Walkern Journal FEBRUARY 2007 40P the Magazine for the Community of Walkern

Walkern Journal FEBRUARY 2007 40P The magazine for the community of Walkern

Photo: Hazel catkins by John Pearson

Happy Chinese Year of the Boar

Xmas Tree Festival (See page 13): Top; detail from the winning RSPB tree. Right; “Moon Walk“ the other winning tree. Below; Becky Totterdell drawing the raffle.

Letter From The Clergy Last month we celebrated the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. On Sunday, 21st January members of St. Mary's Church joined the URC family for Holy Communion and in the evening, all the Churches in Walkern and Benington joined together at Benington Methodist Chapel for a United Covenant Service, when we dedicated to do together that which we can, and not concentrate on that which divides us. It is good that in our two villages Christians work and worship together so well.

It saddens me greatly when Christians fall out, and when there is division in the Church community. This can be seen from a very small example of a congregation falling out over what hymns they sing in Church, some wanting to stick to traditional hymns, others wanting more informal songs and choruses. Then to a large example, such as the Catholic/Protestant divide in Northern Ireland - now, thank God, coming together - or the disagreements between Church leaders on important theological issues, such as the Virgin Birth, the Ordination of Women, women Bishops in the Anglican Church, and the controversy over human sexuality.

This all stems, I think from the different perceptions we have of the nature of God. What is He really like? Or do we worship different Gods? Is there a Church of England God, or a Roman Catholic God, a Baptist God, a Methodist God, a black God or a white God?

My answer to that is a resounding NO! There is only one true God, but because we are all, each one of us, special to God, we are all, each one of us, totally unique. We are all on slightly different paths and we can all see Him in a different way, but we shouldn't let that cause animosity between us. The devil wants us to be divided!

Rather, we will learn a lot more about the true nature of God by sharing our experiences, not by declaring that our understanding of Him is the only true one and that everyone else is wrong. Some Christians do proclaim that by the way, and they are, I think, so wrong.

If we have a traditional view of things, why not go to a service, just once, in a Church which has the freedom to express worship informally, worship that one might call, unkindly "happy clappy"? Or, if we enjoy that form of worship, why not go to a service in a Church

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where worship is from a Prayer Book that has been in use down the centuries, what one might call "stick in the mud" traditional? Those that go may not find the worship is for them, but that's alright, for if they go with an open mind and a joyful heart they will learn more of what God is really like from their experience of walking, just for a moment, with someone on a different path.

And so it is with Christians; we all have different perceptions of God, but let not our differences cause friction, argument and alienation between us. We are all unique children of the same heavenly Father, so let us reioice in our differences and learn from one another.

Jim Smith

River Beane water levels

Many thanks indeed to Simon Bennett for sending in this borehole chart for the River Beane at Walkern Mill. It shows the depth in metres, down to 8 m, to water in the borehole (vertical axis) over the years 1996 to 2006 (horizontal axis).

Readings were taken monthly by the River Beane Restoration Association. Their experience shows that when the water level at Walkern Mill is below the 2 year average (marked with an arrow) then the springs north of Walkern stop flowing and so the Beane then relies on intermittent surface run-off after rain.

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Walkern Flooding, 30th December 2006

It was raining when we went out for our walk on Saturday afternoon; it was nice to see a little bit of water running over the ford and the river was starting to look it's old self again.

At around 5pm the road started to fill up with water; annoying, but not unusual so I called the council to tell them that the drains were blocked again. We watched as the water level rose up to the bottom of the cars opposite our house, but when we got outside we were astonished to see a huge fountain of water coming out of the road by Finches End (see photo on back page). This was obviously rather more serious.

We called the police, 3 Valleys Water and Thames Water. Water was now running through our garages and filling the back gardens. It was just inches from the front door. Drivers were treating this as terrific fun with off-roaders and others charging through and sending waves of mud and water up the drives and against the parked cars. After much shouting and excitement wading in freezing water we worked with the police to close the road, but the water was still rising. Melanie's car gracefully floated away even though it was full of water. So, nothing else for it, she called for the fire brigade.

In the end there were 3 fire engines parked up pumping out into the river. They were wonderful! Gradually the water stopped rising and by 10pm the road reappeared. Another few minutes delay and the houses would certainly have been flooded with thousands of pounds- worth of damage. I'm pleased to say that it was not the fault of the Beane which was full but not bursting, but possibly a very blocked drain which became visible the next day. Hosing out all the mud & silt made for a busy New Year's Eve and not quite the end to the year I had envisaged.

Huge thanks to everyone who offered help, advice, materials and arm waving on the night. Richard Wright

The dates of the next two Parish Council Meetings are 20 February and 3 April 2007

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Walkern Parish Council Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 28th November 2006

Those present were the Chairman Cllr A Vickers, Cllrs R Ball, N Bennett, D de Boinville, L Freeman and R Wright. Apologies for absence were received from the Vice-Chairman Cllr R Cannon and the Clerk H Brody. Minutes were recorded by Cllr Wright.

Open Forum The insurance requirements for the letting of the Old Recreation Ground for grazing was raised. Ms Carter and Ms Harris confirmed that they hold public liability insurance for their animals but were unable to get insurance cover for the field since the field is owned by the Recreation Ground Charity of which the Parish Councillors are the trustees. The Parish Council has insurance for the field. The Chairman will work with the Clerk to determine the cover that is currently held and then advise the prospective tenants of the insurance requirements. The planning situation for the construction of a stable on this site was raised. The prospective tenants were advised to contact the district council planning department to confirm the terms of existing planning permission.

The meeting opened at 8:20 pm

Approval of Minutes of the Previous Meeting The minutes of the previous meeting, having been circulated, were accepted as a correct record on the proposal of Cllr Freeman and seconded by Cllr Bennett.

Declarations of Interest Cllr Freeman declared a prejudicial interest in item 6 on the agenda: WS&RC lease.

Matters Arising from the Minutes  No action has been taken by the District Council in relation to the road markings at Clay End. Cllr Vickers is to follow up the with Highways Department.  It has proved difficult to find a contractor willing to paint the play equipment during the winter. This item will be deferred until the spring.  Vandalism continues to be a problem at the recreation ground; a suitable picnic table has not yet been identified. Cllr Bennett will continue to search for a suitable table.

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Grazing on Old Recreation Ground A new agreement is contingent on appropriate insurance being in place. Cllr Bennett reminded the council that the previous agreement was satisfactory.

WR&SC Lease This item was held in camera.

Correspondence  From the Clerk: a request that the council fund membership of Society of Local Council Clerks. The council unanimously agreed to this request.  From Francesca Hill, East Herts Planning Dept: preference that a wooden bus shelter be erected but noted that there was no objection to the proposed metal bus shelter since planning permission was already in place.  RoSPA: Inspection report on the play equipment. All items were identified as „low risk‟. The Council agreed that no action was required at this time.

Planning: Planning applications received: 43 Church End, Walkern. Elevated roof and extension to ground floor living area. The Parish Council objects to the extensive use of „roof lights‟ as this is not in keeping with the area; alternatives such as dormer-windows would be better.

Payments No payments were presented nor approved

Outstanding Items Cllr Freeman agreed to lock the kissing gate from the sportsfield on Christmas Eve.

Any other Business  It was noted that the recently issued schedule of future meetings has some errors; this will be re-issued.  Anti-social behaviour and general disorder in the village is an increasing issue. It was suggested that the Council invite a senior police officer to the next meeting to present on the measures they proposed to help address this problem.

The meeting closed at 9:30 pm

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Decorated Christmas Tree Festival

Our new venture of a decorated Christmas tree festival on the 9th December 2006 was a great success. Thanks for all of the help and support we had from those who entered and who showed some most imaginative ideas for their decorations, whether real or artificial. The seventeen trees lit up the church and really set off the Christmas activities.

Stalls were laden with Christmas gifts, cakes, cards, preserves, two tombolas, and two raffles (one for a Christmas cake). Tea and mince pies sold well during the afternoon. In fact there was a brisk trade for everything all afternoon.

The raffle prizes were won by visitors from far and wide and we were so pleased to see so many people. We were most grateful to all those who voted for the best tree in the two groups: The family group was won by Barbara MacPherson for “Moon Walk”; the Business/Local organization group was “Birds‟ Christmas Treat” won by Paul and Ann Collis on behalf of the RSPB. See photos on page 2. Congratulations to all those who worked so hard to put these trees together.

Pam and I would like to thanks our sponsors, stall holders, and helpers, without whom we couldn‟t have put on the festival.

We raised in excess of £1000 (after expenses). We have had many complimentary remarks made about the day and hope that we have another Christmas Tree Festival this year. If you have any helpful comments please let Pam Sayers or I know.

Jill Gray, January 2007

Left: “Jam & Jerusalem” by Walkern WI. One of the many lovely trees in the Christmas Tree Festival.

Farming Notes from Walkern Hall Farm

I hate January. In fact I don‟t really like February either and I‟m tempted to leave it at that.

The winter crops are drilled, it‟s too wet to get on the land to drill the remaining spring barley, so we just wait and watch before the onset of a frantic spring when all spraying and fertilizing has to happen at once.

It is a time when farmers speculate about the future year: How are the crops looking? What will the yields be like? What prices can we expect to achieve next year? Was it an error getting rid of that fat old Longhorn?

Well, after another extraordinarily mild autumn the crops are well advanced, but at such an advanced stage they really need to slow down. Such lush growth now only points towards a higher disease pressure, as we head for the spring. A good frost would be welcome; it works wonders at holding back yield, sapping fungal attack that otherwise has to be held back with sprays.

At the very sound of the word „spray‟ I hear Walkern groaning in horror. In these days of greenness the very mention of chemicals in

Below: Dogs cutting through a wheat field in Walkern

food and countryside is enough to get all Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall lovers beating their placard-waving path to my spray shed door.

Well not so fast. Organic farming is all very well, laudable even to those producing for a niche market. But for the world as a whole, if we all went organic we would starve. The maths is straightforward. The UK alone produces about 15 million tonnes of wheat a year and consumes about 9 - 10 million tonnes, exporting the rest. The average, non-organic, UK wheat yield is about 3 tonnes per acre; the organic lot would be lucky to get two tonnes at best. Already you can spot a squeeze on supply.

 Now consider the world market, of which the UK is a part, and the following statistics, care of the Home Grown Cereals Authority:  World grain production (excluding rice) has ranged between 1.4 billion and 1.6 billion tonnes over the last ten years.  For 2006/07 the forecast world production is 1.557 billion tonnes.  Consumption has been steadily increasing, and is forecast to be at 1.621 billion tonnes in 2006/07.  World wheat consumption exceeded production last season, and is expected to do so again this season. A draw-down in world stocks is therefore expected for the second year running.

As I understand it, for the last three years the world has in fact consumed more than it has produced. Much of this increased consumption is due to the growth of China and India and they have only just started.

Finally, the new and exciting market created by biofuels. Millions of tonnes of production are soon to be diverted to the conversion of wheat and oilseeds to fuel. America is running scared of a Russian fuel supply stranglehold and focussing more and more on this technology. This is a new and potentially huge drain on world stocks.

Scary isn‟t it? How sensible does organic farming look now?

In theory all this should mean huge price hikes in the price of wheat and a new Porsche for me. So how come UK prices are sliding again?

I hate January. David de Boinville

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Walkern Primary School News

We would like to welcome this new term to school Roya Meyri, Suni Urwquahart, Jasmine Taylor and Charlotte Arch. We hope they enjoy their time at our school.

We will be taking part in the Big Schools Bird Watch in January, children will be armed with binoculars and pencils noting down all the birds we see in our school playing field.

We have lots of events coming up over the spring. Our Easter service will take place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday 27th March at St. Mary‟s Church. You are welcome to come and join us. Prior to the service, children will enjoy an Easter breakfast in the school hall.

Children from classes 3 and 4 will be taking part in a Mini Olympics event on 15th March at the Stevenage Leisure Centre. This is great event which enables all the children to try different sporting activities.

We would like to thank Mr Alan Hickman who is now trained and working with Jack Ginn as our new crossing patrol. We all very much appreciate them both assisting us cross the busy road with our children. Natasha Chapman

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Wakern on the Wildside

It has been a fairly quiet winter so far for our garden birds. All the regulars are around but not in great numbers, and no unusual visitors except for one male Blackcap. Because of the exceptionally mild weather there is still plenty of natural food for them in the countryside.

This mild weather is also stimulating some birds to think about breeding. Both Blue and Great Tits are inspecting and also defending our nest boxes, and the Robins, which in the last issue of the WJ we said separate for the winter, have now paired up again and are examining potential nest sites. The male Robin has for some weeks now been gently singing to proclaim his territory, as early as 4am outside our bedroom window!

Another songster at this time of the Mistle Thrush year is the Mistle Thrush, also known as the Storm Cock as it will continue to sing its loud, far- carrying song from the top of the tallest tree even in the teeth of a gale and driving rain. The Mistle Thrush is the largest of our thrushes, paler than the Song Thrush with a more upright stance and white under its wing, seen when it flies. As I write this, one is singing loudly from the top of a large fir tree beside Rooks Nest Farmhouse.

It is not only birds that are reacting to the mild weather: on 19th January we saw a Bumble Bee in our garden inspecting a patch of early-flowering purple crocus but finding it difficult to find flowers that were open enough for it to crawl inside. During the same week we also heard reports of butterfly being seen in local gardens; Red Admiral, Peacock and Brimstone. Hopefully these creatures will not be caught out by cold snaps, as winter is certainly not over yet.

Winter walks A walk on the bright sunny morning of January 1st provided some interesting sightings. Up the hill from the War Memorial, on the first bend, there is a patch of (I think) millet. This is for Pheasant cover,

but the seed attracts lots of small birds, mainly Greenfinches and Chaffinches, but also more than a dozen Yellowhammers, which flew to and fro between the millet and the Hawthorn hedge, where the bright yellow of the male Yellowhammers shone in the winter sun like lights on a Christmas tree. The wood at the top of the next hill had a mixed flock of Tits; Blue, Great, Coal and Long-tailed.

A little further on, from the trees by the small pond on the left near Walkern Hall, flew a flock of Redwings and Fieldfares, the Fieldfares making their “chucking” sound as they flew. Past Walkern Hall and round the back of Clay End, near St John‟s Wood, we watched a pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker and heard a Green Woodpecker “laughing” in the distance.

At the cross roads in Bassus Green we saw the unusual sight of two pairs of Bullfinch with their pinkish- Bullfinch red breast and cheeks. These like many other countryside birds have declined in number drastically over recent years, so it was good to see these beautiful birds here. Also at Bassus Green, on the disturbed ground of the new pig pen, were a flock of more than 60 Chaffinches. In winter it is always worth scanning any flock of Chaffinches for Bramblings, a closely related finch which is a winter visitor to this country. The Brambling has more black and orange in its plumage, and also has a white rump. Unfortunately we couldn‟t see any in this flock.

And so on down the hill and back home from a walk on which we saw 20 different species of bird.

On another walk in early January up Dovehouse Lane, we noted that the flock of Golden Plover (reported by Simon Bennett in last month‟s WJ) was still in residence and the number of birds had increased to an estimated 400. Quite an impressive sight!

Paul and Ann Collis

Walkern on The Wildside Don’t mind the gap!

The first three weeks of January saw unseasonable daytime temperatures that were often in double figures. Just such a day occurred on the 19th, when temperatures reached 14o C and on a walk on the path from the church to Cromer a honey bee and peacock butterfly were seen (see also Paul and Ann Collis‟s article). Snow drops have emerged and are flowering in the churchyard, and ragwort, daisy and colt‟s-foot are also in flower. In the hedgerows the leaves of lords and ladies have already emerged, and the hazel catkins are out

I am sure that, like me, most of you on the 19th January were busy checking roof tiles and any garden trees for damage after the very strong winds of the day before. I then set out to check the local woods and trees for signs of damage. Around Walkern quite a number of trees were blown down, but there was no evidence of the wide-scale damage that affected parts of the south in October 1987. The walk north to Cromer along the river Beane showed quite a number of fallen trees. A couple of hawthorn and a bird cherry were blown down along with a large crack willow by the river‟s edge (see photo on back page). The crack willow is fast growing and can reach a large size, but as the tree‟s common name suggests the wood is much more fragile than nearly any other tree and easily splits. So it was no surprise that this had succumbed to the gales.

In the storms of 1987 the trees still had leaves and this contributed to the falling of many trees which otherwise might have survived in the leafless state when they offer less resistance to the wind. I remember the concern at the time and visited parts of Kent, e.g Box Hill, where the devastation was widespread. Though perhaps a tragedy in our sense, this was of little consequence for the woodlands. Regeneration is rapid in woodlands, at least over the timescale of tree development. In most habitats in the UK the “climax” vegetation would be woodland if left to its own devices, where trees should be present of all ages and sizes in a healthy “wildwood” and winds remove the more infirm and open up chances for other species.

Canopy gaps are generated by this wind-throw, particularly when a large tree is blown down. This opens up the woodland floor to much

more light. Light levels under tree canopies can vary from 1 to 10 % of that in the open, e.g. beech casts a dense shade, while birch a much lighter shade, and this has profound effects on the ground flora. It is worth checking the different plant species surviving under tree canopies. The most varied ground flora occurs in managed or coppiced woodland where a regular cycle of cutting (5-10 years) of certain trees takes place, usually ash, hazel, hornbeam. Many remnants of old coppices can be seen around Walkern. These practices largely died out from the 1940s, but have made a comeback in the last twenty years as county wildlife trusts and the woodland trust now buy and manage woodlands for amenity and wildlife management.

Such open sites in woodland benefit birds and butterflies as well as the varied ground flora. In these canopy gaps the trees also take advantage and faster growing species such as birch and sycamore benefit, but these are comparatively short-lived species of 60 to 80 years and eventually will be replaced by slower growing but longer- lived climax species such as oak and beech. These processes apply in the same way to tropical forests, although the diversity and species are very different of course! John Pearson

Thank You

I would like to send my thanks to the many neighbours and friends who sent cards, flowers and good wishes to me after my recent successful Hip Replacement operation. They certainly cheered me up and helped me on my road to recovery. Ron also sends his appreciation of your thoughtful messages. Fran Hucklesby

Memorial Bench

We would like people of Walkern to know that there is now a bench off Bilts Lane [between the War Memorial and Clay End] in memory of our son Andy. Also, we appreciate that the De Boinville family made it possible for it to be put on their land. We hope that the bench will be used for people to rest and make the most of the view that Andy enjoyed. Mary and Michael Miller

Walkern Lives: Jack Swain: Missing in action

John Thomas (Jack) Swain was born in the Parish of Rushden on 30 May 1893 the second child of John & Sarah Ann (nee Barnes. See photo), he had two brothers and two sisters. The family moved to Walkern and lived in the cottage at the junction of Beecroft Lane & the High Street.

Right: Jack’s mother, Sarah, outside Beecroft Cottage, Walkern

Below left: Jack Swain in uniform

Below right: Jack married Eveline Hutchin in 1916

At first Jack worked at Walkern Mill, but it was when he moved to help look after the horses at Walkern Hall that he met Eveline Hutchin who had moved from Gosfield in Essex to work as a Housemaid for the Cotton-Browne family.

At the outbreak of "The Great War" in 1914 Jack joined up with the Hertfordshire Regiment and fairly soon was in action in France. In 1916 he returned to the UK and on 24 April 1916 was married to Eveline at Gosfield Parish Church (see photo). He returned to active service but in January 1917 Eveline received a field services postcard letting her know that Jack was wounded and in hospital. He had suffered shrapnel wounds to his hip and foot and was being looked after in France. In time Jack returned to his base camp at Halton, Bucks where Eveline was living in married quarters, and when he had recovered he was posted to 8th Leicestershire Regiment and returned to action.

Eveline, who unbeknown to Jack was now pregnant with Nancy, returned home to Gosfield, where on 5 July 1918 she received a dreaded telegram from the Infantry Record Office in Lichfield informing her that Jack was missing (see below). Nancy was born on 30 July 1918 but there was no news of Jack.

Below: The original “missing in action” telegram and a transcription

Madam, I regret to inform you that a report this day has been received from the War office to the effect that … Sgt JT Swain…. [of the] 8th Leicester [Regiment] … was posted as missing after the engagement in the field on the 27–5-18. Should he subsequently rejoin, or any other information be received concerning him, such information will be at once communicated to you. I am, Madam, your obedient servant...

However in August of 1918 Eveline received a letter from Sgt Betts, a friend of Jack‟s, informing her that he had seen Jack: he was in a German Prisoner of War camp and was well. A greatly relieved Eveline wrote back to Sgt Betts, and his second letter to her can be read below.

18/9/18 Dear Mrs Swain, I received your letter this morning and am pleased to know that I have eased your mind regarding your husband. He is at present in a camp just behind the German lines, a village named Bazancourt, and it is about 16 kilometres from the city of Reims. Being a Sergeant he has absolutely no work of any description to do, and apart from his natural worrying about you, he is quite cheery and as well as possible under the circumstances. Of course he will appreciate the parcels etc, when they begin to arrive, but he is contented to know that eventually, he will come back home to you again, safe and sound. Allow me to congratulate you on the recent event. My word, Jack will be pleased, and a girl too! Oh by the way, the address Friedrichsfeld, is simply a collecting place for P of W letters and is not the place at which your husband is. Hoping that you and baby are enjoying the best of health, and that this letter will further relieve your anxiety. I remain, Yours Sincerely, Harold Betts, Sergt

It seems that Jack had been captured during the 3rd Battle of Aisne. This battle, from 27 May to 6 June 1918, was the final large-scale German attempt to win the war before the arrival of the US Army in France. On 27 May, taken completely by surprise and with their defences spread thin, the Allies were unable to stop the attack and the German army advanced through a 40 km gap in the Allied lines gaining an extra 15 km of territory by nightfall. Owing to the heavy concentration of primarily British troops in front-line trenches, casualties from the bombardment were severe and by 30 May the Germans had managed to capture 50,000 Allied soldiers and 800 guns, arriving within 90 km of Paris by 3 June. But by 6 June the German advance had run out of steam.

Laon

Morning 27 May

Bazancourt Evening 27 May

Above: Detail of a map of the Aisne Offensive showing the position of the front line in the morning of 27 May 1918 (the bold line) and in the evening (the dotted line). The city of Laon is shown by the circle at the top and the circle on the right is the town of Bazancourt where Jack Swain spent the last months of WW1.

Below & right:The original letter Buckingham Palace (and transcript) received by Jack 1918

Swain from King George V upon The Queen joins me in his release from the POW camp. welcoming you on your release from the miseries and hardships, which you have endured with so much patience and courage. During these many months of trial, the early rescue of our gallant Officers & Men from the cruelties of their captivity has been uppermost in our thoughts. We are thankful that this longed for day has arrived, & that back in the old Country you will be able once more to enjoy the happiness of a home & to see good days among those who anxiously look for your return.

The armistice was signed on 11 November 1918 and Jack eventually returned home to be reunited with Eveline and to meet his new daughter (see photo). He was finally discharged from the army on 20 March 1919 having served for four years and 132 days. Jack and Eveline went on to have four more children.

In the second World War Jack was a pioneer of the Local Defence Volunteers as well as being a Lieutenant in the Home Guard (see photo). He was well known in the village, serving as Chairman of both the Parish council and Walkern British Legion. In his younger days he played football and cricket for Walkern, and in later life was Chairman of Walkern Football Club, indeed he was conducting a WFC meeting a few hours before his death on 4th December 1962.

Many thanks to Donald A. Swain for writing most of his father‟s story and for allowing me to use his photographs and documents. Thanks also to John Richardson for the photo of Sarah Swain.

Below left: Jack with his daughter Nancy (and a fine Teddy Bear) Below right: In the Home Guard, WWII

Answers to last month‟s quiz “Where are these D Weathervanes and Cupolas in Walkern?” Walkern

A Totts Lane near the Mill junction with Winters Lane

Manor House Barns

B The Dovecote

Walkern Hall

C Walkern School G

St Mary’s Church

If anyone is interested in maintaining the recreation ground, next to the shop, on behalf of the Walkern Parish Council, please contact the Parish Council Clerk on 861895 for further details.

1st Walkern Rainbows

On the 26th November, (a rather wet day), the Rainbows planted a White-stemmed Birch. This was to mark National Tree Week, (22nd November-3rd December). Due to the bad weather there was only a small turn out, but we would like to say a very big thank you to the Rev Becky Totterdell for saying a prayer, also for helping to plant the tree, and for letting us use the church before and after the planting, so we could have a nice hot cup of tea.

We would also like to thank Mrs Soanes, who came out to watch and lend her support. Finally we would like to thank Mill End Nursery, who supplied the tree. Michelle Roberts mob:0794 6247032 home: 861120

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1st Walkern Guides A report by guide Eleanor

As many of you may know, Kim, Rita and I did a sleepout in St Alban‟s Abbey on 1st december to raise money for the homeless. It was on the same weekend as the night hike so many of the guides couldn‟t make it. Guides are well known for camping and we thought that we could take our expertise to this event, but it was a lot harder than we expected.

It had been raining lightly all evening but when we actually went to bed it had stopped. We went inside our sleeping bags covered in blankets and either inside or on top of cardboard boxes. Later that night it began to pour with rain. The boxes began to disintegrate and water even started to come through Kim‟s umbrella! I had so many layers on that my body stayed warm and dry, so I stayed out all night.

The sleepout raises about £40,000 each year for various charities for the homeless: our money has gone to Stevenage Haven. Thank you to everyone who sponsored us. If you would like to get more involved next year, please contact us. The sleepout is organised by the Diocese of St Alban‟s.

We were very lucky to have all the clothes, blankets and waterproofs we had but most homeless people don‟t have these luxuries. Next time it rains heavily, think about all those people who don‟t have the opportunity to go back to a nice warm house to dry off.

On the same weekend a team of our Above: The Tree of guides did the night hike with Knowledge. The Guides Stevenage District scouts. It didn‟t rain entry for the Christmas Tree as heavily for them but it was very, Festival. See page 13 very windy and at one point they 33

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thought that their tent was going to collapse! Well done to them for winning back the two trophies, and thank you to Zanie who accompanied them.

Thank you to everyone who helped make up shoeboxes of toys. We collected 59 in the village and they have all gone to Romania. Why not start collecting things now for next year, especially for boys. Let‟s see if we can make even more!

The guides played a big role in the Toy Service this year, with music, drama and readings. Well done. Thank you to everyone who attended and donated toys for the National Children‟s Home.

If you would like to join the Guides or help out, please ring Rita Healy on 861098

The Women’s Fellowship

The December meeting was held at the home of Marjorie Ashurst. Members listened to a selection of Christmas Carols beautifully sung by the Choir of Westminster Cathedral. Mary read the poem “Bethlehem Dawn”, which we later heard sung to the music of Peter Warlock. The refreshment money, plus a special donation, was sent to the Great Ormond Street Children‟s Hospital Christmas Appeal. A letter of thanks has been received.

The January meeting was held on 10th when Rev Tony Ruffell came and gave us a fascinating insight: as part of his ministry he is Chap- lain to the Fire and Police services, and visits large firms in the area. It involves all ecumenical groups headed by the Bishop of Hertford. He is there to offer support and his presence in times of trouble and crisis, and to comfort the bereaved. We were grateful that Tony was able to speak to our small group as he leads such a busy and varied life. A collection was taken which is being sent in memory of Phyllis Merriman who died recently and was an active member of our group before she moved to Yeovil.

The next meeting is on February 14th at Anne Strowger‟s home, where Paul and Ann Collis will give a talk about one of their exciting holidays, illustrated with slides. Joyce Tucker

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Walkern WI Report: December 2006 / January 2007

As usual Christmas came early, meeting as we do, at the beginning of the month. However, we were all quickly in festive mood, with a delicious buffet prepared by all the members, with wine and Christmas Crackers, members vying with each other to find the corniest mottos in their crackers. Various amusing stories and rhymes were read, and games played, followed by carol-singing accompanied by Marjorie Ashurst at the piano; the evening came to a close with all members receiving a present from the lucky dip along with a Christmas card signed by all the Committee.

The January meeting was well-attended and the President welcomed everyone - into a comfortably warm hall - and wished us all a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. We began as usual with the singing of Jerusalem with Marjorie Ashurst at the piano (what would we do without her?) and members were pleased to see a photograph of Marjorie in the January issue of the Hertfordshire WI News commemorating her 72 years membership of Walkem WI. A great achievement! A birthday posy was presented to Sally Canning, and that for Valerie Richardson will be delivered to her home.

A Christmas card had been received from Maureen Baker, an ex- member now living in Kent, and a card from Jill Gray, thanking the Institute for a winning entry depicting "Jam and Jerusalem" in the recent Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary's Church (See page 13). President Pam thanked anyone who had helped to decorate the tree and invited members to help themselves to some of the miniature jars of preserves which had decorated the tree. Suggestions, please, for the theme for our entry in the Tree Festival next December.

It was reported that Maureen Goldsmith and Celia Stinchcombe were both recovering in hospital but Jenny Bennett is still not very well. We very much hope that they will all be restored to good health very soon.

The first round of the WI Quiz is to be on the 30th March, when it is hoped that a team from Walkern will take part. The Resolutions for the NFWI Annual Meeting in June were then discussed, and it was decided that we would recommend three resolutions be debated: 1) That homeless people should have equal access to good accommodation; 2) That the closure of community hospitals should

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be halted and 3) That there should be a Carers' Payment instead of an allowance.

President Pam then introduced the speakers, Julie Handford (who lives in Walkern) from Sue Ryder Care, and Sue Doe who was PA to Sue Ryder for 18 ½ years, both of whom gave a very informative and interesting insight into the founding of Sue Ryder Care, highlighted with a slide projection. Sue Ryder was born in Yorkshire into a large family in 1923, and was always encouraged to help those less fortunate, as her mother campaigned tirelessly for better housing and facilities for the very poor and destitute people living near them. During WWII Sue saw service with the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry and was then seconded to the Special Operations Executive where she did relief work in Poland. In 1955 she met Leonard Cheshire; they became engaged in 1958 and married in 1959, and had two children, Jeremy born in 1960, and Elizabeth born in 1962. They continued with their relief work in Poland and Ethiopia, and built a community in India, called Raphael. Sue Ryder & Leonard They also set up several centres in Cheshire by A-K Purkiss. Britain, as well as the only specialised neurological centre in Hertfordshire at Stagenhoe Park, which today has more than more than fifty patients. Leonard Cheshire died in July, 1992 and Sue Ryder in November, 2000, but thankfully their great legacy lives on.

Jacky Penegar won the competition for the prettiest cup and saucer and the first of many raffle prize-winners was Joyce Tucker. Thanks were given to Fran Hucklesby for organising the raffle, and to Pam Sayers and Yvonne Hickman for the delicious refreshments

The next meeting will be on Thursday, 1st February, at the School Hall, when the speaker will be Rory O'Brien on "Life in New Zealand.", and the competition will be to see who can make the most words from the letters in "NEW ZEALAND". New Members and visitors are always warmly welcomed. Margaret Smith 39

The United Benefice of St Peter, Benington with St Mary, Walkern www.ubbw.org.uk Church Services: February 2007

Sunday 4th Third Sunday before Lent 9.30am Parish Eucharist Walkern 11.00am Parish Communion Benington

Sunday 11th Second Sunday before Lent 9.30am Parish Eucharist Walkern 11.00am Parish Communion Benington Visiting preacher at both Churches: Revd Canon Patience Purchas

Sunday 18th Sunday Next before Lent 8.00am Holy Communion, 1662 Benington 9.30am Parish Eucharist Walkern 11.00am Family Service Walkern 11.00am New Worship Benington

Wednesday 21st: Ash Wednesday 8.00pm Holy Communion Benington 8.00pm Holy Communion Walkern

Sunday 25th First Sunday of Lent 8.00am Holy Communion, 1662 Benington 9.30am Parish Eucharist Walkern 11.00am Family Service with Communion Benington 3.00pm Service of Prayer for Healing followed by tea Walkern

Place for Prayer On Tuesday evenings at 5.00pm there is a short time of prayer at Benington Church. Anyone is welcome to come. At this time we especially pray for those mentioned on the Church‟s Prayer Board.

Midweek Communion service Christians of all denominations meet at this communion service held on Thursday mornings at Walkern United Reformed Chapel, 10.00- 10.30am. 40

Special services during February

Ash Wednesday Lent begins this month, in which we recall the 40 days which Jesus spent in the wilderness – physically and spiritually – before starting on his three-year ministry. There will be a special service of Communion, with the imposition of ashes, at both St Peter‟s and St Mary‟s on Ash Wednesday, 21st February. Traditionally, the ashes used on Ash Wednesday are made from the burning of left-over Palm crosses from the previous year. A small daub of ash is put on the foreheads of worshippers at this service, as a reminder of our mortality and dependence on God. All are welcome to come.

Service of Prayer for healing This service, which will be held at St Mary‟s at 3.00pm on Sunday 25th February, provides an opportunity to receive the laying-on of hands with prayer for healing, if you feel that would be appropriate for you. Or, come in order to pray for the healing of others. It is a service in which we ask for that healing which is God‟s will for those on our hearts – whether healing emotionally, spiritually, physically or mentally. It is also an occasion when we shall be praying for those in the healing professions: doctors, nurses, psychiatrists and counsellors, researchers and pharmacists. Come and pray with us on that afternoon.

From the Registers Funerals 17 February Rosanne Banks-Smith, at Walkern Church

Women’s World Day of Prayer Friday 2nd March 2007 United under God‟s tent A service prepared by Christian Women of Paraguay

At United Reformed Church, Walkern 2.00 – 3.00 pm

Speaker: Audrey Murphy BS Hons Refreshments to follow

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Answers to last month’s Christmas quiz 1. Band Aid was at number one in 1984 with “Do they know it‟s Christmas”. 2. Isaac Newton, Kenny Everett, Anwar El-Sadat, Humphrey Bogart and Dido were all born on Christmas day (1642, 1945, 1918, 1899, 1971) 3. It is in The Netherlands where children believe that Saint Nicholas arrives on a boat from Spain and rides down the streets on a white horse accompanied by his servant, Swarte Piet (Black Pete). 4. Bing Crosby sang “White Christmas” in the film Holiday Inn. 5. Nine Ladies Dancing were given on the 9th day of Christmas. 6. The first month of the year is called January after Janus, the Roman god of doors and gates. 7. La Befana in Italy, Julinesse in Denmark and Dedushka Moroz in Russia all perform the same function as Santa Claus (La Befana is a kindly old witch, Dedushka Moroz is Grandfather Frost) 8. The Queen‟s Speech was first televised in 1957 9. Mistletoe was handed out by Celtic priests of the Middle Ages in celebration of the New Year. 10. Great Britain adopted the Gregorian calendar, which restored January 1 as New Year's Day, in 1752. 11. The Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square is a gift from the people of Norway, given since 1947 as a token of appreciation of British friendship during WWII 12. Robert Louis Stevenson wrote the poem “Christmas as Sea”. 13. Rudolf is the reindeer who does not pull Santa‟s sleigh. 14. Historians believe that St Nicholas was born in Turkey. 15. December 25 as the birth date of Jesus Christ first appeared in an early Roman calendar in year 335. 16. In total, 364 gifts are given in the song “The 12 days of Christmas”. 17. The word Christmas is sometimes abbreviated to Xmas because the Roman letter X resembles the Greek X (chi) which is an abbreviation for Christ (Χριστός). 18. Russia and Greece both have St Nicholas as its patron Saint. 19. We are told that Jacob Marley is dead at the beginning of A Christmas Carol. 20. 2007 is the Year of the Boar (or Pig) in the Chinese calendar.

Walkern United Reformed Church : Contact details

Minister: Revd Tony Ruffell, 18 Pembroke Road, Baldock, SG7 6DB. Tel 01462-490116

Elders: Revd John Walker, 12 Riddell Gardens, Baldock, SG7 6JZ. Tel 01462 895481 Mr Richard Cannon, 33 High Street, Walkern, SG2 7N. Tel: 861278 Mrs Mary Miller, 129 High Street, Walkern, SG2 7NJ. Tel: 861669

Treasurer: Mr Richard Cannon: 861278

Secretary: Mrs Mary Miller: 861669

St Mary’s Church, Walkern. Contact details

Priest in Charge: Revd Becky Totterdell. The Rectory, Bockings, Walkern, SG2 7PB. Tel. 01438 861322

Readers: Mr Paul Cobb, 14 Hebing End, Benington, SG2 7DD. Tel 869348 Mrs Anne Edwards, „Irving Cottage‟, 112 High Street, Walkern. Tel. 861237 Mr Steve Mason, 136 Wisden Road, Stevenage, SG1 5JB. Tel. 360847

Retired Clergy: Revd Norman Plumb, 36 Walkern Road, Benington, SG2 7LP. Tel. 869731 Revd Jim Smith, 34 Cherry Tree Rise, Walkern, SG2 7JL. Tel: 861951

Churchwardens: Mrs Anne Edwards: 861237 Mrs Liz Morgan: 861564

Secretary to the Parochial Church Council: Mrs Jan Fewell 861322

Treasurer to the Parochial Church Council: Mr William Trower: 861004

Organist: Mrs Bev Harlow: 225365

Bell Ringing: 1st Sunday of month: 9.30-10.00am Subsequent Sundays: 9.00-9.30am Practice night: Fridays: 7.30pm Captain of Bells: Steve King: 358761

Friends of St Mary’s Churchyard (FOSMY) Mrs Jill Gray: 861338

Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals. To arrange any of these services, please contact Revd Becky Totterdell

Walkern United Reformed Church Services for February 2007, 10.00 am

4th February Communion Sunday, Rev John Walker 11th February Jenny Simmons, Ashwell & Baldock URC 18th February Rev John Walker 25th February Rev Tony Ruffell

Notes from the United Reformed Church January 2007

During our communion service on the 3rd December, the Rev'd John Walker welcomed Mrs.Bridget Bowater as a member of the URC. Bridget's contributions to the Church over recent months have been most welcomed.

On the second Sunday we hosted the Annual Toy Service, which again was a great success. Central to the service were the local Brownies and Guides packs and their leaders. The Rev'd Tony Ruffell and the Rev'd John Walker conducted the well-attended service. The record collection of £160.00 has been forwarded to the central NCH, whilst the donated toys, puzzles and games were donated directly to the Stevenage NCH.

Our faithful servant, the Rev'd John Walker, arranged a service of nine lessons and carols on the third Sunday. Rev'd Tony Ruffell celebrated a communion at 10.00 am on Christmas Eve; we also celebrated at St. Mary's later. Our services for December were completed when Mr. Gordon Sankey from the Stevenage URC made a welcome return visit. Many thanks to his wife, an accomplished organist, for her participation. Richard Cannon Walkern Mothers’ Union At the December meeting we had Advent readings followed by the preparation for our Christmas tree for the Festival. The January meeting was our Epiphany party when we played 2 festive games and enjoyed light refreshments provided by the members. The next meeting on 7th February will be a talk by Irene Pink on her experiences at the Evelina. Irene Pink

Painting of the Month at Walkern Gallery ―Midwinter‖ by Howard Forster

To pick the Painting of the Month (see opposite) was quite a difficult task as the works of many talented artists was on display. February is a fickle month and often the coldest of the winter. This painting, a watercolour, for us epitomises a typical February day. The artist has skilfully depicted a misty winter morning with snow still lying in the furrows after a recent fall. A country scene that although not specifically of a local site, could well be set in the Walkern area. This picture invites the walker to come and explore, and there‟s nothing better than a good brisk walk on such a day – but don‟t forget the binoculars as you never know what you might see! Ann and Paul Collis

Walkern Gallery 56 High Street, Walkern, Herts. SG2 7PG www.walkerngallery.com Tel: 01438 860369 Thurs— Fri— Sat— Sun 10am to 5pm

The deadline for inclusion in the March issue of the Walkern Journal is 20th February 2007

Please send all articles and reports for the Walkern Journal to the Editor: Janet Woodall, 20 Totts Lane, Walkern, SG2 7PL. Email [email protected] Telephone 01438 861688

Distribution: Jenny Bennett, 2 Winters Lane, Walkern: Telephone 01438 861195

Advertising: Justin Nye, 131 High Street, Walkern, SG2 7NP Email [email protected] Telephone 01438 861344

The Walkern Journal is printed by: Express Printing, 3 Milnyard Square, Peterborough PE2 6GX. Tel: 01733 230800 www.expressprinting.uk.com

Painting of the Month ―Midwinter‖ by Howard Forster

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47 Walkern under the Weather

Above: Walkern High Street under water. See page 7 Below: Willow blown down by the storms. See page 22