Stebbing Scene Your Village — Your Magazine

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

Edition No: 153 Spring 2020

A Winter’s Evening in Stebbing High Street

1 Dead End Street!

Not an epithet we’d normally use to describe this beautiful part of our historic village - but the photos tell it all.

Thanks to Tim Gates for the aerial photo above. Centre left is the culvert area, the north end of the footpath emerging behind the cones on the right. Centre right shows the turn you have to make in the wrong direction when joining the path from the south. Left is the long elevated section, christened by Sue Riley as the ‘Sky Walk’.

Thanks to Zoe Panting for the view of the High Street on the front cover. There is more from Zoe on page 35 and on www.zoepanting.com . 2 Stebbing Village Stores

Support your community shop while the High Street is closed. Our passing trade is much reduced and, if each of us can buy a little more than usual each week, it will make a HUGE difference. Thanks!

Easter eggs and cards will be in the Stores soon

Editorial

There is much that could be said about the works on the culvert at Church End but, finding little new to say that has not already been eloquently voiced by others, the photographs of the state of play at the end of February, some 7 weeks into the road closure, will at least serve as a record of the event. We can only hope that our worst fears are not realised and that the village can return to normal before too much damage is done to those who are at greater personal or financial risk as a consequence of the road closure.

Hopefully too, the ‘normality’ we enjoy will also include the land being returned to its original state as required. It lies within Stebbing’s Conservation Area and the 2010 Stebbing Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Proposals describe it thus:

“Opposite Parsonage Farm is a patchwork of small fields, included within the conservation area boundary. These greatly contribute to the setting of the buildings of Church End and the High Street. They emphasise the rural feel of the village and provide strong connections to the countryside beyond. It is important that they are retained. The links with the countryside are further accented by the pattern of hedgerows, defining the edges of the fields which are woven into the village plots, strongly linking the built environment with the surrounding countryside.” I couldn’t have put it better myself!

I am grateful as ever to all of you who have contributed to the magazine. You are the foundation of Stebbing Scene, and my only regret is that there are not more villagers to join you and help to reflect the interests and concerns of our increasingly diverse population. I feel that young families are particularly under-represented, as are individuals with creative interests (the piece from the new ‘un-named drama group’ was most welcome). I’ve long hankered after the idea of reflecting on village events through the eyes of a cartoonist, but sadly my own skills are not equal to the task - are yours?

Finally, a thank you to Karen Howe, David Hallams, Jackie Kingdom, John Pitkethly and our many deliverers for all they do to allow the Scene to reach you. If you’d like to help, I’d very much like to hear from you. RF 3 4 So, what’s it like to be on Stebbing Parish Council?

I wonder how many of you know what Stebbing Parish Council (SPC) actually does - or the names of our councillors? I joined, with three other new colleagues, during the middle of 2019. After various training sessions to bring us up to speed with the rules and regulations, we have been amazed at both the dedication of those involved and the amount of varied work SPC carries out on residents’ behalf.

One of the first things I learned is that Parish Council meetings cannot be held in buildings that sell alcohol. They didn’t tell me that before I joined; sometimes it would be welcome. What I have also learned is that SPC has very few powers of its own but it can and does advise, consult and respond to higher authorities - and in some cases hold these higher authorities to account - Essex County Council for instance.

This is managed through committee’s responsible for :

 Highways and Street Lighting  Local Planning Applications  Playing Fields

 Footpaths  Support Groups  Stansted Airport  West of Braintree

These committees meet monthly (or as required) and feed into the main meeting held on the second Thursday of every month. Did you know that the public can come along and ask questions of the Council? Some people do but, alas, only a few regulars. We need more constructive feedback and interaction from residents of all ages and backgrounds regarding their ideas and/or concerns.

Of course we have had a little spike of attendance recently, related to the work being done on the culvert. SPC have put many hours into holding Essex Highways to account, to ensure there is as little disruption as possible whilst the work is carried out. This includes such things as replacement buses, a footpath through the affected area, signage and security lighting. We have also insisted that the project be as self-sustaining as possible, with quiet running solar panel generators. The Highways team are regularly updated on progress and members of SPC meet with Essex Highways and discuss progress. You may notice the water leak on the B1057 has finally been resolved, but it looks as if ECC have just pushed the problem further along the road. This leads me to another thing I learned very quickly, you find it hard, as a parish councillor, to get things done in what would seem a logical and orderly fashion at County or Government level. You just have to accept some things happen that way; however, you hope you can change it.

We are starting to look at changes to the way things work at SPC, such as online banking to manage the council’s finances and a new website for residents to provide more information about the village, especially those who are newly moved in.

SPC do a huge number of things for us, such as organising volunteer litter pickups, clearance and maintenance of footpaths, walkways, the defibrillator (did you know we had one?), managing new building growth and changes to existing properties, ensuring upkeep of the Village Hall and playing fields, lobbying regards aircraft noise, supporting the funding of the village minibus - all things perhaps I might have taken for granted as a resident.

The Big Cheese The Adult Scarecrow Winner 6 So, in summary, what is it like to be a SPC councillor? In many respects it’s humbling to see how much work has been done by a small number of people over many years on our behalf. It is a difficult task to live up to which carries great responsibility. It cannot be done in half-measures and you need to understand the rules however much you want to change them. We new councillors hope to continue the good work of the Council and help to develop new ways to deliver a well-run SPC for all residents in an ever fast changing world. Gary Barrett

More information about SPC, its councillors and their responsibilities, can be found at:

www.stebbingparishcouncil.org.uk

Parish Paths Partnership (P3) In 2016 a group of volunteers got together to work with Essex County Council and Stebbing Parish Council to maintain and improve the rights of way in the parish. The objectives set out by ECC are:-

 To give local people the resources and skills to enable them to actively look after their local rights of way network  To promote community involvement  To promote local awareness of public rights of way and the surrounding environment

Basically, ECC provide the materials and training and we provide the labour. Since 2016 we have installed or maintained eight bridges and I have lost count of how many of the yellow topped wayposts that you might see around the village. We have also tried to keep your footpaths clear, cut and in good condition.

This year, with the support of ECC, Uttlesford District Council and Stebbing Parish Council we have been able to acquire several major items of equipment to make our task much easier and produce better results.

Hopefully, by the time you read this, the weather will have improved and you might see us in action if you are out walking. I expect that the majority of our work this year will be in repairing and maintaining the footpath network. With the better weather, some of you will be out enjoying the countryside - and don’t forget that copies of the Stebbing Footpath Map are available (free of charge) in the shop and other places.

When you are out walking, please keep to the footpath, follow the Countryside Code, take your litter home and dispose of dog mess properly. If you do find any problems then please feel free to call me. Brian Martin 01371 856664

7 8

A Farewell Message From Our Vicar

Dear Friends,

As you may have heard already, I have some exciting but also sad news to share with you; this will be my last “vicar’s letter”, as I will be leaving The Pilgrim Parishes after Easter to take up a new appointment as Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO) for the diocese of Chelmsford at the beginning of May. My last Sunday in ministry here will be April 19th, however, for family reasons the Goodbody family will continue to live in the Vicarage at Stebbing until the end of July.

I want to reassure everyone that this move is not happening because I am unhappy here. It is happening because this is something new that God has called me to do. I am very excited, but also a little apprehensive, at the thought of becoming the DDO for Chelmsford Diocese. I love working with people who are seeking to answer God’s call to ministry, and it is a great blessing for me to have the chance to journey with them through the discernment process, selection and training to ordination and ministry. I know that I will be joining a very capable and motivated team, and I look forward to this new phase of ministry for me with all the joys and challenges it will bring. The time that I have had in these parishes has given me a huge amount of experience which will be invaluable in my new role. As this is the right thing for me, we must also believe that God has a plan for the Pilgrim Parishes, for someone else to come along and lead us in a new phase of life and ministry.

As I write, the final formalities and checks are being completed so that by the time you read this the Diocese of Chelmsford will have officially announced my new appointment. I also need to reassure you that of course the Pilgrim Parishes ministry team will continue to lead the churches’ ministry during the vacancy, with the able assistance of our wonderful administrator Caroline. After April 19th please contact them, and not me, for all church related matters.

Thank you for everything you have done for me and for my family over the years; we have so many happy memories of these villages and you will always remain in our hearts.

With every blessing

Tim

9 10 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 Mail: [email protected]

Following the hectic Christmas schedule with Christmas productions, Christmas markets, Christmas carol concerts and all things Christmas related, we came back to school in January after a lovely Christmas break, raring to go and ready to get stuck into what spring term has to offer.

After settling back down to the new calendar year, we are now building up to our next major event - community month. Every year in March at Stebbing Primary School, we take part in activities where the children and staff get more involved with all things that the community of Stebbing has to offer. Each class will be out and about in the village taking part in a range of activities such as litter picking, planting flowers and bulbs, helping out at Little Harts, visiting the local park and much, much more.

We would also like to invite you into school for our science morning where the children would love to show off their science projects at Stebbing Primary School’s first ever science fair.

Wednesday 11th March, 9.00-10.40am (9.00-9.30 tea, coffee & pastries, donations to the AFSS) Please contact the office to confirm your attendance on 01371 856260

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the local villagers who give up their time every week to support the school in various capacities. Mainly by coming in to read with the children, providing a wonderful opportunity for the children who are always so excited to read with our volunteers.

If you would like to join our team of volunteers, please get in touch.

Mr Le Masurier, Acting Headteacher

11 12 Local Plans

Governments of all persuasions over recent years have required local authorities to build houses and have set councils targets. For Uttlesford, this total amounts to some 14000 homes to be built by 2033. This does include the many thousands of homes which already have planning permission but are not yet built, but that is small compensation.

To avoid the chaos of random development, local authorities have to produce a Local Plan for development showing how and where they will build these homes in their area. This plan has to be achievable. For more than thirteen years Uttlesford District Council has worked to produce an acceptable Plan to accommodate these thousands of homes. Two Plans have been submitted for examination. The first was found unsound by inspectors who agreed with strong opposition to large development broadly centred on the M11/Elsenham area. The second plan, proposing most of the development within three Garden Communities – Easton Park, North Chesterford and an ‘add-on’ to West of Braintree, led to the Tory led council being defeated in the 2019 elections. This second Local Plan has now been found unsound and rejected by the Planning Inspector in its current form; the Inspector strongly advises that it should be withdrawn.

Braintree District Council, in partnership with Colchester & Tendring Councils, the North Essex Authorities(NEA) submitted its Local Plan for inspection in 2018. Again, three Garden Communities were proposed: Tendring, West of Tey & West of Braintree. This Plan was found unsatisfactory at the first enquiry. After many modifications, the plan was submitted to a second enquiry which finished in mid- February. We currently await the outcome of this second enquiry but the Inspector, Roger Clewes, raised a great many more questions.

West of Braintree would be in very close proximity to Stebbing and through public meetings, Stebbing Parish Council formed the Save Our Stebbing Committee to fight the proposal. Residents gave funds generously and JB Associates, Planning Consultants, were appointed to fight on our behalf. This, they have consistently and professionally done. The case for West of Braintree in both councils’ Plans is weak, as has been observed by all the Inspectors. We have faith in our Consultants and await the outcome of the NEA second hearing.

To strengthen Stebbing’s case, we are in the closing stages of producing a Neighbourhood Plan for Stebbing, where the residents’ wishes are predominant regarding development and conservation. In 2018, Stebbing Parish Council was successful in achieving an ‘Asset of Community Value’ status on the Andrewsfield bar and social clubhouse at the airfield. We have now joined forces with neighbouring parishes to apply for the Andrewsfield Airfield to become an Asset of Community Value and subject to additional protection from development (Localism Act 2011). We are also Andrewsfield attempting to achieve Listed status for the Airfield.

After two failed plans it remains to be seen what Uttlesford District Council will do now. (Continued on page 15) 13 14 (continued from page 13)

The Parish Council appreciates the dilemma before the ‘new’ Uttlesford Council but, in common with the rest of the District, at present we now have very little protection against speculative development and it really is ‘open season’ for developers.

Please note that minutes of meetings and SPC accounts can be viewed on the Council’s website. www.stebbingparishcouncil.org.uk

Notes From Your District Councillors Stansted Airport

Every month there is a Planning Committee Meeting chaired by Sandi Merifield, but January saw two such meetings. An extraordinary meeting was held over two days (17th and 24th January) regarding the application by Stansted Airport for planning permission to increase the permitted passenger numbers from 35 to 43 million passengers per annum. At present the passenger numbers are 28 million a year. The last Sandi Merifield planning permission given (on appeal) in 2008 allowed for an increase to 35 million.

Friday the 17th saw representations made for and against the application by members of the public, workers from Stansted, representatives from the business community and town and parish councillors, including Cllr Cant from Stebbing PC. Further representations were made on the day of the decision (24th) by District Councillors, Stop Stansted Expansion and Manchester Airport Group (owners of Stansted). John Evans A decision was made by the previous administration in November 2018 to allow the increase to 43 million passengers and, in their report to the Committee, UDC Officers recommended that this decision should stand, as there were no other material considerations or changes since.

After a comprehensive discussion, the committee refused the application by 10 votes, with two abstentions. They were persuaded that concerns regarding noise, air quality and climate change, have all changed materially since the approval granted in November 2018.

This rejection will be pleasing to many residents in Uttlesford, although not so to MAG, the unions and the Essex Chamber of Commerce. However, our community is not alone - we have seen as we write this that the proposed expansion at Bristol Airport has been rejected by North Somerset Council.

So what next? MAG now have several options open to them:  pursue an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate against refusal;  resubmit a planning application to UDC seeking to take into account and mitigate the reasons for refusal by the Committee in an attempt to overcome them;  submit a larger application involving greater potential numbers of passengers so that the Secretary of State would be obliged to consider it, rather than UDC. (continued on page 17) 15 16 (continued from page 15)

If MAG decide to appeal, they have six months within which to lodge it – we have to wait and see.

Local Plan On January 10th, the long awaited letter from the Planning Inspectors was issued with regard to the Part 1 Hearings last July. A copy of the letter can be found on the Uttlesford website:

www.uttlesford.gov.uk

It made for a very disappointing read. They expressed many “concerns” as to the soundness of the draft Plan (submitted in January 2019) and were critical of a considerable amount of work which underpinned it. This is the second time that UDC’s Draft Local Plan has come in for such criticism and the time expended and expense incurred in the preparation and examination of the Plan is very substantial. Since the Plan, which had been prepared and submitted under the previous Council administration, was at such an advanced stage, it was permitted to proceed by the current administration, despite their publicised misgivings. It was deemed that an independent view (from the Inspectors) as to its merits and demerits would in any event be worthwhile.

So, as a Council, we have to decide whether to withdraw the Plan or see if it might be possible to “fix” the deficiencies and concerns (as the Inspectors see them) in the draft so that “major modifications” can be made to it, thus enabling the Inspectors to find the amended Plan “sound”. To do this, the Council is taking independent expert advice. We have both attended two Councillor Briefing and Question sessions which will feed into a workshop at the end of February. We will be working on the pros and cons of continuing with, or withdrawing and starting afresh, which will aid us all with our decision making, leading to a vote on continuation or withdrawal at Full Council.

Meanwhile, the problem throughout UDC remains, namely that there is a significant shortfall in the five-year housing supply availability, leading to the inevitable speculative planning applications which have beset all communities in recent years.

Surgery We are very happy to say that, as well as the Village Stores offering their facilities (namely the table in the window), St Mary’s Church (thanks to Rev Tim Goodbody) has agreed to allow us space in the Church for our residents’ surgery. Therefore, starting on Tuesday March (3rd), we will be available in the Church and hope that residents might like to take up the opportunity of raising any concerns and issues with us. The two venues will be used for the duration of the works on the Culvert.

We will be very happy to meet with you in March or hear from you via email.

Cllr Sandi Merifield and Cllr John Evans

[email protected] - Mobile: 07958 389059

17 18 Stebbing Church Graveyard Survey

A photographic survey of the parish churchyard has recently been completed. This has been undertaken by Christine Middleton, from Felsted, and myself on behalf of the free internet site Gravestone Photographic Resource. Over the last three years some of you may have seen us, on our knees in the churchyard, trying to decipher the weathered lettering on the headstones and around the graves.

Probably our most interesting find was the grave of WW2 Signalman Leslie Alexander Martin. He is recorded on the War Graves Commission site as having died in 1942, on a rifle range in Cambridgeshire. We found his name on his parents’ grave, but there was no mention that he had been killed in the war and there is no War Graves Commission headstone.

There are very few recordable early headstones because the weather has taken its toll. We found two from 1678 and 1681 and another just decorated with a shroud.

If you would like to visit the internet site www.gravestonephotos.com just follow the links through to Stebbing. You can request photographs from them, all for free!

We hope to produce a book in 2020 and make it available in the church for those who would like to find a particular gravestone. Trish Conder

19 20 Stebbing Garden Club News

Not much stops a dedicated gardener from getting out into the garden, but I’m guessing not many amongst us would have braved the elements while Storm Ciara passed through, quickly followed by Storm Dennis. Hopefully neither will have caused much damage to our homes or our gardens. Recent meetings

‘A Guide to the Poisonous Plants in your Garden’ was the subject of the talk given at our first meeting of the year in January. There are a surprising number of them, including that universally- planted hedging, cherry laurel, daphnes and hellebores. Everyone went away with a handy list to consult. In February we held our AGM with wine and quizzes providing an enjoyable opportunity for members to socialise together.

Coming up

Over the coming months members and visitors will be able to hear an informative talk about ‘Planning your Garden’ given by Hilda Whiting on the 23rd March and, on May 18th, Rodney Tibbs will be returning to give us an undoubtedly humorous take on growing ‘Vegetables for Value’. As a complete departure from the norm, on April 27th, members and visitors we will be getting their hands dirty with a ‘Seedling Swap’, ably coordinated by our own Vicky Skilton - I foresee a great deal of fun and mess. Everyone is welcome at our evening events which are held in Stebbing Village Hall, Mill Lane, from 7.45pm. Please enter and exit from Stebbing Village Hall as quietly as possible through the door closest to the bowling green.

Outing to Wisley, May 16th 2020 – open to everyone

As is customary, we are aiming to run a full day’s outing and this year our chosen destination is RHS Garden Wisley, in Surrey. The gardens at Wisley are constantly evolving, recent additions being a ‘huge and cathedral-like Glasshouse’ housing their tender plant collection and the recently opened Exotic Garden (see left).

The Club’s affiliation to the RHS means that every person on the outing will be admitted to the Gardens free of charge. The outing is open to everyone (members taking precedence) with the only cost being £15.00 for coach travel. If you are interested in going or for further information, please contact Jane Foster on 01371 856466.

If you would like to be put on our direct mailing list please let me know, otherwise events and outing updates are advertised on Nextdoor, on the village noticeboards and in the window of Stebbing Village Stores. Margaret Rufus (Secretary) 856122

21 22 The, As Yet Un-named, Stebbing Play-Reading/Drama Group

“What is drama but life with the dull bits cut out,” said Alfred Hitchcock. How true this has been for our new drama group: playful, experimental, spontaneous and collaborative!

On a cold December evening a post popped up on Nextdoor, advertising the beginnings of a new drama group. This piqued some interest from the local community and, since starting in January, we have become a merry little troupe. The idea is to start with play readings and to develop into putting on plays at a local theatre. Our aim is to bring people who enjoy plays together, and to entice new members, either as an actor, director, writer or any other activity related to theatre.

Dave Alfred is the mentor of the group. As a trained actor and theatre director, he has such great passion for his craft and getting the best out of the group. Dave has been teaching techniques using various ice-breaker style exercises to help reduce those inhibitions and reservations. With the use of monologues and extracts from plays we are learning how to develop characters and deliver authentic performances.

I have personally been involved in amateur dramatics before and have been part of several musicals and pantos - however, this is something wholly different. It is not just about line learning; play-reading means having the script with you during the performance. This is much more about learning the skills of the physical and emotional craft of acting.

I can honestly say this is the most enjoyable and explorative process I have taken part in. What we now need is more members to help keep it going. There was great interest in the initial post on Nextdoor and, so far, we have a regular group of 3-4 meeting with Dave, leading us in the various exercises. With more members we will have more opportunities to learn from each other; to develop and eventually put on a play or two - and hopefully many more.

No experience is necessary. All that is asked is willingness and enthusiasm, along with a passion, commitment and dedication to learning the craft of performing arts. As a friendly welcoming bunch, there are no auditions, nor is there any pretending to be a tree or other such flora and fauna. As far as Dave is concerned there is no getting it wrong or right, as the learning is and always will be an ongoing process. Marie Clarke

We meet on a Tuesday evening, from 7pm, at the Friends Meeting House in Stebbing. For any further details please contact:

Dave Alfred at [email protected] or on 01371 856523

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 Registered charity:1101442

News From The Gardens Of Easton Lodge

March is usually daffodil time at the Gardens, an opportunity to draw breath after snowdrop open days and prepare for the full season monthly open days, from April to October.

This year, the winter weather has not been very kind so volunteers’ work has focused on infrastructure but there are still more path and fruit cage repair jobs, carpentry and painting to do. It is not quite the scale of the Forth bridge, but each year as we develop new areas of interest for visitors we add to the maintenance work!

Overwintering plants seem to have fared OK, so in the borders we will be giving shape to existing planting and adding for more colour and variety. We are extending the dahlia bed, rotating our vegetable crops in the walled kitchen garden and filling out the Japanese garden. In the Italian garden we are reducing the spread of some of the existing plants to make room for others.

We are always open to new volunteers, both for work in the Gardens and to help on open days. We will be holding our annual new volunteers’ day on 26 March. For more information on volunteering, our open day dates or arranging a group visit, please go to our website:

www.eastonlodge.co.uk or ring our enquiries line: 01371 876979

Jill Goldsmith

Garden Waste Collection

The green skip service will recommence at The Downs (Near entrance to new Stonebond development) on:

Sunday 8th March continuing until Sunday 6th December

10.15 – 11.15am every Sunday

25 26 Stebbing Village Stores Your Shop In Your Village

Stebbing Village Stores is an integral part of our village and opens daily to provide us with a fantastic range of food and household staples, fresh meat and vegetables, seasonal items and useful services such as dry-cleaning, take-away and newspapers.

The running of this amazing facility is dependent on our great team of volunteers - and we need more to make sure we cover all shifts and keep the shop open at all advertised times - including weekends.

Can you help by giving up a little of your time?

You don’t need to commit lots of time  Join (or form) a ‘buddy group’ and share a shift with other volunteers. This means working in the shop perhaps once a month (rather than once a week). Lots of us do this and enjoy the extra flexibility provided.  Weekly shifts vary in length from 2-3 hours.  Do you have a child in Year 6 or above? Find out more about doing a weekend shift with them. It’s a great opportunity to get involved and for your child to learn new skills - see below.  Maybe you prefer back office? Support your shop’s take-away business by making sandwiches.

There is a fantastic training programme Volunteers appreciate the ample preparatory support provided by Julie, the shop manager, and continuing support from other volunteer ‘buddies’.

It’s great fun and a great way of meeting people Particularly if you are new to the village or have recently stopped working - playing shops for real with new friends!

To find out more: contact Julie Gray, [email protected] or talk to volunteers in the shop.

A Letter from our youngest volunteer (In year 7) who works with an adult volunteer on Saturdays. Working at the Stebbing Village Store, has been a great way to spend my empty hours of my Saturdays. I really enjoy voluntarily working at the stores with other lovely people who volunteer to work there. I started working in the store thinking that it would be nice to try something new. And I was right!

When I started everyone told me how to restock the shelves correctly and then how to work the till. It was a tiny bit challenging to get used to the till, but I got there. Working in the shop is suitable and recommended for all ages above 11/12 and it certainly is fun! Anri

We hope you will be able to give a little bit of your time to support your community as a shop volunteer. Contact [email protected] Thanks! 27 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.

March 25th M&CO are bringing a fashion show to Stebbing. A chance to see the new season must haves, hopefully something to brighten us up after the long winter months. April 22nd Alan Pamphilon is visiting us to give us a talk. “Women who rocked the boat” should be a really interesting evening about women who have made a difference. May 22nd (Friday) This has become a regular visit to our wonderful outdoor bowls club. We have the opportunity to play if we wish and then a very generous BBQ. This needs to be pre- booked/paid.

June 24th We are visiting St Mary`s Church bell tower. For more information on any of the above please contact: Val Stokes, Tel: 01371 856882 / Mail: [email protected] or Gina Going on 01371 855943 / Mail: [email protected]

28 29 30 Do you want to? Get Fit, Make Friends And Get To Know The Local Area

I am Sarah Bennison, your local Nordic Walking Instructor, and I live in Lindsell. Nordic Walking is a good way to exercise as it involves both your arms and legs and accounts for 90% muscle usage when walking. It is an enhanced version of ordinary walking and includes the use of specially designed poles that effectively turn you into a four-legged walker, allowing you to go faster and further than you could normally. Using a special technique, you engage all your upper body muscles and propel yourself forward, meaning you’ll work harder but it will actually feel easier!

It is a sociable event as well, with my group having different backgrounds and experiences. We walk on routes I plan around the area including Stebbing, Lindsell, Dunmow, Bardfield, Braintree, and Hatfield Forest. I have several walking groups and walk with them on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. Like other cardiovascular exercise, it’s great for the heart and lungs and lowers your risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease or diabetes. People often lose weight and see a rapid improvement to their general fitness level, breathing and posture - and it’s really good fun!

In 2019 we took on a couple of bigger adventures, the first being to walk the Flitch Way in two halves from Bishops Stortford to Dunmow, then Dunmow to Braintree. The second was to walk Chelmer Canal from Paper Mill Lock to Heybridge Basin. Both were major achievements in their own right!

The walks I do are not only for exercise, but to take in the beautiful countryside views in which we live, local architecture (historic and modern) and a little of the local history of the area. I tailor the walks to: provide variety, my groups’ commitments and of course the weather! At the end of each walk we usually go to a local café for coffee or light lunch. It’s great fun, so why don’t you try it!

I run courses and you can reach me on:

[email protected] Tel: Home – 01371 870817 Mob – 07703 325332

You can find out more about Nordic Walking by using the Uttlesford: http://www.uttlesfordnordicwalking.co.uk/

See Sarah’s advertisement on page 54. It is Stebbing Scene’s policy to allow existing advertisers one advertorial piece of this kind - Ed

31 32 Hatfield Forest

As the days lengthen and we approach the spring equinox, Hatfield Forest is coming back to life after its winter slumbers.

Hatfield Forest, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a National Nature Reserve, is the best preserved medieval Royal forest in Europe; it is home to 4000 plus species of wildlife and trees and a refuge for many rare insects, fungi and wild flowers.

One of our volunteers recently discovered a 'coral fungus', Marchandiomyces corallinus, previously unrecorded here. Another sighting this winter has caused a flutter – a flock of hawfinches visiting from colder climates. Globally threatened, the hawfinch is also on the UK conservation Red List.

With so many species to look out for, why not take part in some ‘citizen science’ and record your sightings? You can use www.ispotnature.org/ to make an identification and then record the details at www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/. Hatfield Forest is the second most species-rich property in the whole of the National Trust’s ownership – second only to Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire.

This is the 125th anniversary year of the National Trust and we have launched a special fundraising challenge to get everyone involved to safeguard and protect unique places for future generations. For details of the 125 Challenge please visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/fundraise-for-us .

Although the weather is improving, the heavy rain has taken its toll on Hatfield Forest this winter, leaving some of the pathways very boggy and compacted. Until the ground has recovered, we urge people to stay on our hardstanding paths or save their visits for the warmer summer months.

For more information about Hatfield Forest please visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ hatfield-forest/

Helen Hooker & Elizabeth Reeve Visitor Welcome Team, Hatfield Forest, 01279 870678

33 Reflections on a Wet Winter in Stebbing

34 Locations

Above left: From Nick’s Hole (Near Lashley Hall)

Below far left: Near Lashley Hall

Below left: Next to Stone’s Farm Cottages, Lubberhedges Lane

Above: Tanners Farm

Left: Lubberhedges Lane

All Photos by Zoe Panting Email: [email protected] Phone: 07791 382 813 Web: www.zoepanting.com

35 36 Thanks to Toby Dixon for the winter sunset (right) ...

… and to Stephen Bazlington for this view from his back garden!

38 The RSPB Garden Birdwatch

The weekend of 25-27th January, saw the 41st annual Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) garden bird survey. This started in 1979 as a joint venture between the RSPB and ‘Blue Peter’ and was carried out by just a few thousand children; now around half a million people of all ages take part.

The idea of the birdwatch is to spend one hour watching your garden and to record the maximum number of each species you see at one time during that hour.

I carried out my birdwatch mid-morning on Saturday 25 January in rather gloomy but dry conditions. I recorded 14 species as follows, with the maximum number in brackets. Goldfinch (10) Stock Dove (2) Chaffinch (6) Robin (2) Blackbird (3) Great Tit (3) Blue Tit (5) Wood Pigeon (3) Dunnock (2) Coal Tit (1) Carrion Crow (1) Collared Dove (2) Long Tailed-tit Long Tailed-tit (1) Magpie (1)

There were no real surprises, although only seeing one Long Tailed-tit was unusual as they normally visit the garden in foraging parties of six to ten hungry birds.

Some of the birds I didn't see was quite surprising; house sparrows and starlings are the most frequently recorded birds in 2019 and both species are present very close to the garden. I was also surprised not to record both wrens and greenfinches, although the latter are still suffering from the effect of the Greenfinch trichomonosis disease that has drastically reduced their numbers.

Without doubt the number of blue tits visiting the garden is significantly under- recorded as the birds are constantly moving in and out of the garden. A lot of speculation takes place about just how many of this species visit feeders.

In the 1980's a friend of mine who worked for the RSPB, at their Martin Mere Blue-tit reserve in Lancashire, took part in an exercise where the staff trapped and ringed all the blue tits coming to a feeding station. The staff had a sweepstake on how many would be recorded in a four week period, the highest estimate being 100. The actual figure was significantly in excess of 800!

Another amazing fact relates to the Collared Dove. It was first recorded in the UK in July 1956, when a pair were discovered breeding in a garden in Overstrand Norfolk. From those humble beginnings the UK population has rapidly grown, and is now not far short of two million.

In previous articles for Stebbing Scene I have written about my fascination and love of islands particularly those off the Scottish coast. In mid Collared Dove November 2019, I visited Papa Westray in the Orkneys with friends, to see a very rare sea duck, Stellar's Eider, a bird I had contrived to miss seeing on a couple of previous occasions. One of the great attractions of this trip was to be able to take the shortest scheduled air flight in the world; one minute and thirty seconds between Westray and Papa Westray. The record time for this journey is fifty three seconds, with a tail wind of course. Evidently people have travelled from all over the world just to be able to say they have taken that flight! Howard Jolliffe

39 40

The Mad Medic

Hello everyone, Many of us have suffered great loss recently and are very much in the early days of grief; we share that pain and grow stronger. Richard requested that contributors write something with a happy feel to it, which was my prompt after our personal grief. My story is about a wonderful young man named Chanku who came from abject poverty with seemingly no future other than more poverty. Chanku was born in the Wadala Bridge slum district of Mumbai, where children would be killed or injured by trains simply going to their makeshift toilets of shingle and grass. They would squat down sleepily in the dark at night near the tracks, sometimes with disastrous consequences. In the nearby grounds of Ackworth Leprosy hospital, snuggled a battered little hut barely fit for use, but it became a mini school room for the younger slum children. Lured there with the promise of a tummy-filling hot meal, the class soon filled with children who initially just wanted to play or beg on the streets. I was on my second trip to Mumbai, still learning and very naïve, when Sister Serephine, a very dear friend, took me to meet the children. What a revelation seeing those little raggedy muffins with their big curious eyes and their infected rat bites. 'Mera nam Valerie,' I said, and in unison they chorused, “Namaste Didi Walerie”. There began many years of a wonderful relationship. Laughter, sadness, awe and frustration - the whole emotional gambit. Children turning up badly beaten, abused, hungry, and scared, a beautiful Sikh boy whose waist length hair was a living sculpture of head lice but couldn't be cut. There was never a child I didn't love but there were some that shone almost miraculously. They fought almost impossibly for survival, with the hopes and dreams of becoming Bollywood stars like their screen idols. Three of the little boys danced for me making up elaborate routines and shaking their hips to make me laugh. Watching them grow, Chanku stood head and shoulders above everyone; he had undeniable presence and took to schooling against impossible odds. We managed to get him into college and, bearing in mind he came from a home made of wood and plastic sheets and his bathroom was a street stand pipe, he was always cleanly smart for lessons. One of his subjects was the fine art of tailoring - he excelled. Chanku's breakthrough came when his perfect stitching was recognised and he was offered an all-expense-covered apprenticeship in Japan. The offer alone gave Chanku great prestige. However, he had been acting as Sister Serephine’s driver so, being loyal towards her, he continued his studies in Mumbai very successfully. One of Chanku’s dreams was to travel the world one day. As I fondly write about 'my boy,' I can still hear him excitedly saying, “Mom I have been given a fantastic position working on a beautiful cruise ship” (where he presently is). I remember proudly saying, “No my darling Chanku it wasn't given to you, you 100% earned it”. Love Valerie xxxxxxxxxxxx 14, Warehouse Villas, Stebbing, CM6 3SU PS Bruce and Wendy, thank you for the vital supplies you have paid for and the lovely dressed dolls; they are gorgeous. Rosemary, thank you for the comfort items, etc., for my bigger girls. Every spare bit of money I have has to fund my work and each trip seems more costly than the last. This very grateful ‘thank you’ comes from my heart.

41 Stebbing Animal Pound

Just outside the entrance road to Stebbing Park, forming part of the boundary for the house called Falcons, is a length of brick and flint walling. This wall is the last surviving part of an animal pound. Whilst it is not shown specifically on the earliest large scale map we have access to (the Stebbing Tithe map of c.1838), the adjacent field, numbered 495, is tellingly called ‘Pound Piece’.

The pound is, however, shown in its last known position on the first detailed Ordnance Survey map, at 25 inches to the mile, dated 1876. It is also shown on the same scale map from 1898, however, by the next survey of 1923, it is not present so it has to be assumed that all except one wall was demolished between those two dates.

The existing wall is 6.15 metres (20 feet) in length and, judging from the maps, this was the slightly shorter wall in an oblong-shaped enclosure. It is about 2.13 metres (7 feet) high at one end and almost 2.74 metres (9 feet) at the other. In Frank Howland’s book, ‘Stebbing Memories of its People, their Customs and Habitats’ the following appears:

“At the entrance of the Park gate there was a Pound - a square lock-up about 20 feet x 20 feet and about seven feet high, made of old flint stones. Police used to lock up any stray cattle that were rounded up, and poundage had to be paid to get them returned. I have seen animals locked up in there.” As Frank noted, the pound was a place to lock up stray animals, or animals which were where they shouldn’t be. The word pound in this context comes from the Anglo- Saxon word ‘pund’ meaning enclosure. They were also sometimes called Penfolds or Pinfolds.

The Sussex County Magazine in 1930 gives us a little more information on how they were used in that county:

"Nearly every village once had its pound for stray cattle, pigs, geese, etc. to be driven into and there kept at the expense of the owner, till such time as he should pay the fine (the amount claimed by the person on whose land they had strayed, for damage done), and the fee to the pound keeper, for feeding and watering the same.

If not claimed in three weeks, the animals were driven to the nearest market and sold, the proceeds going to the impounder and pound-keeper. An ingenious form of receipt was sometimes used. The person who found the animals on his land cut a stick and made notches, one for every beast, and then split the stick down the centre of the notches so that half each notch appeared on each stick; one half he kept, the other he gave to the pound-keeper.

When the owner came to redeem his property and had paid for the damage done, the

42 impounder gave him his half stick. He took this to the pound-keeper, and if the two pieces tallied, it proved he had paid and his beast was freed. Hence the word tally-stick and the pound -keeper being referred to as the tallyman"

The earliest documentary references to pounds seem to date to the 12th century and, in the case of Stebbing the following 15th century reference is from Stebbing Hall Court Rolls transcribed and translated by Professor Poos:

30th December 1426 Poundage 9 d. John Ponde <1 d.> gives the lord poundage for 20 sheep. The same John <1 d.> gives the lord poundage for one horse. The same John <1 d.> gives the lord the same for 18 sheep. The same John gives the lord the same for four horses. Edmund Wille <1 d.> gives the lord the same for one horse. Margery Smyth <1 d.> gives the lord the same for four bullocks. John Drane <1 d.> gives the lord the same for five bullocks. John Pekenot <1 d.> gives the lord the same for four cows. John Ponde <1 d.> gives the lord the same.

The word “poundage” is the fee that was the right of the Lord of the manor of Stebbing Hall to collect from the named people to get their animals back. It is relevant that the Stebbing pound was at the gate of the manor but there is no evidence it was sited there in the 15th century, though it could well have been on the same site or nearby. We also do not know how the pound was constructed, although the structure of the remnant of the pound is of flint walling, with brick quoins and wall-cappings and would appear to date from the 18th or 19th centuries.

Interestingly, whilst poundage is mentioned in all the court proceedings of the 15th Century, there are none in the equivalent records of the 16th Century, although it is not known why. At other places the Lord of the manor was still exercising their right to poundage payments in the 19th century. Unfortunately, Frank Howland does not 1876 O.S. Map note who the payment was made to, at Stebbing, in his time.

There are complete surviving animal Pounds across the country, however, they are quite rare now, even though it is likely that every village once had at least one. The remaining ones are nearly all listed structures and so should all now be properly protected. A good example of a similar surviving animal pound is at North Elmham, in Norfolk. That one is built entirely of brick, is seven metres (23 feet) square in plan, with the walls being 1.6 metres (5 feet 3 inches) tall. It is known that that particular example was built (or rebuilt) in 1833. Graham Jolliffe

Thanks to Stebbing Local History Society for permission to republish this edited version of a piece from their archives. Ed 43 DPS PLUMBING & HEATING CONTRACTORS LTD

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Registered Office: Green Ley Mill Lane Stebbing CM6 3SL

44 Trip The Light Fantastic! With safety and security a serious consideration for householders, the installation of outdoor lighting is often embraced and installed with little consideration for its impact on nocturnal wildlife or our garden environments.

Latest and ongoing research has revealed that our desire for night-time `illumination’ in our outdoor spaces is seriously disrupting the feeding, breeding and communication of birds and other wildlife. Many species depend on darkness, such as bats, toads and particularly moths. The female moth feeds less in the light, produces fewer pheromones, and attracts fewer males - which disrupts their breeding pattern. Glow-worms, mainly found in the south of England, struggle with any light that competes with their own, which is essential to their communication.

The greatest impact of artificial light however, has been on wild birds that use light and dark rhythms for their waking and roosting patterns. Research from the British Trust for Ornithology established that artificial light caused some birds to sing earlier in the morning, particularly in towns, while annual timing for nesting and egg laying is disrupted, resulting in birds trying to raise their broods when temperatures are low and food is scarce. Artificial light has changed the ‘annual cycle of light’ which acts as an environmental cue for birds to synchronise their internal clocks with light to time their daily foraging, communication, reproduction and migration.

UK government statistics show that the wild bird population fell by 11 per cent between 1970 and 2018. This downturn has been clearly evident in my own garden in Stebbing. We no longer experience hooting owls on our chimney or the little owls sitting in trees along Lubberhedges Lane. Barn and tawny owls who were once regular night-time visitors along Watchouse Road have disappeared. Artificial light is not the only reason for their decline but it is likely to be a contributory factor.

While climate change and the high profile issue of plastic pollution occupy our consciousness, light pollution (growing globally at about 2.2 per cent a year) is slowly changing the behaviour of our wildlife with barely a mention or much attention.

All is not lost. Science has established that, in many respects, light is the easiest form of pollution to curb and something that we can all take responsibility for. We should reject the worst night- time lights that emit intense blue and white colour and select those which give a more yellow or green beam.

When selecting artificial lighting units we should also ensure that fitments provide wildlife friendly wavelengths regulating the intensity of light that is emitted. Where possible, light timers and clocks should be set so that outdoor lighting does not blaze during the night and create an artificially lit environment denying wildlife the darkness it craves.

If you are unmoved by the damage created by artificial light, perhaps your attention might be captured by the knowledge that one of the few night-time creatures to embrace the blaze of artificial light is the slug. He enjoys a fully lit environment while on night-time manoeuvres in your garden and mine. Quick, flick that switch !

M Derrett

45 46 Ursula Bunn Jan 1955 - Nov 2019

Bran End Fields has always been special for Ursula. She grew up there with her parents, Julie & Alan and sister Frances (Frannie). It was where she raised her three adored children: Blue, Ian and Mitchell and it is where she shared so many happy years with Nick – her husband and the love of her life.

Ursula’s family were close and when she became the young mother of Blue and Ian, her family supported her. Meeting Nick changed the course of her life, although it took a little bit of time for him to win her over; they have shared over 25 happy years together.

For many years, when Mitchell was growing up, they enjoyed travelling throughout the UK and Europe in their motorhome, often following bike racing events. Ursula, however, always dreamed of owning her own caravan and when she discovered the static caravan in Kelling Heath, North Norfolk, Ursula instantly fell in love with it.

She loved nothing more than taking herself up to Norfolk to stay in the caravan and Nick smiled as he remembered coming home, on more than one occasion, to a note on the kitchen table telling him she would be back in a few days – something he always encouraged, knowing how much it meant to her.

Ursula was a very creative woman and expressed her love through arts and crafts. Christmas was her favourite time of year, with her glue gun coming out as early as July. Not only did she successfully run her online business Lily and Lace but also supported many charities, through setting up and running various stalls. Mitchell’s schools too, over the years, were great beneficiaries of Ursula’s talent and there would be a trail of his mum’s amazing arts and crafts remaining after he had moved on!

Ursula’s creativity is also evident throughout 32 Bran End Fields. Her DIY skills were second to none and her family joked that if anyone stood still for long enough, they were sure she would have either decoupaged or wall papered over them. Ursula thought nothing of papering a wall herself or sanding down and repainting the kitchen cabinets – her home was her creative canvas and you also knew her arts and crafts would be scattered throughout, in organised chaos!

Ursula did not want to be centre of attention but she was that someone you could go to for advice; she would tell you how she saw it but always without judgement and she never told anything that was shared, not even Nick.

Ursula’s family were the heartbeat of her life. She showed them what it was to be loved unconditionally and they will hold her memory close.

From Ian Paveley’s tribute

Edited by JAK

Offering great quality timber, garden furniture & fencing at competitive prices Open to the general public & trade Find us just off the roundabout between A120 Great Dunmow & Tesco Please check out our new online store 01371 734400 www.dunmowfencingsupplies

48 Mark Brackenbury 1931 -2019

When my father, Mark died, I went to register his death and the registrar asked, “… and what was his occupation?”. This simple question raised a flood of memories, all leading to different answers.

Among his papers is an old Telegraph article, which contains this:

Brackenbury? He’s an opera singer, surely, I saw him in Figaro … No, he’s an actor, he was Mountbatten in Suez 1956 … he’s something in the City – a stockbroker … Doesn’t he write those books on sailing? ... For once, everybody is right.

Dad was all these things, and more. There was also his Military Service, various Trusteeships, and many unpaid roles. I don’t think he ever joined anything without serving on its committees.

He was educated at Ampleforth and, on one occasion, found an ammo dump in the school grounds (this was Wartime) and spent a merry afternoon dismantling an explosive device. The monks called in the military, and the worried Captain explained that he could have blown his hand off if the pin had struck the detonator. “But I made sure it wouldn’t – I put a threepenny bit just there”. “A threepenny bit, you say? Let me make a note of that, we’ve been having a lot of trouble with those…”.

After school, it was Military Service with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers. Following Officer Training he went to Hong Kong as a Second Lieutenant and learned to sail.

Returning to England, he took up a scholarship to New College, Oxford. He was supposed to be reading Chemistry but I gather he was much more interested in … “Biology”. He suddenly decided to throw up his degree and went to Bristol Old Vic to become an actor. This is where he met Gina, my mother and a whole new chapter began.

His first role was in an early live television production of Treasure Island, where he had the immortal line “Aaaaagh!”. He worked in Repertory Theatre with plays on a three-week cycle; learning one play, rehearsing a second and performing the third. He was a decent bass- baritone and picked up operatic roles, singing Leporello and Figaro in small companies. At Covent Garden, he had some non-singing roles that nevertheless required some musical skill. In one production, he shot Tito Gobbi every night with a slow-acting flintlock gun. He had to time his shot a beat early, so that the flash arrived with the cymbal crash.

I was born within a year of their marriage; then David arrived and our parents felt they needed a more stable income. He joined Sternberg’s as a clerk and showed talent as well as tact and sensitivity when dealing with clients. Ridiculously soon, they offered him a partnership in the firm, and we moved to Great Bardfield.

At this time, sailing came to the fore. Mum and Dad had started with dinghies, then chartered boats and David and I joined them once we were old enough to walk. We sailed pretty much every weekend between Easter and October and took a three-week holiday in

49 CHIROPODIST / PODIATRIST

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Registered Member of the Health Professions Council

HOME VISITING PRACTICE

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

50 the summer to venture further afield. Dad drew coastal features from seaward and charted the harbours. He edited the CA Handbook, a guide for thousands of yachtsmen all over the country. Then his own books followed: first Begin Cruising Under Sail, then a series of pilot books, covering Normandy and the Channel Islands; the Frisian Islands; Norway and SW Sweden; and the West Coast of Scotland. And a monthly column in Practical Boat Owner.

This was all leading up to The Big One. When his father died, Dad used his inheritance to build Kiwa, a 48ft ketch. David and I were now grown up and experienced crew members and Mum could cook at sea in almost any conditions. So, between June 1983 and October 1986, we sailed round the world as a family.

On our return, David and I left to get on with our own lives, and Mum and Dad moved to Stebbing. They no longer sailed but threw themselves into the local community.

He was chief carer for Mum, as she had never really recovered from a fall and lost a leg due to the combination of a road accident and diabetes. They worked around it, travelling widely and going on cruises.

After Mum died in 2008, Dad continued to go to the City for various meetings and to visit his beloved Garrick Club, to play bridge or snooker with his many friends. Aged 80, he updated his entry in The Stage and signed up with a new agent. A few advertisements and short films resulted. His last acting role was in 2014, when he played a rabbi preparing a young Jewish boy for his Bar-Mitzvah.

In his 80s, Dad was fitted with a pacemaker and diagnosed with heart failure. He continued much as before, though more slowly.

He loved his grandchildren and was pleased to be able to see them all grow up. I adored him as I grew up; he was loving – though occasionally terrifying if I had been up to mischief. Then, he was The Skipper, and we jumped to obey orders, “Aye, aye sir!”. He taught me music and poetry, knots, and how to take, and work out a sun sight.

In summary, I would say he had these qualities:

An eagerness to grasp every opportunity as it came along Utter honesty and integrity – his word was most certainly his bond The patience of a saint – or the wrath of God – as required Generosity with his time, skills, knowledge and money A tremendous thirst for knowledge – he never stopped learning

… Oh, and by the way, for “occupation”, I settled on “Actor”. Claire Squibb, edited by JAK

THE DORCAS SOCIETY Invites you to their Annual Spring Soup Lunch (Home-made soups) Friday 20th March 2020 at The Village Hall 12.30pm

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

51 52 William Harrington (Will’)

March 1935 – January 2020

Will’s claim to have ‘travelled round the world twice, without a passport’ was true.

His time in the Royal Navy was spent on many overseas adventures as well as time working ashore. He undertook two, twelve-month missions, visiting UK Naval bases but found time on one of his leaves from shore base, to marry Maureen in Stebbing Church in March 1957.

Will was born and brought up in Stebbing. He attended first, the village school and then continued his education in Dunmow.

He worked for Harrisons Builders in Dunmow when he left but aged 17yrs, Will decided to seek adventure and joined the Royal Navy. He loved the life and when his term of service drew to a close, he signed up for an additional ten years. Maureen joined him on the base and they enjoyed the active social life.

In 1973, Will was discharged and, with Maureen and the children, returned to Stebbing and re-joined Harrisons. He was later employed in the carpentry department at Felsted School but eventually had to leave, taking early retirement, after a fall.

Will suffered a lot of pain over many years but this did not prevent him being a tremendous supporter of the restored Village Hall, where his carpentry skills and craftsmanship came into their own. Jackie Kingdom

Stebbing’s 7th Vintage and Classic Tractor Road Run Sunday 10th May 2020

Make a note of the date and tell your friends

This year’s event will again start and finish at Brazenhead Farm, Oxen End, Little Bardfield, Braintree, CM7 4PT - by kind permission of David Hunt. We are exploring new routes that haven’t previously been used.

I will be emailing entry and sponsorship forms soon and hope you will be able to participate. Last year 58 tractors and 2 Land Rovers took part. It would be great to have 75 tractors this year so speak to all your friends who haven’t previously taken part.

As has been our habit, we propose to donate all proceeds to Essex Air Ambulance.

Organisers: Dick Hughes, David Hunt and Mac Beanland - email: [email protected] 53 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 54 Stebbing Cricket Club News

As reported in the last issue of Stebbing Scene, all of our cricket matches this year will be outside an organised league but should be no less competitive. With more freedom to choose who, where and when we play, we are continuing to arrange matches against more local opposition - and with more home games for those of you who want to come and watch.

Steve Hooper will continue to lead the team as club captain and, with the ongoing support of Chris Townsend and Jason Gallian from Felsted School, we expect to encourage more young blood into the team. We wish Steve and his team an enjoyable and fulfilling season of cricket ahead.

The fixtures below are those already confirmed for the coming season - but others will be added soon. Dates for these, and for our regular mid-summer-evening encounter with the stalwarts of Stebbing Church, will be published in the next issue in early June.

2020 Confirmed Fixtures:

Sun. May 10th Dunmow CC (H) Sun. June 28th Ware CC (H)

Sun. May 17th Springfield CC (H) Sun. July 5th Radwinter CC (A)

Fri. May 22nd Felsted Masters XI (H) Sun. July 19th Springfield CC (A)

Sun. May 31st Refreshers XI (H) Sun. Aug 9th Radwinter CC (H)

Sun. June 7th Epping CC (H) Sun. Aug 30th Rosaneri CC (H)

Sun. June 21st Dunmow CC (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 Barker, 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 and friendly club please contact: Phil Barker: 01371 856597 or Adrian Farr: 01371 856691

55 56 Stebbing Bowls Club

The new season at the Club begins on Tuesday 21st April. The club is open to any new members from that date onwards, either by calling one of the bowlers below or by attending on a Tuesday or Thursday evening, when we always have open club nights.

This coming year, the efforts of club members to keep the green in tip top condition are already clear for all to see. The green playing surface gets better every year and we can’t wait to get bowling. We start this year again in the top division of the North West Essex League and are proud to host games on our excellent pitch in the centre of Stebbing.

We of course play friendly games against local teams, who always look forward to our most hospitable club. This year we will again be host to local groups who enjoy playing and, as always, finishing the day with a BBQ. In fact I think the BBQ makes the day!

Later in the year we will be holding a charity game to raise funds for both St Clare’s Hospice and Cancer Research, our chosen charities.

Above is a picture of last year’s players at The Des and Josie Staines Trophy Day. A wonderful day for all club members, which was won by the team efforts of Mark Dovaston, Michael Neal and Barry Rogers - and we finished with a very jolly BBQ.

Contact; John Pitkethly, Tel: 856 155 or Pat Going, Tel: 855 943

Stebbing Community Going from strength to strength

571 people from 68% of Stebbing homes communicate with each other on ‘Nextdoor’ Email the scene if you want an invitation at [email protected] The more of us who join in, the more useful it is.

57 58 The Rodings and Surrounding Area U3A

The February meeting heard a talk by Alan Wise, a psychologist and psychotherapist (according to his website), as well as a self-proclaimed motivational speaker. He touched briefly on a wide range of problems including stress and anxiety. It would be fair to say that opinions on the veracity, quality and content of his talk varied between those who found it extremely interesting and relevant and those who thought it poor and lacking substance.

There are now coach outings being organised for members. In March there will be a trip to the Milestones Museum of Living History in Basingstoke. According to Wikipedia, displays are ‘made up of a network of streets that have been recreated according to those found in Victorian and 1930s Hampshire.’ We are also taking bookings for a coach to London, either to see the musical, Prince of Egypt, or to simply spend a day in London, in April.

Like many organisations, The Rodings U3A is in danger of being unable to function unless more members offer to join the executive committee in the coming months.

The Walking Group has already started walking again after its winter break. The Boules Group played a short game recently, before the cold forced an adjournment for a cup of coffee.

A study day has been arranged on the Queen’s art collection. The Royal Collection will be presented by Oliver Everett, a highly distinguished speaker, and will take place in Aythorpe Roding Village Hall, between 10.30 and 2.30 on Wednesday 8th April. It is hoped that members of Dunmow U3A will also come to the event.

For further information, google The Rodings U3A to find the website, email [email protected] or telephone Louise Searl on 01277 362043

A Retired District Nurse Recalls Conversations With Patients

 “Good afternoon Mrs. Smith, how are you?” “I’ve had me wheels on meals today nurse”.

 Whilst dressing a patient’s leg ulcer, “It’s the bad coming out, the bad coming out you know nurse”.

 “Good morning Mr Brown, I have come to change the dressing on your feet”. “You’ll find them at the ends of my legs”.

 Whilst attending an elderly stroke patient and helping him to put his shirt on the patient addresses his arm, “Come on here, you’ve been going in there all these years, you ought to know the way by now!”.

 Attending Mrs. White, she said, “Don’t grow old nurse”. I replied, “Well, there is only one way to avoid that”. “Oh what is that?” “Die young”. Ooh, don’t do that dear!”

 Finding Mrs. Green tucking into a full English breakfast. “I thought that you were on a diet Mrs. Green”. “Oh yes nurse, I’ve had me diet, now I’m having me breakfast”. Marian Wood

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60 The Scene Crossword - 153 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 Again a preoccupation with the disruption of village life at the church end of the village has found its way into the crossword; hopefully 10 11 for the last time.

12 If you would like to suggest a theme for the summer edition I’d love to 13 14 15 hear from you. 16 Richard Tel: 856122 17 18 19 mail: [email protected]

21 22 23

Across Down (continued) 1 Contract 14 partners to spawn cockney speaker (13) 16 Crossword compiler turns this way (6) 8 Watch yob hanging around - nothing alright (7) 18 Beat - not in party (5) 9 I bail out, having proof of innocense (5) 20 Knocks up a pole (4) 10 Squabble with starter's opinion (4) 23 When followed by walk it's a 17 - 11 Sell space to get more in than out (5,3) Heavens above! (3) 13 More foolish than bacon? (6) 14 Marriage partner has force to make it a walk-over (6) 17 A walk- along when I have my way! (8) 19 A walk-around when endlessly surprised (4) 21 Fashionable rot about starter (5) 22 Squeeze out - daily? (7) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 24 Kindly when pious include overdrawn 4d (13) P A S T R Y P O P L A R 8 A U E P T O E 9 10 Down J U N I P E R H A Z E L 1 Without direction the river is nothing (3) A U L E E E O 11 12 2 Retires after vowel change operation - they're revolting! (7) M A P L E V E R A N D A 3 The captain helps out our keen beginners (4) A T A G D 13 14 15 C O D E B R E A K E R 4 Essence of tea urn stirred (6) 16 17 H P I P U 5 A normal flag (8) 18 19 20 21 A C E R B I C R O W A N 6 I sung about drug addiction (5) R N I A I E S 7 I hire cape; it turns into a rug! (9) 22 23 A L D E R T W O T I M E 10 Checking for pointless spouting of rhyme (9) S A C E R R E 12 Pondweed tangled far below (4,4) 24 25 S C Y T H E L I N D E N 15 First the cemetary and now the High Street (from 1ac) (4,3) Solution to Crossword no: 152 61

62 Letters to the Editor

Dear Mr Foot, I am the daughter of the cousin of Edith Helen Hume Henderson who married Arthur Smith in your article by Graham Jolliffe. Arthur and Nell continued to live at Martins Hall until Nells death, when she left the property to my father, her cousin, Maurice Arthur Stride. Arthur continued to live with us until his health declined. He moved into a nursing home for his last days, with his agreement and that of his Smith family. Should you have any other questions that I can help with please contact me. My address and phone numbers are below. Sarah (Stride) ROWE

Please let me know if you wish to contact Sarah - Ed

The Plea of a Singular Man There is an old man, name of Wood, who despairs that he ever could be completely surprised when his name’s pluralised.

“Oh no!”, he cried, “It’s been done again in Stebbing Scene; with the editor I must have a word, I know that I will be heard.

In order to be really fair, yes, my wife and I are a pair, but look and you will see there is only one of me.

Please, on your keyboard, tape over the ‘s’ when you come my name to impress Then you will be able to see How delighted I will be. Delighted I will remain and have no cause to complain that incorrect my name has been in the wonderful Stebbing Scene.”

Peter Wood (Trained at the William McGonagall School of Poetry)

I grovel in my self disdain that I should fail you once again. An editor is there to mend Mistakes conspiring to offend. ‘Tis not my role to cause you pain; I will not do the like again! A suitably chastened Editor (Untrained)

Letters to the Editor

I read with great interest the article in Stebbing Scene concerning Rev West’s sermon of 1802.

Rev West’s severe tones do indeed sound violent to the ear of our morally laissez-faire times but when you look at the historical context, we today owe a great deal to these evangelical zealots of years gone by.

The man mown down, probably in a drunken stupor in Stebbing, which occasioned the Reverend West to preach as he did, left a wife and children. In those days there was no social security and the situation for that poor family was dire. West’s warning was to stir a sense of responsibility in the consciences of individuals and their place in the community and to help prevent the social disruption caused by moral carelessness.

A very interesting book was published in 1938: ‘England : Before and After Wesley’, J Wesley Bready, H and S, 1938. 451p. He wrote it as part of his PhD studies. A precis of it can be downloaded from the web.

Wesley Bready basically looks at the social climate that existed in England from the Restoration to the beginning of 19th c. He looks at the appalling conditions then extant, the moribund condition of the established church, its wholesale capitulation to the dissolute condition of the gentry. He shows how, as a result of the challenge to the moral conscience by the dissenters and some within the C of E, the whole tenor of the moral under-belly slowly began to change.

The dissenters had their roots in the departed Puritan regime. John Wesley’s conversion is the one most people are aware of but there were many others whose change of heart established a reformation in ground-breaking thinking as to moral change. John Wesley and George Whitfield were banned by the establishment and went to where the social damage was darkest. This revolution, in the view of historians, is why England did not suffer the rigors of the French Revolution in the same period.

These men of religious conviction, and I would include our Rev West, were part of this revolution which abolished the slave trade. Lord Shaftsbury, with many others, introduced Factory Acts, Prison reform, Sunday trading, Gambling control, Licensing laws, Sunday schools, Education, Trade Unions, constitutional monarchy and democratic government; the list is endless.

Thus I guess that, although we might wince when we read the writings and proclamations of our forebears, their legacy in the terms described above, should perhaps make us today consider whether the foundations which brought such major reforms and change, were based on nothing more substantial than a mystical ideology which we now consider defunct and unnecessary.

Stephen Bazlinton

December 2019

65 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 Dan Harris [email protected] New Dorcas Society Rosie Pitkethly 856155 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 Sue Riley 856548 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 Alison Moscuzza 07758 855364 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

66 67 Caption Competition

Please send entries to

The Editor: Richard Foot [email protected]

Closing date is 1st April 2020

...And keep sending in the photos!

Winner of the Winter 2019 Competition

Sadly there was no winning entry this time. It seems few were interested in whether this was a deliverate mistake or not.

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 2020 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. 68