collected - but on past form it will be an impressive total. Thanks again Dick; I’ll have to swat harder for the next one! RF

33

34 Breathing under open skies

When we moved to the village three and a half years ago, the idea that we might one day take long walks with our son seemed some way off. At just over three, the most I managed to persuade him to walk was from the high street to the puddles on Clay Lane, armed with the promise of splashing freely and searching for dinosaur bones (strange-shaped flint to you and me). On family walks it was my husband who From Ridley Wood towards Leaselands Spring ended up carrying him on his shoulders, muddy boots on his jacket. At four, I realised that asking him to walk, at what I considered a reasonable pace for a reasonable distance, wasn’t going to happen.

Not all children are the same; I swear I remember skipping like a mountain goat on Hadrian’s Wall at a similar age (though photographic evidence would seem to suggest I was less than cheerful about it) but I agonised about how I could get our son to enjoy walking. After all, it was one of the many reasons why we moved to Stebbing, to be able to walk out from our front door into the open countryside.

Six months after we moved here I started to try to run, something I’d never successfully been able to do before. As I got fitter, my confidence increased and I began exploring. It was really down to curiosity that the distances increased. I ran further and further afield and grew to love the landscape as much as the flora and fauna. On my runs, through the seasons and in all weather, I have seen dancing dragonflies, turquoise and red, skylarks rising from the wheat and barley, buzzards soaring and keening overhead, kestrels hovering, green woodpeckers in dipping flight and song, herds of fallow deer bounding across fields or stock still, staring through trees. Occasionally I find myself face to face with a tiny Towards Lashley Hall (Continued on page 37) 35 36 (Continued from page 35) goldcrest, a chaffinch, or a charm of goldfinches or watching a pair of hares chase each other in the distance, among the stubble of a fallow field. Sometimes I walk in snow, run in fog, sweat in blazing hot sunshine. Being outside brings me the most complete calm, as well as moments of pure joy - the sight of a red kite close up, a wake of buzzards following a plough (during one run over by Ridley Wood I saw Towards Nick’s Hole over nine), an egret in the pond at Tanner’s Farm, and once, just once, I saw a kingfisher over the water at Stebbing Brook. Why wouldn’t I want my son to enjoy all this too?

So now he is six and we have adventures, not walks. Sometimes we take scouts knives (we have one each) to whittle a stick under a tree, a microscope to look at things up close, waterproofs and wellies for all and any puddles we encounter, a camera each (his is waterproof!) and plenty of warm clothes. Crucially, we stop at the village shop for supplies - hot sausage rolls to get us started, a slice of homemade cake for a later stop, a packet of crisps.

Today we walked five miles in glorious sunshine and towards a beautiful sunset, through the kissing gate at Stebbing Park and along the brook to Tanner’s Farm, up the hill and past Nick’s Hole to Lashley Hall, and alongside Great Rakefairs and past Rogers’ Piece back towards Ridley Wood and Nettle Spring, and back past the barns at Williams Farm and on towards Stebbing Brook. We saw a buzzard swoop, yellowhammers in the hedgerows, and over twenty Barn at Lashley Hall fallow deer streak across a field. Today was a day for breathing under open skies. Zoe Panting

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38 Ed’s Recipe

With lemons in season now, it is the best time to make the perfect lemon tart for dessert on a Sunday or little individual ones for your dinner party. Pastry recipe: 400g butter 280g icing sugar 95g ground almonds 7g salt 150g whole eggs 760g plain flour. Egg wash: 2 egg yolks Splash water

Method: Cream butter and icing sugar together. Sieve ground almonds, salt and flour together. Add eggs and flour, alternately, in three batches to the butter mix. When all ingredients have combined, take out and cover with cling film and rest in the fridge for an hour before rolling.

Once rested, roll the dough out to ½ cm thick and line your desired tin. Place a couple of sheets of cling film on top of the dough and fill with unwanted dry beans/ rice or (if you have them) baking beans. Place in the oven @ 180° and bake for 10mins, then take it out of the oven, remove the beans, and when the pastry is cooked, but not brown, brush with the egg wash and place back in the oven. If you have any holes in the pastry case then patch these with some left over pastry. Finish baking the tart case so it is golden brown. Then leave to cool. Lemon tart mix recipe: 250ml fresh lemon juice 6 whole eggs 220g sugar 160g double cream.

Method: Blend all ingredients together and pass through a sieve, then chill in the fridge. To finish the tart, pre-heat your oven to 100°/ gas mark 1. Place the tart case on a flat tray in the oven and pour the lemon tart mix into the case, until it reaches the top, and bake until the tart does not the wobble in the middle. Place on a cooling rack.

Once cool you could garnish with whipped cream and raspberries.

Enjoy

Chef Ed

39 40 Stebbing Tennis Club

Smashing Success...

Turkey Trot Tournament 2018 - photographer John McDowall

For quite a small club, Stebbing Tennis Club does rather well! A hardy bunch of characters who laugh in the face of bad weather, their courts see play throughout the year. Winter legs are a common sight and their club nights and club mornings are buzzing with activity, even in the bleakest of seasons.

The club currently has seven teams participating in the Essex Small Clubs League and several are regularly placed high up in the rankings, despite coming up against some formidable opponents from much larger clubs. Their strength as a club isn't only due to their success on court, as they know how to balance up court time with social time.

From family fun days to fundraising, quality coaching to quizzes, Stebbing Tennis Club serves up a winning combination. A friendly, random, sometimes slightly mad group of locals, united by the love of the game - a game which caters for all ages and abilities, characters and styles. With new junior camps, adult coaching clinics, cardio tennis and much more scheduled, this club looks set to continue its rally of success into the new season and beyond. John McDowall 41

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42 Stebbing Cricket Club News

After a very successful 2018 season, when we achieved promotion as runners up in division 3 of the North Essex Cricket League, we look forward to another new season of competition under Steve Hooper’s leadership as club captain.

With the continuing support of Felsted School’s headmaster, Chris Townsend, and ex-England cricketer Jason Gallian, we hope to add more young blood to the team and see last year’s new members further develop their cricketing skills. We wish Steve and his team an enjoyable and fulfilling season of cricket ahead.

Our league fixtures for the season are listed below. As there are two fewer league matches this year, we will try to add more friendly matches to the schedule, beyond our regular mid-summer-evening encounter with the stalwarts of Stebbing Church; I’m sure they will look forward to this with renewed enthusiasm this year after their notable last-ball victory last summer.

2019 PDQ League Division 2 Fixtures:

Sun. May 19th Kelvedon (H) Sun. July 14th Springfield (A)

Sun. May 26th Real Oddies (A) Sun. July 21st Braintree (H)

Sun. June 2nd Cavaliers (H) Sun. Aug 11th Cavaliers (A)

Sun. June 9th Witham (H) Sun. Aug 18th Witham (A)

Sun. June 23rd Braintree (A) Sun. Aug 25th Real Oddies (H)

Sun. June 30th Springfield (H) Sun. Sept 1st Kelvedon (A)

We would welcome some new faces to the club so, if anyone of any age is interested in playing some regular or even occasional cricket, please contact myself or our club chairman, Phil Baker, over the next few weeks.

We remain grateful for the continued support of our commercial sponsors (The White Hart, D & A Hills, Dennis Locks, Eddy Parsley Associates and Daniel Brewer Estate Agents), our club president Kevin Farr and our vice-presidents.

Adrian Farr, Club Secretary

Stebbing Cricket Club Welcomes new players

Anyone interested in joining our small & friendly club, please contact: Phil Barker: 01371 856597 or Adrian Farr: 01371 856691

43 CHIROPODIST / PODIATRIST

Andrew Marlow MSSCh MBChA

Registered Member of the Health Professions Council

HOME VISITING PRACTICE

Tel: 07754 700950 e.mail: [email protected]

44 STEBBING BOWLS CLUB

The new Bowls season starts on Tuesday 23rd April. As usual, the following Thursday, 25th of April, will be an open day for any new members to try the game. These Thursdays will continue throughout the season, together with coaching for any player.

We start our first friendly game away at North Weald on Saturday 27th April. Friendly games are held against local teams most weekends during the season.

We start our very competitive games in the North West Essex Bowls League on Wednesday 8th May against Quendon. Once again we are looking to move from our position in Division 2 up to Division 1 (We missed promotion last year by one point).

Also, throughout the season, we make time for many BBQ days. One such day is the Des and Josie Staines Trophy Day. The picture shows the players last year (2018) when the winners were Rae Barbier, Mark Dovaston and Howard Jolliffe.

As always we are open to outside groups who are looking for a fun evening with a BBQ to finish.

Pat Going, 01371 855 943 John Pitkethly , 01371 856 155

45 Thanks to Colin Harrison for this picture from South Africa of a response to what is a problem the world over.

PLEASE PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG!

46

The Mad Medic

Hello Stebbing, I hope that all is well with you and huge thanks to Bruce and Wendy, who have enabled us to do some lovely additional things for my children's project in Mumbai, for which I am so grateful. Everyone is excited.

Most of you know that I have zilch common sense and that day to day living baffles me but, given an emergency, however bad, I revert to my secret persona of 'Balaclava Woman' and can tackle anything without batting an eyelid.

Inevitably, dealing with Loss and grief is par for the course in my profession and people even come to me distraught over the loss of their beloved pets. You may have heard something often said to pet lovers, “But it was ONLY a dog/cat! Why get so upset?” (not too hot on the empathy thing that's for sure ). But true pet lovers take their dear little creatures into their heart and home, loving them and going all out to care for every need unconditionally. Many people see more of their pets than family, friends or neighbours, so there is an unspoken bond of love, loyalty and companionship to enrich their life. Therefore the grief is almost unbearable and the loss immense.

Having lost our darling Cherry 'Diva' Dog on the 3rd February, in awful circumstances, I totally get it and the heartbreak is beyond painful. Our comfort is the love that family, friends, patients and clients gave to her - and she often sat in on sessions in my practice to provide therapeutic comfort. Our pets are never 'just' anything and we are privileged to have them in our life and for the love they envelop us with. Thank you to everyone that loved Cherry and for the loving kindness shown to us.

On January 27th, I was lucky enough to have a book launch and had the loveliest evening. Thank you to everyone who attended because you made it very special and I will never forget it.

Spring will soon be here and it will be fantastic to see everyone emerging from semi- hibernation and hopefully feeling great. Not like one of my gorgeous patients who phoned me 2 weeks ago to say that she had foot and mouth disease. I'm still trying to work that one out bless her. I tried to explain to her that she wouldn't be up to having the acrylic nail extensions that she was on her way to have done, followed by a spray tan, if she actually had the disease, but she was adamant. Life is such a tapestry that moments like that are wonderful. Take care everyone love Valerie, the mad Medic xxxx

47

48 A Close Encounter With Big Foot! No this does not refer to a meeting with the illustrious Editor of Stebbing Scene but, needless to say, a bird. Prior to a recent trip to North West Argentina, the group of birders making the trip talked about the chances of seeing one of the rarest birds of prey in the world, a harpy eagle.

Having investigated the literature, we learnt that there had only ever been four previous sightings of this enormous eagle in the area. To give you an idea of the immense size of this bird, females, always bigger than males, measure in excess of a metre in length and weigh 10kilos. They have thick strong legs and 7 centimetre talons to deal with their primary prey - large forest monkeys.

Harpy eagle plumage is unmistakeable, with the upper side being predominately black and the under parts white, but with a black breast band added. Added to this it has a pale grey head which is crowned with a double crest.

It was therefore a heart stopping moment when our guide, Marcelo, almost casually uttered, “Harpy eagle,” as we were driving up a steep wooded valley in the Andes foothills. And there she was, without doubt the bird I had most wanted to see in the world. Over the following half hour she flew from enormous tree to tree displaying and carrying nesting material.

After this she flew down the valley out of view. Since that sighting on 25th January, a lot of Argentinean birders and tour groups have looked for the harpy eagle without success and so I consider myself very fortunate indeed.

Around Stebbing in the last few days, I notice that the resident birds, particularly great and blue tits, robins and dunnocks, are starting to sing more actively, suggesting that spring is just around the corner.

Very soon our winter visitors, such as fieldfares and redwing, will depart and early migrants such as martins and wheatears will start to arrive, heralding my favourite time of year.

March and early April can be very hard times for our resident birds, as natural food resources are at their lowest. So please don't forget to continue to feed the birds in your gardens as they need support feeding at this time of year more than ever.

...But even then, none of them will grow to the size of the fabulous harpy eagle. Howard Jolliffe

49 WANT AN OUTDOOR EXERCISE YOU CAN STICK WITH?

WEST ESSEX JUDO CLUB

Class Times

Tuesdays Nordic walking uses 90% of the body’s muscles 6pm – 7.30pm Novices & Juniors A full-body exercise that is suitable for all ages and fitness levels, Nordic walking provides fast 7.30pm – 9.30pm Advanced & Seniors results and can burn up to 40% more calories when compared to walking without poles. Saturdays LEARN TO NORDIC WALK Dates to be arranged. Contact Sarah Bennison details 10am – 11.30am Novices & Juniors below. 11.30am – 1.30pm Advanced & Seniors REGULAR WALK Mondays 2 hour walks from Stebbing, Felsted, Lindsell, Rayne and surrounding villages. Fridays 1 - 1 and a half hour walks from Felsted and Held at surrounding villages. Stebbing Village Hall, Mill Lane, Stebbing Enrol online at www.uttlesfordnordicwalking.co.uk Contact Faith on 07595331073, [email protected] where you can register and book any of my or via Facebook classes and walks I can also be contacted directly on 01371 870817 / 0770 332 5332 or NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME YOUNG OR OLD! [email protected]

AFTERNOON CARPET BOWLS EVENING CARPET BOWLS THURSDAYS 2.00 - 4.30pm THURSDAYS 7.30pm at the Village Hall at the Village Hall Cost £2.00 including tea and biscuits Cost £2.00, including tea and biscuits Newcomers welcome - Informal Guidance, encouragement and a warm instruction and encouragement given welcome come free Contact: Pat Hopwood 856183 Contact: Roger 856348 or Ann 856476

BADMINTON SAVE YOUR OLD STAMPS New members needed Please save old postage stamps, British or foreign, as I collect them to Wednesday evenings 8pm-10pm th help The Leprosy Mission, who are also glad to (except 4 Wednesday of each month) receive old picture postcards of any kind. If you In the Village Hall, Mill Lane have any, please drop them in to me at : Contact: Mark Hayden Tel: 07791526278 6, Oakfield, Stebbing - or phone me on 856325 and I can collect them. Thank you, Anne Howard

Did you know that this issue, and back copies, are available to download at www.StebbingScene.uk 50 Champagne!

Champagne is generally a blend of chardonnay (white), pinot noir and pinot meunier (black) grapes. The dark- skinned grapes are simply pressed gently to keep the skins from bleeding into the juice. Fermentation of these base wines takes place separately in stainless steel by adding yeast to the juice. Yeast eats the sugar and creates alcohol, heat and carbon dioxide.

Assemblage follows this first fermentation which involves blending wines from the current vintage, along with wines that the Champagne houses have kept back from a few previous vintages. This way each Champagne house can blend their Champagnes to a ‘house style’. Hence most champagne is ‘non-vintage’. Vintage champagne comes from a single year.

After the correct ‘house style’ is achieved, the wine is transferred to the bottle that we will eventually purchase. To this is added the ‘liquer de tirage’ – a mixture of wine, yeast and sugar before sealing with a temporary crown cap resting horizontally in one of Champagne’s cool, dark chalky tunnels. The yeast starts to eat the sugar and a second fermentation takes place increasing the alcohol content (by around 2% abv). The carbon dioxide produced is unable to escape and gradually dissolves into the wine, creating champagne’s effervescence.

The second bottled fermentation leaves dead yeast cells, known as lees, which eventually split open leaving a distinctive yeasty, bready, brioche flavour. The length of time a Champagne spends on its lees greatly affects the quality of the final wine.

The next stage is known as ‘remuage’ or ‘riddling’. Here sediment is gradually worked from the side of the bottle down to its neck, achieved by gradually altering the position from horizontal to downwardly vertical. As the angle is changed, the bottle is twisted slightly, forcing the lees into the neck.

The lees must now be removed through ‘dégorgement’ or disgorging. Traditionally, the bottle would be dipped, just up to the neck, into a frozen brine solution which freezes the yeast particles together to form an ice plug. The temporary bottle cap is then removed, allowing pressure within the bottle to force out the plug, so removing the lees. Invariably a little wine is lost from the bottle during this process and the level in each is topped up with the ‘liqueur d’expedition’, a mixture of wine and cane sugar, dependent on the required sweetness, or dryness, of the finished champagne. This part is known as the ‘dosage’.

The process of dégorgement and dosage, along with the final cork being driven into the bottle, are conducted at speed leaving us with a lovely sparkling wine.

Neil Bull , Essex Wine School

51 52 The Scene Crossword - 149

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 Thanks for all the, much appreciated, feedback on how you got on with the last 10 11 12 crossword. There is a minor theme to some of the clues this time and you will not be 13 14 15 surprised that it links to my editorial on page 3.

Good luck and don’t forget 16 17 18 to let me know how it goes.

RF

19 20 21

22 23 24

25

Across 15 Not relaxed because what remains 3 Time of year to return fruit (3) is not so much (8) 7 She's the girl for lager (6) 17 Score given at ring around (6) 8 Tie rat around dress (6) 18 Two mushrooms make muscle? (6) 10 Smart boy is cold after beer (4) 19 Go left from hiding place for us to 11 Tough returned for a new novel? (8) breathe (3) 13 So I'm both backward and sound hesitant getting 20 Return at after 10 for such a little element (6) thing (4) 14 After conflict, muppets begin to raise the 23 First two of lady's fingers are temperature (4-2) alright (2) 16 Posh car once came to grief on this turn (6) 18 Divide to make dry in a bit (6)

19 Stormy Welsh sweetheart takes it back to sea (8) 1 2 3 4 5 6 A L B U M S A P R I L 21 Hang about to laugh out loud at left (4) 7 8 G O A G O I A 22 To Poirot, tennis was somewhat putrid (6) 9 10 11 I L E A P E P P E R 24 Pilots shot with this perhaps? (6) 12 13 14 L I E M E R E R D 25 Fuel for stoves that don't start (3) 15 E R X N S O M E 16 17 Down B O W L E R H A T R 1 Council?.. tidy it up with loft duster (10) E C O U 18 19 20 2 When you vote, choose charged particle (8) A P E R S U A D E R 21 22 23 3 After 3ac he might start confusion! (6) C O O T A S M I 24 25 26 4 Raise worry about a plant (6) T W B E E F B U D 27 28 29 5 Sounds like tails are up for tail end (4) S I N F U L I L L Y 30 6 Use proper ends to manage information (2) U U E G D E L 31 32 9 Tree's last replaced by large deer (3) P I A N O N O R M A L 12 May no ill occur to upset successful candidate in 2d (10) Solution to Crossword no: 148 53 54 The Rodings and Surrounding Area U3A

Peter Turrall, a former long-serving employee of Marconi, gave an excellent talk at the February monthly meeting. Peter’s presentation was in two parts. The first described how Guglielmo Marconi, born in Bologna in 1874, became one of the most famous and prolific inventors and electrical engineers in the world. The second concerned examples of some of the many pieces of equipment he devised. When his ideas did not elecit much interest in Italy, Marconi came to London, where he worked with the chief engineer of the General Post Office and later chose Chelmsford to start his first manufacturing base. Marconi’s basic idea was wireless communication between long distances, which involved high towers from which the sounds were transmitted and receivers, kites in the early days, which allowed the signals, morse code originally, to be captured. This basic thesis was developed to embrace every communication system we know today. His inventions led to broadcasting including the original development of television, the telephone system and communication between members of all the armed forces. It was due to the radio system on board the Titanic being used to call for assistance that more lives were not lost. Over one hundred members heard a fascinating talk about a remarkable man.

Our Outings Co-ordinator is still keeping busy. Future trips include Kew Gardens, Living Crafts at Hatfield House and, what used to be called Hampton Court Flower Show and is now Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival. There is also another booking for the theatre at the Mill in Sonning, where the play is preceded by lunch or dinner, depending on the time of day.

Although there has been less news from the RU3A lately due to the Christmas break and no monthly meeting having been held in January, most of the interest groups have carried on with their programmes. Many of the groups are full but there are spaces in Aviation, Badminton, Bridge, Church Visiting, Croquet, Garden Visits, Nine- hole Golf, Sharing Sunday and Walking. If you are considering joining us do find out more from the website: u3asites.org.uk/the-rodings-area or email [email protected]. You can also telephone Louise Searl on 01277 362043. Stebbing Community Going from strength to strength 492 people from 60% of Stebbing homes communicate with each other on ‘Nextdoor’ Email the scene if you want an invitation at [email protected] Do you want to know what Stebbing is talking about? The more of us who join in, the more useful it is.

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56 Letters to the Editor

I would like to thank all members of Stebbing Carpet Bowls Club for being so friendly and welcoming.

My parents were committed bowls players in Danbury for many years before they moved to Hawthorns, the retirement home in Braintree, and my mum was no longer able to play. I told Dad the club in Stebbing was looking for new members but he never wanted to go to a club without her. Very sadly, she passed away last June.

After a while, I suggested the club to Dad again and he agreed to give it a try if my husband, Neil, and I were also interested in going along. Neither of us had ever played but it seemed a relatively simple game and we were happy to keep Dad company. We were rather surprised to discover that, far from being an easy game, it requires considerable skill and concentration, particularly in negotiating the difficult path around the wooden block placed in the centre of the mat!

Dad’s experience was immediately obvious and we are gradually improving but one of the nicest things about the club is how warmly we have been welcomed. Every single member is friendly and enthusiastic, giving us helpful advice and encouragement. Perhaps it’s a hobby that has associations of being solely for senior citizens but it’s a fallacy to assume that’s the case, or a limitation for anyone younger who is interested.

We now attend because we really enjoy playing and being involved with such a lovely group of people. Matches played against other local clubs are also relaxed and friendly, so it hasn’t been too embarrassing to be the newbies who are just learning! The club meets every Thursday evening from 7.30 to 9.30 at Stebbing Village Hall and is still appealing for more new members. Dad is very glad that he is playing again and we all really enjoy the evenings.

Julie Bull

Hello Richard, My family’s surname was Joyce and my great grandparents’ graves (Alice and Thomas Joyce) are in the Great Saling churchyard. My great grandfather (Randal Joyce) was the first to leave the village, but for centuries it seems the family stayed in Great Saling.

Census records show that they lived in Saling Road, White House Cottages, Shalford Road and Blake End Beer House. It seems many of them worked at The Hall (as gardeners and groom); they mainly seemed to be agricultural labourers.

I wonder if there are any Joyces living in the area now or if anyone could shed more light? If you have any information, my email address is: [email protected] or Tel: 07775 621835 Thank you, Sarah

57 58 Letters to the Editor (Continued)

Stebbing Community Minibus Needs Drivers. You will probably be aware that there is a Community minibus which provides a vital service for some Stebbing residents who have no other means of transport.

Every Tuesday morning the bus goes from Stebbing to Dunmow and once a month, on a Wednesday, it goes to Braintree. For some people in the village there is no other way to get to these places and this provides them with the opportunity to go shopping for a couple of hours or visit the hairdressers, doctor, bank and so on.

We currently have only 3 drivers and more drivers are desperately needed to keep this community service going. If you are aged between 25 and 70 and be able to spare a half a day on Tuesday or Wednesday every few weeks we would like to hear from you. If you think you would like to volunteer to help out on an occasional basis please call either the bus number 01371 856 892 or Pat Going on 01371 855943 to discuss further details. Robert James

Hi Richard, Congratulations on the last issue of Stebbing mag. The pictures were stunning and there were several very interesting articles. There is usually something that reminds me of my early days in the village; this time it was Hicks buses. They took me to school at Braintree High. We used to have to go to the corner where Clarkes Scrap yard was, the bus came from Felstead via Bannister Green. Happy New year, Charles (Boyton)

Thank You Stebbing – WW1 Armistice Centenary Poppy Appeal 2018

The generous people of Stebbing contributed £1,433.88 to the overall total for Dunmow & District of £22,714.86. This always involves groups of amazing volunteers and I would like to thank, Cathy Beavan, Jackie Kingdom, Rosemary Pitkethly, Jane Goodwin, Teresa Taylor, Wendy Chalklen, Vicky Skilton, Roy Shephard, Peter Merifield and Lucy and James Pickford for taking the time to collect. This appeal is truly a whole community venture as Stebbing School, the Village Shop, The White Hart and Andrews Airfield are also involved in collecting.

Stebbing’s donations to the Poppy Appeal contribute towards supporting members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families, enabling the Royal British Legion to help those in need within the Armed Forces community. Thank you once again Stebbing for your continuing support of this very worthwhile cause.

Sandi Merifield, Stebbing Poppy Appeal Coordinator

59 STEBBING VILLAGE HALL Available for hire for all sorts of occasions

Family Events: - Birthdays • Funerals • Christenings • Wedding Receptions • Quiz Nights Village Clubs/Hirers: - Carpet Bowls • Badminton • Parent & Toddler Group Pilates • Judo

Meetings: - Stebbing Ladies • Garden Club • Friday Morning Market • Over 60’s • Historical Society

Why not start a new group? – Free slots are available in the main hall and the Pelham Room for smaller groups – chess, bridge, music, dance, craft, floral etc.

Contact the Booking Clerk: – Donna, Tel 01371 855859

60 THE DORCAS SOCIETY Invites you to their Annual Spring Soup Lunch (Home-made soups) Friday 22nd March 2019 at The Village Hall 12.30pm

Tickets £5 (Cheques made payable to NEW DORCAS SOCIETY 2006) from: Ann Pattenden 856476 or Rosemary Pitkethley 856155

As spring approaches, it is again time for the Dorcas Soup lunch. Everyone is welcome, but we are only able to accommodate a certain number of people so, if you would like to attend, please ask me or Ann Pattendon for tickets. We request payment before the event to enable us to firm up on the numbers for catering.

As most of you know, we try to visit anyone whom, for any reason, we feel would benefit from a card, some flowers or a small gift, but we are very aware that sometimes people can slip through the net. I would like to reinforce the plea that I make at all our lunches, that we can only visit people if we are know about them, so please do tell any of us if you should hear of anyone whom you feel would benefit from a visit from one of us. Many thanks and we look forward to seeing many of you on March 22nd. Rosie Pitkethly Stebbing Village Market

Our village market has been running for decades and is a wonderful place for different generations of villagers to meet. Our veteran villagers certainly enjoy the company, but we are in need of some younger (and I use that term loosely!) visitors, if the market is to keep going. Regular stalls include pre-loved books and jigsaws, home grown produce and cakes, crafts, bric-a-brac and a raffle.

All the proceeds go towards local (Stebbing) charities/associations. Please come with your friends for a chat and a cuppa. A warm welcome is guaranteed!

If you have a craft or a product you’d like to showcase or sell, why not take one of our guest stall slots. Contact:

Kim Matthews, Tel: 01371 856112

61 Stebbing Directory

AFSS/Stebbing School Office 856260 Badminton Mark Hayden (eve) 07791526278 David Arnold (afternoon) 856271 Beavers Andy Kiberd 855859 Bell Ringing Neil Bromley 820898 Bowls Club Pat Going 855 943 Brownies Loraine Irani 07788 412813 Carpet Bowls (Afternoon) Pat Hopwood 856183 Carpet Bowls (Evening) Roger 856348 Church – St Mary’s Tim & Ruth Goodbody 856080 Church Flowers Hazel Kerr 856993 Cricket Club Adrian Farr 856691 Cubs Maxine Walker 856232 New Dorcas Society Rosie Pitkethly 856155 First Aid Training Val Mulcare-Tivey 856935 Footpath Rep Brian Martin 856664 Friday Morning market Kim Matthews 856112 Friends Meeting House Angela Newbrook 856464 Garden Club Margaret Rufus 856122 History Society / Archive Derek Towler 856680 Guides Clare Moreton 07704 101936 Guides – Senior Section Sarah White 856032 Judo Club Andy Kiberd 855859 Ladies Group Gina Going 855 943 Little Harts Nikki Munson 07939 497472 Meals on Wheels Ann Howard 856325 Medi-Call EMS Val Mulcare-Tivey 856935 Minibus Pat Going 855943 Over 60s Eve Stephenson 856293 Parish Clerk Greg King 855805 Police All non-emergency 101 Rainbows Liz Hooper 856814 Scamps Tim Goodbody 07708 660162 Scouts Andrew Lipski 821671 Stebbing Society Jenny Nichol 856401 Tennis Club Sabina Bird 07793 893545 Village Hall Donna Kiberd 855859 Village Stores Volunteer staff 856380 White Hart Nick Eldred 856383

Please help us to stay up to date - tell us about changes – Richard Foot 856122

62 6th Stebbing Vintage Tractor Road Run Make a note and tell your friends SUNDAY 12th MAY 2019

This year’s event will again pass through Stebbing High Street at a time yet to be advised. Last year we had 47 entrants and this year we are expecting over 50. In 2018 many of you turned out to wave us through. Have you noticed how young children seem fascinated by old tractors? We hope to see lots of you.

We propose again to donate all proceeds to Essex Air Ambulance for whom we raised £7,500 last year.

Dick Hughes, email: [email protected]

Garden Waste Collection

The Green garden waste skip will be back this year but the Parish Clerk has not yet been informed of the schedule. He will post it on village noticeboards and in the shop when it becomes available.

63 What am I? Competition What is this recent (but already quite common) Stebbing immigrant? The first correct answer out of the hat wins the wine. Please send entries to

The Editor: Richard Foot [email protected]

Closing date is 1st April 2019

Winner of the Winter 2018 Competition

A single correct entry this time, apart that is from the photographer who correctly described a moth resting on a lens cover! The particular moth in question is the spectacle moth (Abrostola Tripartita) and the correct answer was supplied by:

Sharon Holmes

Stebbing Scene is your magazine and we hope that you enjoy receiving it each quarter. Thanks to our advertisers, we are able to produce a professionally printed magazine, which is delivered free to every household in Stebbing. Our first priority is to entertain and inform village residents, but we hope that in doing so we can ensure that advertising with us is worthwhile. For most people in the village, when seeking local tradesmen or services, the natural first source of information is the Scene. If you own a small, or large business, why not place an advert in ‘Stebbing Scene’. Prices for 4 issues range from £30-£95. We can only produce a magazine that meets the needs, and satisfies the interests of Stebbing residents if you continue to send us articles and reports of events and social activities in the village. We welcome photos, reports and announcements covering all aspects of life in Stebbing. Let us have your views on the magazine and on how we can improve and develop. If you have an opinion, a moan, or a suggestion then please contact one of the team. Please send contributions to: Richard Foot (articles, reports, and letters) [email protected] Karen Howe (advertising) [email protected] Jackie Kingdom (obituaries) [email protected] John Pitkethly (queries about delivery) [email protected]

Copy date for next issue is 15th May 2019 All contributions are welcome. E-mail is preferred where possible, but even handwritten contributions are accepted (if we can read them).

DISCLAIMER The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Every care is taken to ensure that the contents of the magazine are accurate but the publishers cannot assume responsibility for errors. Stebbing Scene is delivered free to all Stebbing residents and its existence depends on our advertisers. However, the publishers cannot accept any responsibility for resulting transactions. 64