PARISH NEWS covering SHILLINGTON, PEGSDON & HIGHAM GOBION www.shillington.org.uk Issue 130 - June 2017 Deadline for August edition – Friday, 28th July 2017 PARISH COUNCIL COMMUNITY BUILDING/DEVELOPMENT IN HIGH ROAD: Following further meetings with Rowan/NHH Homes and Optimis Consulting, the revised planning applications for both the community building and additional homes on the site to the rear of the village hall are about to be submitted to CBC Planning as this magazine goes to press. As mentioned in previous editions, and in the annual report accompanying this magazine, much work has gone in to provide a community building fit for purpose for both current Village Hall/Social Club users as well as the wider community. More homes have now been added to the High Road development site to help reduce any additional funding needed for the community building and include much needed bungalows for our elderly as well as homes for our youngsters. We have asked to be able to let the village know once these properties become available before they go out on the open market. There will be a shortfall in funding for some of the internal fixtures and fittings of the community building and we are just awaiting confirmation of exactly what Rowan/NHH will be providing (i.e. fitted kitchen, furniture for the bar/lounge, white goods, etc.) so we can review what we have in various savings pots or go for funding elsewhere to cover this. We have accumulated savings from various building projects around the village over recent years and are pleased to confirm that a substantial amount has been set aside for recreational open space for the new children’s play area as well as play equipment – the existing area will be moved to make room for a much improved car park. There is also a pot to be allocated for outdoor sport, which will go towards an improved MUGA (multi-user games area). GREENFIELDS DEVELOPMENT: Thanks to the vigilance of residents of Greenfields (Julia & Andrea) for keeping us informed (and providing videos) of activities on this building site. Recent activities by the developers have given grave cause for concern, which we have shared with Aragon management, including deliveries during school arrival/departure times, developer’s HGVs attempting to reverse into the narrow site entrance with large lorries towing trailers behind and noisy works starting at 6.20am. This is all totally unacceptable in a residential area and shows a total lack of consideration or compassion to existing residents. Jonathon Lord at Aragon was unaware of much of this activity and was grateful to have the above brought to his attention. BONFIRES: Why is it necessary on a nice sunny weekend for people to fire up bonfires, not only spoiling the enjoyment of people in their gardens, but also ruining the washing hanging out to dry? There have been some regular, large fires down Apsley End recently – huge billows of smoke wafting down this conservation area, with awful smells ruining our country air. Several residents have called about this. No sure what on earth is being burnt to create all the smoke and smell, which gives cause for concern to thatched or listed buildings in the area. The Environmental Officer at CBC has been advised and will be investigating. For all Parish Council issues please contact: Mrs. K. Cousins, Clerk to the Parish Council 20A Vicarage Close, Shillington, Hitchin, Herts, SG5 3LS. 01462 713567 email: [email protected] website: www.shillington.bedsparishes.gov.uk ANNOUNCEMENTS / ITEMS / NEWS IN BRIEF Sylvia & Ken Phillips wish to thank neighbours and friends (including the Queen) for their cards and good wishes on the occasion of their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. Afternoon teas will be served by the Flower Team in All Saints Church on Monday, 28th August (bank holiday) from 1-5 pm. Hopefully there will be other treats in store during your visit ! WANTED – Donations for the TOMBOLA Stall at the All Saints Church Fete at the end of June. All contributions gratefully received. Please contact Margaret 01462-711635 IVOR JEPPS 28th February 1937 – 1st March 2017 The family of Ivor would like to thank everyone who attended his funeral service. A big thank you for all the cards and messages of condolence, but most of all the help and kindness that friends and neighbours showed when Ivor was poorly. It has been a great comfort to see how respected he was by so many. We thank all who donated to Cancer Research to the total of £808. Bury Road Bench A big THANK YOU to the bench fairy and his little helpers for sorting out the seat in Bury Road for our enjoyment…. Thanks to Derek Turner for organizing the short-notice litter pick last weekend. This was to remove the rubbish dredged up amongst the mud lining the back of the Village Green and ‘along the bottom’ (High Road). A great team of ‘pickers’ turned up to help, which was much appreciated. Once the grass seed breaks through, the regular grass cutting contractor will hopefully be able to get these areas back into a tidy shape. Sally S Letter from the Vicar Richard Winslade The Vicarage, Shillington 01462-713311 [email protected] Dear Friends The horrific bombing in Manchester will have left us all stunned and wondering what could possibly make a person take part in such an evil act. We will never know the full story of background to this tragic act of evil but it reminds us that there is an ongoing battle between good and evil in this world. I am sure you will join me over the next few weeks to pray for the victims of the bombing, their families, the emergency services and the people of Manchester as a whole. Evil is however not always as obvious as it was this week. It will continue to work behind the scenes in Manchester and around this country. Evil is found in those people who will use the bombing to justify their own hatred and their own agenda. It didn’t take long for Facebook to be filled with the evil ranting of people denouncing the Moslems of our country. Others decided to use the bombings as an excuse to create conspiracy theories and to denounce various political parties. Evil loves division. It loves hatred and mistrust. The people of Manchester have a difficult task of rebuilding trust within their communities. The gospel teaches us to ‘Love your neighbour’. Not just the neighbour is like us but everyone. This is probably one of the hardest teachings of the Bible to follow but just think how much better our village, country and world would be if we could all keep to this teaching. So let us all pray we may all learn to look at our neighbours with love. Richard ALL SAINTS NEWS www.allsaintsshillington.org.uk or follow us on Facebook Parish Priest: Rev’d Richard Winslade ( 01462-713311) [email protected] (Day off on Fridays) Churchwardens (from 30th April 2017) Liz Brewer Tel: 01462-811074 Patricia Humphries Tel: 01462-711557 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]. Church Services: • 9.30am – Sung Eucharist - every 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sunday. • On 5th Sunday some services are held jointly with the Congregational Church at alternate venues. • 1st Sunday of the month: 9.30 am - Family Service. 6.00 pm - Choral Evensong For details of all our services and for PCC members’ contact details, please see our website www.allsaintsshillington.org.uk or the church notice board. Sunday Club: Unfortunately, at present, we are not able to run a Sunday Club. We welcome children to all our services and have a play area available. Special Services: Tuesday 11th July: 7.30 pm. WW1 Remembrance Service for Bertram Larman of 6th Bn. Border Regiment, who died on 15th July 1917. For details of all our services and for contact details of PCC members, please see our website www.allsaintsshillington.org.uk or the church notice board. From the Registers: Marriages 15th April 2017 Robert William Watkins and Lucy Pamela Ramsay Burials 16th May 2017 David Henry Tullett Aged 94 (Burial) 200 Club Winners April 2017 May 2017 1st £50 no. 164 Janet White 1st £50 no. 30 Alexandra Theaker 2nd £25 no. 178 Matilda Gurr 2nd £25 no. 164 Irene Brettell 3rd £10 no. 45 Nev Hanks 3rd £10 no. 41 Jon Brewer Forthcoming Events: 24th June: Church Summer Fete 2pm to 4pm at Parsonage Farm - by kind permission of the Courjeon Family. Come and enjoy traditional summer fun for all the family. 2nd July: Summer lunch in Gravenhurst. Keep the date free, further details to be announced. 16th July: Strawberry Teas 3pm to 5pm at The Old Vicarage - by kind permission of the Martell Family ALL SAINTS’ ILLUMINATED To celebrate or commemorate your special occasion please contact: 01462-711850 (Catherine) It only costs £25 to sponsor a whole week’s illumination – a perfect way to commemorate a special family occasion or loved one’s anniversary. The ideal gift for the person who has everything. Sponsor Message From To In loving memory of Eric West "Jim". Sunday Saturday Joan Hyde A good friend and neighbour 21 May 27 May In loving memory of my husband, the late Denis Ansell, on the occasion of our Diamond Wedding Sunday Saturday Sylvia Ansell Anniversary on 8th June. 4 June 10 June Always in my thoughts Remembering a dear mother and grandmother The Layton (‘Oma’), Jennie Cook, who would have been 82 on Sunday Saturday Family the 22nd June. Miss you every day since you left us 18 June 25 June in October.