November 2019 Villages Magazine Items for the next edition can be posted to the Vicarage or preferably be emailed to [email protected] by 14th October at the latest please. Copy can also be given to Lynne Heraud, 27 Cappell Lane.

The Magazine Editor / Administrator works on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9.15am until 2.15pm and can be contacted on 01920 870115 or at [email protected].

Need Help with a Problem??? Contact the East Herts Citizens Advice Service Council Office, Wallfields, Pegs Lane, SG13 8EQ

Open: Mondays Wednesdays and Thursdays 10am – 2pm Adviceline telephone service is also available Monday – Friday 10am-4pm Tel: 03444 111 444 Also sessions in Ware, Bishops Stortford, , . For details of these and online advice, go to www.ehcas.org.uk

Hire the Wilshere Hall The hall next to St Andrew’s Church is available for both one-off and regular bookings. The ground floor room seats 40 around tables, and up to 70 if tables are not required. It has a well-equipped kitchen area. There are toilets, including disabled, and some parking. For bookings contact: Maureen Freeman on 01920 870632.

Have you just moved in? Or know someone who has? We provide a pack to welcome people into the Villages. It has information about bin days, doctors, children’s activities…. If someone has moved in near you, please ask the Vicarage for a pack for you to give to them, a good way to introduce yourself! They are kept at the Vicarage so we can endeavour to keep them up to date!

www. Stanstead -Abbotts -Online .co.uk The best online resource for the village of , with news and wide-ranging information on the amenities, events, activities and businesses within the village. Regularly updated. Take a look and add it to your favourites! Regular Clubs, Groups and Meetings in the three villages

Saturday Coffee: St Margaret’s Church every Saturday, 10.30am - noon

Lunch for Charity of host’s choice: 1pm 1st Thursday every month (see p.2)

Stanstead Abbotts Brownies: Mondays 5.45pm-7pm (Wilshere Hall, Cappell Lane Stanstead Abbotts) – for girls aged 7 to 10 years. Guider in charge: Helen Payne 01920 462676 1st Stanstead Abbotts Guides : Monday 7.30-8.45pm (Wilshere Hall also) - for girls aged 10-14. Please contact [email protected] .

Beavers: Boys and girls aged 6 to 8 year olds. Cubs: Boys and girls aged 8 to 10 ½ year olds. Scouts: Boys and girls 10 ½ to 14 year olds Great Amwell Scout Group: (Scout HQ, London Road, Ware) www.greatamwellscouts.org.uk . Group Scout Leader – Julie Greaves [email protected] or 0845 6344183 1st Stanstead Abbotts & St. Margarets Scout Group: (Scout H.Q., Marsh Lane, Stanstead Abbotts: www.StansteadAbbottsScouts.org.uk ) Group Scout Leader: Paul Stretch 01920 320100

Bingo for the over 60’s : Every Friday 2.30pm – 4.00pm in Folly View Community Centre. New players welcome, just turn up.

Evergreen Club: Every Monday afternoon 2-4pm in the Stanstead Abbotts Parish Hall. Transport can be arranged. Contacts: 01920 424140

Carpet Bowls: 7.30pm Tuesdays in the Parish Hall, Great Amwell and every Monday in Stanstead Abbotts Parish Hall (not during the summer months)

Great Amwell Women’s Club: Every 1 st & 3 rd Wednesday 7.30pm – 10.00pm in the Parish Hall, Great Amwell. Club Secretary: Dulcie Fordham, Contact number for enquiries: 01920 466689 (Christine)

Herts Wheelers (cycling club):- Weekly Sunday club rides for various abilities normally starting in Ware. Contact [email protected]

Amwell Society: Quarterly talks in the Parish Hall, Great Amwell, as well as trips, walks and activities locally. For details of membership contact William Brown 01920 872450 (Chairman)

Stanstead Abbotts Local History Society : Chairman; Bob Hunt. Regular meetings for both members and non-members. Details on the website: www.salhs.org.uk . For details of membership contact: [email protected] .

St Margaretsbury Tennis Club: A friendly club with social sessions on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday mornings, plus a juniors section, coaching available, and opportunity to play match tennis in local leagues. Details from [email protected] or come along to a social morning.

‘Armchair Singers’ for those with lung conditions: Held in the Nigel Copping Centre every Monday 2pm-3.30pm. Singing for health and well-being. All ages welcome. Please contact Gabby Hanley 07875 221543 for more details

The September lunch raised £135 for Cancer Research If you would like to host a lunch in 2020 the list is now ready to be filled, please either ask for it at an upcoming lunch event or contact 01920 870115 to arrange a slot. Thursday 3rd October for Isabel Hospice If you have a life-limiting illness, Isabel Hospice can care for you and your family. All their care is free and can be provided in your home, at their Living Well community hubs or their In-Patient Unit. They work alongside other healthcare providers and aim to increase the number of people they help over the next five years. Most patients have cancer, however, they are caring for more people with other life-limiting conditions. They rely heavily on donations from our community, as well as income from fundraising events and from their 18 shops. This year the Hospice must raise around £5 million so that they can continue to care for more

people, earlier in their journey.

Thursday 7th November for The British Legion Poppy Appeal The Poppy Appeal is the Royal British Legion’s biggest fundraising campaign held every year in November, the period of Remembrance. Their main fundraising events during the Poppy Appeal are all about bringing communities together to fundraise and enjoy themselves in the process. They provide support for members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families. By supporting and donating to The Royal British Legion, you’re helping them to help those in need within the Armed Forces community; service and ex-service personnel and their families. Supporting veterans and their families in debt and emergency situations, the Royal British Legion provides vital support for the Armed Forces community.

Join us at our Harvest Lunch Sunday 13th October 2019, 12.30pm in the Parish Hall in Great Amwell. Great Amwell will provide a free Ploughman's lunch. If you wish to attend you will need a free ticket by Monday 7th October (for catering numbers), and then we ask for a donation to go to St John the Baptist church tower fund or the Bishop of Harvest appeal. Contact Sue Vaughan on 01920 877779 or email, [email protected] for tickets.

We have had our Garden Parties for the year. We enjoyed the gardens of Vicky Burt and Jonathon Pilkington in Stanstead Abbotts, and Anne and Peter Troughon in Great Amwell, they were all very successful, and the weather was kind to us. We now hunker down for winter, but first we have Autumn which is a lovely season.

Still Spaces: As previously advertised we are going to Southend by coach on 21st October to see a show and have lunch. If you would like to join us ring Ann Hardy 01920 870526. Also, if you would like to come to The Evergreen Club whichs is held every Monday afternoon 2pm – 4pm in The Parish Hall, Roydon Road, Stanstead Abbotts please contact Ann. Transport can be arranged."

Food Bank Collection We collect for the local Food Bank in Hertford. They would like dry foods of all sorts, long-life liquids, and tinned foods – they help people who are sent by Social Services, CAB etc, when they cannot afford to feed their family until the next cheque comes in. At the moment they particularly need Marmite, Chocolate spread, cooking sauces, tinned custard, small jars of coffee and toiletries (especially for men) as well as single toothbrushes and toothpaste . Please put your contributions in the box in the Co-op or in the churches, and we will then take the contents to Hertford. Thank you all for your support, people are being really generous.

We would like to wish the Vicar a very happy and fulfilling retirement and to thank her for all of the energy, determination and enthusias m she has demonstrated in her work improving life for all in the parish. Anne has been easy to spot as she has cycled around in her clerical garb and we all know we are in for a friendly greeting when she sees us. We shall miss her very much as a friend, but so much also as an advocate and supporter for the many and varied issues which she has so ably helped with.

News - some of us have been involved in discussions about speeding, parking and polluting with the officers who need to know the problems so that something can be done. Watch out for some improvements soon - and in particular, watch out for new lamp-posts in October!! Many thanks to County Councillor Eric Buckmaster for his decision to spend so much of his highways allowance on Stanstead Abb otts!!

August has been a less busy month than usual but the Steering Group will have met in September after this magazine has gone to print with updates under the various topics covered by the sub-groups - in particular Heritage have been busy producing a report and a draft policy; Ecology have done tremendous research and will be telling us which green sites they propose to protect and the Design Team have been out and about completing their character assessments. We shall be able to include deta ils such as the distance between houses, how many and how high in particular spaces and so on. If you would like to have a say we should love to hear from you: do please get in touch through our website: https://www.stansteadabbottsneighbourhoodplan.uk/. Julia Davies, Chairman, Stanstead Abbotts, and the Folly Neighbourhood Plan.

Hello & Goodbye Change is in the air as we are saying goodbye to those hot and dry days and welcome a new season. Autumn means colder nights, shorter days and leaves in shades of red and gold. It’s also the best time for enthusiastic birdwatchers, as nearly half of birds native to the UK are on the move. Why do birds migrate? Most birds are able to withstand cold temperatures, but winter also means food resources become scarcer. Birds Bittern by Tim Stenton head south towards warmer regions offering an abundance of insects, plants and other food sources for the winter before migrating back to their nesting places in spring. Some species migrate to Southern Europe and Africa, such as hobby, chiffchaff, blackcap or willow warbler and others are just passing through from their breeding grounds further north on their way south. Then there are birds that arrive from even colder places to the north and east to spend the winter here. These include gadwall, pochard, shoveler, water rail, wigeon and many more. The best place to see them this autumn and winter is Amwell Nature Reserve when bird numbers will be at their highest. The reserve is an internationally important refuge for wintering birds. It is also known to host bittern in winter – an elusive bird rare to the UK. Find out more at hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/ /reserves/amwell. Frieda Rummenhohl – Communications Officer

Mobility Aids Volunteers The British Red Cross offers a short term hire service for wheelchairs, commodes and toilet frames from our office in Baker Street, Hertford. We are looking for volunteers for 4 hours a week to join our friendly team. Volunteers need to have good people skills and to be able to use a computer based programme. Please call us (01992 585976) or pop into our office during opening times for more information: Monday to Wednesday 10am - 2pm, Thursday 10am – 12noon and 4.30pm – 6.30 pm.

This autumn term our Beavers Cubs and Scouts all have a jam packed programmes of activities, trips and visits planned, full of fun, challenge and adventure. For example: Our Scout Troop will be competing in the Ware and District Heavy weight Camping Competition and the huge Scouts Green Beret Competition in November. They will also be learning about our government and the police force from local representatives for their Community Awareness Badge, as well as going ice skating and on a local night hike and many other activities at HQ and in our local area. The girls and boys in our two Cub Packs will be enjoying lots of activities to help them complete badges for navigating, learning about science, which will involve lots of volcano building and eruptions and challenging themselves with their Personal Challenge Badge. They will also be taking part in the Ware and District Cubs Night Hike, visiting museums and going ice skating in the lead up to Christmas. Both our Forest and Woodland Beaver Colonies have very full programmes lined up for their boys and girls. Depending on which Colony they attend, they could be learning about their local and international communities, disability awareness, faith, visiting a local Fire station and taking part in Halloween activities and even a local community clean up. All the girls and boys in our Forrest and Woodland Beaver Colonies will be invited to the Ware and District Beaver Sleepover and the Hertfordshire Scouts Beaver Family Fun Day at Paradise Wildlife Park with Beavers from all around the County. Then on Sunday 10th November, the entire Scout Group will on parade once again to take part in this year’s Remembrance Sunday Service and Act of Remembrance at St Andrew’s Church with many members of our local community. We hope you will be able to join us.

JUST FRIENDS We meet each week of the month on a cycle at different venues: Week 1 Thursday Afternoon Tea - at 2.30pm at the Village Cafe, High Street, Stanstead Abbots, SG12 8AS (3rd October) Week 2 Wednesday Coffee Morning at the Parish Centre, Sacred Heart, Ware, SG12 7EJ at 10.30am , (9th October). Week 3 Tuesday Lunch at the Beefeater in Ware, SG12 9QB at 12.30pm (15th October) to book a place for this please contact Mary Hallett 01920 870527. Week 4 Wednesday Coffee in Van Hages, SG12 9RP at 11am, (23rd October). We sometimes have outings and visits to the cinema, theatre etc. For more information contact Judy Heilpern Brown 01920 871743. Don’t forget anyone of any age who is widowed or divorced or separated is welcome at any of our meetings. Vicar vacancy Anne has gone (when you receive your magazine she may well be on holiday until she is able to move into her new home) but life in the 3 churches goes on as usual. All the services have been staffed until the end of February except a very few (there is time yet) Revd Doug Loveridge will take the Remembrance services in Great Amwell and in St Margarets, and the Archdeacon will take the service in Stanstead Abbots. All the usual Christmas Carols, Christingles, and Crib services will happen at their expected times. The only change during Advent is that the ‘ Midnight’ services on Christmas Eve will start at 10.00pm in Stanstead Abbots and Midnight in Great Amwell to allow Bishop Michael to do them both. The Christmas morning service will be in St Margarets this year. The only changes to the regular Sunday service patterns will be that the 8.45am Holy Communions in Stanstead Abbots will not happen during the vacancy, and the 3 churches will join together for 3rd Sunday Holy Communion services, which will rotate around the 3 churches – see the Diary pages on www.3churches.net and in the Magazine, and the church noticeboards for that to make sense. For pastoral things – funerals or needing someone to visit etc - please contact the Vicarage as before 01920 870115 and Katrina will respond or find someone for you. We still care about you and will help if we can

Memory Café at Willowthorpe

A FREE Event held on the first Tuesday of each month 2.30pm - 4pm. At Willowthorpe, High Street, Stanstead Abbotts, SG12 8AS

This is aimed at people who live with Dementia, as well as their families and carers. A chance to meet others in the same position in a relaxed environment.

The “Restoration of the Pagoda at Kew Gardens” - what has that got to do with our village’s history? Well, not a lot in all truth. But when the person presenting it at our September meeting is the very man who had to oversee this £5 million makeover and when he’s such a brilliant communicator, who worries?! It almost seemed like a privilege to listen to Dr Lee Prosser. His expertise was enormous. He was intimately involved in the whole process from beginning to end - culminating with him leading Prince Charles out onto one of the verandas to re-open it! Now anyone can climb the steps of the Pagoda for magnificent views all over west London - as far as Wembley! Our October meeting will be on Friday, Oct 11 th at 7.30. This will feature one of Hertfordshire’s historical gems; St Alban’s Abbey & Cathedral. Built to commemorate the martyrdom of St Alban it now features the sculptures of more modern martyrs. The sculptures were the painstaking work of Rory Young and we are fortunate to have him as our speaker on that occasion to talk about their selection and design. We look forward to seeing you there. Let me again urge you (as always!) to take a further look at our website (www.salhs.org.uk ) but, finally, may we join other contributors in sharing our appreciation of the ministry of the Rev Anne during her time in our village. We thank her for that all she has done and wish her a blessed and happy retirement! Bob Hunt (Chair SALHS)

There are more details on all these Events on the Charity’s website: – www.isabelhospice.org.uk , OCTOBER Saturday 5th – Elvis Night, Rugby Club, Rosedale Sports Club, Andrews Lane, EN7 6TB: 7.30pm- Midnight Are you an Elvis fan? Come and see an amazing Elvis impersonator followed by music from the same era! Put on your 50’s clothes and dancing shoes and come along. 100% of the money will go to Isabel Hospice. Buy tickets on the door for just £10! Sunday 6th – ‘Mind, Body and Soul’ at Great Pardon Community Centre , Abercrombie Way, CM18 6YJ, , : 12 noon – 5pm Serendipity Therapies are offering Holistic Treatments & Therapies in aid of the Hospice. There will be: • Holistic treatments and therapies • Reiki and sound healing drum • Natural remedies and therapies • Local handmade arts and crafts stall • Healthy natural food There will also be free parking available. Contact Serendipity Therapies by email to find out more. Saturday 19th - Jazz Evening, Memorial Hall, Welham Green, AL9 7PG: 7pm Join us for a Jazz evening at Noth Mymms Memorial Hall in aid of Isabel Hospice - More details to be announced soon!

NOVEMBER Wednesday 13th November – DATE FOR YOUR DIARY, Christmas at the Manor Manor or Groves, , Sawbridgeworth, CM21 0JU: 10:30am Join us for the return of the famous Christmas Fair in aid of Isabel Hospice! Tickets cost £40 each and include a coffee on arrival and a buffet lunch! Tables of 10/12 or join a mixed table. Any enquires please contact either of the following: Suzanne Coleman on 01438 798869 or [email protected] Barbara Doherty on 01279 842140 or [email protected]

At the Parish Hall, Roydon Road, Stanstead Abbotts on Sunday 20th October Doors open 6.30pm for 7.00pm for THE ASKEW SISTERS in CONCERT (www.askewsisters.co.uk)

All tickets £7 in advance (£9 on the door) Phone 01920 877588 or 01920 870558. Tickets online at www.ticketsource.co.uk Soft drinks and snacks available – bring your own alcohol BRINGING LIVE MUSIC TO STANSTEAD ABBOTTS

November is Will Aid month

The Will Aid scheme runs for the whole month of November and is celebrating 30 years this year!. The nine Will Aid charities all work with the most vulnerable people in the UK and around the world, so that money will have improved countless lives. To find your nearest participating solicitor go to www.willaid.org.uk How Will Aid works Participating solicitors draw up a basic Will for clients without charging their usual fee. Instead, they invite them to make a voluntary donation to Will Aid. The suggested donation level is £100 for a basic single Will or £180 for basic mirror Wills. Will Aid is your chance to protect your loved ones and to help charity at the same time. So, if you are one of the 6 out of 10 people who have not yet made a Will, or if you have not updated your Will in more than 5 years, please consider taking part in this worthwhile event. Any time from September onwards, go to their online postcode search or call them on 0300 0309 558 for details of a solicitor near you. Then you need to contact them direct to make an appointment in November. Appointments do get filled quickly so be sure to book early.

For help with debt – CAP (Christians Against Poverty) 0800 328 0006 (free call)

‘Don’t worry if it’s not good enough for anyone e lse to hear’ Just Sing (only £1) Research has shown that SINGING has the potential to IMPROVE BREATHING PROBLEMS Every Monday 1.30pm-3pm All ages welcome Nigel Copping Community Building Sanville Gardens, SG12 8GA For more in formation contact Gabby: 07875 221543

We meet on the last Thursday of most months at the Spotlight (Broxbourne Civic Hall), with coffee from 10am and the lecture at 10.30am. The next lectures are:- 31st October 2019 - Sporting Architecture 28th November 2019 - Is Christmas in Good Taste? If you would like more information please go to our website www.theartssocietyeastherts.org.uk

If you are interested in trying something different, pleas e consider table tennis! Our club meets twice a week at the Parish Hall in Roydon Road (next to St Andrew's School) and is open to all adults. Friday afternoons from 2 pm to 3.30 pm is our well established session - which started under the auspices of EHD C's Forever Active initiative, encouraging over 50's to be more active. Thursday evenings from 7.30pm is our club night for the local league - yes, we have a team which has been playing this season, and it would be great if some more experienced players wo uld join us! All abilities are welcome, at both sessions, and all equipment is provided. The cost is £3 per session, and your first session is free! Please wear suitable shoes and a dark top. For further information please call 07588 016148 or email [email protected] . ‘Death Café’ So far people have come wanting to talk about what death is; to have an opportunity to think about bereavements some years ago; to think how to support a friend who is dying; about life after death; to find out about probate and power of attorney..…So many different reasons to come. If conversation flags there are cards with discussion starters to help get going again (yes, they produce ‘Grave Talk’ cards!) The next meeting is 24th October, 6.30pm – 8.00pm , and every 4 th Thursday as long as it proves helpful. And for those more able to come in the afternoon on 10th October, 2.30pm – 4.00pm , also in the Café. Tea and coffee available, and free cake! Just come when you can and go when you have to. A solicitor will be joining us in October, to answer questions. There is usually a (retired) palliative care nurse, someone who has supported her husband as he died and can also talk about bereavement, and myself, to answer any questions as best we can. But mostly we simply enjoy the conversation. Just drop in any time.

Card making classes Card-making classes are in the Wilshere Hall, on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 1.00-4.00pm; £3 per session . All materials are provided and whatever you create is yours to take home with you. Come and give it a try. For further information contact Janet Dance on 01920 871262

Items For This Magazine Are you running a one off event locally or help at a local group that needs publicity? Please do not hesitate to contact me to put something in future editions of this magazine. If it is a non-profit making or charitable event/group there is no charge, but otherwise, a third page item is only £29 for one edition and that is delivered to 2,600 residential properties locally. For more information contact Katrina Dukes on 01920 870115 (Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays) or [email protected] . I look forward to hearing from you.

LIVE MUSIC SESSION AT THE RED LION Monday 28th October 8.30pm - 11:00 p.m. Musicians welcome (and audience!) Enquiries: Leah Pybus 07895 655757

The tradition of village signs is believed to have started around 100 years ago on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. The idea has spread and is particularly popular in . Around two-thirds of the parishes have a welcoming sign that usually tells us something about the place and its history. The installation of a village sign has often been prompted by a significant event or anniversary. The Queen’s Silver Jubilee inspired the erection of ’s knight signs at either end of the village in 1977. The arrival of the new millennium (was it really 20 years ago?) saw a rush of signs, followed by the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002. The 800th anniversary of Magna Carta inspired the installation in in 2015. Signs are generally made from wood or steel and their designs often show great imagination and artistic skill to depict aspects of life or history that are important to that parish. Several include a plane, recognising the part played by their local airfield in the Second World War. Some parishes have more than one sign: for example, has its own plus others in the hamlets of Perry Green and Green Tye. Some signs, such as , have different images on front and back. Most are at the entrance to the village or in a prominent place, whilst a few are somewhat off the beaten track, for example in and . I would be interested to hear of any signs older than those in Stansted Mountfitchet or newer than the one erected in Albury in May 2019. I would also like to hear if any have been listed. If you are a photographer or artist, there is much scope for trying to ‘capture’ these charming works of art. Ken McDonald, Secretary

We said goodbye to Revd Anne after her final Benefice service, held at St Andrew’s church on 29 th September. The service was followed by a buffet lunch and many stayed to say farewell to Anne. We wish Anne a very happy and fulfilling retirement in her new home and community. As we move forward into the vacancy we are making progress with the profile of the Benefice as a whole, and as individual churches. When this is finished and approved by the PCCs (Parochial Church Councils), the Diocese, Bishops and our Patrons, an advertisement for our new vicar will be placed in the relevant publications and on the website. Please pray that the person of God’s choosing will be moved to apply for the position, and that the vacancy will not be too long! We ask that as we make our way through this process, that you will support us in prayer. Some changes will have to take place to our pattern of services, the first of these will be that there will be a Benefice service on the 3rd Sunday of the month, held in each of the churches in rotation. The first of these is at St Andrew’s church on 20 th October at 10.15am. Please note that the 8.45am Holy Communion Service at St Andrew’s church is suspended for the time being. We will make sure that all changes will be in the church diary pages of the magazine, the weekly church notices, church notice boards and on the website (www.3churches.net ). Blessings to you all Marilyn Britton, Janet Dance and Lyn Paddon

Always remember that God only makes happy endings.

If it’s not happy, then it’s not yet the end. Live by love and hope. There is always something to look forward to.

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

From Local Church Registers

We celebrated the Marriage of George Neocleous and Alicia Silenti 31st August at St Andrew’s church

We celebrated Family life with David and Bev Roles, Joe and Isabella 24th August at St Andrew’s church

We offer our condolences to the families and friends of Vera Colbron 21st August (Woollensbrook) Rita Gray Hertford 22nd August (Woollensbrook) Brenda Spencer 23rd August (St John the Baptist) Betty Kinsman Arthurs Court 17th September (St Andrew’s)

St Andrew’s church is praying for:-

High Street shops, surgeries etc. - week beginning 6th October Willowthorpe and local carers - week beginning 13th October Wedding couples and Marriage - week beginning 20th October Baptism and Welcome families - week beginning 27th October

St Margaret’s Parish Church is open throughout the year every Saturday morning for coffee / tea and cakes, 10.30am – 12.noon Please pop in.

The Folly Community As part of these villages, the community on The Folly are trying some new initiatives including prayers each week for different roads in the community on the dates below: 6th October Field Way 13th October Frenchs Close 20th October New River Avenue 27th October Scott Avenue

Harvest 2019 in the 3 Churches

Imagine if, when you flicked on a light switch, nothing happened. For many people in Tanzania, where access to electricity is scarce, households cannot function easily after dark; families struggle with everyday chores, their children suffer with poor performance in school, and, without electricity, all basic services – water, health, education – are hindered. ‘Light Up Tanzania’ The Bishop of St Albans Harvest Appeal 2019 seeks to bring electricity – in the form of solar panels – to around 350 households in the rural area of Singida, Tanzania. These will make a huge difference! Presently, people rely on paraffin-style (kerosene) lamps in the evenings – which have caused many serious burn injuries – and their cooking is done on firewood or charcoal, creating high levels of smoke indoors too.

Sunday 13th October 9.30am – Family Service at St John’s Great Amwell 10.15am – Morning Worship at St Andrew’s, Stanstead Abbots 11.00am – Holy Communion at St Margarets Parish Church 12.30pm - Harvest Ploughmans lunch in the Parish Hall in Great Amwell, free ticket required - please see page 3 for details Children are welcome at all our services – there are books and toys for them to play with, in each church. There’s a Sunday School at St Margarets’ Parish Church and Great Amwell that day.

St James church website Please take a look at the website of one of our local historic churches at: www.stjamesoldchurch.org.uk Not only does it give information on its history, its care by The Churches Conservation Trust, but also details of upcoming events, including those of the five services held there each year. Both the church itself and its website are well worth a visit!

Calling blokes of Stanstead Abbotts (sorry ladies, your time will come)

Fancy a Full English Breakfast served with ketchup and a large helping of attitude? Then you are very welcome to join us on the 2nd Saturday of each month at St Andrew's Church, Wilshere Hall 8:30am - 10:00am. Cereal, tea, coffee, juice, eggs, bacon, beans (etc.) and your chance to put the world to rights. No previous experience necessary - just a big appetite and a sprinkling of opinion if you want. If you would like to have a serious munch, challenging debate on Christian issues, and the chance to meet other locals, book your place (so we can make sure you really do get stuffed) by phoning the Vicarage on 01920 870115 by midday on the Wednesday before the 2nd Saturday. We next get together on 12th October

Daytime Study Group There is a Study group which meets on alternate Thursday mornings 10.30am to Noon at Manor Barn South, 43 Road - (please check the diary pages for the actual dates). Currently looking at John’s Gospel

St Andrews Celebration Service Celebration services are very informal, book free, with lots of singing, and with craft tables alongside us for the children.

Our next services are 6th October and 3rd November WHY NOT GIVE IT A GO?

Could You Help! Saturday Coffee Mornings Need More Volunteers The long running Saturday coffee morning held in St Margaret’s Parish Church, Hoddesdon Road each week 10.30am-12noon is looking for new hosts to join their rota. If you would like more details or think you could help, please contact the Vicarage on 01920 870115. We just need a few more people and the commitment would only be once a month.

Regular evening Home Group

Elizabeth Goldsmith (01920 422065) hosts the Home Group on alternate Tuesdays at 7.30pm in the Wilshere Hall. Anyone is welcome to join the group at anytime. (Please check the diary pages for the actual dates).

Real Advent competition

Over the past few years the Benefice churches have purchased ‘Real Advent Calendars’ to those who have wished to purchase them. To celebrate the launch of the 2019 Real Advent Calendar a special competition is being held. The challenge is for young people to design the front of an Advent Calendar with the theme of ‘The Star Over Bethlehem’. Who can enter and prizes The competition is open to primary schools, secondary schools, and Sunday schools/Messy Church/youth groups. There are three first prizes of £150 in each category and three runners-up prizes of £50. Cheques for £150 and £50 will be made to the nominated group and all winners and runners-up will receive a box of our Fairtrade Christmas crackers and tree decorations. Competition Details The challenge is for young people to design the front of an Advent Calendar with the theme of ‘The Star Over Bethlehem’. All entries must be a completed picture on A4 paper, no doors or number required. On the back of each entry you need to indicate the name and age of the child, title of the school/church/group and a contact number. The contact number should be that of the school or leader of the group only. Deadline Winning entries must arrive by 5pm on Monday 11th November. Winners will be notified by 25th November. Entries should be sent to The Meaningful Chocolate Company, Unit 3, Brook Farm, Swineyard Lane, High Legh WA16 0SD. We regret that we will be unable to return posters or to receive entries via email. The competition is open to all children but limited to one entry per person. Results will be announced online. Organisers decision is final.

Colin Stringer of has produced another fantastic quiz sheet to raise funds for Christian Aid . There are 100 questions relating to places in the world. The entry date is past now but we hope the quiz is still there for you to enjoy

Bishops issue open letter on Brexit A group of Church of bishops has issued an open letter on the prospect of a 'no-deal' Brexit and the need for national reconciliation, notwithstanding the potential prorogation of Parliament. The full text can be found https://anglican.us1.list- manage.com/track/click?u=a47f5026eff04afcd10f4be32&id=773af97a1 f&e=7eaa0da175

New Readers (a licenced lay ministry) were admitted in July. They will serve parishes at Clifton, Chellington, All Saints Bedford, , Bishops Hatfield, and Woodside.

The Bishop of Leeds, Nick Baines, the ’s Lead Bishop for Foreign Affairs, has welcomed the appointment of Rehman Chishti MP as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, succeeding Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon.

Ministry statistics . Around a third, or 33%, of people beginning their training last year were under 35 years old and more than half, or 53%, were under 45. Meanwhile the number of men and women ordained as deacon rose from 485 in 2016 to 535 in 2019.